This election has just done to Brand what the last election did to Clegg: exposed that his powers of persuasion over the little people are nothing more than a Guardianista fantasy. In 2010 every liberal was banging on about Cleggmania and saying Nick was the Obama of Britain. (Obama should have sued.) Then the election results came in and revealed that Clegg’s Lib Dems actually lost seats – 57, down from 61 in 2005 (and now, of course, his party is wiped out).
This time round, leftish observers talked up the ‘Brand effect’, the possibility that Rusty’s reversal on not voting and his interview with and endorsement of Miliband might help swing the election. ‘The Tories should be worried’, declared the Guardian. Yeah, not so much. If Brand had any effect – and he didn’t – it was only to damn Labour even more than it was already damned.
"Anyone who I lost a bet to please email bank details and I'll send over the winnings... "
I didn't expect to win but for the ten pounds you owe me, please donate £5 to Cafod and £5 to Ukip. I'll give a £1 to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Nice doing business with you.
I suspect Ukip will have enough second places and publicity from the EU referendum to challenge strongly in the future. Without the threat of Nicola, you would have won the bet.
And now on the BBC...back from 5 minutes of VE service....back to navel grazing about Labour....
Funny that - I just watched 40 minutes of BBC VE coverage. Must be a different Beeb!
BBC News...they spent no more than 5 mins (Sky News covering it)...it was far more important to hear John Mann and Jacqui Smith talk to Marr about Labour.
BBC1 a whole channel with uninterupted coverage. What more do you want?
This election has just done to Brand what the last election did to Clegg: exposed that his powers of persuasion over the little people are nothing more than a Guardianista fantasy. In 2010 every liberal was banging on about Cleggmania and saying Nick was the Obama of Britain. (Obama should have sued.) Then the election results came in and revealed that Clegg’s Lib Dems actually lost seats – 57, down from 61 in 2005 (and now, of course, his party is wiped out).
This time round, leftish observers talked up the ‘Brand effect’, the possibility that Rusty’s reversal on not voting and his interview with and endorsement of Miliband might help swing the election. ‘The Tories should be worried’, declared the Guardian. Yeah, not so much. If Brand had any effect – and he didn’t – it was only to damn Labour even more than it was already damned.
Have to confess I thought that cretins influence would help labour
This election has just done to Brand what the last election did to Clegg: exposed that his powers of persuasion over the little people are nothing more than a Guardianista fantasy. In 2010 every liberal was banging on about Cleggmania and saying Nick was the Obama of Britain. (Obama should have sued.) Then the election results came in and revealed that Clegg’s Lib Dems actually lost seats – 57, down from 61 in 2005 (and now, of course, his party is wiped out).
This time round, leftish observers talked up the ‘Brand effect’, the possibility that Rusty’s reversal on not voting and his interview with and endorsement of Miliband might help swing the election. ‘The Tories should be worried’, declared the Guardian. Yeah, not so much. If Brand had any effect – and he didn’t – it was only to damn Labour even more than it was already damned.
Nonsense...they totally misunderstood what Brand is up to....This is the best possible result for his bottom line. He now gets another 5 years of material / followers, books, movies and youtube revenue. Quids in.
I remember hearing Mark Thomas said that much that he wished the Tory and Labour bar stewards got shafted, they pay his mortgage....
As predicted, the claims of high turnout were bollocks outside Scotland. I never understand why tellers' reports of polling stations being "busier than expected" have any meaning. Unless they've worked in the same polling booth for at least the 2 previous GEs, how could they know what "unusually high" looked like?
Every single one of my mates that I chatted to said "it was busier than last time I voted".
Mystig Meg of UK politics? Clegg 5th May ""We all know that no-one is going to win the election outright on Thursday, despite what Ed Miliband and David Cameron says."
As predicted, the claims of high turnout were bollocks outside Scotland. I never understand why tellers' reports of polling stations being "busier than expected" have any meaning. Unless they've worked in the same polling booth for at least the 2 previous GEs, how could they know what "unusually high" looked like?
Every single one of my mates that I chatted to said "it was busier than last time I voted".
This election has just done to Brand what the last election did to Clegg: exposed that his powers of persuasion over the little people are nothing more than a Guardianista fantasy. In 2010 every liberal was banging on about Cleggmania and saying Nick was the Obama of Britain. (Obama should have sued.) Then the election results came in and revealed that Clegg’s Lib Dems actually lost seats – 57, down from 61 in 2005 (and now, of course, his party is wiped out).
This time round, leftish observers talked up the ‘Brand effect’, the possibility that Rusty’s reversal on not voting and his interview with and endorsement of Miliband might help swing the election. ‘The Tories should be worried’, declared the Guardian. Yeah, not so much. If Brand had any effect – and he didn’t – it was only to damn Labour even more than it was already damned.
Have to confess I thought that cretins influence would help labour
Hopefully this shows that the British electorate can separate entertainment (though Brand's popularity in that field also baffles me) from politics. Why on earth should I care more about what a luvvie thinks than the political insights of a guy or gal behind the counter at Chipotle or Starbucks?
As predicted, the claims of high turnout were bollocks outside Scotland. I never understand why tellers' reports of polling stations being "busier than expected" have any meaning. Unless they've worked in the same polling booth for at least the 2 previous GEs, how could they know what "unusually high" looked like?
Every single one of my mates that I chatted to said "it was busier than last time I voted".
But yeah.
It was busier than usual at mine, I took the dog.
WAHEY
Thinking about it, I can see a lot of "not comparing like with like" - my last election was a local one, as I was overseas for the last Euros.
And now on the BBC...back from 5 minutes of VE service....back to navel grazing about Labour....
Funny that - I just watched 40 minutes of BBC VE coverage. Must be a different Beeb!
BBC News...they spent no more than 5 mins (Sky News covering it)...it was far more important to hear John Mann and Jacqui Smith talk to Marr about Labour.
You mean they did not just repeat the coverage across all the BBC channels? Leftie scum.
AllyPally No Miliband won 30%, the same as Kinnock got in 1987, indeed he actually won 1 more seat than Kinnock, Foot won 209 seats and 27%. Of course, if Labour had held all its seats in Scotland it would actually have won about the 271 seats Kinnock got in 1992 and the 34% he attained
Anyone who I lost a bet to please email bank details and I'll send over the winnings...
STOP STOP STOP
isam can you confirm you're not a Nigerian prince ?
I willa not ansa dat
Tell the one about Linford Christie again.
That joke has been told to black friends who laughed at it. I even asked if it was alright to tell it and they said yes. his race isn't the point of the joke, it has been told about Seb Coe too, stop being so sensitive
Completely did NOT expect a Tory majority this time yesterday! Even though I voted Lab in Ilford North (in all honesty my vote could have gone either way), I actually don't mind the full GE result, so congrats to Dave and co. and everyone on Team Blue!
As predicted, the claims of high turnout were bollocks outside Scotland. I never understand why tellers' reports of polling stations being "busier than expected" have any meaning. Unless they've worked in the same polling booth for at least the 2 previous GEs, how could they know what "unusually high" looked like?
Completely did NOT expect a Tory majority this time yesterday! Even though I voted Lab in Ilford North (in all honesty my vote could have gone either way), I actually don't mind the full GE result, so congrats to Dave and co. and everyone on Team Blue!
Franklin If the next Labour leader matches the 62 seats Thatcher gained in 1979 or the 77 seats Heath gained in 1970 or the 59 seats Wilson won in 1964 they will lead the largest party in 2020
Labour Johanna Boyd 13,303 25.5 -16.2 Conservative Stephen Kerr[2] 12,051 23.1 -0.9
I bet that was some misguided tacticals that cost me a decent win on Con 2nd there !
For what its worth I think there was probably a bit of Tory tactical voting for Johanna but not enough to make a difference in the finishing order. I've actually met Johanna, she is the leader of Stirling Council and was a strong candidate who got swept away by the SNP tsunami, a name to look out for in the next few years though while SLAB rebuilds itself.
The BBC is one of the election losers. They have the least friendly government imaginable for the charter renewal.
Last night's BBC coverage was utterly shambolic. They seemed to have absolutely no idea what was going on. ITN and Sky were much better, though neither was that good. ]
As for the Charter, this I where the Tories need to be careful of hubris. The public do not hate the BBC in the way some of the more swivel-eyed Blues do. Though, to be fair, I think I saw more claims of BBC bias from the left during this campaign.
In the South and Midlands, Labour don't seem to have won a seat outside heavily ethnic areas and university towns.
As part of their soul-searching, they need to understand why that's a problem for them. They could try asking David Goodhart as a start.
My first piece of advice is that they should stop demonising the Tories with respect to the NHS. It's a tired and very stale argument.
As someone with direct, recent and prolonged dealings with both NHS Wales (mental health, oncology, respiratory) and NHS England (oncology), they've really got no room to talk, and many voters know that.
Going to look forward to the BBC license fee being reviewed, boundary changes, EU referendum, devolution, ability to strike, etc. Guardian readers will be crying into their lentil soups today. Lord Kinnock summed up the Labour party perfectly last night. When faced with defeat he turned on the voters and claimed they were not intelligent enough.
"Anyone who I lost a bet to please email bank details and I'll send over the winnings... "
I didn't expect to win but for the ten pounds you owe me, please donate £5 to Cafod and £5 to Ukip. I'll give a £1 to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Nice doing business with you.
I suspect Ukip will have enough second places and publicity from the EU referendum to challenge strongly in the future. Without the threat of Nicola, you would have won the bet.
My new bank card was sent to old branch in Kentish Town so will do that Monday alternatively send bank details and I can do internet transfer
Yes I think it was the scots that done us.. My whole betting on the GE was based on Ukip getting a decent double figure vote share, but unfortunately the extrapolations didn't deliver. Hey ho
In the South and Midlands, Labour don't seem to have won a seat outside heavily ethnic areas and university towns.
As part of their soul-searching, they need to understand why that's a problem for them. They could try asking David Goodhart as a start.
My first piece of advice is that they should stop demonising the Tories with respect to the NHS. It's a tired and very stale argument.
As someone with direct, recent and prolonged dealings with both NHS Wales (mental health, oncology, respiratory) and NHS England (oncology), they've really got no room to talk, and many voters know that.
Theres only so many times you can use the 'X will destroy Y' line. I think labour have run that one into the ground.
The BBC is one of the election losers. They have the least friendly government imaginable for the charter renewal.
Last night's BBC coverage was utterly shambolic. They seemed to have absolutely no idea what was going on. ITN and Sky were much better, though neither was that good. ]
As for the Charter, this I where the Tories need to be careful of hubris. The public do not hate the BBC in the way some of the more swivel-eyed Blues do. Though, to be fair, I think I saw more claims of BBC bias from the left during this campaign.
None of the media outlets seem to keep up with what was going on and too many idiots making comments aboout "national vote share neck and neck" and "Tories only 7% ahead"....
They don't have enough people of the quality of Thrasher and Curtice (who are clearly busy just processing the data) central to their coverage. BBC did have Kellner as well, but he just couldn't come to terms with the fact that his polling was so wrong, continually wittering about the fact they had resurveyed their group and it didn't show any of this.
The BBC is one of the election losers. They have the least friendly government imaginable for the charter renewal.
Last night's BBC coverage was utterly shambolic. They seemed to have absolutely no idea what was going on. ITN and Sky were much better, though neither was that good. ]
As for the Charter, this I where the Tories need to be careful of hubris. The public do not hate the BBC in the way some of the more swivel-eyed Blues do. Though, to be fair, I think I saw more claims of BBC bias from the left during this campaign.
Couldnt agree more about the BBC coverage. The amount of times they lost a feed or were late to a count or left a count early ect...
Dimbleby needs to call it a day now. The coverage was notably better with Hugh Edwards this morning. Had some decent guests like David Aaranovich.
On the other hand BBC Radio was superb as usual, Peter Allen on 5live has been excellent today.
With Labour holding just 232 seats - down from 258 in 2010 - this election is the worst for the party since 1983. Back then the party won just 209 seats, losing 60 since the previous election.
Labour has lost seats at every election since 1997, when Tony Blair went into Downing Street on a landslide of 418 seats. This means that the party has lost seats for four elections in a row, which has not happened since the 1950s.
The BBC is one of the election losers. They have the least friendly government imaginable for the charter renewal.
Last night's BBC coverage was utterly shambolic. They seemed to have absolutely no idea what was going on. ITN and Sky were much better, though neither was that good. ]
As for the Charter, this I where the Tories need to be careful of hubris. The public do not hate the BBC in the way some of the more swivel-eyed Blues do. Though, to be fair, I think I saw more claims of BBC bias from the left during this campaign.
"State Broadcaster" - surely more at home in Maoist states than Cool Britannia.
Re the TV - I watched Sky as we have no BBC reception here in Spain. Generally slick and quick with all the results. I was impressed and with no commercial breaks to disrupt the flow of Tory gains. I suspect it was rather better than the Beeb to judge from comments on here.
My argument for reform of telly tax isn't based just in the belief that BBC has too much of a metro liberal elite focus, it is that the telly tax isn't fit for purpose in the modern world.
It can't be enforced, it is as simple as that. The modern wold of the internet, iPad, etc etc etc, we don't all huddle around the moving picture box in the corner of the living room to choose from 4 channels.
IMO it is totally unfair to charge everybody regardless if they have a telly or not, or if they use BBC or not. If the BBC output is good, people wont have a problem paying for it in the same way as people pay for Sky for the footy.
Credit for staying on after what must have been a disappointing night.
Any thoughts on how UKIP should move now in terms of policy and/or leader?
120 second places is something to work with. They need to look at their best prospects out of them and throw the kitchen sink at them. The local council results could give them something to build on.
In terms of leader they almost certainly need someone less divisive. Suzanne Evans would be a solid candidate, although Steven Woolfe or Paul Nuttall being working class and from the north could help to change the stereotype of UKIP being made up of middle class home counties types.
I would like to think that the EU referendum will keep them in the news for the next two years.
Credit for staying on after what must have been a disappointing night.
Any thoughts on how UKIP should move now in terms of policy and/or leader?
As the party has grown so quickly there's a bit of conflict (not major) between the old school libertarians and the newer ones who talk predominately about immigration. In reality they need do nothing for a while, when the dust has settled a big rise in votes is there for all to see. How to approach electoral reform is the key to progress, under FPTP seats will be very difficult to take.
In the South and Midlands, Labour don't seem to have won a seat outside heavily ethnic areas and university towns.
As part of their soul-searching, they need to understand why that's a problem for them. They could try asking David Goodhart as a start.
My first piece of advice is that they should stop demonising the Tories with respect to the NHS. It's a tired and very stale argument.
As someone with direct, recent and prolonged dealings with both NHS Wales (mental health, oncology, respiratory) and NHS England (oncology), they've really got no room to talk, and many voters know that.
Theres only so many times you can use the 'X will destroy Y' line. I think labour have run that one into the ground.
Particularly as the NHS didn't implode when the Coalition took over.
In the South and Midlands, Labour don't seem to have won a seat outside heavily ethnic areas and university towns.
As part of their soul-searching, they need to understand why that's a problem for them. They could try asking David Goodhart as a start.
My first piece of advice is that they should stop demonising the Tories with respect to the NHS. It's a tired and very stale argument.
As someone with direct, recent and prolonged dealings with both NHS Wales (mental health, oncology, respiratory) and NHS England (oncology), they've really got no room to talk, and many voters know that.
Weaponising the NHS was a mistake. For all its faults the coalition government has done a reasonable job on running it.
Perhaps the problem was that the second question was more seen as an "are you sure?" one, which made the voter needlessly (and falsely) re-think? No one likes to think they've given the wrong answer.
Exactly what I have been saying for weeks.
Lord A may need to rethink his polling.
Assuming he carries on.
Lord A may also want to review his biography of Cameron before its publication- from his comments it did not seem to be sympathetic to Cameron's campaign
Credit for staying on after what must have been a disappointing night.
Any thoughts on how UKIP should move now in terms of policy and/or leader?
Ha that's ok! I'm not making it up when I say I bet a lot every day for my living, the GE outlay was the equivalent of a quiet day really, just talked about a lot more than my normal stuff and obv took a year to settle
What I took from telling in Dagenham and Rainham yesterday was there are a huge number of people who feel let down and want someone to stick up for them.a lot if the elderly people thought I was the candidate and were begging me to win! On the other hand I felt v uncomfortable asking non white people for their card number whilst wearing a Ukip rosette, and it kind of hurt to be the bad guy in their eyes., as I presumed they thought I was anti them I've not met anyone at Ukip dos that was racist, and many I have met are desperate to be inclusive. I think it's a shame we were smeared as racist as it prevents a lot of people associating. It would be great to get a large black vote in particular without pandering to people on race issues. Just treat everyone the same
Really though I don't think it's a failure to get 13%, it's prob above what I expected. The seats were terribly disappointing but v close to getting 3 or 4. It's the way the cookie bounces. Glorious failure, quite romantic!
I think Farage was hasty to stand down and I hope he is encouraged to run again and wins. I don't want Ukip to be softened up and changed into a photoshopped glossy party with frontmen and women that the other sides like, I want us to be true to ourselves and tear it up!
Credit for staying on after what must have been a disappointing night.
Any thoughts on how UKIP should move now in terms of policy and/or leader?
Ha that's ok! I'm not making it up when I say I bet a lot every day for my living, the GE outlay was the equivalent of a quiet day really, just talked about a lot more than my normal stuff and obv took a year to settle
What I took from telling in Dagenham and Rainham yesterday was there are a huge number of people who feel let down and want someone to stick up for them.a lot if the elderly people thought I was the candidate and were begging me to win! On the other hand I felt v uncomfortable asking non white people for their card number whilst wearing a Ukip rosette, and it kind of hurt to be the bad guy in their eyes., as I presumed they thought I was anti them I've not met anyone at Ukip dos that was racist, and many I have met are desperate to be inclusive. I think it's a shame we were smeared as racist as it prevents a lot of people associating. It would be great to get a large black vote in particular without pandering to people on race issues. Just treat everyone the same
Really though I don't think it's a failure to get 13%, it's prob above what I expected. The seats were terribly disappointing but v close to getting 3 or 4. It's the way the cookie bounces.
I think Farage was hasty to stand down and I hope he is encouraged to run again and wins. I don't want Ukip to be softened up and changed into a photoshopped glossy party with frontmen and women that the other sides like, I want us to be true to ourselves and tear it up!
If Labour go for any of these they will be like the Bourbons of Spain - learning nothing, forgetting nothing.
They are part of the problem not the solution. The first 3 are empty-headed and/or too connected with the current Labour party. I can't comment on Jarvis.
They are not the people to rethink what Labour is about. They are not the people to persuade people in 5 years time to vote Labour.
They need to go back to first principles: - They need to understand what liberal and progressive mean, really mean. Shacking up with segregationists is not progressive. - They need to rediscover the best of their Methodist, Christian socialist roots - the desire to help those at the bottom end better themselves. - They need to stop worshipping the state or any emanation of it (the NHS) as an end in itself rather than a means to an end. - They need to remember that the state, public servants are there to serve the people not the other way around. - They need to understand that economic competence is the sine qua non of every government. - They need to remember that they are spending taxpayers' money and that they need to spend it wisely and effectively. - They need to believe in Britain and British values rather than view them, in an de haut en bas way, with disdain. - They need to abandon the patronising and racist identity/community politics shtick. - They need to remember that it is what you do and not how you describe yourself which tells voters what your values are. - They need to stop behaving as if anyone who disagrees with them is evil. - They need to remember that decency and fairness and honesty are the monopoly of no-one.
Credit for staying on after what must have been a disappointing night.
Any thoughts on how UKIP should move now in terms of policy and/or leader?
Ha that's ok! I'm not making it up when I say I bet a lot every day for my living, the GE outlay was the equivalent of a quiet day really, just talked about a lot more than my normal stuff and obv took a year to settle
What I took from telling in Dagenham and Rainham yesterday was there are a huge number of people who feel let down and want someone to stick up for them.a lot if the elderly people thought I was the candidate and were begging me to win! On the other hand I felt v uncomfortable asking non white people for their card number whilst wearing a Ukip rosette, and it kind of hurt to be the bad guy in their eyes., as I presumed they thought I was anti them I've not met anyone at Ukip dos that was racist, and many I have met are desperate to be inclusive. I think it's a shame we were smeared as racist as it prevents a lot of people associating. It would be great to get a large black vote in particular without pandering to people on race issues. Just treat everyone the same
Really though I don't think it's a failure to get 13%, it's prob above what I expected. The seats were terribly disappointing but v close to getting 3 or 4. It's the way the cookie bounces. Glorious failure, quite romantic!
I think Farage was hasty to stand down and I hope he is encouraged to run again and wins. I don't want Ukip to be softened up and changed into a photoshopped glossy party with frontmen and women that the other sides like, I want us to be true to ourselves and tear it up!
- They need to stop behaving as if anyone who disagrees with them is evil. - They need to remember that decency and fairness and honesty are the monopoly of no-one.
Absolutely agree with your last 2 points, when I heard Nicola saying we have to get the Tories out, she practically hissed and snarled the word Tory as though they are the worst evil, I would have voted blue anyway, but I suspect there were many shy tories like me, I am always wary of discussing politics with friends.
'Conservative MP Glyn Davies - who held the Montgomeryshire seat in mid-Wales - admitted to being "rather pleased" with holding his 5,300 majority. However, one of those who ended up voting for him might not share his glee.
He wrote on Facebook: "One voter decided to draw a detailed representation of a penis instead of a cross in my box on one ballot paper. Amazingly, because it was neatly drawn within the confines of the box, the returning officer deemed it a valid vote. Not sure the artist meant it to count, but I am grateful. If I knew who it was, I would like to thank him (or her) personally."
He added later: "Seems it doesn't actually have to a cross. It's one of the funniest election incidents I've ever known of."'
If Labour go for any of these they will be like the Bourbons of Spain - learning nothing, forgetting nothing.
They are part of the problem not the solution. The first 3 are empty-headed and/or too connected with the current Labour party. I can't comment on Jarvis.
They are not the people to rethink what Labour is about. They are not the people to persuade people in 5 years time to vote Labour.
They need to go back to first principles: - They need to understand what liberal and progressive mean, really mean. Shacking up with segregationists is not progressive. - They need to rediscover the best of their Methodist, Christian socialist roots - the desire to help those at the bottom end better themselves. - They need to stop worshipping the state or any emanation of it (the NHS) as an end in itself rather than a means to an end. - They need to remember that the state, public servants are there to serve the people not the other way around. - They need to understand that economic competence is the sine qua non of every government. - They need to remember that they are spending taxpayers' money and that they need to spend it wisely and effectively. - They need to believe in Britain and British values rather than view them, in an de haut en bas way, with disdain. - They need to abandon the patronising and racist identity/community politics shtick. - They need to remember that it is what you do and not how you describe yourself which tells voters what your values are. - They need to stop behaving as if anyone who disagrees with them is evil. - They need to remember that decency and fairness and honesty are the monopoly of no-one.
Now it's MY turn to compliment you on an outstanding post. However, Frank Field and Kate Hoey do not a party make!
Comments
"Anyone who I lost a bet to please email bank details and I'll send over the winnings... "
I didn't expect to win but for the ten pounds you owe me, please donate £5 to Cafod and £5 to Ukip. I'll give a £1 to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Nice doing business with you.
I suspect Ukip will have enough second places and publicity from the EU referendum to challenge strongly in the future. Without the threat of Nicola, you would have won the bet.
What more do you want?
I remember hearing Mark Thomas said that much that he wished the Tory and Labour bar stewards got shafted, they pay his mortgage....
But yeah.
But if this is a replay of '83, that means Miliband is the new Foot rather than Kinnock...
May2015 ElectionVerified account
@May2015NS
#ICM is the outlier. 42 out of 65 polls have put #Labour ahead in 2015, incl 10 of the past 13
Hopefully this shows that the British electorate can separate entertainment (though Brand's popularity in that field also baffles me) from politics. Why on earth should I care more about what a luvvie thinks than the political insights of a guy or gal behind the counter at Chipotle or Starbucks?
Thinking about it, I can see a lot of "not comparing like with like" - my last election was a local one, as I was overseas for the last Euros.
99 red balloons go bye...
Sky
As long as Emily stays...
330 v 320?
Completely did NOT expect a Tory majority this time yesterday! Even though I voted Lab in Ilford North (in all honesty my vote could have gone either way), I actually don't mind the full GE result, so congrats to Dave and co. and everyone on Team Blue!
Even the PB Tories
331-325 = 6
6 x 2 = 12
Credit for staying on after what must have been a disappointing night.
Any thoughts on how UKIP should move now in terms of policy and/or leader?
As for the Charter, this I where the Tories need to be careful of hubris. The public do not hate the BBC in the way some of the more swivel-eyed Blues do. Though, to be fair, I think I saw more claims of BBC bias from the left during this campaign.
As someone with direct, recent and prolonged dealings with both NHS Wales (mental health, oncology, respiratory) and NHS England (oncology), they've really got no room to talk, and many voters know that.
Yes I think it was the scots that done us.. My whole betting on the GE was based on Ukip getting a decent double figure vote share, but unfortunately the extrapolations didn't deliver. Hey ho
They don't have enough people of the quality of Thrasher and Curtice (who are clearly busy just processing the data) central to their coverage. BBC did have Kellner as well, but he just couldn't come to terms with the fact that his polling was so wrong, continually wittering about the fact they had resurveyed their group and it didn't show any of this.
I can tell you exclusively that a strong Lib Dem incumbency effect should save them.
Dimbleby needs to call it a day now. The coverage was notably better with Hugh Edwards this morning. Had some decent guests like David Aaranovich.
On the other hand BBC Radio was superb as usual, Peter Allen on 5live has been excellent today.
Re the TV - I watched Sky as we have no BBC reception here in Spain. Generally slick and quick with all the results. I was impressed and with no commercial breaks to disrupt the flow of Tory gains. I suspect it was rather better than the Beeb to judge from comments on here.
I'd love to see the internal churn in the Pudsey voters.
LD -> Lab
LD -> Con
Lab -> UKIP
Lab -> Con
I reckon
It can't be enforced, it is as simple as that. The modern wold of the internet, iPad, etc etc etc, we don't all huddle around the moving picture box in the corner of the living room to choose from 4 channels.
IMO it is totally unfair to charge everybody regardless if they have a telly or not, or if they use BBC or not. If the BBC output is good, people wont have a problem paying for it in the same way as people pay for Sky for the footy.
2/1 Chuka
4/1 Burnham
5/1 Cooper
6/1 Jarvis
In terms of leader they almost certainly need someone less divisive. Suzanne Evans would be a solid candidate, although Steven Woolfe or Paul Nuttall being working class and from the north could help to change the stereotype of UKIP being made up of middle class home counties types.
I would like to think that the EU referendum will keep them in the news for the next two years.
I'm sure there's an acronym in there somewhere.
I saw Gove on for the Tories and Paddy for Lib Dems in studio for an hour or so, but I think that was it for the whole night.
new thread
What I took from telling in Dagenham and Rainham yesterday was there are a huge number of people who feel let down and want someone to stick up for them.a lot if the elderly people thought I was the candidate and were begging me to win! On the other hand I felt v uncomfortable asking non white people for their card number whilst wearing a Ukip rosette, and it kind of hurt to be the bad guy in their eyes., as I presumed they thought I was anti them I've not met anyone at Ukip dos that was racist, and many I have met are desperate to be inclusive. I think it's a shame we were smeared as racist as it prevents a lot of people associating. It would be great to get a large black vote in particular without pandering to people on race issues. Just treat everyone the same
Really though I don't think it's a failure to get 13%, it's prob above what I expected. The seats were terribly disappointing but v close to getting 3 or 4. It's the way the cookie bounces. Glorious failure, quite romantic!
I think Farage was hasty to stand down and I hope he is encouraged to run again and wins. I don't want Ukip to be softened up and changed into a photoshopped glossy party with frontmen and women that the other sides like, I want us to be true to ourselves and tear it up!
They are part of the problem not the solution. The first 3 are empty-headed and/or too connected with the current Labour party. I can't comment on Jarvis.
They are not the people to rethink what Labour is about. They are not the people to persuade people in 5 years time to vote Labour.
They need to go back to first principles:
- They need to understand what liberal and progressive mean, really mean. Shacking up with segregationists is not progressive.
- They need to rediscover the best of their Methodist, Christian socialist roots - the desire to help those at the bottom end better themselves.
- They need to stop worshipping the state or any emanation of it (the NHS) as an end in itself rather than a means to an end.
- They need to remember that the state, public servants are there to serve the people not the other way around.
- They need to understand that economic competence is the sine qua non of every government.
- They need to remember that they are spending taxpayers' money and that they need to spend it wisely and effectively.
- They need to believe in Britain and British values rather than view them, in an de haut en bas way, with disdain.
- They need to abandon the patronising and racist identity/community politics shtick.
- They need to remember that it is what you do and not how you describe yourself which tells voters what your values are.
- They need to stop behaving as if anyone who disagrees with them is evil.
- They need to remember that decency and fairness and honesty are the monopoly of no-one.
'Conservative MP Glyn Davies - who held the Montgomeryshire seat in mid-Wales - admitted to being "rather pleased" with holding his 5,300 majority. However, one of those who ended up voting for him might not share his glee.
He wrote on Facebook: "One voter decided to draw a detailed representation of a penis instead of a cross in my box on one ballot paper. Amazingly, because it was neatly drawn within the confines of the box, the returning officer deemed it a valid vote. Not sure the artist meant it to count, but I am grateful. If I knew who it was, I would like to thank him (or her) personally."
He added later: "Seems it doesn't actually have to a cross. It's one of the funniest election incidents I've ever known of."'
Oh Britain, you're fantastic.