[davidjay]

By strange coincidence Greg Hands mentioned Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell.

[Watchman]

Does Sunak not grasp that these are local elections

[Watchman]

It appears Greg Hands has received a new letter (not seen it on Twitter yet)…..
“Sorry, there’s no councillors left”

[Youngian]

By strange coincidence Greg Hands mentioned Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell.

The straw Greg Hands is clutching is that Labour isn’t heading for a Blair landslide if these results are compared to the mid 90s. But shit storm for the Tories on every level.

[Bones McCoy]

Local elections 2023: 'I was livid I couldn't vote because of ID changes'


https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65492275

James Greenhalgh, a business owner from Leeds, is "livid" after being unable to vote in Thursday's local elections, having forgotten to bring his passport to the polling station.

"I've voted all my life since I was 18, and this is the first time I haven't," the 32-year-old told the BBC.

He is one of a number of people unable to vote due to new rules introduced that require voters to have ID.

[Abernathy]

By strange coincidence Greg Hands mentioned Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell.

In Sandwell, 22 of 24 wards returned Labour councillors. A friend was elected there with 76% of the vote.

On which planet is that the Tories "making progress" ?

[Tubby Isaacs]

3 Tory MPs here. Looks like fairly efficient tactical voting.

[Andy McDandy]

Probably pre-selected, all sound nice and English and trip off the tongue. Pleasant falling cadence - In Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell, Tory numbers all fell, type of thing.

If anyone questions it, they just have to double down.

"We did well in Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell..."

"But minister, the numbers in those areas say..."

"Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell!!!

[davidjay]

By strange coincidence Greg Hands mentioned Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell.

In Sandwell, 22 of 24 wards returned Labour councillors. A friend was elected there with 76% of the vote.

On which planet is that the Tories "making progress" ?

They gained seats, mainly because Sandwell Together lost theirs. Sandwell is a flipping strange place, with an overwhelmingly Labour council that every one of the six towns say favours the other five, and four Tory MPs.

[Andy McDandy]

It's the bit of the Black Country that nobody else wants, and which doesn't get its own motorway junction.

[Watchman]

Shitty excuses? Gullis says “hold my beer”

[Tubby Isaacs]

Remain-voting Cotswolds now have 22 LD, 9 Con, 2 Greens, 1 IND.

1 TUSC candidate ran and got 31 votes. Fair play to the guy (presumaby), can't say he didn't pick a tough gig.

[Youngian]

A UKIP candidate stood in Cambridge. As the Tories are already the fourth placed party behind the Greens it would be tempting to lend the Kipper your vote for a laugh.

[davidjay]

It's the bit of the Black Country that nobody else wants, and which doesn't get its own motorway junction.

It's got three - 1 & 2 of the M5 and 7a of the M6.

[Bones McCoy]

By strange coincidence Greg Hands mentioned Peterborough, Bassetlaw and Sandwell.

In Sandwell, 22 of 24 wards returned Labour councillors. A friend was elected there with 76% of the vote.

On which planet is that the Tories "making progress" ?

That's the sort of Tory progress we can all get behind.

[Tubby Isaacs]

No Kipper councillors anywhere in the country now.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Results tricking in here. Tories up a councillor though their vote share was down. Lib Dems have stood in a lot more wards than last time so the Tories might go up in seats from the last time.

I get the Lib Dems might not be the most popular if this goes wrong...

[Tubby Isaacs]

Thanks, Lib Dems.

Note the Local Conservatives.

Backbury Ward

BIGGS, Graham Russell - Local Conservatives - 394 (E)

HARDWICK, John - Independent - 341

VIDLER, James - Liberal Democrats - 385

Extending from Tarrington to Fownhope and up to the eastern edge of Hereford, this ward had been held since 2011 by farmer John Hardwick, who sits with the Independents for Herefordshire grouping. He loses the ward to Local Conservative Graham Biggs.

[zuriblue]

As always Sir Michael sums it up succinctly

[Tubby Isaacs]

Tories now up 3 here, though I suppose the last result was a freak, and Independents are the ones losing out to them. Greg Hands will be mentioning us.

I don't know if the Tories can get the council back by tempting some Independents or Lib Dems over?