DEFEATED Labour council chiefs in Southampton will face party members tonight to explain their election disaster amid accusations of internal fighting.
The meeting comes as the race to replace ousted leader June Bridle is understood to have boiled down to two contenders.
The crunch decision will officially be made on Monday night but is expected to be settled during horsetrading this week.
Councillor Richard Williams, who narrowly retained his Woolston seat, is favourite with deputy leader councillor Jacqui Rayment also a candidate. Both were unavailable to discuss their prospects.
However, party members will have a chance to voice a preference tonight and reflect on why Labour lost four of its six seats up for re-election as the Tories swept back to power after 24 years.
Some Labour councillors privately accuse group leaders of targeting resources on too few seats in a bid to save Cllr Bridle from the axe in Sholing.
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They say "control freakery" at the top had harmed the campaign which had descended into "civil war" over the future of the local party as it became clear Cllr Bridle was vulnerable.
In a post election memo seen by the Echo Cllr Rayment warned councillors to stop fighting amongst each other and to refocus on winning back the trust of the electorate.
"I hope that we see an end to the nastiness that has gone on and we can quickly move on," she told councillors.
Labour lost previously safe seats in Redbridge and Bargate where councillors Dennis Harryman and John Noon were ousted. An 18-year-old Tory, David Fuller, took a Labour seat in Bitterne.
Mr Noon declined to wade into the leadership race but acknowledged: "There is always time for change."
Tories gained eight seats with 48 per cent of the vote to claim a majority in the chamber.
Cllr Bridle declined to comment on the campaign strategy or her successor.
Lib Dems, who lost three seats, swiftly moved to install councillor Jill Baston as leader on Saturday - two days after councillor Adrian Vinson was ousted from the post at the polls.
"....and to refocus on winning back the trust of the electorate."
Not a chance as long as Mcbroon, and country ruining policies and cronies are at the top,
"....and to refocus on winning back the trust of the electorate."
Not a chance as long as Mcbroon, and country ruining policies and cronies are at the top,
Posted by: Margaret, Southampton on 8:30am Thu 8 May 08
This was a local election, not a national one, and the local party judged best for the job of running our city should get your votes. However, having said that, I am delighted that Conservatives won - maybe they will be left to get on with what they were elected to do, instead of becoming victims of in-party squabblings.
This was a local election, not a national one, and the local party judged best for the job of running our city should get your votes. However, having said that, I am delighted that Conservatives won - maybe they will be left to get on with what they were elected to do, instead of becoming victims of in-party squabblings.
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 8:35am Thu 8 May 08
I think Cllr Williams would be a great choice, he lives nowhere near his ward and has done nothing to stop the ridiculous planned over-development of Woolston. It will be a Tory shoe-in at the next election.
I think Cllr Williams would be a great choice, he lives nowhere near his ward and has done nothing to stop the ridiculous planned over-development of Woolston. It will be a Tory shoe-in at the next election.
Get rid off Labour from this country they have made the work-shy lawless rabble No 1 in this country and the hard-working law abbiding citizens taxed to the eyeballs.
Im going on the dole and getting a 18 year old pregnant, seem to get everything in this fine country of ours if you do.
Get rid off Labour from this country they have made the work-shy lawless rabble No 1 in this country and the hard-working law abbiding citizens taxed to the eyeballs.
Im going on the dole and getting a 18 year old pregnant, seem to get everything in this fine country of ours if you do.
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 9:23am Thu 8 May 08
18? There are girls younger than that out there having kids and getting housing as a result. When is the law ever instigated to imprison man who impregnate under age girls?
We have descended into a base society where there are no regard for social conventions or standards. Many Labour party members have undermined these standards over the past 40 years - turning us Social Democratic has just benefitted the workshy and the feral.
18? There are girls younger than that out there having kids and getting housing as a result. When is the law ever instigated to imprison man who impregnate under age girls?
We have descended into a base society where there are no regard for social conventions or standards. Many Labour party members have undermined these standards over the past 40 years - turning us Social Democratic has just benefitted the workshy and the feral.
Posted by: Family Man, Bitterne on 9:36am Thu 8 May 08
Whilst this was a local election, people voted on national issues. And, to turn the old expression on it's head, "Better the devil you don't know rather than the devil you do!", forgetting of course what life was like under Thatcher.
I sincerely doubt that any more than a handful of voters know what their local party/candidate stands for, and in the vast majority of cases they vote purely on the basis of the party rather than the individual.
That being said, I see the collapse of the Labour vote follows major policy failures by central government, as well as a lack of any "feelgood factor" caused by international events. Major policy failures include:
a) a war in Iraq whereby very many lives are being lost and with no prospect of any end in sight, compare this government's attitude to intervention in Iraq as opposed to, say, Zimbabwe, or Burma. And it is a war which many would regard as illegal, caused by Tony Blair blind faith in Gerge W. And just look how the MoD treats it's servicemen and women.
b) Stealth taxes, one after the other... road tax, the 10p tax, Income tax, Council Tax, Fuel duty, "Bin tax"..none of which seem to provide any benefit and squeeze the working middle class.
c) An obsession with political correctness, health and safety, bureaucratic small mindedness that is taking all the colour out of life.
d) Uncontrolled immigration and attitudes that make being English something to be embarassed about, with the working class English an unrepresented minority
e)Government policies on tax, benefits and welfare that support single mother parenthood at the expense of working families, making unemployment a career option rather than welfare being a safety net.
f) Despite all the spin, public services that are failing: the NHS, the civil service, local authorities, the MoD, education, and the prison service.
g) the feeling that the public is exploited in "rip off" Britain and totally at the combined mercy of big business and local/central government
h) Motorists and motoring being regarded as the "milch cow" to be sucked dry.
i)"Green taxes" that do not go towards green policies, they are simply another way of raising money to be wasted on failing projects.
I could go on.. but if the Labour Party is looking for a scapegoat, they need look no further than their Government's policies.
The local elections were perhaps the only opportunity for the electorate to express their unhappiness, and it was an opportunity that they seized.
I suspect that the situation is not capable of being turned round for a very long time, but the first thing the local Labour party needs to do is to invest time in the electorate rather than in-fighting, and start communicating more than just sending out "blurb" at election time. They need clear policies which represent the citizens of Southampton, and not simply ride over them rough shod. At least it would be a start.
Whilst this was a local election, people voted on national issues. And, to turn the old expression on it's head, "Better the devil you don't know rather than the devil you do!", forgetting of course what life was like under Thatcher.
I sincerely doubt that any more than a handful of voters know what their local party/candidate stands for, and in the vast majority of cases they vote purely on the basis of the party rather than the individual.
That being said, I see the collapse of the Labour vote follows major policy failures by central government, as well as a lack of any "feelgood factor" caused by international events. Major policy failures include:
a) a war in Iraq whereby very many lives are being lost and with no prospect of any end in sight, compare this government's attitude to intervention in Iraq as opposed to, say, Zimbabwe, or Burma. And it is a war which many would regard as illegal, caused by Tony Blair blind faith in Gerge W. And just look how the MoD treats it's servicemen and women.
b) Stealth taxes, one after the other... road tax, the 10p tax, Income tax, Council Tax, Fuel duty, "Bin tax"..none of which seem to provide any benefit and squeeze the working middle class.
c) An obsession with political correctness, health and safety, bureaucratic small mindedness that is taking all the colour out of life.
d) Uncontrolled immigration and attitudes that make being English something to be embarassed about, with the working class English an unrepresented minority
e)Government policies on tax, benefits and welfare that support single mother parenthood at the expense of working families, making unemployment a career option rather than welfare being a safety net.
f) Despite all the spin, public services that are failing: the NHS, the civil service, local authorities, the MoD, education, and the prison service.
g) the feeling that the public is exploited in "rip off" Britain and totally at the combined mercy of big business and local/central government
h) Motorists and motoring being regarded as the "milch cow" to be sucked dry.
i)"Green taxes" that do not go towards green policies, they are simply another way of raising money to be wasted on failing projects.
I could go on.. but if the Labour Party is looking for a scapegoat, they need look no further than their Government's policies.
The local elections were perhaps the only opportunity for the electorate to express their unhappiness, and it was an opportunity that they seized.
I suspect that the situation is not capable of being turned round for a very long time, but the first thing the local Labour party needs to do is to invest time in the electorate rather than in-fighting, and start communicating more than just sending out "blurb" at election time. They need clear policies which represent the citizens of Southampton, and not simply ride over them rough shod. At least it would be a start.
I would only consider voting Conservatives as they seem to have a hard line policy on "doley's" that could work and are too lazy not too, and then will moan about "polish people stealing there jobs" lol.
Stop paying them, simple as, there is plenty of work out there for this work-shy wasters.
I would only consider voting Conservatives as they seem to have a hard line policy on "doley's" that could work and are too lazy not too, and then will moan about "polish people stealing there jobs" lol.
Stop paying them, simple as, there is plenty of work out there for this work-shy wasters.
It's obvious why Labour lost.
They were so desperate to get there over sized snouts back in the trough they abandoned all principle and climbed into bed with a discredited bunch of liberlas.
They tought no one would notice but they did. They are liars and cheats. The Conservatives have a duty to show they are differnet.
They wouldn't joint the LibLab colation because they said they wouldn't abandon there policies. I look forward to seing those policies coming through now.
The Labour lot are the past.
I hope they pick Richard Williams. That should ensure a lond term of office for the Torys.
It's obvious why Labour lost.
They were so desperate to get there over sized snouts back in the trough they abandoned all principle and climbed into bed with a discredited bunch of liberlas.
They tought no one would notice but they did. They are liars and cheats. The Conservatives have a duty to show they are differnet.
They wouldn't joint the LibLab colation because they said they wouldn't abandon there policies. I look forward to seing those policies coming through now.
The Labour lot are the past.
I hope they pick Richard Williams. That should ensure a lond term of office for the Torys.
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 10:11am Thu 8 May 08
What was so bad with things during the Thatcher era? As I remember the cost of living was a lot lower as were taxes (interest rates are always going to be higher if house prices are low).
Schools were much better, more discipline and kids left with ambition and most (like me) bought property when it was affordable).
When we embarked on wars ie the Falklands, the public were in favour and we went in to win.
Also in that time Saints got into Europe 3 times and finished 2nd in 1984. Bring back Maggie!!!
What was so bad with things during the Thatcher era? As I remember the cost of living was a lot lower as were taxes (interest rates are always going to be higher if house prices are low).
Schools were much better, more discipline and kids left with ambition and most (like me) bought property when it was affordable).
When we embarked on wars ie the Falklands, the public were in favour and we went in to win.
Also in that time Saints got into Europe 3 times and finished 2nd in 1984. Bring back Maggie!!!
Posted by: jimbo, southampton on sea on 10:17am Thu 8 May 08
Quite right - greedy bunch of losers played their little game of politics without thinking the electorate would play theirs and vote most of them out. I have met most of this lot, and believe me none of them are suitable. Williams is a troublemaker and Rayment is just scary. The half-decent ones got voted out
Quite right - greedy bunch of losers played their little game of politics without thinking the electorate would play theirs and vote most of them out. I have met most of this lot, and believe me none of them are suitable. Williams is a troublemaker and Rayment is just scary. The half-decent ones got voted out
Well Mrs Bridle I hope you are happy. Your greed has caused councillors far more dedicated and competent than you to be ousted because they were in vulnerable seats like you. Fool. Go away forever!
Well Mrs Bridle I hope you are happy. Your greed has caused councillors far more dedicated and competent than you to be ousted because they were in vulnerable seats like you. Fool. Go away forever!
Oh vote for any of them, they won't be back in power for a long long long time. They are lucky there isn't an election next year - it would be a Tory wipeout of the lot of you! Good job too
Oh vote for any of them, they won't be back in power for a long long long time. They are lucky there isn't an election next year - it would be a Tory wipeout of the lot of you! Good job too
[quote][bold]Condor Man[/bold] wrote:
18? There are girls younger than that out there having kids and getting housing as a result. When is the law ever instigated to imprison man who impregnate under age girls? We have descended into a base society where there are no regard for social conventions or standards. Many Labour party members have undermined these standards over the past 40 years - turning us Social Democratic has just benefitted the workshy and the feral.[/quote] 18 is not underage. Getting married at 16 and having a baby can be perfectly within the law.
Condor Man wrote:
18? There are girls younger than that out there having kids and getting housing as a result. When is the law ever instigated to imprison man who impregnate under age girls? We have descended into a base society where there are no regard for social conventions or standards. Many Labour party members have undermined these standards over the past 40 years - turning us Social Democratic has just benefitted the workshy and the feral.
18 is not underage. Getting married at 16 and having a baby can be perfectly within the law.
Posted by: miles, southampton on 2:50pm Thu 8 May 08
wow, lets now sit back and see what the new conservative cllrs find out about the wastefull spending incompetence of labours councillors like june bridle, cant wait to see what fraud scandals start coming out in the very near future whan the conservatives find that the labour councillors have left no money in the tax payers pot.
thank god the people finally came to their senses & got rid of june bridle, her ignorance has well been noted for far too long.
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD. just the labour governments gordon brown to go ! shame on you labour.
wow, lets now sit back and see what the new conservative cllrs find out about the wastefull spending incompetence of labours councillors like june bridle, cant wait to see what fraud scandals start coming out in the very near future whan the conservatives find that the labour councillors have left no money in the tax payers pot.
thank god the people finally came to their senses & got rid of june bridle, her ignorance has well been noted for far too long.
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD. just the labour governments gordon brown to go ! shame on you labour.
playing devils advocat in some way here
can anyone think of things that improved under the current govt?
education - more and more students have access to higher learning, and while the loans are a rip off, compared to other countries they are pretty reasonable.
in all honestly i wanted to write more things in here that they have done well....thing is, thats all i can think of. thats a worry.
playing devils advocat in some way here
can anyone think of things that improved under the current govt?
education - more and more students have access to higher learning, and while the loans are a rip off, compared to other countries they are pretty reasonable.
in all honestly i wanted to write more things in here that they have done well....thing is, thats all i can think of. thats a worry.
Posted by: jimbo, Southampton on 3:33pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Me[/bold] wrote:
playing devils advocat in some way here can anyone think of things that improved under the current govt? education - more and more students have access to higher learning, and while the loans are a rip off, compared to other countries they are pretty reasonable. in all honestly i wanted to write more things in here that they have done well....thing is, thats all i can think of. thats a worry.[/quote] True they have access to higher learning, but of what quality?
And these days education is all about being taught how to pass exams and meet targets, not actually learning anything. I know, I did it!
Me wrote:
playing devils advocat in some way here can anyone think of things that improved under the current govt? education - more and more students have access to higher learning, and while the loans are a rip off, compared to other countries they are pretty reasonable. in all honestly i wanted to write more things in here that they have done well....thing is, thats all i can think of. thats a worry.
True they have access to higher learning, but of what quality?
And these days education is all about being taught how to pass exams and meet targets, not actually learning anything. I know, I did it!
[quote][bold]jimbo[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Me[/bold] wrote: playing devils advocat in some way here can anyone think of things that improved under the current govt? education - more and more students have access to higher learning, and while the loans are a rip off, compared to other countries they are pretty reasonable. in all honestly i wanted to write more things in here that they have done well....thing is, thats all i can think of. thats a worry.[/quote] True they have access to higher learning, but of what quality? And these days education is all about being taught how to pass exams and meet targets, not actually learning anything. I know, I did it![/quote] they have increased those on benifits 8 million not working - that takes some effort
jimbo wrote:
Me wrote: playing devils advocat in some way here can anyone think of things that improved under the current govt? education - more and more students have access to higher learning, and while the loans are a rip off, compared to other countries they are pretty reasonable. in all honestly i wanted to write more things in here that they have done well....thing is, thats all i can think of. thats a worry.
True they have access to higher learning, but of what quality? And these days education is all about being taught how to pass exams and meet targets, not actually learning anything. I know, I did it!
they have increased those on benifits 8 million not working - that takes some effort
[bold]bold[/bold] Congratulations to the Tories on their considerable success. Now they are 'in power' they have two years, at least, to prove themselves to the people of Southampton. There is lots to do. Please can we have the blue light back in the clock tower at Civic Centre
Congratulations to the Tories on their considerable success. Now they are 'in power' they have two years, at least, to prove themselves to the people of Southampton. There is lots to do. Please can we have the blue light back in the clock tower at Civic Centre
We are only half way there Denham and Whitehouse next - time for this City to move forward. New ideas are needed not the desperate attempt to hold on to their seats (and perks). This Labour party is morally bankrupt, incompetent and untrustworthy, it will take many years for trust to be restored.
We are only half way there Denham and Whitehouse next - time for this City to move forward. New ideas are needed not the desperate attempt to hold on to their seats (and perks). This Labour party is morally bankrupt, incompetent and untrustworthy, it will take many years for trust to be restored.
Good fn riddens! These outgoing clowns have had their day. This city and country needs to be governed by people with backbones, those who aren’t afraid to make difficult decisions for the benefit of British people, not Johnny foreigner. Labour has failed so miserably, it’s embarrassing. The chief responsibility of a democratically elected government in the civilised world is to command a balance in the economy between communism and capitalism. So why has it become so expensive to refuel my car and feed my children? Pure capitalism running freely! Thank you, Blair. And thank you for replacing yourself with that stupid sack of ****. Remember this when the real election comes.
Good fn riddens! These outgoing clowns have had their day. This city and country needs to be governed by people with backbones, those who aren’t afraid to make difficult decisions for the benefit of British people, not Johnny foreigner. Labour has failed so miserably, it’s embarrassing. The chief responsibility of a democratically elected government in the civilised world is to command a balance in the economy between communism and capitalism. So why has it become so expensive to refuel my car and feed my children? Pure capitalism running freely! Thank you, Blair. And thank you for replacing yourself with that stupid sack of ****. Remember this when the real election comes.
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 7:50pm Thu 8 May 08
Old Git, before petrol shot up in price this year it was around 85p a litre. If you look at how much the government makes in VAT alone you will know how much is market lead and how much you're being ripped off.
We wouldn't need foreigners to work in Subway or in warehouses if lazy people left their subsidised council housing and went to work every day.
Old Git, before petrol shot up in price this year it was around 85p a litre. If you look at how much the government makes in VAT alone you will know how much is market lead and how much you're being ripped off.
We wouldn't need foreigners to work in Subway or in warehouses if lazy people left their subsidised council housing and went to work every day.
Posted by: Ian, Bitterne park on 9:40pm Thu 8 May 08
[quote][bold]Family Man[/bold] wrote:
Whilst this was a local election, people voted on national issues. And, to turn the old expression on it's head, "Better the devil you don't know rather than the devil you do!", forgetting of course what life was like under Thatcher. I sincerely doubt that any more than a handful of voters know what their local party/candidate stands for, and in the vast majority of cases they vote purely on the basis of the party rather than the individual. That being said, I see the collapse of the Labour vote follows major policy failures by central government, as well as a lack of any "feelgood factor" caused by international events. Major policy failures include: a) a war in Iraq whereby very many lives are being lost and with no prospect of any end in sight, compare this government's attitude to intervention in Iraq as opposed to, say, Zimbabwe, or Burma. And it is a war which many would regard as illegal, caused by Tony Blair blind faith in Gerge W. And just look how the MoD treats it's servicemen and women. b) Stealth taxes, one after the other... road tax, the 10p tax, Income tax, Council Tax, Fuel duty, "Bin tax"..none of which seem to provide any benefit and squeeze the working middle class. c) An obsession with political correctness, health and safety, bureaucratic small mindedness that is taking all the colour out of life. d) Uncontrolled immigration and attitudes that make being English something to be embarassed about, with the working class English an unrepresented minority e)Government policies on tax, benefits and welfare that support single mother parenthood at the expense of working families, making unemployment a career option rather than welfare being a safety net. f) Despite all the spin, public services that are failing: the NHS, the civil service, local authorities, the MoD, education, and the prison service. g) the feeling that the public is exploited in "rip off" Britain and totally at the combined mercy of big business and local/central government h) Motorists and motoring being regarded as the "milch cow" to be sucked dry. i)"Green taxes" that do not go towards green policies, they are simply another way of raising money to be wasted on failing projects. I could go on.. but if the Labour Party is looking for a scapegoat, they need look no further than their Government's policies. The local elections were perhaps the only opportunity for the electorate to express their unhappiness, and it was an opportunity that they seized. I suspect that the situation is not capable of being turned round for a very long time, but the first thing the local Labour party needs to do is to invest time in the electorate rather than in-fighting, and start communicating more than just sending out "blurb" at election time. They need clear policies which represent the citizens of Southampton, and not simply ride over them rough shod. At least it would be a start. [/quote] This is probably the most intelligent post here by far.
I dont necessarily agree with it 100% but its better than the horsesh*t coming from the majority of other posters representing the Tories.
Family Man wrote:
Whilst this was a local election, people voted on national issues. And, to turn the old expression on it's head, "Better the devil you don't know rather than the devil you do!", forgetting of course what life was like under Thatcher. I sincerely doubt that any more than a handful of voters know what their local party/candidate stands for, and in the vast majority of cases they vote purely on the basis of the party rather than the individual. That being said, I see the collapse of the Labour vote follows major policy failures by central government, as well as a lack of any "feelgood factor" caused by international events. Major policy failures include: a) a war in Iraq whereby very many lives are being lost and with no prospect of any end in sight, compare this government's attitude to intervention in Iraq as opposed to, say, Zimbabwe, or Burma. And it is a war which many would regard as illegal, caused by Tony Blair blind faith in Gerge W. And just look how the MoD treats it's servicemen and women. b) Stealth taxes, one after the other... road tax, the 10p tax, Income tax, Council Tax, Fuel duty, "Bin tax"..none of which seem to provide any benefit and squeeze the working middle class. c) An obsession with political correctness, health and safety, bureaucratic small mindedness that is taking all the colour out of life. d) Uncontrolled immigration and attitudes that make being English something to be embarassed about, with the working class English an unrepresented minority e)Government policies on tax, benefits and welfare that support single mother parenthood at the expense of working families, making unemployment a career option rather than welfare being a safety net. f) Despite all the spin, public services that are failing: the NHS, the civil service, local authorities, the MoD, education, and the prison service. g) the feeling that the public is exploited in "rip off" Britain and totally at the combined mercy of big business and local/central government h) Motorists and motoring being regarded as the "milch cow" to be sucked dry. i)"Green taxes" that do not go towards green policies, they are simply another way of raising money to be wasted on failing projects. I could go on.. but if the Labour Party is looking for a scapegoat, they need look no further than their Government's policies. The local elections were perhaps the only opportunity for the electorate to express their unhappiness, and it was an opportunity that they seized. I suspect that the situation is not capable of being turned round for a very long time, but the first thing the local Labour party needs to do is to invest time in the electorate rather than in-fighting, and start communicating more than just sending out "blurb" at election time. They need clear policies which represent the citizens of Southampton, and not simply ride over them rough shod. At least it would be a start.
This is probably the most intelligent post here by far.
I dont necessarily agree with it 100% but its better than the horsesh*t coming from the majority of other posters representing the Tories.
Posted by: Di Healey, Southampton on 11:38pm Thu 8 May 08
I am over the moon the Conservatives won, as now we don't face resident's parking charges, Council Tax will be capped and our local Councillor Terrence Matthews is second-to-none, so if the rest are like him, Southampton is laughing. I do feel sorry for the Conservatives though, as they are left with the years of neglect on the state and safety of our roads to deal with - and that's not their fault; much like other matters left neglected by the Lib Dems and Labour lot.
I am over the moon the Conservatives won, as now we don't face resident's parking charges, Council Tax will be capped and our local Councillor Terrence Matthews is second-to-none, so if the rest are like him, Southampton is laughing. I do feel sorry for the Conservatives though, as they are left with the years of neglect on the state and safety of our roads to deal with - and that's not their fault; much like other matters left neglected by the Lib Dems and Labour lot.
let see what the Tories do now, with a few of the councillors only just 18, and with no experience of life. No doubt someone will come back an say let the young have a go, yes I agree but when they have some experience or know what they are taking on. These new 18 year old councillors are now in theory the employers of all the staff of Southampton City Council. I would say that a large percentage of the staff would be old enough to be their parents.
let see what the Tories do now, with a few of the councillors only just 18, and with no experience of life. No doubt someone will come back an say let the young have a go, yes I agree but when they have some experience or know what they are taking on. These new 18 year old councillors are now in theory the employers of all the staff of Southampton City Council. I would say that a large percentage of the staff would be old enough to be their parents.
[quote][bold]Ian[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Family Man[/bold] wrote: Whilst this was a local election, people voted on national issues. And, to turn the old expression on it's head, "Better the devil you don't know rather than the devil you do!", forgetting of course what life was like under Thatcher. I sincerely doubt that any more than a handful of voters know what their local party/candidate stands for, and in the vast majority of cases they vote purely on the basis of the party rather than the individual. That being said, I see the collapse of the Labour vote follows major policy failures by central government, as well as a lack of any "feelgood factor" caused by international events. Major policy failures include: a) a war in Iraq whereby very many lives are being lost and with no prospect of any end in sight, compare this government's attitude to intervention in Iraq as opposed to, say, Zimbabwe, or Burma. And it is a war which many would regard as illegal, caused by Tony Blair blind faith in Gerge W. And just look how the MoD treats it's servicemen and women. b) Stealth taxes, one after the other... road tax, the 10p tax, Income tax, Council Tax, Fuel duty, "Bin tax"..none of which seem to provide any benefit and squeeze the working middle class. c) An obsession with political correctness, health and safety, bureaucratic small mindedness that is taking all the colour out of life. d) Uncontrolled immigration and attitudes that make being English something to be embarassed about, with the working class English an unrepresented minority e)Government policies on tax, benefits and welfare that support single mother parenthood at the expense of working families, making unemployment a career option rather than welfare being a safety net. f) Despite all the spin, public services that are failing: the NHS, the civil service, local authorities, the MoD, education, and the prison service. g) the feeling that the public is exploited in "rip off" Britain and totally at the combined mercy of big business and local/central government h) Motorists and motoring being regarded as the "milch cow" to be sucked dry. i)"Green taxes" that do not go towards green policies, they are simply another way of raising money to be wasted on failing projects. I could go on.. but if the Labour Party is looking for a scapegoat, they need look no further than their Government's policies. The local elections were perhaps the only opportunity for the electorate to express their unhappiness, and it was an opportunity that they seized. I suspect that the situation is not capable of being turned round for a very long time, but the first thing the local Labour party needs to do is to invest time in the electorate rather than in-fighting, and start communicating more than just sending out "blurb" at election time. They need clear policies which represent the citizens of Southampton, and not simply ride over them rough shod. At least it would be a start. [/quote] This is probably the most intelligent post here by far. I dont necessarily agree with it 100% but its better than the horsesh*t coming from the majority of other posters representing the Tories.[/quote] We're not necessarily representing the Tories (I know that I'm not); it's more a case of no longer supporting Labour. Red? Blue? Yellow? Green? They're all the same after more than 10 years and need to be changed quite regularly. A bit like underpants, I guess!
Ian wrote:
Family Man wrote: Whilst this was a local election, people voted on national issues. And, to turn the old expression on it's head, "Better the devil you don't know rather than the devil you do!", forgetting of course what life was like under Thatcher. I sincerely doubt that any more than a handful of voters know what their local party/candidate stands for, and in the vast majority of cases they vote purely on the basis of the party rather than the individual. That being said, I see the collapse of the Labour vote follows major policy failures by central government, as well as a lack of any "feelgood factor" caused by international events. Major policy failures include: a) a war in Iraq whereby very many lives are being lost and with no prospect of any end in sight, compare this government's attitude to intervention in Iraq as opposed to, say, Zimbabwe, or Burma. And it is a war which many would regard as illegal, caused by Tony Blair blind faith in Gerge W. And just look how the MoD treats it's servicemen and women. b) Stealth taxes, one after the other... road tax, the 10p tax, Income tax, Council Tax, Fuel duty, "Bin tax"..none of which seem to provide any benefit and squeeze the working middle class. c) An obsession with political correctness, health and safety, bureaucratic small mindedness that is taking all the colour out of life. d) Uncontrolled immigration and attitudes that make being English something to be embarassed about, with the working class English an unrepresented minority e)Government policies on tax, benefits and welfare that support single mother parenthood at the expense of working families, making unemployment a career option rather than welfare being a safety net. f) Despite all the spin, public services that are failing: the NHS, the civil service, local authorities, the MoD, education, and the prison service. g) the feeling that the public is exploited in "rip off" Britain and totally at the combined mercy of big business and local/central government h) Motorists and motoring being regarded as the "milch cow" to be sucked dry. i)"Green taxes" that do not go towards green policies, they are simply another way of raising money to be wasted on failing projects. I could go on.. but if the Labour Party is looking for a scapegoat, they need look no further than their Government's policies. The local elections were perhaps the only opportunity for the electorate to express their unhappiness, and it was an opportunity that they seized. I suspect that the situation is not capable of being turned round for a very long time, but the first thing the local Labour party needs to do is to invest time in the electorate rather than in-fighting, and start communicating more than just sending out "blurb" at election time. They need clear policies which represent the citizens of Southampton, and not simply ride over them rough shod. At least it would be a start.
This is probably the most intelligent post here by far. I dont necessarily agree with it 100% but its better than the horsesh*t coming from the majority of other posters representing the Tories.
We're not necessarily representing the Tories (I know that I'm not); it's more a case of no longer supporting Labour. Red? Blue? Yellow? Green? They're all the same after more than 10 years and need to be changed quite regularly. A bit like underpants, I guess!
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