The general election result seems a long time ago now and we are still waiting for the result. No doubt everyone has made studious notes of the last few days for their forthcoming memoirs but in the meantime we are still in the dark.
My own view is rather straight forward.
1. Nick Clegg was right to start negotiations with the Conservative party. With 36%, they got more votes and more seats than Labour and together we can form a stable government if we concentrate on common ground.
2. Voting reform MUST be one of the results of any negotiations. The party have fought for that for years – we simply cannot keep up a discredited unrepresentative unfair system.
3. Alternative vote is NOT proportional representation. We will only have one chance to change the system – let’s get it right first time.
4. We must NOT enter a deal with Labour. The election was clearly a rejection of Labour’s record and policies and to put together a Lab-Lib Dem government would be ridiculous, especially with Gordon Brown STILL running things.
5. If we cannot make a deal with the Conservatives then at least we can say we have tried. David Cameron can then run a minority government and our MPs can vote with him on an issue by issue basis, such as abolishing ID cards, education investment and the low carbon economy.
6. We will thus be sticking to our principles and if we are facing the electorate again in a few months, we can say that we tried to provide stable government but it was not possible.
Gordon Brown’s departure is welcome – and I am sure we all wish him well – but he should have gone on Friday morning not in a few months time.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Election results - the day after
Election day, 6 May, was, as expected, the most busiest day of all, from getting up at 4am to delivering the election day leaflets, through to the last knock-ups at 9pm, and on to waiting for the result at 5am – a 25 hour day, then four hours sleep, before up again for the council results. I might sleep for two days before going back to work on Monday.
But there’s no denying it – the Liberal Democrat results nationally and locally were very disappointing. It seems many people lost their nerve and went back to the devils they knew. We discovered this quite a lot in the last few days of canvassing.
To my own results:
Sittingbourne and Sheppey:
Gordon Henderson (Conservative) – 24,313 (50.0% - up 8.3%)
Angela Harrison (Labour) – 11,390 (24.6% - down 17.1%)
Keith Nevols (Liberal Democrats) – 7,943 (16.4% - up 3.6%)
Ian Davison (UKIP) – 2,610 (5.4% - up 3.1%)
Lawrence Tames (BNP) – 1,305 (2.7%)
Mad Mike Young (Loony) – 319 (0.7% - down 0.5%)
David Cassidy (Independent) – 158 (0.3%)
I enjoyed the campaign very much. It has been very tiring but also invigorating and already I am thinking about what I can do differently next time. But I have to admit that given all the work I and we put into the campaign over four months, an increase of only 3.6% is a bit disappointing – although larger than the national average Lib Dem increase.
Obviously national factors played the major part. We expected the Tories to win the seat but we certainly didn’t expect such a surge to result in a majority of 12,383. Although I have commented on the collapse of the Labour vote, I didn’t expect such a large collapse and nor that most of it would swing to the Tories.
Some bright spots – as I said, I enjoyed the campaign. I was pleased that UKIP kept their deposit, as Ian and the UKIP guys are likeable chaps, and my earlier fears of a sizeable BNP vote were not realised. Maybe they will go and look elsewhere.
The biggest disappointment was to come the following day.
Swale Borough Council
Murston ward
Ed Gent (Conservative) 845
Keith Nevols (Liberal Democrat) 695
Shelley Cheesman (Labour) 618
There were 16 of Swale’s wards up for election (13 with us in Sittingbourne and Sheppey and the other three in Faversham). Because of our limited resources we decided to throw everything at our defence of Murston. The whole ward was canvassed, leafleted three times, and chased up on election day. We could not have worked harder.
Yet the higher turnout, due to the general election and the Tory increase, saw us lose this seat and reduce our number of councillors to three. The only consolation is that the whole council is up for election next year – so if I had won, I may have been a councillor for only a year.
For now a break – it will seem strange not to go knocking on doors for a while – but very soon we, and I, will think about our future strategy and where we go from here.
But there’s no denying it – the Liberal Democrat results nationally and locally were very disappointing. It seems many people lost their nerve and went back to the devils they knew. We discovered this quite a lot in the last few days of canvassing.
To my own results:
Sittingbourne and Sheppey:
Gordon Henderson (Conservative) – 24,313 (50.0% - up 8.3%)
Angela Harrison (Labour) – 11,390 (24.6% - down 17.1%)
Keith Nevols (Liberal Democrats) – 7,943 (16.4% - up 3.6%)
Ian Davison (UKIP) – 2,610 (5.4% - up 3.1%)
Lawrence Tames (BNP) – 1,305 (2.7%)
Mad Mike Young (Loony) – 319 (0.7% - down 0.5%)
David Cassidy (Independent) – 158 (0.3%)
I enjoyed the campaign very much. It has been very tiring but also invigorating and already I am thinking about what I can do differently next time. But I have to admit that given all the work I and we put into the campaign over four months, an increase of only 3.6% is a bit disappointing – although larger than the national average Lib Dem increase.
Obviously national factors played the major part. We expected the Tories to win the seat but we certainly didn’t expect such a surge to result in a majority of 12,383. Although I have commented on the collapse of the Labour vote, I didn’t expect such a large collapse and nor that most of it would swing to the Tories.
Some bright spots – as I said, I enjoyed the campaign. I was pleased that UKIP kept their deposit, as Ian and the UKIP guys are likeable chaps, and my earlier fears of a sizeable BNP vote were not realised. Maybe they will go and look elsewhere.
The biggest disappointment was to come the following day.
Swale Borough Council
Murston ward
Ed Gent (Conservative) 845
Keith Nevols (Liberal Democrat) 695
Shelley Cheesman (Labour) 618
There were 16 of Swale’s wards up for election (13 with us in Sittingbourne and Sheppey and the other three in Faversham). Because of our limited resources we decided to throw everything at our defence of Murston. The whole ward was canvassed, leafleted three times, and chased up on election day. We could not have worked harder.
Yet the higher turnout, due to the general election and the Tory increase, saw us lose this seat and reduce our number of councillors to three. The only consolation is that the whole council is up for election next year – so if I had won, I may have been a councillor for only a year.
For now a break – it will seem strange not to go knocking on doors for a while – but very soon we, and I, will think about our future strategy and where we go from here.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Use your vote - and vote for genuine change
Another very busy time in the final two days – I have visited Rodmersham Primary School and Westlands School to answer questions and provide material for their mock elections, spent many hours delivering leaflets, handed out leaflets at Sittingbourne and Newington stations, much more canvassing and more leafleting, co-organise the final arrangements for the campaign headquarters and the team – and devoured an eve of poll fish and chips.
Early to bed tonight and up early tomorrow to get going. It will be a long day – lots to do.
The BBC and Meridian will both be attending the count and our result is expected at about 1.30am so make sure you keep an eye out for me and you can admire my big new rosette.
But to everyone who reads this – get out and vote! Vote, vote, vote! Let’s get a good turnout and ensure that as many people as possible have their say!
And if you want to see:
Fairness in the tax burden with more money in your pocket;
Fairness in our schools with smaller class sizes and no tuition fees;
Fairness in jobs by developing the long-term sustainable industries and employment we need in energy efficiency and public transport;
And fairness in our politics, so that parliament and its MPs can be completely transparent and accountable to you, the voter.
If you want to sweep away the old red-blue pass-the-parcel parties that have let us all down again and again.
If you want GENUINE change.
Then there is only one choice – and that is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.
Early to bed tonight and up early tomorrow to get going. It will be a long day – lots to do.
The BBC and Meridian will both be attending the count and our result is expected at about 1.30am so make sure you keep an eye out for me and you can admire my big new rosette.
But to everyone who reads this – get out and vote! Vote, vote, vote! Let’s get a good turnout and ensure that as many people as possible have their say!
And if you want to see:
Fairness in the tax burden with more money in your pocket;
Fairness in our schools with smaller class sizes and no tuition fees;
Fairness in jobs by developing the long-term sustainable industries and employment we need in energy efficiency and public transport;
And fairness in our politics, so that parliament and its MPs can be completely transparent and accountable to you, the voter.
If you want to sweep away the old red-blue pass-the-parcel parties that have let us all down again and again.
If you want GENUINE change.
Then there is only one choice – and that is to vote for the Liberal Democrats.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Going For Gold - a clarification
Word has reached me that some of our supporters and helpers have received contacts allegedly from the Labour party as to my supposedly limited ambitions. If true, you have to hand it to Labour, they are a crafty bunch, and I guess all is fair in love and elections. But maybe I did not make myself clear, so please let me clarify.
I want to win this election and become the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey. I do not want to be second, third, fourth or seventh, I want to be first. I have worked very hard these last four months with the intention of going for gold.
I have spoken to thousands of people, knocked on thousands of doors, delivered thousands of leaflets, held high street stalls, taken part in debates, replied to hundreds of emails, visited schools and societies, travelled all over the constituency, and accepted as many invites to meet people as I could. I’ve also got a job when I have time to go to work. I have not talked to as many people as I would like – but I have not done too bad!
But I wouldn’t have done all this if I had no intention of winning.
It is true that in an earlier blog and a newspaper interview I referred to us being second – this is because some Conservative supporters and many Labour supporters were coming our way, both because they did not like the actions of their own party and because they were attracted by what we had to offer. The first leader’s debate accelerated this process. And I did say that second would be a good result considering our tiny resources compared to the masses available to the old big two.
However I also said we would not rest there. We would be working until 10pm on 6 May to get as much support and as many votes as possible. As I said, someone has to challenge Gordon Henderson and the Conservatives.
If the polls are correct, Labour’s support compared to 2005 has declined by about a third, the Conservatives is about the same, and ours has increased by about a third! This plus boundary changes means that Labour simply will not defend a majority of only 79. It is obvious that only the Liberal Democrats can stop a Conservative victory in this constituency.
If the good people in Sittingbourne and Sheppey agree that the government has let us all down and want genuine change, but not the devastating changes that the Conservative party will bring to the constituency, then they should vote Liberal Democrat.
And I want to win!!
I want to win this election and become the MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey. I do not want to be second, third, fourth or seventh, I want to be first. I have worked very hard these last four months with the intention of going for gold.
I have spoken to thousands of people, knocked on thousands of doors, delivered thousands of leaflets, held high street stalls, taken part in debates, replied to hundreds of emails, visited schools and societies, travelled all over the constituency, and accepted as many invites to meet people as I could. I’ve also got a job when I have time to go to work. I have not talked to as many people as I would like – but I have not done too bad!
But I wouldn’t have done all this if I had no intention of winning.
It is true that in an earlier blog and a newspaper interview I referred to us being second – this is because some Conservative supporters and many Labour supporters were coming our way, both because they did not like the actions of their own party and because they were attracted by what we had to offer. The first leader’s debate accelerated this process. And I did say that second would be a good result considering our tiny resources compared to the masses available to the old big two.
However I also said we would not rest there. We would be working until 10pm on 6 May to get as much support and as many votes as possible. As I said, someone has to challenge Gordon Henderson and the Conservatives.
If the polls are correct, Labour’s support compared to 2005 has declined by about a third, the Conservatives is about the same, and ours has increased by about a third! This plus boundary changes means that Labour simply will not defend a majority of only 79. It is obvious that only the Liberal Democrats can stop a Conservative victory in this constituency.
If the good people in Sittingbourne and Sheppey agree that the government has let us all down and want genuine change, but not the devastating changes that the Conservative party will bring to the constituency, then they should vote Liberal Democrat.
And I want to win!!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Some thoughts
It’s been pointed out to me that I have only talked about this constituency. I suppose it is natural for a candidate to concentrate on what’s going on in his own patch but here are some thoughts.
If the polls are correct, then Labour’s time in government is coming to an end and David Cameron will become Prime Minister of a majority or minority administration.
Gordon Brown will be leaving Number 10 almost exactly three years after he got the job. You may recall he got praise at first for how he handled the floods and terrorist attacks leading to early election speculation – but since then it has been one long disaster zone as the government tried to wrestle with the recession, the expenses and other scandals, and consistent leadership coup attempts. Bailing out the banks could be argued as a good move but then not using this newly acquired muscle to force changes was a mistake.
Where will Labour go now? There’s no shortage of leadership candidates but who will manage to catch the public imagination in 2014 or 2015? Alan Johnson and David Miliband appear to be the favourites with Ed Balls, Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband also talked about. But in which direction will they take the party? Old Labour has gone. New Labour has now run its time. What’s next? Second hand Labour?
No such problems with the Conservatives, they have always been consistent. They are sponsored by the rich, backed by the rich, and will always look after the rich. The working classes will be kept in their place. Margaret Thatcher and John Major both came from humble backgrounds – by the time they had finished even more people were coming from humble backgrounds.
In 1979, the last time the Conservatives came to power in a recession, the first budget cut taxes for the very top earners, increased VAT for the rest of us, and slashed public spending. As a result, unemployment rocketed and for most of the 1980s was at a far higher level than is now. Industries nationwide were wiped out, a generation of young people were wasted, and massive social problems hit the country.
It really concerns me that the Conservative party plan to do all that again – and the social unrest we all saw will be repeated. One difference this time is the rise of the BNP. People will feel that politicians have let them down again and may well turn to extremist options.
The only hope is if the Liberal Democrats can make enough progress to deny the Conservatives a majority or at least a working majority and to somehow get in the reforms we really need. However I think the Conservatives will rule with a minority if they have to, and make deals with others on a case-by-case basis. There will be over 30 MPs from other parties, the Speaker and Deputies don’t vote and Sinn Fein won’t turn up so they could muddle through.
One of the biggest disappointments in this campaign has been the Daily Telegraph. Last year they did very well in exposing the expenses scandal, produced an excellent book on the topic, and did their reputation a power of good. You would hope they would go to the next step to promote methods to ensure this sort of thing won’t happen again.
But instead the Telegraph have declined rapidly to pathetic attempts to smear Nick Clegg, scare everyone about hung parliaments, and are now aiming to deny us the necessary parliamentary reforms. Nothing will change. A shame.
That’s my thoughts so far. After the election, once we see the results, I will tell you what I think about the Liberal Democrat campaign, those of the smaller parties, and about how we developed our own strategy here in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
If the polls are correct, then Labour’s time in government is coming to an end and David Cameron will become Prime Minister of a majority or minority administration.
Gordon Brown will be leaving Number 10 almost exactly three years after he got the job. You may recall he got praise at first for how he handled the floods and terrorist attacks leading to early election speculation – but since then it has been one long disaster zone as the government tried to wrestle with the recession, the expenses and other scandals, and consistent leadership coup attempts. Bailing out the banks could be argued as a good move but then not using this newly acquired muscle to force changes was a mistake.
Where will Labour go now? There’s no shortage of leadership candidates but who will manage to catch the public imagination in 2014 or 2015? Alan Johnson and David Miliband appear to be the favourites with Ed Balls, Harriet Harman and Ed Miliband also talked about. But in which direction will they take the party? Old Labour has gone. New Labour has now run its time. What’s next? Second hand Labour?
No such problems with the Conservatives, they have always been consistent. They are sponsored by the rich, backed by the rich, and will always look after the rich. The working classes will be kept in their place. Margaret Thatcher and John Major both came from humble backgrounds – by the time they had finished even more people were coming from humble backgrounds.
In 1979, the last time the Conservatives came to power in a recession, the first budget cut taxes for the very top earners, increased VAT for the rest of us, and slashed public spending. As a result, unemployment rocketed and for most of the 1980s was at a far higher level than is now. Industries nationwide were wiped out, a generation of young people were wasted, and massive social problems hit the country.
It really concerns me that the Conservative party plan to do all that again – and the social unrest we all saw will be repeated. One difference this time is the rise of the BNP. People will feel that politicians have let them down again and may well turn to extremist options.
The only hope is if the Liberal Democrats can make enough progress to deny the Conservatives a majority or at least a working majority and to somehow get in the reforms we really need. However I think the Conservatives will rule with a minority if they have to, and make deals with others on a case-by-case basis. There will be over 30 MPs from other parties, the Speaker and Deputies don’t vote and Sinn Fein won’t turn up so they could muddle through.
One of the biggest disappointments in this campaign has been the Daily Telegraph. Last year they did very well in exposing the expenses scandal, produced an excellent book on the topic, and did their reputation a power of good. You would hope they would go to the next step to promote methods to ensure this sort of thing won’t happen again.
But instead the Telegraph have declined rapidly to pathetic attempts to smear Nick Clegg, scare everyone about hung parliaments, and are now aiming to deny us the necessary parliamentary reforms. Nothing will change. A shame.
That’s my thoughts so far. After the election, once we see the results, I will tell you what I think about the Liberal Democrat campaign, those of the smaller parties, and about how we developed our own strategy here in Sittingbourne and Sheppey.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Final Debates
The series of Sittingbourne and Sheppey debates came to an end this week.
Firstly, on Monday, Gordon, Angela and I went to the Isle of Sheppey Academy to meet 16-18 year olds where we were questioned about local issues and politics in general.
Then in the afternoon Gordon and I met again at Highsted school in Sittingbourne for a discussion about school transport. Contrary to my last entry, Labour did indeed send a representative in the form of the legendary Roger Truelove, a well-known and very experienced local councillor, and we were joined by a representative from Kent County Council and the police.
I found this second debate quite tough – the subject matter was rather narrow and were with matters primarily relating to Kent County Council. Hence Gordon and Roger are much more experienced than I on local county issues and were able to give better answers. I got in our party policy on public transport and policing however.
The final debate was the Churches Together event at The Church in Hope Street, Sheerness. This was advertised and open to the public. Issues raised included Trident, the rights of Christians, hung parliaments, human rights, drinking hours and our local ambitions as an MP. To my surprise, immigration, the most common issue raised on the doorsteps, did not come up. Sitting next to the chairman, I could see a question coming about energy to which I would have had a great answer but, alas, we didn’t get to it.
This was a good debate. Heated discussions went to and fro, the audience got their say and generally we all answered the questions. It was also well conducted and chaired.
Gordon was less dominating than previously and came across well. I even found myself agreeing with some of his answers – which is a worrying precedent. Angela had her best debate of the series also with some good answers. As neither Europe, immigration nor the economy came up then Ian of UKIP didn’t really have much to bite on, but fended off the BNP. David Cassidy, an Independent of whom I know nothing, showed an independent spirit.
I managed to answer the questions without too many problems but, as I am not used to addressing 200 people, had to resort to the microphone to be heard.
The BNP candidate and three colleagues were present but of course were not invited onto the panel. We were anticipating some sort of onslaught but instead they carried out a rather weak attack on Ian regarding an email he is alleged to have sent.
That’s all the debates. Six in all, five of them alongside Gordon, four with Angela and three with Ian, so we have got to know each other fairly well. They have all been fun but also hard work. And we will next meet on Thursday at the count!
Firstly, on Monday, Gordon, Angela and I went to the Isle of Sheppey Academy to meet 16-18 year olds where we were questioned about local issues and politics in general.
Then in the afternoon Gordon and I met again at Highsted school in Sittingbourne for a discussion about school transport. Contrary to my last entry, Labour did indeed send a representative in the form of the legendary Roger Truelove, a well-known and very experienced local councillor, and we were joined by a representative from Kent County Council and the police.
I found this second debate quite tough – the subject matter was rather narrow and were with matters primarily relating to Kent County Council. Hence Gordon and Roger are much more experienced than I on local county issues and were able to give better answers. I got in our party policy on public transport and policing however.
The final debate was the Churches Together event at The Church in Hope Street, Sheerness. This was advertised and open to the public. Issues raised included Trident, the rights of Christians, hung parliaments, human rights, drinking hours and our local ambitions as an MP. To my surprise, immigration, the most common issue raised on the doorsteps, did not come up. Sitting next to the chairman, I could see a question coming about energy to which I would have had a great answer but, alas, we didn’t get to it.
This was a good debate. Heated discussions went to and fro, the audience got their say and generally we all answered the questions. It was also well conducted and chaired.
Gordon was less dominating than previously and came across well. I even found myself agreeing with some of his answers – which is a worrying precedent. Angela had her best debate of the series also with some good answers. As neither Europe, immigration nor the economy came up then Ian of UKIP didn’t really have much to bite on, but fended off the BNP. David Cassidy, an Independent of whom I know nothing, showed an independent spirit.
I managed to answer the questions without too many problems but, as I am not used to addressing 200 people, had to resort to the microphone to be heard.
The BNP candidate and three colleagues were present but of course were not invited onto the panel. We were anticipating some sort of onslaught but instead they carried out a rather weak attack on Ian regarding an email he is alleged to have sent.
That’s all the debates. Six in all, five of them alongside Gordon, four with Angela and three with Ian, so we have got to know each other fairly well. They have all been fun but also hard work. And we will next meet on Thursday at the count!
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sittingbourne & Sheppey - has Labour given up?
I took this last week off work and a very busy week it has been too. More media interviews, lots more delivering of leaflets, and lots more canvassing, around Sittingbourne and on the Isle of Sheppey – as well as catching up (slightly) on the emails. I am also delighted to have found many new members and supporters. We are all being exceptionally busy spreading the message as far as we can – and generally are getting a good response.
Labour’s campaign is rather puzzling. We were to have a church debate in Milton Regis, but the Labour candidate, Angela Harrison, refused and so it had to be cancelled. This disappointed a lot of people, many of them Labour supporters, who wanted to meet us, ask us questions and see us discuss the issues. This may have cost Labour 100 votes or so, which, when you are defending a majority of 79, makes a difference.
Tomorrow we are getting together for a discussion chiefly regarding public transport (although I am sure other issues will crop up). Gordon from the Conservatives, Ian from UKIP and my good self will be there – not only no Angela, but no-one at all from Labour! The invitation was declined.
I hope Angela will be at the church debate in Sheerness on Wednesday – as this is home territory for her.
In Faversham the safe-seat Tories have the luxury of refusing to meet people (as in the environment debate). I'm not so sure about Labour here. I would have thought they would be keen for every vote.
The local Labour party has released a statement insisting it is still a two horse race. As the saying goes, they still don’t get it! Who do they think those poll numbers which are not red or blue are for? And how do Labour think they can win if they are turning down chances to meet people who want to meet them?
Unlike Labour, we in the Liberal Democrats haven’t given up. After all, someone has to challenge Gordon Henderson and the Conservatives.
We are fighting for every vote in this seat and will continue to do so to the end!
Labour’s campaign is rather puzzling. We were to have a church debate in Milton Regis, but the Labour candidate, Angela Harrison, refused and so it had to be cancelled. This disappointed a lot of people, many of them Labour supporters, who wanted to meet us, ask us questions and see us discuss the issues. This may have cost Labour 100 votes or so, which, when you are defending a majority of 79, makes a difference.
Tomorrow we are getting together for a discussion chiefly regarding public transport (although I am sure other issues will crop up). Gordon from the Conservatives, Ian from UKIP and my good self will be there – not only no Angela, but no-one at all from Labour! The invitation was declined.
I hope Angela will be at the church debate in Sheerness on Wednesday – as this is home territory for her.
In Faversham the safe-seat Tories have the luxury of refusing to meet people (as in the environment debate). I'm not so sure about Labour here. I would have thought they would be keen for every vote.
The local Labour party has released a statement insisting it is still a two horse race. As the saying goes, they still don’t get it! Who do they think those poll numbers which are not red or blue are for? And how do Labour think they can win if they are turning down chances to meet people who want to meet them?
Unlike Labour, we in the Liberal Democrats haven’t given up. After all, someone has to challenge Gordon Henderson and the Conservatives.
We are fighting for every vote in this seat and will continue to do so to the end!
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