On 11 Mar 2014 at 1:50pm Deelite 2 wrote:
Alfie Stirling was the Greens LDC candidate for Barcombe in 2011 and despite being a complete unknown and not living in Barcombe got (I think) around 20% of the vote. Unfortunatly the result of this was to let UKIPs Donna Edmunds in (then a Tory).
He is young, very bright and has blond hair. He has written a couple of extraordinarily insightful posts on here about the UKs financial set up.
"Alfie Stirling was born in 1990. He lived in Lewes (East Sussex) for 18 years, attending Priory School and Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College. In 2009 Alfie moved to London to study History, focusing on politics and economics of the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He graduated in 2012 and is now studying for a masters in Public Policy. Alfie is a keen political activist and a noisy member of Lewes Green"
Vote for him. 
Check it out here »
On 11 Mar 2014 at 2:00pm Geoff wrote:
I'll vote for him. He took apart Norman Baker in the Sussex Express when Norman blamed him for the Tory victory in Barcombe. Will Norman be brave enough to do a hustings with Alfie?
On 11 Mar 2014 at 2:09pm PLUMPTON LAD wrote:
The facts are very clear in Barcombe (and across the constituency) - if you don't want the Tories then you need to vote Lib Dem. And as Deelite 2 said: "the result of [the Green vote] was to let in Donna Edmunds"
(who was then standing as a Tory)
But in addition to the tactical voting issue, I will be voting for Norman because he is a great local MP and a good Liberal.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 2:30pm Albert Square wrote:
Alfie is the first person to reduce Ruth's majority in an election too, he's that good. I happen to like the fact the Lib Dems blame him for Tories winning because it shows he is taking the Lib Dem vote and people are starting to think for themselves instead of believing the Lib Dem myth that only they can beat the Tories. It's obviously rubbish because if they hadn't stood in Barcombe Alfie would have more than likely beaten the Tory. Hopefully the Lib Dems aren't putting a candidate up in the Priory by-election just in case that lets a Tory in instead of a Green.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 2:35pm Politics Lover wrote:
Ahhhh yes I have found him online etc, thanks all, I'm new to the area... not sure about young people in politics. Can he really know anything much yet?
On 11 Mar 2014 at 2:39pm Ed Can Do wrote:
I've always hated the concept of tactical voting, I think it's a really negative approach. Effectively you're voting for the one candidate you don't want rather than the one you do. It's that kind of thinking that perpetuates the awful two-party system we have nationally and has resulted in the two main parties being almost carbon-copies of each other and forever issuing policies to win votes, not necessarily to improve people's lives.
Albert Square is right, to say that the only way to stop the Tories winning is to vote LibDem is just nonsense. The only way to stop anyone winning is for someone else to get more votes, it doesn't matter who. By continually harping on about a vote for them being the onyl way to stop the Tories, local LibDems are treating the electorate with contempt and being incredibly patronising, one of the reasons it takes a very capable individual candidate to persuade me to vote LibDem. I support a lot of their policies at a national level but their campaign strategy stinks round here.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 2:42pm Politics Lover wrote:
also I can't find a labour party candidate for 2015, does anyone know who it is?
On 11 Mar 2014 at 2:49pm Boris wrote:
I completely agree with your view on protest voting Ed.
Of course Lib Dems are in favour of it, it's protest votes that have kept Norman in office all these years.
With regards to the Greens may I suggest you go and knock on anyones door in Brighton and ask them what they think of the Greens.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 3:02pm Deelite 2 wrote:
@Ed Can Do.
Would you do me a favour and explain why you think the Green Party "campaign strategy stinks round here"? Thanks.
The Liberal Democrats have been quite damaged by their pact with the devil and I'm not sure anything is as set as it used to be. Personally I think the Green Party could see some good results. But unfortunately the same probably goes for UKIP. 
Alfie is young but as sharp as a pin with an outstanding memory and a formidable grasp of current affairs. There are not many like him. I'd tip him for a future leader of the Green Party.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 3:06pm Zzz.. wrote:
Stupid comment of the year comes from Boris:
"it's protest votes that have kept Norman in office all these years."
As even the Tories admit on their blog, he is (was?) a fine constituency MP, and it is mostly that that has kept him an MP for so long. Nothing at all to do with protest (protest against what, you silly man).
On 11 Mar 2014 at 3:40pm All over the again wrote:
This is interesting. Only husting type thing I can find on Alfie Stirling is where he won a QT style event against a panel including Charles Hendry MP
especially impressive given the green came last in the student vote the year before
Check it out here »
On 11 Mar 2014 at 3:45pm Boris wrote:
Well we 'll see in May next year won't we.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 3:47pm Ed Can Do wrote:
I think you misread my post Deelite, it was the LibDem campaign strategy I was slagging off. I've probably cast more votes for Green candidates than any other political persuasion in my time as a voter, although more recently it was Matt Kent I was voting for rather than the Green party per se (Especially since he left!).
Norman initially got in because Tim Rathbone was really awful I thought. I wasn't quite old enough to vote that time but I remember a lot of statistics about him only making it to Parliament three times a year or something like that at the time and Norman seemed incredibly industrious by comparisson. Sadly that initial wave of euphoria has passed now and by jumping into bed with the Tories and making a lot of daft statements recently I fear our Norm's time has passed.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 3:54pm Albert Square wrote:
Boris will find if he knocks on doors in Brighton people love Caroline Lucas, even if they don't like the council. She wins award after award for her work as an MP. .
On 11 Mar 2014 at 4:08pm Southover Queen wrote:
My recent experience with Norman Baker is that he remains a good, hard-working constituency MP. I think it must be particularly difficult being a member of a government as unpopular as this, especially when you're the junior partner in an uneasy coalition. I pray we don't get lumbered with one of the Ken & Barbie MPs which proliferate in the South East: they do look as if they've all been popped out of the same factory.
The Lewes Labour Constituency Party has just held the hustings for their candidate; he is Lloyd Russell-Moyle and he's a local lad.
Check it out here »
On 11 Mar 2014 at 5:12pm Deelite 2 wrote:
"Lewes needs alternative voices backed by a local party, Lewes to be where all can afford to live and work, Lewes needs Labour."
And Labour needs someone who can compose decent sentences.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 7:38pm Clifford wrote:
Southover Queen wrote: 'I think it must be particularly difficult being a member of a government as unpopular as this, especially when you're the junior partner in an uneasy coalition.'
It's not compulsory to be a minister. He can resign. Instead he has thrown in his lot with a government that is privatising the NHS and persecuting the disabled and the unemployed. He should be ashamed of himself.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 7:39pm Deelite 2 wrote:
And unlike Donna Edmunds Alfie has worked for a proper think tank, the renowned Institute for Public Policy Research.
Check it out here »
On 11 Mar 2014 at 8:29pm Lloyd wrote:
Candidates so far are:
Labour: Lloyd Russell-Moyle
Greens: Alfie Sterling
Liberal Democrats: Norman Baker
Conservatives: Maria Caulfield
UKIP: ???
@Deelite_2 good spot on the editing error, I think someone's corrected it now.
Whilst I of course offer good luck to Alfie and other candidates I know how important decent jobs, our health service, globally agreed sustainable development, support for small business, a fair tax system and education for free & for all is. I also have seen the disaster the Greens have made of Brighton and know that only Labour can offer the chance of getting progressive policies into government at the next election. Lewes has a chance to be part of that change and vote for a Labour candidate.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 9:09pm Border Control wrote:
Just look at what The Green Party has done in Brighton ! They must be aware the whole country is watching exactly what they are doing, but it doesn't stop em !!
On 11 Mar 2014 at 9:23pm Rudolf wrote:
Lloyd, what do you think of free schools?
On 11 Mar 2014 at 9:26pm Ed Can Do wrote:
I wouldn't not vote for Alfie based on the awful track record of Green councillors in Brighton (And they are awful). That seems to me to be an issue with the individuals involved rather than the party itself. He seems like a serious contender here to be honest.
Didn't someone say in a different thread that Donna was going to be the UKIP option? Whether that'll still be the case come next year remains to be seen.
I would question whether Labour can get progressive policies into government. A lot of what Milliband says seems pretty retrograde to be honest and with their changes to membership rules potentially leading to more union control rather than less, they aren't really looking to me like a party of the future at this point.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 9:40pm Mr Sensible wrote:
Donna Edmunds is UKIP PPC for Lewes although I imagine the party are worried by the decision now.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 9:55pm Deelite 2 wrote:
What is this mess the Greens have made of Brighton? I know little but Understand they have been the only party brave enough to tackle the refuse collecting issue (all past councils didn't have the backbone). I also understand that cars have been allocated a lower priority that before and that even the Green Council seem to dislike the Green leader Jason Kitkat. Is this all wrong? Is there more?
On 11 Mar 2014 at 9:58pm Matt Kent wrote:
Both Lloyd and Alfie are exceptionally bright and progressive candidates. I'd love to be sat on a parliamentary hustings with Norman Baker on the end of both of these younger potential future political leaders. Can someone organise this at All Saints? Oh, and UKIP candidate Donna Edmunds too. I'd pay good money to watch that debate!
On 11 Mar 2014 at 10:06pm Mr Sensible wrote:
Wouldn't that be excellent. I'd definitely book a seat.
On 11 Mar 2014 at 10:14pm Another Voter wrote:
Or maybe a series of debates! Why wait. Let's get them booked! All we need now is an Independent Parliamentary Candidate! Any takers?
On 11 Mar 2014 at 10:47pm Danger Mouse wrote:
St Ruth, obviously.
On 12 Mar 2014 at 9:33am Deelite wrote:
@Ed Can Do. I'd love to agree with you about tactical voting being a waste of a vote, but actually our dire (and undemocratic) first-past-the-post election system often makes tactical voting a necessity. If we had a more democratically representative system (such as true proportional representation) we'd not need to employ such tactics. It is very sad that Nick Clegg (with a lot of help from the Tories) has managed to to kill off all chances of being able to introduce proper PR for the forseeable future.
Having just read the wikipedia entry for Norman Baker my estimation of him has risen considerably. I was not aware of a lot of his past:
"His speeches were compared by Labour MP Stephen Pound with 'root canal surgery without anaesthetic'". Tee hee..
God, I how I hate this forum technology. The login system sucks (hence I have to use 'Deelite 2' most of the time), and every other time I use it my post is lost.
Check it out here »
On 12 Mar 2014 at 10:58am Turnip Head wrote:
The irony is that it seems to me Lloyd's politics are almost identical to things the Green Party have been saying and he'd be better off there than in Labour.
On 12 Mar 2014 at 1:20pm Albert Square wrote:
@Lloyd your attitude is what puts people off politics. By picking on the Greens in Brighton, are you disingenuously ignoring the fact that Labour (and other councils) are having similar issues and making far more of a mess due to cuts (which Greens are actually fighting and finding alternatives to), or are you just not aware of the facts around the mess Labour have made in other cities? Have a look at Newcastle for just one example. If you could explain which it is that would clarify for me which reason I have not to vote for you, at least until there's a policy based campaign, not cheap point scoring. Thanks.
On 12 Mar 2014 at 2:42pm Ed Can Do wrote:
I do see what you're saying Deelite but I would like to think there are enough people who understand democracy around to shift the protest vote from "LibDem keeps Tories out" to "Green keeps Tories out" or whatever. I maintain though that whilst voting on this basis is sometimes a necessary evil, the LibDems campaigning on this basis is excessively negative. If the best thing you can say about your candidate is that they're not a Tory you're hardly inspiring much confidence in what positive steps they'll take on our behalf.
On 12 Mar 2014 at 2:53pm TRIPLE HOP wrote:
Albert Square - while you are right to say that other councils have also had problems, you forget that no other council has provoked its binmen into taking industrial action on the scale Brighton has. Why have others been able to deal with this in a less provocative way? What is it about the Green Administration in Brighton that is different from the rest of the country? Oh hang on...
On 12 Mar 2014 at 4:30pm Alfie Stirling wrote:
Thank you for all the support shown by some on here. But (as I am sure others will agree) I haven't earned any of it though.
The process of holding Norman Baker to account over both his record, and that of the Coalition Government, starts now. This election has to be about policy. It has to be about demonstrating, at every possible opportunity, what the shared policies of all three major parties have actually meant for people’s lives for over a generation now. It is has to be about not just talking, but actually providing credibility and belief to the idea that things could be different – if only for a different set of values and a different set of choices. No party should expect anyone's vote until they have had a chance to do exactly that.
Like others on here, I want as many debates as possible. I hope Norman, Maria, Lloyd and any other candidates don’t shy away from engaging with the real issues and real substance. They must be prepared to be honest about exactly what their party's policies have meant and will mean for people – it will be worse for them if others have to spell it out for them. Hopefully as many folk as possible, from all over Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven and the surrounding areas, are not yet too disillusioned to join in the process of holding all parties and all candidates to account over what they will stand for at the next election.
On 12 Mar 2014 at 5:16pm 8 miles from home wrote:
You look like a blond Chesney (Coronation street character) and you have probably never in your life paid any council tax to the Lewes council which shows to me you don't represent the majority of voters who do.And lastly you will jump party after the 2015 election. Debate that.
On 12 Mar 2014 at 5:16pm Guppy wrote:
Well said Alfie. Will Norman and Lloyd be honest about the shared policies of them and the Tories though?