Labour strategy in N. Shropshire
It was clear Labour & LibDems split the focus with Labour on Bexley & LibDems on Shropshire.
But unlike some here who discovered electoral politics last week now confidently condemning Labour...have a think about the actual mechanics of this...
It was clear Labour & LibDems split the focus with Labour on Bexley & LibDems on Shropshire.
But unlike some here who discovered electoral politics last week now confidently condemning Labour...have a think about the actual mechanics of this...
1/
Anyone with any sense could see what Labour was doing:
a. Promotion of the candidate from LP HQ was at a bare minimum
b. Labour MPs were openly musing on Labour’s chances being less than LibDems
c. Virtually no Labour MPs visited the seat (we’ll come to the exceptions later)
Anyone with any sense could see what Labour was doing:
a. Promotion of the candidate from LP HQ was at a bare minimum
b. Labour MPs were openly musing on Labour’s chances being less than LibDems
c. Virtually no Labour MPs visited the seat (we’ll come to the exceptions later)
2/
But what about the Local Association?
Now all those angry PA types condemning Labour actually THINK about what being a local activist means..
You spend your life in places like Shropshire where Labour NEVER wins, you push leaflets, get shouted at for zero reward for decades..
But what about the Local Association?
Now all those angry PA types condemning Labour actually THINK about what being a local activist means..
You spend your life in places like Shropshire where Labour NEVER wins, you push leaflets, get shouted at for zero reward for decades..
3/ Elections are what you live for.
& a by-election is the FA Cup final of elections.
Except Shropshire isn’t Arsenal – its like, well, the Shrewsbury getting to the cup final
This was Labour’s only chance EVER
This is literally what local activists spend their lives waiting for.
& a by-election is the FA Cup final of elections.
Except Shropshire isn’t Arsenal – its like, well, the Shrewsbury getting to the cup final
This was Labour’s only chance EVER
This is literally what local activists spend their lives waiting for.
4/
This is really really hard for them.
Many understood.
Some “played the game”, went thru the motions to ensure the young candidate wasn’t left alone.
A few did their best.
The Labour candidate wanted to at least "put on a good show" to get a shot at another constituency.
This is really really hard for them.
Many understood.
Some “played the game”, went thru the motions to ensure the young candidate wasn’t left alone.
A few did their best.
The Labour candidate wanted to at least "put on a good show" to get a shot at another constituency.
5/
At NO POINT in the campaign did the National Labour Party attempt to get in the LibDems way.
For form’s sake & to ensure Labour didn’t lose its deposit and finished above the RefUK a couple of MPs made late visits – but who?
At NO POINT in the campaign did the National Labour Party attempt to get in the LibDems way.
For form’s sake & to ensure Labour didn’t lose its deposit and finished above the RefUK a couple of MPs made late visits – but who?
6/
They sent Angela Rayner to firm up the left wing vote.
You don’t send Angela Rayner to a place like North Shropshire to stop Labour centerists switching to LibDems…you send Rayner to shore up left wing Labour voters or working class voters who were thinking of abstaining.
They sent Angela Rayner to firm up the left wing vote.
You don’t send Angela Rayner to a place like North Shropshire to stop Labour centerists switching to LibDems…you send Rayner to shore up left wing Labour voters or working class voters who were thinking of abstaining.
Would I like "stand downs" in marginal seats by Labour or LibDems next election?
YES!
But its more difficult than people think.
Far more difficult.
But here's the thing...
YES!
But its more difficult than people think.
Far more difficult.
But here's the thing...
So called progressives mouthing off Labour for not immediately & completely standing down will make future cooperation harder, not easier.
While "socialists" ridiculing Starmer for Labour's low vote in North Shropshire make inter-party cooperation even less likely.
While "socialists" ridiculing Starmer for Labour's low vote in North Shropshire make inter-party cooperation even less likely.
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