Media comments on chess

[Kevin Thurlow]

And I am obliged to a colleague for pointing out this local election in Chessington South...

https://www.kingston.gov.uk/info/200175 ... ominated/6

Mike Basman is of course known to us, but also standing is Simon Illsley, a former team-mate of mine.

People representing other parties are also standing.

[Roger de Coverly]

Mike Basman is of course known to us

He's still using his long standing address, so presumably must have got some deal with his bankruptcy trustee to retain it.

[Stewart Reuben]

Roger >He's still using his long standing address, so presumably must have got some deal with his bankruptcy trustee to retain it.<

It is his ex-wife's address.

[Roger de Coverly]

It is his ex-wife's address.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=8610&p=194466&hilit=basman#p194466

[Nick Grey]

It is nice that there is some interest in Kingston Council elections tomorrow.

I'm in Coombe Vale Ward and surprised to see ex-Kingston player John Grant standing. He has not mentioned it to me.

As it is one of the 2 safest Conservative wards I expect 3 conservatives (one of which is a cabinet member).
There really has been an absence of candidates knocking on the door.

[Nick Grey]

I will also point out that Simon and John have their election agents but Mike's election agent is himself.
As I'm not in Mike's ward I cannot vote for him or Simon. But expect Simon will get more votes than Mike.

[Alex Holowczak]

There really has been an absence of candidates knocking on the door.

That's probably because:

As it is one of the 2 safest Conservative wards I expect 3 conservatives (one of which is a cabinet member).

I saw two elderly women wearing Labour rosettes near my street the other evening as I was arriving home, presumably doing some canvassing. It was good to see that token effort, which is the first I've ever seen around here. The Conservatives haven't put posters up on lampposts this time with the name of their candidate either, as is their normal custom in local elections. On Friday we'll find out how many thousands of votes Labour wins by.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"On Friday we'll find out how many thousands of votes Labour wins by."

I assume you mean throughout the country? Local elections tend to have a low turn-out!

[Chris Goodall]

In the violent aftermath of the Brexit vote, one of the images being shared with the whole world was of some blokes at Monument metro station holding a banner that read "Stop Immigration | Start Repatriation | NF". That's NF as in National Front. They stood next to the big yellow M to make it obvious where they were.

The chap on the left in the neon yellow shirt was Robert Batten, chess player for Tynemouth and perennial election candidate.

I was surprised to see he wasn't among the names seeking election in North Tyneside this time round.

Apparently he died of a heart attack last month at 68.

My feelings are approximately those of a bookshop customer closing a book and putting it back on the shelf.

[Nick Grey]

I have been a local government officer since 1984 so I'm very aware of the processes.
Most London Councils have 60-70 elected members. So not strictly comparable with General election where there may well be 1 elected member & may cover an area of say 2 Councils.

What I really do not understand is why Mike Basman is standing. He has no public service for Kingston Council so why would anyone waste their vote.

Turnouts in certain areas are higher than General elections. Let's put it this way I do not expect any wide turnarounds at some London Council's where a change of colour would mean 30-50% swings.

Having been at work 12 hours, then exiting via members entrance & being politely engaged was nice. Getting to Kingston & big impression was new ballot box so no extra folding I complimented them & said that will speed up the counting. Though I'm more concerned that Kingston Council are struggling with services and finances. My own preferences have changed I'm concerned with services because I'm old and my children have not been living in Kingston for 10 years.

Chess players and ex-chess players do stand for elections. And maybe over the weekend we may identify those that have been elected.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Getting to Kingston & big impression was new ballot box so no extra folding I complimented them & said that will speed up the counting. "

I noticed the reference number on my voting card seemed to be in Times Roman 4, so the person checking who I was had to really squint at it. Maybe that's just my Council being useless. The number always used to be on the large side.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"Chess players and ex-chess players do stand for elections. And maybe over the weekend we may identify those that have been elected."

Chris Howell (Lib Dem) stood in Chipstead (part of Reigate and Banstead). It's a very safe Conservative area, they got 1413 votes, Labour 276, Chris 196, Green 180ish, UKIP 120ish.

[Stewart Reuben]

Wednesday there was an ad on TV about small figurines. That featured was a chess piece and the voice-0ver spoke about 'Preston Schools U11 Chess Championship'.

[Kevin Thurlow]

And in Chessington South (where there were three seats), The three lib Dem got about 1800 votes each, the three Conservative (Including Simon Illsley) got about 1100 votes each, three Labour got about 300 each, UKIP got 158 and Mike Basman 109...

[Mick Norris]

Harry Lamb stood in Breightmet, Bolton

BATES Richard Lib Dem 61
BOLTON Dan Green 138
LAMB Harry UKIP 242
PLATT Francesca Lab 1278
WARREN Adele Con 1549
Spoiled votes 2 Turnout 34.38%