8 April 2008

The Election predictions.

(Election 2004 Results at the foot of the page)

As the election gathers pace, candidates have now started canvassing, some have been canvassing for quite a considerable time already and by the sounds of it, many of you are unpleased at their tactics.

Love them or hate them, you are going to see them on your doorstep real soon. Some of whom you haven't seen for the last four years!

If you haven't got a clue who your councillor is then checkout our list below. This is the full run down for the Arfon constituency held on 10th June 2004.

All we ask is that you consider wisely!  If you haven't seen your councillor on the ward regularly and only see them moaning about this and that in the paper then you should seriously consider putting your vote elsewhere. Many are experts at using the media to keep their face in the limelight, but do they actually do anything except complain to the press?

There are many new faces this election and be sure to read all the literature and ask questions. Just because someone is new doesn't mean they won't be good at the job, but on the other hand those who have been in the job for a while will know the job well. Whoever you decide, one thing's for sure Gwynedd must improve and so must Caernarfon.

Let's look at what might happen. (Caernarfon Online style)

Menai

The Menai Ward is a hot one this time out with three names put forward.

Richard Morris Jones holds the seat and has done for the last 20 odd years. 'Moi' as he is known locally was a prominent member of the Plaid Cymru Party until recently, when Moi had, had enough of infighting and now stands as an independent. Plaid (for reasons unknown) opted to elect Ioan Thomas to stand on the ward and subsequently Moi, left the party. It is unclear why Plaid did this and may live to regret their decision. Ioan has as many doubters as he has followers  and will therefore find it difficult to take the seat. Richard Bonner Pritchard is the son of Caernarfon's first Lady Mayor Mary Bonner Pritchard and this will be his first try at being a councillor. Standing as an Independent makes it unclear if he will split the vote. Perhaps one for the future once he has experience on the town council. Should have a healthy vote all the same.

Caernarfon Online prediction?

Richard Morris Jones

Cadnant

The Cadnant ward was won in a by election by Huw Edwards Plaid Cymru last time out. The turn out was very low, so it is impossible to call how well Huw will do in a full election.

Cadnant was held for a number of years by Mair Ellis who sadly passed away nearly two years ago. To his credit Huw came very close on one occasion to the popular choice of Miss Ellis. in the bi election, Huw won by 95 votes, but his tally was actually 10 votes lower than when he lost to Mair in 2004.

New kid on the block Dylan Jones stands as a Conservative and has caused quite a stir on the ward. whether or not people will chose a Tory candidate is another matter, but as this is basically a new seat to win, it's anyone's guess where it will go. Melfyn Davies also stands on the ward as Labour's choice. but it is unclear if he can improve on the 155 votes casted for Tecwyn Thomas in the bi election.

Caernarfon Online prediction?

Too close to call.

Peblig

A one horse race here as Tudor Owen has only to contend with Arnold Bohana.

Arnold asked in a recent meeting where in Caernarfon was the Catholic School situated! Arnold was accused by Caernarfon Online of lying about the website in a council meeting. The accusation was never challenged and a subsequent solicitors letter was never replied to.

Caernarfon Online prediction?

Tudor Owen by a landslide!

Seiont

The Seiont ward is one of the largest in Gwynedd and has two seats to contest. In reality only one is up for grabs as Roy Owen is a hard working councillor and very popular with his constituents. 633 voted for him last time out with the third place nearly 200 votes behind.

The second seat on the ward was won by Gerald Parry last time out and this followed his popularity following the Ferodo/ Friction Dynamics case. Gerald was shop steward and was forefront in fighting for the dismissed workers compensation. Even though successful in their tribunal, the workers still ended up out of work and out of pocket, therefore Gerald may not be able to rely on his past this time out. It is really down to if people thinks he has done enough for his ward this last four years.

Hot on his trail for the seat is Alun Roberts. Despite being much older, Alun has pervious experience of being a councillor (but outside the area). Alun may get the chapel vote and does a lot for both Plaid and Papur Dre in his spare time. Age my be against him taking the seat from a younger man.

There are two other candidates we must mention, the first is Tecwyn Thomas, who was also accused of lying against this website in a town council meeting. Like his Labour counterpart (Arnold) this accusation remained unchallenged and a subsequent solicitors letter was not replied to. Tecwyn lost his seat to Gerald in the last election and lost to Huw Edwards in the Cadnant by election in 2005.

Robert Anderson has put his name up as a candidate this time out despite having to give his former seat up following health problems. Mr Anderson has his heart in the business sector and seems disinterested in anything but local events and trade. Not good credentials for a County or Community concillor. Robert or Bob as he is known doesn't live in Caernarfon and does not speak Welsh he therefore needs translation services in meetings.

Caernarfon Online prediction?

Roy Owen for the first seat

 A close call between Gerald and Alun for the second seat. But we'll stick our necks out and predict Gerald by a nose!

Here are the 2004 Arfon Election results.