Who do CLARO voters vote for in the European Elections?

The following is a copy of a letter, received by email on the 10th May, written by a James Longman. He said that this "is a copy of a letter I have sent to the Editors of the local English written papers. It will be interesting to see if it gets printed and if so what response there is to it".

The email shows that in addition to sending it to me as English spokesman of the Orihuela Costa Working Group of Los Verdes, he also sent it to the PSOE party in Orihuela Costa and Stefan Pokroppa of the PP at the Ayuntamiento.

I wasn't going to put it on this blog as I was expecting to read it in the papers, but as at today it hasn't been published by any of them, for what ever reason, so here it is.

There is only one answer of course to his question, 'Los Verdes - Grupo Verde Europeo'.

"Dear Editor,

In its latest newsletter (8th Edition Spring 2009) the CLARO party makes reference to the European Parliament elections and the voting rights of residents of Orihuela Costa for the forthcoming election on the 7th June 2009.

We are aware of the conceited claims by CLARO that they are the only party that has been working to resolve the problems of “Non-Spanish European Union residents” in the Orihuela Municipality registering to vote, although they do say “with the help of the European Parliament”.

In its publication CLARO says “we would urge all those who are eligible ... to vote. The European Parliament can be very helpful in ensuring respect of citizens’ rights.” I agree with this sentiment entirely.

However it goes on further to say “since C.L.A.R.O is a local independent party we will remain neutral in regard to the European elections”.

That really is not good enough! Especially as the party chose to base its logo on the European Union emblem!

What advice does CLARO have for the 916 voters (just 2.9% of the total votes cast) in the Orihuela Municipality who supported them (CLARO) with their votes in the local elections in May 2007 (when it failed to obtain a Council seat)? What advice does the party give to the new supporters they continually claim to have and seek to obtain by the next local election in 2011?

Having said that the European Elections are important, the leaders of the party cannot in all conscience now say that they remain neutral! What party do they advise their supporters to vote for?

Through the media, and its own newsletters, CLARO has continuously criticised the PP (Right Wing), PSOE (Socialist) and Los Verdes (Green) parties for failing to look after the rights of the residents so they cannot in all conscience suggest voting for any of them - Can They?

So what are the options for the CLARO voters? Perhaps Bob Houliston, as President, or one of the Executive Committee members, such as Jimmy Badal, would care to claro-fy the situation. Who do CLARO voters vote for in the European Elections?

Surely the party is not suggesting that its supporters waste their votes by not voting at all? No surely it wouldn't! Come on CLARO show some leadership. Where should the votes go.

It would be hypocritical for the voters to vote for a party in the European Elections that they oppose in the Local Elections – wouldn't it?

Surely if a voter is told by CLARO, and believes it, that a party is not suitable to run local government then it cannot suitable be for higher government – Can It?

This is symptomatic of the problem of voting for a local, blinkered, one goal, independent party such as CLARO in Municipal elections! When it comes to the bigger National and European picture CLARO, as locally, are of no value at all! No presence in the government means no effective voice for the voters."

It gives food for thought doesn't it!