Tag: democracy

Votes for foreign residents and prisoners?

Foreign nationals resident in Scotland should be able to have a say in how the country is run. This the view of the majority of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee following its consideration of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill. Continue reading Votes for foreign residents and prisoners?

General Election 2019: Your candidates confirmed

UK General Election – 12 December 2019

Candidates in Edinburgh have been confirmed as:

Edinburgh East

GILMORE, Sheila – Scottish Labour Party
MILLER, Claire Helen Innes – Scottish Green Party
PRICE, Eleanor Margaret Louise – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
REILLY, Jill Mary – Scottish Liberal Democrats
SHEPPARD, Tommy – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh North and Leith

ASTBURY, Heather Jane – Renew
BROCK, Deidre Leanne – Scottish National Party (SNP)
BURGESS, Steve – Scottish Green Party
MCGILL, Iain – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
MUNRO, Gordon John – Labour and Co-operative Party
SPEIRS, Robert – Brexit Party
WILSON, Bruce Roy – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh South

BEAL, Alan Christopher – Scottish Liberal Democrats
COOK, Nick – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
MACDONALD, Catriona Mary Elizabeth – Scottish National Party
MURRAY, Ian – Scottish Labour Party
NEVENS, Kate – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh South West

BALLANTINE, David Craig – Brexit Party
BROWN, Mev – Social Democratic Party Scotland
CHERRY, Joanna Catherine – Scottish National Party (SNP)
COOKE, Sophie – Scottish Labour Party
INGLIS, Tom – Scottish Liberal Democrats
LAIDLAW, Callum Arron – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
PARKER, Ben – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh West

BOLTON, Craig William – Scottish Labour Party
GUNN, Elaine – Scottish Green Party
HUTCHISON, Graham James – Scottish Conservative and Unionist
JARDINE, Christine Anne – Scottish Liberal Democrats
MASSON, Sarah Louise – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council and Returning Officer for Edinburgh in the UK Parliamentary Elections, said: “The forthcoming election has dominated the news for all sorts of reasons and I’m certain it’s a big talking point for residents in Edinburgh and beyond.

“It’s essential that anyone that wants to take part in the vote makes sure they are registered – it’s easy to do.

“Visit gov.uk/register-to-vote to check if you’re registered by 26 November – it only takes a few minutes. Those who have already registered will soon begin receiving poll cards – read your poll card carefully to make sure you get to the right place to cast your vote on polling day.”

To vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December, voters must be aged 18 or over and either a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Voter registration closes at midnight on Tuesday 26 November. Anyone already registered for the European Election on 23 May does not need to re-register.

However, anyone who has changed address since then needs to re-register to be able to vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December. Visit the voter registration website to register.

Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday 26 November.

Applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Postal ballot packs will soon be sent out to residents who have registered. Postal voters are encouraged to return their completed ballots as soon as possible.

Voters should mark an X beside one candidate.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

Let’s hear it for our hard-working councillors!

Home advantage for four city councillors!

LGiU (Local Government Information Unit) Scotland and sponsora CCLA have unveiled the shortlist for the 2019 Councillor Awards.

For the second year running, the Councillor Awards have been showcasing the best of local government. The Councillor Awards are the only national awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of individual councillors across Scotland.  Continue reading Let’s hear it for our hard-working councillors!

Edinburgh Association of Community Councils AGM

EACC Annual General Meeting –  Thursday 21st November 2019

The 2019 Annual General Meeting will take place on

Thursday 21st November 2019 at 7 pm.

Venue: European Room, City Chambers, Edinburgh EH1 1YJ

The Minutes of the 2018 AGM and provisional Agenda along with the accounts for 2018-19 can be downloaded on the website at EACC Documents. Nomination papers for Office Bearer positions are also available at the same URL in EACC Documents in two formats and can be scanned and emailed or posted to the Secretary.

Nominations for Office Bearer posts will close at 7pm on Thursday 19th November 2019.

Announcement of Candidates for Office Bearer posts will be made on Tuesday 19th November immediately after close of the nomination period.

Notice of AOCB items to the Secretary as soon as possible and at least 24 hrs prior to the meeting. It will be at the Chair’s discretion to discuss these items. We really want to hear from our representatives on issues they consider important to all Community Councils.

It is also important to ensure your nominated representative is correct.

Their names are on the Members list at http://www.edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk/members 

If this has changed please inform the Secretary at secretary@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.ukas soon as possible.

Please RSVP to secretary@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk

Voter ID risks ‘electoral gridlock’

Elections in the UK could grind to a halt if the government’s plans for voter ID go ahead, the Electoral Reform Society has warned.

Dr Jess Garland told Radio 4’s World at One that close results would be likely to be challenged if mandatory voter ID were rolled out nationally, due to voters being turned away for lacking ID. Continue reading Voter ID risks ‘electoral gridlock’

Five year terms for MSPs and councillors? Have your say

Should politicians get an extra year in office – or is four years already too long? Proposals to change the way national and local elections are run in Scotland are to be examined by the Scottish Parliament’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee. Continue reading Five year terms for MSPs and councillors? Have your say

Community Council elections: nominations open tomorrow

Nominations for Edinburgh’s Community Councils will open tomorrow (Monday 9 September) and people passionate about their local area are being encouraged to apply.

Community Councils give residents the opportunity to influence what happens in their part of the city with members playing an active role in a wide range of activities, including commenting on planning and licensing applications, taking part in community campaigns and working with others to improve the local area. Continue reading Community Council elections: nominations open tomorrow