Safe Speed Forums

Due to the untimely death of the Lib Dem candidate, the election at Stafford North (or is it south?) has been "postponed" and will be re-run in around a month's time.

Any chance you might want to run for Parliament yourself Paul (Smith - SafeSpeed)?

There must be hundreds if not thousands of people living close by enough to come and help out dropping leafleats, and campaigning, etc. (people registered with this site, that is).

Whilst unlikely that you'd win, I think you could make a lot of politicians squirm and bring the issues to the for with your eloquent, rational arguments - as you say I think most people will recognise that driving along at 35mph in a 30 zone using both eyes to scan the environment for hazzards is safer than constantly goggling at one's speedometer using a disproportionate amount of time to make sure one isn't going to get nicked.

The thing is, Paul: Do you fancy it? ... And winning the 'by-election' is not an absolute - just the publicity which could be brought to the Safe Speed campaign.

I wonder whether others would support you financially and with leaflets and protests, etc, if you were to take up the challenge - perhaps others will comment.

I don't know what the 'deposit' is now - but I'd chip in a tenner (I really am out of work) and drive over there daily to help campaign and I just wonder what the others think - and you, to the question "Would you stand for Parliament if asked and enough support was on tap?"

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Although I used to consider myself to be a "reasonable man", the law just sees me as a criminal... My uncontrolled anti-social activities solely include the undeniable fact I usually drive my car at or just below the 85th percentile.

Staffordshire is also heart of scamera country with about 200 of the stupid things so a good choice. Road deaths have been rocketing, the SCP seems to be bemused and has conveniently left 2003's fatalitiy statistics off their website.....I think the deposit is £500. You lose it if you don't get a certain amount of the vote I think.

The deposit is either £1,000 or £500... (To deter 'frivolous' entries).

The deposit threshold is 5% of those voting (to retain the deposit).

The thing is £1,000 for the publicity for the cause is miniscule if the campaign gets the right air time. Remember, people elect governments at general elections - they protest at by elections and can stand on individual issues.

I think Paul needs to add his views first (he may well not want to stand for whatever reason - I know I don't want to stand FWIW, I think I wouldn't make the grade) but if Paul doesn't, anyone else fancy it???

Another question for Paul: If you don't fancy being nominated and standing yourself, would you 'allow' someone else to stand as the "SafeSpeed" candidate? If so, would others like to add their names as willing to be the candidate???

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Although I used to consider myself to be a "reasonable man", the law just sees me as a criminal... My uncontrolled anti-social activities solely include the undeniable fact I usually drive my car at or just below the 85th percentile.

This has come up before. See:

http://www.safespeed.org.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=706

Basically, I disqualify myself.

If anyone else wishes to run under a Safe Speed banner, I'd give every possible support to a suitable candidate. (Financial support is unlikely to be possible.)

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Paul Smith
Our scrap speed cameras petition got over 28,000 sigs
The Safe Speed campaign demands a return to intelligent road safety

OK Chaps & Chappettes,

Paul has declined the suggestion to stand - does anyone else out there fancy running for Parliament???

I'm sure there will be enough tenners put up to fund a deposit.

Does anyone want to be considered?

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Although I used to consider myself to be a "reasonable man", the law just sees me as a criminal... My uncontrolled anti-social activities solely include the undeniable fact I usually drive my car at or just below the 85th percentile.

Wasn't a road accident was it....

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Speed camera policy Kills