Last chance to vote in Surrey for four years

On Thursday we have a opportunity in Weybridge to elect a new Surrey administration. Not many people vote in local elections so your vote has more value.  Under the "first past the post system" of elections that we have in England voting for who you want to win is often self-defeating.  (Scotland, Northern Ireland and soon Wales use the single transferable vote system (STV), which in my view is far superior because it allows you to vote for who you want rather than have to second guess who you think might win). Under first past the post the best option is to find out who the two front running candidates are and vote for whoever you prefer (or whoever you dislike least).  It might be a very negative way of looking at the elections but it is the most effective. I suspect that because most people do not vote and many who do vote do not vote between the two front runners we often end up with unpopular winners which undermines the legitimacy of the elections which in turn alienates the electorate even more.  This can become a vicious circle. In any case, I hope that you do vote (you might have voted via post already). I know a few of you didn't vote last time but your vote on Thursday could swing the result.  Nearly all my blog readers voted last time - unlike the population at large. If you have not had a chance to read my views then please peruse the latest Focus.