So now we know.
After all the hints and speculations and promises of a new look Lincolnshire County Council from Friday 7th May, the runners and riders are ready to race.
But before you rush to place your bet, look carefully – some of the steeds are pretty well knackered – there’s a few old nags in there … as well as an ass or two posing as a thoroughbred.
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There will also be a by-election for the vacant Worst Street seat in Skirbeck ward and a contest for a Police and Crime Commissioner for the coming four years.
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It’s hard not to contain our indifference, as we had hoped for something – let’s say a little more exciting.
Having said that, the conflation of some contestants’ aspirations in some wards could point to an interesting, if not surprising outcome.
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To begin with let’s see who wants to keep the jobs they have held with so little effect in the outgoing county administration.
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It’s mostly a round-up of “the usual suspects” as Captain Renault said in the movie ‘Casablanca” – with one exception.
Former Worst Street leader and councillor for the borough’s Five Villages ward Aaron Spencer is not seeking re-election for the county’s Boston North ward which he won four years ago.
By many accounts, he has been an all but absentee landlord at county level, so we expect little regret to be voiced at his decision.
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Otherwise, all the current councillors are hoping to work their old magic and make sure that their seat is re-occupied after 6th May’s round of political musical chairs.
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All told, thirty-one candidates are standing for the six seats that cover Boston – out of a total of 70 across the county as a whole.
The Conservatives, Labour and Independents have candidates in all six seats; “For the People not the Party” are contesting five, the Liberal Democrats, two and five other candidates are standing who give no political clue as to what they represent.
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Looking at the local contests ward by ward and in alphabetical order, we start with –
Boston Coastal Division.
There are just three candidates vying for this seat – the outgoing councillor Paul Skinner, who’s also leader at Worst Street, Dale Broughton, standing as an Independent, and Carole Monkman for the Labour Party.
In 2017, Mr Skinner’s share of the voters was 44% and he won with a majority of 784 from the 2853 votes cast.
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Boston North
… will be busier – with six candidates.
They are: Benjamin Cook for Labour, Boston mayor Anton Dani taking the former Aaron Spencer party slot for the Tories, Neill Hastie standing as an Independent, Matthew Nicholson, who doesn’t name any political affiliation, Jason Stevenson for the Liberal democrats and Richard Thornally “For the People not the Party” – which appears to be the operating moniker for the Blue Revolution group set up locally in 2017.
At the last county council election, Aaron Spencer polled 35% of the votes cast and won with a majority of 229.
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Boston Rural
…. has three contenders.
Outgoing councillor Mike Brookes, who has represented the ward since 2009, Tristan Gilbert “For the People etc, etc, etc…” and Tony Howard – who lives in Mablethorpe – representing Labour.
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On now to …
Boston South Division
… and another ward with half a dozen candidates.
Outgoing independent councillor Alison Austin is fighting to retain the seat that she has held since 2013.
She is being challenged by Tracey Abbott for the Conservatives – Mrs Abbott is a Boston borough councillor and portfolio holder.
Another Worst Street councillor – Alan Bell, representing Labour – is also looking for a move to the county league.
Also entering the fray are former Boston borough and county councillors Sue Ransome, standing as an independent and Mike Gilbert – “For the People, etc” a one-time Boston portfolio holder and founder of the Blue Revolution party, and independent Peter Watson.
The result here could be interesting, as back in 2017 Mrs Austin's challengers were all from established political parties.
This time, she faces a horde of other independents, who may well have the effect of splitting her vote.
Last time she had a 42% share and a majority of 262.
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Next up is …
Boston West Division
… again with six candidates.
For the Tories, Paula Ashleigh-Morris – Councillor Paula Cooper last time around – is seeking to retain the seat. Worst Street councillor Paul Goodale is standing for Labour with Ralph Pryce for the Lib Dems, Gavin Lee “For the People …” and another Worst Street councillor, Stephen Woodliffe, is an independent candidate.
Completing the set is Tiggs Keywood Wainwright – a one-time borough and county councillor – who is seeking election on an unspecified ticket.
In 2017 the then Paula Cooper polled 36% of the votes and had a 263 vote majority.
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Last and by no means least – because it has more candidates – is Skirbeck (for some strange reason not given the prefix Boston as all the others have) where seven wannabes will be slugging it out.
Seeking to keep the seat for the Tories is Martin Griggs – who is also a borough councillor and portfolio holder.
Then we have Jackie Barton for Labour, Chris Moore “For the People …”, and Worst Street councillor Anne Dorian.
As well as being the ward with the most contenders, Skirbeck also has more candidates who haven’t taken a political stance – instead leaving the space for their description blank.
They are: Christopher Cardwell, Harley Cook and Licia Pinto.
At the last county elections, Martin Griggs had a 295 majority and a 40% share of the vote.
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So, there you have it – a who’s who of candidates.
Impressed?
No, nor were we.
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What we see here is a bunch of less than sparkling sitting tenants want to avoid evection if they possible can; joined by a cluster of Worst Street councillors of varied political persuasions, a litter of also rans, and others who are clearly no-hopers.
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In the run-up to the elections, we are seeing some token campaigning on our local social media pages.
Some candidates seem to think that filling a plastic sack with litter will see them elected – but we are sure that representing Boston at county level requires a bit more than that.
We have also seen some quite unsavoury sniping compared with previous contests – we would call it smudging rather than smearing – and we hope that it’s not a sign of the shape of things to come as the battle hots up
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There are just two other elections left to mention.
The first is for the Skirbeck Ward at Worst Street, which has five people seeking election.
The same candidates are standing for Labour and the “For the People…” mob, along with the politically-unspecified Christopher Cardwell whilst the new entries are independent Dale Broughton – who is also seeking a county role in Boston Coastal Division, and Tory Katie Chalmers.
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And – last but by all means least – we have an election for the pointless but nonetheless expensive post of Lincolnshire Crime and Police Commissioner.
The post has been held since 2016 by Conservative Marc Jones – who won an extra year in office due to the pandemic.
Also standing are Rosanne Kirk (Labour), David Williams (Lincolnshire Independents), Ross Pepper (Liberal Democrats), and Peter Escreet (Reform Party).
We’ve said it before, and we’re happy to repeat ourselves, that we do not think that responsibility for a police force should be a political one.
It will be interesting to see what happens this time, as an extra candidate has entered the fray, and in 2016 the political line up was a bit different.
Then, the candidates challenging Mr Jones were from UKIP, Labour and the Lincolnshire Independents.
As the clock ticks inexorably down, we also note a pledge by Mr Jones to create a new £250,000 anti-fly-tipping fund to support local
councils and communities to tackle and prevent illegal dumping of waste.
Perhaps he also thinks that victory resides in the grubby world of littering!
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Here ends the Boston Eye epistle to the voters.
Whatever you might think about the candidates and their qualities – or otherwise – it really is a duty to vote.
And if you don’t, then it’s no good blaming those who are elected if they don’t pass muster.
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Polling stations open at 7am and close at 10pm on Thursday 6th May – that’s three weeks today – covid precautions are in place, and you can also vote by post if you apply before 20th April.
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