Anyone in Hartlepool - what on earth is going on

[Purplecatshopaholic]

Genuine question. (Apologies if this is in the wrong place, I don’t post much). I’m Scottish and in Scotland, and I am constantly aware these days of how different the views are of Westminster up here, to across the border sometimes. We also have our own Labour Party leader up here. But really? Is Keir Starmer that bad? Are other parties not available? Who on earth is still voting for Boris…? Any WHY?

@Riddly

You have to remember that it was Hartlepool, who, during the Napoleonic Wars, hanged a shipwrecked monkey as a French spy? They seem to be ‘voting for Brexit’, now that the Ukip/ Brexit party has gone, they believe that Johnson has delivered...

Yes, the monkey has been mentioned quite a few times now 🙄

I’m still waiting for an answer as to what the ‘simple test’ would consist of.

What is the EU, by the sound of it.

*The most popular online newspaper website is The Guardian.

I thought it was the Daily Mail.*

This is correct. The Mail is huge. At one point it was the most read online paper in the world. Which is why it is silly when people (politicians) claim never to read it, as if they have no critical faculties and no ability to sort out what they agree with and what they don't. Good politicians ought to be aware of what motivates voters.

In contrast to other posters, I think the Tories are genuine about a post-Brexit regional policy. If the pandemic, and the empty shelves in NI taught us anything, its that we need to be more self-sufficient, especially in relation to strategic supplies, that we need to be more flexible, and more united. It can't be just London and let the rest take care of themselves. Whether they can pull it off is another matter....

Does anyone actually read the DM? Don’t they just look at sidebar of shame and judge.

I reckon a lot of people voted for Boris because he got them the jab. Jabs = lives saved. Doesn’t mean anyone’s going to necessarily pledge life-long allegiance to Conservatives, but if you feel the jab saved your life it might prompt you to vote for them.

Also I reckon despite his pompous ramblings and question dodging, a lot of people secretly like Boris. He’s certainly memorable ...whereas others sadly don’t seem to be.

How much immigration did Hartlepool have? This link shows that 2% were non British. So whoever is taking those jobs, it isn't foreigners.

But it is possible that if the Freeport does bring in the vast numbers that Truss said it will, they will then be foreign.

"I spoilt my vote because amongst many, many other things, Labour are using women's officer positions to put natal men in charge. "

So are the Conservatives.
conservativewomen.uk/articles/about-sue/

I read Miljea's comment up-thread and winced but I don't think she was the first to suggest it. I distinctly recall reading a similar comment attributed to a senior EC official in The Times before the Brexit vote. I've tried to find the source on several occasions but there are too many articles to read everyone again. IIRC, the person's view was that only graduates should be allowed to vote.

Some of the posters sound like the fascists they claim to hate. I am a HCP working with people with intellectual disabilities one of my projects at the moment is encouraging people to vote and look at the parties and views. I don't give a fig which party they vote for as I am encouraging them to take part in the democratic process. Some supposed socialists are saying to take their vote away?
Disgusting.

To be clear Boris did not get anyone the jab, Kate Bingham got people the jab. Surely everyone knows this.

@Itwasgoodwhileitlasted

I'd love to know too

Me too. I wonder if people are still afraid of the minority extreme left wing elements who seem to dominate Labour’s image.

To be clear Boris did not get anyone the jab, Kate Bingham got people the jab. Surely everyone knows this.

No, I'm afraid not. He is definitely getting the credit around here.

I'd vote for Tony Benn. Other than that, no. None of them appeal

That might be a bit difficult, on account of him being dead and all ... though even dead, this utterly principled man would probably be more use than the current bunch

I live here and still couldn't tell you!

I define woke as privileged snowflaky wankery. As do most people. Add in a bit of eternal victimhood, preachiness and a few tiny beards and you have the generally perceived definition of woke.

So no-ones allowed to suggest that some Tory voters in Hartlepool were ill informed, but you're allowed to tar a great swathe of metropolitan people as this?

Just watch the government pour money into areas such as the north east, then people will think the tories are wonderful.

I think Labour and their supporters give the impression that they 'get it' and that people who don't agree with their views 'don't get it' either because they are not as intelligent, not as educated or inherently bigoted, naive, narrow minded or racist. This is summed up with the often repeated phrase 'Turkey's voting for Christmas'

Thing is though most people do understand your arguments/life view but just don't agree with it. The difference usually is they don't feel the need to lecture you or to try to change your mind. You are entitled to exercise your vote and they are entitled to exercise theirs. You are entitled to your social, cultural and political beliefs as much as they are entitled to theirs.

a lot of people secretly like Boris. He’s certainly memorable ...whereas others sadly don’t seem to be.

Yeah...Trump was memorable too.

I read Miljea's comment up-thread and winced but I don't think she was the first to suggest it

She wasn’t. There was a whole thread devoted to the idea after the referendum which had few objections.
I think the ‘simple test’ they had in mind was ‘Will you be voting Leave or Remain in the forthcoming referendum?’ and anyone who ticked Leave would have their vote withdrawn.

Hartlepool is only being talked about today because they voted for a conservative M.P. - If they had done what they have done for the last 57 years and voted Labour, nobody would have given them a second thought.

@Riddly

You have to remember that it was Hartlepool, who, during the Napoleonic Wars, hanged a shipwrecked monkey as a French spy? They seem to be ‘voting for Brexit’, now that the Ukip/ Brexit party has gone, they believe that Johnson has delivered...

I find it difficult to see why women like Boris Johnson.

Imagine if someone posted on MN - I thought my fiance would marry me as soon as his divorce came through, but so far, Covid restrictions obviously causing delays, he's shown no move to do so. I would be his third wife, and I know that he already has 6 children by three different women, including me, plus another woman admits to aborting his baby. I am in my early 30s. Should I be worried or should I cut my losses?

The answer would be LTB while you are still young enough to find someone else.

For all those rejoicing that two Falmouth wards were gained for Labour, the bad news is that they are as yet the only Labour wins in Cornwall. Mebyon Kernow have got one, quite a few Independents and lots of Tories, but the vast majority are still awaiting results.

No, I'm afraid not. He is definitely getting the credit around here

What do you mean no? It’s simply a fact that jab procurement policy was entirely down to Kate Bingham and the taskforce she gathered. The rollout was down to the NHS. Both aspects bypassed government. That’s why it was a success unlike the test and trace which failed abysmally.

That people around you credit Boris suggests they don’t read the papers.

@Parker231

I wonder if the outcome would have been different if the enquiry into Boris having funds from lobbyists had already been held?

No idea, same as whether the outcome into a criminal investigation into alleged bribery in Liverpool would have influenced the council elections there. The situation with the Labour run council is so bad an independent commissioner has been appointed.

The idea that Labour are clean on this issue is laughable. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56679807