The Liberal Democrats haven't taken Ealing Southall, despite being in second place at the last general election. This failure is the worst by-election result for the Liberal Democrats since Richmond (North Yorkshire) in 1989 (when all three post Liberal-Social Democrat merger parties contested the seat and shredded the vote).Nor have they taken Sedgefield and despite their hopes they have failed to reduce the Conservative share of the vote which instead went up. All the Liberal Democrats achieved here was to rearrange the anti-war vote - their vote increase of 8.0% is less than the 10.3% gained by Reg Keys last time.
How long can Sir Menzies Campbell last as Liberal Democrat leader? Can you hear the Liberal Democrat vultures circling?
13 comments:
Longer than David Cameron it seems!
In answer to your final question: no, I can't.
Look at Emperor David's beautiful clothes. They are made of the finest silk. See how he triumphs in elections. See how the voters flock to him.
Keep thinking like this, Tim, because it is the sure way for you Tories to go down to defeat at the next election.
Ah the usual anonymous Liberal Democrat comments! I didn't see Ming triumphing either.
Both by-elections were always an uphill struggle, especially when facing the Real Nasty Party (that's the Liberal Democrat by-election machine for those in denial) but in both the Conservatives (not "Tories", no more than you are "Whigs") held their ground and made some advances with a swing to us. Yes more needs to be done but in terms of by-elections these results were an improvement on past form for the Conservatives and a failure for the Liberal Democrats.
"I didn't see Ming triumphing either."
The logic of this sentence is that you do not see Cameron winning. Thank you for the admission. Perhaps you see that the Emperor is naked after all.
"an improvement on past form for the Conservatives"
You don't remember the Ilford North by-election?
Which was a very long time ago - you know perfectly well what I was referring to. Yes we're not at those points yet but compared to by-elections like Brent East, Leicester South and Hartlepool this is a sign we're finally getting our act together and the Liberal Democrats are fumbling the pass (anything less than a LD win in Ealing Southall is worse than the last 18 years of by-elections, no matter how you lot spin it).
"a very long time ago"
It seems as only yesterday when I was listening to the BBC breakfast radio show with the announcer saying-"If you haven't heard already the Conservatives have won..."
You are the ones that have more than fumbled the pass since that 'very long time ago' you are the ones who have crumbled!
And I should ask is Tessa Jowell that ancient?
"compared to by-elections like Brent East, Leicester South and Hartlepool this is a sign we're finally getting our act together"
Yes, instead of being pushed into fourth place (like in Hartlepool), the Tories are now just being pushed into third place.
Next stop, 10 Downing Street... not.
Check your figures again. In both seats there was a swing (if you're confused, ask David Boothroyd to explain what that means) to the Conservatives.
And Manfarang even a week is a long time in politics.
Yes, Tim, in Sedgefield, the Tory share of the vote was up a massive 0.19% on the General Election.
Dave Cameron truly has transformed the political landscape.
Just found this old post while tidying up the tags.
Now where is Ming's leadership again?
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