10 days to go

WELL the election campaign is well and truly underway.

But when you read all the publicity in the papers you`d be hard pressed to realise that the council elections are actually happening.

All the headlines, all the TV cameras, all the commentators are concentrating on the activities of the Holyrood candidates – or as all broadcasters seem to say, HOLLYrood elections. They`ve been watching too many movies.

And while it may be of great interest to everyone what Jack McConnell thinks of Alex Salmond, and vice versa; what Nichol Stephen has in mind, likewise Annabel Goldie, for the next session of the parliament, what happens in the County Buildings in Ayr will in fact have as much of an impact – maybe even more of an impact - on your day-to-day lives as the goings-on in Edinburgh. (OK a referendum on Independence will make a difference but that is three years away.)

Yet amazingly, going round the doors – I am sure I will be three inches shorter once this campaigning is over, I`ve walked so much – some people are surprised to learn that there are two elections going on on the same day.

And considering this is the first trial of PR voting for local elections in the country , that all the ward boundaries have changed and that instead of the usual X to select your candidate, you will not only be expected to number your choices you will be voting for more than one candidate in each ward, you`d think the council elections would be getting at least some publicity nationally.

Do I see a recipe for chaos on election night? I hope not. Though one native of Ireland now living here didn`t help my confidence. The voting system selected is the one used the Northern Ireland - the Single Transferable Vote system - and he assured me that folk won`t understand it - :`They`ll vote, 1, 1, 1, 1, instead of 1,2,3,4 and you`ll have loads of spoiled papers!`. Let`s hope he was underestimating the Scottish voter.

The only consolation is that all parties are facing the same problems, have the same concerns that they are getting their message across loud and clear.

As I write this there are only 11 more canvassing days left – and one more pre-election blog to write.

Next week I will let you know my view of your concerns, what folk have been talking about round the doors – and make one last appeal to you to get out there and vote.

All is not as it seems in the “political scene”
If you read the local papers recently you will have got the impression that Paul Torrance and Gibson Macdonald hate each others politics and guts. Well Paul’s been in hospital – all the Tories sent him a get well card genuinely wishing him well. On Friday he was in the County Buildings looking bronzed and fit. Paul then sought out Gibson and shook him by the hand to say a warm thanks for the friendly gesture sent at a time when he was feeling low. So there you are it is possible to argue forcefully but still respect each other.