(An article originally published in April 2023, amended and expanded to bring it up to date.) I spend a lot of time at this site examining, analysing, and critiquing various parts of culture (and having myself reciprocally examined, analysed and critiqued in return - I was told by a hate-fan recently that I do nothing but engage in "undignified, self-righteous ranting" for the benefit of "my little fan club", to which I took great exception... after all, I would like to think that my fan club is at least moderately sized...). And while I believe this is an extremely worthwhile pursuit for us all to engage in - we can't begin to solve the problem if we don't first understand what it is - I am solutions-focused, too, and try to balance my overall cultural analyses, with activism and suggestions for things we can get out there and do.
Well done! Would vote for you if I lived up there. All the best for the day. 💪
Rosa Koire would be proud [RIP]. Agenda 21: She said local is where we can take back power.
See also the Substack of Gather2030, Canadians kicking ICLEI (the UN) out of their councils. (A lot of UK councils are signed up to ICLEI, too.) https://gather2030.substack.com/
Thank you, Mrs. H, and that's really interesting. Rosa Koire is absolutely right - central government is a closed shop and completely controlled, but we do have real leverage on the local level. I'll keep you posted!
just took a quick look at Gather 30 stack, and subscribed. The article titles are very interesting, I'm very inclined to think that localism is the core.
Thank you, Trevor! How interesting you know people in Kirkburton. I'm the second on the ballot (apparently it makes a difference the nearer you are to the top) and the only independent, so hopefully will pick up a few protest votes if nothing else...
Hi Miri, been following your content for a while although only today paid to join your Substack as your content is excellent. I knew you were fairly local to me but as I was just recently seeing who is standing as our representatives for the forthcoming local council elections, it only turns out that your very good self is standing as an independent in my ward. It's spooky how the universe works sometimes! If I can do anything to help or come along to join people on the day let us know. I think it's important for like-minded individuals who aware of the sinister global agenda to form strength in numbers and to stand up against all the insanity we currently live under.
Hi James, wow - what a small world! And thank you for the kind words. If you’re around on Tuesday, I will be doing some leafleting in Kirkburton and any help would be much appreciated. We’re thinking 12-2. Even if you can only come for half an hour, that would be a great help. There's also an event in Wetherby on Wednesday to promote Jonathan's mayoral campaign that I will be at, and again, any help would be appreciated - if you email Jonathan at campaign@jonathan-tilt.co.uk he can give you the details. I know this is all rather short notice though, so no worries if not! We will be putting other local events together once election madness has subsided, so hopefully we will get a chance to meet then.
Unfortunately, I've just started a new job and can't get any time off at the moment. However please email me if you have any meet ups or social gatherings that need support. Or even if you need help with leaflet design as my nephew is a young teenage graphic designer will all the latest design software.
Miri - re your recent eyesight issues comment, glad to see you're looking after it while still relatively young, in your case moving from some printed matter to on-screen.
For myself the move has been in the opposite direction, as LED lit screens were causing very scary blurring. I don't have links to hand, but there is research re potential macular degeneration, including by a London eye surgeon, related to LED lighting in general. Jerm recently interviewed a Bangladeshi professor re dangers of LED light, though not specifically to eyesight, afair.
Anyway, I bought an ASUS (disclaimer) "eye-care" external monitor which allows blue light reduction, up to 70% can be selected. It has helped me a lot. Look after those peepers.
Thanks very much, TMD, and absolutely. I mentioned in the original article that - although standing as an MP or mayoral candidate requires a deposit - standing as a council candidate doesn't. It's completely free and you don't need to outlay a penny (I spent a total of £30 getting some leaflets printed, but that was my choice - plenty of candidates don't leaflet and still do quite well). You also only need 2 nominating signatures - a little more achievable than the 100 required for mayor!
Down our way in south London we think we may have to spoil our ballot paper in the mayoral and London Assembly elections, only feeling able to vote for the Heritage party (with its Christian principles) in the London-wide Assembly elections. The independents don’t appear, on further research, to be up to much, though many of the candidates (not just independents) are saying the populist things (eg abolish ULEZ, LTNs, etc). One needs more than that! It’s a difficult decision. I wish we had a Miri candidate down here!
Thank you, Priscilla! It can be a very difficult decision indeed, but at every electoral count I've been to, all the spoiled papers are publicly read out to all candidates, so it's definitely a valid way of getting a message across.
Thank you Dean, sage advice as ever! Alas there is no realistic prospect of me getting elected (I'll just be pleased to beat my dismal 26 votes from last year, when I managed to stand in the only ward in the borough with about 7 other independent candidates...), so for me it's more about taking the opportunity to platform pro-freedom views and make a political statement than actually believing I will get elected (although stranger things have happened!). If our side really mobilised though, I think Jonathan does have a chance (and re: pay, one of his campaigning promises is to give half of the salary to local community groups). So we will see... Results will all be in by early hours Sunday morning.
I did attempt to become a Councillor twice twelve years ago. I joined a mainline party as I did not think I could afford to pay for the literature etc needed to inform the electorate of my credentials and views.. There is no charge to stand as a Councillor, only obtain the necessary support of 10 valid electors who are not allowed to propose other candidates. It was an interesting experience. In retrospect I am glad not to have been elected. It takes a great deal of spare time and limits other commitments. Unless you have a distinct vocation/calling to become a public servant you will disappoint yourself and others. I had other more important responsibilities and these did not get the attention they should have had. There was a dominating party in power and having attended Council and committee meetings it was evident that it was a closed shop. The ruling party held sway ad nauseum. A current friend/councillor confirms it is hardly worth turning up. Nonetheless I wish you well Miri, but I think your blog output will diminish if you are successful.
Thanks John, and you are right - there is no charge to stand as a councillor (unlike MP / mayor), and actually nominations are now down to 2 from 10 (a hangover from "Covid"), which does make it even more accessible (if you're standing in the ward where you live, you can be one of your own nominating signatures).
Realistically, there is no prospect of my being elected, but I still think standing is important, in taking the opportunity to platform pro-freedom views in the real world, in a way that can transcend online algorithms and echo chambers. Every year I have stood, I have met a wide variety of interesting people I would not otherwise have encountered and discussed my views with them. It also presents an opportunity to leaflet the local community, bringing attention to freedom-themed issues in my immediate neighbourhood, and generating discussion. Leafletting need not be expensive - I got 2,500 two-sided leaflets for £30.
However, in the unlikely event I was somehow elected, I can only imagine that having insider access to all the shenanigans that go on within the council would give me more to write about than ever!
I think I was a 'bit wet behind the ears' in attempting to be a Councillor. You thought you stood no chance of being elected whereas I did think I had a realistic chance. I had a particular local issue I wanted addressed at that time (c2011?). I am not a typical activist but want to be across the massive issues we face and address them in person with friends and family and beyond. MP's, mine anyway, are a dead loss. but I do try!
I totally agree that the way to make life comfortable for the people and by the people is "getting involved in local politics." 100%
But the question should be asked: What is "local" in politics? This is where the distinction should be made, IMO. Your article is totally relevant for really local politics i.e. small size politics. It is great and thank you for your work. I would really like to live in the local world. But we are not.
Local world. In my opinion the only time when a man should take part in an election is when there is a candidate that a man knows personally, or via people he knows and there are limited number of candidates with real locally focussed plans/agendas for the benefits of the local people. This condition is by default can be only fulfilled on really local level.
Global world. This is exactly why the elections areas now are being expanded bigger and bigger. To take part in the elections for big area is not "local politics" any longer. To take part in such elections does not make sense exactly because a man can not fulfil a condition for local politics.
This is why I am not going to go to the election in London. The mayor of London is not "local politics". There are 13 candidates most of whom I have never heard. All their "programs" are essentially the same and does not have any matter for local people in my area, including myself. The introduction of Voter ID is just another reason to do not participate in big elections (see Commercial world below), but it is not the one that would stop me to participate in really local one.
Commercial world. You mentioned that we do not sign any contract or agree to anything by participating in election. This is a matter for discussion. According "Bills of Exchange Act 1882" a simple signature on a piece of paper can be view as accepted for a Bill of Exchange that later can be created on the same peace of paper. So, everyone must ask oneself every time the one puts a signature anywhere: What is the signature for and what am I accepting to pay? Mark "X" that we put on ballot paper is a signature for illiterate man. We simply do not know under what we put our signature "X". For the man who understand the implication of a signed paper to take part in an election is also not wise because of a lot of unknown. Introducing Voter ID has converted the elections into a commercial act where people do sign the paper that later to be converted into the financial instruments to provide recourses for the policies the elected politicians will introduce. Elections are very seldom now about local politics. Before sign anything everyone must seek full terms and conditions. Signature, even it is just a sign "X" is the acceptance of agreement. What is the agreement?
What to do. I am going to save my voice and signature to be used after the election to control local politicians using the ways given by law. This is how the real "local politics" should work for the big electoral areas: we the people must educate ourself how we can keep politicians to act according the law and in case they do not - to make them be responsible. This is the job for every day between election days for every man and woman.
Well done! Would vote for you if I lived up there. All the best for the day. 💪
Rosa Koire would be proud [RIP]. Agenda 21: She said local is where we can take back power.
See also the Substack of Gather2030, Canadians kicking ICLEI (the UN) out of their councils. (A lot of UK councils are signed up to ICLEI, too.) https://gather2030.substack.com/
Thank you, Mrs. H, and that's really interesting. Rosa Koire is absolutely right - central government is a closed shop and completely controlled, but we do have real leverage on the local level. I'll keep you posted!
Thanks H,
just took a quick look at Gather 30 stack, and subscribed. The article titles are very interesting, I'm very inclined to think that localism is the core.
So, more reading to be done!
Turns out I know at least a couple of Kirkburton voters so am trying to nudge/urge them to vote Miri. Good luck!
Thank you, Trevor! How interesting you know people in Kirkburton. I'm the second on the ballot (apparently it makes a difference the nearer you are to the top) and the only independent, so hopefully will pick up a few protest votes if nothing else...
Hi Miri, been following your content for a while although only today paid to join your Substack as your content is excellent. I knew you were fairly local to me but as I was just recently seeing who is standing as our representatives for the forthcoming local council elections, it only turns out that your very good self is standing as an independent in my ward. It's spooky how the universe works sometimes! If I can do anything to help or come along to join people on the day let us know. I think it's important for like-minded individuals who aware of the sinister global agenda to form strength in numbers and to stand up against all the insanity we currently live under.
Hi James, wow - what a small world! And thank you for the kind words. If you’re around on Tuesday, I will be doing some leafleting in Kirkburton and any help would be much appreciated. We’re thinking 12-2. Even if you can only come for half an hour, that would be a great help. There's also an event in Wetherby on Wednesday to promote Jonathan's mayoral campaign that I will be at, and again, any help would be appreciated - if you email Jonathan at campaign@jonathan-tilt.co.uk he can give you the details. I know this is all rather short notice though, so no worries if not! We will be putting other local events together once election madness has subsided, so hopefully we will get a chance to meet then.
Unfortunately, I've just started a new job and can't get any time off at the moment. However please email me if you have any meet ups or social gatherings that need support. Or even if you need help with leaflet design as my nephew is a young teenage graphic designer will all the latest design software.
Thanks very much, and I will indeed!
Miri - re your recent eyesight issues comment, glad to see you're looking after it while still relatively young, in your case moving from some printed matter to on-screen.
For myself the move has been in the opposite direction, as LED lit screens were causing very scary blurring. I don't have links to hand, but there is research re potential macular degeneration, including by a London eye surgeon, related to LED lighting in general. Jerm recently interviewed a Bangladeshi professor re dangers of LED light, though not specifically to eyesight, afair.
Anyway, I bought an ASUS (disclaimer) "eye-care" external monitor which allows blue light reduction, up to 70% can be selected. It has helped me a lot. Look after those peepers.
Thank you, TMD, that's good to know and I shall investigate further.
Seems just yesterday I read the original .... must check my diary, maybe it was.
Seriously, great advice, great analysis, and the sense of hope that we can make change with relatively small investments of effort.
Thanks very much, TMD, and absolutely. I mentioned in the original article that - although standing as an MP or mayoral candidate requires a deposit - standing as a council candidate doesn't. It's completely free and you don't need to outlay a penny (I spent a total of £30 getting some leaflets printed, but that was my choice - plenty of candidates don't leaflet and still do quite well). You also only need 2 nominating signatures - a little more achievable than the 100 required for mayor!
Down our way in south London we think we may have to spoil our ballot paper in the mayoral and London Assembly elections, only feeling able to vote for the Heritage party (with its Christian principles) in the London-wide Assembly elections. The independents don’t appear, on further research, to be up to much, though many of the candidates (not just independents) are saying the populist things (eg abolish ULEZ, LTNs, etc). One needs more than that! It’s a difficult decision. I wish we had a Miri candidate down here!
Thank you, Priscilla! It can be a very difficult decision indeed, but at every electoral count I've been to, all the spoiled papers are publicly read out to all candidates, so it's definitely a valid way of getting a message across.
That's something then!
https://civilise.substack.com/p/the-misrepresentation-of-uk-democracy
https://civilise.substack.com/p/the-case-for-uk-democracy
I've got the Champagne on ice Ms Finch, But i'm not holding my breath.
Not that i'm pissing on anyone's parade. Go for your life, all the very best
to you and your friends... When the shit hit the fan [2020 ish] I was utterly
astonished at how quickly the local councils - in my neck of the woods,
went full on Luftwaffe.. real scary shit.
As you point out 'Central Government' is wholly captured [by big money.]
And who could forget the Obvious coalescence of the mighty 'Uniparty'
sat in the 'Palace' adhering' to every last missive about; sqeezing the living
daylights out of our tortured souls and locking us down [not hard enough,
apparently] until we wept in fear and frustration [oh happy days].
As I say it was the local level that properly did the damage.. And long before
the False imprisonment occurred, most of our 'councillors' had a worse
reputation than their big cousins in Westminster. Bent beyond belief.
more corrupt than the Mussolini administration. Huge contracts being awarded
to family members. No end of bribery and illicit shenanigans.
That, believe it or not, was even before the SNP took a full nelson approach
to local government; by about the mid twenty teens it was tantamount to
dealing with a nest full of Vipers: absolutely no one in the local Zoological society
actually gave a shit about the Bill paying public.
Chrissakes, look at the local Circus in wales, masquerading as an Assembly [??]
And what of the guys in skirts with full slap on, and four inch heels reportedly
running the Local councils in Ireland [ that's just the chief executives, though?]
If we've seen anything, in the last few years, we've seen that the poison runs deep
And, it's, ostensibly, top down politics, with even the 'major players', no more
than interchangeable muppets. And most, if not all, of the Directives coming from
Unelected leaders of huge non democratic hegemonies - who seem to rule the world.
So, what I wanna see: when you and your friend, The new mayor, get 'Sworn in' to your
new respective, and highly lucrative political posts, [apart from bunging me big time,
for all my sage advice, and the planning permission application for my loft conversion;
accepted, obvs.] IS: a fly on the wall type documentary of your first year in office.!!
But, for obvious reasons, you can't use the BBC... So good luck, buddy.
[Top two Links; well worth a squint. Both by John Nugent: about this very illusive
concept of *democracy*: *how we spelling that, BTW.*
Thank you Dean, sage advice as ever! Alas there is no realistic prospect of me getting elected (I'll just be pleased to beat my dismal 26 votes from last year, when I managed to stand in the only ward in the borough with about 7 other independent candidates...), so for me it's more about taking the opportunity to platform pro-freedom views and make a political statement than actually believing I will get elected (although stranger things have happened!). If our side really mobilised though, I think Jonathan does have a chance (and re: pay, one of his campaigning promises is to give half of the salary to local community groups). So we will see... Results will all be in by early hours Sunday morning.
I would also recommend thinking about Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s “Live Not by Lies” as a principled if difficult way to resist.
I did attempt to become a Councillor twice twelve years ago. I joined a mainline party as I did not think I could afford to pay for the literature etc needed to inform the electorate of my credentials and views.. There is no charge to stand as a Councillor, only obtain the necessary support of 10 valid electors who are not allowed to propose other candidates. It was an interesting experience. In retrospect I am glad not to have been elected. It takes a great deal of spare time and limits other commitments. Unless you have a distinct vocation/calling to become a public servant you will disappoint yourself and others. I had other more important responsibilities and these did not get the attention they should have had. There was a dominating party in power and having attended Council and committee meetings it was evident that it was a closed shop. The ruling party held sway ad nauseum. A current friend/councillor confirms it is hardly worth turning up. Nonetheless I wish you well Miri, but I think your blog output will diminish if you are successful.
Thanks John, and you are right - there is no charge to stand as a councillor (unlike MP / mayor), and actually nominations are now down to 2 from 10 (a hangover from "Covid"), which does make it even more accessible (if you're standing in the ward where you live, you can be one of your own nominating signatures).
Realistically, there is no prospect of my being elected, but I still think standing is important, in taking the opportunity to platform pro-freedom views in the real world, in a way that can transcend online algorithms and echo chambers. Every year I have stood, I have met a wide variety of interesting people I would not otherwise have encountered and discussed my views with them. It also presents an opportunity to leaflet the local community, bringing attention to freedom-themed issues in my immediate neighbourhood, and generating discussion. Leafletting need not be expensive - I got 2,500 two-sided leaflets for £30.
However, in the unlikely event I was somehow elected, I can only imagine that having insider access to all the shenanigans that go on within the council would give me more to write about than ever!
I think I was a 'bit wet behind the ears' in attempting to be a Councillor. You thought you stood no chance of being elected whereas I did think I had a realistic chance. I had a particular local issue I wanted addressed at that time (c2011?). I am not a typical activist but want to be across the massive issues we face and address them in person with friends and family and beyond. MP's, mine anyway, are a dead loss. but I do try!
I totally agree that the way to make life comfortable for the people and by the people is "getting involved in local politics." 100%
But the question should be asked: What is "local" in politics? This is where the distinction should be made, IMO. Your article is totally relevant for really local politics i.e. small size politics. It is great and thank you for your work. I would really like to live in the local world. But we are not.
Local world. In my opinion the only time when a man should take part in an election is when there is a candidate that a man knows personally, or via people he knows and there are limited number of candidates with real locally focussed plans/agendas for the benefits of the local people. This condition is by default can be only fulfilled on really local level.
Global world. This is exactly why the elections areas now are being expanded bigger and bigger. To take part in the elections for big area is not "local politics" any longer. To take part in such elections does not make sense exactly because a man can not fulfil a condition for local politics.
This is why I am not going to go to the election in London. The mayor of London is not "local politics". There are 13 candidates most of whom I have never heard. All their "programs" are essentially the same and does not have any matter for local people in my area, including myself. The introduction of Voter ID is just another reason to do not participate in big elections (see Commercial world below), but it is not the one that would stop me to participate in really local one.
Commercial world. You mentioned that we do not sign any contract or agree to anything by participating in election. This is a matter for discussion. According "Bills of Exchange Act 1882" a simple signature on a piece of paper can be view as accepted for a Bill of Exchange that later can be created on the same peace of paper. So, everyone must ask oneself every time the one puts a signature anywhere: What is the signature for and what am I accepting to pay? Mark "X" that we put on ballot paper is a signature for illiterate man. We simply do not know under what we put our signature "X". For the man who understand the implication of a signed paper to take part in an election is also not wise because of a lot of unknown. Introducing Voter ID has converted the elections into a commercial act where people do sign the paper that later to be converted into the financial instruments to provide recourses for the policies the elected politicians will introduce. Elections are very seldom now about local politics. Before sign anything everyone must seek full terms and conditions. Signature, even it is just a sign "X" is the acceptance of agreement. What is the agreement?
What to do. I am going to save my voice and signature to be used after the election to control local politicians using the ways given by law. This is how the real "local politics" should work for the big electoral areas: we the people must educate ourself how we can keep politicians to act according the law and in case they do not - to make them be responsible. This is the job for every day between election days for every man and woman.
Thanks you, Miri, for your work.