politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » Branding the Tories totally around Theresa has made it easier for LAB>UKIP voters to move to the blues
We are not hearing the name Lynton Crosby much at the moment but he is playing the central role in the massive resurgence of the Conservatives that we are currently seeing.
Theresa May has the appeal of Delia Smith (who is, ironically, a Labour supporter). She is awkward on TV, obviously very prepared, determinedly unflashy and seemingly more interested in the public than in herself. Right now that presses a lot of the right buttons for the public, especially in contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who you wouldn't trust to boil an egg.
FPT: Mr. B2, that is one way these results might actually affect the General Election vote, north of the border.
If the narrative is that the Conservatives are doing well and the Lib Dems/Labour are on their back, any unionist voting tactically will gravitate towards the blues.
That *may* happen and prove helpful in a few seats.
On-topic: very interesting observation, Mr. Smithson. UKIP's collapse is perfectly timed to coincide with this.
RobD, I've just looked at your spreadsheet and, unless I'm mistaken, you have the Bourne Ward of West Sussex as Conservative when it was held by UKIP up to 4 May. (result still awaited)
I hope that people didn't hold off for the local election results before placing their "unders" bets on the Lib Dems. The current Ladbrokes midpoint is 17.5. That still seems slightly on the high side to me but I got enough in beforehand not to need to be greedy.
Theresa May has the appeal of Delia Smith (who is, ironically, a Labour supporter). She is awkward on TV, obviously very prepared, determinedly unflashy and seemingly more interested in the public than in herself. Right now that presses a lot of the right buttons for the public, especially in contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who you wouldn't trust to boil an egg.
So she'll chant 'Let's be havin' you' at Tory supporters at some point ?
FPT, seen elsewhere, one East Ayrshire ward was won by The Rubbish Party. Labour came fourth on first preferences, beaten by the SNP, the Conservatives, and The Rubbish Party.
Salmond says Tories have 'eliminated Ukip by becoming Ukip'
Alex Salmond, the former SNP leader and former Scottish first minister, has just told BBC News that the Conservatives have “eliminated Ukip by becoming Ukip”.
One very interesting trend, when you see the disappearance of Ukip, from English politics, and Welsh politics for that matter, is the extent to which the Conservative party have actually become Ukip. They’ve eliminated Ukip by becoming Ukip. The sort of extreme language that Theresa May used in Downing Street the other day, that could have come from Nigel Farage. So the Conservative party have managed to beat Ukip, assimilate their votes, but they’ve done it by becoming Ukip. And as that message sinks home I think a lot of people will think twice before endorsing this type of Conservative party.
So, is that what's happening in Scotland, Mr Salmond?
Theresa May has the appeal of Delia Smith (who is, ironically, a Labour supporter). She is awkward on TV, obviously very prepared, determinedly unflashy and seemingly more interested in the public than in herself. Right now that presses a lot of the right buttons for the public, especially in contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who you wouldn't trust to boil an egg.
A similar "LET'S BE 'AVIN YOU" ahead of the Brexit negotiations would be epic ...
Crosby is clearly no fool. But neither is he a genius. He's had a couple of major recent flops (in Canada and London) where he badly misjudged the theme.
In this case, I think it's abundantly clear he has got it spot on, although he's hardly the only person to have pointed out that making the election May v Corbyn, order v chaos, might be wise. The polls have scarcely been ambiguous on that point.
FPT, seen elsewhere, one East Ayrshire ward was won by The Rubbish Party. Labour came fourth on first preferences, beaten by the SNP, the Conservatives, and The Rubbish Party.
Theresa May has the appeal of Delia Smith (who is, ironically, a Labour supporter). She is awkward on TV, obviously very prepared, determinedly unflashy and seemingly more interested in the public than in herself. Right now that presses a lot of the right buttons for the public, especially in contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who you wouldn't trust to boil an egg.
The first draft of her Downing Street address the other day was, "Where are EU? Let's be 'avin' EU?"
Crosby is clearly no fool. But neither is he a genius. He's had a couple of major recent flops (in Canada and London) where he badly misjudged the theme.
In this case, I think it's abundantly clear he has got it spot on, although he's hardly the only person to have pointed out that making the election May v Corbyn, order v chaos, might be wise. The polls have scarcely been ambiguous on that point.
How dare you claim Crosby is anything other than the smartest political operative to have ever walked on Planet Earth!
I hope that people didn't hold off for the local election results before placing their "unders" bets on the Lib Dems. The current Ladbrokes midpoint is 17.5. That still seems slightly on the high side to me but I got enough in beforehand not to need to be greedy.
Which party leader would youu most trust to boil you an egg? May and Farron would both be up to the test, though I suspect Farron's egg would be rather runny for my taste and May's rather too hard-boiled. I'm not sure egg-boiling falls within the remit of Green Party activities. Nicola Sturgeon might boil you an egg, or might just angrily hurl the unboiled egg at you - best not to take the risk. I would be entertained to see in which way Jeremy Corbyn would contrive to mess up the task.
Theresa May has the appeal of Delia Smith (who is, ironically, a Labour supporter). She is awkward on TV, obviously very prepared, determinedly unflashy and seemingly more interested in the public than in herself. Right now that presses a lot of the right buttons for the public, especially in contrast to the Leader of the Opposition, who you wouldn't trust to boil an egg.
Yep - in a contest between mediocre and catastrophically bad, mediocre will always win. The Tory challenge will be keeping its coalition together once the election season is over and the hard decisions have to be made. May has made a series of promises about negotiating a very good Brexit deal and improving living standards. She will need to deliver on them.
FPT, seen elsewhere, one East Ayrshire ward was won by The Rubbish Party. Labour came fourth on first preferences, beaten by the SNP, the Conservatives, and The Rubbish Party.
I hope that people didn't hold off for the local election results before placing their "unders" bets on the Lib Dems. The current Ladbrokes midpoint is 17.5. That still seems slightly on the high side to me but I got enough in beforehand not to need to be greedy.
Which party leader would youu most trust to boil you an egg? May and Farron would both be up to the test, though I suspect Farron's egg would be rather runny for my taste and May's rather too hard-boiled. I'm not sure egg-boiling falls within the remit of Green Party activities. Nicola Sturgeon might boil you an egg, or might just angrily hurl the unboiled egg at you - best not to take the risk. I would be entertained to see in which way Jeremy Corbyn would contrive to mess up the task.
This may be the most 'presidential' election campaign we've ever had. Even the other PMs who played to their personality still tied it to the party more than May has (it wasn't just Blair, it was New Labour. Cameron contrasting his stable conservatives with a Labour SNP mess). It seems she has taken a leaf out of Ruth Davidson's book on that front. And why not, it clearly seems to be working.
Of all what we've seen in the results so far, it is the LD situation that is most surprising (and disappointing). Local elections are where the party should be shining. Pavement politics is their bread and butter. Looks like the Tory tsunami has submerged them as well as Labour.
The potentially optimistic argument is that the LDs are no longer seen as a local party, having made the national issue of brexit their main theme. In that situation you could imagine votes for them in a GE where it may seem pointless in locals.
Either way, I think my LDs under 18.5 seats is a surefire win come June 8th.
This may end up meaning Corbyn finishes on a surprisingly good result (still crap of course, but not obliterated) if Lab voters are not tempted to peel to LDs. Which increases the risk he will stay on post election loss.
In light of the above - I am sure someone has done this before - these are the 67 (Yes 67) Labour seats where the Conservative + UKIP is greater than the GE2015 labour vote. Sorted by last number which is the number of votes above the last labour vote
1 Newcastle-under-Lyme 6602 2 Mansfield 6535 3 Walsall North 6185 4 Stoke-on-Trent South 5759 5 North East Derbyshire 5748 6 Dagenham and Rainham 5512 7 Wakefield 5249 8 Hartlepool 5232 9 Dewsbury 5198 10 Halifax 5193 11 Dudley North 4932 12 Hyndburn 4754 13 Stoke-on-Trent North 4706 14 Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 4667 15 Birmingham, Northfield 4597 16 Barrow and Furness 4275 17 City of Chester 4055 18 Penistone and Stocksbridge 4015 19 Bridgend 3984 20 Heywood and Middleton 3969 21 Gedling 3944 22 Alyn and Deeside 3917 23 Great Grimsby 3877 24 Eltham 3788 25 Ilford North 3766 26 Bolton North East 3740 27 Rother Valley 3648 28 Copeland 3584 29 Wolverhampton South West 3509 30 Bishop Auckland 3507 31 Wrexham 3241 32 Delyn 3220 33 Scunthorpe 3195 34 Bristol East 3172 35 Clwyd South 3078 36 Enfield North 3047 37 Blackpool South 3028 38 Batley and Spen 3023 39 Workington 2852 40 Lancaster and Fleetwood 2795 41 Brentford and Isleworth 2738 42 Newport West 2624 43 Bradford South 2607 44 Coventry North West 2592 45 Oldham East and Saddleworth 2555 46 Coventry South 2521 47 Chorley 2465 48 Wirral West 2355 49 Darlington 2234 50 Hove 2029 51 Stoke-on-Trent Central 1829 52 Newport East 1761 53 Southampton, Test 1756 54 Worsley and Eccles South 1742 55 Ealing Central and Acton 1652 56 Ynys Môn 1643 57 Birmingham, Edgbaston 1448 58 Bury South 1377 59 Ashfield 1330 60 Bristol South 1253 61 Don Valley 1078 62 Stalybridge and Hyde 1034 63 Wolverhampton North East 1029 64 Birmingham, Erdington 911 65 West Bromwich West 623 66 Walsall South 533 67 Hampstead and Kilburn 394
Juncker's crass comments about English language just shown live on BBC.
Someone needs to hook him off
Actually, if you watch the full clip, it's clearly a sardonic joke. A little dig at the English, but a joke nonetheless. He knows the reality of English language hegemony.
@paulwaugh: I'm told Corbyn has asked for data on voter-contact rate in each council seat lost. That suggests he thinks lack of doorknocking to blame
but but but they're the largest political party of membership like evah!!
Or do the millenials not like any hard work?
You would think that they wouldn't want to go and talk to voters and remind him how bad Corbyn is - wouldn't it be funny if the higher the contact rate the worse they did!!!
"Slowly but surely, English is losing its importance in Europe...."
Jean-Claude Juncker demonstrating his Luddite credentials.....
Enough of Juncker and Abbott on the telly for the next five weeks and I reckon the Tories will just give up campaigning. What's the point when they can't improve on perfection for them really?
On a serious point though, Juncker clearly hates our guts because we've had the temerity to preserve our democracy by pissing on his chips of his continental Euro bureaucracy dream. Fair enough if that's how he feels, but for hopes of a sensible deal for all, it's probably best he (and eminence grise Selmayr) were sidelined and Barnier/Tusk ( and probably Verhofstadt) takeover totally.
It's a bit like us sticking BoJo in as lead negotiator just to piss the continentals off deliberately otherwise.
Crosby is clearly no fool. But neither is he a genius. He's had a couple of major recent flops (in Canada and London) where he badly misjudged the theme.
And in the last Australian federal election where he was outsmarted by the ALP with their "Mediscare" campaign. He had no effective counter and lost a lot of NSW and QLD seats for the LNP. He brought piss to a shit fight.
I've just had a nibble on Clive Lewis at 8/13. Norwich Labour vote holding up very well and Tories well adrift in Bowthorpe. They can't win it on New Costessey alone.
Remember it isn't just crosby, it is Messina as well...The man who know that much about key voters he knows what you had for breakfast and when you are most likely to take a dump.
This may be the most 'presidential' election campaign we've ever had. Even the other PMs who played to their personality still tied it to the party more than May has (it wasn't just Blair, it was New Labour. Cameron contrasting his stable conservatives with a Labour SNP mess). It seems she has taken a leaf out of Ruth Davidson's book on that front. And why not, it clearly seems to be working.
Of all what we've seen in the results so far, it is the LD situation that is most surprising (and disappointing). Local elections are where the party should be shining. Pavement politics is their bread and butter. Looks like the Tory tsunami has submerged them as well as Labour.
The potentially optimistic argument is that the LDs are no longer seen as a local party, having made the national issue of brexit their main theme. In that situation you could imagine votes for them in a GE where it may seem pointless in locals.
Either way, I think my LDs under 18.5 seats is a surefire win come June 8th.
This may end up meaning Corbyn finishes on a surprisingly good result (still crap of course, but not obliterated) if Lab voters are not tempted to peel to LDs. Which increases the risk he will stay on post election loss.
The only way this campaign changes now is if Labour voters switch to the LibDems as the sensible opposition in large swathes of Tory Britain
FPT, seen elsewhere, one East Ayrshire ward was won by The Rubbish Party. Labour came fourth on first preferences, beaten by the SNP, the Conservatives, and The Rubbish Party.
Another one we were worried about in Notts is held easily - West Bridgford North (boundary changes make comparisons hard). Tories piling up big leads in seats they held before, but struggling to make gains so far - Labour (and in Collingham Independent) defences holding...up to now.
Also of interest to North Norfolk discussion on previous thread. Lib Dem gain Mundesley from Tories in what I believe is first declaration in that seat.
There will be something very wrong in this world if Clive lewis holds on while Norman lamb loses his seat.
Norwich results so far very strong (relatively) for Labour. Green candidate in my ward was very gloomy about the GE and I can't see where Tories get the numbers they need
Juncker's crass comments about English language just shown live on BBC.
Someone needs to hook him off
Actually, if you watch the full clip, it's clearly a sardonic joke. A little dig at the English, but a joke nonetheless. He knows the reality of English language hegemony.
Worth noting that verbal jokes rarely work as well when written down and vice versa. You'd have thought a 'politician' as experienced as J-C Juncker would know this and take care at such a sensitive time, just days after his loose language had already put him on the naughty step.
Another one we were worried about in Notts is held easily - West Bridgford North (boundary changes make comparisons hard). Tories piling up big leads in seats they held before, but struggling to make gains so far - Labour (and in Collingham Independent) defences holding...up to now.
Just looking at the Notts live results - seems an independent has won in Ashfield. Is that a change?
Crosby is clearly no fool. But neither is he a genius. He's had a couple of major recent flops (in Canada and London) where he badly misjudged the theme.
In this case, I think it's abundantly clear he has got it spot on, although he's hardly the only person to have pointed out that making the election May v Corbyn, order v chaos, might be wise. The polls have scarcely been ambiguous on that point.
He comes unstuck when he gets involved in the seedier side which I think has more appeal in his native Australia than in the UK. Zak's racist campaign in london and Michael Howard's in the whole country being two infamous examples. An appeal to the ugly side seems to be his first port of call if the contest looks tight which this one doesn't
Feeling a bit nauseous now about my LibDem constituency bets.
Now expecting to lose the 25/1 on Olney in Richmond Park - and also the nets on Bath going Yellow. They were still both excellent value bets, mind, and hedged my bullish Tory constituency bets...
I've just had a nibble on Clive Lewis at 8/13. Norwich Labour vote holding up very well and Tories well adrift in Bowthorpe. They can't win it on New Costessey alone.
I think this is free money. Labour making gains (from Greens) in Norwich.
Feeling a bit nauseous now about my LibDem constituency bets.
Now expecting to lose the 25/1 on Olney in Richmond Park - and also the nets on Bath going Yellow. They were still both excellent value bets, mind, and hedged my bullish Tory constituency bets...
Comments
UKIP had their first win of the night in Northamptonshire! A gain from the Tories no less.
If the narrative is that the Conservatives are doing well and the Lib Dems/Labour are on their back, any unionist voting tactically will gravitate towards the blues.
That *may* happen and prove helpful in a few seats.
On-topic: very interesting observation, Mr. Smithson. UKIP's collapse is perfectly timed to coincide with this.
@paulwaugh: I'm told Corbyn has asked for data on voter-contact rate in each council seat lost. That suggests he thinks lack of doorknocking to blame
Later today, tomorrow or before nominations
Salmond says Tories have 'eliminated Ukip by becoming Ukip'
Alex Salmond, the former SNP leader and former Scottish first minister, has just told BBC News that the Conservatives have “eliminated Ukip by becoming Ukip”.
One very interesting trend, when you see the disappearance of Ukip, from English politics, and Welsh politics for that matter, is the extent to which the Conservative party have actually become Ukip. They’ve eliminated Ukip by becoming Ukip. The sort of extreme language that Theresa May used in Downing Street the other day, that could have come from Nigel Farage. So the Conservative party have managed to beat Ukip, assimilate their votes, but they’ve done it by becoming Ukip. And as that message sinks home I think a lot of people will think twice before endorsing this type of Conservative party.
So, is that what's happening in Scotland, Mr Salmond?
Jean-Claude Juncker demonstrating his Luddite credentials.....
Someone needs to hook him off
Independent 20 (−1)
Green 1 (+1)
In this case, I think it's abundantly clear he has got it spot on, although he's hardly the only person to have pointed out that making the election May v Corbyn, order v chaos, might be wise. The polls have scarcely been ambiguous on that point.
Snp 1 1240
Tory 1 1118
Tory 21397
Edit: Beaten to it!
Maybe those with a higher contact rate fared worse?
SNP 8 (0)
Conservative 5 (+4)
Labour 5 (−3)
Independent 0(−1) #Council17
Douglas Fairbarn (Con)
Gail Macgregor (Con)
Stephen Thompson (SNP)
Adam Wilson (Lab)
Lib Dem source says Tories in the lead for the West Midlands mayoralty. Their intel is usually good."
Keyboard player looking for a band to join...
Or do the millenials not like any hard work?
Did you not get the memo?
David Griffiths - Labour - 721
Tony Harper - Conservative - 1,180
Keith Longdon - Liberal Democrat - 861
Pat Morton - Green Party - 84
Paul Tordoff - UKIP - 219
First change, Tony Harper has taken the Liberal Democrat seat from Keith Longdon
Read more at http://www.nottinghampost.com/live-updates-from-the-county-council-elections-in-nottinghamshire/story-30313347-detail/story.html#ezwUT5Jzm7ro1EU2.99
Who needs Saatchi & Saatchi?
US and South Korean agents are plotting to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, state media report.
Lab 28
Plaid 3
Ind 1
LD 1
There are 75 Cllrs. So majority is at 38.
Unless Labour start to lose almost every seat left to declare, they will retain overall control.
Of all what we've seen in the results so far, it is the LD situation that is most surprising (and disappointing). Local elections are where the party should be shining. Pavement politics is their bread and butter. Looks like the Tory tsunami has submerged them as well as Labour.
The potentially optimistic argument is that the LDs are no longer seen as a local party, having made the national issue of brexit their main theme. In that situation you could imagine votes for them in a GE where it may seem pointless in locals.
Either way, I think my LDs under 18.5 seats is a surefire win come June 8th.
This may end up meaning Corbyn finishes on a surprisingly good result (still crap of course, but not obliterated) if Lab voters are not tempted to peel to LDs. Which increases the risk he will stay on post election loss.
1 Newcastle-under-Lyme 6602
2 Mansfield 6535
3 Walsall North 6185
4 Stoke-on-Trent South 5759
5 North East Derbyshire 5748
6 Dagenham and Rainham 5512
7 Wakefield 5249
8 Hartlepool 5232
9 Dewsbury 5198
10 Halifax 5193
11 Dudley North 4932
12 Hyndburn 4754
13 Stoke-on-Trent North 4706
14 Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland 4667
15 Birmingham, Northfield 4597
16 Barrow and Furness 4275
17 City of Chester 4055
18 Penistone and Stocksbridge 4015
19 Bridgend 3984
20 Heywood and Middleton 3969
21 Gedling 3944
22 Alyn and Deeside 3917
23 Great Grimsby 3877
24 Eltham 3788
25 Ilford North 3766
26 Bolton North East 3740
27 Rother Valley 3648
28 Copeland 3584
29 Wolverhampton South West 3509
30 Bishop Auckland 3507
31 Wrexham 3241
32 Delyn 3220
33 Scunthorpe 3195
34 Bristol East 3172
35 Clwyd South 3078
36 Enfield North 3047
37 Blackpool South 3028
38 Batley and Spen 3023
39 Workington 2852
40 Lancaster and Fleetwood 2795
41 Brentford and Isleworth 2738
42 Newport West 2624
43 Bradford South 2607
44 Coventry North West 2592
45 Oldham East and Saddleworth 2555
46 Coventry South 2521
47 Chorley 2465
48 Wirral West 2355
49 Darlington 2234
50 Hove 2029
51 Stoke-on-Trent Central 1829
52 Newport East 1761
53 Southampton, Test 1756
54 Worsley and Eccles South 1742
55 Ealing Central and Acton 1652
56 Ynys Môn 1643
57 Birmingham, Edgbaston 1448
58 Bury South 1377
59 Ashfield 1330
60 Bristol South 1253
61 Don Valley 1078
62 Stalybridge and Hyde 1034
63 Wolverhampton North East 1029
64 Birmingham, Erdington 911
65 West Bromwich West 623
66 Walsall South 533
67 Hampstead and Kilburn 394
On a serious point though, Juncker clearly hates our guts because we've had the temerity to preserve our democracy by pissing on his chips of his continental Euro bureaucracy dream. Fair enough if that's how he feels, but for hopes of a sensible deal for all, it's probably best he (and eminence grise Selmayr) were sidelined and Barnier/Tusk ( and probably Verhofstadt) takeover totally.
It's a bit like us sticking BoJo in as lead negotiator just to piss the continentals off deliberately otherwise.
(Born at a meeting at the Sun Inn in 1832).
Lick all good socialists, can run anything but know experts in knowing haw to blame others.
Also of interest to North Norfolk discussion on previous thread. Lib Dem gain Mundesley from Tories in what I believe is first declaration in that seat.