It’s one of those mysteries: why isn’t Brighton and Hove a Liberal Democrat stronghold? Next door Lewes has had the services of the extremely diligent Norman Baker since 1997 but any Seagulls fan will spit at the very mention of his name. Brighton got its first MP in 1832* with the Great Reform Act (which […]
Election Notes 20/04/10: What does the LibDem surge mean in Brighton Pavilion? Read More »
A few weeks ago I was thrilled to go to the Civil Partnership of my chums David and Sune. David is a Tory and a high earner. He frequently has a go at me about the new higher rate of income tax and how Labour is ruining him. So when it came to sign the
Election Notes 19/04/10: Civil Partnerships Read More »
I’ve been out and about canvassing for Labour on the doorstep the last few weeks. Anyone who’s done it before will attest to the amusing things you see and hear as your peek into people’s lives and homes. These ones tickled: “What election is it? Oh, a General Election. I thought we hadn’t had one
Election Notes 18/04/10: Doorstep Gems Read More »
We’re staring a hung parliament in the face. It’ll be the first one in my lifetime (although not the first minority government: remember Major in the dog days of his administration) and it will surely be the first of many. The thirst for electoral reform is growing and that is a good thing. Proper PR
Election Notes 17/04/10: The last FPTP General Election? Read More »
The PM came to town last Friday on the campaign trail and it was fascinating to see him in action at close quarters. I was also glad to shake his hand and share a few words with him. What a nice man. He arrived at BHASVIC to a rapturous welcome. The students from all over
Election Notes 16/04/10: The PM came to town Read More »
If political activists all over Britain were supposed to be glued to the telly for the historic first debate in General Election history, I didn’t get the memo. I was at a meeting for the most part discussing the day after and then decided to have a quiet, non-political beer with a chum afterwards. I
Election Notes 15/04/10: Cleggfever Read More »
I have become a poster spotting obsessive. There is a serious risk of injury as I walk around Brighton examining not just each and every house but each and every pane of glass in each and every window. I’m looking for election posters. I may yet miss pot holes and dog turds. If you spot
Election Notes 13/04/10: Posters Read More »
Doctors Who are voting Labour and I’m pleased that the Labour Party is courting Whovians. It’s a shame that more eight year olds can’t vote. The new Labour party political broadcast has a voiceover from one Timelord, David Tennant, and it invokes the memory of another, via his son (Sean Pertwee’s dad was Who 3,
Election Notes 12/04/10: GALLIFREY: LAB HOLD Read More »
I was down in one of those streets not far from the sea at the weekend delivering Labour stuff. I had pre-addressed leaflets: that means they’re targeted to specific voters based on our canvassing information. We don’t bother writing letters like that to Tories or people who are against telling us how they’ll be voting.
Election Notes 11/04/10: One of our households is missing. Read More »
This weekend, as I sweated my way down the 50th set of basement flat steps on the delivery round I’ve done so many times in the past few years, I thought to myself that I would have never joined the party had I known quite how many leaflets I would need to deliver to prove
Election Notes 10/04/10 : Leaflets Read More »
It’s such a privilege to have a choice of women as your next MP. It’s also terrible. It breaks my heart that Labour, Conservatives and Greens all have credible female candidates. Why are they fighting each other? It’s great that my next MP will be a woman. And yet I look around and see male
Election Notes 09/04/2010 The Tragedy of Brighton Pavilion Read More »
Against my better judgement, I’ve decided to write daily notes about my experiences in the 2010 General Election up until May 7th. It’s all part of my personal aspiration to blog a bit more this year. I also want to add my own reflections to the political discourse. That desire is general and also local:
Election Notes 08/04/2010: An idea. Read More »
I can’t praise the Digital Economy Bill and I wish it had been buried. It was a bad bill and will be a terrible act of law. I opposed the bill and lobbied people within the Labour party explaining why I thought it was a bad bill. I will not defend the Labour government on
I’m ashamed of the Digital Economy Bill Read More »