Taking their time here counting these votes. I wasnt exactly queuing round the block to get in either. Edge of my seat...
There are three major parties within the Tory party tbh ... ... all with different ideas on Brexit, the economy, NHS, etc. They can't agree with each other, never mind other parties.
Were those the 3 major partys Boris did or didnt attend? In all honesty this is looking like a day that was well predictes by pollsters. Sign of what is coming next year.
The Conservatives have had an even more disastrous result than their worst fears. The 1000 seats prediction was seen as pretty much worst case scenario, with many hoping to keep it at around 5-700. It'll be interesting to see if Sunak deflects responsibility or owns it. I'm not really sure how to judge the gains of the other parties. I suspect that Lib Dems and Greens always do far better in local elections than national ones and they may well be red votes on the day. For me now, a Labour government is certain. The question really will be whether they need Liberal/SNP support in a minority government or whether the SNP is imploding enough to allow Labour to make big Scottish gains and give them a majority. If Starmer can ride the coat tails of these local elections and come out with a positive agenda and solid policies that resonate with the disenfranchised working class, he's on his way to a healthy majority in my opinion.
The Labour Party would have to invade Westminster Abbey and moon the King to be worse than this current shower ... ... they're an absolute shambles and a disgrace. If Labour were presiding over endless strikes, massive inflation of basic foodstuffs, a Tsunami of illegal immigrants and relentless scandals the same people defending the Tories would be laughing and mocking them. I've been quietly pleased at some of the Tory administrations but this lot are disgraceful and can barely be bothered to contain their contempt for anyone they see as beneath them ... which is basically everyone.
It just seems in the local elections people have voted anybody (ie the party who was 2nd ) rather than the Cons. Not sure how that translates next year?
As I'm sure you've seen, a lot of the analysis shown across the news channels suggests that it shows strong rejection of the Conservatives but no great appetite for what Labour are offering. It suggests Sunak and Starmer both have a lot of work to do. Claire Short was on Radio 4 earlier saying that Starmer needs to start showing his intentions now and to do something to get people enthused. I'm hoping it all means we get something different from usual in the GE.
I have no idea how to interpret it really. But some observers are suggesting this is a rejection of tories, and a vote for anybody else. Not necessarily a labour swing. My own exit poll, which constitutes 20 odd late middle age blokes, is that independants were popular. We have a coalition of independants round here, odd as that sounds, but who have a records of getting things done. The vote looks like a battering for tories, but marginal gains for labour and decent for Liberals and Independants. Greens oddly no great outcome, but we are landlocked. I have no idea how local transfer to nationals, but the mood music round here seems to be anybody but the tories, and a reasonable doubt about Labour. Not a major surprise as they have voted with the tories on all big issues like a monster council tax rise.
The bookies think there's about a 25% chance of that happening. There's money to be made if you think it's even remotely possible. Personally, I don't think what happened in 1991 is relevant.
Are you sure? Unexciting but steady Tory leader. Labour leader acting like the job's already done. Those who fail to learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them.
'Anybody but the Tories' is about right I'd say. They've had thirteen years to make progress and the country is an absolute shambles .... ... anyone claiming things are actually good must be fanatically deluded. Labour or the Liberals or the Greens may be useless but the Tories are making them look like Barcelona.
People are a bit silly. Tories lost 1000 seats and counting. Labour have gained 500 and counting up. . Very simple. Worst night for decades for Tories and great for labour. Anything else is simply ignoring the numbers.
Worst night for 32 years. They won a general election 31 years ago. Anything else is simply ignoring the facts.
