The Chronicles of Rishi

It appears everyone, including me, read too much into the tea leaves of the turnout without accounting for the fact that there has been a swing against the Tories since 2021.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Damien

It appears everyone, including me, read too much into the tea leaves of the turnout without accounting for the fact that there has been a swing against the Tories since 2021.

Maybe some media outlets only see what they want to see, then post their headlines, then makes fools of themselves. 'On a knife edge', Mr K () increased his majority !

Oh look , they've lost a Mayor in the 2nd biggest city too. How careless..... That was supposed to be safe too.

Rishi still in post on Monday, will be the icing on the cake for Labour. Tbf they haven't got anyone better.

Labour has won the West Midlands Mayorality.

Andy Street has been all accounts a good Mayor and he has brought it really close despite the national picture being really against him.

I don't think the Tories know how much trouble they are in. I know they have to put a good face on results but last night they were almost jubilant about keeping Tees Valley, the projected vote share they didn't understand, and the baseless rumour London was close. They seem to believe their own spin.

Street must be so angry about HS2. That was easily the difference, he was against it and Sunak dropped 10 years' worth of investment in the hope of a small poll bounce they didn't get.

https://news.sky.com/story/vote-2024...#liveblog-body

In a blistering article in the Daily Telegraph, former home secretary Suella Braverman has laid the blame for the Conservatives' poor showing in the local elections at the feet of Rishi Sunak.

But she says it would be wrong to replace him.

Ms Braverman writes: "Let me cut to the chase so no one wastes time overanalysing this: we must not change our leader.

"Changing leader now won't work: the time to do so came and went.

"The hole to dig us out is the PM's, and it's time for him to start shovelling."

Pretty sure the saying is "if you find yourself in a hole, stop digging."

She doesn’t want a Leadership contest (imho) because she knows the Conservatives, and whoever is in charge of the Conservatives at the next General Election, are going to be thrashed, and if there is a Leadership Election before then she would be a favourite to win it…

Anyway, at the London Mayoral Election, Reform UK lost their deposit, and Count Binface beat Britain First…

[peanut]

Suella Braverman says Kier Starmer has the charisma of a peanut. I feel a bit in'salted' by that. But there was no need for insults, and didn't do herself any favors there.

Seriously though, to say she regrets backing Sunak and to say they're basically screwed then go on to say Sunak "needs to own this" at least was the right thing to say. A little too late though to do anything about it.

[Mr K]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Anyway, at the London Mayoral Election, Reform UK lost their deposit, and Count Binface beat Britain First…

Unlike Britain First, Count Binface had some sensible policies, eg:-

The hand dryer in the gents’ toilet at the Crown & Treaty, Uxbridge, to be moved to a more sensible position.

Ceefax to be brought back for all households within the M25

Renaming London Bridge to Phoebe Waller Bridge.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Damien

Labour has won the West Midlands Mayorality.

Andy Street has been all accounts a good Mayor and he has brought it really close despite the national picture being really against him.

I don't think the Tories know how much trouble they are in. I know they have to put a good face on results but last night they were almost jubilant about keeping Tees Valley, the projected vote share they didn't understand, and the baseless rumour London was close. They seem to believe their own spin.

Street must be so angry about HS2. That was easily the difference, he was against it and Sunak dropped 10 years' worth of investment in the hope of a small poll bounce they didn't get.

I feel sorry for Andy Street - a talented individual who did his best for the West Midlands and leaves his successor a good legacy. The same praise cannot be bestowed on Tees Mayor Ben Houchen who actually retains his job.

I think you're right - the Conservatives seem to spend a lot of their time in an echo chamber. Interviewing one another at GB News does not give them exposure to the views of the majority of the population. A population exposed to cash-strapped councils, an NHS with long waiting lists and an economy under-performing its peers.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

I feel sorry for Andy Street - a talented individual who did his best for the West Midlands and leaves his successor a good legacy. The same praise cannot be bestowed on Tees Mayor Ben Houchen who actually retains his job.

I think you're right - the Conservatives seem to spend a lot of their time in an echo chamber. Interviewing one another at GB News does not give them exposure to the views of the majority of the population. A population exposed to cash-strapped councils, an NHS with long waiting lists and an economy under-performing its peers.

If only more Conservatives behaved with integrity and grace like Andy Street their party might not as loathed as many of their politicians are currently by the electorate.

Braverman entirely the opposite of him this morning on the BBC

[jfman]

Originally Posted by Chris

^this. Not to mention, there were no votes in Scotland on Thursday and it is idiocy of the highest order to use anything that has happened in English councils to predict the totally different dynamic between the SNP and Labour, or the SNP and Tory, that exists here (there are very few places in Scotland, if any, where any parliamentary seat is a straight red-blue fight).

Some of the analysis (Sky I think) assumes no change at all in Scotland. I’m sure we can all agree how flawed that is. Polling (usual caveats apply) has the SNP under 30% for the first time in years which would decimate their numbers with the majority (if not vast majority) going Labour.

I’d only add to the many reasons they aren’t comparable (independent candidates, etc.) to say turnout will inevitably be much higher at the GE.