The North Shropshire Byelection *edited by GNHQ*

Blimey!, all power to your elbow varian

I’m a Labour supporter but would definitely vote libs if I was there.

I so hope many Labour supporters will do the same- it should be advised by the LP itself.

This caught my eye because I lived in Staffordshire for most of my life then realised it was about North Shropshire.
All power to Ms. Morgan's elbow!

May I point out that this is the North Shropshire bi-election, * varian*.

North Staffordshire doesn't exist as a constituency any more

X post, Ashcombe!

Excellent article by Bill Hutton in the Observer today. The country can't afford to blunder on like this.
Supporters of opposition parties should vote Lib Dem on Thursday (as LD and Greens kept quiet or voted Labour in Bexley & Sidcup).
Angry Tory supporters should stay at home.
This is the only way to bring about change from FPTP.
At the same time Labour and Lib Dem leaders should agree a rapprochement on major issues. I think that reasonable.

Calistemon

May I point out that this is the North Shropshire bi-election, * varian*.

North Staffordshire doesn't exist as a constituency any more

Thank you for pointing out this mistake Calistemon

I had not noticed my mistake

I have asked GNHQ to change the title of the thread

You're welcome varian

It will be interesting!

I think when the general election comes around then the CON SERVATIVES will never get in! I can only hope! What would happen if everyone decided not to vote. NO votes at all across the country for no one!

A by-election is an opportunity to show disgruntlement with a political party, and whereas people don’t often turn coat in a GE are happy to do so in a by.Anything could happen.

Ladbroke's odds on winning the North Shropshire byelection

Liberal Democrats 4/9
Conservatives 13/8
Labour 66/1

All other candidates are rated between 200/1 and 500/1

sports.ladbrokes.com/event/politics/uk/uk-politics/north-shropshire-by-election/234187518/all-markets

"Protest vote could topple Tories in North Shropshire poll, Zahawi suggests- the Education Secretary said voters could use Thursday’s by-election to ‘send a message’.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/nadhim-zahawi-ed-davey-tories-conservatives-education-secretary-b1974518.html

Let's hope that all those in North Shropshire who want to "send a message" get out and vote for the bookies favourite, LibDem candidate Helen Morgan . She is clearly the only candidate who could take this "safe seat" from the Tories.

Interestingly, the other recent by-election brought about by the death of the sitting Conservative MP turned a massive loss for the Tories, and Brokenshire was a much respected MP who was not embroiled in any scandal, so on that basis, the Patterson by election should show the Tory majority overturned. I certainly hope so.

Opposition wins a seat in a mid-term by-election. Hardly a surprise is it - it happens whoever is in Government. I doubt the PM will lose sleep over losing one constituency, he will still have a majority of 79.

This Tulpia highlights the sham democracy of FPTP.

It is virtually impossible for the voters to rid themselves of an appalling government, totally incompetent and mired in corruption and scandal, and led by a serial liar, between elections.

Don't forget that most voters in 2019 voted AGAINST Johnson, he has never commanded a majority of support and no matter how much the voters discover the truth, including those who voted for him, we have to suffer the damage he continues to do to our country unless/ until Tory MPs decide to get rid of him.

I support FPTP, voted against the version of RP offered in the referendum a decade ago and would do the same in any future referenda.

I don't believe a government made up of multiple parties is ever as effective as a single party in getting things done.

Here’s hoping-and while Lib-Dem and Labour are in with a chance, let’s hope they do something about their ideas on Women’s rights, as neither group are really convincing on that.

Although the constituency boundaries have changed somewhat, in 1904 a Conservative candidate was beaten in North Shropshire and Winston Churchill canvassed for the winning candidate - a Liberal. Although it was the custom then to announce the winner outside the Guildhall, it was thought prudent to do so in private ‘to prevent trouble’

Then there were only two candidates, both local men. This time the ‘outsider’’ is the Conservative candidate who is from Birmingham, both the Labour and Liberal candidates being locals.

(The Reform Party candidate, also local) has just come down with Covid).

Everything crossed varian ??????

Tulpia

I support FPTP, voted against the version of RP offered in the referendum a decade ago and would do the same in any future referenda.

I don't believe a government made up of multiple parties is ever as effective as a single party in getting things done.

that's exactly it.
a government made up of multiple parties would spend much time arguing and little action.
the present FPTP may not be perfect but has worked well for very many years.

Tulpia

I support FPTP, voted against the version of RP offered in the referendum a decade ago and would do the same in any future referenda.

I don't believe a government made up of multiple parties is ever as effective as a single party in getting things done.

Well, that's odd because some countries have worked well with coalition governments for years. There are very few countries which still have FPTP

The version of PR that was voted on during the coalition government was a very watered down version. I've no doubt varian can explain further. It certainly wasn't a 'true' PR.

A FPTP has landed us with the worst government of my entire lifetime, with a Commons majority on a minority of the votes cast, I think there's an excellent case to be made for PR...

....and many countries haven't worked well with coalitions either.

what's funny, or will be perhaps in the next GE, if Labour get in with a good majority you won't hear a peep from anyone (except the odd Lib Dem voter) about how unfair FPTP is.

lemongrove

what's funny, or will be perhaps in the next GE, if Labour get in with a good majority you won't hear a peep from anyone (except the odd Lib Dem voter) about how unfair FPTP is.

Precisely.