Bansley Central, within South Yorkshire. Image from WikipediaSo, Labour win in Barnsley Central The Pope is Catholic and bears shit in the wood, so what?
However, that Dan Jarvis, a former member of the armed service, and previously unknown outside of his party, did it with an increased majority (11,771 from 11,093 last May) on a reduced turnout (36.5% from 56.5% in May) was a either damning assessment of this government, or a ringing endorsement of Ed Miliband (whose Doncaster North constituency is the most north-easterly shown on the image above) and the Labour Party Or, just maybe, both.
The unceremonious dumping (and imprisonment) of disgraced former Barnsley Central. MP Eric Illsley could have severely damaged the Labour Party in Barnsley, but it appears that the direction that the coalition government has taken over the past 10 months has caused more ire up the M1 than an expenses fraud ever could. considering the scandal that the expenses row was, this is a big statement in itself.
The real story however, is of the Liberal Democrats, who were severely punished at the ballot box on Thursday 3rd March. Their excuse for the defeat in the Saddleworth by-election, where Labour increased not only their majority, but also their absolute vote, and still in the face of a decreased turnout, was that "anti-Labour" support was solidifying behind the Tories as the best means to keep Labour out - tactical voting, if you will. No such excuse could be used in Barnsley though, where support for both parties collapsed, dropping the Tories losing over 4,000 votes, remaining in third spot, and the Lib Dems haemorrhaging over 5,000 votes and dropping from second to 6th place, behind UKIP, who jumped to second from fifth, the BNP, whose vote halved, and an independent.
If Barnsley and Saddleworth are to be believe, and we do of course need to remember that by-elections are a special case, then AV or not, the Lib Dems could be virtually wiped out in the UK at the next election. The only way to save themselves? They need to reassert their centre-left roots. In the meantime however, as long as they're in this Tory-led coalition, I fear for them. They're sure to lose some key councils this May, my own in Sheffield, currently ruled as a Lib Dem Minority Cabinet, surely will be one of them, but I feel that all of the Metropolitan Boroughs (mostly large northern towns and cities) currently under Lib Dem overall or shared control will turn red this May.
 |
| General Election results in Barnsley Central |
If Barnsley and Saddleworth are to be believe, and we do of course need to remember that by-elections are a special case, then AV or not, the Lib Dems could be virtually wiped out in the UK at the next election. The only way to save themselves? They need to reassert their centre-left roots. In the meantime however, as long as they're in this Tory-led coalition, I fear for them. They're sure to lose some key councils this May, my own in Sheffield, currently ruled as a Lib Dem Minority Cabinet, surely will be one of them, but I feel that all of the Metropolitan Boroughs (mostly large northern towns and cities) currently under Lib Dem overall or shared control will turn red this May.
Regarding your rather rude and 'off the cuff' comments about Elinor, who caught the bus because she didn't want a fuss
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thestar.co.uk/news/elinor_didn_t_want_a_fuss_so_hops_on_the_bus_for_her_big_day_1_31532301.
1.Please read the article carefully, she didn't want a fuss over PARKING for guests.
2. I can, with authority, inform you that it was not the bride who called the paper but a member of her family who wanted to surprise Elinor with A BIT OF FUN.
3. Friends, family, bride and groom have all read you delightful rant and a general concensus would appear to be FUCK OFF
First of all, I think you may have the wrong page. This is an article about the Liberal Democrats' defeat in the Barnsley by-election
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, I'm afraid you seem to have mis-linked. Your address links to a fail-page, and I cannot find the story you're talking about.
However, doing a little of my own searching (no need to thank me) I found the article (linked for other readers), and spotted this paragraph:
"Elinor Brew, aged 32, wanted a no-fuss wedding and didn’t want the hassle of guests having to find somewhere to park in the city centre and running the risk of missing the marriage service."
No indication there that she didn't want a fuss over parking - the article mentions them as two separate points (wanted a no-fuss wedding, and didn't want parking issues).
Now, why don't you come out from behind the veil of anonymity to have a sensible, adult discussion? Perchance without the need for swearing?
wow, you're rude to have sniped at someones wedding article which was supposed to be a bit of fun!
ReplyDeleteDoes a jokey passing comment pointing out an inconsistency between fact and realisation deserve a "FUCK OFF"? Do you condone that as a proportionate response?
ReplyDeleteAnyway, this is really off-topic. Suggest you come rant at me on twitter @JennyWalksRiise
I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll.... nah can't be bothered.
ReplyDelete