It is a very big mistake to see the Corbynistas as one big ideological block. I did a guide to them after Corbyn's last leadership victory on PB and I think it remains accurate ... •The Trots – these are the entryists, the people from the SWP, the Socialist party and other far left fringe groups who see Corbyn as their way into the mainstream. Corbyn, John McDonnell and the Momentum leadership are probably closest to this group than any other, which is what makes it so significant and dangerous – but it is small. •The implacable lefties – not Trots, democratic socialists who see the Blair/Brown years largely as a betrayal of what they think Labour should stand for and who feel that they have their Labour party back with Jeremy Corbyn. •The lefties – they do not subscribe to the idea that the 1997-2010 government was to all intents and purposes a Tory one. Instead, they believe that Blair and Brown did some good things; but could and should have achieved much more. They regard Corbyn as a means of ensuring that Labour becomes more left-wing in outlook and less managerial. They also understand Corbyn has many flaws, but for now (key phrase) are prepared to overlook them because they do not see a more electable alternative. •The angry – there is a fair bit of overlap here between these folk and the lefties. They are furious that the PLP precipitated “a coup” just at a time when, they believe, Labour could have had the Tories on the ropes. Whatever they think about Corbyn, there was no way on earth they were going to allow the PLP to ride roughshod over the mandate that members had given him in 2015. •The anti-Smiths – Those who saw the contest in terms of who had the best policies for beating the Tories. Some of those are not lefties or angry, but just did not rate Smith as a candidate – so they voted for Corbyn. The first bullet point is forever Corbyn, but even the second one may not be now. The key to him going is the PLP and the left coming to an understanding that the party has moved leftwards, but that a leader who has supported the IRA and other terrorist organisations, who winces in the presence of the Union Jack and who is not interested in winning power through Parliament is a non-starter. Since September, Momentum has started to tear itself apart, Corbyn has become more unpopular among the electorate and has swung wildly on positions he was supposed to hold sacrosanct while proving he is utterly incapable of leadership, and Donald Trump has been elected president while Theresa May has positioned the UK for a hard Brexit. All the mood music is different. Corbyn is going and UKIP could deliver the coup de grace.
So, "Corbyn is going and UKIP could deliver the coup de grace." If UKIP won that would be more of a blow to Corbyn than the LibDems or Tories beating them. However, I think that it's unlikely that UKIP will hold onto 2nd place let alone get to 1st.
Politics has come to be a fight over an increasingly small centre ground one way or another. If Tezza moves further away from that, then that will open up a space for those Lab hard righters. But that isn't going to come until Lab has ditched Jezza and I can see why Tristram didn't want to wait.
But who's fighting over the centreground now? Labour certainly isn't under Corbyn. May has defined herself by hard Brexit and grammar schools, neither of which are policies designed to entice those who voted Blair.
I wonder if the discrepancy between polls and by-election results can be partly attributed to something new: Shy Lib Dems. Centrist voters may not admit to supporting the Lib Dems any more (Clegg was toxic, Farron's profile is low verging on submarine), but when faced with a ballot paper which offers three other unpalatable alternatives, they conclude that the LDs are the least worst option.
It's true - the accepted wisdom of the centre ground has, slightly, been blown out of the water. That is not to say that broadly for both Cons and Lab (as far as published policies go) we are still in the middle.
But yes, as I alluded to, Tezza is tacking right, while Jezza is trying to make Lab tack left and may well do so.
LDs least worst option? Perhaps. They need to articulate what they stand for more than just wanting to rejoin the EU.
Tristram Hunt: against elitism and grammar schools. So becomes director of the V&A? Nice one
Yep - let's ban museums.
For the sake of school children? Yes. I'm not sure what was the most boring school trip I went on, but Kew Gardens (a bit different to a museum, I know) probably comes top of the list.
I think you have to be of a certain age to enjoy museums, other than fun ones like the Natural History or Science.
Tristram Hunt: against elitism and grammar schools. So becomes director of the V&A? Nice one
Yep - let's ban museums.
For the sake of school children? Yes. I'm not sure what was the most boring school trip I went on, but Kew Gardens (a bit different to a museum, I know) probably comes top of the list.
I think you have to be of a certain age to enjoy museums, other than fun ones like the Natural History or Science.
I think so too. The Natural History museum was okay, I think I preferred the Imperial War museum better. But Kew Gardens bored me to death.
Tristram Hunt: against elitism and grammar schools. So becomes director of the V&A? Nice one
Yep - let's ban museums.
For the sake of school children? Yes. I'm not sure what was the most boring school trip I went on, but Kew Gardens (a bit different to a museum, I know) probably comes top of the list.
I think you have to be of a certain age to enjoy museums, other than fun ones like the Natural History or Science.
Very true. Stuff I hated being dragged round as a kid, I would find quite interesting nowadays.
Glad to see JackW back even if the ARSE is retired.
On-topic: aside from the man's ideas-deficit and lack of stickability, Tristam Hunt was never going to be a suitable figure to spearhead the resurgence of the Labour "moderates"/"centrists"/"right-deviationists". His background and previous political views simply count too much against him. If Owen Smith got demolished in a leadership contest, just imagine what a shellacking Hunt would have received. If Labour were to have a new and vocal Gang of Fourish fighting back from the back-benches (and face it, it isn't going to be one-person job) then they wouldn't want Hunt to be twentyfivish percent of their cause - it would actively set them back to be tainted by association.
So no, it doesn't seem to me that Hunt's continued presence in parliament is doing his preferred political causes any favours - his leaving might even do them a favour. The ones who are left fighting their good fight, and I'm sure more will leave yet, need to be Not Blairites (they have to set up their own standard to rally round) and certainly Not Tristams.
After Tristram was parachuted in over the heads of the infuriated local party in 2010 Labour would be bonkers not to go with a local candidate......
I wonder if Labour could get Grayson Perry to stand. The country's most famous potter representing a constituency of the Staffordshire Potteries? Might be a clever ruse...
Absolutely fabulous if they could get Eddie Izzard on the shortlist as well..
Tristram Hunt: against elitism and grammar schools. So becomes director of the V&A? Nice one
Yep - let's ban museums.
For the sake of school children? Yes. I'm not sure what was the most boring school trip I went on, but Kew Gardens (a bit different to a museum, I know) probably comes top of the list.
Bloody hell, go away for a few hours and we have another bloody by-election.
Is it just me who thinks a fair number of Labour MPs started looking around for jobs when Corbyn got re-elected, and that there's probably a few more about to announce they found better things to do for the next few years..?
Bloody hell, go away for a few hours and we have another bloody by-election.
Is it just me who thinks a fair number of Labour MPs started looking around for jobs when Corbyn got re-elected, and that there's probably a few more about to announce they found better things to do for the next few years..?
Bloody hell, go away for a few hours and we have another bloody by-election.
Is it just me who thinks a fair number of Labour MPs started looking around for jobs when Corbyn got re-elected, and that there's probably a few more about to announce they found better things to do for the next few years..?
Contrary to a couple of postings , the initial boundary proposals do not abolish Stoke Central . The seat basically remains but becomes Stoke South . However as in the aborted 2013 review it is more likely that the Staffs constituency to disappear will be Stone .
It is still the case that 4 Lab Potteries seats becomes 3. Electoral Calculus predicts:
Newcastle-U-Lyme - Lab by 2k Stoke S - Lab by 5k Stoke N - Lab by 4k Staffs W - Con by 9k
Staffs W would include the southern wards of Stoke as well as a large chunk of the old Stone seat
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Seems to symbolises his views... closer to hers than to Corbyn's or McD's.
One wonders why people join a social democratic / socialist party if they really agree more with Ken Clarke, Nick Clegg or Sarah Wollaston.
Really, there should be a party that includes people like Tristram Hunt, Nick Clegg, and Ken Clarke, but our electoral system doesn't allow it to emerge.
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Bloody hell, go away for a few hours and we have another bloody by-election.
Is it just me who thinks a fair number of Labour MPs started looking around for jobs when Corbyn got re-elected, and that there's probably a few more about to announce they found better things to do for the next few years..?
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Tristram won on a turnout of 49.9% - he was the least popular MP in the country with only 19% of his electorate voting for him. It's quite conceivable that UKIP have "hidden" votes in the constituency, much like Leave.
I'm expecting a Labour hold with split opposition but this is close to now or never for UKIP. That doesn't mean it will be "now" but 3/1 looks reasonable.
Just caught up on the Sunderland result. I thought we might lose to the Kippers, but the LDs - WTF?
If this is a portent for May's locals we are in for a total drubbing. If that then leads to a change in leadership then there would be a silver lining.
As for Stoke, UKIP's failure in Sunderland doesn't point to a gain for them.
Tristram won on a turnout of 49.9% - he was the least popular MP in the country with only 19% of his electorate voting for him. It's quite conceivable that UKIP have "hidden" votes in the constituency, much like Leave.
I'm expecting a Labour hold with split opposition but this is close to now or never for UKIP. That doesn't mean it will be "now" but 3/1 looks reasonable.
But why would they turn out? What's the motivator for UKIP, particularly if Labour pick a Leaver?
Tristram won on a turnout of 49.9% - he was the least popular MP in the country with only 19% of his electorate voting for him. It's quite conceivable that UKIP have "hidden" votes in the constituency, much like Leave. ...
I think it's more likely that Labour have hidden votes in this constituency - Tristram Hunt was a very unsuitable choice for Labour and he was parachuted in controversially. Assuming Labour choose a sensible local candidate (which they have been doing in other by-elections), they should be able to recover some of those hidden votes.
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Woodcock has said on Twitter he intends to stand and fight more than ever: "Those worried/hopeful we will see raft of Labour MPs going: No. Way. The fight never been more important; I've never been more determined." (Shame, even as a centrist I can't stand the man.)
Tristram won on a turnout of 49.9% - he was the least popular MP in the country with only 19% of his electorate voting for him. It's quite conceivable that UKIP have "hidden" votes in the constituency, much like Leave.
I'm expecting a Labour hold with split opposition but this is close to now or never for UKIP. That doesn't mean it will be "now" but 3/1 looks reasonable.
But why would they turn out? What's the motivator for UKIP, particularly if Labour pick a Leaver?
Obviously turnout will be poor, so everything's relative, but maybe the better question is to ask why they would turn out for Labour? Independents did fantastically well in the council elections held on GE day.
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Cheers but no thanks. Just want to lay the win.
What's your price?
Dunno yet.
You shouldn't decide what you want to back or lay before you know the price, you'll end up having some terrible bets
Tristram won on a turnout of 49.9% - he was the least popular MP in the country with only 19% of his electorate voting for him. It's quite conceivable that UKIP have "hidden" votes in the constituency, much like Leave.
I'm expecting a Labour hold with split opposition but this is close to now or never for UKIP. That doesn't mean it will be "now" but 3/1 looks reasonable.
But why would they turn out? What's the motivator for UKIP, particularly if Labour pick a Leaver?
There's a substantial Con minority in Stoke Central but those voters know the Tories are never going to be able to win the seat, so they may defect en masse to UKIP for the by-election in order to defeat Labour.
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Cheers but no thanks. Just want to lay the win.
What's your price?
Dunno yet.
You shouldn't decide what you want to back or lay before you know the price, you'll end up having some terrible bets
I can't access markets from my phone at work at the moment so don't know what the prices are.
I'd need to have a think about what price I'd be happy to lay at too. But I'm confident UKIP won't win.
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Cheers but no thanks. Just want to lay the win.
What's your price?
Dunno yet.
You shouldn't decide what you want to back or lay before you know the price, you'll end up having some terrible bets
I can't access markets from my phone at work at the moment so don't know what the prices are.
I'd need to have a think about what price I'd be happy to lay at too. But I'm confident UKIP won't win.
If Lib Dems were to surge into first place in Stoke on Trent, Farron would have to have had a good campaign to win over a large body of Leave voters. If Brexit is such a great dividing line, the LDs with a pro-EU stance should struggle.
Tristram won on a turnout of 49.9% - he was the least popular MP in the country with only 19% of his electorate voting for him. It's quite conceivable that UKIP have "hidden" votes in the constituency, much like Leave.
I'm expecting a Labour hold with split opposition but this is close to now or never for UKIP. That doesn't mean it will be "now" but 3/1 looks reasonable.
But why would they turn out? What's the motivator for UKIP, particularly if Labour pick a Leaver?
Obviously turnout will be poor, so everything's relative, but maybe the better question is to ask why they would turn out for Labour? Independents did fantastically well in the council elections held on GE day.
Tristram won on a turnout of 49.9% - he was the least popular MP in the country with only 19% of his electorate voting for him. It's quite conceivable that UKIP have "hidden" votes in the constituency, much like Leave.
I'm expecting a Labour hold with split opposition but this is close to now or never for UKIP. That doesn't mean it will be "now" but 3/1 looks reasonable.
But why would they turn out? What's the motivator for UKIP, particularly if Labour pick a Leaver?
There's a substantial Con minority in Stoke Central but those voters know the Tories are never going to be able to win the seat, so they may defect en masse to UKIP for the by-election in order to defeat Labour.
Basically, given how UKIP have toxified themselves and the fact May is delivering Brexit, I don't think they will.
My initial guess: Labour will hold this, UKIP to go backwards considerably, LibDems to achieve a very big increase in their vote, maybe getting second place, Tories to go modestly backwards.
Richard - I agree, I can't see the enthusiasm for UkIP that some seem to expect on here. And they are just awful at campaigning.
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Small bet on Ukip under/over? You can choose the level
Cheers but no thanks. Just want to lay the win.
What's your price?
Dunno yet.
You shouldn't decide what you want to back or lay before you know the price, you'll end up having some terrible bets
I can't access markets from my phone at work at the moment so don't know what the prices are.
I'd need to have a think about what price I'd be happy to lay at too. But I'm confident UKIP won't win.
If Lib Dems were to surge into first place in Stoke on Trent, Farron would have to have had a good campaign to win over a large body of Leave voters. If Brexit is such a great dividing line, the LDs with a pro-EU stance should struggle.
From a quick look at the numbers, this could turn into a four- way marginal. 30% might well be enough to win. My initial though is a probable Lab hold, or lay the LDs. Much will depend on the date, the runners and riders, LOL that the PM signed off Hunt's appointment, a fair few people must have known about it before it was announced.
Labour would prefer the two by-elections to be on different dates but it may be difficult to engineer that without looking ridiculous. It'll be Lab vs Con in Copeland and Lab vs UKIP in Stoke Central.
Outgoing US ambassador says that encouraging Brexit is the height of folly.
He means other EU countries Brexiting, which they won't.
The outgoing US Ambassador must be an Obama appointee. It would 100% be in the UK's interest to see other EU countries exit. An EU superdstate is not in the interests of a single EU citizen.
Hunt is everything that is wrong with right on politics. He publically derides grammar education having been privately educated himself, and making a success of his career thanks to that very education. I cannot stand the man, and I cannot stand the destructive leftist anti-education ideology that him and his ilk carry around with them. I say a very good riddance to him.
I have few problems with someone who has been educated privately arguing against private or selective education. They can just say: "Yes, I had the advantage of such an education. It was not my choice. But having been through the system, I can see the problems it causes." etc, etc.
The hypocrisy is when people argue against such systems despite using them themselves; in the case of education, by sending their kids to such schools.
Can anybody think of a high-profile politician close to Corbyn who might have shown such hypocrisy in the past?
I'm not in favour of grammar schools, primarily because I feel that, overall, the benefits enjoyed by those who do make it into grammar school doesn't outweigh the disadvantage suffered by the majority who don't get in. However, I live in an area with grammar schools and have sent my own son to the local grammar school after he was offered a place. Is it really hypocritical of me to argue against such a system on the basis that it disadvantages the many, while making the best of the situation as it currently exists for my own purposes? Are we only allowed to argue against the status quo if we don't personally benefit from it?
Outgoing US ambassador says that encouraging Brexit is the height of folly.
He means other EU countries Brexiting, which they won't.
The outgoing US Ambassador must be an Obama appointee. It would 100% be in the UK's interest to see other EU countries exit. An EU superdstate is not in the interests of a single EU citizen.
No but what would be in our interest is to have an EU that can stand up to the United States in trade negotiations.
If Lib Dems were to surge into first place in Stoke on Trent, Farron would have to have had a good campaign to win over a large body of Leave voters. If Brexit is such a great dividing line, the LDs with a pro-EU stance should struggle.
Hunt is everything that is wrong with right on politics. He publically derides grammar education having been privately educated himself, and making a success of his career thanks to that very education. I cannot stand the man, and I cannot stand the destructive leftist anti-education ideology that him and his ilk carry around with them. I say a very good riddance to him.
I have few problems with someone who has been educated privately arguing against private or selective education. They can just say: "Yes, I had the advantage of such an education. It was not my choice. But having been through the system, I can see the problems it causes." etc, etc.
The hypocrisy is when people argue against such systems despite using them themselves; in the case of education, by sending their kids to such schools.
Can anybody think of a high-profile politician close to Corbyn who might have shown such hypocrisy in the past?
I'm not in favour of grammar schools, primarily because I feel that, overall, the benefits enjoyed by those who do make it into grammar school doesn't outweigh the disadvantage suffered by the majority who don't get in. However, I live in an area with grammar schools and have sent my own son to the local grammar school after he was offered a place. Is it really hypocritical of me to argue against such a system on the basis that it disadvantages the many, while making the best of the situation as it currently exists for my own purposes? Are we only allowed to argue against the status quo if we don't personally benefit from it?
Outgoing US ambassador says that encouraging Brexit is the height of folly.
He means other EU countries Brexiting, which they won't.
The outgoing US Ambassador must be an Obama appointee. It would 100% be in the UK's interest to see other EU countries exit. An EU superdstate is not in the interests of a single EU citizen.
He was tipped off by EU officials (not Americans) and talks of going out in a ball of flames.
So I think it's pretty clear where his sympathies lie.
Comments
If UKIP won that would be more of a blow to Corbyn than the LibDems or Tories beating them. However, I think that it's unlikely that UKIP will hold onto 2nd place let alone get to 1st.
But yes, as I alluded to, Tezza is tacking right, while Jezza is trying to make Lab tack left and may well do so.
LDs least worst option? Perhaps. They need to articulate what they stand for more than just wanting to rejoin the EU.
poor old Jezza almost the last to know...
Muslim job-seekers ARE disadvantaged, Government admits
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/muslim-jobseekers-are-disadvantaged-government-admits-a3439731.html
Stuff I hated being dragged round as a kid, I would find quite interesting nowadays.
On-topic: aside from the man's ideas-deficit and lack of stickability, Tristam Hunt was never going to be a suitable figure to spearhead the resurgence of the Labour "moderates"/"centrists"/"right-deviationists". His background and previous political views simply count too much against him. If Owen Smith got demolished in a leadership contest, just imagine what a shellacking Hunt would have received. If Labour were to have a new and vocal Gang of Fourish fighting back from the back-benches (and face it, it isn't going to be one-person job) then they wouldn't want Hunt to be twentyfivish percent of their cause - it would actively set them back to be tainted by association.
So no, it doesn't seem to me that Hunt's continued presence in parliament is doing his preferred political causes any favours - his leaving might even do them a favour. The ones who are left fighting their good fight, and I'm sure more will leave yet, need to be Not Blairites (they have to set up their own standard to rally round) and certainly Not Tristams.
https://twitter.com/JWoodcockMP/status/819868864720814080
Labour and the LDs are fighting over the equivalent of the brand rights to Piccalilly...
Are they off piste?
Tristram Hunt has resigned to spend more time with other crumbling artifacts
Jamie Murray also in the final of the doubles.
http://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/network/martin-roth-to-leave-the-va-in-autumn-2016
https://www.betfair.com/exchange/plus/#/politics/market/1.129131205
Is it just me who thinks a fair number of Labour MPs started looking around for jobs when Corbyn got re-elected, and that there's probably a few more about to announce they found better things to do for the next few years..?
Is it just me who thinks a fair number of Labour MPs started looking around for jobs when Corbyn got re-elected, and that there's probably a few more about to announce they found better things to do for the next few years..?
One wonders why people join a social democratic / socialist party if they really agree more with Ken Clarke, Nick Clegg or Sarah Wollaston.
#HuntMustGo was trending at number 1 last night
Think Tristrams ego thought it was him
https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/819864373988573184
https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/819865802849587200
I wish I didn't like Guido, but I do - the mischief appeals to me. It seems politicians furnish him with an endless source of amusement.
Newcastle-U-Lyme - Lab by 2k
Stoke S - Lab by 5k
Stoke N - Lab by 4k
Staffs W - Con by 9k
Staffs W would include the southern wards of Stoke as well as a large chunk of the old Stone seat
UKIP lay. Labour not enough value for me to back the hold i think they'll get.
Mike's LD bet was great value but history already!
Do you have a link?
https://m.oddschecker.com/m/politics/british-politics/stoke-on-trent-central-by-election/winning-party
The seat's been Labour since 1935 I believe, as has Copeland.
I make a lot of money. The country gains a decent opposition.
What's not to like?
No.
It's not just you.
Tristram Hunt, 2011: We need to start charging for museums and galleries again
https://t.co/yELvso3v81 https://t.co/NoewE5OzAt
I'm expecting a Labour hold with split opposition but this is close to now or never for UKIP. That doesn't mean it will be "now" but 3/1 looks reasonable.
If this is a portent for May's locals we are in for a total drubbing. If that then leads to a change in leadership then there would be a silver lining.
As for Stoke, UKIP's failure in Sunderland doesn't point to a gain for them.
Outgoing US ambassador says that encouraging Brexit is the height of folly.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoke-on-Trent_City_Council_election,_2015
https://twitter.com/old_labour/status/819851678442721280
£10 on UKIP in SoTC for me with Paddy (Just what was left in the account for now)
I'd need to have a think about what price I'd be happy to lay at too. But I'm confident UKIP won't win.
Happy to get back to you later, if you want?
What's the saying 'broken LibDems on the slide'.?
https://twitter.com/newdawn1997/status/819882136631119876
So I think it's pretty clear where his sympathies lie.