tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28205940.post4953440443615587197..comments2021-09-09T16:27:50.111+01:00Comments on Peter John <br> Labour Councillor for South Camberwell: Labour Win Southwark!Peter Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04644833539615787839noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28205940.post-8150882300453619322010-05-11T16:27:14.486+01:002010-05-11T16:27:14.486+01:00Congratulations on the election result. I'm g...Congratulations on the election result. I'm glad Labour did well in the Local Election, but I'm afraid if I'm honest I think you are being slightly unrealistic about the reasons. I think Labour did so well in the Local Election for one simple reason: Labour's local loyal vote turned out in force to reject David Cameron in the General Election and voted in the Local Election for the same reason.<br /><br />The impact of the General Election on the Local Election was huge. If people were judging the previous administration in Southwark, why else did the Lib Dem and Conservative vote go up so much in areas like Peckham and Camberwell where these parties barely bothered campaigning? People could hardly have been endorsing what they had done for this area, because they've really done very little. The reality is that people were voting on national issues.<br /><br />It's a rather worrying fact in our democracy that, firstly, many voters were barely aware that Local Elections were taking place last Thursday and, secondly, that few voters are clear on the different responsibility of local and national governments.<br /><br />I do hope that now Labour is in control of Southwark they will make significant progress. It was easy to blame the Lib Dem/Conservative coalition for failing. It will be much harder to make progress yourselves.<br /><br />I also hope that in areas like Camberwell where there are now no other voices on the community council that the Labour Party will work hard to engage with the community, including other political parties, for the good of Camberwell. The election results were a clear endorsement of Labour, but you must remember that good governments are made by good oppositions. For this reason, the Labour Party needs to allow others to retain a voice on the community council where there are no opposition councillors. The fact that you don't have to do this but choose to will give earn you great credit amongst the community.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08869819775840173967noreply@blogger.com