Wow! I wasn’t expecting that. Were you? I spent yesterday from 10:30am until 9pm, obviously with some breaks, phoning up potential Labour voters to get the vote out. I phoned hundreds of people, and spoke to scores of them. I spoke to some confused people and I spoke to some very nice people. I…
Category: THE POLITICS: Ministers, MPs, government policy
May is in the past and Corbyn is the future
It seems as though this general election was set up to be a personality contest between Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn – that isn’t what it should be, but it might be an important part of people’s decision making. May has looked anything but strong and stable whereas Corbyn has grown in stature through the…
Brexit – so that’s all very clear then?
If the general election is about Brexit then we should by now have a clear idea of what will happen to environmental protection and agricultural policy after Brexit. In particular, we should have a clear idea from the Conservative Party, although Labour (the only realistic alternative government (even though, in places other parties’ candidates may…
Seats I’ll be watching
I’m a Labour voter (and with more enthusiasm this election than in some) but I’ll be looking out for the result in particular constituencies as well as the overall result. Here are some of the constituencies that will make or break my day: Brighton Pavilion – a win for Caroline Lucas will please me Bristol…
The general election and driven grouse shooting
If the Conservatives win, and particularly if they win an increased majority I predict: weakening of site protection post-Brexit (see what Conservative manifesto says) – the fact that SPAs were partly notified because of their raptor populations will become irrelevant; the chance of stopping damaging activities (like building new roads and tracks across blanket bogs,…
Hazel Grove/High Peak vote swap
This is a great idea! And whether it works or not it represents a fascinating attempt by ordinary voters to make their votes count for more! This is the idea: if you are a Labour voter in Hazel Grove your vote won’t count for very much, and if you are a Liberal in High Peak…
An Unreliable History of Birdwatching (10) by Paul Thomas
Saturday cartoon by Ralph Underhill
The party manifestos and the environment – a round up
When I vote next Thursday, I won’t vote on solely environmental grounds, but it will be a significant factor in my choice. I hope it will be a factor in your choice too. There is a massive difference in the approach to the environment from the Left and Right of politics which is very clear…
Let’s see the back of Andrew Bingham in High Peak
The Peak District is a fulcrum for change in the British uplands and has been the scene of three Hen Harrier Day events so far. Each of those events was held in the constituency of Andrew Bingham, High Peak, but we didn’t see him at any of them. The constituents of High Peak were strong…