If you took the value of the most expensive negative, personalised poster campaign of modern times, and added it to every pro-Tory, anti-Labour propaganda piece in a national media as biased as in any UK election I can recall, and converted the latter to ad-spend, the Tories have enjoyed superior resources to the tune of tens of millions of smackers.
It all makes a bit of a mockery of laws limiting spending on campaigns (not that Labour or the Lib Dems could raise the cash anyway) when the bulk of the papers spew out so much anti-GB bile, and Cameron mwah-mwahing, which in turn sets the tone for the broadcast media, which has had a bad campaign, despite (and because of) the TV debates, of which more another day.
It says something for GB and Labour’s resilience, and also the good sense of the British people, that Labour have stayed in the race at all, faced with such a concerted attack on one party, and such little serious scrutiny on the other.
And what that says is that the public are far less influenced by the papers than they were in the days when people were able to assume a modicum of social responsibility and desire to be accurate among the country’s journalists.
There have been some very famous election day front pages, but it is hard to see today’s collection adding to them. The funniest – though not intentionally I suspect – is The Sun’s, which tries to present David Cameron in the manner of the famous Barack Obama ‘Hope’ poster. Cameron as Obama? I know. Comical.
Lovely day here in North London. Kitchen converted to committee rooms, Fiona in charge, the kids out at polling stations or getting the vote out, turnout looking good (always is when people think it will be close) and people of all parties having a good laugh at the attempt to link a white, upper-class, right-wing, policy-light Tory with Barack Obama, whose election was one of the great moments of recent times.
One of my sons has just been told by the Tory teller that he was ‘holding his nose’ because he didn’t much like his leader and he was worried about some of the more extreme candidates who might become MPs. This is not Obama. Nor is it May 1997. (It’s TB’s birthday by the way, and George Clooney’s) Now maybe if they had done Cameron morphing into Clooney, that might have worked. It would certainly have been more convincing.
As with Cameron’s airbrushed posters, the spoofs of the DC-Obama front page are so much better.
I will repeat one more time – he went into this election with a big lead and a playing field loaded massively in his favour. And still nobody can quite work out what is happening. But one thing is certain – Barack Obama, or even a pale imitation thereof, he ain’t.
Vote Labour. I’m pretty sure Obama would.
*** Buy The Blair Years and raise cash for Labour http://www.alastaircampbell.org/bookshop.php.
Media have behaved badly in this campaign but this is just a taste of what is to come should the Tories get a majority. The BBC will be ripped apart and Murdoch given a free reign.
Just about to go and put an X next to Paul Goggins name in a safe Labour seat, hopefully it’s a big turnout; a good day for Democracy and a good day for the progressive left. And Alistair, I doubt your speculation surrounding a hypothetical Obama vote, I think he’d go Lib Dem.
Whether or not James_Macintyre is absolutely correct in his now infamous article in the New Statesman, there is a real danger that Cameron will be perceived by both Europe and U.S. as a “lightweight”.
Yes, I think Obama faced with a forced choice would vote for Gordon too.
How G.B. has survived this volume of personal attacks and such an imbalanced press is beyond me.
Anyway, I take comfort in the fact that the next term is a real “poisoned challice”. I simply don’t think Clegg or Cameron are up to the enormity of the challenge of managing the economy whilst doing everything possible to protect Britain’s public services.
Yours disillusioned from North London
Hopefully the Sun’s front page will firm up the anti-vote. The sense of outrage spread like wildfire online last night and there were parodies within minutes.
There were so many half-baked echos of the Obama campaign in the Tories’ paltry effort – the rolled up sleeves (give me a break), the sun-drenched open-air speeches, the nauseatingly endless references to energy. I just wish that Cameron had tried to draw the parallel himself. As it is, the first thought I had when I saw the Sun’s splash was the Dan Quayle comparison of himself with Kennedy, another of the most ridiculous comparisons in modern political history.
CCO must have approved the front page. The idea of them feeling that this was a fair reflection of the attributes of their leader. It should galvanise hundreds of thousands of voters to reject its sheer arrogance and draw a cross in the right square today. The audacity of nope.
I know. I saw that this morning. Absolutely hilarious. Honestly, even The Sun’S editors must have been laughing their balls off when they produced that one.
They cannot be serious in presenting David Cameron in that manner (i.e. humble man of the people from grass roots background).
It is not the first time DC has been portrayed in that way though. All those posters with DC in white shirt with sleeves rolled up are all in the same vein aren’t they. You can see how the Sun’s brains slowly churned out the multicoloured DC (Obama style) image can’t you. What an insult.
GB’s our Obama as far as I’m concerned. GB is the UK’s Real deal.
Give it a rest Alistair. If all the newspapers were coming out in favour of Labour you would not be complaining. I repeat that the most biased paper in all the campaign has been the mirror and Kevin Maguire and I buy this paper. Scaremongering tactics just make me more determined to make up my own mind. The race is over. The people will speak and we all must learn to accept this and live with the outcome no matter what our politics. Whichever party/parties are in charge we are in for some tough times as our economy is in a worse state than Greece and look what is happening there. What is needed now is for people to act responsibly for the good of the country and people (including the unions) to accept we are in for tough times. Well done to all the hard working people who have been canvassing votes no matter for which party. Let’s all agree to disagree with no nastiness, no smearing and I wish everyone who has written on this blog the best for the future. Labour are not fighting for their lives, Soldiers in Afghanistan are fighting for their lives. people with cancer are fighting for their lives. Let’s get it all into prospective and appreciate our good fortune to live in a country where we have a voice. Good Luck to you all.
“Vote Labour, I’m pretty sure Obama would”. Reasons to vote Labour must be as elusive as Iraqi WMDs if you are down to this on election day. Actually the US president almost certainly regards all three major UK parties as a bunch of un-American socialists.
Even today’s (now Lib Dem) Guardian has virtually proclaimed the Tories winners. “Cameron eyes the prize …Tories on course to regain power …”
Don’t know if its intention was to urge the anti-Tory vote or show off its poll, but the net impact is once again to show the Tories as winners and Labour as losers, which can only help Cameron. Surprised at The Guardian.
The most revolting of today’s front pages must belong to the Daily Mail, with its scene of flames and talk of anarchy and murder in the streets of Athens. This could happen here, is the implication, unless we vote Conservative. Makes ya wanna throw a molotov cocktail at a certain newspaper office!
Interesting to see that even with the party on the brink of defeat AC still stands firm as a party man. Calling for the tactical vote never was going to be an option for you was it?
At least we can sleep safe at night knowing that true modernisers like Edd Balls and Peter Hain can look beyond the party and see the bigger picture.
As for the Obama vote I’d say he’d probably vote Lib Dem, unless that is he’d completely forgotten this government’s record on civil liberties. Or perhaps I’m wrong are we still 45 minutes from annihilation…?
That Sun front page is really funny and I think a huge turn-off for very many people.
My polling station was very busy indeed when I went, in fact there was a small queue.
I haven’t seen it like that before. The actual polling station is in a very Conservative part of Hove but I spent some time talking with the Labour person outside the station and we had a bit of a laugh.
If the Conservatives win by a small majority then it will represent an absolutely disaster for them.
How could they have gone from being in the lead by 20 points to this?
The Conservatives have had vast amounts of money and press support.
There has been the expenses scandal, global financial collapse, a war in Afghanistan misunderstood by the public…
and yet the Conservatives are likely to have only a tiny majority or maybe will be in a hung parliament.
If the Conservatives do win by even a small majority we will see payback time commence. Rupert Murdoch will be paid back by the disempowering Ofcom leading the way to a Murdoch broadcast media empire being established in the UK.
There will be payback to the very wealthy people that have financed the Conservative party. The Conservative party will turn the state to their requirements.
There will be payback to religious organisations who have supported the Conservatives. They will be able to set up their own schools now being paid for by the tax payer.
And the list of people the Conservatives need to payback goes on and on.
It is the Mirror Bullingdon front page that is the classic of this election 2010
Hilarious cover of The Sun. He looks like that shape-shifter character in Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Quite apt really.
Right, time to don my red-suede shoes and go out for some last minute knocking.
Adios!
on the bbc…who cares!
why are we the only country in the world to have to pay a tax to watch tv?
and for what…news 24? (available overseas for free)
over the rainbow?
just watched an episode of yes minister..now that i would pay for!
as for cameron..remember alistair you must respect the will of the people that is what democracy is about.
lets hope if you are a democratic chap that you will be the first to accept the will of the people and get behind the new goverment (if it is a conservative one) and help them to get out of the mess we are currently in.
and i am sure from your own previous personal problems (been there too with the bottle) you will be the first to appreciate the assistance of friends…or foes!
Have just got back from the polling station after voting for Labour candidates in both the parliamentary and Lewisham borough elections.Why?
1.Labour have put more cash into health and educaton and both have significantly improved over the last 13 years.
2. The Tories will stuff the BBC and loosen the reins on Murdoch- not good for the media in the UK.
3. I had savings accounts with Icesave. The Labour Government compensated myself and others when the Icelandic banks went belly up. I suspect that the Tories wouldn’t.
4.I suspect that the Tories will relish making public sector cuts, Labour will at least try to protect the vulnerable.
5.Public transport better and safer than it used to be.
I was tempted to vote for Lib Dems but am happy that my votes have gone to the right place.
Tom Wiley wrote:as for cameron..remember alistair you must respect the will of the people that is what democracy is about.
————
Don’t make me laugh!!. 35% would give Cameron a democratic mandate. I don’t think so. Labour and Lib Dems will form a coalition hopefully. That will be more democratic.
“It says something for GB and Labour’s resilience, and also the good sense of the British people, that Labour have stayed in the race at all, faced with such a concerted attack on one party, and such little serious scrutiny on the other”.
I couldn’t agree more with these sentiments. The BBC have been appalling. In some respects they’ve been even more biased than the coverage on Sky. Peter Mandelson got a grilling on the Today programme last Friday, after Hague got away with murder (and nothing whatsoever to say). Nick Robinson for the last two weeks has said nothing but “when you’re in power blah blah…when you’re in power…” Well it certainly isn’t a foregone conclusion – not by any means. I’m not up in the big smoke with all you movers-and-shakers, I’m in South Dorset where Labour in literal terms (respect to Kathy) is fighting for its life: the last Labour seat in Dorset – the rest is blue. Its going to be very tight and although I hear the rhetoric about “true politics” and “voting with your heart” – Labour’s in the blood – but when you’re in a marginal as close as this you need all the help you can get. Nevertheless, the seat can still be won – there’s been some good results in the local elections despite the negativity so it could be third time lucky…I commute to Bath where the Lib Dems will push the Tory close but there’s no cross-party consensus. It’ll be a wrench and a half if the central funding stops in this constituency for Jim Knight – its Labour’s last stand here. Thank you Alistair C for your inspiration. Good luck everyone x
As a British national living in France, I would love to exercise my democratic right and vote Labour. We registered and asked for postal votes well in advance of the deadline, but the postal voting forms have not arrived. We rang Barnet, they said we were registered, and that they posted off all postal votes on the day instructed by the Electoral Commission. Not good enough – how many others living abroad (of whatever hue) were not able to cast their vote?
Dear voters here is my personal thought on today’s UK General Election
When considering the outcome of a ‘COLOURLITION’ Parliament
Blue is Conservative
Red is Labour
Yellow is Liberal Democrats
Red and blue makes PURPLE; A regal colour devoted to the royals but an unlikely outcome of the election.
Blue and yellow makes GREEN; Will this really be a sustainable party?
Red and yellow makes ORANGE; The futures bright the futures !…….hmmm will this be the preferred alliance.
Red, blue and a little yellow makes BROWN ;Could this really be the only chance for Gordon to regain power….a very long shot.
Happy voting
Your wing of New Labour cannot seriously complain about the Con party getting suport of the press etc. You spent most of your time licking round the pressa and celebs etc to get publisc support. QV GB and the SUBO nonsense.
You like it one way but do not like it up you! New Labour: pedigree: born by greed out of envy.
Stand by for many Twigg moments tonight Al, get the Kleenex out and if you post the full list of pre-written excuses, eg the press, BBC bias etc, we can apply them ourselves.
The home flipping, tax dodging,(ex) front benchers will be able to spend more time with their sisters, porn movies, tax-advisers, families and spinners than ever before.
One big task awaits you: spin war-monger TB round the Middle East as a caring peace-maker. That will keep you occupied and out of the way until the next millenium.
Peter Greenhill2010-05-06 20:17:13 Tom Wiley wrote:as for cameron..remember alistair you must respect the will of the people that is what democracy is about.
————
Don’t make me laugh!!. 35% would give Cameron a democratic mandate. I don’t think so. Labour and Lib Dems will form a coalition hopefully. That will be more democratic.
———————————————————-
Mr. Greenhill
no it wont be…if the conservatives have more seats that than it the will of the people…its called democracy….
your theory may be more democratic but that is your will not the peoples….
suggest you get your head down, its gonna be a long night and you already sound like your getting tired!
Interesting comments by Alan Johnson on BBC 1. First time I’ve seen a Labour politician be so frank about being willing to co-operate with the Liberal Democrats.
Again it’s being underplayed how all the seat projections are based on a uniform national swing. In practice it won’t work like that because the Lib Dem support is evenly spread whereas Conservative and Labour support is more concentrated.
ALASTAIR:
IF THERE IS ANY SHOW OF SUPPORT NEEDED FRO GB OUTSIDE DOWNING STREET OR ANYWHERE IN LONDON TODAY PLEASE PASS MY NUMBER ON TO ANYBODY. IT IS 07805 891 328.
ME AND MY HOUSEMATES WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP THE CAUSE EVEN IF IT IS JUST TO SHOW A FEW MORE BODIES IN A CROWD OF PEOPLE.
THANKS FRO ALL YOUR WORK.
Cam says Labour lost mandate to govern – shame he never won a mandate to govern
YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON!
Your boy done good. The emperor’s new clothes fit him perfectly.
More seats! More votes! Spin it, spin it for all you are worth.
Political reform has been the consistent mantra of the New Labour movement since inception. We know that, and if you had had a working majority over the last 13 years you wouls have arranged it.
YOU WON! YOU WON! YOU WON!
Your boy done good. The emperor’s new clothes fit him perfectly.
More seats! More votes! Spin it, spin it for all you are worth.
Political reform has been the consistent mantra of the New Labour movement since inception. We know that, and if you had had a working majority over the last 13 years you wouls have arranged it.
I watched the almost entire BBC´s election night coverage on BBC World and also saw Andrew Neil´s interview with AC. Lord Mandelson said that public won the election. But with sovereign debt crisis in Europe, a strong and stable government is needed.
In theory a coalition of the Conservatives and Lib Dems or even perhaps a minority Conservative government with the Lib Dem backing would be the best choice. But with their differences on cuts, PR and Europe this will not probably happen in practice – even in the national interest.
As Roy Hattersley said ideas are more important than numbers. So that´s for the unholy alliance.
David Cameron must be disappointed about not winning a majority. Nick Clegg must be disappointed about not winning 100 seats. Gordon Brown must be relieved that after the horsetrading between the other two parties he almost surely will be able to try to form a coalition.
Labour and the Lib Dems can agree on PR, the economy, fixed-term Parliament and the House of Lords reform. But smaller parties could cause problems with their demands for money. And as far as I understand, SNP will not be taking part in any coalition but will be voting on issue-by-issue basis.
In spite all of this, a progressive majority government must be Gordon Brown´s goal. It appears to be the only solution.
David Cameron, “our only hope”, managed to lose a poll lead of 28 points and failed to win a majority despite all the money and media backing in a recession. He would not make a competent PM.
But now a question arises whether a faster action on the economy is needed?
Ps. Thanks Nicky! I am glad to hear that someone is reading my humble musings. Finland is a great place to observe the world as our own events do not blur vision.
great blog, well informed and great points made. Cameron as Obama one of the most disturbing but funny things i have ever seen
There are a number – a very large number – of unsung heroines and heroes in Edgbaston this morning.
Gisela came through because she had the people of Edgbaston on her side. She was fighting Lord Ashcroft’s millions. She had ONLY people with shoe leather, with telephone skills, with nimble computer skills and utter determination not to see the seat bought by untaxed overseas money.
All of Gisela Stuart’s campaign team – the hundreds of them – shared a very heavy load.
And they won for Labour and for ALL of the residents of Edgbaston.
Gisela – Your constituency activists love you. Your constituents love OR respect you. Mostly they do both.
And the electors of Edgbaston are the winners for that.
AC – I am proud to have voted labour all my life – all of my life chances I owe to Labour. Labour can be proud of the last 13 years.
Despite everything, they have managed to come out of the election in good shape, many big hitters remain, they’ve produced a hung parliament and they are set to gain council seats.
I hate saying this, but it is time to accept defeat with good grace and dignity. It is time for Gordon to resign as Primeminister and leader of the party. He can be proud of all his achievements and I thank him and the labour party from the bottom of my heart.
But, its time to let go for the good of the party – and to allow those left behind to rebuild – its time to fight back, and who knows we could be back in power within 18 months.
When do you accept that GB and his party are both morally and physically bankrupt. No other government has squandered so much. Even your cleaver spin cannot hid this fact. GB cannot hold on and beleive he has the answer to fix the country. you have bought votes for the last 13 years but we are paying the price for the sweetners you have been offer to us and we are now paying for them The fact is that two million more people want to see the back of the Labour party.when do you take the hint. GB holds on with his nails scratcing down the brickwork as he his pulled off. Pack you baqgs, follow Tony on his mission to bring peace to the Middle East Ha Ha , You never know you might find those weapons of mass destruction!)
Very dignified Gordon this afternoon and AC excellent on BBC on what the results actually mean as opposed to what the spinners of the torys would like us to believe. Whilst I’m sorry that good Labour people are disappointed the pleasure and reassurance generated by the torys not winning is great
If we are now talking about political legitimacy how can it be right for a conservative minority to resist the wishes of the electorate for a progressive majority?
I have spoke to several people today who don’t usually bother to vote, but for fear of a Conservative government, they made the effort. This is for fear of losing their jobs, interest rates rocketing and the risk of losing their homes, cuts in education for their children…get the picture? The scary thing is that over half a million of the popular vote was for the BNP.
Let’s hope that whatever happens over the next few days is for the good of the country, and not just cheap deals done by a party desperate to gain control after 13 years.
I am so proud of the Labour party, for the fight they put up last night. It may not be an outright victory, but it was a victory we achieved for the British people. If Cameron had waltzed into Downing Street, we would be staring at an apocalypse. Thanks to the Labour party, the country has a choice.
If Nick Clegg is big enough to realise that his vote went up, because people voted Lib-Dem to keep Cameron out, then he will pick up the phone and speak to GB tonight. Those people voted for progressive values, not a party who would sell out those values for a morsel of power. Labour and Lib-dems in a room would produce a meeting of minds, able to govern for people who share the same beliefs. It is the only viable option, if we are to have a stable government.
Somebody in his party must tell Nick Clegg, that to jump into bed with Cameron, will lead to the end of his political career. Murdoch will destroy him and his party. They will be portrayed as a minority in government, who seek to undermine at every turn.
And what of his MP’s? Are we seriously supposed to believe, that they are happy to share centre-stage, with the likes of Chris Grayling and Phillipa Stroud. If Liberal Democrat MP’s do not send out a clear message to their leader, that a deal with Cameron will see them walk, they will have sold out. How can they be taken seriously, if they exchange their values for so cheaply?
If they are brave enough, they will go to Clegg and tell him to speak to Brown. Gordon Brown has shown incredible dignity,these past 24 hours. He did not stay indoors, he faced up to the challenges of the situation. He has been magnanimous in dealing with the constitutional quandry we are now in. He has been generous to Clegg and Cameron, when we know that Cameron and Clegg would not have done likewise.
We need a government that the reflects the will of the British people, and the values they hold; not a protest vote on expenses and economic turbulance. Mr Cameron was rejected by the British people last night, because they do not share his values. Their are only two parties who represent those values, and the quicker the British media face up to that reality, the better for all of us.
Gordon Brown is perfectly entitled to have a crack at forming the next government. Under the rules of the game as they stand, he hasn’t yet lost.
It’s like a team that has got through to the Championship play-off final. They may have finished a few points behind their opponents in the domestic season, but it’s now about who has the skill to secure that final victory. Those were the rules, as agreed at the outset. Everyone knew them in advance, so it’s no good the Tory press bleating about it now.
I hate to see Labour lose but I am fine with the outcome. Give the hapless Tories 2 years to screw it up with the Lib Dems – my guess is that another election will occur and they will both be kicked out. The gloss on the Tories will soon disappear and the mean-spirited and bigoted reality will emerge. Cameron is almost using the George Bush mantle of “Compassionate Conservatism” which was used to great effect in 2000. By 2008, he was despised and would have lost if the Democrats had put in a better leader in 2004. To that point, we will need a new leader – Ed Milliband, your time has come.
Whatever happens, I hope the party stands united: GB sounds more like a Prime Minister today than he has ever done – he’s in another league as far as I’m concerned. I think his hand has been strengthened.
It’s not just wishful thinking, but there is more to celebrate today with a good strong turnout, and GB is still in Downing Street. There have been blows but I hope the Party reshapes, renegotiates and stands by those voters, Party workers and volunteers who have emphatically endorsed GB. It’s no time for a wobble and why should there be? What defeat, exactly? He has every right to negotiate – without being blackmailed to stand down.
The media bias in this campaign was worse than it has ever been; Ashcroft’s millions; a not so smooth election campaign; yet despite all, the Tories have failed to secure a majority. GB should stand firm and remain as leader – and form a Government! I hope it happens.
All the best to everyone and thank you for shining your light.
13 years of opposition, the worst global recession in 60 years, a campaign bankrolled by the billions of Ashcroft, an unpopular incumbent PM and the media all onside AND the Tories still can’t win. They are truly hopeless, certainly not the answer to our “problems”. Lib/Lab coalition in to sort out the voting system with a new ballot in 12 months please.
Cracking performance today – well done
Alastair,
It’s over Alastair. Go quietly, go now.
But before you do, know this: your claim that ‘winning 3 consecutive elections means Labour has a great deal to be proud of’ is, as you must surely know deep down, bitterly insulting to the British people.
The illusion of Labour’s ‘economic management’ has been revealed. Debt, debt, debt… The Party has crippled a generation.
The Labour record is bad beyond words. You should be ashamed to be associated with such incompetence.
To be fair you were on the BBC rather a lot. And you have had your share of dodgy millionaires prepared to give cash for questions. If only the buffoon had left ‘that woman’ alone we might have been looking at quite a different result today.
How can the queen play any part in this constitutional conundrum, when phone-calls from the palace have helped Cameron to get a leg-up before? He is related to royalty, so it could be seen as nepotism to do so. It is time we had a parliament that had no formal connection to the Royal family.
The day after the election, and the media are still attempting to twist the story of this election. There is no desire to have a Tory government. If there had been, they would have returned a majority.
The party should be following your lead, and talking up the real picture. When the country was confronted with home-grown fascism, it was the Labour party that had the stomach to fight them, kicking them out of politics. When democracy was under threat from a Murdoch whitewash, it was the Labour party that had the guts to stand up to them. But most of all, when fat-boy Boulton tried to re-write the story last night, it was Alistair Campbell who landed the knockout punch on him. Pure TV Gold.
Oh come on you people on here. Be honest, if the positions were reversed, you would all be screaming for Cameron to resign. No, the Tories did not receive an outright mandate from the people but Labour most certainly did not. You behave as if no-one but Labour have the right to govern.Talk of Gordon being dignified and statesmanlike are a joke. He is a pathetic figure who will do anything to cling to power.You are slagging off Cameron for trying to make deals when Gordon and Peter are offering anything on a plate just to cling on. Get a grip all of you it is not the end of the world. The country is in a mess, it would be nice if Labour were the ones to clear it us as they caused it, but accept what ever happens. The country needs a strong government and that is certainly not the one led by Gordon whois deeply unpopular in the country and would jump in to bed with anyone and offer any concessions. Cheer up and put up with it and give whoever joins forces the chance to have a go. Tough times ahead even if Labour cling on so it is time to put Country before Party.
While it is sad that the Labour vision looks like it will becoming to an end, there is still hope. Despite Ashcroft’s millions and the backing of nearly all of the UK’s media, the Tories still couldn’t win a majority. If it happens, a minority Tory government will make people realise what they really stand for. Whatever happens, people are interested in politics again, which can only be a good thing. I became a member of the Labour Party today, because I believe in supporting the common people of Britain, not just the rich elite.
To paraphrase -in style -G Bush -all Labour has to do is to offer a referendum on P.R (in 2 stages) within 3 months -even as a Private members bill -and it’s OVER!
Great day for the forces of common sense. Wow.. didn’t The Guardian get it royally wrong.
We know what to expect from the Murdochgraphs.
Will the last person to read The Guardian please replace it with a lightbulb.
Why is nobody focusing on underlying message from local council election results are good news for Labour and bad for Cons and Libs
Clegg of Lib Dems having the 3rd most share of the votes gave a check to Cameron of Con and it was almost a checkmate. Give the British electorate PR by forming Lab-Lib government and keep the Tories off the political map for 500 years.
Hi,
Help! I am trying desperately to raise the issue of Voting rights for all Brits abroad, in particular those living in the EU. Surely GB must realize that those 1 million emigrants to the EU he talked about in the debates should be entitled to vote in National Elections.
At present the situation is that
1. We can vote by proxy ie getting someone in the UK to actually go to my polling station and physically put the cross on my paper.I ask isn’t the vote supposed to be secret and who can guarantee one’s wishes are respected?
2. Postal vote
I tried the postal vote method but it didn’t arrive until Thursday ie VOTING DAY.
WHY CAN’T WE VOTE IN THE BRITISH CONSULATES? IF even the Italians can manage this as can Americans why can’t we ?
Does anyone care that we have a situation where Brits are contributing huge amounts of taxation to European coffers and have NO VOTING rights either in the country of origin IE UK a or where they live ie Germany (my case) because of not having their citizenships.
Most Brits abroad are highly educated individuals who have been totally disenfranchised . Can’t the Labour Party get us our rightful vote???
Come on Alastair, get out of bed and tell us what you think. Missed your musings yesterday.
Julie
Speechless, Al?
In the bunker, dodging mobile phones and staplers?
Mandy blaming you spinners for the result? “The Conservatives do not have a mandate,” he said on BBC. Then GB came out of the bunker to explain that he still did, perhaps.
“Son of the manse”, “moral compass”…………”Global recession”, “that woman was a bigot”, “misunderstood”.
“We have stopped forever the cycle of boom and bust”, modestly repeated by TB and GB 100 times. Not “……, unless there is a global recession.” “WE saved the world”.
You should dive into the dictionary for a new set of meaningless phrases: he needs them.
EG : “Sorry”, “Wrong”, “Lies”, “Misled”, “Bullied”……oh yes and “Sincerity.”
Finally, Al, there is good news. The white tie and tails can go back, the smile can be surgically removed and he can get back to GMTV with Sarah to become an agony aunt. Everyone has a talent.