That chart is a 'which is the most beautiful camel' chart really isn't it?
But, as Keynes almost said, we're not trying to judge which is the most beautiful camel, we're trying to judge which camel is the one which the judges will deem most beautiful.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
That chart is a 'which is the most beautiful camel' chart really isn't it?
But, as Keynes almost said, we're not trying to judge which is the most beautiful camel, we're trying to judge which camel is the one which the judges will deem most beautiful.
You're dead right of course. But the end result is still a camel.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing someplace else (preferably with a maj>12k).
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
That chart is a 'which is the most beautiful camel' chart really isn't it?
But, as Keynes almost said, we're not trying to judge which is the most beautiful camel, we're trying to judge which camel is the one which the judges will deem most beautiful.
I'm reminded of some lines from "As Good As It Gets", a depressing rom com I was forced to sit through many years ago:
Gushing female fan to successful author: "How do you write such convincing female characters?"
Jack Nicholson, playing grumpy author: "Simple. I start with a man, and then I take away reason and accountability".
Trying to get inside the heads of the Labour s electorate feels like a very similar task.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing.
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
Her and Starmer are probably both a bit short - I'm not going to particularly lay any realistic runners this close to the event though.
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Until they change the system under which any mouth-breathing trot has the same voting rights as an MP, then I wouldn't touch the market with a bargepole (other than for light trading, natch)
She may be a good performer in the HoC when challenging Ministers, as OGH points out, but I've found Ms Cooper ineffective when on the receiving end, sometimes surprisingly poor for someone of her experience. For this reason, I doubt very much that she'll ever become Labour leader ..... she simply doesn't have that magic ingredient of authority. As it happens *cough*, I've already declared my hand about an hour ago - I'm going for Heidi (yes really, that's her name) Alexander, available at 55 with Betfair, although I do of course reserve the right to change my mind.
Given the electorate in any future Labour contest I'd have thought Diane Abbott would be a more likely to become the next Lab leader than Mrs Cooper-Balls?
Corbyn won't quit, because Tory expectations have been set so high, that when the tories win a majority of only 60 or so, instead of 150, he will be able to claim that as a moral victory and an indication that the country is on the road to socialism.
Corbyn will do better than polls suggest simply because he is so incredible as PM, and the tories monstering of him so aggressive, that many 2015 labour voter waverers will vote Labour out of fear that the party will get annihilated.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing.
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
Yesterday he ruled out standing anywhere.
Source. Not that I doubt you, just interested to read his reasons.
If Balls is not standing, I guess it means he thinks it is 10 years hard work for the Labour party leader to remould the party. and he'll be too old & exhausted by the end of it.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing someplace else (preferably with a maj>12k).
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
I think that is true. I think she sees herself as a campaigner railing against stuff, not a manager. She is probably right but the choice is not great and looks likely to be even more limited on 9th June.
Her and Starmer are probably both a bit short - I'm not going to particularly lay any realistic runners this close to the event though.
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Until they change the system under which any mouth-breathing trot has the same voting rights as an MP, then I wouldn't touch the market with a bargepole (other than for light trading, natch)
Why wouldn't you touch the market with a bargepole ?
If Corbyn goes or is challenged the likely candidate will be Keir Starmer I would imagine, Cooper coming third in 2015 with members probably ended her chances though she could be Shadow Chancellor
The problem with this market are there are 5 scenarios to consider:
1) Corbyn gets the McDonnell amendment through and stands down 2) Corbyn fails to get the McDonnell amendment through and stands down 3) Corbyn is challenged and loses 4) Corbyn is challenged and wins 5) Corbyn becomes PM
In scenario 1, you are probably looking at hard left vs. soft left In scenario 2, the soft left candidate would probably be favourite In scenario 3, you are probably looking at an experienced unity candidate In scenario 4 and 5, who knows.
Cooper's best chance to me seems to be scenario 3.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing someplace else (preferably with a maj>12k).
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
I think that is true. I think she sees herself as a campaigner railing against stuff, not a manager. She is probably right but the choice is not great and looks likely to be even more limited on 9th June.
Then, I think she's the wrong choice.
The next Labour leader has really got to want to do the job (which may even be tougher than negotiating a good Brexit).
Things have come to a pretty pass when simply being moderately competent is seen as enough to be seen as the next Labour leader. Yvette Cooper is not terribly impressive, she's dull, mechanical and relentlessly on-message, and the highlight of her ministerial career was the HIPs disaster. Still, in other circumstances she'd be credible as a possible PM, she could coordinate a coherent set of policies to go into a manifesto, she wouldn't gaffe, she'd be able to handle PMQs without difficulty, she wouldn't come over as an economic nutjob, and she's not tainted with support for terrorism, all of which makes her a zillion times more suitable to lead the party than the current incumbent. In a thin field, she ought, logically, to be one of the leading contenders, but I'm not sure logic applies here.
The problem with this market are there are 5 scenarios to consider:
1) Corbyn gets the McDonnell amendment through and stands down 2) Corbyn fails to get the McDonnell amendment through and stands down 3) Corbyn is challenged and loses 4) Corbyn is challenged and wins 5) Corbyn becomes PM
In scenario 1, you are probably looking at hard left vs. soft left In scenario 2, the soft left candidate would probably be favourite In scenario 3, you are probably looking at an experienced unity candidate In scenario 4 and 5, who knows.
Cooper's best chance to me seems to be scenario 3.
Being a previous loser - indeed even Andy Burnham beat her - will be a handicap.
People seem to have short memories. Yvette Cooper was damn useless as a minister, why would she be any better as a party leader, let alone a prime minister?
Things have come to a pretty pass when simply being moderately competent is seen as enough to be seen as the next Labour leader. Yvette Cooper is not terribly impressive, she's dull, mechanical and relentlessly on-message, and the highlight of her ministerial career was the HIPs disaster. Still, in other circumstances she'd be credible as a possible PM, she could coordinate a coherent set of policies to go into a manifesto, she wouldn't gaffe, she'd be able to handle PMQs without difficulty, she wouldn't come over as an economic nutjob, and she's not tainted with support for terrorism, all of which makes her a zillion times more suitable to lead the party than the current incumbent. In a thin field, she ought, logically, to be one of the leading contenders, but I'm not sure logic applies here.
Mind you, much of that applied to Theresa May when she became leader of the Conservatives.
Mr. Animal, surely a sign he believes in equality of the sexes?
Mr. Calum, hmm. What percentage of people are gay? I wonder if those who think a demographically representative political body is a good thing want more straight people standing as SNP MPs.
[For the record, I don't care. Election should be on merit. It is, however, intellectually indefensible and inconsistent for those who advocate (for example) a perfect gender balance to not oppose over-representation of other groups].
Things have come to a pretty pass when simply being moderately competent is seen as enough to be seen as the next Labour leader.
Worked (or rather didn't) for Ed Miliband, who I would put at a similar level of ability to Cooper. Problem is they need someone considably better that that to even get to hung parliment position.
The default assumption on here seems to be that post-defeat Labour will suddenly become more moderate?
There's surely an alternative scenario where the surviving MPs are more left-wing (and the mostly moderate MEPs soon lose their jobs anyway), the nomination threshold for a smaller party is lower even without the McDonnell amendment, moderate politicians and members start to drift away.... in which another leader from the left wing is quite possible?
Things have come to a pretty pass when simply being moderately competent is seen as enough to be seen as the next Labour leader. Yvette Cooper is not terribly impressive, she's dull, mechanical and relentlessly on-message, and the highlight of her ministerial career was the HIPs disaster. Still, in other circumstances she'd be credible as a possible PM, she could coordinate a coherent set of policies to go into a manifesto, she wouldn't gaffe, she'd be able to handle PMQs without difficulty, she wouldn't come over as an economic nutjob, and she's not tainted with support for terrorism, all of which makes her a zillion times more suitable to lead the party than the current incumbent. In a thin field, she ought, logically, to be one of the leading contenders, but I'm not sure logic applies here.
Mind you, much of that applied to Theresa May when she became leader of the Conservatives.
Cooper has no equivalent of the 'nasty party' speech on her résumé. We've also seen Cooper in action during the last leadership campaign where she struggled to make an impression even against the likes of Burnham so I don't think the comparison is apt.
Her and Starmer are probably both a bit short - I'm not going to particularly lay any realistic runners this close to the event though.
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Umunna may be the leader after next
Nandy is a smart cookie and has the advantage of being a woman .... pollsters have just woken up to the fact that most women voters vote for women to become party leader, or at least Tory women do, Labour women have never been given the chance. Perhaps their time is nigh.
Lisa's main problem is her voice, but possibly nothing that some training couldn't put right. Scoff if you will, but it IS important.
Her and Starmer are probably both a bit short - I'm not going to particularly lay any realistic runners this close to the event though.
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Until they change the system under which any mouth-breathing trot has the same voting rights as an MP, then I wouldn't touch the market with a bargepole (other than for light trading, natch)
Why wouldn't you touch the market with a bargepole ?
It has been an absolute goldmine.
Just more comfortable with things I understand. I do not understand the new influx of Labour Party members.
[plus I'm an occasional gambler at best, not like you semi-pros ]
The default assumption on here seems to be that post-defeat Labour will suddenly become more moderate?
There's surely an alternative scenario where the surviving MPs are more left-wing (and the mostly moderate MEPs soon lose their jobs anyway), the nomination threshold for a smaller party is lower even without the McDonnell amendment, moderate politicians and members start to drift away.... in which another leader from the left wing is quite possible?
Indeed. The most likely scenario is that after the defeat Lab members continue to stick their fingers in the ears and refuse to compromise with the electorate... So John McDonnell and Diane Abbott should be favorite to succeed Jezza.
Her and Starmer are probably both a bit short - I'm not going to particularly lay any realistic runners this close to the event though.
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Umunna may be the leader after next
Nandy is a smart cookie and has the advantage of being a woman .... pollsters have just woken up to the fact that most women voters vote for women to become party leader, or at least Tory women do, Labour women have never been given the chance. Perhaps their time is nigh.
Lisa's main problem is her voice, but possibly nothing that some training couldn't put right. Scoff if you will, but it IS important.
Just for the record, who were the female Tory members who voted for Theresa May or Margaret Thatcher to become leader? Neither was put to the membership.
Her and Starmer are probably both a bit short - I'm not going to particularly lay any realistic runners this close to the event though.
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Umunna may be the leader after next
Nandy is a smart cookie and has the advantage of being a woman .... pollsters have just woken up to the fact that most women voters vote for women to become party leader, or at least Tory women do, Labour women have never been given the chance. Perhaps their time is nigh.
Lisa's main problem is her voice, but possibly nothing that some training couldn't put right. Scoff if you will, but it IS important.
Maggie found it important enough to lower her speaking voice an octave and slow down her delivery. Went from shrill harridan to patronizing mother, but nevertheless was a huge improvement.
Smart for him to do so, makes him look like a President in waiting. Obama remains very popular in France and even more so when compared to Trump. Obama obviously didn't make any back of the queue comments to the French so hasn't dented his reputation there either.
It will certainly go down well in most of France and especially in Paris but I think the more depressed industrial areas of France are as unenthused by 'progressive politics' as the rustbelt was in the US and that will be the base for Le Pen's vote in the runoff
Macron will be quite content for it to be him v Le Pen in the runoff. He'd be a locked-on certainty by that point.
The biggest risk for Macron is that his vote doesn't turnout and he gets pipped out of a Fillon v Le Pen runoff.
Probably, though if Macron does get through polls now suggest Le Pen will run him closer than Fillon would
My French other half has gone to bed in a huff , switching to Le Pen from Macron. The waltzing of the terrorists across the open border from Belgium has gone down very badly. No doubt she'll be back to Macron after breakfast
What is her position now?
And out of interest, when she was (or now that she is again) intending to vote for Macron, what preference did (or will) she have in R2 if it is between Fillon and Le Pen?
Hypothetical polling stats for R2 indicate there's a sizeable demographic who say they will vote for Macron in R1 but if Macron fails to get into R2 then they will vote for Le Pen against Fillon.
My analysis of polling and voting stats from 2012 makes me think that Le Pen will top R1 and that Fillon is more likely than Macron to join her in the runoff. (I think I've underestimated Fillon's chances in the past, mainly because I think he's a smug git.) But if it's Le Pen versus Macron, how flaky could Macron's support be, in the face of further terror attacks for example, perhaps between the two rounds? Let's hope to goodness there are no further attacks, but it's very likely that there will be street disturbances in Paris at the Mayday weekend (bang between the two rounds) if Le Pen is still in contention. If enough potential floaters think they'll be safer with Le Pen, she'll win.
It may well be people with similar thoughts and preferences to your other half's who decide this election.
Her and Starmer are probably both a bit short - I'm not going to particularly lay any realistic runners this close to the event though.
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Umunna may be the leader after next
Nandy is a smart cookie and has the advantage of being a woman .... pollsters have just woken up to the fact that most women voters vote for women to become party leader, or at least Tory women do, Labour women have never been given the chance. Perhaps their time is nigh.
Lisa's main problem is her voice, but possibly nothing that some training couldn't put right. Scoff if you will, but it IS important.
The default assumption on here seems to be that post-defeat Labour will suddenly become more moderate?
There's surely an alternative scenario where the surviving MPs are more left-wing (and the mostly moderate MEPs soon lose their jobs anyway), the nomination threshold for a smaller party is lower even without the McDonnell amendment, moderate politicians and members start to drift away.... in which another leader from the left wing is quite possible?
It requires Labour members to "do the math". If the Cons are on 48% and Labour on 24%, the only way Labour is going to be in government is by turning over at least one third of current Conservative supporters, by making a pitch that appeals to those that are happy to vote Tory. Talk of "progressive alliances" is a catastrophic distraction. Corbynistas aren't good at maths.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing.
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
Yesterday he ruled out standing anywhere.
Source. Not that I doubt you, just interested to read his reasons.
If Balls is not standing, I guess it means he thinks it is 10 years hard work for the Labour party leader to remould the party. and he'll be too old & exhausted by the end of it.
Most of today's papers. Apparently he fears it would reduce Yvette's chances of succeeding Corbyn (according to the Mail).
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing.
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
Yesterday he ruled out standing anywhere.
Source. Not that I doubt you, just interested to read his reasons.
If Balls is not standing, I guess it means he thinks it is 10 years hard work for the Labour party leader to remould the party. and he'll be too old & exhausted by the end of it.
Most of today's papers. Apparently he fears it would reduce Yvette's chances of succeeding Corbyn (according to the Mail).
The default assumption on here seems to be that post-defeat Labour will suddenly become more moderate?
There's surely an alternative scenario where the surviving MPs are more left-wing (and the mostly moderate MEPs soon lose their jobs anyway), the nomination threshold for a smaller party is lower even without the McDonnell amendment, moderate politicians and members start to drift away.... in which another leader from the left wing is quite possible?
If, if there's a big defeat and labout are reduced to sub 200 MPs, then i don't think anyone can predict what might happen.
A proper split of the party might be best option at that point.
She allegedly made the most telling contribution at the PLP meeting on Wednesday as well. I fear her continued ambition is one reason that her even more talented husband is not standing again though. And that is a heavy price for Labour to pay.
Largely agreed. Though AIUI, Ed Balls has simply ruled out standing in Morley & Outwood He hasn't ruled out standing.
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
Yesterday he ruled out standing anywhere.
Source. Not that I doubt you, just interested to read his reasons.
If Balls is not standing, I guess it means he thinks it is 10 years hard work for the Labour party leader to remould the party. and he'll be too old & exhausted by the end of it.
Most of today's papers. Apparently he fears it would reduce Yvette's chances of succeeding Corbyn (according to the Mail).
...." (according to the Mail)."
So that's one reason we can rule out.
True - although just as likely, it's a convenient answer from Ed that keeps his wife in the spotlight and avoids him having to say he can't be bothered or he doesn't think it's worth it?
NZ, as always, leading the world on social issues. But extraordinary that the UK has 3 of the top 11. Rather disproves the notion of post-Brexit Brits as bigots.
I could only see Cooper being handed the job unopposed rather than winning a leadership contest. Cooper's campaign was poor last time round, she literally had nothing to say. Considering she had the most donations, party staff behind her, Labour's desperation to elect a female leader and the poor competition, to come third was a severe underachievement and that was only less than two years ago.
The default assumption on here seems to be that post-defeat Labour will suddenly become more moderate?
There's surely an alternative scenario where the surviving MPs are more left-wing (and the mostly moderate MEPs soon lose their jobs anyway), the nomination threshold for a smaller party is lower even without the McDonnell amendment, moderate politicians and members start to drift away.... in which another leader from the left wing is quite possible?
If, if there's a big defeat and labout are reduced to sub 200 MPs, then i don't think anyone can predict what might happen.
A proper split of the party might be best option at that point.
About time! It should have split in 1994 when the Tory Blair got the leadership, totally bullshittised its presentation, and started praising Thatcherism. I don't think it will split in the near future, unless one has in mind Momentum doing a David Owen.
The default assumption on here seems to be that post-defeat Labour will suddenly become more moderate?
There's surely an alternative scenario where the surviving MPs are more left-wing (and the mostly moderate MEPs soon lose their jobs anyway), the nomination threshold for a smaller party is lower even without the McDonnell amendment, moderate politicians and members start to drift away.... in which another leader from the left wing is quite possible?
It requires Labour members to "do the math". If the Cons are on 48% and Labour on 24%, the only way Labour is going to be in government is by turning over at least one third of current Conservative supporters, by making a pitch that appeals to those that are happy to vote Tory. Talk of "progressive alliances" is a catastrophic distraction. Corbynistas aren't good at maths.
We're rediscovering that the UK is a small 'c' conservative country and that the leftier your election offering is (leader or policy) the shittier you're going to do.
NZ, as always, leading the world on social issues. But extraordinary that the UK has 3 of the top 11. Rather disproves the notion of post-Brexit Brits as bigots.
Interesting how the Tories are the only right-leaving party on the list. [Although I have no clue about either Dutch party!!]
Re Harrow - was the increase in conservative vote share drawn from both labour and UKIP and why little move to the Lib Dems.
I think you said earlier turnout was 37% - is that high for a local election
The situation is complicated by the 15% or so scored by three independents the last time around. It depends on who they were - if some sort of residents' group then they might have been Tory-leaning voters already.
The turnout is about par for an outer London local by-election. In the set of London elections you'd be looking at nearer 50%.
Comments
I'm not sure she would be better than Burnham, Chukka, Postie, Nandy, Jarvis and many others, so not a great endorsement from me!
Matched betsOrder by matched date
Lay (Bet Against) Backer's
odds Backer's
stake
Payout
Liability
Jeremy Corbyn9.20 £0.26 £2.13
@PickardJE: Am told by someone in Number 10 that the mood has changed from "day to night" since Cameron left. twitter.com/Conorpope/stat…
Just checked my Hill's account and seen that I'm sitting on a 7/1 shot for Jezza to leave the leadership in 2020
I'm also sitting on a tenner's worth for Jim McMahon for next leader at 66's.
Is he still around because can't say I've heard of him tbh.
https://twitter.com/pickardje/status/855374033046700032
Those are:
Starmer, Cooper, Ummuna, Nandy, Lewis I think.
Yvette has never really looked to me as though she wanted to be leader. She famously went on holiday while Jazza was canvassing in 2015.
Gushing female fan to successful author: "How do you write such convincing female characters?"
Jack Nicholson, playing grumpy author: "Simple. I start with a man, and then I take away reason and accountability".
Trying to get inside the heads of the Labour s electorate feels like a very similar task.
Con 1585
Lab 1328
LD 65
Ind 54
www.harrow.gov.uk/www2/mgElectionAreaResults.aspx?ID=120&RPID=104332403
https://twitter.com/johnredwood/status/855363138820206592
Con 1585
Lab 1328
LDem 65
Ind 54
For this reason, I doubt very much that she'll ever become Labour leader ..... she simply doesn't have that magic ingredient of authority.
As it happens *cough*, I've already declared my hand about an hour ago - I'm going for Heidi (yes really, that's her name) Alexander, available at 55 with Betfair, although I do of course reserve the right to change my mind.
Given the electorate in any future Labour contest I'd have thought Diane Abbott would be a more likely to become the next Lab leader than Mrs Cooper-Balls?
Corbyn will do better than polls suggest simply because he is so incredible as PM, and the tories monstering of him so aggressive, that many 2015 labour voter waverers will vote Labour out of fear that the party will get annihilated.
CON: 52.3% (+15.3)
LAB: 43.8% (-4.1)
LDEM: 2.1% (+2.1)
IND: 1.8% (+1.8)
She won't get to be leader because she won't be nominated. Even the left of the PLP couldn't put her forward.
If Balls is not standing, I guess it means he thinks it is 10 years hard work for the Labour party leader to remould the party. and he'll be too old & exhausted by the end of it.
CON: 52.3% (+15.3)
LAB: 43.8% (-4.1)
LDEM: 2.1% (+2.1)
IND: 1.8% (+1.8)
Yes, that's not too healthy for Lab.
It has been an absolute goldmine.
Oh dear. Unhelpful.
1) Corbyn gets the McDonnell amendment through and stands down
2) Corbyn fails to get the McDonnell amendment through and stands down
3) Corbyn is challenged and loses
4) Corbyn is challenged and wins
5) Corbyn becomes PM
In scenario 1, you are probably looking at hard left vs. soft left
In scenario 2, the soft left candidate would probably be favourite
In scenario 3, you are probably looking at an experienced unity candidate
In scenario 4 and 5, who knows.
Cooper's best chance to me seems to be scenario 3.
The next Labour leader has really got to want to do the job (which may even be tougher than negotiating a good Brexit).
https://twitter.com/tomfrench85/status/855368963357904897
Macron 24%
Le Pen 22%
Fillon 19%
Melenchon 19%
http://m.ipsos.fr/presidentielle2017/phone/intention-de-vote.html
Mr. Calum, hmm. What percentage of people are gay? I wonder if those who think a demographically representative political body is a good thing want more straight people standing as SNP MPs.
[For the record, I don't care. Election should be on merit. It is, however, intellectually indefensible and inconsistent for those who advocate (for example) a perfect gender balance to not oppose over-representation of other groups].
Mr. HYUFD, cheers for that.
There's surely an alternative scenario where the surviving MPs are more left-wing (and the mostly moderate MEPs soon lose their jobs anyway), the nomination threshold for a smaller party is lower even without the McDonnell amendment, moderate politicians and members start to drift away.... in which another leader from the left wing is quite possible?
For Ind 54 should be
UKIP 54
https://twitter.com/SunPolitics/status/855378101286703104
When you're starving to death, even boiled cabbage is an improvement.
Lisa's main problem is her voice, but possibly nothing that some training couldn't put right. Scoff if you will, but it IS important.
[plus I'm an occasional gambler at best, not like you semi-pros ]
https://twitter.com/thebeatcroft/status/855344761242365952
And out of interest, when she was (or now that she is again) intending to vote for Macron, what preference did (or will) she have in R2 if it is between Fillon and Le Pen?
Hypothetical polling stats for R2 indicate there's a sizeable demographic who say they will vote for Macron in R1 but if Macron fails to get into R2 then they will vote for Le Pen against Fillon.
My analysis of polling and voting stats from 2012 makes me think that Le Pen will top R1 and that Fillon is more likely than Macron to join her in the runoff. (I think I've underestimated Fillon's chances in the past, mainly because I think he's a smug git.) But if it's Le Pen versus Macron, how flaky could Macron's support be, in the face of further terror attacks for example, perhaps between the two rounds? Let's hope to goodness there are no further attacks, but it's very likely that there will be street disturbances in Paris at the Mayday weekend (bang between the two rounds) if Le Pen is still in contention. If enough potential floaters think they'll be safer with Le Pen, she'll win.
It may well be people with similar thoughts and preferences to your other half's who decide this election.
Leave the breathless extrapolation from one local election to Mark Senior et al :-)
It'll be those bloody Orcadians with their metropolitan elite ways.
...." (according to the Mail)."
So that's one reason we can rule out.
A proper split of the party might be best option at that point.
https://twitter.com/britainelects/status/855379009844195328
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/uk_58bd744de4b05cf0f401d143/amp
Re Harrow - was the increase in conservative vote share drawn from both labour and UKIP and why little move to the Lib Dems.
I think you said earlier turnout was 37% - is that high for a local election
The turnout is about par for an outer London local by-election. In the set of London elections you'd be looking at nearer 50%.