The Conservative party then and now – the need to connect with a wider public

The Conservative party then and now – the need to connect with a wider public

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@IsabelHardman @MSmithsonPB This remains the most effective Tory poster in recent years. pic.twitter.com/w5PbBHgRDA — RupertLescott (@RupertLescott) February 14, 2014 Why Dave’s successor is not going to be another old-Etonian Last night there was an interesting post-Wythenshawe discussion kicked off by the Tweet at the top by the Spectator’s Isabel Hardman. Over the past half century just three Tory leaders have led their party to victory with overall majorities at general elections. They were Heath in 1970, Thatcher in 1979, 1983…

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By-Election Results : February 13th 2014

By-Election Results : February 13th 2014

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Kingstanding on Birmingham (Lab Defence) Result: Conservative 1,571 (47% +7% on 2012), Labour 1,433 (43% +3% on 2012), United Kingdom Independence Party 266 (8%, no candidate in 2012), Liberal Democrats 43 (1% -1% on 2012), National Front 33 (1% unchanged on 2012) Conservative GAIN from Labour with a majority of 138 (4%) on a swing of 2% from Labour to Conservative Reeth and Arkengarthdale on Richmondshire (Ind Defence) Result: Non Party Independent 273 (77%), Conservative 83 (23% +11% on 2011)…

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The real challenge for UKIP now is getting their insurgency on track again

The real challenge for UKIP now is getting their insurgency on track again

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It’s tougher because LAB, at least, has worked out how to fight them We’ve heard a lot from Nigel Farage and others Kippers in the past day or so about the difficulty of fighting what they describe as the “ruthless” Labour machine. The very high proportion of votes cast that were done by post is one of the things that they’ve highlighted as though it was somehow unfair. It may or may not be but that is the current electoral…

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LAB easily holds Wythenshawe. UKIP beat Tories to second place on a share of 17.8pc

LAB easily holds Wythenshawe. UKIP beat Tories to second place on a share of 17.8pc

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LAB vote in #Wythenshawe 55% – up from the 44% of GE2010 UKIP 17.8% up from 3% at GE2010 — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) February 14, 2014 #Wythenshawe is UKIP's poorest by-election result since Croydon North in November 2012 — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) February 14, 2014 In terms of % vote loss #Wythenshawe is the Lib Dems worst by-election result since 1945 — Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) February 14, 2014 The harsh lesson for UKIP in #Wythenshawe is that under first past the…

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By-Election Preview : February 13th 2014

By-Election Preview : February 13th 2014

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Kingstanding on Birmingham (Lab Defence) Result of last election to council (2012): Labour 77, Conservative 28, Liberal Democrats 15 (Labour overall majority of 34) Result of ward in last electoral cycle (2010 – 2012) 2010: Lab 3,372, Con 2,792, BNP 891, Lib Dem 866, National Front 160, Green 103 2011: Lab 2,210, Con 2,035, BNP 344, Lib Dem 128, Green 121 2012: Lab 2,014, Con 1,609, BNP 213, Green 106, Lib Dem 80, National Front 34 Candidates duly nominated: Graham…

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The Westminster – Edinburgh confrontation over the currency might be just what the YES campaign wants

The Westminster – Edinburgh confrontation over the currency might be just what the YES campaign wants

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Those who say that an independent Scotland will share the £ need to know: that is not going to happen #indyref — George Osborne (@George_Osborne) February 13, 2014 Sturgeon accuses Osborne of "campaign rhetoric" – http://t.co/tLPi7yYnNs – but also reiterates SNP's "not pay debt" threat #indyref — AndrewSparrow (@AndrewSparrow) February 13, 2014 The more London appears uunreasonable the more it could be strengthening the case for independence

Wythenshawe: To maintain momentum today UKIP needs a good second place with a vote share well above 20 percent

Wythenshawe: To maintain momentum today UKIP needs a good second place with a vote share well above 20 percent

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SportingIndex http://t.co/XReNcJQk6i open Wythenshawe spread betting market pic.twitter.com/bdfy19szyw — PolPics (@PolPics) February 11, 2014 Being beaten by the Tories would be a severe blow Unlike Labour, RESPECT and the Lib Dems Nigel Farage’s UKIP has not won a Westminster by-election during this parliament. It has been regularly, as the chart shows, getting second places and in three of the last five by-elections it has chalked up vote shares of more than 20%. But getting that elusive seat at Westminster is proving…

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