Thread by @Andrewwood17

Some thoughts on what Aspires win last night means for TH
Pic is of 2021 by-election results versus May 2018 local election results
a. Kabir Ahmed/Lutfur Rahman/Aspire won a safe Labour ward - they have won 2 of 3 by-elections since 2018 - not a guarantee of success next May
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https://twitter.com/Andrewwood17/status/1425925157386919940

as in 2016 they also won Whitechapel only to lose it in 2018
b. Lutfur Rahman will see this as an encouragement to him to stand as Mayor next May - if there is low turnout and no PATH party to split the vote he could win next May unless John Biggs gets loads of 2nd preference
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votes
c. I have twice given John my 2nd preference vote I am unclear why I should do so again, TH is just not doing a good job enough job in a range of areas (see 3 closed swimming pools as latest issue), while Council officers get part of blame he is ultimately responsible
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That does not mean I think Lutfur would do a better job
c. All of the parties that increased their % votes campaigned on challenging Liveable Streets, parties supporting LS lost vote share (Labour & Green)
This does not mean everybody voted just on Liveable
Streets issues
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I would argue that Liveable Streets has sucked resources (time & £) away from more important areas (to voters) like ASB, social infrastructure etc so some of the votes against Labour maybe a wish for the Council to focus more on other issues
But also an indictment of how
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implemented as most people in favour of better streets including for local disabled residents and emergency services (hint)
d. Next Mays elections are going to be very interesting & close, temptation for all kinds of abuses given how tight Cllr races have been in the past
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PS by abuse I include a range of behaviour by a range of people not aimed just at one party
e. Aspire did produce very professional literature, page 3 of latest Weaver leaflet you will see repeated next May
I guess the real Q will be how Labour and the Mayor now respond
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