Im Standing in the Elecshun

It’s not that I’m saying that being able to spell, use proper grammar, and not make countless sloppy mistakes in almost every sentence is a prerequisite for a prospective MP. It might be that someone who couldn’t do any of these things would make a great MP, but in that case if they were touting for votes, you’d hope they’d at least have the common sense to get someone else to proof-read what they publish.

We have an independent, Chris Nolan standing in our constituency. I was slightly interested when I found out about this – at least, more interested than I would be in any of the LibLabCon coalition, who all have virtually the same policies. Via the wonders of modern technology, I found his campaign web site and was put off before I’d even started by the default Wordpress theme. One out of ten for effort, but no big deal. But then came the words. Some examples:

• It is likely that no party ill have an out-right majority known as a `hung parliament ‘, and therefore…
• Im passionate about the people, communities and businesses…
• Developments at the major PowerStation’s on the edge of the Constituency.
• A stlye I will take with me to Parliament if elected
• It also co-incidedes with the start of the delivery of the official Postal Voting forms

Just a few examples, but any sentence picked at random from the site seems to be along similar lines. The strange randomly placed extra spaces add an extra touch of slapdashity to the whole affair.

Am I just being pedantic here? I don’t think so. I’m on a few mailing lists where some regular posters write so badly you sometimes can’t even understand what they’re saying. Even when you can understand it, you can’t help but be influenced by the way it’s written. This is nothing like in that league of course – it gets the message across – but it gets another message across too, one that says “I couldn’t be arsed”. It’s the written equivalent of turning up for a job interview with your shirt hanging out and mud on your shoes.

Anyway, I hope if Chris reads this he takes it as constructive criticism, although I accept I haven’t written it in a very constructive manner. As I’ve said already, the idea of an independent candidate is more appealing to me than one tied to one of the major parties, and I like a few things about his approach. I have some serious reservations about the whole independent candidate thing though, but that’s a subject for another post which may or may not materialise.