Vote for anyone else!

[caddyman]

I have to confess that this is a new one on me.

I was walking to the station this morning for my usual commute when a woman thrust a leaflet into my hand - VOTE Thursday 3 May. There is a photo of the GLA building with the legend ‘Sack Boris’ projected on to it.



The reverse side of the leaflet tells you how to structure your vote to reduce his chances of winning. At no point does it ask you to vote for anyone else, it simply explains the use of the transferable vote to Boris’ detriment. I don’t think I have ever come across a campaign that is so uniquely negative before. I daresay it has happened, but I have been blissfully unaware; I am used to people canvassing for my vote for a named candidate, but never to my knowledge canvassing my vote against someone!

I see that the campaign is sponsored in part by TSSA. Google gives me the option that it may stand for either the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, or the Transport and Salaried Staff Association.

I know which one my money is on…

Comments

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

Another of Bob Crow's outfits, probably...

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

"I never vote for anyone; I always vote against."

- W.C.Fields

[agentinfinity.livejournal.com]

I've only seen anti-BNP campaigns of a similar bent.

[keresaspa.livejournal.com]

Happened all the time here back in the day with Unionist-led anti-Sinn Fein campaigns, most notably in 1992 when Gerry Adams lost West Belfast to the SDLP after the Shankill was encouraged to vote tactically to force Adams out. Not these days obviously now that Sinn Fein and the DUP are effectively in coalition but it used to be common.

I also believe Billy Bragg led a similar anti-Tory campaign a few years back. The details escape me now but Searchlight magazine, which was always in thrall to Bragg for some reason, gave it a lot of publicity at the time.

[agentinfinity.livejournal.com]

I expect it is because Billy Bragg is a favourite socialist uncle. Which is not to denegrate him - he's one of my favourite socialist uncles too.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

You two should meet and compare Marxist philosophies over ALCOHOL.

No, really.

Mr Hughes, Furtle and I can discuss gardening and I can stick my nose in from time to time and say something outrageously right wing to keep the banter flowing!

[keresaspa.livejournal.com]

It's uncle Robert Wyatt for me every time, although they are of course good mates.

[mingmerciless.livejournal.com]

What about the Texas Self-Storage Association?

[failing-angel.livejournal.com]

Charming, and terribly constructive.

What's slightly annoying is that part of me is tempted to vote for him, just to stick two fingers up at their demand.


Oh, and I don't know if you were being a tad disingenuous, but it is indeed - Transport and Salaried Staff Association

[fractalgeek.livejournal.com]

The local liberal sounded like two old ladies bitching about how everything happening was bad, and failed to make any suggestions about how he'd make anything better. One of the rare occasions I have taken party election publicity into account when placing my tactical votes.