1 The whole ‘bigoted woman’ controversy. I’m no fan of Gordon Brown but as the son of an east European immigrant I actually felt a little bit of sympathy with him that day.
2 Getting annoyed that not one party knocked on my door to ask for my vote. I’d have loved to have a good chat with the Lib Dem, Green or even BNP candidate.
3 Voting Conservative for the first time. I’ve explained my reasoning before and I stand by it. Still, it felt a bit weird to be doing so after always voting Labour before. Adam Afriyie is a great guy and I’m delighted he increased his majority in my constituency.
4 The hilarious appearance of Martin Amis during ITV’s election night coverage. I’m a huge Amis fan but it wasn’t his finest hour. I’ve a feeling it might have been one of his more drunken though…
5 Good old Bruce Forsyth popped up too. Nice to see him, to see him… a bit strange!
6 Almost hyperventilating with amusement and joy as the Lib Dems – after all that Cleggmania nonsense – actually managed to end up with less seats than last time!
7) Liberal Democrats candidate Ed Fordham, who ran such a peculiar campaign, losing in Hampstead & Kilburn. Fordham tried to model himself as another Barack Obama. Well, among many differences between them is that Obama came first but Fordham came third. (Just a shame Chris Philp didn’t win.)
8 Martin Linton, George Galloway and Nick Griffin all losing. Oy va joy!
9 The irony of the Liberal Democrats coming third overall but in many ways holding all the cards in the aftermath. Funny how they moan about the unfair electoral system…until the unfairness works in their favour.
10 Watching idiotic Liberal Democrat supporters get their knickers in a twist about Nick Clegg talking with Cameron. We’ve been telling you Clegg’s a vacuous fake for months, people.
How was the election for you?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/may/08/andrew-rawnsley-liberal-democrasts-coalition
Yes the LibDems are in a key position but maybe “between a rock and a hard place” is a more accurate description than “holding all the cards”.
Maybe the name of the game for Clegg is how to avoid taking the public blame for the Autumn election — which looks highly likely.
Memo to Labour: bring back Blair for the autumn!
I was most struck by seeing on election day the number of Conservative placards in Kilburn and West Hampstead which had been torn down, in contrast to the LibDem ones next to them which were intact…..
As a Scot voting tory just felt wrong but I did so in large part as a result of this blog.
The tory candidate won, by the way…taking the seat from the Lib Dems.
It was Oy Va Goy wot won it!
“Chas Newkey-Burden says:
9 May 2010 at 6:27 PMMemo to Labour: bring back Blair for the autumn!”
Ah Chas – if only!!!
I canvassed one man who said he would vote Conservative if they brought back Mrs Thatcher ….
Thatcher v Blair … I’d buy a ticket for that one
Oh heck yes!
is it not a bit unfair to pit a woman with advanced dementia against a man still of sound mind?!
Do I need to point out the flaw in your reasoning?
George Galloway was my biggest joy! I detest that man more than any other politician.
I always thought Griffin would lose, and glad to see that he did.
And I agree with the “bigot” comment.
Despite the BNP’s talk, Griffin never stood a real chance (IMHO) of being elected to Westminster. However, the BNP’s support also collapsed in local elections, losing 26 councillors, including all 12 they had in Barking & Dagenham.
“Getting annoyed that not one party knocked on my door to ask for my vote. I’d have loved to have a good chat with the Lib Dem, Green or even BNP candidate”
Oh that there were more like you, Chas. Not too many people enjoy canvassing due to the short shrift or slammed doors they encounter:-))
I think Jonathan is correct though – Clegg is wedged into a difficult decision. Which ever way he goes it’s going to prove unpopular in some quarters. Still, politics is a tough field with numerous unpopular and/or difficult decisions having to be made. Seeing how Clegg does deal with this will give the electorate an insight into the man and his leadership qualities.
I do wonder, though, about their prospects should this result in another General Election. The LibDem’s have now had unprecedented media coverage, but failed to make the significant headway that they had hoped for. I wonder if the electorate in their wish to avoid another hung parliament, might vote Labour or Tory, even if they went for the LibDem’s before?
Yes – I would vote Tory in the event of a new election being called in the autumn or next spring, even though I didn’t this time. I believe the Tories are the best practical option right now and we need some stability and continuity. I have some reservations about David Cameron, but he seems like a decent person and if he gets to be PM I think he should be given the chance to prove himself.