[Politics] Tory meltdown finally arrived [was: incoming]...

[TomandJerry]

Labour gained Adur in West Sussex from the Conservatives after gaining eight seats – the first time the party has controlled the council, PA reports. The Conservatives lost seven seats, and independents one, leaving the new council as Labour 17, Conservatives eight, Green two and independents two.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

Nothing surprises me about the London electorate and the result may be quite close. I had more nuanced thoughts over the last few days.

I'm not predicting it, but a Conservative Mayor in readiness for a Labour Government is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Low turnout and the new voting system may not work well for Sadiq.

Who knows ? voting behaviour can be quite surprising up here.

I'm not sure the London electorate is any more random or unpredictable than anywhere else. In any case, the mayoral elections going back to 2008 have all been won by the candidate who was ahead in the polls.

 

[Gwylan]

Khan was 1/14 on, Hall was 10/1 at the last showing of odds on Skybet.

The bookies rarely get it that wrong.

I was thinking of having a cheeky tenner on Hall, as 10-1 are good odds in a two-horse raceSeeing the way that Labour is losing the Muslim vote, I wish I'd gone for it; it's really not out of the question (but would be terrible news for the opinion pollsters)

 

[TomandJerry]

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Reform won a seat in Havant.

 

[A1X]

Reform won a seat in Havant.

#Twats will be twats

 

[A1X]

 

[TomandJerry]

The Liberal Democrats have gained overall control of Tunbridge Wells as the Conservatives lost four seat, leaving them on seven and the Liberal Democrats with 22 of the 39 seats. Labour and independents have five each.

A Liberal Democrat source said “the disgusted of Tunbridge Wells have spoken.”

 

[abc]

One interesting aspect of these results is how well other parties and independents have done. Disastrous for the Tories but a warning for Labour. This doesn’t feel like the run up to Blair’s first GE win when there was a national excitement about Labour. As many have alluded to on here, I can’t help but feel KS needs to start talking more about policy and ideas rather than continue to be simply the ‘we are not the tories’ party.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

One interesting aspect of these results is how well other parties and independents have done. Disastrous for the Tories but a warning for Labour. This doesn’t feel like the run up to Blair’s first GE win when there was a national excitement about Labour. As many have alluded to on here, I can’t help but feel KS needs to start talking more about policy and ideas rather than continue to be simply the ‘we are not the tories’ party.

I like other parties getting council places and in a general election, seats.
I‘m a believer in PR where one party doesn’t have all the power and politics is less extreme.

 

[abc]

I like other parties getting council places and in a general election, seats.
I‘m a believer in PR where one party doesn’t have all the power and politics is less extreme.

Agree totally. PR will never happen because it’s not in the interest of the two main parties and the smaller parties will never get enough parliament seats to introduce it. Chicken and egg, catch 22 etc.
But, for me, it’s the only way of rebuilding our broken democracy - a system where every vote counts and the loonies can’t take over the asylum

 

[WATFORD zero]

I like other parties getting council places and in a general election, seats.
I‘m a believer in PR where one party doesn’t have all the power and politics is less extreme.

You've gone and done it now, I only hope @Harry Wilson's tackle has you on ignore

 

[Since1982]

The Tories no longer control any Borough or District Council anywhere in Sussex. That is a massive shift in political choice across the County.

 

[WATFORD zero]

The Tories no longer control any Borough or District Council anywhere in Sussex. That is a massive shift in political choice across the County.

Only the first step in the People's Republic of Brighton and Hove's bid for World Domination

 

[Thunder Bolt]

You've gone and done it now, I only hope @Harry Wilson's tackle has you on ignore

He can't ignore me.

 

[Gabbiano]

One interesting aspect of these results is how well other parties and independents have done. Disastrous for the Tories but a warning for Labour. This doesn’t feel like the run up to Blair’s first GE win when there was a national excitement about Labour. As many have alluded to on here, I can’t help but feel KS needs to start talking more about policy and ideas rather than continue to be simply the ‘we are not the tories’ party.

I understand the logic of why they aren't.

Labour know they're going to win the next election anyway if they stay on this course. They are trying to appeal to both the remain voting metropolitan liberals and the leave voting working classes simultaneously. Being too outspoken on policy risks alienating one or the other.

It's a sensible tactic though thoroughly uninspiring. Also it gives less options for the Tories and right wing media to weaponise against them.

 

[Motogull]

As good a place as any to mention that in all my years, I have never voted for the winning candidate. My referenda success rate is 50% so I'm not a complete voter failure.

It makes me wonder why I bother.

 

[clapham_gull]

Looks like my fears about the low turnout were unfounded (so far)

Small, but increase in vote to Labour in Wandsworth. Blimey. I'd to say that wipes the smile of the face of the local Tory councillors, but to be fair they haven't looked very happy for years.

 

[Bodian]

Looks like my fears about the low turnout were unfounded (so far)

Small, but increase in vote to Labour in Wandsworth. Blimey. I'd to say that wipes the smile of the face of the local Tory councillors, but to be fair they haven't looked very happy for years.

Wouldn't say it was small. 10% up,

Tories 15% down as well.

 

[Jim in the West]

As good a place as any to mention that in all my years, I have never voted for the winning candidate. My referenda success rate is 50% so I'm not a complete voter failure.

It makes me wonder why I bother.

I would hope you voted “Earthworm” in this one, though…

Earthworm crowned UK invertebrate of the year by Guardian readers

Lumbricus terrestris claims landslide victory with 38% of vote, while Asian or yellow-legged hornet comes in last with 0.8%

www.theguardian.com