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An interesting piece here on Steve McCabe’s view of the Crewe & Nantwich by election. He was, of course, Labour’s campaign manager who came under a lot of flack. He says “We set out to secure between 10,000-11,000 votes. Allowing for a turn out of around 35-40%, that was not unreasonable for a by-election. If there was no Liberal Democrat collapse, victory was possible, however unlikely.” Alas turnout was nearly 58% and the Lib Dems saw a partial collapse in…

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Con 47 (+2), Lab 23 (-2) LD 18 (0) Is the end now nigh for Gordon? A poll by YouGov in the Telegraph shows that Labour support is at the lowest since polling began in 1943. Brown’s personal popularity on a par with Major’s low Labour’s lowest score under Foot was only 23.5 How much worse can things get for Brown? Double Carpet

Wikipedia A guest article from Cityunslicker Even as the rumours of an imminent challenge to our glorious Prime Minister fade, there is still a good chance of an election before May 2010 – no doubt Tory central office is preparing for this and, hidden from view, may even be preparing a manifesto. The mantra ‘It’s the Economy, Stupid’ is going to hold firm for the next year or two as the UK economic situation worsens, recession or no recession. But…

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Please continue today’s discussions here. A reader asks about the Warwick Agreement…. On a related topic to this morning’s article, I’ve received an email from a PB reader: “I am interested about when the above agreement with the unions end, and when the new one starts – I believe the unions are going to give the Labour Government £8million. The question is of course, what they going to get for this money, is it money down the drain for them,…

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Please continue today’s discussions here. As HenryG suggested in an excellent post this morning – is autumn the real deadline for Gordon now? – and if it is, will matters improve sufficiently by then that he will be able to keep his job? Meanwhile, Guido is quoting a campaign source that Hillary’s speechwriters are preparing a concession speech… Guest articles welcome As I’m sure you all know, Mike is on holiday in Spain, although he should still be able to…

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What is it that repeatedly makes them choose losers? I am coming to the conclusion that there is something in the DNA of those who manage to climb the greasy poll to become MPs that makes them such terrible judges when it comes to who should lead their parties. Can anybody explain why 313 current members of the Parliamentary Labour Party should have signed Gordon’s nomination papers to give him a free run last year when there was so much…

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Is this the beginning of Gordon’s final days as PM? The Sunday Times is reporting this evening that David Miliband is preparing to throw his hat into the ring in a leadership contest to “save new Labour”, having told friends that he is prepared to stand if sufficient backbenchers turn against the PM. The article continues: “…senior Labour insiders claim that at least half the cabinet have privately concluded that Brown cannot win the next general election.. Among the ministers…

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