Wandsworth was always going to be in the spotlight but let's not forget that Labour already have the local MP's (I believe Putney was Labour's only single gain in the 2019 GE) and the area voted something like 70% Remain. It makes for good headlines (and understandably so) but in terms of the wider, GE related picture, then froth.

The bigger issue for Labour is up in the North. And the picture from there is less than encouraging.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Just seen the results for Sutton. Lib-Dem hold but Labour gain 3 and the Tories gain 2.

Not really sure what can be taken, on a national level, by that.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Well quite. It's reasonably interesting to see how Labour are taking seats off the Libs in some urban areas but up in Hull, the LD's have beaten Labour. Like they are cancelling each other out.

Lets be honest here, this is not a good night for the Tories but in terms of actual political combat, all flesh wounds. Losing Wandsworth will hurt, as will Barnett (and it will be interesting to see how the Jewish vote there went) but given Party-gate and everything else at the moment, then I suspect Labour will be concerned that in terms of where it matters with regards to the next GE, they are not making progress.

And Johnson will survive. Might be some grumbling but I would be very surprised if there is any serious move against him now.

Labour win the round on points but have not inflicted as much damage as they might have been expected to. Johnson pretty much has a clear run now for the rest of the year.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

My understanding is that that since Starmer took over, they have actually cut back on their community engagement policy. The one thing that could never be taken away from Corbyn during his tenure was that he managed to motivate a lot of people/t***s (and in the main, they are) to go out and campaign. Labours ground game in 2017 for example was incredible. 2019 was a little different but with the Brexit issue as the primary driver behind how people voted, the split in Labour between the pro-remain activist class and the Leavers they needed to somehow persuade was never going to happen.

Right, going out on a limb here. And this might not happen so feel free to rub my nose in it in a few months time but my spider senses are tingling here. I am wondering if we are going to see a major Starmer announcement in the next few months. Something along the lines that the country is now unfairly structed meaning Labour can never achieve a majority on their own and they need to reach out into a 'Progressive' Alliance, in which they will support the introduction of PR along with some kind of EU proposal. Not actual rejoining but perhaps suggesting a new deal, along the lines of which Norway have and so on.

Lib-Dems, Greens and Labour with perhaps support from the sidelines from the SNP?

With this LE as the proof in the pudding?

Now I think Starmer deliberately orchestrated Labours switch to a second referendum policy by way of scuppering Corbyns leadership so have zero problem in believing the man capable of not pushing for Labour to win in its northern heart-lands again, banking on this 'Progressive Alliance' perhaps handing him the keys to number 10 anyway.

However, this is me just thinking out aloud and based on already drink to much coffee so feel free to scoff.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Clearly, national voting will be increasingly determined by demographics.

You don't really have to be Nostradamus to predict that.

Unsurprisingly, Labour did a bit better in London and very poorly for a mid term in the rest of England.

London is now another planet.

People are now getting energy bill increases, a friend of mine has gone from 166 to 306 a month.

The energy companies should be forced to not increase standing charges.

IMHO there has to be a hold on the " green tax " element for at least a year, current global events make this punitive, not that I think it is fair in the first place.

There also has to be something done for small business users as that directly impacts inflation.

These are extraordinary times and require extraordinary measures.

Doesn't matter how much Labour shout about forcing a u turn that will all be forgotten by the time of the next general election

London has been consistently becoming a Labour city for years, the Labour performance outside London is what needs to be the yardstick

Lib Dems are an irrelevance as are the Greens in a national context

Edited by HKOwen (06 May 2022 11.38am)

Edited by HKOwen (06 May 2022 11.39am)

Edited by HKOwen (06 May 2022 11.40am)

Responsibility Deficit Disorder is a medical condition. Symptoms include inability to be corrected when wrong, false sense of superiority, desire to share personal info no else cares about, general hubris. It's a medical issue rather than pure arrogance.