With no by-elections tonight and five weeks until the local elections, I thought it might be an idea to have a look at how the counties (last elected in 2013) might go this time around. Of course, since that night we have had a large number of things happen, the first Conservative majority government since 1996, Milliband standing down and Corbyn getting elected as Labour leader (twice) and the small matter of an EU referendum, therefore I have had a look at the local by-elections held in county wards since the referendum and worked on the assumption that dependent on how that county voted at the referendum, the local by-elections will be indicative of the final result. Therefore I wish to present my forecast for the 2017 English County Council Elections
Comments
Just two days in and Brexit is already not going to plan. Shudders.
And thanks, Harry.
(I assume it's Harry, as there's no name attached).
Defenders will be
Con 59 or 60
Lab 29
LDem 10
UKIP 2
Green 1
Residents 1
Ind 3
Sturgeon signs section 30 request in relaxed style.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4364528/Cameron-never-liked-EU-glad-called-referendum.html
The rocket (or at least its first stage) launched a satellite a year ago, landed at sea, and is now being relaunched. Quite an important and historic launch.
I think the launch time's about 23.30 this evening, and will be livestreamed somewhere.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/19/b8/f2/19b8f2e23a81f43f47b7988cd0c0b637.jpg
Married EIV, mother of the Princes, her clan brought discord and strife to England, and eventually retired into obscurity.
Homage.
They clearly have the time, given how few bills they pass up there!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16CYIJsRJYlFUplcLiIVCkw0S6JPYLoXEXORSElPOvRI/edit#gid=0
What does concern me is Juncker's ( and Barnier's?) thinking of being transparent and open during negotiations. Madness pure and simple. A perfect feeding frenzy for the press. Bismarck's dictum about laws and sausages should apply.
It was entirely level headed and even tempered (this may be a lie)
It would be good to have some sort of gain/losses overall summary?
I would be surprised if the LibDems beat Labour by 7% and 12 seats in Essex. That would be quite something. On the other hand I would expect the LibDems to beat the forecast for the Isle of Wight, at least in terms of votes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbEppPN9dzY
No deal.
“If you kick an anthill, we should not be surprised if the ants overwhelm us,” Orban told EPP delegations. “If millions of migrants start marching on the Balkans again, it will be impossible to maintain stability.”
Merkel, sitting a few feet away on the stage, hardly looked up during the speech, focusing instead on scribbling notes. Although she’s faced down criticism from within her Christian Democratic-led faction at home, as well as attacks from the populist, right-wing Alternative for Germany, the chancellor has rarely encountered personally the charges Orban made."
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-03-30/merkel-orban-clash-on-refugees-laying-bare-european-disunity
In Scotland, it is all very different. The question there will be whether the SNP can win a majority of Councillors to support the Indyref2 application or not. Basically this boils down to whether their gains from SLAB are more than enough to offset any losses to the Conservatives. The Union needs SLAB to retain a pulse. Its not clear if they will or not.
The status of EU/UK nationals - which should not have been on the table in the first place for which both sides are at fault - will be resolved first and very quickly.
After that there will be the normal back and forth of negotiations with both sides trying to appear to play tough.
As far as money is concerned the UK will agree to pay their contribution to the end of the current budget period which is 2020. That means we will pay 1 year's net contribution after we leave which will be around £8 billion to £10 billion. The EU will sulk but that will fulfil our international obligations.
Cheers Harry. (To channel my inner Wolfy Smith)
It's better not to get into that situation in the first place.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39444432
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39442901
A result like that would point towards huge losses next year in the Metropolitan councils - and next year Leeds is all-up rather than just one third.
*Not the official name.
Personally I don't think there's anything in it except to the extent that Russia has been very active in pumping out 'we're going to hell in a handcart' style propaganda about everything from the financial crisis to refugees.
(I'll get me coat...)
For me it is about Unionist transfer votes. There have been a fair few council by elections where the SNP have won the first round only to lose in the 7th as the Unionist Transfers pile up.
I've learnt that conversation with you on this subject is entirely non productive. You are the Peter Hitchens of Remain.
No offence.
However, Lord Sunil, Mystic Smeg and Mark Commode beg to differ!
No offence.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4365322/Remoaners-threaten-campaign-halt-Parliament.html
Interesting from the prediction the LD vote must be much more concentrated in Cornwall!
ParisBudapest!"growth up
employment up
Division up
Racism up
Do you favour nuking France?
If yes, then you're as British as bulldog flying a Spitfire.
If no, then you're as foreign as The House of Windsor.
He said: 'We are going to launch a legislative war.
'We will grind the Government's agenda to a standstill, unless proper and rigorous safeguards are given over the great repeal bill.'
Watch out Theresa, all 9 LibDems will try to 'grind your agenda to a standstill'!
Give me strength.