Features
Who do we think they are?
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| BASILDON: 0/3 - Rachel Bransgrove, 18, a South East Essex College student, of Seaview Avenue, Vange, did not recognise any of them. She said: "I'm not interested in local politics and won't be voting in the elections." |
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HOW well do you know the people who represent us?
With the council elections approaching on May 1, we went out and about in Southend and Basildon to see how in tune people are with local politics and their MPs and councillors.
Low voter turnouts in general elections and even lower ones in local elections are seen as a sign of a growing disengagement from politics, especially among the young.
To test this, we showed ten people in each town, of varying ages, pictures of their member of Parliament and the leader of their council and asked if they recognised them. We also threw in a local celebrity for good measure.
It seems people in Basildon are more switched on politically than their seaside counterparts.
Half of those asked recognised their local MP compared to about a third or less in Southend.
This meant Labour MP Angela Smith polled as well as Basildon-born TV star and pin-up Denise van Outen. No one in Southend recognised the council leader, Tory councillor Nigel Holdcroft, and just one pointed out Rochford and Southend East MP, James Duddridge.
But two in Basildon spotted their leader, Tory Malcolm Buckley.
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| SOUTHEND: 0/4 - Brad Turffrey, 16, a shop worker, of Southview Drive, Westcliff, pictured with friend Brad Tate, did not recognise any of them. He said: "They look like politicians. One of them looks like Bill Gates." |
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And when it comes to local celebrities, it seems reality TV and West End star Lee Mead has some way to go before beating his other half Denise van Outen in the fame stakes.
Only three people picked him out in Southend, but five recognised Denise in Basildon.
But this made Lee, along with Southend West MP David Amess, the best-known person in the Southend part of our survey.
Top marks go to Dee Ireland, 24, of Little Lullaway, Laindon, who spotted all three people in the pictures she was shown.
She said: "I work for the Thames Gateway project so I have to know who the local politicians are. And I obviously know who Denise van Outen is.
"I'd know Angela Smith anyway, because I read the Echo every day."
Recognition factor
SOUTHEND
David Amess, Southend East MP - 3/10
Lee Mead, West End star born in Eastwood - 3/10
James Duddridge, Southend East MP - 1/10
Nigel Holdcroft, Leader of Southend Council - 0/10
BASILDON
Angela Smith, MP for Basildon - 5/10
Denise van Outen, TV star born in Basildon - 5/10
Malcolm Buckley, Basildon Council leader - 2/10
4:37am Friday 18th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: piano hinges on 7:52am Fri 18 Apr 08
Poor old Holdcroft!
I hope he gets a better recognition quotient when he gets home to the wife and kids... :)
Poor old Holdcroft!
I hope he gets a better recognition quotient when he gets home to the wife and kids... :)
Posted by: The Gentleman, Basildon on 10:54am Fri 18 Apr 08
Part of the problem is the woeful lack of canvassing by these councillors and/or their supporters.
I'm only 24 but even I can remember a time when in the weeks before an election pamphlets would appear on the doormat and people would call at the door angling for support. But not any more! Is it any wonder a large part of the public are so disillusioned and uninterested?
I've been trying for the past couple of weeks to find out the policies and so on of my local candidates and it's like trying to get blood from a stone. The only thing I got recently was a leaflet through my door from the blasted BNP, of all people!
Part of the problem is the woeful lack of canvassing by these councillors and/or their supporters.
I'm only 24 but even I can remember a time when in the weeks before an election pamphlets would appear on the doormat and people would call at the door angling for support. But not any more! Is it any wonder a large part of the public are so disillusioned and uninterested?
I've been trying for the past couple of weeks to find out the policies and so on of my local candidates and it's like trying to get blood from a stone. The only thing I got recently was a leaflet through my door from the blasted BNP, of all people!
Posted by: Dave H, Southend on 7:46pm Sat 19 Apr 08
I notice Angela Smith gets much better face recognition than any of the other politicians. Whether you agree with her politics or not, she's certainly the most active MP in this part of the world.
I notice Angela Smith gets much better face recognition than any of the other politicians. Whether you agree with her politics or not, she's certainly the most active MP in this part of the world.
Posted by: Yelris, basildon on 10:50am Wed 23 Apr 08
I only recognise Angela Smith because I was at school with her and remember the teenage horror we all felt when we found out she had married her teacher!
I only recognise Angela Smith because I was at school with her and remember the teenage horror we all felt when we found out she had married her teacher!
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