Tories in the north
Some early signs of how the Tories are doing in the north. The party says that they are on course to become the largest party in Bury and to make gains in Crewe and Nantwich. The official results are not yet in. Sounds good - at first.
These areas used to have Tory MPs and these are councils they really need to take control of. So, the verdict will be likely to be good, but not good enough
Comments
We seem to be getting mixed signals, seems very early and still the main councils to come in. We have a panel sitting on the fence and the usual first areas come through, which are always strong holds for each party.
"Good but not good enough" - typical ´óÏó´«Ã½ bias. I'm highly diappointed to see the political editor himself judging the results like this at such an early stage.
Good on you Nick! I am currently in South Australia and appreciate your excellent feedback throughout the night as I sit at my desk on another working Friday. Keep consuming the coffee and bananas and I look forward to your regular updates on this big night in British Politics.
I agree with Chappers, Dr Reid gets more time than anyone else and very negative views on Libs and Cons so early. Wait a bit longer guys and lets see what happens.
Until they can truly claim the inner cities of the North that are currently dominated by Labour and Lib Dems (Manc, Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Manchester) they won't win a general election, gains in the richer suburbs are meaningless if they can't win the working class.
Oddly enough Nick, this election night seems to be following very much the format of last year's programme. John Reid yet again saying that the Labour party were doing dismally - and expected to. It seems spin is in high turnout tonight!
Glad to see that Libs have taken Hull, but Labour generally seems to be hanging on in the North. The Cons may be making some gains in the South at the expense of Libs, but it is mainly in their safe seats. Overall no real big surge for anyone in England.
Tories may have gained control of Chester but the Lib Dems were the big losers of the night. They lost 5 seats, Labout lost 1 seat, and an Independent cllr also lost his seat. So where is this collapse in the Labour vote that we were all told was happening?
'Good but not Good enough', exactly what do you base this observation on?, I suggest that you concentrate on reporting the results rather then pushing your anti-Conservative opinions.
Morning Nick,
I'd usually vote Tory, but I had no personal communication from them after trying to get their opinions on local matters (Northwest Metropolitan Council). I managed to personally speak to the local LibDem secretary about the matters, which concerned me, & she was very helpful.
I've not been impressed by the Tories' concern for someone who would be a regular voter, for them, yet had found issues of local importance.
Your comment is nonsense Nick - I believe Labour controlled the council all the time the Tories had both Parliamentary seats in the 80s early 90s.
'good but not good enough' is an accurate description of your performance not the Tories performance