Lambeth local elections 2010 thread

[Tricky Skills]

Larkhill ward
Oliver Bond
Adam Buik
Stanley Parker

Welcome (but actually, it's Larkhall ward...)

 

[Gramsci]

Make no mistake: the ultra, ultrua NUuuuuu Labour are now in of the Labour cabinet

It is a political party with ideas, but has zero connection or ideals associated with what many people consider to be the heart and soul of the Labour party.

How is it when the leader of the Council knocks on someones door its answered by one of Lambeths tastier constituents?

Or was that bit set up. She looks wholesome enough to be in the Labour party.

One of my ward Cllrs is in background.

 

[Gramsci]

Having canvassed the Clapham Park estate over the years, sadly there are a significant minority of electors there who would probably respond positively to this if it had been for real:

Thankfully only Guardian readers got to see it!

"Sadly" whats the problem. If only if it had been for real.

I was watching Newsnight last night where they gave half an hour over to the Labour Party national manifesto. It was so boring. When Miliband came on to be interviewed i switched off after a few minutes.

Biggest crash since the 30s, war in Afghanistan, Climate Change and the Labour party policies are about "micromanagement". What Mandelson called "Blair plus"

 

[Oswaldtwistle]

I For what its worth I think what I said on the other thread a year or so ago still remains - Labour will retain control and may even gain the odd seat with the Lib Dems squeezed because of increased popularity of the Conservatives.

Are the Conservatives popular in Lambeth They are certainly starting from a low base in most wards. The exception being Clapham Town, which presumably is gentrified in parts?

EDIT: and Clapham Common...

 

[Gramsci]

Make no mistake: the ultra, ultrua NUuuuuu Labour are now in of the Labour cabinet

It is a political party with ideas, but has zero connection or ideals associated with what many people consider to be the heart and soul of the Labour party.

Your correct again. People assume they have no ideas. They do but they are kind of progressive with a twist of neoliberalism thrown. Unless you read Prospect mag etc you wouldnt know about them.

Someone told me that Lambeth Labour is broadly split between those who support Compass and those who support Prospect magazine.

Blond ( leading Red Tory) was on Newsnight last night. He correctly pointed out there was little referance to civil society but more of an emphasis on State intervention in the Labour manifesto. Seemed to be right. So looks like "Mutualism" proposed by some New Labour people hasnt made it into the election campaign in a big way.I thought it would by what Tessa Jowell and Guardian piece on Lambeth as "John Lewis" Council said.

 

[Gramsci]

Are the Conservatives popular in Lambeth They are certainly starting from a low base in most wards. The exception being Clapham Town, which presumably is gentrified in parts?

The older Tory Cllrs I have dealt with have impressed me. They are often good
Cllrs who stick up for local residents.

 

[Tricky Skills]

So looks like "Mutualism" proposed by some New Labour people hasnt made it into the election campaign in a big way.I thought it would by what Tessa Jowell and Guardian piece on Lambeth as "John Lewis" Council said.

The Nu Labour John Lewis model is nothing but an election gimmick. Mr Blond has admitted as much.

 

[Jean-Luc]

In theory the list of all the candidates standing has been published here but the file seems to be damaged.

Managed to open this file now and see that Labour, Lib-Dems, the Tories and the Greens are contesting all 21 wards (63 seats). I imagine the Greens are doing this to increase their overall vote and so credibility, but it could be counter-productive in terms of seats won since when they put up only one candidate that candidate could pick up votes from people using their other votes for other candidates. With 3 candidates these votes from other party voters are likely to be dispersed among the three. Still, I suppose they know what they're doing.

Eight wards have other candidates. Six from the Socialist Party (GB) (two wards), 6 from the English Democrats (3 wards) and 1 each from UKIP, the Christian Peoples Alliance and an indeperndent. I think I've counted correctly

 

[charcol]

Managed to open this file now and see that Labour, Lib-Dems, the Tories and the Greens are contesting all 21 wards (63 seats). I imagine the Greens are doing this to increase their overall vote and so credibility, but it could be counter-productive in terms of seats won since when they put up only one candidate that candidate could pick up votes from people using their other votes for other candidates. With 3 candidates these votes from other party voters are likely to be dispersed among the three. Still, I suppose they know what they're doing.

Conversely, where the Greens have only put up one or two candidates in the past a voter will still have one or two votes to cast. Assuming that most Green supporters are likely to back Labour in wards where there aren't 'Others' on the ballot paper it should actually help them by suppressing the Labour vote. Especially in an election year when more people are considering 'Others' more seriously than before. Of course, it could also help Lib Dems and Conservatives where they are the main challengers.

 

[Jean-Luc]

Assuming that most Green supporters are likely to back Labour in wards where there aren't 'Others' on the ballot paper

I don't know what you base this assumption on. I'd have thought that their voters would be more likely to come from the Lib-Dems.

 

[charcol]

I don't know what you base this assumption on. I'd have thought that their voters would be more likely to come from the Lib-Dems.

Fair enough. You may be correct. I don't profess to be an expert on the psephology of Green Party electors and in all probability it will depend on the elections in question.

It makes sense (to me at least) for the Greens to do well at the expense of Lib Dems when voters switch from Labour (or vice versa). Especially in a borough such as Lambeth where Labour is the largest party in terms of vote share.

 

[charcol]

In theory the list of all the candidates standing has been published here but the file seems to be damaged.

My favourite spot (excluding Cllr Fewtrell standing as an indepedent) is the apparent defection of Smarajit Roy from the Conservatives (Coldharbour ward, 2006 local elections) to the Green Party (Thurlow Park ward, 2010 local elections).

 

[Brixton Hatter]

It makes sense (to me at least) for the Greens to do well at the expense of Lib Dems when voters switch from Labour (or vice versa). Especially in a borough such as Lambeth where Labour is the largest party in terms of vote share.

Even if the greens do well, I cant see them winning many seats. Votes for the greens instead of Labour could enable the lib dems/tories to win seats, leaving us with the possibility of a Lib Dem/Tory coalition in the council again - and no-one wants that......do we?

 

[Tricky Skills]

Votes for the greens instead of Labour could enable the lib dems/tories to win seats, leaving us with the possibility of a Lib Dem/Tory coalition in the council again - and no-one wants that......do we?

The Tory bit in that obviously has connotations that I don't like, but Lambeth Tories are incredibly wet. The problem for me is that there is little difference between all three mainstream parties in Lambeth. We have a right wing Nu Labour party and a LibDem party that needs Tory support to take control.

Some choice

 

[Mairead]

My favourite spot (excluding Cllr Fewtrell standing as an indepedent) is the apparent defection of Smarajit Roy from the Conservatives (Coldharbour ward, 2006 local elections) to the Green Party (Thurlow Park ward, 2010 local elections).

He's also standing for the Greens as Parliamentary candidate for Mitcham and Morden.

 

[se5]

I think the big unknown in this election in Lambeth (and wider across London) is the increased turnout resulting from the General Election being on the same day - normally for the locals in inner city areas like Lambeth turnout is around the 30% level whereas turnout for the general elections is at the 50-60% level. And so assuming the extra people who turnout vote the same for both elections I think it could result in increases for Labour and the Conservatives squeezing the Lib Dems. I think this because the people who generally would come out every time are the party 'activists' and politically minded people whereas the people who only come out for the General Elections are more likely to be the generally political uninterested who will either vote Labour because that what they always do (most people in Lambeth) or will vote Tory because they like that nice Mr Cameron, I forget the figures but research has shown that a large proportion of people dont know who the candidates are at elections and so just vote for party.

 

[ericjarvis]

Even if the greens do well, I cant see them winning many seats. Votes for the greens instead of Labour could enable the lib dems/tories to win seats, leaving us with the possibility of a Lib Dem/Tory coalition in the council again - and no-one wants that......do we?

Find out who the candidates are. If they are standing for parliament as well, then regardless of their party don't vote for the buggers. What Lambeth desperately needs is a batch of councillors who actually want to do what's best for Lambeth rather than what's best for their political career.

 

[Tricky Skills]

Find out who the candidates are. If they are standing for parliament as well, then regardless of their party don't vote for the buggers. What Lambeth desperately needs is a batch of councillors who actually want to do what's best for Lambeth rather than what's best for their political career.

The following three candidates would rather be at Westminster as political careerists, than represent the electorate in Lambeth at the Town Hall:

Councillor Morgan - Prince's ward (twinned with Orpington)

Councillor Sabharwal - Ferndale ward (which is sort of close to North Herefordshire) and

Jane Edbrooke - my local Oval candidate (but she would rather bugger off to East Hampshire.)

Seriously not impressed with their lack of commitment to our local area

 

[Jean-Luc]

The following three candidates would rather be at Westminster as political careerists, than represent the electorate in Lambeth at the Town Hall:

Councillor Morgan - Prince's ward (twinned with Orpington)

Councillor Sabharwal - Ferndale ward (which is sort of close to North Herefordshire) and

Jane Edbrooke - my local Oval candidate (but she would rather bugger off to East Hampshire.)

Why have you selected only Labour candidates seeking a double mandate? Someone has already mentioned here Smarajit Roy as standing for the Green Party for the council and for parliament in Mitcham and Morden. Joseph Healey of the Green Party is standing for the council in Princes ward and for parliament in Vauxhall. Daniel Lambert of the Socialist Party (GB) is standing in Ferndale ward and Vauxhall. Janus Polenceus is standing in Stockwell and for parliament in Streatham for the English Democrats. But perhaps you'll let these last three off as Vauxhall and Streatham are in Lambeth?
In any event, none of them has any chance of being elected to parliament.

 

[charcol]

I think the big unknown in this election in Lambeth (and wider across London) is the increased turnout resulting from the General Election being on the same day - normally for the locals in inner city areas like Lambeth turnout is around the 30% level whereas turnout for the general elections is at the 50-60% level. And so assuming the extra people who turnout vote the same for both elections I think it could result in increases for Labour and the Conservatives squeezing the Lib Dems. I think this because the people who generally would come out every time are the party 'activists' and politically minded people whereas the people who only come out for the General Elections are more likely to be the generally political uninterested who will either vote Labour because that what they always do (most people in Lambeth) or will vote Tory because they like that nice Mr Cameron, I forget the figures but research has shown that a large proportion of people dont know who the candidates are at elections and so just vote for party.

Turnout could have an impact on marginal areas. When Parliamentary and Council elections take place on the same day there is usually little difference in turnout between the two polls. Across Lambeth it is Lib Dems who arenormally the main challengers to Labour, although in Dulwich and West Norwood the Tories start in notional second place as a result of boundary changes.

An even bigger unknown is who the 'Undecideds' will vote for. As someone who has been canvassing quite a bit over the past few weeks and months there are more people in this category than ever before. A lot of people who always vote, usually know in advance who they support, and will still vote this time round, genuinely don't know this year.

Both of these factors combined will determined the outcome (locally and nationally).

That's why, I think, the polls are being so volatile at the moment.

 

[Tricky Skills]

Why have you selected only Labour candidates seeking a double mandate?

Because it is only Labour party candidates that want to bugger off out of the borough and be an MP elsewhere, if given the chance.

It's all about the local for me. I am proud of where I live and the people around me in my community. I want my elected officials to have the same confidence in Lambeth, and not have half an eye on East Hampshire, Orpington or Herefordshire.

 

[ericjarvis]

Because it is only Labour party candidates that want to bugger off out of the borough and be an MP elsewhere, if given the chance.

It's all about the local for me. I am proud of where I live and the people around me in my community. I want my elected officials to have the same confidence in Lambeth, and not have half an eye on East Hampshire, Orpington or Herefordshire.

That's bollocks. All Lambeth political parties have a long tradition of councillors who see it purely as a stepping stone to Westminster. Every single one. In some cases it's because the party is so bloody small that every member who doesn't run away fast enough ends up being a PPC. In most cases it's because if you want relatively affordable housing handy for Westminster you end up in Lambeth, so this is where all the junior politicos live.

 

[Tricky Skills]

That's bollocks. All Lambeth political parties have a long tradition of councillors who see it purely as a stepping stone to Westminster. Every single one. In some cases it's because the party is so bloody small that every member who doesn't run away fast enough ends up being a PPC. In most cases it's because if you want relatively affordable housing handy for Westminster you end up in Lambeth, so this is where all the junior politicos live.

Who else is standing then outside of the borough as a political careerist? I'm aware of the three Labour work experience MP's, and Smarajit Roy from the Greens (although it's some stretch from Morden to East Hampshire.)

There are some fine examples of Lambeth Councillors that aren't careerists, and are happy to remain working for the people in the borough - Cllr Sawdon etc.

So nope - not bollocks.

 

[ericjarvis]

Who else is standing then outside of the borough as a political careerist? I'm aware of the three Labour work experience MP's, and Smarajit Roy from the Greens (although it's some stretch from Morden to East Hampshire.)

There are some fine examples of Lambeth Councillors that aren't careerists, and are happy to remain working for the people in the borough - Cllr Sawdon etc.

So nope - not bollocks.

Darren Sanders. From Clapham Common to Portsmouth North. So the Lib Dems are at it too. As for the Tories, there are a whole bunch of ex-Lambeth councillors on their benches in parliament, plus the ex-Tory in the Speaker's chair. They all do it.

But then you aren't actually here doing anything but Lib Dem propaganda, so you probably haven't noticed, and don't think it counts when a Lib Dems does the same thing.

 

[Tricky Skills]

Ah, but Darren Sanders *isn't* standing as a Councillor at the local elections.

LibDem propoganda? Mmm - I don't think so...

Keep looking...

 

[Jean-Luc]

Wasn't John Major once a Brixton councillor?

 

[newsensation]

yes, John Major was a councillor in Lambeth.

I think Cllr Sawdon switched form labour to alliance or lib dems at some point. It would be interesting to know what principle/values triggered his switch....or whether it was just careerism?

 

[newsensation]

from labour

 

[WarmharbourLane]

yes, John Major was a councillor in Lambeth.

I think Cllr Sawdon switched form labour to alliance or lib dems at some point. It would be interesting to know what principle/values triggered his switch....or whether it was just careerism?

Sawdon left Labour in the 1980s, along with a load of other Lambeth Labour lot, to join the SDP when it was set up.

It was basically the centrists legging it from the nutty fringe that was tearing the Labour party apart - both locally and nationally.

Hardly a careerist thing to do to leave an established political party for a completely new one, so it had to be about politics and principles then. You only need to see how the guy dresses to guess that he's no careerist...

 

[Gramsci]

Saturday Sun is out and saw this outside KFC