Comments on: Esher and Walton

By: Joe James B

Joe James B — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 01:49:18 +0000

It does rather depend on what you want.

Although I guess most people want to be healthy, for example (even the obese layabouts who watch celebrity junk on their play stations and do nothing much else).

I do find this area a little dull in parts, although it is way preferable to a s**t hole like much (not necessarily all) of Streatham, for example.
It is a very comfortable place to live.

The more attractive parts of Surrey I think are in areas like Shere, Clandon (although I think a few Guildford rural wards may still be included in this seat).

I can’t quite remember how much the Con vote fell here in 1997, but I think it was under 12% which isn’t too bad given it was out of a well above average share.
So they are within about 3% of that again, which is pretty good for them. Clearly they’ve got themselves much better sorted out.

By: Tim Jones

Tim Jones — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:06:19 +0000

The criteria they use is life expectancy, health, employment, school results, crime, house size and, rather bizarrely, the weather.

And Elmbridge ticks all those boxes

I agree with Mike and Andy though in that I can think of far better places to live in the UK than surburban Surrey – which is both too built-up and too dull

By: Andy JS

Andy JS — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:55:19 +0000

I wouldn’t choose this as the best place to live in the country because it’s a bit too “built-up” IMO.

By: Tim Jones

Tim Jones — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:29:00 +0000

‘I don’t think the Tory association is as right wing as all that here, but it probably found Taylor too Europhile nevertheless.’

Ian Taylor was the subject of de-selection on many occasions for his moderate views

He even tried to renounce them by voting for David Davis in the leadership contest in 2005, although it was too little too late – his association realised he was a liberal at heart – and being an arch Euro skeptoc himself, I can’t see Cameron wanting him back in Parliament

By: Merseymike

Merseymike — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:04:22 +0000

I can’t think of anything less reflecting ‘quality’ than a dull commuter suburb in Surrey!

By: Andy JS

Andy JS — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 12:29:35 +0000

Elmbridge has topped the Halifax Bank quality of life list for the third year running:

htttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12082853

By: Calum W

Calum W — Fri, 28 May 2010 21:32:06 +0000

Perhaps the campaign just increased the turnout of tories hugely and the Labour base couldn’t be bothered voting for their candidate?

By: Richard

Richard — Fri, 28 May 2010 20:06:22 +0000

It all sounds very likely about Ian Taylor but for whom were the extra 10,000 Conservative voters actually voting for in 2005?

Not UKIP (who would seem the obvious choice) as their vote has increased as has the LibDem vote.

The big drop has come in the Labour vote so has the new Conservative candidate picked up much of the WWC vote (such as it is in a constituency like this)?

By: sbjme19

sbjme19 — Fri, 28 May 2010 18:24:16 +0000

Remarkable result and clearly a negative incumbency factor as has been said, making it stand out from most very safe Tory seats where increases were modest and/or with small swings to the Libdems.

By: Barnaby JL Marder

Barnaby JL Marder — Thu, 27 May 2010 22:18:01 +0000

There are enough Lord Taylors as it is and there used to be even more.
I don’t think the Tory association is as right wing as all that here, but it probably found Taylor too Europhile nevertheless.