Local Elections: Main Parties Hit By Brexit Backlash In Polls

[naomi24]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48142181

Is anyone surprised?

[jim360]

I think the poiint is that in 2015, UKIP had more councillors than they do now: 202 rather than 102. I think the discrepancy arises because UKIP has found other ways to lose councillors in the intervening four years, although I am not sure why. Defections, perhaps.

In any case, I think *both* figures are accurate, depending on whether you choose to compare to 2015 (ie, the last elections in this cycle), or to the last sitting days for these councillors.

[jim360]

A good example of this, by the way, is Thanet: in 2015, UKIP won control there, to take their first-ever council, by winning 33 seats, but at least half of those 33 Council seats have since been lost to by-elections or defections.

[pixie374]

Let's hope so. We didn't have local elections here- but will get a chance this month.

[jim360]

who are you replying to Pix?

[pixie374]

Just the OP, Jim x

[jim360]

Ah, right. Couldn't figure it out, I'm sorry. Get it now :P

[pixie374]

It probably wasn't clear, tbh. Sad times when the British have to vote for Democracy, eh? ;-)

[hereIam]

Not surprised at all, rather pleased actually. Apparently a lot of people spoiled their ballot paper, exactly what I would have done !

[Davemano]

Haven't seen any evidence that ballot papers were deliberately spoiled, or what is the point in voting at all if this is the intention.

[Togo]

Examples of ballot papers that were "spoiled" is available.

Warning adult content. :))

https://www.westmonster.com/voters-spoil-ballots-with-pro-brexit-messages/

[Khandro]

Telegraph update @ 18:01 CET

Losses;

UKIP -20
Labour -102
Conservative - 903 *


* Cor blimey!

[Khandro]

Ya gotta laff;

'One of the bigger Tory casualties was Arun District Council leader Gillian Brown – it just so happens that Brown is Philip Hammond’s mother-in-law. That’ll make for some awkward conversations at the next family occasion…

[hereIam]

But that's the point Dave, they didn't vote, they went to the polling stations to make a point about Brexit, which they did.

[Davemano]

hereIam. I take your point, but feel that it is a pointless exercise when the ballot papers are going nowhere. If it makes them feel better, then fair enough.

[Davemano]

Togo, thanks for 16.17 - I hadn't seen any.

[jim360]

DM suggests that there were 30,000-ish spoiled ballots nationally, which is presumably a lot more than usual but also not that much in the grand scheme of things. Also a huge swing to pro-remain parties, which obviously has me in a cheery mood. But then again I suspect I'll need to have something to cheer me up before the Brexit Party gets a turn.

[Khandro]

jim; //a huge swing to pro-remain parties, which obviously has me in a cheery mood. //
I hate to pour cold water on you jubilation, but I think you may have to soon face the fact that it is something of a Pyrrhic Victory (see the Battles of Heraclea and Asculum).
The only reason the LBDums picked up so many votes is that voters were so disgusted with the 'main' parties that they had only the choice of spoiling their paper or having to vote for anyone

If this man had been in the running, I don't think they would have done so well;

[jim360]

That's all well and good, K, but isn't that literally what I was implying in my very next sentence?

We'll see how the Brexit Party does, but I'm sure that people even further to the left of me will be getting their excuses for Farage's strong showing ready even as we speak.

[Peter Pedant]

twist as I might
I cant see how anyone can call it a pyrrhic victory

did any one win ?

A lot went for the lib dems who are a remain party
( yeah but no but, you all knew that - innit?)

[Peter Pedant]

pyrrhic victories for those deep thinker on AB who dont do forrin let alone ancient forrin

is when the leader in this case Pyrrhus
said: "christ any more victories like this, and I am not going to have an army!"

Marlborough's fourth victory at Malplaquet (eek forrin again, sozza ni!) is meant to have been pyrrhic and empowered the peace party ( 1710 or thereabouts)