Change At Last

The world has been watching and waiting and, at last, we have the change that so many of us wanted and wished for. This is a truly historic day, proved by the huge voter turn out. I just wish that here in the UK voters were as engaged by the political process as Americans are. Obama is a man of vision, a spellbinding orator, believable, trustworthy and, most importantly, inspiring. When he has finished in the White House maybe he'll head over to Number 10. We could do with him.

Today's photo was taken at the Cheltenham Literature Festival back in October. The image of Obama at Number 10 Downing Street was on an advertising banner for the Times newspaper, who sponsor the Literature Festival.

Scroll down for my Guy Fawkes post today.

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Every Vote Counts

Yesterday Cheltonians got their chance to cast their vote for the election of Councillors for the Borough Council. Its not as exciting as a General Election but its still an important poll. I went to my local Primary School to vote. Cheltenhams constituency is divided into Wards (areas) and each is represented by two Councillors. Half of the 40 seats are up for re-election, that's one councillor for each Ward. In two years time the other seats will be up for re-election. In my Ward the election is between a Liberal Democrat and a Conservative candidate, the fight for control of the Borough Council is also between these two parties, as no party has overall control (the Labour party have little impact in Cheltenham). Cheltenham wasn't the only Council holding voting, there were 159 Councils in England with around 4,000 seats up for grabs. Also there were elections taking place in Britain's Capital for London Mayor and in Wales for all of the Welsh Unitary Authorities. This election is the first test of Gordon Browns government, the results will be interesting to say the least!

At the time of posting, the results weren't in but when they are I'll post an update. You lucky things! Yes, I'm a politics nerd!!

UPDATE....

....The results are in and the Council remains with no overall control! Lib Dem gained 3 seats, Conservative gained 1 and Labour lost their 1 and they now have no representation on Cheltenham Borough Council. Now its up to the Councillors to decide who will lead the Council. If they can't decide then the Mayor makes the decision, and he just happens to be a Lib Dem! Over the country as a whole the Labour government have had their worst election result in 40 years with only 24% of the popular vote. Lib Dems have a 26% share, and the Conservatives are up to 44% share. Interesting political times ahead...