UK local elections about as exciting as 2023 ‘patriotic’ Hong Kong election. I voted for the one candidate I’d actually met

Low turnout in local elections in the UK reflected a lack of passion on the part of candidates whose online manifestos were general and vague

Ex-Hong Kong District Councillor Andy Ng Siu-hong was among the winners. In my district, my votes went to a local party, and to the one candidate I’d spoken to

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Before the UK’s general election, the nation has a number of other elections to go through. However, Britain isn’t exactly overcome with excitement. Above: Conservative leadership candidate Rishi Sunak attends a Conservative Party leadership campaign event in 2022, in Tunbridge Wells, the UK. Photo: Getty Images

A journalist for more than 30 years, Cliff Buddle began his career as a court reporter in London and moved to Hong Kong in 1994 to join the SCMP.

Published: 2:15pm, 18 May 2024

Britain is gearing up for a general election later this year. But the country is not exactly gripped by election fever.

This month saw a dry run with the holding of local council polls. As expected, the ruling Conservative Party took a hammering.

The result provides further evidence that the opposition Labour Party, with a 20-point lead in the opinion polls, is on course to win a landslide in the general election.

But local elections are not always fought on national issues. Those who can be bothered to vote are often more concerned about matters closer to home.

The big issue at the Tunbridge Wells elections was about the fines handed out to motorists for unwittingly driving in a bus lane in the British town. Photo: Google Maps

Finding out who was standing in my ward, where three of the 39 seats on the Tunbridge Wells Council in Kent were up for grabs, required time and effort.

There were 13 candidates representing seven parties. Only one, a Conservative, called on us in person.