The polls are good – so why no betting move for an early election? In a message that got held up in the spam filter Red Flag asked why we did not publish a picture this morning of seven smiling Gordons to illustrate graphically the lead that today’s ICM poll reported for Labour. Fair enough – but the big news picture was that of Tony Lit and Tony Blair. Also I only got back home from holiday this afternoon and…
Will today’s revelations stop them from voting for Lit? The reaction of punters to today’s 7% ICM Labour lead and the revelations that the Tory candidate in Ealing Southall had been at Tony Blair farewell fund-raiser and had donated £5,000 has caused a tightening of the Labour price on the by election market. But are Labour backers correct? For the last two general elections have shown what a cohesive electoral force the Sikh community is in the constituency and it…
What will be the impact of Lit attending a Labour fundraiser? There are two major UK politics stories today – the first being news of Southall Conservative candidate Tony Lit’s appearance at a recent Labour fundraising dinner – more details here. With the by-election only four days away, it remains to be seen what chance the Conservatives still have to win. The second is the publication of an ICM poll in the Sunday Telegraph giving Labour 40, the Conservatives 33…
Just arriving in Calais after my short holiday in time to focus on the next five days of intense activity for the by elections. How will Gordon go down when real voters cast real votes next Thursday? Will the bounce that we’ve seen in the polls be sustained with Labour comfortably retaining both seats, albeit with reduced majorities? I’ve got £400 at risk already and no doubt I’ll be tempted more in the coming days. These are my bets: £200…
Could he make it past Giuliani to be the Republican nominee? Without actually having declared yet, Fred Thompson has already made a big impact on the 2008 White House race. In recent polling, he has normally been in the top two candidates for the Republican nomination, leading Giuliani by one point in the last Rasmussen poll, and with an average of 19% on the Real Clear Politics numbers. On the betting markets, he is close behind Giuliani in the race…
Paddy Power, the Irish bookmakers, have decided to cough up some cash and refund money to all those customers who placed bets on where the first UK super-casino would be located. This follows Gordon Brown response at PMQs when he sensationally scrapped plans for the project to go ahead. This will cost the firm a packet for those who received winnings in January on Manchester won’t have to hand the money back. Let’s hope other firms follow suit. Mike Smithson
What can we tell from last night’s results….? Camden LBC, Haverstock LD Matt Sanders 1160 (43.4; -0.2), Lab 1000 (37.4; +3.0), Green 299 (11.2; +0.4), Con 213 (8.0; -3.2). Majority 160. Turnout 34.1%. LD gain from Lab. Last fought 2006. Craven DC, Cowling Con 351 (64.3; +47.4), Ratepayer 136 (24.9; +24.9), Ind 59 (10.8; -34.3), [Ind (0.0; -38.1)]. Majority 215. Turnout 31.2%. Con gain from Ind. Last fought 2004. Hounslow LBC, Hanworth Park Con 1054 (41.1; -3.3), Lab 729 (28.4;…
Or should we stick with the traditional Thursday? As part of the package of constitutional changes unveiled by Gordon Brown recently, possibly moving the day of general elections received a cameo appearance. It has been the convention for decades now that UK elections are held on Thursdays, although this is not laid down by statute. Election days vary widely around the world, with Canada on Monday, the USA and Israel on Tuesday, the Netherlands on Wednesday and Australia on Saturday….