Brighton tory council... leopards never change their spots

[Barrel of Fun]

Since the early 90's the Tories couldn't get a look in in Brighton especially, until around 5 or 6 years ago when they began to chip away at Labour's majority.

Why was that and why did they start to chip away at the Labour majority?

 

[vulture]

never vote for green or labour:dasreich:

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Oh, I do agree. I worked, as a volunteer, at the Fishing Museum one summer and got to know most of the yokels very well. The Council must do their utmost to protect small businesses along the seafront and in the Lanes/North Laine to protect the uniqueness of the city (sic).

That's a great place. And the wet fish shop next door is great as well.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

why's that BOF?

Only kidding. I thought there might be a Portslade contingency on this thread and believed it might spice things up. I have chickened out too early as I didn't want to de-rail yet another thread.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

That's a great place. And the wet fish shop next door is great as well.

Good old Neil

He works his fingers to the bone. Up before anyone to get to the markets and holds out for much of daylight. Good fish to be had there.

I do miss wandering down there on a summers day. The retired/ex-fisherman playing cribbage and snacking on winkles and what-have-you.

A great friend of mine is a trustee of the fishing museum and uses the workshop to run his handyman/carpentry business. He fitted out Due South with their furniture which was descirbed as 'funky' in the Observer, recently.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Since the early 90's the Tories couldn't get a look in in Brighton especially, until around 5 or 6 years ago when they began to chip away at Labour's majority.

..and it's no coincidence that Brighton started to improve around this time.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

..and it's no coincidence that Brighton started to improve around this time.

Surely the seed was sown when the economy began to improve, thanks to Ken Clarke.

What is noticeable is that many, many projects die a death in Brighton. Something to do with all councillors, developers, but also the local residents. I don't think blame can be levied at one particular group. Possibly also people/developers getting ideas above their stations and getting far too carried away with the whole 'place to be'.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Why was that and why did they start to chip away at the Labour majority?

If you want my opinion ... the internal bickering in the local Labour Party ended up with a lot of excellent, hard-working councillors being de-selected. The leadership became far too interested in its own survival and the party became increasingly incapable of being seen as truly representative of local people.

This left a huge gap for Green Party activists to walk straight into.

The Tories have never properly defeated Labour in Brighton - they've just benefitted from the growth in Green Party support and achieved control of the Council without having to put any effort into it.

 

[bigc]

If you want my opinion ... the internal bickering in the local Labour Party ended up with a lot of excellent, hard-working councillors being de-selected. The leadership became far too interested in its own survival and the party became increasingly incapable of being seen as truly representative of local people.

When was that then? And anyone specific in mind?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

When was that then? And anyone specific in mind?

Several. But I'll pick out Joyce Edmund Smith as an example.

 

[Barrel of Fun]

If you want my opinion ... the internal bickering in the local Labour Party ended up with a lot of excellent, hard-working councillors being de-selected. The leadership became far too interested in its own survival and the party became increasingly incapable of being seen as truly representative of local people.

This left a huge gap for Green Party activists to walk straight into.

The Tories have never properly defeated Labour in Brighton - they've just benefitted from the growth in Green Party support and achieved control of the Council without having to put any effort into it.

I did want your opinion along with others. I was, quietly, referring to people voting for national politics as opposed to local politics for local people. I seem to remember you talking to someone, Seagulls Party times, who was in full support but would not change his vote from Conservatives as he had always voted for them. (Actually, that is a crap example). But you get my drift, I hope. Go with the national feel and so on...

The Greens sneaking in, would be down to the fact that Brighton is a magnet for Middle-Class Hippies and the major parties were definite latecomers to the whole green movement. Plus, it is a decent protest vote.

 

[Rougvie]

If you want my opinion ... the internal bickering in the local Labour Party ended up with a lot of excellent, hard-working councillors being de-selected. The leadership became far too interested in its own survival and the party became increasingly incapable of being seen as truly representative of local people.

Isnt that indicitive of 'new' Labour throughout the country?

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Isnt that indicitive of 'new' Labour throughout the country?

"You might well think that. I couldn't possibly comment".

 

[Lord Bracknell]

I seem to remember you talking to someone, Seagulls Party times, who was in full support but would not change his vote from Conservatives as he had always voted for them.

... whereas I know for a FACT that at least one Labour hereditary peer voted Seagulls, rather than for the party that he was a member of.

If Labour can't even get out the vote of its own parliamentarians, then it is in a very sorry state.

 

[Rougvie]

Labour IS in a sad state tho. People like me who have voted Labour all their working lives are looking for alternatives.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

If you want my opinion ... the internal bickering in the local Labour Party ended up with a lot of excellent, hard-working councillors being de-selected. The leadership became far too interested in its own survival and the party became increasingly incapable of being seen as truly representative of local people.

This left a huge gap for Green Party activists to walk straight into.

The Tories have never properly defeated Labour in Brighton - they've just benefitted from the growth in Green Party support and achieved control of the Council without having to put any effort into it.

That may well be but we're so much better off without that twat Simon Battle - a complete MONG !!!

 

[The Large One]

It's times like this when you miss excellent (and excellently-named) councillors like Nimrod Ping.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

It's times like this when you miss excellent (and excellently-named) councillors like Nimrod Ping.

Best. Councillor. Name. Ever.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

The Tories are only in power because Labour screwed up and the Greens jumped on the "anti Labour , dont waste your vote on the LibDems" bandwagon which split the vote and let the Tories win seats in addition to their own gains. Some wards will never change their political allegiance , Rottingdean for one , so the Tories will always have a representation on B&HCC.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

Best. Councillor. Name. Ever.

Pete Best. Councillor. First Green ever elected to Brighton Council.

Just before Nimrod Ping died, he joined the Green Party.



Gscene News Archive: Nimrod Ping dies

Nimrod Ping’s conversion to the Green Party did not come easily. At the time he said: “When Labour won national power in 1997, we were expecting change, but things have gone the wrong way. They are too right-wing and have an absolute disregard for people’s opinions. The Greens are working to sort out problems rather than create more and I agree with almost everything they say.”