November 29, 2019 5.06 pm This story is over 52 months old

Local Democracy Weekly: Is this election a necessity or a chore?

Some may feel disdain over the election, but for others it is necessary.
Candidates to become Lincoln's next MP at a hustings event at Bishop Grosseteste University earlier this week.

Labour’s Shadow Attorney General, Shami Chakrabarti, described it as the most important election of her lifetime on her visit to Lincoln this week. But, judging by the response to the party leaders, it feels like a sense of disdain hangs over the campaign.

There’s no doubt that whatever the result of the election, it will decide the future of the Brexit over the course of the next Parliament.

But, both party leaders are unpopular with different sections of the electorate, despite polls seemingly putting Conservatives ahead.

Jeremy Corbyn has been grilled over anti-semitism in the Labour Party, while the Prime Minister faces questions over Islamophobia in the Conservative Party.

Much of the disdain for politicians has also played out locally at hustings events.

The seven candidates for Lincoln’s MP faced questions over voting records, broken pledges and Brexit this week.

But, that’s not to say that the campaign has not been welcomed elsewhere.

On her visit to Lincoln this week to support Labour candidate, Karen Lee, the Shadow Attorney General, Shami Chakrabarti, placed a lot of emphasis on the importance of the election.

It was the “most important of her lifetime”, she said, and a chance to tackle inequality and austerity.

Similarly, on the Conservative side, Karl McCartney and Minister for Transport, Chris Heaton-Harris, said the election is a chance to “stop the Brexit deadlock” and deliver on the referendum result.

Regardless of whether people want this election to be over and done with, the campaign is going to continue and will heat up.

Ministers and shadow cabinet members will visit Lincoln and the county over the next two weeks armed with promises.

Some may feel disdain over the election, but for others it is necessary. – CALVIN ROBINSON

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