Labour lose in Glasgow East

[canveyshrimper]

A quite stunning defeat for the government in a constituency that has been a Labour stronghold for the best part of a century.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7522153.stm

After the defeat in Crewe & Nantwich and now Glasgow East it's a question of time before someone challenges Gordon Brown's position as PM. New Labour are mortally wounded rather in the manner of the Tories before their defeat in 1997, but they will struggle on for another two years before they have no other choice but to call a General Election.

However and more seriously if Labour have no mandate in Scotland it throws a whole new light on the Union.

 

[MK Shrimper]

I hope this is the signal that people are sick to death of New Labour and it's the beginning of the end. I'd rather the Tory's took power, I really would. It might give Labour the kick up it's arse to return to it's true roots.

 

[OldBlueLady]

I hope this is the signal that people are sick to death of New Labour and it's the beginning of the end. I'd rather the Tory's took power, I really would. It might give Labour the kick up it's arse to return to it's true roots.

Paul, this is too much. Two shocks from you in the space of an hour and at such an early part of the day as well.

Surely a vote of no confidence can't be too far away for Mr Brown?

 

[Southminster_Shrimper]

Labour lose an election.....good! Sooner they ditch Gordon Clown and the rest of the labour government the better. Time for a change me thinks....and not before time.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Paul, this is too much. Two shocks from you in the space of an hour and at such an early part of the day as well.

Surely a vote of no confidence can't be too far away for Mr Brown?

Not really. I'm an old socialist and Labour certainly can't be called that these days.

 

[steveo]

I'd rather the Tory's took power, I really would

Is that a typo?

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

I hope this is the signal that people are sick to death of New Labour and it's the beginning of the end. I'd rather the Tory's took power, I really would. It might give Labour the kick up it's arse to return to it's true roots.

Tis true ... They are just a different shade of blue at the moment, either Brown must go NOW or i too may root for the tories next time around :O

 

[OldBlueLady]

Not really. I'm an old socialist and Labour certainly can't be called that these days.

You certainly knew where you were in the old days under Labour, politics was a lot more clearly defined then. I often wonder what would have happened if John Smith hadn't have died back in '94. I agree with Gary that it is definitely time for a change, just hope it is for the better, because they way things are going we won't be able to afford anything soon unless someone gets a decent grip on the economy.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Is that a typo?

Nope, I'm sure you can see my reasons.

 

[steveo]

I was kiddin.

If I recall correctly, without the Scottish Labour Vote at the last election, the Conservaties would have got in, so if this is trend is reflective of what will happen in Scotland it looks like Gordon will be slaughtered.

 

[dloman]

I really do believe this is the end of New Labour as we know it, and a very distinct possibility that they will be in the political wilderness for many years to come.

Though the the heirachy did get one thing right in scheduling the by election for two days after parliament went on its summer break, at least Brown knows he will be safe until the autumn conference.

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

it looks like Gordon will be slaughtered.

Now that idea is a definate vote winner !!!!!! :clap::clap:

 

[canveyshrimper]

Brown only has himself to blame if he had gone to the country in November 2007 he would have won, albeit with a reduced majority, but a mandate to carry on for a further 5 years all the same. However he bottled it, because being PM was the job he had coveted for 10 years and he wasn't going to risk even the slightest chance of losing the position.

Now the country as a whole are faced with the prospect of a lame duck Prime Minister in a rudderless government. Sooner rather than later there will be a leadership challenge to Brown which will unsettle the business of government still further. All this at a time of a potential world recession and when the country requires strong leadership.

It will be interesting to see which member of the cabinet will have the cojones to challenge him.

 

[dloman]

Another problem for the Labour MP's is that based on that result, and bearing in mind it was their third safest seat, not only would a huge number lose their jobs, it would also include the current incumbant PM and Chancellor.

 

[Firestorm]

For years I blamed the state of the country, not on the party that was in power but the electoral system itself, we seemed to chop and chage governments every 4 years and then the new regime spent 2 years undoing what the last lot did, two years trying to implement their policies and before they really had a chance there was an election, it all changed and the cycle started. Well thats how it seemed to me anyway. I said at the time that give either party 10 years at it and things would stabilise. Well that sort of worked with Mrs T and has sort of worked with New Labour. The problem seems to me that we are hitting a global slump, which combined with the decline of the GB as a major world player (the rise of China , India and the EU have taken away a bit of the clout this small isle once had) has left us in a situation the current crop of politicians have absolutely no experience of.
Elections over the past 15 years or so have not really be fought on a platform of really major issues. Inflation has been low for 20 odd years , unemployment has not been a significant problem. True we had a house price slump, but that was fairly temporary. But now we are facing the prospects of all three (albeit imho aided and abetted by scaremongering and hype on an unprecedented scale) and we need a leader who is primarily trusted. The major issues will not go away solely by the actions of this country and its leader, but a leader who has the confidence of the country and the support of the media will go a long way to calming the waters.
Personally I do not think the policies which will be used to take us forward in the major issues will differ much who ever gets in (There are secondary issues which will be different principles).

Brown or Cameron ? (sorry to followers of the other parties but they really don't form any option other than a protest vote imho) neither to me has the right credentials. neither has the charisma to gain the confidence of the nation, and whilst I don't think Brown quite has the ability to come up ground breaking policies , I feel that he is still better politically than Cameron. That said , he has , to use a football analogy, lost the dressing room and lost the fans, so he is not going to be able to do anything worthwhile.

For me the worrying thing is , I have not seen anyone in the wings who looks even remotely capable of having either the policies to turn it round or the personality to calm the panic down.

 

[Andyhsufc]

We have got a problem in our election system when nobody wants to vote for either of the main two parties. I am thinking of starting my own party called the ENP (English National Party). The Scottish one appears to be doing well and I think it could be a vote winner. See you all in No.10 in 2010!!!

 

[steveo]

I am thinking of starting my own party called the ENP (English National Party).

And your policy on immigration would be?

 

[Andyhsufc]

And your policy on immigration would be?

The SNP isnt an offshoot of the BNP. The SNP's view on immigration, i believe, is a points system (as is Labours and Conservatives). I think that makes sense and I would follow that

 

[BLUEBLOOD]

And your policy on immigration would be?

In the words of The Stormtroopers of Death - Speak English Or Die !!!!!!

 

[Benfleet A1]

In the words of The Stormtroopers of Death - Speak English Or Die !!!!!!

Hmm, catchy.