Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
....I'm still waiting for my customary leaflet from Kate Hoey. I always get one from her, even though I'm not in her constituency. I feel slightly bereft.
The Election in Brixton
- Thread starter Orang Utan
- Start date
imposs1904
Thread Killa'
threewheeled
SE11_lurker
Lambeth have now published the complete candidate lists for constituencies of Dulwich & West Norwood, Streatham and Vauxhall here.
I've conducted an indepth and serious(!) analysis of the Vauxhall candidates on my blog here. I don't know much about any of the other constituencies, although Janus Polenceus stood as a candidate in the Princes Ward byelection in 2009, and some of his viewsrequire careful scrutiny.
I've conducted an indepth and serious(!) analysis of the Vauxhall candidates on my blog here. I don't know much about any of the other constituencies, although Janus Polenceus stood as a candidate in the Princes Ward byelection in 2009, and some of his viewsrequire careful scrutiny.
stethoscope
Well-Known Member
Jean-Luc
Well-Known Member
Just seen the election leaflet for Rebecca Findlay, Green candidate for Streatham. It says:
What's this supposed to mean? That in neighbouring Vauxhall and Dulwich & Norwood people shouldn't vote for the Green candidates there (who are men) but instead for the only women from "the four main parties" running as MPs, ie Kate Hoey and Tessa Jowell?
Both of those are facing other women with Caroline Pidgeon (Lib) in Vauxhall and Kemi Adegoke (Con) in Dulwich and West Norwood. Still doesn't make sense though.
Has anyone seen the 'Election address' editions of Labour News that are doing the rounds for the council elections? The Herne Hill one has the grand headline 'TWO HORSE RACE IN HERNE HILL - Only Labour can beat the Tories', accompanied by an unreferenced graph, with no scale, suggesting that in Herne Hill Ward Labour have approx 45% of support, the Tories around 40% and the Liberals around 15% (my estimates, based on the sizes of the 3 bars) - and no mention of the Greens.
I've got a vested interest in this - I'm one of the Green Party candidates in Herne Hill. In the last local election we got 36.7% of the vote (aggregated over 3 candidates), to Labour's 37.3%, and one of our candidates (Becca Thackray) got elected with more votes than any of the Labour candidates. We've asked Labour for an explanation for where they got the figures from and why we're not even featured on their graph.
So far we've received 2 different stories. First, they tried to tell us the graph was based on the results of the London Mayor election, but then we pointed out that in Herne Hill Ward 58% of people voted for Ken and only 21% for Boris - hardly a tight 'two-horse race'. Now their election agent has told us the graph is "an illustration of our view of the respective strengths of the three main national parties in this area." In other words, they've made it up!
Cynical? Dishonest? Willfully misleading? Or am I taking this too personally?
PS. I'm not deliberately ignoring the posts above about Rebecca Findlay's election leaflet - I just don't think I've an answer...
I've got a vested interest in this - I'm one of the Green Party candidates in Herne Hill. In the last local election we got 36.7% of the vote (aggregated over 3 candidates), to Labour's 37.3%, and one of our candidates (Becca Thackray) got elected with more votes than any of the Labour candidates. We've asked Labour for an explanation for where they got the figures from and why we're not even featured on their graph.
So far we've received 2 different stories. First, they tried to tell us the graph was based on the results of the London Mayor election, but then we pointed out that in Herne Hill Ward 58% of people voted for Ken and only 21% for Boris - hardly a tight 'two-horse race'. Now their election agent has told us the graph is "an illustration of our view of the respective strengths of the three main national parties in this area." In other words, they've made it up!
Cynical? Dishonest? Willfully misleading? Or am I taking this too personally?
PS. I'm not deliberately ignoring the posts above about Rebecca Findlay's election leaflet - I just don't think I've an answer...
Jean-Luc
Well-Known Member
This sort of thing was initiated and perfected by the LibDems, now other parties are using it. In any case, how can there be a two-horse race in an election area with 3 seats, ie where there will be 3 winners. There's nothing stopping voters picking and mixing amongst the candidates of different parties.
The LCC hustings were good. Does anyone know of any others? None currently listed: http://questionyourcandidates.org.uk/seats/dulwich_and_west_norwood
Labour have used exactly the same bar charts in their local leaflets for Ferndale and Gipsy Hill wards, so presumably it features in other wards too.
It's clearly made up and designed to fit their narrative for the borough, so I wouldn't take it personally - they are trying to insult the intelligence of everyone in Lambeth, not just a selected few!
As a Labour Party member I dispair of the leaflets that we get to deliver - the rubbish they state is frankly insulting to the intelligence of the readers.
I guess they are only really there to be glanced at and then swiftly transferred to the recycling bin. I doubt they would make anyone vote Labour - I suppose their main purpose is to get more supporters out to vote. To be fair the Labour ones are of a similar standard to the other parties' leaflets - although around my way only the Lib Dems are putting anything out.
And as others have stated the two horse race is a well worn trick - the key is to pick whichever election is most beneficial whether its local council, general or European so that it appears that the worst scenario (mostly in lambeth the prospect of a Tory councillor) is stated and only a vote for the Labour/Lib Dem can stop then. Anyone with access to a computer or for that matter a local library can find the real figures.
I guess they are only really there to be glanced at and then swiftly transferred to the recycling bin. I doubt they would make anyone vote Labour - I suppose their main purpose is to get more supporters out to vote. To be fair the Labour ones are of a similar standard to the other parties' leaflets - although around my way only the Lib Dems are putting anything out.
And as others have stated the two horse race is a well worn trick - the key is to pick whichever election is most beneficial whether its local council, general or European so that it appears that the worst scenario (mostly in lambeth the prospect of a Tory councillor) is stated and only a vote for the Labour/Lib Dem can stop then. Anyone with access to a computer or for that matter a local library can find the real figures.
Yes I'm fairly sure its a standard one - it also applies to Vassall Ward http://www.vassallview.com/2010/04/its-two-horse-race-in-our-area-only.html
co-op
But....but cLoWnFiSh....
The two-horse race "trick" can be a legitmate point I think. Under a first past the post system it will often be the case that the only way a voter can get any mileage out of their vote is to vote against someone rather than for their real preference.
The problem with Lambeth Labour's graphs in this election is that they aren't based on some recent election that happens to look the way labour would like things to look; they are literally just fabricated data; there isn't any election that looks that way.
Seeing things like this makes me so glad I'm not a labour party member any more; this is a party that has completely lost its moral purpose and is just a re-election machine now.
co-op
But....but cLoWnFiSh....
All three.
On this occasion they haven't even picked a previous election result that makes them look good - they've just made it up out of thin air. Apparently this is actually legal because they're not explicitly claiming that the graph represents real polling data (although almost anyone who looks at it would assume that it does). But if they were trying to sell a product - not just collect votes - I'd be amazed if they weren't hauled up for it.
Tricky Skills
Well-Known Member
The wonderful SE11_lurker has listed some local hustings over here.
I am *so* tempted to write off my ticket to see Billy Bragg next Thursday, just to see if the local Labour party at The Oval / East Hampshire has the front to send along the political careerist.
Jean-Luc
Well-Known Member
I saw yesterday Labour's local leaflet for Larkhall ward and it uses what is presumably the same bar chart. I don't know why because in Larkhall it's only a one-horse race, as can be seen from the last result (that of the May 2008 Greater London Assembly elections which were broken down by wards):
The "others" (ie the last 6), incidentally, amounted to 10.7%, which is quite high. As it happens, with the exception that UKIP is not standing this time, this is the same list of parties standing in the Vauxhall constituency in the general election. I don't know how representative Larkhall ward is of Vauxhall but it will be interesting to see if the result is the same.
ajdown
Posting in this thread
I've had several leaflets through from different parties all giving completely different figures as to the voter percentages in my area, and why they are the one to vote for to get 'real change'.
Like fuck it will be. Whichever party gets in, it'll be the same shit for another four years.
Like fuck it will be. Whichever party gets in, it'll be the same shit for another four years.
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
No education, no education, no education
Is Kemi hiding something?
I was so impressed by Kemi (Ms Conservative Brixton)'s glossy leaflet, I sought to find out the views of a Nigerian lady of my acquaintance, who has 3 shcool age boys in a special needs school. She said "What are the kids round here supposed to do if they are kicked out of school? It's Ok if you live in Wimbledon - you can send them to Peckam or Brixton. But if you're already in Brixton you're at the end of the line."
New Tory slogan: "Abolish education for the indigent poor!"
or how about "Back to Charles Dickens for you and your kids!"?
Is Kemi hiding something?
I was so impressed by Kemi (Ms Conservative Brixton)'s glossy leaflet, I sought to find out the views of a Nigerian lady of my acquaintance, who has 3 shcool age boys in a special needs school. She said "What are the kids round here supposed to do if they are kicked out of school? It's Ok if you live in Wimbledon - you can send them to Peckam or Brixton. But if you're already in Brixton you're at the end of the line."
New Tory slogan: "Abolish education for the indigent poor!"
or how about "Back to Charles Dickens for you and your kids!"?
Reading about Adegoke at http://kemi.adegoke.com/ I am impressed - she is clearly a rising star of the Conservative Party and I wouldnt be surprised to see her elected for a safer seat in 2014/2015.
Even with the present woes I dont see much chance of Labour losing in Dulwich and West Norwood due apart from anything else to the split opposition. She makes interesting use of a graph showing the number of councillors to suggest that the Tories are the challengers to Labour in this seat when the bulk of the non Labour vote according to most estimates is evenly split between the Lib Dems and the Tories.
I am slightly alarmed at the second half of the sentence on the about page "Nowadays, my reading list has shrunk down to books on British and some Yoruba history and I treat myself to a Terry Pratchett novel once a year." Hmm do we really want out politicians living in more of a fantasy world!
There is an interesting profile of her on the RBS/Coutts website http://www.coutts.com/woman/2010/april/regulars/uniquely-coutts-24-hours.asp
Even with the present woes I dont see much chance of Labour losing in Dulwich and West Norwood due apart from anything else to the split opposition. She makes interesting use of a graph showing the number of councillors to suggest that the Tories are the challengers to Labour in this seat when the bulk of the non Labour vote according to most estimates is evenly split between the Lib Dems and the Tories.
I am slightly alarmed at the second half of the sentence on the about page "Nowadays, my reading list has shrunk down to books on British and some Yoruba history and I treat myself to a Terry Pratchett novel once a year." Hmm do we really want out politicians living in more of a fantasy world!
There is an interesting profile of her on the RBS/Coutts website http://www.coutts.com/woman/2010/april/regulars/uniquely-coutts-24-hours.asp
CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
Kemi-2 "What is the Conservative policy on Gay Rights?
Conscious of the remoteness of having been "bumped" into the Dulwich constituency of St Tessa, I offered Kemi use of a window space in my vast CHL mansion for electoral poster display, provided this was of her, not Cameron.
I also offered her my vote and my brother's vote, provided she could assure me that she was not against Gay Marriage, either by church or state.
Answer has come there none.
Heard the one about the Lib Dems telling different things to people in different constituencies?
Perhaps it's time Kemi and her agent woke up to the fact that there are probably more gay people in Brixton than Conservative voters. And that Cameron told us how his policy on gay rights will be adherred to by "Christian" candidates (as opposed to Church of England, Methodist, United Reformed, Unitarian etc)
Kemi - do you support Gay Marriage, or are you a straw in the wind?
Looks like I'm going to have to vote for good old Jonathan Mitchell. At least as a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Jonathan ought to have a bit of style, and as a human rights lawyer his heart should be in the right place.
Attaboy, Jonathan! Make it a no1 this time, not no2. Let's put Tessa out to grass.
Conscious of the remoteness of having been "bumped" into the Dulwich constituency of St Tessa, I offered Kemi use of a window space in my vast CHL mansion for electoral poster display, provided this was of her, not Cameron.
I also offered her my vote and my brother's vote, provided she could assure me that she was not against Gay Marriage, either by church or state.
Answer has come there none.
Heard the one about the Lib Dems telling different things to people in different constituencies?
Perhaps it's time Kemi and her agent woke up to the fact that there are probably more gay people in Brixton than Conservative voters. And that Cameron told us how his policy on gay rights will be adherred to by "Christian" candidates (as opposed to Church of England, Methodist, United Reformed, Unitarian etc)
Kemi - do you support Gay Marriage, or are you a straw in the wind?
Looks like I'm going to have to vote for good old Jonathan Mitchell. At least as a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, Jonathan ought to have a bit of style, and as a human rights lawyer his heart should be in the right place.
Attaboy, Jonathan! Make it a no1 this time, not no2. Let's put Tessa out to grass.
Ms T
Honey-coloured ramparts
Jonathan Mitchell put in an appearance at a country music gig I went to last night at The Grosvenor. A pity the LibDems can't be bothered to even leaflet our area (Herne Hill/Brixton borders). So far we've had three leaflets from Labour, a Green one, and a leaflet from Kemi Adegoke, who hasn't got a hope in hell of getting my vote.
han
love is the answer
All I want to know is who to vote for to keep the Tories out.
I'm a member of the Green party, but on this occasion, I think we're heading for a potential Tory victory so I am not going to vote Green.
Polly Toynbee wrote a good article in the Guardian on Saturday about this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/24/clegg-electoral-reform-tactics-romance
All I care about is keeping the Tories out. If Lib Dems could get power, that'd be my ideal, as they didn't vote for the Iraq war and they'd bring in PR, but I think that's a pipe dream. Keeping the Tories out is far more important, to me, anyway. I am terrified of us going backwards as a society and that's where Conservatism would take us.
I'm a member of the Green party, but on this occasion, I think we're heading for a potential Tory victory so I am not going to vote Green.
Polly Toynbee wrote a good article in the Guardian on Saturday about this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/apr/24/clegg-electoral-reform-tactics-romance
All I care about is keeping the Tories out. If Lib Dems could get power, that'd be my ideal, as they didn't vote for the Iraq war and they'd bring in PR, but I think that's a pipe dream. Keeping the Tories out is far more important, to me, anyway. I am terrified of us going backwards as a society and that's where Conservatism would take us.
