Shirebrook: first in crime, last in voting participation…

April 3, 2021

1 minute read

Shirebrook never ceases to amaze me. Every time I look into some issue closer- I find weirdness. This time, on the occasion of the upcoming local elections, I decided to take a closer look at the results of previous elections. I found an incredibly amazing fact.

Some background to understand my point of view. Shirebrook is the poorest town in Bolsover District. Shirebrook is the most crime-infested town in Bolsover District. Shirebrook is constantly overlooked in investments plans. Shirebrook local tax rose by way more than 30% in the last 5 years with no change to the quality level of services (if there is a change, it is usually for the worse). This situation continues for years, maybe decades. The only way to change that is to change people who run this town and region, try someone new.

Then local election coming and… 80% of voters stay home. In fact- no other constituency of Bolsover District in the last local election had lower voter participation than Shirebrook. Below is the proof: combined data of voting participation in contested wards of Bolsover District local election of 2019 (Pinxton Broadmeadows- no data on BDC website; Tibshelf- no data on BDC website).

First in crime, last in everything else. That has to change. 6th of May: Police and Crime Commissioner election, County Council election and Shirebrook Town Council by-election in South Ward.