And So, To Crewe

The London elections devoured my working life and many other parts of it. I'm still trying to catch up with my sleep and everything else, including what's been happening in the rest of Britain. Politically, it's been worse for Labour there than in the capital. Here's the script for my latest Vlog for Current TV which should go live soon.

"Last week the Labour Party lost local elections all over England and Wales - and lost them badly. The Conservatives gained 256 seats. The party of government was ejected from 331 and Ken Livingstone was toppled as London Mayor.

How big is this disaster? Do the results indicate just a nasty mid-term slump for Gordon Brown and company or the beginning of the end for “New” Labour? Might the first Conservative government of the 21st century be on its way?

Most pundits seem to lean towards the latter, but beware. The Tories gained ground in the north of England but they’d probably need more. And the London results could have been worse for Labour. Boris Johnson’s margin of victory over Livingstone was quite small. Labour gained one constituency seat on the London Assembly and held on to another they were expected to lose. Yes, there was a general swing towards the blue, but it wasn’t uniform or crushing.

Still, the prime minister needs more than crumbs of comfort. He needs a clearer message, more energy and, most of all, fresh, new ideas. How long does he have to find these things? I’d give him six months to a year."

A stuffing at the forthcoming Crewe & Nantwich by-election should concentrate the premier's mind further, were that required. Follow the campaign there with the help of Crewe's very own top quality blogger.

Comments

[jameshigham]

Never mind, Dave, worse things happen at sea. :)