Small Step For UK, Giant Leap For London
I thought I would put the latest local election results in perspective, especially for any non UK readers. The elections to the local councils are a step below the US Senate. The equivalent of the US Senate I understand to be our County Councils. Counties are our equivalent of states.
So the only thing the local elections do is show a trend. The trend is a move away from a Labour Government and a swing to the Conservatives. Don't hold your breath though, the Conservatives are only slightly to the right of Labour these days. On the plus side if they were to form the next government they could make a difference in various ways:
In opposition they have opposed or have said:
In the inner ring the ethnic English turned to the BNP because Livingstone’s Labour Party was ignoring them, too busy trying to secure the Muslim vote. As a result the BNP now have a representative on the London Assembly, in the name of Richard Barnbrook
It will be interesting to see if Boris Johnson supports the London Mega Mosque, the building of which is opposed by even moderate Muslims. The point is the tide has turned in London and may turn in the rest of the UK in a couple of years time when there is a general election.
My feeling is that Gordon Brown will not be able to recover from these defeats, because the electorate have a long list of issues that are pissing them off, issues that he is incapable of dealing with.
(cross posted with CommonSense)
So the only thing the local elections do is show a trend. The trend is a move away from a Labour Government and a swing to the Conservatives. Don't hold your breath though, the Conservatives are only slightly to the right of Labour these days. On the plus side if they were to form the next government they could make a difference in various ways:
In opposition they have opposed or have said:
- They will opt out of the Brussels Human Rights Act
- Stiffer immigration controls
- They opposed the EU Lisbon constitution treaty
- They oppose the cult of multiculturalism
There will be more but that's all that springs to mind. Those four above are important enough to make some difference if not only a small step. In addition, Conservatives tend to be patriotic and support their country and culture especially amongst the grass roots. Those dyed in the wool Conservatives will not let the leadership betray us.
As for the giant leap, well, getting rid of Red Ken Livingstone is wonderful news, even for us non Londoners. Boris Johnson won the vote on the basis of the ordinary English people on the outer ring of London. Livingston won the inner ring on the back of ethnic votes. The Muslims in particular were told to vote for him. Anything that is good for the Muslims is bad for the rest of us so ,yes, that is a victory.In the inner ring the ethnic English turned to the BNP because Livingstone’s Labour Party was ignoring them, too busy trying to secure the Muslim vote. As a result the BNP now have a representative on the London Assembly, in the name of Richard Barnbrook
It will be interesting to see if Boris Johnson supports the London Mega Mosque, the building of which is opposed by even moderate Muslims. The point is the tide has turned in London and may turn in the rest of the UK in a couple of years time when there is a general election.
My feeling is that Gordon Brown will not be able to recover from these defeats, because the electorate have a long list of issues that are pissing them off, issues that he is incapable of dealing with.
(cross posted with CommonSense)
Labels: boris johnson, Ken Livingstone, mega mosque, ray boyd
