The Grand National isn’t my favourite race but like the Boat Race and FA Cup Final, it is one of those televised events that takes a sport way beyond its usual public, so I somehow feel obliged to convey my thoughts on the contest to my adoring PB public and help those who would punt to do so with a little more chance of success, and those who would not with at least a little more understanding and enjoyment. Since…
Henry G Manson disputes Blair’s assertion that he’d have done better than Brown @ GE2010.bit.ly/16Boguz twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/st… — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) April 5, 2013 Henry G Manson with a “What if” scenario Tony Blair’s remarks that “he could have given Cameron a run for his money†have raised a few eyebrows this morning. It’s opened up an intriguing “what if†scenario. It’s easy to look back in rose-tinted spectacles, and a number of commentators such as John Rentoul have an interest…
Humberston and New Waltham on North East Lincolnshire (Con Defence) Last Local Election (2012): Lab 25, Con 12, Lib Dem 4, UKIP 1 (Labour majority of eight) Results of last electoral cycle in ward (2010 – 2012) Party 2010 Votes 2010 Share 2011 Votes 2011 Share 2012 Votes 2012 Share Con 2,317 39% 1,327 38% 1,231 44% Lab 1,138 19% 756 22% 596 21% Lib Dem 1,852 31% 136 4%   Ind 183 3% 616 18%   UKIP…
What Ukip need in the coming by-election – the #SouthShields equivalent of Diane James – who came second @ Eastleigh. twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/st… — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) April 2, 2013 A key factor, which can be decisive, in by-elections is the party’s choice of candidates. Looking back to Easleigh only a few weeks ago there can be little doubt that Diane James played a huge part in Ukip’s second place. She was plausible, authentic and engaging – qualities which made it…
Paul Goodman & Mike Smithson slug it out on Twitter The @paulgoodmanch call for the Tories to end coalition in Sept 2014. goo.gl/1X8bz twitter.com/MSmithsonPB/st… — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) April 3, 2013 @msmithsonpb Suppose neither of us will be around to see the play in 2053 – about the shambles of the Coalition’s last 6 months… — Paul Goodman (@PaulGoodmanCH) April 3, 2013 @msmithsonpb In both party’s interests to end Coalition before April 2015 – and not in Miliband’s to accept…
Labour 24,035 votes (40%) winning 18 seats (+2) Conservatives 13,277 votes (22%) winning 6 seats (-7) Liberal Democrats 8,068 votes (13%) winning 8 seats (+4) Ukip 5,668 votes (9%) winning 2 seats (+2) Indies 4,030 votes (7%) winning 3 seats (+1) SNP 1,997 votes (3%) winning 0 seats (-2) Green 1,781 votes (3%) winning 0 seats (unchanged) BNP 451 votes (1%) winning 0 seats (unchanged) Plaid Cymru 54 votes (0%) winning 0 seats (unchanged) Other Parties 1,299 votes (2%) winning…
It might be about 1974-79 but the lessons are contemporary A couple of weeks ago I went to see what for me was best play about politics in years – James Graham’s “This House” chronicling the period 1974 until Mrs. Thatcher’s victory in 1979. It is enjoying a second sell-out run at the Olivier at the National Theatre. It is set in the whips offices of both Labour and Tories from the February 1974 election being called through to 1979….
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