UK Elections 2014

[TTG4]

So I saw a very left-wing friend of mine posting about this lately.
http://www.varsity.co.uk/news/7567

So, Farage was coming to talk to politics & international studies, which seems reasonable, he's presided over the meteoric rise of UKIP and isn't it important that the students shouldn't learn about this? I hugely disagree with Farage's politics and his views, but I respect his right to have them and discuss them and the womens campaign intimidating him out of appearing is quite wrong in my view.

I don't actually see how this falls within their remit either, though knowing several people involved in the campaign I'm not surprised they have such a strong courage in their convictions that they feel they can overall his freedom of speech because they disagree.

Anyone else have a viewpoint on things like this?

[Jubal]

I tend to agree, I think people have a right to calmly protest against Farage but I feel like just trying to shout him down only makes him stronger most of the time. 

[Pentagathus]

Yeah thats pretty wibulnib, he's got the right to explain his policies. If you want to counter him then go to his speech and actually counter his arguments instead of acting like an angry child.

[Clockwork]

[TTG4]

So South Yorkshire have had a PCC by-election. The count is still going on because there's no clear leader, but a report I heard on the radio suggested a turnout of slightly under 15%, so they haven't beat the west mids on that score!

However, there was apparently one ballot box in Doncaster with 3 ballot papers in it, which has to be some sort of record.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-29837315

[Glaurung]

Here we go again: it's the Rochester & Strood by-election tomorrow. Apparently the opinion polls show Mark Reckless (UKIP, ex-Conservative) in the lead. UKIP could have 2 MPs by Friday morning.

[Jubal]

The question is really the size of the lead. Below 10% and the Tories will feel they've done damage reduction OK, 10-15% is about expected. If UKIP overperform and get up towards a 20% lead, then it will be a big wave in the Tory party, the seat will probably be safe for UKIP at the election, and I think that's where we might see more defections etc as well.

[Glaurung]

Here we go again: it's the Rochester & Strood by-election tomorrow.

Slight oops: the election was in fact on 20 November (a Thursday, as standard for UK elections).

Apparently the opinion polls show Mark Reckless (UKIP, ex-Conservative) in the lead. UKIP could have 2 MPs by Friday morning.

And indeed they did: Reckless won with a majority of almost 3,000 (7.3% of the vote). Turnout was just over 50% of the electorate, which I think is relatively high for a UK parliamentary by-election.

[comrade_general]

People voted for a guy named Reckless?

[Othko97]

The conservatives actually ran a smear campaign on him playing on his name - "Don't be reckless with your vote".

[comrade_general]

I could see the comeback - "It would be reckless not to."

[Glaurung]

People voted for a guy named Reckless?

Yes - twice now. Once in the 2010 general election, once last week. I'd imagine a lot will vote for him in the general election next year.

[TTG4]

People voted for a guy named Reckless?

As opposed to this guy?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butch_Otter

[comrade_general]

I don't get it?

[Jubal]

Yeah; UKIP won the battle, though the Tories managed their propaganda far better than in Clacton (aided by Labour's mess-ups). Had UKIP gotten a better result than the polls it would have been another big knock, but they actually did slightly less well than was perhaps expected, so that may stem further defection possibilities.