The May elections less than 4 weeks away – Why so few Tories are raising their voices against Cameron
From Profs Rallings & Thrasher – council seats up for election on May 5th pic.twitter.com/kMvXF0HZhc
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) April 8, 2016
From Profs Rallings & Thrasher – projection of seat gains & losses for May 5th local elections pic.twitter.com/J1OiRK5Wm9
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) April 8, 2016
On May 5th more than 2,000 Conservatives will be putting themselves forward as candidates for local councils, the Scottish and Welsh parliaments, the London Assembly as well as for police commissioners in every part of England apart from the capital. There are also mayoral elections in London and Bristol.
In this context almost all the activists and other associated with the parties are on their best behaviour not to do anything that could undermine their party position in a sensitive election period.
What many who follow politics but aren’t players don’t fully appreciate is that for local party machines the local council elections are of the highest importance perhaps even more important than general elections. Activists might have worked for four years to, say, win back a seat lost in 2012 and there will be little tolerance of anybody who appears to undermine their efforts.
This is why there are so few Tory voices being raised at the moment against Cameron. They don’t want to be accused of rocking the boat.
So all the attacks are coming from other parties and it sounds so predictable.
If Cameron, as is likely, hangs on until May 5th then his position could be reinforced by expected gains for his party on that day.