Comments on: Brighton Pavillion

By: Ben Foley

Ben Foley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 23:38:30 +0000

ChrisInTheNorth,
Thanks for that: viewing the issue through a Party lens, I had not noticed the wider implications. I can’t say I am keen on this, but it does look like the LDs will gain, as you say. I am sure it will have no effect on THIS constituency, but in other places around the country, I can see the odd percentage point or two extra for the LDs making a difference during the campaign, with the overall effect of a hung parliament being increased. I am starting to worry about a second general election sometime between the Autumn and Summer 2011.

By: ChrisInTheNorth

ChrisInTheNorth — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:07:55 +0000

To Fred… I agree it is a major weakness of the TV debates that parties like the Greens and UKIP won’t be involved.

I have to admit the major winners in the plan to have these debates is my party, by giving our leadership the oxygen of publicity… Which of course he deserves, and which is denided our party between elections, but I do feel the smaller parties have been hard done by.

By: Ben Foley

Ben Foley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:00:04 +0000

I’ve never understood the way UKIP’s minds work. It did seem a particularly daft move.

By: Frederic Stansfield

Frederic Stansfield — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:11:50 +0000

Yes, Ben, I agree. The effect will be reduced but not disappear.

Incidentally, Lord Pearson of UKIP was on the radio this morning. I cannot think why UKIP have chosen a leader to profile, and to my mind not a particularly charismatic one, who will not actually be a candidate.

By: mick K : Novice.

mick K : Novice. — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:10:15 +0000

Would Brown stand down immediately if Labour won fewer seats in Hung parliament as defeated PMs traditionally do?
Alternatively would there be weeks of debates behind closed doors?

By: Ben Foley

Ben Foley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:03:31 +0000

Frederic,
I know what you are saying: I think the extent of the effect might be reduced in _this_ constituency because CL is the party leader, though, even if the Green Party is hurt by the effect in other constituencies.

By: Frederic Stansfield

Frederic Stansfield — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:57:51 +0000

Whilst Caroline Lucas may have TV coverage coming her way, there is still the major issue that the larger minor parties, particularly the Greens and UKIP, aare being excluded from the TV debates planned for the election. In my opinion they are not being treated fairly by the TV organisations etc., and it is likely to cost them votes in seats like this where they have a strong campaign on the ground.

The Greens will need to be slick in relation not just ot doorstep camapaigning but to Obama style techniques such as computer networking.

By: Ben Foley

Ben Foley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:31:04 +0000

Daniel,
According to Radio Times, it is Any Questions, on Radio4, that CL is on, this week. Much though I would like to think otherwise, it seems highly unlikely to me that a radio programme will swing a significant number of votes in any given constituency in the Green Party’s favour. The TV coverage that we expect will be coming her way may be a different matter.

By: doktorb

doktorb — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:02:37 +0000

If Election-Maps is any guide, the only bit of Brighton which just out of the sea is the Rottingdean Coastal ward…

By: Ben Foley

Ben Foley — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:01:28 +0000

Are you sure Barnaby? While I can see that the pier head is -just- in Kemptown, I got the impression that beyond the low water mark, it wasn’t actually in any constituency at all (unlike some of the sea 1km out from the marina, which oddly seems to be in Kemptown constituency).