Westministenders: Election Special 2

[RedToothBrush]

Exit poll

Con majority of 68.

65 seats regarded technically as still too close to call. But that could mean an even bigger majority.

Blyth Valley has seen a 10% swing to the cons in line with the exit poll. 1st shock of the night

Will the Conservatives be able to hold on to support in those Northern towns though? They're going to have to do something other than "Get Brexit Done" to sustain their support there.

Rafael Behr in the Guardian:
At this stage it seems that Boris Johnson’s extraordinary accomplishment is to have recruited a new electorate to his cause without having surrendered too many traditional Tory voters elsewhere. Or, to look at it another way: the Brexit electorate has recruited a new vehicle for its interests and demands. It is a convenient match for now, but it will be fascinating to see how comfortable a fit it turns out to be when getting Brexit done is more than just a slogan.

BG has the advantage that he has no principles and can piffle all day

So the 3 conservative groups "somewheres", "kind young capitalists", "strong right" can each believe he is one of them
(He is a 1-man group of sociopathic Borisers)

The Tories normally prioriitise getting elected and defeating Labour,
so their 3 groups of voters, even without a 3-faced BJ, would ignore their differences at least until getting elected

When their "strong right" refused to compromise over Brexit, the other 2 groups just gave in, to stay in power

Corbyn belongs to the "strong left" and has never pretended otherwise
The "traditionalists" and "progressives" mostly dislike him

Unfortunately for Labour, a leader from either of the other 2 groups would also likely have 2 groups against them
and atm many in the 3 groups of voters would rather vote for another party, than for another Labour "group"

Has Jess Phillips been voted out?

Jess isn't doing well...

Stella Creasy at the count with her 2 week old baby!

Fucking Iain Duncan Smith. Gah.

What do northern towns want to say?

Where to start?

How about this:

London stop complaining. You have trains and buses. They might not be on time or be cheap. But this infrustructure changes everything. This gives you ability to move around and greater opportunities for work.

If you are in a northern town, and you can't drive unless you move to the city your opportunities are extremely limited. And as jobs shrink that gets worse. Thats why the young population are moving out of regional towns.

And those who do move almost have the attitude that they moved so why can't everyone else. Or come from more affluent families and areas in those northern towns so can drive or have other opportunities.

It takes more than two hours to get from one northern town 15 miles from where I live via public transport. And you can't do it and be at a job for 9am as services don't start early enough. The cost of public transport compared to london (including taxis) is much higher both in actual terms and in relative terms compared with salary.

This lack of connectivity is driving a lot of social issues.

You can be close to so many things but completely unconnected to them so they become inaccessable. It restricts opportunities.

^ thats not my opinion btw. but a general sentiment that reflects some of this north south divide and problems.

Sky need to sort out the graphic that comes up on every constituency saying it voted leave.

Labour hold Canterbury which was predicted to go Tory.

Has cendrillion got an off switch?

Alexa. Turn cendrillion off.

Ta 😁

Tim Farron survives

IDS majority slashed to 1000. So near and yet so far....

Starting to think the only labour safe seat in brum is hall green.

Love the Stella Creasy winning photo with her baby in a sling.

Poor Faiza Shaheen - she worked so so hard to get IDS out and would have been brilliant for Chingford.

We’ve only gone and done it!!!! Absolutely gutted about the overall predicted UK result, but I couldn’t be happier with the NI results as they stand. So delighted that my vote tonight contributed to an incredible win for Alliance - I really thought that the DUP were going to take it. Alliance are surging and I am absolutely delighted. I’m no Shinner but for John Finucane to take Nigel Dodds’ seat in North Belfast is making me grin the hugest smile!

trends

strong leave seats
+5 con
-12 lab
+3 LD
+6 brexit

strong remain seats
-3 con
-6 lab
+4 ld
+1 brexit

So glad Rosie Duffield re-elected in Canterbury. She’s lovely, sad that IDS hung on though

Robert Peston @Peston
"It's not looking great, I'm not going to lie" says @RuthDavidsonMSP to @AnushkaAsthana when asked about her promise to skinny dip in Loch Ness if SNP win 50 plus seats

I love all my ds's mates at Canterbury. I've told him to tell him!

tell them! Too much wine!

Poor Faiza Shaheen - she worked so so hard to get IDS out and would have been brilliant for Chingford.

DH works in a school in the constituency. Both candidates came in to talk to sixth-formers. DH said the sixth-formers preferred IDS (depressing).