I'd not put a lot of money on O'Mara seeing his supposed resignation through. He's claimed he'll resign after recess, but there's nothing to stop him doing so now. He simply needs to write to Sajid Javid applying to be Steward of Chiltern Hundreds. No need for Commons to be sitting. So I suspect it's a ruse to change bad headlines for him regarding abusive comments to staff and others, and he may not go ahead.
I expect an easy Lib Dem gain but is there any chance it could be a three-way marginal and the Tories can gain this?
Until 1997 it was a Tory seat. In 2010 the Tories were second behind Nick Clegg.
Zero chance.
On present form the Conservative candidate will be some recent prison inmate who mugged an old disabled black pensioner whose husband is a war veteran struggling on a pittance having lost his home and job during the Windrush scandal.
I'd not put a lot of money on O'Mara seeing his supposed resignation through. He's claimed he'll resign after recess, but there's nothing to stop him doing so now. He simply needs to write to Sajid Javid applying to be Steward of Chiltern Hundreds. No need for Commons to be sitting. So I suspect it's a ruse to change bad headlines for him regarding abusive comments to staff and others, and he may not go ahead.
I suspect so to.
And tbh, why should he not be allowed some time to get himself together? If he was physically ill, no-on would be saying he has to resign because of a democratic deficit for the electors.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if Jared needs a year off to get himself in order, he should be allowed it.
As the LibDem literature says, we should not be stigmatising those with mental health issues. We should be treating those who are physically ill and those with mental illnesses in an even-handed manner.
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
I understand that because of the timing of GE2017 there was no proper selection. I understand that there was a LAB party meeting which simply decided who should be the candidate in a range of seats in the region. The story is that that one person was able to get to the meeting & he made the selection
I expect an easy Lib Dem gain but is there any chance it could be a three-way marginal and the Tories can gain this?
Until 1997 it was a Tory seat. In 2010 the Tories were second behind Nick Clegg.
Zero chance.
On present form the Conservative candidate will be some recent prison inmate who mugged an old disabled black pensioner whose husband is a war veteran struggling on a pittance having lost his home and job during the Windrush scandal.
Yes, but how does he do on the No Deal purity test? That's all that really matters.
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
Yes, they were voting against Clegg. In 2015 students were queuing up to vote, many did not get in I believe. Look North had many complaining. To be fair the Lib Dems , deserved their defeat, after lying about tuition fees.
I'd not put a lot of money on O'Mara seeing his supposed resignation through. He's claimed he'll resign after recess, but there's nothing to stop him doing so now. He simply needs to write to Sajid Javid applying to be Steward of Chiltern Hundreds. No need for Commons to be sitting. So I suspect it's a ruse to change bad headlines for him regarding abusive comments to staff and others, and he may not go ahead.
I suspect so to.
And tbh, why should he not be allowed some time to get himself together? If he was physically ill, no-on would be saying he has to resign because of a democratic deficit for the electors.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if Jared needs a year off to get himself in order, he should be allowed it.
As the LibDem literature says, we should not be stigmatising those with mental health issues. We should be treating those who are physically ill and those with mental illnesses in an even-handed manner.
He can have as long as he likes. But why do you think it should be as an MP, on the public payroll, and with a record of vile abuse (albeit contributed to by his own psychological difficulties) towards staff and others.
I agree he needs space and help. So he should resign immediately and get it.
I'd not put a lot of money on O'Mara seeing his supposed resignation through. He's claimed he'll resign after recess, but there's nothing to stop him doing so now. He simply needs to write to Sajid Javid applying to be Steward of Chiltern Hundreds. No need for Commons to be sitting. So I suspect it's a ruse to change bad headlines for him regarding abusive comments to staff and others, and he may not go ahead.
I suspect so to.
And tbh, why should he not be allowed some time to get himself together? If he was physically ill, no-on would be saying he has to resign because of a democratic deficit for the electors.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if Jared needs a year off to get himself in order, he should be allowed it.
As the LibDem literature says, we should not be stigmatising those with mental health issues. We should be treating those who are physically ill and those with mental illnesses in an even-handed manner.
He can have as long as he likes. But why do you think it should be as an MP, on the public payroll, and with a record of vile abuse (albeit contributed to by his own psychological difficulties) towards staff and others.
I agree he needs space and help. So he should resign immediately and get it.
But, as I have just pointed out, if he had a physical illness, you would not say this.
You are treating the physically ill and the mentally ill in very different ways.
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
Yes, they were voting against Clegg. In 2015 students were queuing up to vote, many did not get in I believe. Look North had many complaining. To be fair the Lib Dems , deserved their defeat, after lying about tuition fees.
Sure, tuition fees was bad, but stand it against, say, Iraq or Brexit. In the greater scheme of things, just how bad was it?
And did it justify electing a bloke like this to Parliament?
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I'd not put a lot of money on O'Mara seeing his supposed resignation through. He's claimed he'll resign after recess, but there's nothing to stop him doing so now. He simply needs to write to Sajid Javid applying to be Steward of Chiltern Hundreds. No need for Commons to be sitting. So I suspect it's a ruse to change bad headlines for him regarding abusive comments to staff and others, and he may not go ahead.
I suspect so to.
And tbh, why should he not be allowed some time to get himself together? If he was physically ill, no-on would be saying he has to resign because of a democratic deficit for the electors.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if Jared needs a year off to get himself in order, he should be allowed it.
As the LibDem literature says, we should not be stigmatising those with mental health issues. We should be treating those who are physically ill and those with mental illnesses in an even-handed manner.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
Labour were not expecting a general election and rushed the candidate selection process, I know one Labour staffer who in early May 2017 said to me it was more likely the Tories gained the seat than Labour.
I'd not put a lot of money on O'Mara seeing his supposed resignation through. He's claimed he'll resign after recess, but there's nothing to stop him doing so now. He simply needs to write to Sajid Javid applying to be Steward of Chiltern Hundreds. No need for Commons to be sitting. So I suspect it's a ruse to change bad headlines for him regarding abusive comments to staff and others, and he may not go ahead.
I suspect so to.
And tbh, why should he not be allowed some time to get himself together? If he was physically ill, no-on would be saying he has to resign because of a democratic deficit for the electors.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if Jared needs a year off to get himself in order, he should be allowed it.
As the LibDem literature says, we should not be stigmatising those with mental health issues. We should be treating those who are physically ill and those with mental illnesses in an even-handed manner.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I think his reported views on women were a problem.
Johnson has made clear to the moderate ministers that, if he does strike a deal, he will expect them to go forth and sell it to their faction within the Conservative party. On this, they are quite optimistic, pointing to Oliver Letwin telling the Commons on Thursday: “I personally will certainly vote for any arrangement he makes for an orderly exit from the EU.” They see an appetite from the anti-no deal camp for any deal at all, which will make trying to sell even a poor deal much easier.
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
I understand that because of the timing of GE2017 there was no proper selection. I understand that there was a LAB party meeting which simply decided who should be the candidate in a range of seats in the region. The story is that that one person was able to get to the meeting & he made the selection
I hope Mr O'Mara finds himself fit and well in the future.
Politics is strange though in that we can have an area of Sheffield decide that he was a better representative that Clegg was.
There's a degree to which parties get away with selecting dismal candidates. Fiona Onasanya, this chap, and a very long list of others over the years.
Labour (in this case) should be asked to pay the bill for the by-election.
We really shouldn't have MPs that are elected because of the party they represent but had they stood alone would have received zero votes.
Corbyn is an excellent example of the MPs we should have. He's a compete idiot, but he's made his case forcefully, and he's never relied on just the party label to get himself elected.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
That said, Labour are strong in Sheffield and hold every seat in the People's Republic of South Yorkshire, getting activists out for the ground game will not be an issue for Labour.
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
I understand that because of the timing of GE2017 there was no proper selection. I understand that there was a LAB party meeting which simply decided who should be the candidate in a range of seats in the region. The story is that that one person was able to get to the meeting & he made the selection
my understanding is that it was worse than that. Labour didn't have enough people already sorted to be candidates when the election was called, so didn't vet him properly either. They were desperately shoving people into seats right up until the last minute.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Normally we do, but Brexit is changing everything, educational attainment, alongside age, are the better predictors of how people vote.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
It is like Radlett, but with a University.
The University seats have swung strongly to Labour over the last decades.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
It is like Radlett, but with a University.
The University seats have swung strongly to Labour over the last decades.
Sheffield Hallam the university is not in the Sheffield Hallam constituency.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
Paul Flynn had been a devoted and assiduous servant of Newport West for 30 years before he fell ill. In fairness, that is a trait he shares with many older left-wing MPs. Nobody could accuse Corbyn or Skinner of not working damned hard for their constituencies. (Sadly several newer left wing MPs, e.g. Pidcock, do not share this sense of duty.) Jared O'Mara has had, by contrast, two years of taking the money, taking the piss and causing endless scandal.
On topic - sort of - I was in Radnorshire today. If the corridor from Rhayader to Radnor is typical (which it isn't) and if posters equal support (which they don't) the LibDems are stuffed. They had three to Davies' 12 (one of which had been defaced).
I think too many people are making too many assumptions. I have consistently said the Tories have a chance, even though they should not. Certainly they are about 3-1 not 10-1. Conversely, the Liberal Democrats should really win easily but are clearly not exploiting their advantages. Picking a weak candidate who has run a poor campaign could prove very costly, and whatever idiot from the New Statesman believes they are 'almost certain' to win deserves the sack.
That said, if the Tories do win nobody should start talking about 'Boris bounces.' This is a seat that doesn't conform to mathematical models or to London twitterati views. There is every chance they will vote Tory out of sheer bloody-mindedness. I think a big chunk of the Plaid vote will abstain, but as many might go Blue to show two fingers to the leadership in Cardiff Bay.
Ultimately, this is a seat from which no conclusions can be drawn unless - and this is important - it is a very decisive win either way. If the gap is over 20 points, then we can start considering national factors. But I will be very, very surprised if it is.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
It is like Radlett, but with a University.
The University seats have swung strongly to Labour over the last decades.
Sheffield Hallam the university is not in the Sheffield Hallam constituency.
Most of the academics in the University of Sheffield live in Hallam constituency.
Or in dinky little villages like Hathersage just outside the constituency.
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
Labour were not expecting a general election and rushed the candidate selection process, I know one Labour staffer who in early May 2017 said to me it was more likely the Tories gained the seat than Labour.
Thank TSE, but just exactly how long would you need in a room with this guy to figure he wasn't entirely suitable for public office?
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
It is like Radlett, but with a University.
The University seats have swung strongly to Labour over the last decades.
Sheffield Hallam the university is not in the Sheffield Hallam constituency.
Yes, didn't they just rename the old Poly after the poshest bit of town?
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
nobody's saying he should resign because he has mental problems. They are saying he should resign because of his behaviour towards all sorts of people, including his staff and constituents. He doesn't have - and doesn't ever seem to have had - a properly functioning constituency office or to have done the job of a constituency representative. And his behaviour towards women and LGBT is an utter disgrace. It didn't start recently.either. It goes back to well before he was an MP. Linky https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jared-o-mara-labour-mp-sexist-homophobic-comments-blog-guido-fawkes-politics-sexism-women-a8019246.html
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
If Hallam were Radlett I'm not too sure that Labour's Jewish difficulties would play too well !!
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
Labour claims they are still providing support for O'Mara at a personal level.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
I'd not put a lot of money on O'Mara seeing his supposed resignation through. He's claimed he'll resign after recess, but there's nothing to stop him doing so now. He simply needs to write to Sajid Javid applying to be Steward of Chiltern Hundreds. No need for Commons to be sitting. So I suspect it's a ruse to change bad headlines for him regarding abusive comments to staff and others, and he may not go ahead.
I suspect so to.
And tbh, why should he not be allowed some time to get himself together? If he was physically ill, no-on would be saying he has to resign because of a democratic deficit for the electors.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if Jared needs a year off to get himself in order, he should be allowed it.
As the LibDem literature says, we should not be stigmatising those with mental health issues. We should be treating those who are physically ill and those with mental illnesses in an even-handed manner.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I think his reported views on women were a problem.
If I treated any female member of staff, of whatever grade, the way he treated his secretary - even if I were not directly managing her - I would be instantly sacked.
This isn't about mental health. This is about him being a menace to women, and that is something that has been an ongoing saga.
It's also hard to escape the conclusion he's not resigning now because he wants another 2-3 months pay.
Edit - although Mrs B says it much more elegantly than I do.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
Paul Flynn had been a devoted and assiduous servant of Newport West for 30 years before he fell ill. In fairness, that is a trait he shares with many older left-wing MPs. Nobody could accuse Corbyn or Skinner of not working damned hard for their constituencies. (Sadly several newer left wing MPs, e.g. Pidcock, do not share this sense of duty.) Jared O'Mara has had, by contrast, two years of taking the money, taking the piss and causing endless scandal.
On topic - sort of - I was in Radnorshire today. If the corridor from Rhayader to Radnor is typical (which it isn't) and if posters equal support (which they don't) the LibDems are stuffed. They had three to Davies' 12 (one of which had been defaced).
I think too many people are making too many assumptions. I have consistently said the Tories have a chance, even though they should not. Certainly they are about 3-1 not 10-1. Conversely, the Liberal Democrats should really win easily but are clearly not exploiting their advantages. Picking a weak candidate who has run a poor campaign could prove very costly, and whatever idiot from the New Statesman believes they are 'almost certain' to win deserves the sack.
That said, if the Tories do win nobody should start talking about 'Boris bounces.' This is a seat that doesn't conform to mathematical models or to London twitterati views. There is every chance they will vote Tory out of sheer bloody-mindedness. I think a big chunk of the Plaid vote will abstain, but as many might go Blue to show two fingers to the leadership in Cardiff Bay.
Ultimately, this is a seat from which no conclusions can be drawn unless - and this is important - it is a very decisive win either way. If the gap is over 20 points, then we can start considering national factors. But I will be very, very surprised if it is.
I have not been to Brecon & Radnorshire, I may pass through on Wednesday.
The allied farming constituencies of Montgomeryshire and Dwyfor Meirionnydd I know well.
In general, posters in fields are fair representations of the support. Over the years, I have found that they normally understate the Tories slightly, & overstate the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru.
So, I would take your poster statistics as indicative that this might be a good deal closer than punters think.
I would expect much of the Plaid vote not to bother, or to vote Tory. If you believe in Welsh independence, then you actually want Brexit to happen.
We must have some posters from the area. Can any of them tell me how Labour came to put up this O'Mara guy as a candidate?
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
Labour were not expecting a general election and rushed the candidate selection process, I know one Labour staffer who in early May 2017 said to me it was more likely the Tories gained the seat than Labour.
Thank TSE, but just exactly how long would you need in a room with this guy to figure he wasn't entirely suitable for public office?
Indeed - it was pretty clear from his behaviour on the stage at the time of the declaration that he was not a suitable candidate for the local council - let alone Parliament. He obviously did not have a clue.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
nobody's saying he should resign because he has mental problems. They are saying he should resign because of his behaviour towards all sorts of people, including his staff and constituents. He doesn't have - and doesn't ever seem to have had - a properly functioning constituency office or to have done the job of a constituency representative. And his behaviour towards women and LGBT is an utter disgrace. It didn't start recently.either. It goes back to well before he was an MP. Linky https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jared-o-mara-labour-mp-sexist-homophobic-comments-blog-guido-fawkes-politics-sexism-women-a8019246.html
I think the homophobic comments were made when he was younger.
Funny, isn't it? Layla Moran slaps someone, and ends up in the cells.
The LibDems tell us that was a long time ago, when she was younger and less mature and we should cut her some slack.
Well, fine. But it doesn't seem as though the same rules apply to O' Mara.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
On topic - sort of - I was in Radnorshire today. If the corridor from Rhayader to Radnor is typical (which it isn't) and if posters equal support (which they don't) the LibDems are stuffed. They had three to Davies' 12 (one of which had been defaced).
I think too many people are making too many assumptions. I have consistently said the Tories have a chance, even though they should not. Certainly they are about 3-1 not 10-1. Conversely, the Liberal Democrats should really win easily but are clearly not exploiting their advantages. Picking a weak candidate who has run a poor campaign could prove very costly, and whatever idiot from the New Statesman believes they are 'almost certain' to win deserves the sack.
That said, if the Tories do win nobody should start talking about 'Boris bounces.' This is a seat that doesn't conform to mathematical models or to London twitterati views. There is every chance they will vote Tory out of sheer bloody-mindedness. I think a big chunk of the Plaid vote will abstain, but as many might go Blue to show two fingers to the leadership in Cardiff Bay.
Ultimately, this is a seat from which no conclusions can be drawn unless - and this is important - it is a very decisive win either way. If the gap is over 20 points, then we can start considering national factors. But I will be very, very surprised if it is.
I have not been to Brecon & Radnorshire, I may pass through on Wednesday.
The allied farming constituencies of Montgomeryshire and Dwyfor Meirionnydd I know well.
In general, posters in fields are fair representations of the support. Over the years, I have found that they normally understate the Tories slightly, & overstate the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru.
So, I would take your poster statistics as indicative that this might be a good deal closer than punters think.
I would expect much of the Plaid vote not to bother, or to vote Tory. If you believe in Welsh independence, then you actually want Brexit to happen.
In my experience Tory posters do tend to be highly visible in very rural seats - often several in the same field!
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
But, I thought Brexit will ensure we will get poorer.
Hence, this demographic will increase ! The Tories have called it right !
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
I seem to remember, at the height of Thatcher, a theory that greater prosperity, home ownership and the de-population of industrial areas would mean permanent Conservative governments. They haven't won a majority that could last 5 years since.
In my experience Tory posters do tend to be highly visible in very rural seats - often several in the same field!
Agreed. What was different here and made it worth mentioning is that only in one place were there two posters up. THe rest seemed to be individual. And the one with two was one 'Conservative' and one 'Chris Davies' with 'CROOK' written on it in big red letters.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
nobody's saying he should resign because he has mental problems. They are saying he should resign because of his behaviour towards all sorts of people, including his staff and constituents. He doesn't have - and doesn't ever seem to have had - a properly functioning constituency office or to have done the job of a constituency representative. And his behaviour towards women and LGBT is an utter disgrace. It didn't start recently.either. It goes back to well before he was an MP. Linky https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jared-o-mara-labour-mp-sexist-homophobic-comments-blog-guido-fawkes-politics-sexism-women-a8019246.html
I think the homophobic comments were made when he was younger.
Funny, isn't it? Layla Moran slaps someone, and ends up in the cells.
The LibDems tell us that was a long time ago, when she was younger and less mature and we should cut her some slack.
Well, fine. But it doesn't seem as though the same rules apply to O' Mara.
Has Layla Moran continued to beat up men since becoming an MP?
Bottom line is, we've all behaved like idiots at one time or another. Would you like everything you said when 19 and very drunk to be held against you now? But O'Mara seems to be incapable of learning from his mistakes, and indeed, keeps making worse ones.
(A similar comment could be made over the company Corbyn and Johnson keep.)
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
nobody's saying he should resign because he has mental problems. They are saying he should resign because of his behaviour towards all sorts of people, including his staff and constituents. He doesn't have - and doesn't ever seem to have had - a properly functioning constituency office or to have done the job of a constituency representative. And his behaviour towards women and LGBT is an utter disgrace. It didn't start recently.either. It goes back to well before he was an MP. Linky https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jared-o-mara-labour-mp-sexist-homophobic-comments-blog-guido-fawkes-politics-sexism-women-a8019246.html
I think the homophobic comments were made when he was younger.
Funny, isn't it? Layla Moran slaps someone, and ends up in the cells.
The LibDems tell us that was a long time ago, when she was younger and less mature and we should cut her some slack.
Well, fine. But it doesn't seem as though the same rules apply to O' Mara.
Has Layla Moran continued to beat up men since becoming an MP?
Bottom line is, we've all behaved like idiots at one time or another. Would you like everything you said when 19 and very drunk to be held against you now? But O'Mara seems to be incapable of learning from his mistakes, and indeed, keeps making worse ones.
(A similar comment could be made over the company Corbyn and Johnson keep.)
So O'Mara continues to make homophobic comments ? Evidence ?
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
I seem to remember, at the height of Thatcher, a theory that greater prosperity, home ownership and the de-population of industrial areas would mean permanent Conservative governments. They haven't won a majority that could last 5 years since.
A similar thing was said about the abolition of capital controls - that capital flight at the possibility of a Labour government would scare enough voters into voting Tory to prevent it from happening.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
Throwing in a contrary view I'd say much of Hallam, like many post war suburban areas, looks to be in slow decline - Ecclesall and Crookes look especially drab although Dore is still very nice.
Whereas both the middle class Victorian suburbs such as Nether Edge and the villages over the Derbyshire border look better than they did a generation ago.
So O'Mara continues to make homophobic comments ? Evidence ?
I didn't say anything about his homophobic comments, although I appreciate the original thread did. I'm commenting on the way he's been treating his office staff:
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
I seem to remember, at the height of Thatcher, a theory that greater prosperity, home ownership and the de-population of industrial areas would mean permanent Conservative governments. They haven't won a majority that could last 5 years since.
Yes, I remember that too.
People have a tendency to believe that things will continue much the same as they are. So, in the 1980s, it was almost inconceivable that the Conservatives would be largely unable to achieve a majority during the coming three decades. Anyone positing that prediction would have been ridiculed.
Has Layla Moran continued to beat up men since becoming an MP?
Bottom line is, we've all behaved like idiots at one time or another. Would you like everything you said when 19 and very drunk to be held against you now? But O'Mara seems to be incapable of learning from his mistakes, and indeed, keeps making worse ones.
(A similar comment could be made over the company Corbyn and Johnson keep.)
O'Mara is suffering from mental health problems. I would expect his behaviour to be erratic and demanding.
He needs support.
If he feels he should resign for his mental health, then that is a decision he alone should make. If he feels he can continue with the right support, then he should be encouraged to continue. I see no difference between being physically ill and mentally ill in this regard.
I resent the hypocrisy of LibDems, mouthing platitudes about ending the inequality between mental and physical health, and then cackling about by-elections in Sheffield Hallam.
The End Mental Health Inequality program is a major LibDem policy platform. They made a huge fuss about it.
As usual, when the LibDems are given an opportunity to put their principles into action, they disappoint.
I’m not sure why you’re directing your bile at the Lib Dems, rather than at Labour, which was the party that refused him the support he needed (by his own account) but instead chucked him out.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
I don't know whether or not the Labour Party behaved badly when he started to be an embarrassment.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
Doesn't O'Mara have Cerebral Palsy as well?
You are right. It seems he also suffers from Cerebral Palsy and Autism.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
People have a tendency to believe that things will continue much the same as they are. So, in the 1980s, it was almost inconceivable that the Conservatives would be largely unable to achieve a majority during the coming three decades. Anyone positing that prediction would have been ridiculed.
In the 1980s, it was almost inconceivable that the Conservatives would zealously pursue the policies of Michael Foot.
O'Mara is suffering from mental health problems. I would expect his behaviour to be erratic and demanding.
He needs support.
If he feels he should resign for his mental health, then that is a decision he alone should make. If he feels he can continue with the right support, then he should be encouraged to continue. I see no difference between being physically ill and mentally ill in this regard.
I resent the hypocrisy of LibDems, mouthing platitudes about ending the inequality between mental and physical health, and then cackling about by-elections in Sheffield Hallam.
The End Mental Health Inequality program is a major LibDem policy platform. They made a huge fuss about it.
As usual, when the LibDems are given an opportunity to put their principles into action, they disappoint.
I wasn't aware I or anyone had "cackled" about a by-election in Hallam? I have a relative with mental health problems and I can only hope Jared O'Mara gets the help he needs and the privacy he deserves.
This is a politics site - we talk about by-elections all the day and there have been plenty of occasions when, almost as soon as an MP has passed away, the speculation on the by-election begins. It's human nature and you'd better believe the LDs aren't unique in that.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
Perhaps that explains the Cameron government's record of increasing student debt and falling home ownership - to make the country less prosperous.
So O'Mara continues to make homophobic comments ? Evidence ?
I didn't say anything about his homophobic comments, although I appreciate the original thread did. I'm commenting on the way he's been treating his office staff:
Which certainly fits with a long pattern of misogyny and sexual harassment that became a very major issue shortly after he became an MP.
You certainly said that Layla is OK since she did not beat up anyone afterwards. So, by the same logic, why is O'Mara's homophobic comments from his youth being repeated
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
Radlett station (along with Potters Bar) should be joining The London Oystercard system next month, enabling use of contactless Oystercards and Bank cards to and from anywhere in Greater London.
The Opinium numbers have mixed messages. It looks as though there have been two moves - about a third of the TBP vote has gone back to the Conservatives while Labour has picked up from the Greens and the LDs are about the same.
Baxtering the numbers leaves Con plus DUP plus TBP on 310 while Labour plus Greens plus Nationalists are on 295 leaving the ball very much in Jo Swinson's court with 37 MPs.
So O'Mara continues to make homophobic comments ? Evidence ?
I didn't say anything about his homophobic comments, although I appreciate the original thread did. I'm commenting on the way he's been treating his office staff:
Which certainly fits with a long pattern of misogyny and sexual harassment that became a very major issue shortly after he became an MP.
You certainly said that Layla is OK since she did not beat up anyone afterwards. So, by the same logic, why is O'Mara's homophobic comments from his youth being repeated
I didn't say that. I said it was a mistake she had learned from.
By contrast, O'Mara, quite separately from his homophobic past, which he may - hopefully has - turned his back on, continues to be a misogynist bully. I'm afraid even allowing for mental health issues what he has been doing doesn't on the evidence available seem excusable.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
Radlett station (along with Potters Bar) should be joining The London Oystercard system next month, enabling use of contactless Oystercards and Bank cards to and from anywhere in Greater London.
Hertford North was added in April.
Is that further lout than Chelmsford? Just asking!
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
I seem to remember, at the height of Thatcher, a theory that greater prosperity, home ownership and the de-population of industrial areas would mean permanent Conservative governments. They haven't won a majority that could last 5 years since.
A similar thing was said about the abolition of capital controls - that capital flight at the possibility of a Labour government would scare enough voters into voting Tory to prevent it from happening.
And, indeed, that the plan for an introduction of a minimum wage was the final nail in the coffin of any hopes of a Labour government ever again. Fear of the inevitable wage/price spiral and ballooning unemployment would drive a terrified nation into permanent Conservatism. Not to mention widespread predictions of permanent Labour hegemony under Blair. Conventional wisdom, especially over the medium to long term in politics is often utter baloney.
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
Still is, in my view. It would be a mistake to call this place middle class. It's a whole constituency like Radlett.
Radlett station (along with Potters Bar) should be joining The London Oystercard system next month, enabling use of contactless Oystercards and Bank cards to and from anywhere in Greater London.
Hertford North was added in April.
Is that further lout than Chelmsford? Just asking!
Not quite as far. BTW Brentwood, Shenfield, Broxbourne and Hertford East were added in 2013
Well it was late night Brisky that was betting on B&R
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
First tip, lay the Tories, this Remainer central, overflowing with educated professionals, particularly in the health and university sectors, the Tories wouldn't win Sheffield Hallam even if I was the candidate, and I'd be the local candidate.
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
I thought rich people voted tory???
Rich public sector people and university people vote heavily Labour. Rich stockbrokers, not so much. The old income=>voting pattern assumptions have broken down.
This is supported by the analysis on Lord Ashcroft's blog. The Tories and BXP are moving down social scale, the Labour party are moving up. The question is where the most votes will be found. I think Boris will appeal more than Corbyn and he might do better.
This was Matthew Parris's point in his, undeservedly, notorious article about Clacton-on-Sea. The Tories are paradoxically and stupidly hitching themselves to a demographic that will only vanish as the country gets more prosperous.
I seem to remember, at the height of Thatcher, a theory that greater prosperity, home ownership and the de-population of industrial areas would mean permanent Conservative governments. They haven't won a majority that could last 5 years since.
A similar thing was said about the abolition of capital controls - that capital flight at the possibility of a Labour government would scare enough voters into voting Tory to prevent it from happening.
And, indeed, that the plan for an introduction of a minimum wage was the final nail in the coffin of any hopes of a Labour government ever again. Fear of the inevitable wage/price spiral and ballooning unemployment would drive a terrified nation into permanent Conservatism. Not to mention widespread predictions of permanent Labour hegemony under Blair. Conventional wisdom, especially over the medium to long term in politics is often utter baloney.
Let us enjoy not Sion Simon but an even better one:
George Osborne.
On hearing of the election of Corbyn, he declared, 'This is proof God is a Consevative.'
A reversion towards the May local elections result.
Conservatives and Labour are likely to rise together and fall together.
Yes. That is the pattern we have been seeing since the March 29 deadline was missed. The Tory share cratered then. Labour following a month later. That poll does not look like a Swinson tide sweeping the nation, unlike here on PB. +1 must be disappointing given the new leader publicity.
Comments
Until 1997 it was a Tory seat. In 2010 the Tories were second behind Nick Clegg.
Lib Dems should be 1/100 to win this!
With TSE's on the ground reporting I hope to make money in Sheffield.
And how the good voters of the constituency came to vote him in?
On present form the Conservative candidate will be some recent prison inmate who mugged an old disabled black pensioner whose husband is a war veteran struggling on a pittance having lost his home and job during the Windrush scandal.
And tbh, why should he not be allowed some time to get himself together? If he was physically ill, no-on would be saying he has to resign because of a democratic deficit for the electors.
Paul Flynn died after a very long illness, well over a year, during why he could not fully represent the voters of Newport West. No-one said he had to resign because he could not hold surgeries or attend Parliament. There was on the contrary much sympathy because of his physical illness.
It seems perfectly reasonable to me that if Jared needs a year off to get himself in order, he should be allowed it.
As the LibDem literature says, we should not be stigmatising those with mental health issues. We should be treating those who are physically ill and those with mental illnesses in an even-handed manner.
In 2015 students were queuing up to vote, many did not get in I believe.
Look North had many complaining.
To be fair the Lib Dems , deserved their defeat, after lying about tuition fees.
I agree he needs space and help. So he should resign immediately and get it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Hallam_(UK_Parliament_constituency)#Elections_in_the_2010s
You are treating the physically ill and the mentally ill in very different ways.
As the Lib Dems say, End Mental Health Injustice.
https://www.libdems.org.uk/mental-health-injustice
And did it justify electing a bloke like this to Parliament?
And how come the Labour Party put him up?
You'll have to scroll down on this link-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheffield_Hallam_(UK_Parliament_constituency)
Before London property prices went through the roof Sheffield Hallam was one of the top five richest constituencies.
...Who am I kidding, I’m entirely sure. It is at least a useful corrective, now that PB LibDems are in the ascendant, to have your ceaseless stream of vituperation keeping our feet on the ground. 😁
https://www.forexlive.com/news/!/jacob-rees-moog-there-will-not-be-a-mv4-20190329
And he's apologised to everybody since, yes?
Politics is strange though in that we can have an area of Sheffield decide that he was a better representative that Clegg was.
There's a degree to which parties get away with selecting dismal candidates. Fiona Onasanya, this chap, and a very long list of others over the years.
Labour (in this case) should be asked to pay the bill for the by-election.
We really shouldn't have MPs that are elected because of the party they represent but had they stood alone would have received zero votes.
Corbyn is an excellent example of the MPs we should have. He's a compete idiot, but he's made his case forcefully, and he's never relied on just the party label to get himself elected.
Perhaps they did, in which case they should be censured.
I do think that, as the LibDems have made a particular point of their campaign against Mental Health injustice, their treated of O'Mara is characteristically hypocritical.
If O'Mara was physically ill, no-one would be saying he must resign because of a democratic deficit.
The University seats have swung strongly to Labour over the last decades.
On topic - sort of - I was in Radnorshire today. If the corridor from Rhayader to Radnor is typical (which it isn't) and if posters equal support (which they don't) the LibDems are stuffed. They had three to Davies' 12 (one of which had been defaced).
I think too many people are making too many assumptions. I have consistently said the Tories have a chance, even though they should not. Certainly they are about 3-1 not 10-1. Conversely, the Liberal Democrats should really win easily but are clearly not exploiting their advantages. Picking a weak candidate who has run a poor campaign could prove very costly, and whatever idiot from the New Statesman believes they are 'almost certain' to win deserves the sack.
That said, if the Tories do win nobody should start talking about 'Boris bounces.' This is a seat that doesn't conform to mathematical models or to London twitterati views. There is every chance they will vote Tory out of sheer bloody-mindedness. I think a big chunk of the Plaid vote will abstain, but as many might go Blue to show two fingers to the leadership in Cardiff Bay.
Ultimately, this is a seat from which no conclusions can be drawn unless - and this is important - it is a very decisive win either way. If the gap is over 20 points, then we can start considering national factors. But I will be very, very surprised if it is.
Or in dinky little villages like Hathersage just outside the constituency.
This isn't about mental health. This is about him being a menace to women, and that is something that has been an ongoing saga.
It's also hard to escape the conclusion he's not resigning now because he wants another 2-3 months pay.
Edit - although Mrs B says it much more elegantly than I do.
The allied farming constituencies of Montgomeryshire and Dwyfor Meirionnydd I know well.
In general, posters in fields are fair representations of the support. Over the years, I have found that they normally understate the Tories slightly, & overstate the Lib Dems and Plaid Cymru.
So, I would take your poster statistics as indicative that this might be a good deal closer than punters think.
I would expect much of the Plaid vote not to bother, or to vote Tory. If you believe in Welsh independence, then you actually want Brexit to happen.
Funny, isn't it? Layla Moran slaps someone, and ends up in the cells.
The LibDems tell us that was a long time ago, when she was younger and less mature and we should cut her some slack.
Well, fine. But it doesn't seem as though the same rules apply to O' Mara.
Hence, this demographic will increase ! The Tories have called it right !
Bottom line is, we've all behaved like idiots at one time or another. Would you like everything you said when 19 and very drunk to be held against you now? But O'Mara seems to be incapable of learning from his mistakes, and indeed, keeps making worse ones.
(A similar comment could be made over the company Corbyn and Johnson keep.)
https://twitter.com/JoeTwyman/status/1155192660409421825
Whereas both the middle class Victorian suburbs such as Nether Edge and the villages over the Derbyshire border look better than they did a generation ago.
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/mp-jared-omara-sexually-harassed-18785607
Which certainly fits with a long pattern of misogyny and sexual harassment that became a very major issue shortly after he became an MP.
People have a tendency to believe that things will continue much the same as they are. So, in the 1980s, it was almost inconceivable that the Conservatives would be largely unable to achieve a majority during the coming three decades. Anyone positing that prediction would have been ridiculed.
Nothing is forever.
He needs support.
If he feels he should resign for his mental health, then that is a decision he alone should make. If he feels he can continue with the right support, then he should be encouraged to continue. I see no difference between being physically ill and mentally ill in this regard.
I resent the hypocrisy of LibDems, mouthing platitudes about ending the inequality between mental and physical health, and then cackling about by-elections in Sheffield Hallam.
The End Mental Health Inequality program is a major LibDem policy platform. They made a huge fuss about it.
As usual, when the LibDems are given an opportunity to put their principles into action, they disappoint.
Britain Elects
@britainelects
Westminster voting intention:
CON: 30% (+7)
LAB: 28% (+3)
LDEM: 16% (+1)
BREX: 15% (-7)
GRN: 5% (-3)
This is a politics site - we talk about by-elections all the day and there have been plenty of occasions when, almost as soon as an MP has passed away, the speculation on the by-election begins. It's human nature and you'd better believe the LDs aren't unique in that.
Conservatives and Labour are likely to rise together and fall together.
Hertford North was added in April.
Baxtering the numbers leaves Con plus DUP plus TBP on 310 while Labour plus Greens plus Nationalists are on 295 leaving the ball very much in Jo Swinson's court with 37 MPs.
By contrast, O'Mara, quite separately from his homophobic past, which he may - hopefully has - turned his back on, continues to be a misogynist bully. I'm afraid even allowing for mental health issues what he has been doing doesn't on the evidence available seem excusable.
Not to mention widespread predictions of permanent Labour hegemony under Blair.
Conventional wisdom, especially over the medium to long term in politics is often utter baloney.
BTW Brentwood, Shenfield, Broxbourne and Hertford East were added in 2013
George Osborne.
On hearing of the election of Corbyn, he declared, 'This is proof God is a Consevative.'
+1 must be disappointing given the new leader publicity.