IT is an old platitude that ‘we get the government we deserve!’
An engaged and informed electorate will likely choose a government with policies which benefit most people. Conversely, an apathetic and disengaged electorate is likely to get a government chosen by very few, with policies which appeal to a minority. With reports of an estimated turnout in France’s Presidential first-round primary (held yesterday) of 80 per cent, I cannot help the sinking feeling i get when i read that next month’s local Council elections are expected to see a voter turnout of closer to 50 per cent.
Being strictly non-partisan and staunchly non-party political, EVOC can only encourage people to exercise their right to elect Councillors to represent their interests. To help Edinburgh’s Third Sector engage with the issues, EVOC – on behalf of Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface – hosted a series of Twilight Talks where a range of Third Sector interests met prospective candidates party-by-party on successive Tuesdays between 6th March and 3rd April.
A Twitter stream using the hashtag #TwillightTalks and a series of Blogs published on EVOC.org.uk captured the key points made during the informal discussions, with each party taking the time to engage with the Third Sector.
Each party was invited to respond to the challenges set within the Edinburgh Third Sector Manifesto, and party representatives welcomed the opportunity to hear from the Sector as they were developing their own Manifestos for the local Council elections. To help you make up your mind, we’re publishing here links to the main parties’ manifestos for the local elections (in the order in which the parties attended our Twilight Talks.)
Happy Reading, and Happy Voting on the 3rd of May!
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