Murphy's letter from Edinburgh

 

The Turkey you can Vote for

In my last letter I told you that the Scottish elections were due this year, and that a lot of people will not vote on the grounds that they do not see it as being worth the effort.  They will tell you that they are not represented properly.  And that may be true in many cases, but I still think that people should get in the habit of voting no matter what your views are.This year on Thursday 3 May 2007 there is a chance to spoil your ballot paper if that's the way you feel about this issue.  I would normally tell people too spoil their ballot paper by putting a cross in every box, or to put a cross from one corner of your ballot paper thus making it null and void.  In otherwise it's not worth the paper it is written on.  I have often heard it said that most of our politicians are nothing but a bunch of turkey's so they won't bother.  I see that as a cop out or just dodging the issues.That has changed this year, and if they really want to vote for a turkey they can do so.  Talk107 is a radio station based in Edinburgh, and this year they are putting up Grace the turkey for election.  Yes you read this right.  Last year Talk107 took too the airwaves and they have started talking about the issues that really matter to them. and the elections have been high on the agenda along with the other issues that are of concern too the Scottish people.

Before the end of last year the radio station bought a free-range turkey, and a name was selected for it by the listeners and Grace was the name that was selected for the turkey.  It was all done democratically with many people phoning in giving different names.  It was then decided that this turkey was not going to end up on the table, so there would be no Christmas Feast with Grace the turkey.

Instead it was decided that with the Scottish elections coming up in May the turkey might just get a seat in the Scottish Parliament if it was put up for election.  So it was decided by the radio station that it might have a chance of getting elected for a seat in our parliament.  As some would say it might feel quite at home with some of the other turkey's that have already been elected for the Scottish elections.

The people of Scotland are getting ready for these elections and there are many views and ideas floating around just now.  Some very critical, and some that are very clear on where their vote is going to go.  And it's not with the mainstream politicians that are running our parliament just now.

The person who is in charge of looking after Grace the turkey has made sure that it will get full protection and its location is being kept secret in case dirty tricks are played and the turkey is nobled.

So this year as far as I am concerned there is an alternative for those who feel disenfranchised and for them there is no one worth voting for.  If they feel that way they can vote for Grace the turkey without spoiling their ballot paper.

Written by Andrew Murphy 20 February 2007

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