If we had a General Election now ...

[Dancerinthedark01]

Who would vote Tory and why?

@NotPersephone. I come from Manchester. It's always good to know that people appreciate our elected representatives. So what do you think he has done a pretty good job of up here?

I think he was very wise going for the position of Mayor, he must have seen it was going to be a tough time for Labour in Westminster and decided to distance himself. As far as I can see he's done a good job as Mayor and hasn't been tarnished by the party infighting.

I vote Conservative because they are generally more representative of my own personal values. Of course, there is a broad range of values and beliefs within all parties, but my lot are normally found within the Conservatives. I voted remain, for instance, from a Burkean standpoint, generally favouring the maintenance of the status quo. I value tradition and order. Boris isnt a true conservative, in this sense, so Im not keen at all on him.

Oh, I thought he left Westminster because he lost the leadership campaign. I know he was in charge of a police force put into specials measures. He's obviously stepped up and taken some responsibility for that. Oh no, wait he hasn't.
But he's done a good job as mayor, so what's he done?

Is vote Tory. I’m fairly central leaning but labour have gone too far left, Lib Dem’s have imploded, leaving the conservatives closest to my leanings.

It doesn’t mean I’m entirely happy with their performance, but I would rather take this bunch than any of the other options.

I would imagine most who voted Tory in 2019

I wouldn’t be surprised if they won an even larger majority

Oh sorry, I missed the GMP chief constable being sacked for the arena bombing shambles (a too light word for the tragedy and the performance of the fire brigade - which again AB was in charge of). I thought he announced his retirement due to a debilitating ear condition just before GMP was put into special measures. And I should point out, the special measures had nothing to do with the bombing.

AB did of course stand up to the govt to prevent a lockdown because Manchester people wouldn't get paid, even though all his hospitals were begging him to do something because they were on the verge of being overrun and numbers were increasing. And the govt did the lockdown anyway,
And by that time the numbers were even higher. But I guess he did stand up up to Westminster, so well done that man.

@NotPersephone Thats true. He went up to 67% from 63% on a 34% turnout. Its also true that Greater Manchester is pretty staunch Labour.
As for JA, he denies wrongdoing so we'll have to wait for the trial. But during Covid Liverpool had the highest figures in the NW, even higher than parts of GM, for a while. The Dept of Health offered and JA pushed for getting mass testing across the city. JA advertised and and was really involved in encouraging everyone to get it done. They ended up with the lowest figures in the NW. Now, in contrast, let's consider what AB did. He tried to dissuade L'pool by saying they'd tried it in Manchester but mass testing doesn't work so L'pool was wasting its time. Clearly things don't work under Andy Burnham!
JA also negotiated with Westminster, accepted lockdown money early and put plans in place to get the numbers down. AB wouldn't accept the money, let numbers rise and pushed the hospitals to the brink.

AB worrying the Tories then?

I agree with you, @coffeerevelsrock, that AB has a momentum behind him and he could be a danger for the Tories. But I'm not really interested in that. If he takes them on and wins, good fir him. I'm just asking, and I'd love you to reply as well, what has AB done for Manchester. I'm happy to be educated on it.

@NotPersephone. I think JA asking for his legal fees to be paid for by the City didn't endear him to people. Lol.

It really doesn't actually matter any more. The UK voting system is screwed up.
Sorry to say it.

There's Brexit, Covid and the Tories now.

Until you all get proportionate representation, nothing much will change.
But since you can't vote to get that, well...

It's sovereignty soup all round

@SunscreenCentral

It really doesn't actually matter any more. The UK voting system is screwed up. Sorry to say it. There's Brexit, Covid and the Tories now.

Until you all get proportionate representation, nothing much will change.
But since you can't vote to get that, well...

It's sovereignty soup all round

Paradoxically the referendum was actually more reflective of people’s wishes than most general elections, but probably wouldn’t have happened if we’d had PR because the leavers from all the other parties could have joined UKIP and UKIP’s millions of votes could have led to some small representation in parliament.

Interesting a PP says they vote conservative precisely to ensure things aren’t modernised - I suspect that is true of a lot of people (even none Tory voters) which is why we never get any significant constitutional reform (why do we need a state religion?) or chance to the daft voting system.

Tory because I Labour no Lib Dem are much worst. Also, conservatives are more like centre left in this country. The people who compare Boris with Trump are deluded.

Also , live in London no Sadiq Khan is the worst mayor ever. Only has one agenda to push.

Sorry for the typos.

I live in a Tory stronghold. Used to live in a Labour stronghold. I don’t believe in tactical voting because I don’t think it helps push for change long term and gives a false indication as to what the electorate want. I have voted all the colours and spoilt my ballot. Don’t know much about my current MP but my previous Labour one was known locally as a very nasty person in real life. I would (and have) voted for a good consistency MP above party politics.

@fournonblondes

Tory because I Labour no Lib Dem are much worst. Also, conservatives are more like centre left in this country. The people who compare Boris with Trump are deluded.

I agree with the Boris-Trump comparisons being ridiculous.

Poll shows 90% of people would vote the same in brexit www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/oct/21/british-leavers-and-remainers-as-polarised-as-ever-survey-finds
If I was a brexit supporter, I'd vote Tory. I'm not and I loathe the Tories, but it makes sense if you voted for brexit and still believe in the whole project.

I'd vote labour but not enthusiastically.

Not really. They both think they can get away with a lot by being enigmatic/outrageous. They both don't really give a toss about policy so long as they're still in power.

I think the comparisons with Trump aren’t about policy or ideology but style. Both are viewed as populist leaders, with no real vision, who basically say or do anything if it’s popular and keeps them in power.