Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Practical politics and by-elections
Way back in March 1977 there was a by-election in progress in Birmingham Stetchford, the (then Labour) MP Roy Jenkins having resigned his seat to go to the European Commission.
Our predecessor Liberal Party was of course hammering the Labour government in its leaflets.
A week before polling day the minority Labour government did a support deal with the Liberal Party in Parliament that started the Lib-Lab pact and restored its working majority.. .
At a by-election press conference next day the Liberal candidate was asked if he was pleased with the deal.
“I have to be pleased don’t I” was his poker-faced response.
Which comment the local press interpreted as wry humour and found refreshingly honest.
I will reserve final judgement on yesterdays extraordinary events until I see the full report. However it is not too early to start thinking about how we are going to manage some practical politics over the next five years. Such as how do we fight by-elections?
It would have been helpful if there was an interim measure on the books saying at all Parliamentary by-elections in this fixed-term period should be conducted under the Alternative Vote, In short an arrangement for this Parliament only. The next General Election to be fought on a system to be separately decided during this Parliament (that is the interim AV arrangements would NOT apply to the next General Election).
Given the electoral system status quo, by-elections are going to be a horrible mess and gifts to the opposition campaigns.
We will start to see the difficulties in the upcoming special election in Yorkshire, delayed from the General Election because the UKIP candidate died.
Our Lib Dem candidate and team there need huge national attention and support immediately, not least to formulate a credible campaigning approach in these very nearly unprecedented circumstances. ‘I have to be pleased don’t I’ would not be a good enough response now.
Our predecessor Liberal Party was of course hammering the Labour government in its leaflets.
A week before polling day the minority Labour government did a support deal with the Liberal Party in Parliament that started the Lib-Lab pact and restored its working majority.. .
At a by-election press conference next day the Liberal candidate was asked if he was pleased with the deal.
“I have to be pleased don’t I” was his poker-faced response.
Which comment the local press interpreted as wry humour and found refreshingly honest.
I will reserve final judgement on yesterdays extraordinary events until I see the full report. However it is not too early to start thinking about how we are going to manage some practical politics over the next five years. Such as how do we fight by-elections?
It would have been helpful if there was an interim measure on the books saying at all Parliamentary by-elections in this fixed-term period should be conducted under the Alternative Vote, In short an arrangement for this Parliament only. The next General Election to be fought on a system to be separately decided during this Parliament (that is the interim AV arrangements would NOT apply to the next General Election).
Given the electoral system status quo, by-elections are going to be a horrible mess and gifts to the opposition campaigns.
We will start to see the difficulties in the upcoming special election in Yorkshire, delayed from the General Election because the UKIP candidate died.
Our Lib Dem candidate and team there need huge national attention and support immediately, not least to formulate a credible campaigning approach in these very nearly unprecedented circumstances. ‘I have to be pleased don’t I’ would not be a good enough response now.
Labels: by-elections, coalitions
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Match Point and Henley?
OK so has anyone worked out when Andy Murray is due to play - I think he is on court on Thursday.
Let's hope he doesn't get involved in a desperate late evening five setter that grips the nation. Or if he does lets hope that the deep tennis enthusiasts are Tories.
Let's hope he doesn't get involved in a desperate late evening five setter that grips the nation. Or if he does lets hope that the deep tennis enthusiasts are Tories.
Labels: by-elections, Wimbledon
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You can NOT be serious (as some old-time tennis player would have said).
They're still playing today's scheduled matches. Thursday's schedule hasn't been worked out yet.
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They're still playing today's scheduled matches. Thursday's schedule hasn't been worked out yet.
# posted by 
: 8:08 pm, June 25, 2008
: 8:08 pm, June 25, 2008Monday, June 23, 2008
The glorious summer light in Henley and Thame
Coming back from the campaign centre at Thame this evening in a glorious balmy light with hot air balloons decorating the horizon. Campaigning in sunshine in these long days and light nights is super even for us moles preparing the leaflet shots.
In North-East Europe this is of course St Johns Eve and a major public holiday. In Lithuania for example there are big open air parties with bonfires and booze and traditions such as floating flowers in the streams to tell fortunes and many people don’t get to bed at all.
One tradition is that a mysterious magical fern flowers once a year at this time and young people go of into the woods in the short dusk time in search of it. You might think this is a way of referring to something else but I couldn’t possibly comment.
Anyway, no fern flowers in Henley (that I know of) and some really solid down to earth political activity rather than precarious flights. If you haven’t been and are remotely in reach why not give this campaign a try.
In North-East Europe this is of course St Johns Eve and a major public holiday. In Lithuania for example there are big open air parties with bonfires and booze and traditions such as floating flowers in the streams to tell fortunes and many people don’t get to bed at all.
One tradition is that a mysterious magical fern flowers once a year at this time and young people go of into the woods in the short dusk time in search of it. You might think this is a way of referring to something else but I couldn’t possibly comment.
Anyway, no fern flowers in Henley (that I know of) and some really solid down to earth political activity rather than precarious flights. If you haven’t been and are remotely in reach why not give this campaign a try.
Labels: by-elections, midsummer
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Haltemprice Hokey-Kokey
So its to be a by-election. Now, for an election to take place, a writ has to be moved and voted on in the Commons. This is normally moved by the chief whip of the party that held the seat. So the Tories have controll of the timetable and convention (again) says the writ is moved within three months of a vacancy occuring.
If the vote goes against moving the writ (most unconventional) then it cant be moved again for some time in this session.
Following Nick's decision to abstain the party from this contest, there is no danger (for the Tories) in a Yellow Peril army working away in the seat if the by-election is delayed. So is there any incentive for the Tories to call the poll at once? Could it be delayed say until October or even later? Hanging David Davies out to dry as punishment for his eccentricity? Could Davies be left fuming outside Parliament until after the 42-day bill comes back from the lords and the matter runs into whatever sands are awaiting? Leaving him to campaign when the Single Issue is perhaps a little cold on the ground?
Or has Davies got a deal that someone (us maybe?) moves the writ at once, or whenever he feels it is to his campaigning convenience?
Just asking....
If the vote goes against moving the writ (most unconventional) then it cant be moved again for some time in this session.
Following Nick's decision to abstain the party from this contest, there is no danger (for the Tories) in a Yellow Peril army working away in the seat if the by-election is delayed. So is there any incentive for the Tories to call the poll at once? Could it be delayed say until October or even later? Hanging David Davies out to dry as punishment for his eccentricity? Could Davies be left fuming outside Parliament until after the 42-day bill comes back from the lords and the matter runs into whatever sands are awaiting? Leaving him to campaign when the Single Issue is perhaps a little cold on the ground?
Or has Davies got a deal that someone (us maybe?) moves the writ at once, or whenever he feels it is to his campaigning convenience?
Just asking....
Labels: by-elections
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