Preference theory

THE report (Gazette, 7 December) concerning the election of Cr Bill Ronald as mayor included some statements made by other members of council and who voted for whom in the mayoral election.
Of particular interest were the comments made by councillors Graeme Legge, Doug Hamilton and Kate Lempriere.
Pol-speak is that form of English that politicians use when they don’t wish to say what they are thinking and the above threesome uttered some classic examples!
The best of the three was the reported statement belonging to Cr Lempriere, wherein she allegedly said that “her intention was to maintain an independent view”.
Can we believe this?
Firstly, it implies that that is the position she has come from.
Secondly, a look at the distribution of preferences for the third Central Ward position suggests that Cr Lempriere was ‘put in’ by the preferences of former mayor Garry Runge.
It is worth noting that even after the exclusion of Ian Farrell, Cheryl Billing-Smith was still ahead by 158.
However, Cr Lempriere received from Mr Runge (in the process of exclusion) 86 per cent (720) of his first group and 52 per cent (421) of his later credits.
Looking at where Cr Lempriere’s support comes from, I for one will be interested to see just how independent she is or able to be.
Evan Laidlaw,
Pakenham.