Sunday 7 May
Bad news for Peter Aldous
Before next year’s General Election, the constituency boundaries will be redrawn in north Suffolk. The sitting Conservative MP, Peter Aldous, has a majority of over 18,000, but the results of this week’s local elections suggest that the Conservatives could well lose both the new seats.
The current Waveney constituency will be split, creating a new Waveney Valley constituency and a separate Lowestoft one. The Greens are in a strong position to take Waveney Valley, and Labour could take Lowestoft. This week’s vote shares for the wards which will form the new constituencies were:
| Waveney Valley | |
| Conservative | 35% |
| Labour | 10% |
| LibDem | 10% |
| Green | 44% |
| Lowestoft | |
| Conservative | 33% |
| Labour | 32% |
| LibDem | 15% |
| Green | 20% |
Post election analysis from Stephen McNair
How first past the post biases results
An illustration of how first past the post elections favour incumbents. Here are the local election results in Broadland. The two previously largest parties both won more seats than their vote share would earn.
Friday 5 May
Results: Tory shellacking
With over 1000 seats lost and 60% of the councils on which they held a majority now lost – it’s likely an understatement to say 2023 is likely to go down in their annals as a low point for their party.
Results: Broadland, Norfolk
Broadland: NOC. The Conservative majority of 28 was cut by 7 seats. With LibDems at 14(+2) , Labour 8 (+6) , Green 4 (+2) and Independent 1.
Results: South Norfolk
Conservatives win a tiny majority with 24 seats, down from 32 in the 2019 local elections. LibDems 11(+1), Labour 9(+8) and Independent 1(-2).
Results: North Norfolk holds steady for the LibDems
The LibDems hold a comfortable majority control with one gain. The Tories gained two seats and Independents lost three.
Results: Breckland, Norfolk
It’s a slam-dunk for “Local Conservatives” holding 30 seats out of a possible 49 seats. One more than they won in 2019. Labour won 12, Independent 5, Green 1 and LibDem 1.
Results: Norwich
Results: Uttlesford, Essex
Uttlesford Council in Essex remains in the hands of the Residents Association. Despite a fierce fight by Conservatives to regain the seats they lost in the 2019 wipe-out, they only managed to bring their total up to 11, and the Residents only lost 4, retaining 22, enough to keep control.
Results: Maldon, Essex
Maldon in Essex is now under No Overall Control, from having Independents in the majority. This hides the fact that the Conservatives lost seven seats; LD gained six and Labour gained one. As Conservatives now have only 10 out of 31 councillors, Tory Penny Channer is unlikely to lead a minority administration, as before.
Results: Tendring, Essex
Tendring bade a final farewell to UKIP. From having 22 seats in 2015, the last UKIP councillor has now left the stage. He, along with five colleagues elsewhere in the country who also lost, means there are now no UKIP councillors left for the first time this century. The council is No Overall Control, with Conservatives the largest group on 19. A variety of independents have 17; Labour and LibDems have each gained 2 seats to attain 8 and 4.
Results: Braintree – not so blue
The Tories lost seven seats but still narrowly control the council with a razor-thin margin of 26 of 49. Labour gained seven seats to take nine, Independents are now on seven. The wards near the proposed Wethersfield asylum-seeker centre, Hedingham and Three Fields, have elected two Independents each. This perhaps shows a lack of confidence in the Tory Council’s handling of the plan.
Results: Chelmsford, Essex
Nothing much to see here: Chelmsford has been held by the LibDems. Far from making inroads into the LibDem majority, the Conservatives have not increased their 21 seats. The LibDems gained two more for a strong showing of 33 out of 57. Labour failed to win a single seat.
Results: No change in Colchester, Essex
Colchester City Council has seen no change at all. The expected Labour and Lib Dem inroads were not made, so it remains No Overall Control, with the Conservatives on 19. With Labour and the Liberal Democrats on 15 councillors apiece, a discussion may be necessary about which of them will elect the council leader.
Results: Brentwood, Essex
Brentwood Council in Essex has now changed to No Overall Control from Conservative leadership. Tories lost three seats to the LibDems, including that of council leader, Chris Hossack, who recently announced he was stepping down from local politics.
Results: Central Bedfordshire
With a makeup of 27 Independents, 20 Conservatives, 10 Lib Dems, 5 Labour and 1 Green, it will be interesting to see if Central Bedfordshire Council is led by a coalition of Conservatives and aligned Independents, or whether the Independent group, as a bloc, might favour a Green/LibDem philosophy. Time will tell.
East Anglia Bylines will watch to learn, in general, just how ‘independent’ are the Independents. Just don’t forget in 2019 the Conservatives won with 39 seats. One wonders to what extent Ms Dorries, their MP, may have helped the loss of 19 seats in this year’s election.
Results: East Herts
The most talked about result in the East of England region was the Greens gaining their first council in Mid Suffolk. Much less talked about is the Tories losing control of East Herts due to a huge Green surge, gaining 18 seats – almost as many as in Mid Suffolk, and leaving them as the largest party. The LibDems and Labour also picked up a few seats. Final results: Green: 19 (+18) Conservative: 16 (-27) LibDem: 10 (+6) Labour: 5 (+3). Conservative lost to No Overall Control.
Results: Dacorum, Herts
LibDems have done well in Dacorum, gaining control over the council. They picked up 9 seats from the Conservatives, who also lost to Labour and an Independent. The final results: LibDem: 28 (+9) Conservatives: 18 (-13) Labour: 3 (+3) Independent: 2 (+1)
Results: St Albans, Herts
St Albans City and District Council was already a LibDem stronghold, with a LibDem MP in Daisy Cooper. The party retains and increases its majority control. With 56 seats the new political alignment is: LibDem: 48 Councillors, Conservatives: 4 Councillors, Green: 2, Independent: 1 and 1 vacancy.
Results, Ipswich, Suffolk
Little change in Ipswich. Labour held onto the council, gaining one seat at the expensive of the Conservatives. Two other seats held by the Conservatives were due a split vote by the LibDems. Labour: 12 (+1) Conservative: 3 (-1) LibDem: 1 (=) Council Now: Labour 33, Conservative 10, LibDems 3 , Independent 2.
Results: Babergh, Suffolk
Babergh District Council had 32 seats up for grabs and is under No Overall Control. Green 10 (+6) . Independent 9. Conservative 7. LibDems 5. Labour 1. If the Independents align with Tories, as often the case, they would have a greater combined total than the 14 seats in 2019.
Results: East Suffolk
East Suffolk District Council saw a Tory collapse, with the party losing 24 seats, leaving them with just 15. In the previous administration, the Greens, LibDems and Independents had formed the “GLI” voting bloc which they had clearly taken into the election with them, not standing against each other in any seats. The result was all the opposition parties gained seats, with the Greens the biggest winner and now the largest party. The final results were as follows: Green: 16 (+12), Conservative: 15 (-24), Labour: 12 (+5), LibDem: 11 (+8), Independent: 1 (-1) Conservative LOSE to No Overall Control.
Results: historic win for Greens in Mid Suffolk
With the number of Green gains in Mid Suffolk now at six, the Greens have reached the threshold of 18 seats and have now got majority control on the district council. This is the first time in history the Greens have ever had majority control on a council anywhere in the UK.
Mid Suffolk was a long-game for Greens campaign
Results: West Suffolk
West Suffolk hasn’t had the dramatic results of its Suffolk neighbours, but the Conservatives did lose nine seats, costing them their majority. Much of the west side of this district is part of the greater Cambridge conurbation. This is reflected in Labour gaining 12 new councillors and the LibDems, one. Final results: Conservatives: 27 (-9) Independent group: 18 (-4) Labour: 17 (+12) Green: 1 (=) LibDem 1 (+1).
The Hertfordshire blue wall…it crumbleth
From being a sea of blue, Broxbourne is now the only council over which the Tories have retained control.
Suffolk Police Commissioner loses council seat
More angst for Suffolk Tories, with news that Tim Passmore has lost his Palgrave seat to the Greens. The particular significance is that Passmore had moved from Claydon, his old seat, presumably because his home village would seem safer. That, of course, always assumed that his home village approved of his record, which apparently they don’t. Though as councillor or PCC one can only guess.
Greens on course to win Mid Suffolk District Council
A Green win in Stonham unseats the Conservative Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Digital Transformation & Improvement Suzie Morley. Greens have also gained in Palgrave, Debenham and Eye.
East Suffolk is looking wobbly for the Conservatives
Early results for East Suffolk District is proving positive for the Greens who have taken seats from the Conservatives in Bungay& Wainford, Aldeburgh & Leiston, Carlford & Fynn valley, Halesworth & Blything. The LibDems have made gains from the Tories in Eastern Felixstowe and in Kelsale & Yoxford.
Update: East Suffolk is doing its declarations on Twitter. So far the Greens have nine seats, eight of those are gains. Turnout has been really high, mostly in the 40s percent range. The two Carltons, both Conservative holds – two each – and both with only a 25% turnout.
Newsflash: Broadland District Council
Labour has taken Thorpe St Andrew NW from the Conservatives. They have also won in Sprowston East and currently have six seats. The 2019 election gave them just two seats on the council.
Some Cambridge updates…
Newnham ward in has been taken by the Greens. The LibDems have regained Cambridge Market and held onto Trumpington (though the Tory candidate increased his vote share by a focus on the unpopular Cambridge congestion charge proposal).
Final result: Labour 27 (down 2); LibDem 10 (up 1); Greens 4 (up 1); Independent 1. No Conservatives.
Some overnight results
Baker BS
Oh dear, not more evidence of misinformation from the Tories. The Conservatives have gained two seats, up from ten. Understandable jubilation for them in fairly solid LibDem territory especially as they took Bacton from Lib Dems. But still, accuracy is best….
Most of the Tory gains were from Independents who have gone down from six to three.
Not looking good for the Conservatives in south Essex
13 of the 47 Districts declared results overnight. So far Conservatives have lost control of Brentwood and Hertsmere. The remaining results are expected by 14:00 today.
Hertfordshire, so far (spoiler: a blue wall collapse…)
As of now, here’s how Hertfordshire stands.
Broxbourne remains a Tory Council and Stevenage Labour, with no changes whatsoever.
The surprise is Oliver Dowden’s home of Hertsmere. The Council went from a Strong Tory council, to no overall control as Labour and the LibDems have taken 13 seats from the Conservatives. The new make up is Conservative 16, Labour 14 (+7) and Lib Dem 9 (+6). We can expect an alliance here.
Dacorum and East Herts are still counting. In Dacorum, the Conservatives have lost five councillors and Labour have gained three. The LibDems currently hold seven councillors, one up from the last election. So far only 15 out of 50 results have declared.
In East Herts, the Greens will be cock-a-hoop, as they are now the largest party in the district council. The Conservatives have lost control, losing a total of of 25 seats. The Lib Dems and Labour have made minor gains, but the big news story here is from the Greens who won all six seats in Hertford Bengeo and Kingsmead wards (taking four from the Tories), all six in the three Ware town wards (six gains from the Conservatives), all three in Buntingford plus Hunsdon and Hertford Heath & Brickendon.
The tally with two seats to go is Green Party 17 (+15), Con 16 (-23), Lib Dem 10 (+4), Labour 5 (+3) Expect a Traffic Light Coalition here
Thursday 4 May
ID issue confirmed
We have confirmation this morning from several sources that greeters from the council are heading off voters before they go into the polling station, turning them away unrecorded if they don’t have ID.
Voter suppression
As this Guardian article points out, while it may be possible to calculate the numbers turned away, the true number who didn’t bother to vote due to lack of the correct ID will remain unknown. This is what voter suppression looks like.
Another voter ID confirmation
Here in Southend voter ID checks were being carried out before entry was granted to the polling station.
— Keith Richardson 3.5% #FBPE 💙 (@KeithRi08799644) May 4, 2023
Cambridgeshire: Prison officer’s government-issued ID was turned down
Norwich: County Council work ID invalid
Many women when getting married or divorced change their name. This means updating documents like driving licence and passport. This woman was lucky she visited the polling station early. The emergency proxy vote option was only available until 5pm. Polls close at 10pm.
No consistency over mask policy
One person is turned away, while another is allowed to vote. Different polling stations in different parts of the country. Why was one allowed to vote but not the other?
Just voted. As I have covid I wore a mask but did not tell the polling clerks. Took driving licence as ID.
— Oscar Dog (@OscarWoofs) May 4, 2023
Handed over my ID. Was not asked to remove and given my voting slip.
Plainly no consistency of approach wrt face checking and mask.#MyMaskMyVote #VoterID pic.twitter.com/XnA07CxsCY
Report from Mid Suffolk
Mid Suffolk is set for a showdown, with the Tories and Greens polling neck-and-neck. Andy Mellen, a Green Party District Councillor for Bacton ward says: “We have heard of a few problems: people who thought they had registered to vote but their names weren’t on the electoral roll, also some non-arrival of postal vote packs.” He is otherwise up-beat.
Voter problems in Norfolk
Update from a councillor in Bodham, Norfolk “I have had several who couldn’t vote because of ID issues including a Voter Authority Certificate not arriving. We’ve also had five who haven’t turned up because they had no ID – that’s more than the total number of convictions last time. No doubt there are countless more just in my small ward.”
You’re never too old!
Apparently a 40-year-old passport is good enough identification if the holder still vaguely resembles the photo.
Suffolk progressive alliance
There is strong evidence of a progressive alliance in place for seats in both Mid Suffolk and East Suffolk District Councils. In some wards there is only one progressive party running against the Conservatives. In others, there is more than one, but only one of the parties is actively campaigning.
I am near Felixstowe and we only had Lib Democrats and conservatives to vote for. As die hard Labour we voted for the former.
— Jon Trotter (@jayar12) May 4, 2023
Blues going Green?
Word from a Labour source is that sentiment among Tory voters in Woodbridge might be turning Green.
ID disinformation
Disenfranchised voter
No ID? There’s emergency proxy voting
No voter ID? Or unable to vote due to illness? In England you have until 5pm to request an emergency proxy vote.
Wednesday 3 May
Breaking…late briefing on elections subverts data on voters turned away for lack of identity
East Anglia Bylines has received information suggesting that a late briefing to presiding officers suggests that they approach voters to check that they have appropriate ID before they enter the polling station. This would save time for the staff, with less paperwork and time explaining at the desk. But the effect would be to suppress the numbers recorded as officially turned away. When the evaluation of the introduction of voter ID is published we will need to treat the figures with some scepticism.
Will Baker soon be toast?
North Norfolk MP Duncan Baker MP is making a final push in support of “Local Conservatives” to make some impact on the 10 seats they currently hold. But given Mr Baker’s voting record allowing raw sewage to be dumped, one wonders if claiming Conservatives, sorry “Local Conservatives” will “Protect Our Special Environment” is a bit rash.
Sadly as no replies are tolerated to his tweet, East Anglia Bylines is unable to ask that question.
One can only assume the style of “Leadership that YOU deserve” is one where YOU can’t answer back.
Remind us again who gave the green light to the water companies, to pump raw sewage again? Here's a hint Tories. pic.twitter.com/mjXOOvCZZb
— chris (@cdtplug) April 25, 2023
Remember your Voter ID!
East Anglia Bylines has written about the issue of an NHS dentist desert in our region. So we have some sympathy for NHS supporters who endeavour to make local elections about national problems.
The division of responsibility is a little confusing – county councils have responsibility for education, social services and waste disposal. District councils are responsible for local services such as rubbish collection, housing and planning applications.
But however you chose to vote, and whatever motivates you, one factor remains important: you must take your voter ID for your preference to be counted.
A Green wave?
Across East Anglia, the march of the Green Party is definitely gaining traction. We are hearing of Tory voters disillusioned with ever-increasing housing developments eroding their village, or small-town community way of life. So the local elections for East Hertfordshire District Council may prove a weathervane for the future.
Currently the Green Party holds 2 seats. Their ambition is to take 16 seats. This might be rather ambitious, but the party is expected to make some gains. What does seem to be true is that increasingly it’s the Conservative voters who are switching allegiance and delivering the Green momentum.
Read more from our Hertfordshire round-up here.
Nads losing Beds
Conservative-controlled Central Bedfordshire Council with 39 of the 59 seats up for grabs, might be interesting to watch. Boundary changes now mean there will be 63 councillors across 31 wards.
But will the decision at the forefront of people’s mind be about the issues in Bedfordshire or about Boris Johnson devotee, Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedfordshire since 2005?
Word on the street is that constituents are so fed-up with her antics that some are urging voters to remove every Conservative local councillor and send a grassroots message to push for her removal.
After all, her twitter account shows far more interest in Camilla, Meghan, her I’m a Celebrity days and her own TV appearances, than in voicing support for her campaigning local Conservative colleagues.
Cambridge: progressive on progressive fight
In Cambridge, tomorrow’s local election look like a straight fight between Labour and the LibDems, with not a lot of excitement. Issues at the forefront of voters minds are Greater Cambridge Partnership’s congestion charge and bus subsidy proposals, housing development sprawl and road reclassification.
Timmy no-mates?
Tim Passmore, Suffolk Police & Crime Commissioner since 2012, must be extremely hardworking to once again put himself forward for re-election to Mid Suffolk District Council, this time in Palgrave Ward. Currently he represents Claydon & Barham ward with Conservative allegiance. Given his selfless dedication to public life, Cllr Passmore must be crushed that his Facebook page for tomorrow’s local election has zero likes and zero followers.
North Norfolk LibDems are upbeat
North Norfolk canvassers are reporting a general sense of disillusionment with the Conservatives. So there is optimism in the LibDems camp that they may retain control of North Norfolk District Council.
Local elections are always close contests in North Norfolk. So turnout will be an important factor. Sir Norman Lamb has been offering his support as has Conservative MP Duncan Baker.
Whilst the message on the doorstep is that most are pleased with the LibDem controlled North Norfolk District Council record there is worry that voter ID could be a big issue and tip the balance.
Tuesday 2 May
Labour hopeful in Broadland
Labour canvassers are optimistic in the areas of Broadland which border Norwich (where Labour is firmly in control). 70% of contacts say they plan to vote Labour, and are keen to vote, including Tory switchers. Overturning an 18 seat Tory majority may be a stretch, but with polls suggesting a very high turnout this time anything is possible.
Greens to shock Suffolk Tories?
It seems the Greens must be feeling confident of winning their first English council outright in Mid Suffolk. Information is that the Tories are barely visible, and as across much of the region there are few leaflets and little sign of canvassing. The Tory candidate in Eye isn’t popular even among Tories. There are signs the Greens may also be the largest party on Babergh.
More surprising is the feedback from East Suffolk. Nobody is talking, but it’s possible the Tories may just lose control to the Green, LibDem and independent group. Though this is more of a long shot. A close call is expected
“Local Conservatives” are still Conservatives!
Labour candidate Ms Carmel Greene is contesting South Wymondham ward for one of 46 seats on South Norfolk District Council. The council currently has a Conservative majority of 32.
Topics on the doorstep are South Norfolk District Council’s planning failures and maintenance problems. Infrastructure accessibility is another, particularly at Wymondham railway station. She says, “despite years of talk, Wymondham’s Platform 2 remains inaccessible. I have struggled myself with two children and a pushchair – More action and less talk is needed!”
Tory councillors and candidates must be very worried. Why else would every Tory candidate for South Norfolk District Council hide their political allegiance behind the dubious term “Local Conservative”?
Canvassing? Not really
Dear old George Freeman MP is offering his support for “local conservatives” standing in the Watton ward of Breckland District Council. But one wonders, noting the same door is used in all the photos, whether their canvassing is just a bit too localised.
And it gets better… in Mattishall it appears that canvassing dogs is now the norm!
Norfolk’s Monster Raving Loony Party candidate
Once again Earl Elvis of Outwell, aka Ashley Inwood, is standing as an Official Monster Raving Looney Party candidate in Emneth and Outwell Ward. We are not sure what his manifesto is in 2023, but this was 2019:
Canvassing by Fitbit
Proclaimed countryside and environmental advocate (according to his twitter profile) West Suffolk Councillor Richard Rout, one of the 53 Conservatives that form the majority in West Suffolk District Council, has been tweeting of his canvassing with John Augustine, Bury St Edmunds town councillor for Westgate Ward. Door to door canvassing is hard-going. But at least they have been successfully clocking up the fitbit miles.
False optimism?
Has the Tory campaigning in Mid Suffolk been abandoned? Whispers on the wire are that Conservative leaflets have only been delivered in 10 out of the 26 wards. Are they in retreat mode, and focusing on defending their key seats? Not according to The Guardian today. Optimism rules. Local Conservatives believe they can make gains on their current 16 seats. But we are hearing of little evidence to support this.
Monday 1 May
Brentwood Borough Council up for grabs
Brentwood Conservatives fear losing their majority this week. The split is currently Conservatives: 21, Liberal Democrats: 14 and Labour: 2. If they lose just 3 seats, the borough council will be No Overall Control, where no one party rules. This year, 13 of the 37 seats are up for re-election. Conservative councillor Chris Hossack, who had led the council since 2019, has chosen not to stand for re-election. Perhaps he saw the writing on the wall.
Mid Suffolk malaise
There are concerns about the way that the election is being run in Mid Suffolk.
There were initial errors in the nomination process with the Conservative district council candidate for St Peter’s in Stowmarket being left off the original Statement of Persons Nominated, and in Elmswell the council apparently didn’t notice that an election would be needed for the parish council. Mis Suffolk were forced to issue an update acknowledging the errors.
Now there are reports of problems with the postal ballots. People who have requested a postal vote due to having no photo ID, or because of mobility or other issues, have not yet received them. If they arrive by polling day they will perhaps be able to hand-deliver them to a polling station, which is causing understandable anxiety. Others who are away from home on election day can’t do this, and now it’s too late to post them. They will have to trust them to a friend or neighbour to drop them in at the polling station on their behalf, but those who have already left for the week will lose their chance to vote.
Mid Suffolk district is not a large or complicated one, so why can’t they get this right? It’s particularly galling for those with no photo ID, because this is a problem of the government’s own making.
Greens are polling neck and neck with Tories in Mid Suffolk
Read our analysis of the fascinating Mid Suffolk race here.
Tory candidate complains of misinformation
A tory candidate in West Norfolk admits a voter tore up his election leaflet in front of his eyes. “So many people misinformed,” he laments.
Varsity contests Cambridge
Fourteen of the 42 seats on Cambridge City Council will be contested in this election cycle, and seven of them involve university students: three LibDems, three Green and one Conservative.
Cambridge transport proposals to save the Tories?
We might expect some confusing results from the elections in Cambridgeshire, since both Busway and congestion charge are proving hugely controversial across the whole county. Hard pressed Tories see these as the causes which may yet save them.
How low can Tories go?
On Friday, when the results are announced, people expect to see a swing against the Conservatives. But these seats were last contested in 2019, in the midst of Brexit chaos in Westminster, and at the low point of Theresa May’s government. The Conservatives did very badly then. So they start from a low base, and it may be that Conservative support has already fallen as low as it can. If they lose any more this time it will be very bad news for them.
This is what the Eastern Daily Press said when the 2019 results were announced:
“While the Tories emerged still in control of all but two councils in Norfolk, the party suffered a disastrous result in the north of the county and came within 11 votes of losing a third.
And even in the districts where the Conservatives were comfortably able to retain overall control, other parties were able to slightly close the gap and mount stronger oppositions in the council chambers.
The results left Tories counting the costs of voter apathy and anger at national politics, with the Mid Norfolk member of parliament George Freeman in particular lamenting the outcome.
He Tweeted: “This is a terrible night for local government – hardworking local councillors being hit by a tsunami of anger from all sides of the Brexit chaos, for which they are NOT responsible.”
Overall, the Tories lost 46 seats countywide, as frustrations over Westminster appeared to have a major impact on local politics.”
Can it get worse for them?
Sunday 30 April
Suffolk Green rising
A Mid Suffolk Green candidate reports: “We were out in the Plumsteads and Thorpe End yesterday. On my rounds in Thorpe End ‘Garden Village’ residents I spoke to in their gardens all said they were going to be voting Green for the first time.” One said: “As a lifelong Conservative voter I never thought I would be saying this but I am thinking about voting Green”.
Cambridge Tory comeback?
The Tories in Cambridge are hoping to make some gains off the back of the controversial Cambridge congestion charge zone proposals.
Essex councillor deselected
Uttlesford, Essex councillor Garry LeCount from ruling Residents for Uttlesford (R4U) party has been deselected. He says it’s because he was ‘asking difficult questions’. However, the party says it’s more to do with his ‘personal conduct’. He’s now running as an Independent.
Worms turning?
The obsequies were read over the Facebook page of James Wilde, MP for North West Norfolk, two years ago. Since then it has appeared defunct.
But suddenly, it has risen again. This may be in celebration of Easter, or the fact that even Wild with his huge majority is feeling a draught. Or, facing the wrath of the voters, brought about by the behaviour of his government, his councillors have suggested it’s time he got off his bum and looked a bit supportive if he expects them to go canvassing for him next time.
Schrödinger’s election
The polls claim there will be a high turn-out in the local elections, perhaps as high as 70%. That’s virtually a general election level compared to a turn-out of less than half that in recent council elections.
This should be set against reports from party canvassers that voters are disillusioned with politics, particularly (and not surprisingly) Tory voters.
But the two findings aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. It’s quite possible that the many who don’t usually bother to vote on these occasions are sufficiently stirred by the state of politics that, at last, they want to do something about it.
Saturday 29 April
A new poll by Opinium for the Observer gives Labour an 18% lead over the Tories, a week before 8,000 Council seats are up for election. Rishi Sunak’s personal ratings have slumped.
No alcohol please, we’re British!
Pecksniff mused in permitting alcohol at the election counts.
We should know that – this being Britain – it is of course banned. As, according to Stephen McNair, are guns, knives, drugs, animals and promotional mugs.
High turnout predicted
A new poll from Omnisys predicts an exceptionally high turnout on Thursday. 70% say they plan to vote. If so, it would probably be the biggest turnout ever in a local election. They think it favours Labour.
Watch East Cambridgeshire and Mid Suffolk on Friday
YouGov MRP polling has two of our Districts in their top 16 predicted Tory losses.
