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Local and Euro Elections; And the winner is…
So the elections are over again, and it's time to digest the figures. There were some fascinating results in the County council elections last Thursday, and overnight in the European elections.
It was disappointing to see that the BNP got two seats – I guess that is what happens when people are so disappointed with the governing party.
Overall it was a great night for the Conservatives and UKIP, and a disastrous one for the Lib Dems and especially for Labour. No matter what spin Labour put on it (we'll hear all the usual 'we must learn lessons' type stuff), they are finished, and the sooner we have a general election the better.
Anyway back to Eastbourne…
The County Council
There were 9 seats up for grabs in the County Council elections in Eastbourne, 6 of which are basically safe for the incumbent parties, Langney, Devonshire, Hampden Park and St Anthony's normally go to the Lib Dems, and Meads and Ratton to the Conservatives.
Then there are 3 'swing' wards, Old Town, Upperton and Soverign, and with UKIP putting up candidates in all wards, it was always a tough call for the Conservatives.
In Old Town the Lib Dems won quite comfortably, and in Upperton they sneaked home by 139 votes. The victor in Upperton, Pat Rodohan had a smile from ear to ear after he heard the result, and who can blame him!
In Sovereign ward we saw the result of the evening, where David Elkin (Conservative) had to overcome not only UKIP, but also a challenge from an independent, Rick Runnalls, who achieved over 800 votes! Despite this, David won with a majority of nearly 195 and fully deserves the victory.
Running as an independent is a high risk strategy because, whilst attractive to have more candidates to choose from, it splits the votes of the main parties and there's no telling who will benefit from that, it could result in the very worst outcome for the area. Very rarely does an independent win, and when they do they find themselves isolated for the next 4 years on the council, and are unable to achieve very much at all.
There was also an independent running in Langney who, after a high profile campaign, made little or no difference.
So what will all this mean for the Prime Minister?
Following the aborted coup last week, and the rushed reshuffle, can Gordon Brown survive this week? Who knows? The meeting of Labour MPs on Monday evening will be the real test – will there be an appetite to oust him, meaning a certain general election?
The point is, it doesn't really matter who the leader of the Labour party is, they are finished come the next general election no matter what. And it would not only be in the interests of the country to have a general election now, it would be democratically the right thing to do following the MP expenses scandal. So bring it on, the sooner the better!
Have a great week friends!
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Weather for Eastbourne
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 1 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
