Topic: The Conservative Party - never quite sure if they are thick or bonkers

[Charlie Adams fried egg]

https://www.blaetter.de/en/2021/07/the-politics-of-lies-boris-johnson-and-the-erosion-of-the-rule-of-law

It's long, a bit depressing, but well worth a read. Worth sharing too.

[Nobby Reserve]

Britain Elects
@BritainElects
Westminster voting intention:

LAB: 36% (-2)
CON: 34% (+2)
LDEM: 13% (-)
GRN: 5% (-3)
REF: 4% (+1)

via
@KantarPublic
, 16 - 20 Jun
Chgs. w/ May

https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1539924893105537024


This country is certifiably insane

(But then, Starmer is terrible. He's getting Corbyn-bad in terms of leadership ability, and is increasingly just letting the RWM dictate Labour policy.)

[Father Ted]

'Corbyn-bad'? He doesn't even have the excuse of most of his own party repeatedly shitting themselves in public then blaming him for the ever growing mountain of shite accumulating outside Labour HQ, and he's had nothing but positive press coverage for his campaign of becoming the living embodiment of nothing becoming PM.

[killer-heels]

Britain Elects
@BritainElects
Westminster voting intention:

LAB: 36% (-2)
CON: 34% (+2)
LDEM: 13% (-)
GRN: 5% (-3)
REF: 4% (+1)

via
@KantarPublic
, 16 - 20 Jun
Chgs. w/ May

https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1539924893105537024


This country is certifiably insane

(But then, Starmer is terrible. He's getting Corbyn-bad in terms of leadership ability, and is increasingly just letting the RWM dictate Labour policy.)

Not sure, thats not a good set of numbers for the Tories. An election campaign could easily readjust the Labour/Lib Dem mix.

[Jiminy Cricket]

Britain Elects
@BritainElects
Westminster voting intention:

LAB: 36% (-2)
CON: 34% (+2)
LDEM: 13% (-)
GRN: 5% (-3)
REF: 4% (+1)

via
@KantarPublic
, 16 - 20 Jun
Chgs. w/ May

https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1539924893105537024


This country is certifiably insane

(But then, Starmer is terrible. He's getting Corbyn-bad in terms of leadership ability, and is increasingly just letting the RWM dictate Labour policy.)

On the positive side, we could reasonably lump the Labour, LibDem and Green votes together given that they appear to be cooperating more with each other. If they cooperate in the GE, the Tories could be obliterated. But yes, the Great British Public are indeed insane.

But I disagree with your comparison with Corbyn. Corbyn was monumentally bad - unelectable by any standard. Starmer is a bit dull and too timid. Bad enough for me to wish for change, mind.

[thaddeus]

On the positive side, we could reasonably lump the Labour, LibDem and Green votes together given that they appear to be cooperating more with each other. If they cooperate in the GE, the Tories could be obliterated. But yes, the Great British Public are indeed insane.

But I disagree with your comparison with Corbyn. Corbyn was monumentally bad - unelectable by any standard. Starmer is a bit dull and too timid. Bad enough for me to wish for change, mind.

That's a pretty big IF.  The escalating nonsense between Swinson and Corbyn was a contributing factor to the size of the Tory majority (whilst Frottage stood down his candidates for pro-Brexit Tory candidates).  Starmer and Davey are both pretty middle of the road which may or may not be a good thing, depending on how they try to distinguish themselves.

The Tories have yet to get around to gerrymandering or voter identification but they will.  Then there'll be the big pre-election tax cuts.  The current Labour set-up is also largely untested in electioneering whilst the Tory dog-whistling and lying approach has been tried and tested in both the Brexit campaign and the 2019 GE.

I don't think I'd suck up another five years of this government so that poll has sent chills down my spine.

[McSquared]

Britain Elects
@BritainElects
Westminster voting intention:

LAB: 36% (-2)
CON: 34% (+2)
LDEM: 13% (-)
GRN: 5% (-3)
REF: 4% (+1)

via
@KantarPublic
, 16 - 20 Jun
Chgs. w/ May

https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1539924893105537024


This country is certifiably insane

(But then, Starmer is terrible. He's getting Corbyn-bad in terms of leadership ability, and is increasingly just letting the RWM dictate Labour policy.)

Fucking unbelievable. What’s left to see to make your mind up? Essentially 34% of the country are ok with racism, xenophobia and law breaking.

Starmer doesn’t seem to be cutting through unfortunately. He needs to get stuck into them more

[TSC]

Fucking unbelievable. What’s left to see to make your mind up? Essentially 34% of the country are ok with racism, xenophobia and law breaking.

Starmer doesn’t seem to be cutting through unfortunately. He needs to get stuck into them more

More strikes?

https://news.sky.com/story/british-airways-workers-at-heathrow-vote-to-strike-during-school-summer-holidays-12639088

[Machae]

On the positive side, we could reasonably lump the Labour, LibDem and Green votes together given that they appear to be cooperating more with each other. If they cooperate in the GE, the Tories could be obliterated. But yes, the Great British Public are indeed insane.

But I disagree with your comparison with Corbyn. Corbyn was monumentally bad - unelectable by any standard. Starmer is a bit dull and too timid. Bad enough for me to wish for change, mind.

Re the co operating a bit. They need to get savvy and play the Tories and UKIP at their own game. The cynic in me thinks they will find a way to fuck it up and try to nab each others voters (Starmer will probably say something like, it wouldn't be a proper democracy otherwise)

[ShakaHislop]

People bothsidesing the topic of election pacts as if it hasn't been Labour that has evidently been the most uncooperative over the past few years.

[Red-Soldier]

The Tories are always guaranteed around 30% of the vote - no shocks there!

[Circa1892]

The strikes will - in the short term - have helped the Tory vote in two ways - they'll get a few waverers who are a bit pissed off and want to stick it to the Unions, and some Labour will drift off to Greens/nobody.

But that's because it's a pretty minor inconvenience on the whole so far (with some exceptions). Lets see what its like in a few months when teachers are out, and other professions - all because the Tories are shit.

[Circa1892]

Also any non-Tory not voting Labour in Wakefield or Lib Dem in Tiverton is an idiot.

[killer-heels]

Two biggies tonight. Its like Christmas.

[Hedley Lamarr]

I was in the pub earlier and overheard somebody call Grant Shapps an honest politician. I explained to him that Grant Shapps has previously used three pseudonyms and essentially ran a Ponzi scheme.  He didn't believe me, called me woke and shite.  When I showed him the evidence, he drank up and left.  The girl he was with stayed though, when I left she was chatting to the lad behind the bar.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Also any non-Tory not voting Labour in Wakefield or Lib Dem in Tiverton is an idiot.

Im perplexed they are even competing.  Really annoyed me.

[killer-heels]

I was in the pub earlier and overheard somebody call Grant Shapps an honest politician. I explained to him that Grant Shapps has previously used three pseudonyms and essentially ran a Ponzi scheme.  He didn't believe me, called me woke and shite.  When I showed him the evidence, he drank up and left.  The girl he was with stayed though, when I left she was chatting to the lad behind the bar.

Ha, thats quite funny. Dunno why you bother trying to speak to people about politics outside friends and family. Also I am surprised you didnt stab him, which is what I would have done had they called me shite.

[Jiminy Cricket]

I was in the pub earlier and overheard somebody call Grant Shapps an honest politician. I explained to him that Grant Shapps has previously used three pseudonyms and essentially ran a Ponzi scheme.  He didn't believe me, called me woke and shite.  When I showed him the evidence, he drank up and left.  The girl he was with stayed though, when I left she was chatting to the lad behind the bar.

Damn. For a moment there I thought you were going to tell us that she stayed and left with you!

[So... Howard Phillips]

Damn. For a moment there I thought you were going to tell us that she stayed and left with you!

So did I!

It looks like the barman was the one who got lucky.

[afc turkish]

So did I!

It looks like the barman was the one who got lucky.

Like a dog always begging for more...

[TepidT2O]

The lib dems need a monumental shift to win in Tiverton.. tories got 60% of the vote last time out…

[TSC]

Polls have closed

https://mobile.twitter.com/BethRigby/status/1540077325764759552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1540077325764759552%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[TSC]

This poll has 11 point lead for Labour.  Polls are erratic to say the least

https://mobile.twitter.com/SavantaComRes/status/1540029760067231744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1540029760067231744%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[TepidT2O]

This poll has 11 point lead for Labour.  Polls are erratic to say the least

https://mobile.twitter.com/SavantaComRes/status/1540029760067231744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1540029760067231744%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Not so much.

You’ve got two sets of polls.  Those that do account for don’t knows and those that don’t.

So, some don’t have a ‘don’t know’ so you’re forced to make a choice. Others do have a don’t know and correct for it, mostly assuming that they spilt the same way as last time (not that they will, but it’s more accurate than trying to guess).

The polls showing bigger leads ignore don’t knows…. If (big if) the don’t knows split the same as last time, the pollls at 5-6% lead would be right

[killer-heels]

Wakefield is in the bag. Its down in the South West where all the attention should be on. Come on Lib Dems, you gang of c*nts.

[Riquende]

The lib dems need a monumental shift to win in Tiverton.. tories got 60% of the vote last time out…

I think by numbers (rather than swing %) it would be the biggest overturning of a majority ever if the LDs win. They may not do it, but even being competitive should be a massive shot across the bows for a good number of Tories who consider their seats safe in the socially-progressive areas of Toryshire.

Johnson's coalition of 'get Brexit dunners' was never going to last, and you'd hope that more and more sections of society are waking up to the fact that country is in absolute meltdown at every level.

[Circa1892]

I was in the pub earlier and overheard somebody call Grant Shapps an honest politician. I explained to him that Grant Shapps has previously used three pseudonyms and essentially ran a Ponzi scheme.  He didn't believe me, called me woke and shite.  When I showed him the evidence, he drank up and left.  The girl he was with stayed though, when I left she was chatting to the lad behind the bar.

In the other side of the bar Wayne Bridge finishes his cider…

[PaulF]

I was in the pub earlier and overheard somebody call Grant Shapps an honest politician. I explained to him that Grant Shapps has previously used three pseudonyms and essentially ran a Ponzi scheme.  He didn't believe me, called me woke and shite.  When I showed him the evidence, he drank up and left.  The girl he was with stayed though, when I left she was chatting to the lad behind the bar.

Wow. Assuming I can believe Wikipedia, he really isn't someone you'd want on an ethics committee. Or maybe he is.


Also, is woke an insult these days?

[filopastry]

Sounding like Wakefield should be a comfortable pick up for Labour, LDs sounding increasingly confident of sneaking home in Tiverton as well

[Cracking Left Foot]

In the other side of the bar Wayne Bridge finishes his cider…

An excellent niche RAWK reference there sir.

[Hedley Lamarr]

Sounding like Wakefield should be a comfortable pick up for Labour, LDs sounding increasingly confident of sneaking home in Tiverton as well

More than sneaking home, they’ve just called it and there’s about an hour left of the count.  Sounds like a large margin if they’re that confident.

[JasonF]

A Lib Dem spokesperson tells the BBC: “This is looking like a clear win. The people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken up for the country.

"This is an historic victory for the Liberal Democrats and a devastating blow for those Conservative MPs who continue to prop up Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson."

[oldfordie]

A Lib Dem spokesperson tells the BBC: “This is looking like a clear win. The people of Tiverton and Honiton have spoken up for the country.

"This is an historic victory for the Liberal Democrats and a devastating blow for those Conservative MPs who continue to prop up Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson."

  Torys all sat around going through tomorrows gameplan, the people of Tiverton have spoken, they refused to vote Labour. whoosh out the door before someone mentions tactical voting.
Nailed on for Wakefield. no Tory seat is safe.

[TheShanklyGates]

Wakefield parliamentary by-election result

LAB: 47.9% (+8.1)
CON: 30.0% (-17.3)
IND (Akbar): 7.6% (+7.6)
YRK: 4.3% (+2.4)

Labour GAIN from Conservative.

https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1540167326003339264

Tiverton & Honiton parliamentary by-election result

LDEM: 52.9% (+38.1)
CON: 38.5% (-21.7)
LAB: 3.7% (-15.9)
GRN: 2.5% (-1.3)
REF: 1.1% (+1.1)
UKIP: 0.6% (-1.1)

Liberal Democrat GAIN from Conservative.

https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1540168992106713088

You love to see it. That swing in Tiverton is insane.

[Statto Red]

Tactical voting largely counting for that insane swing in Tiverton, also turnout in Tiverton 52.3%, which is good for a by-election, turnout at the general election was 72%.

[kavah]

A good night. It would be great if the non-tory voters keep getting out at the polls, and vote tactically if necessary to get the Tories out.

And lets have a grand plan for a better United Kingdom, to preserve and improve the NHS, invest in the future and close all the tory tax-loopholes.

[Kenny's Jacket]

Oliver Dowdon resigns

Source BBC1

[killer-heels]

Oliver Dowdon resigns

Source BBC1

As party chairmen. Surprising that, he was a loyalist for Johnson.

[BarryCrocker]

Oliver Dowdon resigns

Source BBC1

I can smell a coup.

[FlashingBlade]

A good morning to see the Torys get a kicking..
alas it says more about the vote against a useless, corrupt, hypocritical, lying Tory Goverment than inspiration in what is on offer elsewhere...still...I don't like to kick a man when he is down...unless he us a gobshite Tory ..Fuck 'em.