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Comment by Guest  9th March 2010 Obviously whoever wrote that is incorrect as reports today say GMP are footing the bill, so yes it is coming from the council tax! Had enough, worsley.

Comment by Guest  8th March 2010 Can I refer you to the fourth last comment where it says the Iraqi High Commission are probably paying for the policing costs.

Comment by Guest  8th March 2010 Also i do not pay my council tax to be used on extra police including the helicopter, i pay if for council services or should i say lack of service. Had enough, worsley.

Comment by Guest  8th March 2010 I agree, if they want to vote on who is going to run their country then why cannot they go back? Had enough, worsley.

Comment by Guest  8th March 2010 "they have fled Saddam Hussein and his murderous policies perhaps?" Why can't they go home now then, surely they must want to....

Comment by Guest  7th March 2010 As football clubs now pick up the tab for policing matches, I should imagine that the Iraqi High Commission who have paid for private security will be paying for the policing costs too.

Comment by Guest  7th March 2010 That's such a stupid argument, on so many levels, I don't know where to begin really.

Comment by Guest  7th March 2010 Who exactly will be picking up the bill, probably running into thousands of pounds, for the policing costs of this election?? Guess what the hardworking English taxpayer yet again!. I don't think for one minute that If I lived in Iraq and wanted to vote in a UK election I would be afforded such facilities with a massive police presence!

Comment by Guest  7th March 2010 No, it wasn't. It's THEIR country, not THERE country as you wrote.

Comment by Guest  7th March 2010 last comment there was written in the correct grammar

Comment by Guest  7th March 2010 I'm sure most of the right wing groups have a more tentative grasp of the English language than the Iraqis. You might want to find out the difference between "there" and "their" second last guest.

Comment by DavidHenry ( member )  7th March 2010 Good on the people of Iraq and the Iraqi community living in Britain. I'm glad all the scaremongering by certain right-wing groups failed to disrupt the event and create false racial tensions.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 freedom to burn the english flag and chant anti english songs. i can not believe i am paying taxes to fund things like this. why are these people still in this country if they fled from sadam hussien? why are they not back there trying to help there country?

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Debbie Karim - Thank you for your insightful comment - Here in the UK we have freedom and liberty but appear not to appreciate it; perhaps we should be getting into the spirit what is a momentous occasion and joining in with the celebrations, rather than moaning.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 You cannot blame the Iraqi Kurdish for being enthusiastic and excited regarding their chance to vote and change the political agenda in iraq. After years of oppression which controlled how they thought and acted, having the chance to vote for Change which the new party Goran (Change) in Northern Iraq is doing. These people were persecuted by Saddam Hussein even their families were gased in Halibjar in Iraq. Now they have the chance to participate in their politics for a better future. I recently went to Iraq and seen for my self how the governments, have not spent any money on places like Kirkuk on services which we take for granted, water, electric and gas. They are a rich society but when you actually go there and see there is no evidence of the money being spent on the people and their communities. Kirkuk is rich in Oil and it should be like Dubai. My husband is Kurdish from Kerkuk, therefore l have a bias opinion however l have seen for myself and wish them all the luck in the world. Let them Play their music and beep their horns it will be over on sunday evening and things will get back to normal for those of us who are lucky to be in a democratic country. Freedom of speech/ Debbie Karim

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Why should there be a riot? What are you alluding to'? I have watched jubliant people taking the opportunity to exercise a vote that many thousands of Iraqis' and British, US and NATO Armed Forces have sacrificed their lives for, to enable this election to take place.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 I bet those Rangers fans did a lot more p***ing in the streets when they descended on Manchester last year.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 NOTHING ON NATIONAL PRESS OR ANY MEDIA ABOUT THE RIOT IN SWINTON TONIGHT AT LEES STREET WAKE UP PEOPLE!!

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 I agree that people p***ing in the streets is repulsive but quite a number of British people do that too. Particularly when they're drunk.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Yes, I do live in the surrounding area. As there are only three polling stations in Swinton, Birmingham and London, many of the Iraqi people wishing to vote may have travelled some considerable distance, and I suppose when you have to 'go' you have to 'go, not ideal, but then again, with a influx of an estimated 12,000 people, albeit temporary, the provision in place for 'comfort breaks' is sorely inadequate. If they had knocked on your door asking to use your lavatory, what would have been your response? Oh, and by the way, last weekend I had to clear up vomit from my garden, and that had nothing to do with people voting, just getting legless.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Very democratic to pee up someone's wall. Perhaps you don't live in the surrounding area. I'm all for democracy accompanied with respect!

Comment by Albert.Spiby ( member )  6th March 2010 Stop complaining. If Democracy works in Iraq, we might get to try it here?

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Maybe they're doing it to celebrate the fact they get to vote rather than to "goad residents"

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 As a local resident I am appalled at the lack of notice given for such as massive operation ! There seem to be more Police and traffic wardens here than ever - oh and the police helicopter ! Did anybody not think that closing Lees Street which is a major cut through from Station Road would cause such chaos ? My 73 year-old mother is in a flat right near the polling station and the noise from beeping cars, blarring foreign music and shouting has been quite disturbing for her. yes - have your vote - but please come and go quietly ! Is there any need for all this blatant goading of the residents here by flying the flags and disturbing our peace?

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Are the local and national media barred from reporting on the circus that is the arrival of 10,000 + iraqi voters in Swinton? As very local residents to the Vanguard Mill in Lees Street where the elections are taking place we have experienced (perhaps understandably since we had a last minute letter from the police and council on Thursday night) a huge increase in traffic and visitors to the area parking near to or outside of our homes, often illegally parking. I think the parking attendants have been given the weekend off! On any other given Saturday other illegal parkers would be hit with a ticket! We have contacted the police twice today to report these 'visitors' parking their cars and then urinating in our streets and alleyways in broad daylight on an otherwise busy Saturday with local shoppers and families. When I asked one particular iraqi male 'could you not find a toilet?' He simply replied 'NO' and followed with 'non of your business'. I am appalled that this has been so badly organised and understand from the letter received on Thursday that the police and council had this sprung upon them. HOW? I'll bet my hard earned salary that this was known about in advance and that the police and council simply wanted to keep it quiet to avoid trouble! If we are to respect people seeking asylum in our country and acknowledge the right for these people to make their vote then should they not in turn respect the areas they are coming into to cast it!

Comment by TomSO ( member )  6th March 2010 Note to SalfordOnline readers, if you find a comment offensive or unsuitable for this site, please click on the red exclamation mark complaint icon on the far right of your comment box, this will send a message to the editorial team to review the comment.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Why is it a 'depressing spectacle' to see people excerising their right to vote; is that not democracy? Will you not be doing the same in the General Election? Have you been to a third world country? I doubt it as Lees Street looked nothing of the sort and your reference is insulting. I live in Swinton and I was caught up in traffic today, but I felt pride in the fact that so many Iraqi's were voting freely. I for one found your comment offensive in its substance and with your appalling spelling and grammar but I respect you right to give your opinion as we live in a democracy which allows us to excercise our views without fear or intimidation.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 We British Nationals are extremely fortunate as we have a right to vote and it is our choice to use our vote in an election. The Iraqi people have not had this right living under the tyranny of Saddam Hussein; our Armed Forces helped to liberate Iraq to allow the Iraqi people the freedom and liberty that perhaps we take for granted. Embrace the fact that you are able to write small minded, nasty comments or supportive, positive comments as you live in a democracy and celebrate with the Iraqi Nationals that they now are beginning to enjoy the freedom that liberty brings.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 The building is owned by the Iraqi High Commission I think, so won't it be them who pays for the road to be closed off and the traffic management? Salford Council were not involved in this.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 i can tell you who is funding this ............. Us the local community , not only with our pole tax but with all the traffic wardens giving local people tickets for parking outside there house's, But i guess if you are from iraq you can park where ever you like and not get a ticket.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Just been past the mill where they are voting, it's like a third world country. Nice of Salford council to ask the people that pay their wages if they wanted this depressing spectacle on their doorstep. It will be interesting to find the cost of the massive police operation and who is paying for it, oh let me guess...... US MUGS.

Comment by Guest  6th March 2010 Obviously this is a people who feel they can really initiate change in their own country. How many ex-pats in Iraq would vote in our General Election do you think?

Comment by Guest  5th March 2010 I bet they are not enthusiastic about returning home.

Comment by Guest  5th March 2010 Er, Duh! because they have fled Saddam Hussein and his murderous policies perhaps?, open your eyes and your mind.

Comment by Guest  5th March 2010 Why cant they vote in Iraq?

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