Takes the number of female MPs to 35% for the first time (rounded to the nearest whole number), 224 out of 649. And Labour have of course selected a woman in B'ham Erdington.
"I have followed Ukip for years and I have never seen them so bereft. It is, among other things, an education in getting your heart’s desire. When I find Laws at the end of the day, and ask him how it went, he says, “Nobody had much to say, not the people we met today anyway. A lot of people I don’t think are going to vote. But we don’t know until the ballot day.”"
"I have followed Ukip for years and I have never seen them so bereft. It is, among other things, an education in getting your heart’s desire. When I find Laws at the end of the day, and ask him how it went, he says, “Nobody had much to say, not the people we met today anyway. A lot of people I don’t think are going to vote. But we don’t know until the ballot day.”"
As quoted by the South Essex blog, the UKIP candidate comes across as a rather appealing young person in politics:
"Steve Laws, the candidate for UKIP, has said his campaign in the by-election was a "massive learning curve".
Mr Laws has only been a member of the party for about six months, but felt it was the right time to stand.
He said: "I spoke to a Labour voter, they said they were outraged they haven't got someone to vote for, but in the same breath they say I shouldn't stand. It's a catch 22.
"It's blurred because people don't know what the right thing to do is. They have the Tories but they're also letting them down."
Mr Laws believes the lower turnout this year is in part due to the circumstances of Sir David's death and the absence of a Lib Dem or Labour candidate.
He added: "Having a little walk-around I think it's a Tory win but I am hoping for second place."
He said some of the things he has learned include how to approach people on the doorsteps and holding a civil conversation with people with differing views.
Mr Laws said he's thankful that no one has slammed the door in his face during the campaign."
SSI - I sense this is someone with a potential future in politics at some level, if that's what he decides to pursue.
"Tonight I pay tribute to Sir David Amess, who represented this seat for more than 24 years, and who was a passionate advocate for Southend West.
"Sir David was a truly exceptional MP. He was a friend to all and made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here.
"For Sir David’s family and friends, today will be a sad and painful day, and I would like to pay tribute to Lady Amess and their children. We are thinking of you tonight.
"I would also like to pay tribute to the political parties who marked their respect to Sir David by not contesting this by-election. It is inspiring to see politicians coming together from across the political divide to respect a great man and a great parliamentarian.
"It is the honor of my life to represent the people of Southend West and the place where I was born. As your member of Parliament I will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved.
"I would like to thank the police and everyone who has made today’s election so smooth.
"My family, especially my husband Edward, for his unstinting support.
"And my whole campaign team for the extremely respectful and positive campaign they have run. I must single out my agent, Andrew Jefferies and my Association Chairman, Cllr John Lamb and his two Deputies, Judith Suttling and Cllr Kevin Buck.
"Finally, I would like to thank the people of Southend West for placing their trust in me today.
"Today’s vote is a clear mandate to build on Sir David’s legacy – making Southend safer, improving local health care, supporting small businesses, and most of all – making the most of our new city status."
While we've got the middle-of-the-night lull, can I point any remaining denizens of the board to this lovely piece of wonderfulness: a dynamic map of the world as it has changed over the entire course of human history. Faintly mesmerising: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Wu0Q7x5D0
Watching and reading remarks of MP-elect Anna Firth, and perceiving how she come across tonight to me, cannot help thinking that some Labour and Liberal Democratic supporter - current not historic - must have given her more than a handful of votes?
Thus boosting her percentage, even with Boris on the downswing, which methinks was one reason for low turnout in constituency that was right on 2019 national average when Sir David, sadly in retrospect, ran his last hurrah.
Watching and reading remarks of MP-elect Anna Firth, and perceiving how she come across tonight to me, cannot help thinking that some Labour and Liberal Democratic supporter - current not historic - must have given her more than a handful of votes?
Thus boosting her percentage, even with Boris on the downswing, which methinks was one reason for low turnout in constituency that was right on 2019 national average when Sir David, sadly in retrospect, ran his last hurrah.
Definitely. A few Lab and LDs would have voted for her.
I did predict and bet on the over 80% band, though got turnout wrong at over 30%. So up on the contest modestly at the princely sum of £3.50.
The By-election in Evington (Leicester) is interesting, and shows the continuing problems of the Labour Party in the Leicester East Constituency following the Claudia Webbe fiasco. She was an unpopular imposition under Corbyn. It is in this constituency in nearby Humberstone that the city elected a Conservative councilor last year. He hasn't made much impact, turning up at 29% of expected attendances.
Evington is the poshest bit of the constituency, being mostly detached and semi detached housing around the Leicester General Hospital, and the best state schools in the city. It is mixed ethnically, mostly middle class. The sort of place where Sunak might be popular.
To keep perspective though, the LP has 52 of 54 Council seats, held this one, and the rest of the constituency is much more inner city working class of all ethnicities. Leicester East will stay Labour at the GE, unless the local Labour party does something seriously fratricidal.
Comments
https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1489409859841929220
CON: 86.1% (+26.9)
PSYM: 3.4% (+3.4)
UKIP: 2.7% (+2.7)
EDEM: 2.2% (+2.2)
IND (Fransen): 2.0% (+2.0)
HP: 1.6% (+1.6)
FA: 1.1% (+1.1)
ECON: 0.6% (+0.6)
IND (Childs): 0.3% (+0.3)
Pyschedelic Movement snatch second ahead of UKIP
Druggies, 3.4%
Thieving Liars, 86.1%
EDIT 12,792 if I heard right via recording
https://unherd.com/2022/02/what-can-we-learn-from-southend-west/
"Steve Laws, the candidate for UKIP, has said his campaign in the by-election was a "massive learning curve".
Mr Laws has only been a member of the party for about six months, but felt it was the right time to stand.
He said: "I spoke to a Labour voter, they said they were outraged they haven't got someone to vote for, but in the same breath they say I shouldn't stand. It's a catch 22.
"It's blurred because people don't know what the right thing to do is. They have the Tories but they're also letting them down."
Mr Laws believes the lower turnout this year is in part due to the circumstances of Sir David's death and the absence of a Lib Dem or Labour candidate.
He added: "Having a little walk-around I think it's a Tory win but I am hoping for second place."
He said some of the things he has learned include how to approach people on the doorsteps and holding a civil conversation with people with differing views.
Mr Laws said he's thankful that no one has slammed the door in his face during the campaign."
SSI - I sense this is someone with a potential future in politics at some level, if that's what he decides to pursue.
"Tonight I pay tribute to Sir David Amess, who represented this seat for more than 24 years, and who was a passionate advocate for Southend West.
"Sir David was a truly exceptional MP. He was a friend to all and made an enormous impact on everyone who lives here.
"For Sir David’s family and friends, today will be a sad and painful day, and I would like to pay tribute to Lady Amess and their children. We are thinking of you tonight.
"I would also like to pay tribute to the political parties who marked their respect to Sir David by not contesting this by-election. It is inspiring to see politicians coming together from across the political divide to respect a great man and a great parliamentarian.
"It is the honor of my life to represent the people of Southend West and the place where I was born. As your member of Parliament I will work tirelessly to build on everything he achieved.
"I would like to thank the police and everyone who has made today’s election so smooth.
"My family, especially my husband Edward, for his unstinting support.
"And my whole campaign team for the extremely respectful and positive campaign they have run. I must single out my agent, Andrew Jefferies and my Association Chairman, Cllr John Lamb and his two Deputies, Judith Suttling and Cllr Kevin Buck.
"Finally, I would like to thank the people of Southend West for placing their trust in me today.
"Today’s vote is a clear mandate to build on Sir David’s legacy – making Southend safer, improving local health care, supporting small businesses, and most of all – making the most of our new city status."
https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/southend-west-election-live-updates-6593386
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6Wu0Q7x5D0
Thus boosting her percentage, even with Boris on the downswing, which methinks was one reason for low turnout in constituency that was right on 2019 national average when Sir David, sadly in retrospect, ran his last hurrah.
New Thread.
The By-election in Evington (Leicester) is interesting, and shows the continuing problems of the Labour Party in the Leicester East Constituency following the Claudia Webbe fiasco. She was an unpopular imposition under Corbyn. It is in this constituency in nearby Humberstone that the city elected a Conservative councilor last year. He hasn't made much impact, turning up at 29% of expected attendances.
Evington is the poshest bit of the constituency, being mostly detached and semi detached housing around the Leicester General Hospital, and the best state schools in the city. It is mixed ethnically, mostly middle class. The sort of place where Sunak might be popular.
To keep perspective though, the LP has 52 of 54 Council seats, held this one, and the rest of the constituency is much more inner city working class of all ethnicities. Leicester East will stay Labour at the GE, unless the local Labour party does something seriously fratricidal.
Ancoats & Beswick (Manchester) council by-election result:
LDEM: 53.2% (+31.0)
LAB: 37.9% (-20.6)
GRN: 5.7% (-5.3)
CON: 3.2% (-5.2)
Votes cast: 2,091
Liberal Democrat GAIN from Labour.
Evington (Leicester) council by-election result:
LAB: 38.8% (-15.4)
CON: 34.4% (+12.9)
LDEM: 20.7% (+12.5)
GRN: 5.0% (-7.1)
FBM: 1.1% (+1.1)
Votes cast: 4,014