ChatterBank1 min ago
Oldham bi-election
Amongst all the huffing and puffing from members of the various political parties over the bi-election results, nobody seems to give a mention of the actual qualities, or lack of them, of the candidates, it's all seen as a national issue. I am not normally a labour voter, but having seen interviews with the three main contestants last week I would have without doubt voted for Ms. Abrahams. Do you agree that the whole issue seems to have been hi-jacked by Westminster?
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What amazes me is how short memories the public have of past events. It is only a matter of months since the coalition took over but things like the economy and student fees have all been ignored by the voters.
If there is one lesson for the Tories its to quicken the harsh policies well before the next election. Failure to do so they will get all the blame for the suffering about to take place when all they are doing is to correct the situation.
Also I think Britain has veered strongly to the left since 1997 probably due to unwanted immigration and also handouts.
Maybe hijacked by the media would be a better description.
If there is one lesson for the Tories its to quicken the harsh policies well before the next election. Failure to do so they will get all the blame for the suffering about to take place when all they are doing is to correct the situation.
Also I think Britain has veered strongly to the left since 1997 probably due to unwanted immigration and also handouts.
Maybe hijacked by the media would be a better description.
It is an interesting point from the OP though. Come a by-election, or even a general election come to that, how many people choose who to vote from based upon party allegiance, and how many based upon a judgement as to the candidates likely performance representing their constituency, regardless of party politics?
As to the result of this particular by-election - I think I was most surprised at the low turn out (48%) given all the controversy, media coverage, and current issues hogging the political media highlights at the moment - I would have expected a greater turnout myself.
Labour cannot assume that somehow they have been rehabilitated in the public percetion on the strength of this result. It also seems apparent that the conservative vote didn't collapse - rather, the majority of conservatives within the constituency decided to vote tactically.
Until and unless the Lib Dems and Conservatives formally create an alliance, to put up a coalition candidate would not be supported by the grass roots activists of each party, nor would you get much agreement for deciding which partys candidate should stand in which constituency.
As to the result of this particular by-election - I think I was most surprised at the low turn out (48%) given all the controversy, media coverage, and current issues hogging the political media highlights at the moment - I would have expected a greater turnout myself.
Labour cannot assume that somehow they have been rehabilitated in the public percetion on the strength of this result. It also seems apparent that the conservative vote didn't collapse - rather, the majority of conservatives within the constituency decided to vote tactically.
Until and unless the Lib Dems and Conservatives formally create an alliance, to put up a coalition candidate would not be supported by the grass roots activists of each party, nor would you get much agreement for deciding which partys candidate should stand in which constituency.
The phenomenon you mention, Khandro, is a product of party politics. As it stands realistically the country is faced with only two packages of measures (Labour and Conservative) from which to choose. For many the issue of who actually represents them at Westminster is not something they consider; they simply vote for the party they would prefer to form a government. In most General Elections the overall outcome is decided by the results in a small number of marginal seats.
It will not change unless the country reverts to a system where independent MPs are elected by constituents who will represent their individual interests on a wide range of topics and who are prepared to vote according to the needs of their constituents and not the needs of the party. Because of the vested interests of the political parties this will not happen.
Any form of proportional representation will only make this situation worse. In many versions of PR It will be for the parties to decide who goes to Westminster. Far from being members who represent their constituents’ interests MPs will simply be chosen by the parity to fill the required number of seats to which they are entitled. The notion that electors choose their MP according to how he or she will represent their interests will become even more unlikely.
It will not change unless the country reverts to a system where independent MPs are elected by constituents who will represent their individual interests on a wide range of topics and who are prepared to vote according to the needs of their constituents and not the needs of the party. Because of the vested interests of the political parties this will not happen.
Any form of proportional representation will only make this situation worse. In many versions of PR It will be for the parties to decide who goes to Westminster. Far from being members who represent their constituents’ interests MPs will simply be chosen by the parity to fill the required number of seats to which they are entitled. The notion that electors choose their MP according to how he or she will represent their interests will become even more unlikely.
http://i.telegraph.co...ATPORTAL_1804169a.jpg
Well what can one say, except "a typical politicians answer"?
Well what can one say, except "a typical politicians answer"?
Khandro /
Lazybones /
I was surprised by both of your answers . Apart from by-elections where a government has only a tiny majority ( less than 6 ) the turn out is nearly always low. The reason is simple its not going to change the policies of the government.
With regards to local issues, MPs have very little real power . Its Westminster that calls the shots and will over-ride the locals whenever they choose.
What is more, you ask people who their MP is and in most cases they don't know. At best they know which party he/she is and form an opinion on that, not on the attributes of the MP. I have been a political canvasser so I speak from experience. It has to be a major local issue to have any affect and even then not in safe seats because most people realise it's not going to affect central government.
Lazybones /
I was surprised by both of your answers . Apart from by-elections where a government has only a tiny majority ( less than 6 ) the turn out is nearly always low. The reason is simple its not going to change the policies of the government.
With regards to local issues, MPs have very little real power . Its Westminster that calls the shots and will over-ride the locals whenever they choose.
What is more, you ask people who their MP is and in most cases they don't know. At best they know which party he/she is and form an opinion on that, not on the attributes of the MP. I have been a political canvasser so I speak from experience. It has to be a major local issue to have any affect and even then not in safe seats because most people realise it's not going to affect central government.
