News shared by Charity Garnett on behalf of East Wight Primary. Ed
Stopthetories.vote delay their tactical voting recommendation in Isle of Wight East due to ‘unusually high levels of local campaign activity’.
The innovative East Wight Primary approach to local tactical voting means that a key tactical voting website is withholding their recommendation.
Concern over accuracy of the recommendations
Since last October, EWP have expressed concern about the accuracy of the polling in East Wight given even the most sophisticated constituency level MRP models use what happened last time as the baseline against which the current predictions are made.
Our concerns are that at the last election the whole Island voted, not all the parties participated, and many of the candidates we voted for are now standing in West Wight. Islanders have a strong record of backing candidates over parties, reflected in Stephen Ross winning what was not even a target seat, and the high number of Independent local and county councillors.
Local people know we need a strong advocate to stand up for the Island in Westminster, and people are pretty mobile between parties to achieve that. In traditionally safe Conservative seats many of us are prepared to vote tactically, evidenced by the 1000+ people now on our mailing list.
Ground-breaking, people-powered initiative
The East Wight Primary, inspired by the South Devon Primary is a ground breaking, people powered way of helping local people to decide the tactical choice for ourselves.
People on the electoral roll of East Wight have until noon this Saturday 15th June, to register for our secure online vote. That gives us time to verify that you are registered to vote in East Wight.
Voting opens on 19th June
The voting is then open from 6am on 16th June until midnight on 19th June.
The People’s Champion will be announced on the morning of 20th June and EWP supporters will then support the election campaign of that candidate.
We hope the tactical voting websites will take our result into consideration when making their recommendations
Garnett: The more of us that vote in our poll, the more robust our result
EWP Co-Founder Charity Garnett said,
“If you already have a strong idea of who you think the best tactical choice is in East Wight, and will be sad or angry if our process produces a different result, then please register for our vote today.
“It’s much easier to get behind a decision you had a part in making. If you want to help choose but aren’t sure who is best, please attend one of the many hustings happening in person and online before 19th June, and decide for yourself who is best placed to beat the Conservatives here.”
O’Flynn: Our volunteers are part of an effort to encourage greater democracy
Co-founder Mobes O’Flynn said,
“I am incredibly excited about the whole concept of East Wight Primary. It’s a perfect moment with a newly formed constituency to try to do things differently. It is motivating to be one of several primaries across the country.
“Our volunteers are part of an effort to encourage greater participation in the way we select our MP. We believe local people, with local knowledge of the candidates and the Island are best placed to decide the tactical choice, rather than distant algorithms.”
Article edit
7.45am 12th Jun 2024 – Changes to tactical website cited and image replaced
