Saturday, January 28, 2006

A week in politics

Simon Hughes and his bedroom activities aside, politics is returning to normal for those of us who can see beyond the LibDem Leadership contest.

First David Cameron takes a poll lead according to ICM, and then YouGov show him 1% behind Labour. Either way this is pretty good news for the Tory Leader as he seems to have shifted the party out of the 29-33% box and into the 38-39% one. Ideally to have a realistic majority at the next election we need to on 42% and 10% ahead of Labour so Cameron’s going in the right direction. What is interesting about the YouGov poll is that Labour have surged at the expense of the LibDems, who are just about fighting off minor parties with 13% of the vote.

Secondly campaigning is up and going from the Dunfermline & Fife by-election in Scotland. The row about job losses spilled over into the Commons this week too. The LibDems were second to Labour in this seat, with the SNP a close third and the Tories a rather distant third. What makes it more symbolic is that LibDem wannabe Sir Ming Campbell is one parliamentary neighbour and so is Chancellor Gordon Brown. The LibDems are trying to keep their shape despite a leaked letter showing them desperate just to keep second, let along win! Needless to say I’m back Tory candidate Dr Carrie. Nice!

Thirdly Peter Mandelson had made a scathing attack on Cameron by accusing him of being a carbon copy Tony Blair. Er, does that mean that even the Prince of Darkness will come out for Dave? Well, if it’s good enough for Sir Bob Geldof!

Also Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt demands health MOTs for everyone, Ann Widdecombe rejects a slot on strictly come dancing and Britain commits more troops to Afghanistan.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

You running for conservative in norwich south next election antony?

Anonymous said...

Which Lib Dem candidate would you vote for if you were a member of the Lib Dems?

Anonymous said...

Go to Electoral Calculus and enter those figures. If a General Election were held tomorrow, the Lib Dems would be left with two MPs.

Does that qualify as a political party? Each person would have a huge policy brief, and do they whip each other? Which takes on a whole new meaning in light of recent events...

Antony said...

Yes, I'll certainly be throwing my hat in the ring for Norwich South (when it comes up) but certainly don't rule out applying for other seats in the meantime.

As for the LibDems, If I were a LibDem I'd vote for Huhne. As a Tory activist I pray they'll elect Hughes. Though I believes the easiest target for both parties would be Sir Ming!

Also Electoral Calculus puts the Tories ahead of the LibDems again in Norwich South!