This was always likely to happen, mainly a reversion to 2006.

The interesting thing here being how well the alliance worked with the Greens.

Lib Dems probably narrow favourites to win this seat back next time.

Kingston Upon Thames was an ever larger victory for the LDs.

I’m worried about this seat at the next election, hopefully Zac Goldsmith can hang on

Prior to 2010 this seat seemed almost tailor-made for a Tory like Zak Goldsmith – and that’s because people mistook him for a liberal Tory with sound green credentials

Since then it’s become quite obvious that’s he’s nothing of the sort and holds similar right-wing views to his father – Brexit, tax cuts, anti immigration etc

He;’ll have a hard job hanging on here after Brexit

He’s a weird mix, certainly, but the mayoral campaign he chose to run turned me right off him. The worst thing is I still don’t think he believed in any of those dogwhistles himself, but he was prepared to run with them anyway. Genuine racists are deplorable but misguided. But those who know racism is wrong but are nonetheless prepared to fan the flames… that’s utterly shameful.

The Real Joe James B –
Not my post above.
Suspect the Dalek post is the same person aswell.

I understand that an alumnus of these pages, BARNABY MARDER, has resigned from the Labour Party today.

This is bad news for Labout especially in London as he’s a well known and popular activist.

I wonder what prompted him to leave the party.

He is appalled by McDonnell who said the abuse that Jackie Walker gets on social media is vile. See McDs twitter acct.
BM says it’s ” defence of Jackie Walker”.

I guess there must be other reasons.

He says he feels unwelcome in the party through his ethnicity.

Yes, of course. I should have guessed that this would be related to the ongoing anti semitism row. Thanks.

I chatted with Barnaby on Facebook today and it seems he’s decided not to resign after all.

Leaving aside the anti semitism row (which is very important and definitely a big deal), it would be curious for Barnaby to quit the party at this particular point in time. Corbyn is surely the best leader (in terms of representing his views) in his lifetime.

Barnaby is taking a break from all political activity while remaining a member I believe.

I’m certain all of us here wish him. One of the very best UKPR contributors here. Sadly not seen here recently.

Taking a break from politics at this time is entirely understandable.

This. He’s brilliant – knowledgeable, non-judgemental, and while he has strong and passionate beliefs, they never prevented him getting along with those who don’t share them.

IIRC he also had a personal tragedy relatively recently, which caused him to withdraw his candidacy for the Cities of London & Westminster seat. Maybe that was a factor in the decision.

‘it would be curious for Barnaby to quit the party at this particular point in time. Corbyn is surely the best leader (in terms of representing his views) in his lifetime.’

i was thinking that – Barnaby was an Abbott supporter during the 2010 leadership contest – and if people like him are thinking of quitting the party, Corbyn is in serious trouble indeed, and today’s finding in The Times that the hapless May – arguably the weakest PM the UK has ever had – would actually win a majority, should serve as a very belated wake up call to the Labour Party

Walter Wolfgang has died aged 95.

Zac Goldsmith has been made a Defra minister.

I had thought Cons would hold this, after a bit of further by-election unwind, but MRP seems to think their vote share will fall.

LD gain.

I think in 2017 some Tory very remain voters were willing to give May a chance but have lost faith with Johnson.

Yes I can see Boris might be offensive to those genteel types.

Probably haven’t forgiven Boris for his Heathrow cowardice either.

This is perhaps the only seat in the country that looks almost certain to switch to the Lib Dems. They have had a double digit lead ever since June 2017 which makes one wonder how Goldsmith won this back in the first place

If Kensington is the richest constituency in the uk – per head – this can’t be to far behind

Yes, definite LD gain this one. As Tim says, the surprise was the Tories actually scraping a win here in 2017. Given the small number of LD MPs, Olney may fancy a shot at the leadership herself at some point.

If the Lib Dems stay in the teens after the election, No hoes right? She will have, in six months, taken the party from second place at a national election to a distant fourth.

No hoes? Sorry, that should say “Jo goes”!

No hoes? Ooh I say!

Yes, I think Swinson would have to go. The decision might be taken out of everyone’s hands anyway as she is not absolutely guaranteed of holding her seat.

If she holds her seat, I don’t think it’s a given Jo Swinson would go, even if the election turns out as badly for the LDs as the polls currently predict. There don’t seem to be many viable alternatives, given Layla Moran’s caution will be permanently held against her. Sarah Olney from memory was a relatively recent recruit when she was elected here, if she regains the seat it would be a surprise if she put herslf forward as a leadership contender.

Yes, the lack of viable alternatives for the leadership will certainly favour Swinson, though I’m certain Chuka Umunna will go for it if he somehow manages to get elected in Cities of London

Zac Goldsmith also being ennobled so he can continue as environment minister.

Still, aren’t we all glad to be getting rid of those unelected, unsackable bureaucrats in Brussels?

Not just him but Morgan too. This is a subversion of democracy. Government ministers making decisions & ruling over the people should be elected representatives, not appointments made by mates

Morgan is slightly different. I understand she is staying on for a couple of months, and Johnson is preparing a bigger reshuffle in February in which, among other things, he will abolish DCMS.

I’m quite frightened for the future of the BBC.

I think it broadcasting and sport might go back to the home office to replace immigration.

Deep – wrong.

In fact every Govt has to have ministers and Cabinet Ministers from both Houses, in order to be a Govt.

BM11 – Brady hinted at Depts being abolished, but wouldn’t be drawn on which. He was however clear that the Cabinet would be cut by 5: I assume Esther et al will go ie those who were only ever half Cabinet ministers ‘attending Cabinet.’ In previous times Empl was just a minister of State. If you get rid of some PPSs too you could shrink the Govt payroll vote by 20 or so.

I’d imagine DfID is favourite: likely to be chucked in with the FCO or Trade and the 0.7% law abolished.

The Sir Humphrey’s won’t like depts. merging or going altogether.

Esther is northern – she might stay