T&A comment: Poll focus should be on real issues (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

T&A comment: Poll focus should be on real issues

9:21am Friday 27th April 2012 in Our View

Another day, another political row about the local elections.

The build-up to next week’s poll has been a particularly fractious affair, with claim and counter-claim, allegation and counter-allegation flying about, affecting a number of the parties and candidates.

And while much of it is knockabout stuff in the traditional political vein, there is a danger that it could obscure the real issues people should be voting on.

As well as selecting candidates for the 30 Bradford Council wards that are up for grabs, voters will also be making a hugely important decision that will have a fundamental impact on the future of this city when they take part in the referendum on whether or not it will get an elected mayor.

This is a vital choice that will shape the future of Bradford and everyone who votes must make their choice on the basis of the facts.

Which is why it is important that the political sideshow is not allowed to become the main event. It is time for the posturing to stop and for the real issues to come to the forefront.

Hopefully, in the week leading up to the election, we can now see a clear outline of the policies of the candidates and a clear presentation of the arguments relating to an elected mayor.

It would be foolishly naive to call for a good clean fight. This is an election, after all.

What would be refreshing to see, though, would be the candidates concentrating on their own policies and strengths rather than perceived issues with opponents.

We need a lot less heat and a lot more light shone onto the really important issues affecting the city and its people as they prepare to exercise their democratic right to vote.