Elections all around

In an interesting set of results from the local elections, it seems as though the Labour party have taken a hit everywhere, although they do remain the largest party in the Welsh Assembly. I must admit that although I expected the SNP to do well in the Scottish elections, I was surprised to see them become the largest party, even if only by one. It does look as though they may struggle to find a party willing to form a coalition with them, though, and I look forward to finding out more about this as the situation develops. I welcome anyone's opinion on this matter as admittedly, I do not know that much about Scottish politics.

Elsewhere, my home council of Allerdale remained in No Overall Control. What bemuses me somewhat is how, given that I reside in what is a very Conservative area (my parliamentary constituency is the seat of Penrith and the Border) in General Election terms, the council has been switching between NOC and Labour for what seems like forever. It strikes me as being slightly odd, but never mind.

My personal gripe with the local elections was that I never got my voting papers! I applied for a postal vote, as I have done for all but one election since I turned 18, as I knew I would be in Newcastle on polling day. I registered in time but they did not arrive, which I found frustrating. Apparently this was the case with many people across the country as well.

Across the water in France, today is the day they elect the Fifth Republic's sixth president. Having spent my year abroad in France during what was a rather volatile time politically, with protests about the treatment of youths by police in the Parisian suburbs and mass protests about the youth employment contract, I have been following recent events with fascination.

Personally, I see a problem with both candidates. Monsieur Sarkozy appears to be the likely winner, but I think his manner is perhaps too forceful, and his handling of the riots in Autumn 2005 didn't come across well to me. What I also found surprising, given his electoral popularity, is that while I resided in Nancy, I couldn't find a single person who actually liked him. Madame Royal, on the other hand, seems perfectly nice, but as a Socialist I wouldn't vote for her anyway (and even French Socialists believe her policies to be wishy-washy). I will admit it would be interesting to see France with a woman president, though. There is a growing number of people who believe France's masculine political arena would do well to have a woman's touch.

One good piece of news, though - at least the odious Jean Marie Le Pen didn't get to the second round this time.