tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post1503365279008587381..comments2023-10-16T15:59:02.445+01:00Comments on NEIL HARDING: 2007 Elections: Regency Ward Results and Brighton and Hove Council ResultsNeil Hardinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-52269577580684708382007-06-03T18:21:00.000+01:002007-06-03T18:21:00.000+01:00I am sorry Nicole didn't make the cut. I know her ...I am sorry Nicole didn't make the cut. I know her personally but I was just being honest. I didn't vote for her to be nominated - no importance other than that.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-41140805092529457452007-06-03T17:33:00.000+01:002007-06-03T17:33:00.000+01:00Why is this Nichole Murphy so important anyway?It ...Why is this Nichole Murphy so important anyway?<BR/>It says she isn't in the running for Pavilion.<BR/>Why do you want to talk about her so much?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-15962532115956977302007-06-03T17:27:00.000+01:002007-06-03T17:27:00.000+01:00Well I wouldn't be too sure about that Neil!I foun...Well I wouldn't be too sure about that Neil!<BR/>I found her to be the best of the bunch actually. <BR/>She is a very effective communicator. She seems to have inspired you to want to communicate thats for sure! <BR/>I'd try really hard to forget her if I were you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-38745486599099713182007-06-03T14:56:00.000+01:002007-06-03T14:56:00.000+01:00In terms of the percentage of vote decline for Lab...In terms of the percentage of vote decline for Labour, Nicole did the worst of all the 54 Labour candidates - maybe there were local factors in Portslade but you can't argue with that fact. I have argued against Simon Burgess for Kemptown for precisely the same reason. If you cannot get elected as councillor in a previous safe Labour seat then surely you have lost your chance of becoming an MP, simple as that.<BR/><BR/>Not getting the nomination is probably a blessing for Nicole as whoever gets it is going to get humiliated by the Green candidate in Pavilion. I think we are heading for the first Green MP here.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-36253654355393301652007-06-02T20:48:00.000+01:002007-06-02T20:48:00.000+01:00I wonder if it has occured to you that the Tories ...I wonder if it has occured to you that the Tories may have targeted NM BECAUSE she had shown an interest in a Parliamentary Seat?<BR/>Unfortunate, but it may have had an impact.<BR/><BR/>Her position on Nurses pay is that NURSES IN SCOTLAND HAVE GOT THE FULL 2.5% and in the rest of the UK they have to wait until November!!<BR/><BR/>She fights for equality and for the record, the seat wasn't hers to 'lose'!!<BR/>You will be delighted to know that she is no longer 'in the frame', in pavilion. Although of course you will have a female PPC whatever happens!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-43688540225782610852007-05-29T09:17:00.000+01:002007-05-29T09:17:00.000+01:00mumbo - there is nothing 'wrong' with Nicole Murph...mumbo - there is nothing 'wrong' with Nicole Murphy - but I was unconvinced by what she has to say - of course nurses deserve more than 20k - but so do a lot of workers and nurses have seen their wages go up 26% in real terms under this govt putting them on the same starting wage as teachers. <BR/><BR/>I found Nicole unconvincing as a communicator - I am not sure what happened in Portslade but out of all the Labour candidates - Nicole got the worst result - that is just not good enough if you want to be put forward to be our candidate to win the seat in Pavilion. I'm sorry but that is the truth. i like Nicole as a person - but currently she is not quite there in terms of being an MP.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-12022350513250953522007-05-28T14:13:00.000+01:002007-05-28T14:13:00.000+01:00what's wrong with Nicole Murphywhat's wrong with Nicole MurphyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-31663747798617391892007-05-06T17:25:00.000+01:002007-05-06T17:25:00.000+01:00brightoncentral: Mostly agree with you on point 1 ...brightoncentral: Mostly agree with you on point 1 but I know the Greens campaigned quite hard in Goldsmid and this meant Labour lost seats there to the Tories as a result.<BR/><BR/>Also of course the votes the Greens have won in the Hove and Kemptown constituencies could result in Tory MPs in those places come the next GE.<BR/><BR/>Of course I am not saying any of this is the Greens fault - they want a change to the electoral system (as I do) - We need to stop such absurdities as people voting for leftwing policies and ending up with a Tory. <BR/><BR/>On point 2, the Tories with the Independent (who is Tory in all but name) have a majority because they will have the Mayor's casting vote (those 2 Goldsmid seats were crucial but to be fair Labour should not have lost to the Tories in Moulsecomb&Bevendean and in Portslade - these seats gave the Tories their chance as well). Even the Greens, Labour and Lib Dems combined could not stop the Tories (and also lets be realistic - tribal politics as it is means these parties will never all agree and the Lib Dems want cheaper easier parking so are closet Tories anyway!).<BR/><BR/>Absolutely agree with point 3 as I mentioned above.<BR/><BR/>On point 4 - yes I do believe the Greens are committed to social justice but it is easy to oppose cuts from the safety of the opposition - what is hard is arguing for the tax rises to pay for such services and I didn't see any of that in the Greens literature (or of course Labour's literature). The political realities of governing are hard and until we have a Green administration we want have an answer to how effective the Greens are on social justice.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-25389411305093489472007-05-06T13:57:00.000+01:002007-05-06T13:57:00.000+01:00Maibee: as I'm Green voter I have to say that you ...Maibee: as I'm Green voter I have to say that you display a rather arrogant viewpoint about elections and voting for non-Labour alternatives. <BR/><BR/>1. You are simply wrong that city centre voters let in the Tories by voting Green. <BR/><BR/>The wards where the Greens gained seats were NOT in areas where the Tories had any significant chance of gaining a seat. <BR/><BR/>The Tories gained seats from Labour in areas mostly where the Greens did zero campaigning.<BR/><BR/>It is Labour's unpopularity in Tory-leaning areas outside the city centre which handed the Tories more seats.<BR/><BR/>2. The Tories do not have a majority of the seats on the council.<BR/><BR/>If they chose to, Greens, Labour and LibDems could form a 'traffic light' coalition and keep the Tories out.<BR/><BR/>3. People should vote for whom they want elected, rather than be scared into voting for something second best. <BR/><BR/>Many voters identify with the Green message and feel that Labour has let them down locally.<BR/><BR/>Labour has had ten years to change the electoral system to something fairer which would keep the Tories out of power permanently in many town halls and at Westminster. Why hasn't it?<BR/><BR/>4. The Greens have proved themselves far more radical and pro-social justice than Labour on the city council.<BR/><BR/>For example, they have consistently opposed cuts to social services imposed by Labour and opposed the ending of the city's Peace Messenger Status - proposed by Labour.<BR/><BR/>So it's a bit rich to suggest the Greens are soft on social justice!<BR/><BR/>Regards<BR/><BR/>BrightoncentralBrightoncentralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14236875396956942258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-90604241062505894762007-05-05T17:24:00.000+01:002007-05-05T17:24:00.000+01:00Understand totally Dan, I know you worked really h...Understand totally Dan, I know you worked really hard in this ward, but like you say it is one consolation the Tory boys only managed to get an extra handful of votes despite getting Cameron himself to darken our doorsteps (perhaps that helped them lose?). Also for me I am really relieved the Lib Dem bullies went backwards. Labour has got to get it's act together if we are going to retain our parliamentary seats - we don't want losers like Simon Burgess and Nicole Murphy.<BR/><BR/>Take it easy - see you at next meeting.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-87601585834919407022007-05-05T14:51:00.000+01:002007-05-05T14:51:00.000+01:00Neil, I'm with you the majority of what you say. I...Neil, I'm with you the majority of what you say. It's no wonder that after two decades in control Labour are perceived more as 'managers' than representatives of the people. Roy pennington was an honourable politician who always put forward the needs of local residents. I'm only dissappointed that I couldn't do more to ensure he kept his seat. The sole benefit of this is surely that the Tory-two failed to make almost any impoact despite their high cost campaign and the direct intervention of David Cameron himself.<BR/>Until Labour can show itself to be the party that acts for the people then things will never get better.<BR/>I've been silent on this til now but some of the abusive e-mails and comments I've received have only served to confirm my pre-election belief that Labour needs a radical overhaul bofre it can ever hope to move back into control in Brighton and Hove. The future of Brighton though, for nowlies in the hands of the Tories I'm afraid.daniel yateshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15535160459852962844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-20477347098527257822007-05-05T09:55:00.000+01:002007-05-05T09:55:00.000+01:00Well done - good to hear some of my fellow midland...Well done - good to hear some of my fellow midlanders are doing well. I'm from Walsall - I hear the Tories are in control there. I cannot believe the Tories won Pleck!! Was solid Labour when I lived there.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-53884945522327269002007-05-05T00:40:00.000+01:002007-05-05T00:40:00.000+01:00Neil:Rough night/day down your way and not that mu...Neil:<BR/><BR/>Rough night/day down your way and not that much of a surprise by what I was seeing on the election broadcasts.<BR/><BR/>Tell you, what, to cheer you up a bit you can be a honorary Sandwellian for a few days.<BR/><BR/>We took one seat from the Tories, held them off in their key target ward and stopped the BNP in their tracks - not a bad night's work all around.Unityhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17718085232700149823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-3662135745720363512007-05-05T00:21:00.000+01:002007-05-05T00:21:00.000+01:00I'm gutted that Labour did so badly - but lets be ...I'm gutted that Labour did so badly - but lets be realistic - the leadership largely brought this on us.<BR/><BR/>You can't go into an election offering loyalty 'citizen' card and sunday opening for the library and expect to inspire voters to support us. Where is the radical thinking? Where is the free bus travel for under 16s? Where is the pedestrianising the lanes or the sea front? Where are the radical policies to reduce congestion? <BR/><BR/>I'm also really worried about what this Tory administratin is going to do (no doubt with Lib Dem backing). But who is the national govt that has bottled electoral reform? If we want to stop the split left gifting seats to the Tories with small minorities of the vote we have got to have a democratic electoral system. It makes me angry how we are letting down the majority of this country - we have got too stuck in our diminshing interest groups and lost sight of the policies that help people.Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-42769972128646033102007-05-04T23:37:00.000+01:002007-05-04T23:37:00.000+01:00I suppose I didn't mean you were pleased that labo...I suppose I didn't mean you were pleased that labour lost. I don't know. Just wept like a child when Roy lost and then it was only down hill from there. Oh well. 'Things can only get better....'maibeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978888865851456442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-43260198058011818992007-05-04T23:35:00.000+01:002007-05-04T23:35:00.000+01:00Prompt response. Blame, fault, etc. However we fe...Prompt response. Blame, fault, etc. However we feel, a tory council is now in place. By voting Green, the burghers (sp) of Brighton have achieved the opposite of what they probably would have wanted - a Tory council. I can not reconcile the idea that by being not a labour council this is somehow a kind of learning curve that we need to address. We all know that Labour was inevitably going to get a kicking this time but I don't see how you can relate this to being somehow pleased that we lost. This is your line it seems but you have not mentioned the crucial key words - 'tory' and 'council' - and now we must face the consequence of it all.maibeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978888865851456442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-39726037439458174392007-05-04T23:28:00.000+01:002007-05-04T23:28:00.000+01:00Maibee: I wasn't saying the Greens should have sto...Maibee: I wasn't saying the Greens should have stood more candidates (they couldn't they already had a full slate). <BR/><BR/>I ws just saying they underestimated how well tey could of done.<BR/><BR/>As for welcoming the Greens in Regency - there is no point being sour about it and the Green candidates seem genuine - they won overwhelmingly and if they are true to their policies they will be a breath of fresh air - the Labour leadership should be adopting green politics not pretending they are Tories. You are right that the Tories won seats because ex-Labour voters switched to Green or other parties, but whose fault is the electoral system?Neil Hardinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01333739272733802133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14115431.post-80662402097116885072007-05-04T23:21:00.000+01:002007-05-04T23:21:00.000+01:00Not sure how happy I feel about your welcome of gr...Not sure how happy I feel about your welcome of greens into regency. Accept your analysis of why labour lost though. Greens though are not a progressive force and certainly not any cop when it comes to defining policy in the many years to come. Like you say for the lib dems - watch the greens closely. I personally think the lib dems are nothing compared with the pain and suffering the green vote will now potentialy have the power to inflict on the socially disadvantaged of brighton. Bottom line - people voted green and wow, got a tory council in return. Now that was clever. Clean campaign or no, even a bottle of toilet duck could achieve that - or similar Ecover product - they have still enabled a tory council to make our lives hell for next few years. And your plea that they should have stood more candidates - perleeeese. Green council? May as well just start digging our own land fills. Heck, I thought you were a socialist ! Regards....maibeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05978888865851456442noreply@blogger.com