Why should
I vote?
What do you expect of a Councillor?.
Councillors on St.Helena fulfil a number of roles: (click on the entries to jump directly)
The Legislative Council is the place where laws are made. The Governor's signature may be what is required to enact the law, but it is LegCo that decides what that law should be. It may be disappointing to note, however, that the vast majority of draft law is created by individuals outside of LegCo, notably the Attorney General. Where laws originate is a question that should be answered properly, but it is fair to say that LegCo should be more pro-active in making laws.
Laws are difficult things to read and understand, so the Councillors you elect must have keen and analytic minds with stamina and patience.
While politics on St.Helena does not involve party politics, in which a party would devise and publish an integrated set of policy principles, we can see that the 12 independent Councillors can frequently align themselves to a particular political colour. Trouble is, Councillors will align differently on different issues, so it may not be easy to identify how a particular candidate will perform on every issue that might concern you. On the other hand, it may be an advantage if you can find such a candidate to vote for, because he or she will be less strait-jacketed by party whips.
Whoever you decide to vote for, the candidate must be able to articulate his or her views succinctly, interestingly and decisively. A wilting weed won't speak up for you.
Next: >> What do you expect of a Councillor? continued (Monitor of
Government performance...)
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