Quote ="vastman"Not quite as simple as that. Council elections are staged over a 4 year period as far as I recall. So although it's to late to pressure Box and co this time around there is ample time to do it over the next 18 month.
Some of the Wakefield wards are held by very small majorities with a very small voter turn out - we make this an issue it may affect that vote - especially if we target councillors who don't back us by putting up our own candidates which is possible - single issue groups have done this with some success in the past - I believe it worked in Featherstone regarding the swimming pool.'"
Yes it is four year terms but it hasn't worked over the last 18 months, why would the next be any different? It's water off a ducks back for Box, in fact he thrives on it and loves the confrontation. It steels his resolve and he loves nothing more than driving his opponents into the ground and then effectively dancing on their graves. He is the most stubborn person I have ever met. As you say though it is too late to do much about it for this election, hopefully he will retire before the next.
I can't see how Wakefield have the supporter base these days to make any real difference via a protest vote. Most don't bother voting anyway so even if it tempts a few more out it would be nothing like the full supporter base. And what are we fighting for, Newmarket or a revamped Belle Vue? Plenty of our fans don't think Newmarket is right for the club and this would impact on support, whilst others think we need a change. For instance I could never support a single issue candidate if ultimately I didn't fully agree with the cause! Unlike Featherstone most of our meagre support is spread over such a large area in Wakefield that it would make zero difference to the vote, a few candidates picking up a couple of hundred votes in various wards will achieve nothing other than derision in the council chambers, potentionally damaging the campaign beyond redemption. Although in any case come the next round of elections i doubt the Newmarket option will still be there and the Belle Vue situation may well have changed seeing a it is costing the club an arm and a leg. Castleford's Five Towns development is also a very large fly in the ointment, it will in all likelihood get the ok from central government after the election and all of a sudden there is somewhere else in the area for Wakefield to rent.
Again, like you, I don't know the full ins and outs so it is difficult to say exactly what the lay of the land is, especially from the other end of the country these days, but given my knowledge of the councillors that we are dealing with then protests are likely to be futile at this stage. Getting round the table and thrashing out a deal would be the ideal outcome but that looks like it has been tried until blue in the face and has hit a brick wall. Yorkcourt could be a target but they don't seem like they are willing to shift and they should be hung, drawn and quartered for their actions. The best option is possibly a judicial review and/or legal action. The problem here is you have to be VERY confident of a positive result otherwise it could be very expensive. For those that have been on the inside of this it is an extremely tough call as it is probably last chance saloon time. I have my fingers crossed from afar and will be following with interest.
