31 May 2009
30 May 2009
Greens in 4th place on 11% in New ICM Poll
The Telegraph now has the story up their site, and things look volatile for the Lib Dem and UKIP ratings, which are almost mirror images of the Times poll in my previous blog entry.
What is clear is that we are continuing to poll nationally in the 9 to 11% range. With five days left, not only are our target regions looking really good bets, but we should be also pushing all out in the West Midlands, South West, Yorkshire & Humberside and the South East (for a second seat) to make this a major breakthrough election for us.
Keep going everyone. There has not been a time like this since 1989 and you can be certain that this polling was done before Joanna Lumley was covered in major national newspapers and endorsed us on Jonathan Ross last night.
What is clear is that we are continuing to poll nationally in the 9 to 11% range. With five days left, not only are our target regions looking really good bets, but we should be also pushing all out in the West Midlands, South West, Yorkshire & Humberside and the South East (for a second seat) to make this a major breakthrough election for us.
Keep going everyone. There has not been a time like this since 1989 and you can be certain that this polling was done before Joanna Lumley was covered in major national newspapers and endorsed us on Jonathan Ross last night.
Populus Opinion Poll
European Election intention voting reported in the Times:
Cons 30%
UKIP 19%
Lab 16%
Lib Dem 12%
Green 10%
BNP 5%
So in the 4 last Euro Election intention polls, the Greens have been at 9 to 11% nationally. Polling was certainly before we got significant coverage from Joanna Lumley saying she is voting Green (she also gave us a name check on Jonathan Ross last night).
All this and a post from LabourHome that really does indicate that Labour supporters and members are taking the future into their own hands. They are not abstaining, but they are going out to vote Green. We are on track to win a seat here in the North West, but bloggers are now starting to talk about the Greens beating Labour in the South West and South East regions as well, which could mean more seats.
Cons 30%
UKIP 19%
Lab 16%
Lib Dem 12%
Green 10%
BNP 5%
So in the 4 last Euro Election intention polls, the Greens have been at 9 to 11% nationally. Polling was certainly before we got significant coverage from Joanna Lumley saying she is voting Green (she also gave us a name check on Jonathan Ross last night).
All this and a post from LabourHome that really does indicate that Labour supporters and members are taking the future into their own hands. They are not abstaining, but they are going out to vote Green. We are on track to win a seat here in the North West, but bloggers are now starting to talk about the Greens beating Labour in the South West and South East regions as well, which could mean more seats.
28 May 2009
Swimming in the Mainstream
It has taken a little while, but news of Joanna Lumley’s endorsement of Caroline Lucas and her quote about why she is voting Green, has hit the London Standard, the Daily Mail and the Mirror. This is nearly a week after the Times gave it a quick mention in the diary section.
Why is this important and significant? In a culture that is now dominated by celebrity, Joanna Lumley has a rare appeal, combining recognition as a national British figure and the heavyweight campaigning status she has gained fighting with the Gurkhas for equal rights. With no disrespect to Frank Carson individually, it puts UKIP’s own celebrity backers into perspective.
While we might like to simply rely on our campaigning and policy to convince the public, a mainstream mention of the Green Party being endorsed by a respected celebrity figure, does more to bring us a positive response from genuine floating voters than 100 press releases.
We should do well at these European Elections. We will retain our London and South East seats, and we are on target to win the North West and Eastern, despite the many detractors from the political mainstream who can’t recognise the public mood and the shift in support to us. A sample of comments from the Political Betting site today show why the Greens could be the biggest story of this election:
1. “Stuart Dickson says:
28/5/2009 at 4:46 am
- “Could we be witnessing Gord’s final 12 days as PM?”
Yes, we could.
And the reason? Because I am getting the very, very strong impression that a significant chunk of Labour members, supporters and sympathisers are going to go further than simply abstaining (which was always going to happen), but are going to go the final step and vote for another party (principally the Greens in England) to get Brown out.
They know that their belovèd party is going to get utterly massacred with Brown at the helm come next May. So, in order to save their own great party (or at least a good working chunk of it), they will make the message crystal clear, by voting for the next least bad option: Green.
1. Simon in the hills. says:
28/5/2009 at 6:34 am
Over the weekend I was in London and at various social events met three prominent Labour activists who each told me that they were voting Green.
Very small sample-very clear message.
1. antifrank says:
28/5/2009 at 11:04 am
224 - I suspect a lot of people are pondering whether to vote Green instead of Labour or Lib Dem next week. They rather than UKIP might turn out to be the surprise package. If you’re a centre or left of centre voter, they make a much more appetising protest vote than UKIP.
If Joanna Lumley’s endorsements are followed by anyone else with similar clout, or even the media (reluctantly) picking up the “vote Green” message, as John Harris has done today, then we could win up to 8 seats. But as is often said, a week is a long time in politics, and we need every activist out there doing whatever they can to support the campaign right up until 10pm next Thursday.
The anecdotal evidence is mounting that key Labour activists, Labour supporters and even elected councillors (6 here in the North West that I know of) are going to be voting Green on June 4th. With our message now also going out to a much wider audience in the mainstream media, we are set to produce a tremendous finish to this campaign.
Why is this important and significant? In a culture that is now dominated by celebrity, Joanna Lumley has a rare appeal, combining recognition as a national British figure and the heavyweight campaigning status she has gained fighting with the Gurkhas for equal rights. With no disrespect to Frank Carson individually, it puts UKIP’s own celebrity backers into perspective.
While we might like to simply rely on our campaigning and policy to convince the public, a mainstream mention of the Green Party being endorsed by a respected celebrity figure, does more to bring us a positive response from genuine floating voters than 100 press releases.
We should do well at these European Elections. We will retain our London and South East seats, and we are on target to win the North West and Eastern, despite the many detractors from the political mainstream who can’t recognise the public mood and the shift in support to us. A sample of comments from the Political Betting site today show why the Greens could be the biggest story of this election:
1. “Stuart Dickson says:
28/5/2009 at 4:46 am
- “Could we be witnessing Gord’s final 12 days as PM?”
Yes, we could.
And the reason? Because I am getting the very, very strong impression that a significant chunk of Labour members, supporters and sympathisers are going to go further than simply abstaining (which was always going to happen), but are going to go the final step and vote for another party (principally the Greens in England) to get Brown out.
They know that their belovèd party is going to get utterly massacred with Brown at the helm come next May. So, in order to save their own great party (or at least a good working chunk of it), they will make the message crystal clear, by voting for the next least bad option: Green.
1. Simon in the hills. says:
28/5/2009 at 6:34 am
Over the weekend I was in London and at various social events met three prominent Labour activists who each told me that they were voting Green.
Very small sample-very clear message.
1. antifrank says:
28/5/2009 at 11:04 am
224 - I suspect a lot of people are pondering whether to vote Green instead of Labour or Lib Dem next week. They rather than UKIP might turn out to be the surprise package. If you’re a centre or left of centre voter, they make a much more appetising protest vote than UKIP.
If Joanna Lumley’s endorsements are followed by anyone else with similar clout, or even the media (reluctantly) picking up the “vote Green” message, as John Harris has done today, then we could win up to 8 seats. But as is often said, a week is a long time in politics, and we need every activist out there doing whatever they can to support the campaign right up until 10pm next Thursday.
The anecdotal evidence is mounting that key Labour activists, Labour supporters and even elected councillors (6 here in the North West that I know of) are going to be voting Green on June 4th. With our message now also going out to a much wider audience in the mainstream media, we are set to produce a tremendous finish to this campaign.
26 May 2009
What Do the Lib Dems Stand For?
It is a serious question. Nick Clegg is trying to position them as the reform party, but is being seriously out-manoeuvred by the ever slick David Cameron. What sort of reforms is Nick interested in?
Well, he wants to restore trust to the British political system. He could start here in Liverpool, where my local Lib Dem councillor, convicted in a Court of Law of breaking election law, delivering a smear leaflet, has just been elevated the Merseyside Transport authority. Morally he should no longer be sitting as a councillor, but instead he is being rewarded with an additional allowance. There has been no action from the Lib Dem leader, although he has definitely been made aware by letter.
He could move on, again in Liverpool, to look at donations solicited by the leader of the council and a donation event in 2008 with Lord Rennard (who has resigned from his position after claiming £40k in expenses). Right now, the Lib Dems are opposing an increase in the level of donation required for reporting, but when the full details of the donations in Liverpool are eventually revealed, we’ll need to see if the “no rules were broken” defence plays well with local voters.
Then there are the smear leaflets. Despite the excellent sitting MEP for the Liberal Democrats in the North West, Chris Davies, taking a principled stance on the need for smaller families and tackling the issue of population, this is being used as a smear tactic by local Liberal Democrats against the Greens. Throw in the unsavoury accusations made about the homeless in Liverpool, which is the subject of legal action from the local Green Party against the Lib Dems, smear leaflets seem to be an accepted part of their campaigning strategy.
Next up, we have the “election experts” claims and the factual inaccuracies about other parties. Here in the North West, the election experts (never referenced) say that the Lib Dems are the best option against the BNP. No supporting evidence, but just a claim. You can see the Greens make our case at www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk
Worse stuff has gone out in London. Down there, the Lib Dems have claimed that, “the Greens can’t win here”. It’s a bit unfortunate for them that the Green leaflet says, “Re-elect Jean Lambert”. This kind of gives it away that the Greens have already won a seat before…
Having sunk to these low electoral tactics over many years, can Nick Clegg’s claims to want to reform politics really be taken seriously? I don’t think so. I think the Lib Dems are broken as an organisation. They have only one unifying principle (to win elections) and exist largely as a franchise operation, with different brands of Liberal Democracy adapted to different local situations in order to try and gain power at the expense of Labour and the Conservatives.
Electoral reform has arrived on the agenda, and it will be interesting to see exactly how the Lib Dems make their case. Will they stick with principles, or will they favour a solution that embeds them as the junior partner in a governing coalition for some time to come. My patience has been largely exhausted with them, and I think it is time for the Greens to look longer term about where we want to be in British politics. The 4th party doesn’t exactly inspire me with our ability to make a serious impact on emissions that cause Climate Change. The Green Party must be far more ambitious.
Liberal Democrat voters are decent people, looking for a political alternative. They don’t want Labour or Conservatives, but they don’t know what they are getting when they actually elect a Lib Dem. Some, like Chris Davies MEP, are excellent. Others, like Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, are very, very poor. We know that former Liberal Democrat voters are quick to make the switch to a more principled and ethical Green alternative once we get established.
For that reason, we need to be bold. At the next General Election, the Liberal Democrats have a large number of marginal seats that were not contested by the Greens in 2005. Individual Lib Dem MPs probably do work hard, but remaining as they do, affiliated to a political movement with few campaigning morals, they are actually a barrier to radical change in this country.
If we stand a Green candidate in every Westminster constituency, it will, without doubt, see the Lib Dems lose a large number of marginal seats. They could be reduced to 30 or 40 MPs at a time when the Green Party gains its first seats in Parliament. Our aim at the election that follows, potentially being conducted under a form of proportional representation, would then be to overtake the Lib Dems.
Many former Liberal Democrats will join the Greens. They agree with the vast majority of our aims and the more ethical councillors respect the way we do politics. So we must not be shy and we must be honest about our ambitions. The Lib Dems had an opportunity to be a radical and progressive alternative in 2005, but they failed to seize their political opportunity. They won’t get another chance.
The Greens are growing fast and if these European Elections enable us to double our national representation, you will see a transformation in the ability of Greens to take on and beat the Lib Dems at local council level. Ultimately it also means that people will end up being represented by hard working Greens.
Today’s Open Europe survey about the quality of British MEPs, with the Greens rated as the most transparent, accountable and ethical of all British parties in the Euro Parliament, needs a wider circulation. For many Lib Dem voters, this could encourage the first (but certainly not the last) vote for a better type of politics.
Well, he wants to restore trust to the British political system. He could start here in Liverpool, where my local Lib Dem councillor, convicted in a Court of Law of breaking election law, delivering a smear leaflet, has just been elevated the Merseyside Transport authority. Morally he should no longer be sitting as a councillor, but instead he is being rewarded with an additional allowance. There has been no action from the Lib Dem leader, although he has definitely been made aware by letter.
He could move on, again in Liverpool, to look at donations solicited by the leader of the council and a donation event in 2008 with Lord Rennard (who has resigned from his position after claiming £40k in expenses). Right now, the Lib Dems are opposing an increase in the level of donation required for reporting, but when the full details of the donations in Liverpool are eventually revealed, we’ll need to see if the “no rules were broken” defence plays well with local voters.
Then there are the smear leaflets. Despite the excellent sitting MEP for the Liberal Democrats in the North West, Chris Davies, taking a principled stance on the need for smaller families and tackling the issue of population, this is being used as a smear tactic by local Liberal Democrats against the Greens. Throw in the unsavoury accusations made about the homeless in Liverpool, which is the subject of legal action from the local Green Party against the Lib Dems, smear leaflets seem to be an accepted part of their campaigning strategy.
Next up, we have the “election experts” claims and the factual inaccuracies about other parties. Here in the North West, the election experts (never referenced) say that the Lib Dems are the best option against the BNP. No supporting evidence, but just a claim. You can see the Greens make our case at www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk
Worse stuff has gone out in London. Down there, the Lib Dems have claimed that, “the Greens can’t win here”. It’s a bit unfortunate for them that the Green leaflet says, “Re-elect Jean Lambert”. This kind of gives it away that the Greens have already won a seat before…
Having sunk to these low electoral tactics over many years, can Nick Clegg’s claims to want to reform politics really be taken seriously? I don’t think so. I think the Lib Dems are broken as an organisation. They have only one unifying principle (to win elections) and exist largely as a franchise operation, with different brands of Liberal Democracy adapted to different local situations in order to try and gain power at the expense of Labour and the Conservatives.
Electoral reform has arrived on the agenda, and it will be interesting to see exactly how the Lib Dems make their case. Will they stick with principles, or will they favour a solution that embeds them as the junior partner in a governing coalition for some time to come. My patience has been largely exhausted with them, and I think it is time for the Greens to look longer term about where we want to be in British politics. The 4th party doesn’t exactly inspire me with our ability to make a serious impact on emissions that cause Climate Change. The Green Party must be far more ambitious.
Liberal Democrat voters are decent people, looking for a political alternative. They don’t want Labour or Conservatives, but they don’t know what they are getting when they actually elect a Lib Dem. Some, like Chris Davies MEP, are excellent. Others, like Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, are very, very poor. We know that former Liberal Democrat voters are quick to make the switch to a more principled and ethical Green alternative once we get established.
For that reason, we need to be bold. At the next General Election, the Liberal Democrats have a large number of marginal seats that were not contested by the Greens in 2005. Individual Lib Dem MPs probably do work hard, but remaining as they do, affiliated to a political movement with few campaigning morals, they are actually a barrier to radical change in this country.
If we stand a Green candidate in every Westminster constituency, it will, without doubt, see the Lib Dems lose a large number of marginal seats. They could be reduced to 30 or 40 MPs at a time when the Green Party gains its first seats in Parliament. Our aim at the election that follows, potentially being conducted under a form of proportional representation, would then be to overtake the Lib Dems.
Many former Liberal Democrats will join the Greens. They agree with the vast majority of our aims and the more ethical councillors respect the way we do politics. So we must not be shy and we must be honest about our ambitions. The Lib Dems had an opportunity to be a radical and progressive alternative in 2005, but they failed to seize their political opportunity. They won’t get another chance.
The Greens are growing fast and if these European Elections enable us to double our national representation, you will see a transformation in the ability of Greens to take on and beat the Lib Dems at local council level. Ultimately it also means that people will end up being represented by hard working Greens.
Today’s Open Europe survey about the quality of British MEPs, with the Greens rated as the most transparent, accountable and ethical of all British parties in the Euro Parliament, needs a wider circulation. For many Lib Dem voters, this could encourage the first (but certainly not the last) vote for a better type of politics.
25 May 2009
Is the UKIP bounce over?
After so much focus on the scandal of Westminster expenses, the focus is switching. Today the Sun lets rip. The Guardian and Telegraph are also now exposing UKIP's poor, poor record in Europe.
Up until now there seems to have been a fear that the BNP stood to benefit from a voter backlash against the red, yellow and blue parties. It hasn't happened in the polls. Unless there is a clear embarrassment factor with people not admitting to voting for a far right party, they don't seem to be benefiting in the polls. Given that there is no shortage of people claiming they are going vote BNP on BBC vox pops, I'm not sure this fits right.
But back to UKIP. Where has their sudden rise in support come from? Largely it seems to have leaked from the Conservatives, and whatever you might think of the clear Tory excesses such as moats and duck islands, out of the three party leaders, Cameron has probably come out of this with the least damage. It is also telling that the bulk of the media is sympathetic to an incoming Tory government, and probably don't want to see headlines where the Tories have lost seats after this election.
My personal view is that people who are currently saying they will vote UKIP are not susceptible to the BNP's message. They are actually Eurosceptic Tories, who could be brought back to the blue before election day. UKIP don't have a rooted support, with very few locally elected representatives, they are at the whim of the media. I think Eurosceptic Tories will be put off UKIP as their own expenses are exposed, in the hope that an early election will deliver on Cameron's promise on a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Green support is likely to hold more firmly. We are getting incredibly positive feedback from around the region. I believe we are on target for the 9% we need to win a seat, but it will be crucial for us to beat both the BNP and UKIP to ensure our success. Let's keep up the good work.
Up until now there seems to have been a fear that the BNP stood to benefit from a voter backlash against the red, yellow and blue parties. It hasn't happened in the polls. Unless there is a clear embarrassment factor with people not admitting to voting for a far right party, they don't seem to be benefiting in the polls. Given that there is no shortage of people claiming they are going vote BNP on BBC vox pops, I'm not sure this fits right.
But back to UKIP. Where has their sudden rise in support come from? Largely it seems to have leaked from the Conservatives, and whatever you might think of the clear Tory excesses such as moats and duck islands, out of the three party leaders, Cameron has probably come out of this with the least damage. It is also telling that the bulk of the media is sympathetic to an incoming Tory government, and probably don't want to see headlines where the Tories have lost seats after this election.
My personal view is that people who are currently saying they will vote UKIP are not susceptible to the BNP's message. They are actually Eurosceptic Tories, who could be brought back to the blue before election day. UKIP don't have a rooted support, with very few locally elected representatives, they are at the whim of the media. I think Eurosceptic Tories will be put off UKIP as their own expenses are exposed, in the hope that an early election will deliver on Cameron's promise on a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.
Green support is likely to hold more firmly. We are getting incredibly positive feedback from around the region. I believe we are on target for the 9% we need to win a seat, but it will be crucial for us to beat both the BNP and UKIP to ensure our success. Let's keep up the good work.
22 May 2009
Building An Anti-Racist Coalition - 4
Some more good news (my emphasis in bold), this time from the Voice of Sikh Youth.
USE YOUR VOTE ON 4 JUNE 2009
STOP THE BNP IN THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS
In the 2004 European elections the BNP polled over 800,000 votes across Britain. On the 4 June the BNP will be targeting Yorkshire & the Humber, the West Midlands and the North West regions where it was only 0.4%, 0.8% and 1.3% short respectively.
The general public is outraged at politicians from the main political parties in Westminster following the scandal of MPs expenses. However, the protest vote that will almost certainly result in the European elections could let the BNP in.
The BNP can only be defeated by mobilising all those opposed to fascism. To this end the Sikh Federation (UK) urges Sikhs throughout Britain to cast their vote on 4 June in large numbers. If any Sikhs are to cast a protest vote it is better if candidates of the Green Party are supported, which is the only major political party that has passed a specific motion in support of the Sikhs right to self determination.
Sikhs should also vote for candidates from the main political parties if they guarantee to be a voice in support of the following five-point EU agenda for Sikhs.
1) Allowing practising Sikhs to carry the Kirpan into the European Parliament.
2) Protesting against the French or other governments for introducing laws or practices discriminating against the Sikh identity.
3) Supporting an exhibition on Sikhs in EU institutions and other awareness raising events.
4) Linking EU trade with India to India's human rights record.
5) Preventing those involved in torture and genocide in India from travelling to or entering EU countries.
SIKH FEDERATION (UK)
"Never flinch from performing righteous deeds"
info@SikhFederation.com
www.SikhFederation.com
USE YOUR VOTE ON 4 JUNE 2009
STOP THE BNP IN THE EUROPEAN ELECTIONS
In the 2004 European elections the BNP polled over 800,000 votes across Britain. On the 4 June the BNP will be targeting Yorkshire & the Humber, the West Midlands and the North West regions where it was only 0.4%, 0.8% and 1.3% short respectively.
The general public is outraged at politicians from the main political parties in Westminster following the scandal of MPs expenses. However, the protest vote that will almost certainly result in the European elections could let the BNP in.
The BNP can only be defeated by mobilising all those opposed to fascism. To this end the Sikh Federation (UK) urges Sikhs throughout Britain to cast their vote on 4 June in large numbers. If any Sikhs are to cast a protest vote it is better if candidates of the Green Party are supported, which is the only major political party that has passed a specific motion in support of the Sikhs right to self determination.
Sikhs should also vote for candidates from the main political parties if they guarantee to be a voice in support of the following five-point EU agenda for Sikhs.
1) Allowing practising Sikhs to carry the Kirpan into the European Parliament.
2) Protesting against the French or other governments for introducing laws or practices discriminating against the Sikh identity.
3) Supporting an exhibition on Sikhs in EU institutions and other awareness raising events.
4) Linking EU trade with India to India's human rights record.
5) Preventing those involved in torture and genocide in India from travelling to or entering EU countries.
SIKH FEDERATION (UK)
"Never flinch from performing righteous deeds"
info@SikhFederation.com
www.SikhFederation.com
"Vote Green - Go Red"
I've been pointed in the direction of this comment on the PoliticalBetting site (and apparently odds on a Green win in Brighton Pavilion have been shortening - now down to 7/2):
"There are people like me who are loyal to the Labour Party, but not New Labour - either the Brownite or Blairite versions. That is why I will not be voting Labour in the Euros - to increase the chances of a change of leader and a change of direction before the GE. Not that I think we can win; but the defeat might be close enough that we can win 4/5 years later. 'Vote Green - Go Red' "
If this is an indication of a potential protest vote for the Greens, then it is a welcome one. Labour look increasing incapable of winning 3 seats in this region because of the UKIP surge. So for switched on Labourites (and a number of Labour councillors) voting Green is their way of getting rid of Brown and keeping the BNP out.
"There are people like me who are loyal to the Labour Party, but not New Labour - either the Brownite or Blairite versions. That is why I will not be voting Labour in the Euros - to increase the chances of a change of leader and a change of direction before the GE. Not that I think we can win; but the defeat might be close enough that we can win 4/5 years later. 'Vote Green - Go Red' "
If this is an indication of a potential protest vote for the Greens, then it is a welcome one. Labour look increasing incapable of winning 3 seats in this region because of the UKIP surge. So for switched on Labourites (and a number of Labour councillors) voting Green is their way of getting rid of Brown and keeping the BNP out.
Building An Anti-Racist Coalition - 3
In some very welcome news, the lead candidate of Libertas in the North West, Ben Tallis, has resigned from that party and urged voters to back the Green Party here in the North West. In a statement today, Ben said:
"As the campaign has progressed I have come to realise that while I am committed to Libertas’ goals of reforming the EU from a pro-European perspective and admire the Libertas team in the UK, I cannot agree with certain aspects of the wider European party, notably in the Czech Republic and Poland. Therefore, I will be resigning from the party and the northwest campaign with immediate effect. If Libertas were to win enough votes to return an MEP I would not take up this seat on their behalf.
In the European elections in the Northwest, I will be voting for the Green Party and supporting their campaign. We must fight fascism wherever it appears and in the northwest, the Green party have the best chance of stopping the BNP."
An update on this soon...
"As the campaign has progressed I have come to realise that while I am committed to Libertas’ goals of reforming the EU from a pro-European perspective and admire the Libertas team in the UK, I cannot agree with certain aspects of the wider European party, notably in the Czech Republic and Poland. Therefore, I will be resigning from the party and the northwest campaign with immediate effect. If Libertas were to win enough votes to return an MEP I would not take up this seat on their behalf.
In the European elections in the Northwest, I will be voting for the Green Party and supporting their campaign. We must fight fascism wherever it appears and in the northwest, the Green party have the best chance of stopping the BNP."
An update on this soon...
21 May 2009
Hustings Feedback
Ruth Bergan (our number 3 candidate) and I have been covering the many hustings that have come up around the region in the last two weeks. I’ve been to two PCS events in Preston and Liverpool, two student union hustings, again Preston and Liverpool. Add to that the World Development Movement hustings in Kendal, one at Lancaster town hall and the National Farmers Union event in Skelmersdale last night.
In general, the debates have been good and not too aggressive, with a couple of exceptions. Brian Simpson has done most of Labour’s slots and Chris Davies most of the Lib Dem events. Jaqueline Foster has been doing a few for the Conservatives, and Michael McManus attending for UKIP. At the last few events, I’ve been candid that with the polls standing as they do now, we are on track to win a seat.
Some hustings have been better than others. Despite inviting everyone except the BNP, PCS only got the Greens, No2EU and the Jury Team at the Preston hustings, along with just 8 interested electors. The NFU, WDM and Lancaster events were all well attended. I have been very happy with the way things have gone.
At this point I have to do a thank you to my wife (and son). A lot of the time I’m still doing my day job, which means I leave the house before 8am, and often don’t get back until 10pm or later. This is tough for them at the moment, and although I’ve had to cancel one meeting when the strain was getting too much, they have been incredibly supportive. My wife has even taken out the pram to deliver leaflets to Postal Voters during her spare moments.
There are only two weeks left to go in this campaign and it has a buzz about it. We are half way there on our latest appeal on the StopNickGriffin site. £8,000 will enable us to hit all the key regional newspapers we need to get our positive message out and expose the BNP’s real record in local government. If you have donated already, thank you again.
The MPs expenses scandal is still running. There are signs of media fatigue, but while this remains in the public’s consciousness, the impact on the Euro Elections will be lower turnout and a higher risk of the BNP sneaking in. If you know any unhappy voters out there who are thinking of not voting, then please do urge them to vote for the Greens this time round.
Finally, if you are an activist or representative currently in another party, and you are unhappy about the direction of British politics, take a look at what we offer and make the change now, at a time when you can have a real impact. We want a voting system that restores confidence in Parliament, we want politicians that can once again be respected by electors and we want a Britain free from the hate and knee jerk nationalism of the BNP.
There has never been a better time to become a Green.
Join us now.
In general, the debates have been good and not too aggressive, with a couple of exceptions. Brian Simpson has done most of Labour’s slots and Chris Davies most of the Lib Dem events. Jaqueline Foster has been doing a few for the Conservatives, and Michael McManus attending for UKIP. At the last few events, I’ve been candid that with the polls standing as they do now, we are on track to win a seat.
Some hustings have been better than others. Despite inviting everyone except the BNP, PCS only got the Greens, No2EU and the Jury Team at the Preston hustings, along with just 8 interested electors. The NFU, WDM and Lancaster events were all well attended. I have been very happy with the way things have gone.
At this point I have to do a thank you to my wife (and son). A lot of the time I’m still doing my day job, which means I leave the house before 8am, and often don’t get back until 10pm or later. This is tough for them at the moment, and although I’ve had to cancel one meeting when the strain was getting too much, they have been incredibly supportive. My wife has even taken out the pram to deliver leaflets to Postal Voters during her spare moments.
There are only two weeks left to go in this campaign and it has a buzz about it. We are half way there on our latest appeal on the StopNickGriffin site. £8,000 will enable us to hit all the key regional newspapers we need to get our positive message out and expose the BNP’s real record in local government. If you have donated already, thank you again.
The MPs expenses scandal is still running. There are signs of media fatigue, but while this remains in the public’s consciousness, the impact on the Euro Elections will be lower turnout and a higher risk of the BNP sneaking in. If you know any unhappy voters out there who are thinking of not voting, then please do urge them to vote for the Greens this time round.
Finally, if you are an activist or representative currently in another party, and you are unhappy about the direction of British politics, take a look at what we offer and make the change now, at a time when you can have a real impact. We want a voting system that restores confidence in Parliament, we want politicians that can once again be respected by electors and we want a Britain free from the hate and knee jerk nationalism of the BNP.
There has never been a better time to become a Green.
Join us now.
20 May 2009
Celebrity Endorsements
This really isn't the Green style of politics and I don't really remember this happening in previous elections. I do have to say it is welcome, particularly at a time when we are likely to battling with UKIP and the BNP for seats in a number of regions.
On Monday, the Times did a big story on the Euro Elections, covering two pages, but without a mention for us. However today, because Joanna Lumley has said she will be voting Green, we are in that newspaper.
Mark Thomas endorsed us earlier in the campaign and here in the North West we have a highly regarded local person from the creative community in Liverpool who will be voting for us (more soon - I promise).
We Greens are not about the politics of celebrity but the reality is that sometimes our conspicuous absence from the media is only addressed by a celebrity story. We might not like it, but that is the reality of our 24 hour culture at the moment. What I am pleased about is that Joanna Lumley is not just "a celebrity", she is someone who campaigned to get justice for the Gurkhas.
So thank you Joanna Lumley. You'll be re-electing an outstanding MEP in Caroline Lucas, and with a bit of luck and our continued high poll ratings, the excellent Keith Taylor as our number 2 on the South East list.
On Monday, the Times did a big story on the Euro Elections, covering two pages, but without a mention for us. However today, because Joanna Lumley has said she will be voting Green, we are in that newspaper.
Mark Thomas endorsed us earlier in the campaign and here in the North West we have a highly regarded local person from the creative community in Liverpool who will be voting for us (more soon - I promise).
We Greens are not about the politics of celebrity but the reality is that sometimes our conspicuous absence from the media is only addressed by a celebrity story. We might not like it, but that is the reality of our 24 hour culture at the moment. What I am pleased about is that Joanna Lumley is not just "a celebrity", she is someone who campaigned to get justice for the Gurkhas.
So thank you Joanna Lumley. You'll be re-electing an outstanding MEP in Caroline Lucas, and with a bit of luck and our continued high poll ratings, the excellent Keith Taylor as our number 2 on the South East list.
18 May 2009
North West Launch
I was delighted to be joined by five out of our other seven candidates today at our regional launch. The BBC, ITV and Radio Manchester all covered us, with more print media coverage to come tomorrow.
Another opinion poll, this time YouGov, says 9% of people will vote Green in the Euros, with 34% of voters considering the Greens as an option.
More good news to come tomorrow as well. The campaign is going very well and we are on track to achieve our two aims - winning a seat and stopping the BNP from doing so by finishing ahead of them.
17 May 2009
Greens Hit 11% in Euro Opinion Poll
The Sunday Express reports today that nationally the Greens have hit 11%. The full opinion poll is available here.
We don't get regional breakdowns that match Euro areas, but the breakdown for "Northern England" is:
Labour 29%
Conservatives 25%
Lib Dem 15%
Green 13%
UKIP 11%
BNP 6%
The sample size is small, but looking at the other regional breakdowns, while Labour is collapsing in the Midlands and the South, their vote is holding up in the North. If these were the regional shares of the vote when the results got announced on 7th June, seats would be allocated as follows:
Labour 3
Conservatives 2
Lib Dem 1
Green 1
UKIP 1
BNP 0
This is a hugely positive poll for us and shatters the myth that certain other parties would like to perpetuate, that the Greens can't win. We are on track here in the North West, even going by our share of the national vote.
I expect Labour and the Lib Dems to now turn their fire on the Greens. They will see us as a threat to their seats, and we may have to put up with muckraking, innuendo and smear tactics. I hope not, but we are prepared to deal with it if it comes.
Now is the time to tell everyone you know. If you are or were a Lib Dem or Labour member, and you want new hope in politics, it is time to join the Greens. There are still two weeks and four days left to go. A lot can happen.
The BNP are going to retreat from other regions. The only thing that matters to Nick Griffin is to get himself elected in the North West, so expect a huge push from the BNP. This campaign is really starting to hot up.
We don't get regional breakdowns that match Euro areas, but the breakdown for "Northern England" is:
Labour 29%
Conservatives 25%
Lib Dem 15%
Green 13%
UKIP 11%
BNP 6%
The sample size is small, but looking at the other regional breakdowns, while Labour is collapsing in the Midlands and the South, their vote is holding up in the North. If these were the regional shares of the vote when the results got announced on 7th June, seats would be allocated as follows:
Labour 3
Conservatives 2
Lib Dem 1
Green 1
UKIP 1
BNP 0
This is a hugely positive poll for us and shatters the myth that certain other parties would like to perpetuate, that the Greens can't win. We are on track here in the North West, even going by our share of the national vote.
I expect Labour and the Lib Dems to now turn their fire on the Greens. They will see us as a threat to their seats, and we may have to put up with muckraking, innuendo and smear tactics. I hope not, but we are prepared to deal with it if it comes.
Now is the time to tell everyone you know. If you are or were a Lib Dem or Labour member, and you want new hope in politics, it is time to join the Greens. There are still two weeks and four days left to go. A lot can happen.
The BNP are going to retreat from other regions. The only thing that matters to Nick Griffin is to get himself elected in the North West, so expect a huge push from the BNP. This campaign is really starting to hot up.
16 May 2009
Salma Yaqoob Backs the Greens
More welcome news this week, with Salma Yaqoob, Leader of Respect, giving her backing to us here in the North West, as well as in her own region of the West Midlands.
I'll go on record now and say that we should not be standing against her at the General Election in what is an unwinnable seat for us. At a time when the Greens cannot yet contest every seat in the General Election, we should not be contesting seats in competition with other progressive candidates.
An unpublished letter, sent to the Guardian on Thursday, is reproduced below:
"Seumas Milne (Guardian, 13 May) calls for a remoralisation of politics and would welcome the breaking of the domination of the main parties by an anti-war, pro-equality and anti-privatisation majority.
That alternative has been developed with a radical new approach to the electoral realities of these European elections.
The combined support of the Greens and RESPECT in 2004 was greater than that of the BNP, even in their two target regions.
In response to the unprecedented threat of the BNP, RESPECT have urged their members and supporters to back the Greens in the North West and West Midlands.
In the face of widespread dismay at the political elite of this country, a progressive option at the ballot box is needed now more than ever before.
Relying on a combination of votes from the red, yellow and blue parties alone to keep the BNP out is a gamble we simply cannot afford to take. Right now, many progressive voters simply won't go to the polls unless they know they have a real alternative.
Tactical voting for the greens to keep the bnp in 5th place (or worse) and the triumph of progressive politics over the far right will offer new hope for the political generation who simply see Westminster and politics in general, as the home of careerists and subservient politicians.
Felicity Norman, Green Party Lead MEP Candidate, West Midlands
Salma Yaqoob, Chair, RESPECT"
I'll go on record now and say that we should not be standing against her at the General Election in what is an unwinnable seat for us. At a time when the Greens cannot yet contest every seat in the General Election, we should not be contesting seats in competition with other progressive candidates.
An unpublished letter, sent to the Guardian on Thursday, is reproduced below:
"Seumas Milne (Guardian, 13 May) calls for a remoralisation of politics and would welcome the breaking of the domination of the main parties by an anti-war, pro-equality and anti-privatisation majority.
That alternative has been developed with a radical new approach to the electoral realities of these European elections.
The combined support of the Greens and RESPECT in 2004 was greater than that of the BNP, even in their two target regions.
In response to the unprecedented threat of the BNP, RESPECT have urged their members and supporters to back the Greens in the North West and West Midlands.
In the face of widespread dismay at the political elite of this country, a progressive option at the ballot box is needed now more than ever before.
Relying on a combination of votes from the red, yellow and blue parties alone to keep the BNP out is a gamble we simply cannot afford to take. Right now, many progressive voters simply won't go to the polls unless they know they have a real alternative.
Tactical voting for the greens to keep the bnp in 5th place (or worse) and the triumph of progressive politics over the far right will offer new hope for the political generation who simply see Westminster and politics in general, as the home of careerists and subservient politicians.
Felicity Norman, Green Party Lead MEP Candidate, West Midlands
Salma Yaqoob, Chair, RESPECT"
15 May 2009
The Return of UKIP
In what might be a crucial intervention into the Euro Election campaign, the Sun carries the Labour poll slump on the front page, and this image online (and presumably in the paper).
The Euro Election voting intention headline figures are as follows:
Conservative 29%
Labour 20%
Lib Dem 19%
UKIP 15%
Green 6%
SNP/Plaid 4%
BNP 3%
I'd love to look in detail at the questions asked, and analyse why UKIP's share of the vote is up, but it is more important to look at the effects. This is the Sun. This is Britain's most widely read newspaper, and this poll says, "the BNP can't win" and "UKIP can win". So for angry voters wanting to kick all politicians, UKIP are now in poll position to benefit.
So are we. Our actual share of the vote in 2004 was just over 6% so a week away from postal ballots going out, we are where we were. Given the level of targeting we've been doing in the North West and Eastern, I'm now very optimistic we will be in contention for the final seat in both regions, and that we'll hold our two existing seats with a better share of the vote.
UKIP's peak opinion poll rating in 2004 was 19%, and the North West was their weakest English region. That suggests to me that UKIP will poll between 8 and 9% here if the poll is accurate, or less if it is rogue. While the BNP poll rating is really poor, there can be no complacency. I think they will pull in every resource they have into the North West in response.
So there are now three contenders for the likely final seat and if the Labour collapse is inevitable, 5th place also becomes important and potentially could win a seat. The maths remain the same for us. We need to get 9% or more to be sure, or hope to win with less if we finish as the 4th placed party.
Let's aim for:
Greens 9% 4th
UKIP 8.5% 5th
BNP (less)6th
The Euro Election voting intention headline figures are as follows:
Conservative 29%
Labour 20%
Lib Dem 19%
UKIP 15%
Green 6%
SNP/Plaid 4%
BNP 3%
I'd love to look in detail at the questions asked, and analyse why UKIP's share of the vote is up, but it is more important to look at the effects. This is the Sun. This is Britain's most widely read newspaper, and this poll says, "the BNP can't win" and "UKIP can win". So for angry voters wanting to kick all politicians, UKIP are now in poll position to benefit.
So are we. Our actual share of the vote in 2004 was just over 6% so a week away from postal ballots going out, we are where we were. Given the level of targeting we've been doing in the North West and Eastern, I'm now very optimistic we will be in contention for the final seat in both regions, and that we'll hold our two existing seats with a better share of the vote.
UKIP's peak opinion poll rating in 2004 was 19%, and the North West was their weakest English region. That suggests to me that UKIP will poll between 8 and 9% here if the poll is accurate, or less if it is rogue. While the BNP poll rating is really poor, there can be no complacency. I think they will pull in every resource they have into the North West in response.
So there are now three contenders for the likely final seat and if the Labour collapse is inevitable, 5th place also becomes important and potentially could win a seat. The maths remain the same for us. We need to get 9% or more to be sure, or hope to win with less if we finish as the 4th placed party.
Let's aim for:
Greens 9% 4th
UKIP 8.5% 5th
BNP (less)6th
12 May 2009
Arrested, not charged
Whatever happens to the very well publicised "terror suspects" who are arrested, not charged? That is the subject of a public meeting in Manchester tonight that points out that despite the headlines, the story soon drops out of public consciousness.
Still no reply to my enquiry to Lancashire Constabulary about the arrests on the M65 and the arrangements with the media for that.
Still no reply to my enquiry to Lancashire Constabulary about the arrests on the M65 and the arrangements with the media for that.
11 May 2009
200th Post
I was sceptical about setting up a blog, or about how useful it can be. I've been proved wrong. Occasionally I see a comment here, or receive an email like this:
"I would like to let you know that I have been regularly reading your blog, and believe that it is great that you are not only standing for a ethical, environmentalist green party at the nearing elections, but you are standing against, the fascist British National Party.
I would like to let you know that I am willing to spread my support for the green party (e.g. leafleting) in my local area if this would be of help. I am currently 16 years of age, and therefore cannot vote myself, but I have made a start by persuading my mother (a normally labour supporter) to vote green at this crucial election.
Unfortunately, i feel that i cannot give an excessive amount of help as i am currently still in full time eduction and have my final GCSE exams next month, however if i could do anything to help, perhaps 1 or 2 hours per day during the holidays or after school i would be glad to help."
So a big thank you to Jim Jepps, for getting me set up on this, and thank you to all people reading my posts, and to everyone who has sent me feedback. Now, straight back to campaigning...
"I would like to let you know that I have been regularly reading your blog, and believe that it is great that you are not only standing for a ethical, environmentalist green party at the nearing elections, but you are standing against, the fascist British National Party.
I would like to let you know that I am willing to spread my support for the green party (e.g. leafleting) in my local area if this would be of help. I am currently 16 years of age, and therefore cannot vote myself, but I have made a start by persuading my mother (a normally labour supporter) to vote green at this crucial election.
Unfortunately, i feel that i cannot give an excessive amount of help as i am currently still in full time eduction and have my final GCSE exams next month, however if i could do anything to help, perhaps 1 or 2 hours per day during the holidays or after school i would be glad to help."
So a big thank you to Jim Jepps, for getting me set up on this, and thank you to all people reading my posts, and to everyone who has sent me feedback. Now, straight back to campaigning...
9 May 2009
Extract From Letter
A quick post putting up an extract from this letter by the excellent Spencer Fitzgibbon in Manchester.
"...The BNP, meanwhile, is whipping up racism and trying to blame everything on immigrants. Well it wasn't immigrants who caused the credit crunch, the recession or the climate crisis..."
That pretty much hits the nail on the head. Expect some exciting campaign news very soon. I'm looking forward to posting it!
"...The BNP, meanwhile, is whipping up racism and trying to blame everything on immigrants. Well it wasn't immigrants who caused the credit crunch, the recession or the climate crisis..."
That pretty much hits the nail on the head. Expect some exciting campaign news very soon. I'm looking forward to posting it!
8 May 2009
Green Party: Say No To Racism
Now that the party lists are published throughout all the regions, you'll see that here in the North West, and in some other regions as well, the Greens have put down a clear message to the electorate on the ballot paper - "Say No To Racism".
Under the legal framework, we are now "The Green Party", which puts us over on the right hand side of the massive ballot paper. What it does mean is that we sit side by side with "The Labour Party" and in this election, many, many people are being told that only a vote for Labour will stop the BNP. They will be dragging themselves, reluctantly, to the polls.
We need to have a continued intelligent debate about tactical voting. Here in the North West, the two most effective votes to stop the BNP will be to support the Greens first, for all the reasons outlined at www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk but as a next best option, a vote for Labour currently looks like the best bet.
The only thing that might change this analysis would be a complete collapse in support for Labour (meaning they can only win 2 seats) and the Lib Dems showing signs that they could win a second seat. I'm looking forward to seeing detail from the polling breakdowns in the next couple of weeks.
If long term Labour voters reluctantly drag themselves to the ballot box on the 4th June, they'll see a positive choice to vote against the BNP, right next to Labour, who are still peddling the desperate and outrageous claim "only Labour can stop the BNP". Given that we already know that a number of Labour councillors are voting Green, I'm sure that will mean some of the disaffected long term Labour voters will switch to us as well in the polling station.
Under the legal framework, we are now "The Green Party", which puts us over on the right hand side of the massive ballot paper. What it does mean is that we sit side by side with "The Labour Party" and in this election, many, many people are being told that only a vote for Labour will stop the BNP. They will be dragging themselves, reluctantly, to the polls.
We need to have a continued intelligent debate about tactical voting. Here in the North West, the two most effective votes to stop the BNP will be to support the Greens first, for all the reasons outlined at www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk but as a next best option, a vote for Labour currently looks like the best bet.
The only thing that might change this analysis would be a complete collapse in support for Labour (meaning they can only win 2 seats) and the Lib Dems showing signs that they could win a second seat. I'm looking forward to seeing detail from the polling breakdowns in the next couple of weeks.
If long term Labour voters reluctantly drag themselves to the ballot box on the 4th June, they'll see a positive choice to vote against the BNP, right next to Labour, who are still peddling the desperate and outrageous claim "only Labour can stop the BNP". Given that we already know that a number of Labour councillors are voting Green, I'm sure that will mean some of the disaffected long term Labour voters will switch to us as well in the polling station.
7 May 2009
Newsnight on the BNP
Firstly, a big thank you to John Reardon, who is doing a great job campaigning for us in Carlisle, and was good enough to step up to the plate and appear on Newsnight yesterday.
I don’t trust the BNP or their online musings, but they are currently forecasting they will gain 10% of the vote here in the North West. If that happens, no amount of tactical voting will stop them. So as anti-racism activists, it is absolutely crucial that we do everything we can to maximise turnout. That is why I'm delighted that as I write, members of Merseyside Coalition Against Racism and Fascism are out delivering materials around Toxteth.
The BNP are going up against the biggest drive to increase turnout in British voting history. If turnout of anti-racist voters can be increased by just over 30%, then even based on the BNP’s own figures, the combined votes of the three main parties will be enough to beat them.
But a 30% increase in turnout during an insipid European Election campaign, where none of the big metropolitan local authorities is holding local elections, is a big ask. That is why it is really important to note that if the Greens finish 4th, ahead of the BNP, then only a 20% increase in turnout will be needed to beat them, based on the predictions they are currently making.
I don’t think we should be gambling on the three main parties alone managing to stop the BNP. That’s why we are putting the clear message across to vote Green to stop Nick Griffin getting elected to the European Parliament. For more details visit www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk
I don’t trust the BNP or their online musings, but they are currently forecasting they will gain 10% of the vote here in the North West. If that happens, no amount of tactical voting will stop them. So as anti-racism activists, it is absolutely crucial that we do everything we can to maximise turnout. That is why I'm delighted that as I write, members of Merseyside Coalition Against Racism and Fascism are out delivering materials around Toxteth.
The BNP are going up against the biggest drive to increase turnout in British voting history. If turnout of anti-racist voters can be increased by just over 30%, then even based on the BNP’s own figures, the combined votes of the three main parties will be enough to beat them.
But a 30% increase in turnout during an insipid European Election campaign, where none of the big metropolitan local authorities is holding local elections, is a big ask. That is why it is really important to note that if the Greens finish 4th, ahead of the BNP, then only a 20% increase in turnout will be needed to beat them, based on the predictions they are currently making.
I don’t think we should be gambling on the three main parties alone managing to stop the BNP. That’s why we are putting the clear message across to vote Green to stop Nick Griffin getting elected to the European Parliament. For more details visit www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk
5 May 2009
Comment is Free
And now another decent media hit at Comment is Free. Reproduced below, but do visit the site and comment as well. There is always the possibility that if there are a lot of hits, we will also make the print version of the paper.
Vote Greens in to keep the BNP out
It's votes for the Green party, not Labour, that will stop Nick Griffin gaining a seat in the European elections
As 4 June approaches, a serious threat hangs over British politics. BNP leader Nick Griffin is a candidate in the North West England Euro election. If he is elected, this will be the biggest step forward for the far right in British history.
Anti-racist votes in the North West region for Labour, the Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives will certainly count. No one can dispute this, as those parties will claim seven out of the eight regional seats. But it's the eighth seat that Griffin is aiming for. Calling on everyone to once again get out and vote for red/yellow/blue simply won't work on voters already disillusioned with the Westminster parties. But those few extra thousand votes could keep the Greens ahead of the BNP – and that is the scenario with the best chance of keeping Griffin out.
The Green party is taking this responsibility seriously. In fact the Greens have one clear tactical aim in the North West Euro election: to finish fourth ahead of the BNP and keep Griffin out of the European parliament. We put the Green anti-BNP case in detail at www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk. In contrast, Labour is claiming on its leaflets that "only Labour can stop the BNP". This isn't just factually wrong, it is actually counterproductive, given that many former Labour supporters simply can't stomach another forced vote for the government.
The North West Greens have already built a broad coalition of anti-racist support to enable us to play this key role in keeping the BNP out. Former Lib Dem and Labour councillors around the region are backing us. The Respect party in the North West has stood down from the election and is urging its members and supporters to vote tactically for the Greens to keep out the BNP. In 2004 our combined electoral support here was 6.8%, ahead of the 6.4% gained by the BNP.
Jon Cruddas has warned that the BNP may need just a 7.5% share of the vote for Griffin to win the last of the eight Euro seats in the North West region. Cruddas is right – but his nightmare scenario can only happen if the BNP finish as the fourth largest party.
Green party membership is up by more than a third since the last European elections. Our councillor numbers have doubled. There is heightened media and public interest in issues such as climate change and the Green New Deal – issues where the big three parties are way behind the Greens – and the party has benefited from the decline of Labour and the Lib Dems in the polls since 2004.
Voting to ensure the Greens finish fourth will be the best way to prevent Griffin sneaking in through the back door. It will also mean one more Green party MEP to fight in the European parliament for social and economic justice, for greater openness and accountability, for stronger action on climate change and for a massive push for jobs in the new Green industries.
Vote Greens in to keep the BNP out
It's votes for the Green party, not Labour, that will stop Nick Griffin gaining a seat in the European elections
As 4 June approaches, a serious threat hangs over British politics. BNP leader Nick Griffin is a candidate in the North West England Euro election. If he is elected, this will be the biggest step forward for the far right in British history.
Anti-racist votes in the North West region for Labour, the Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives will certainly count. No one can dispute this, as those parties will claim seven out of the eight regional seats. But it's the eighth seat that Griffin is aiming for. Calling on everyone to once again get out and vote for red/yellow/blue simply won't work on voters already disillusioned with the Westminster parties. But those few extra thousand votes could keep the Greens ahead of the BNP – and that is the scenario with the best chance of keeping Griffin out.
The Green party is taking this responsibility seriously. In fact the Greens have one clear tactical aim in the North West Euro election: to finish fourth ahead of the BNP and keep Griffin out of the European parliament. We put the Green anti-BNP case in detail at www.stopnickgriffin.org.uk. In contrast, Labour is claiming on its leaflets that "only Labour can stop the BNP". This isn't just factually wrong, it is actually counterproductive, given that many former Labour supporters simply can't stomach another forced vote for the government.
The North West Greens have already built a broad coalition of anti-racist support to enable us to play this key role in keeping the BNP out. Former Lib Dem and Labour councillors around the region are backing us. The Respect party in the North West has stood down from the election and is urging its members and supporters to vote tactically for the Greens to keep out the BNP. In 2004 our combined electoral support here was 6.8%, ahead of the 6.4% gained by the BNP.
Jon Cruddas has warned that the BNP may need just a 7.5% share of the vote for Griffin to win the last of the eight Euro seats in the North West region. Cruddas is right – but his nightmare scenario can only happen if the BNP finish as the fourth largest party.
Green party membership is up by more than a third since the last European elections. Our councillor numbers have doubled. There is heightened media and public interest in issues such as climate change and the Green New Deal – issues where the big three parties are way behind the Greens – and the party has benefited from the decline of Labour and the Lib Dems in the polls since 2004.
Voting to ensure the Greens finish fourth will be the best way to prevent Griffin sneaking in through the back door. It will also mean one more Green party MEP to fight in the European parliament for social and economic justice, for greater openness and accountability, for stronger action on climate change and for a massive push for jobs in the new Green industries.
3 May 2009
Independent Coverage
After spending an hour with an Observer reporter and failing to get a mention in the two page feature yesterday, I'm delighted to see today's coverage in the Independent.
This is a welcome boost for our campaign. I'm sure the BNP will be spitting feathers.
This is a welcome boost for our campaign. I'm sure the BNP will be spitting feathers.
Lib Dems in Time Travel Breakthrough
A few too many serious posts means it is important to have a laugh now and again. We have a wonderful opportunity to do so at the expense of the hapless Liverpool Liberal Democrats once again.
Those scamps on Smithdown Road have come up with another great idea, time travel. Launching their Bryanston Road campaign to get traffic calming on the 24th April, the Lib Dems no doubt hope to go on to collect a few signatures and "campaign" hard in the council chamber.
Returning to Smithdown Road, the Lib Dems decide that actually it would be better to travel back in time to the 21st April to get the Highways Officers to approve a decision for traffic calming. They climb on board the Bradley 2.0 travel back in time, and hey presto, they can genuinely claim credit for their "campaign success".
You really couldn't make it up. We've just delivered a leaflet clarifying dates and decisions to local residents on Bryanston Road. Perhaps a trip forward in time on the Bradley 2.0 to May 2010 will show that Lib Dem votes on this street will drop considerably?
Those scamps on Smithdown Road have come up with another great idea, time travel. Launching their Bryanston Road campaign to get traffic calming on the 24th April, the Lib Dems no doubt hope to go on to collect a few signatures and "campaign" hard in the council chamber.
Returning to Smithdown Road, the Lib Dems decide that actually it would be better to travel back in time to the 21st April to get the Highways Officers to approve a decision for traffic calming. They climb on board the Bradley 2.0 travel back in time, and hey presto, they can genuinely claim credit for their "campaign success".
You really couldn't make it up. We've just delivered a leaflet clarifying dates and decisions to local residents on Bryanston Road. Perhaps a trip forward in time on the Bradley 2.0 to May 2010 will show that Lib Dem votes on this street will drop considerably?
Labour Leaflet - Arrogant, Deceitful, Disgraceful, Shameful
I'm quite frankly appalled by the leaflet Labour are distributing in South Liverpool. I'll give you the quote, then my views. It is a full colour glossy (so probably part of a much larger print run).
"...only Labour can beat the BNP here. A vote for another party is wasted vote and could let the BNP in."
This is a personalised leaflet, emphasising the Labour list candidate Theresa Griffin's local credentials as a "community campaigner" although a quick search on Google doesn't throw up much evidence to support the claim.
What is disgraceful is the "only Labour can beat the BNP" claim that is being made. This is wrong for so many reasons, but let's just raise three:
- No individual party can beat the BNP because it is a list system
- Even if Labour hold their third seat, if the Greens don't beat the BNP or the Lib Dems don't get double the BNP vote, then the BNP still win a seat
- Labour will of course "beat" the BNP because they will gain more votes than the BNP, as will the Tories, Lib Dems and (I predict) the Greens
You've seen the Green approach to this issue. We've issued reasoned arguments, built an anti-racist coalition of support and made it absolutely clear that we intend to keep Nick Griffin out by beating them to the all important 4th place. We've been reasonable, making clear that we believe we are the best anti-racist vote, but we've acknowledged that other votes do count as anti-racist ones.
So why are Labour stooping to such depths? Frankly, the government is on its knees, and despite the fact that Labour were badly damaged by the Iraq war effect in the 2004 Euros, their polling is so awful now that they look set to do worse. So the Labour leadership are in fact using the BNP threat to get activists out again. Unfortunately it seems that Labour are lying to their own people, and are prepared to lie in their literature to secure party political advantage ahead of a genuine and honest approach to maximising the anti-racist vote.
What I find shameful (and I speak as someone who campaigned for Labour in 1997) is that every principal has now been discarded. Just look at the second part of the quote:
"A vote for another party is wasted vote and could let the BNP in."
Let's break this down again:
- If turnout doubles, and all of the extra turnout in the region is anti racist, the BNP lose
- Even if Labour falls short of winning a third seat, then the Greens can beat the BNP to stop them winning a seat, or the Lib Dems could possibly get double the BNP vote, so clearly wrong again
- The share of the Tory vote is another crucial factor in determining what will be needed by each of the parties to gain the final seat
So demonstrably false. Is there anyone from the Labour party willing to defend these claims? That is the shameful thing. These claims are indefensible. They are arrogant, deceitful, disgraceful and shameful.
In the first draft of this post, I wanted to launch into an Al Franken tirade, but I haven't done so. Labour activists and representatives by and large, are good people, who probably came into politics to do good. The D'Hondt system is poorly understood, and actually, if you tell an activist - "only we can beat the BNP" - they are inclined to believe what they are told by people they trust.
I know of at least two Labour councillors who will be voting for us on June 4th, who can't say it in public, but are realistic in seeing the Greens as the best anti-racist option in this region. They are also realistic in realising that for many voters, asking them to once again vote Labour, despite everything that has happened in the past two years of the Brown administration, simply isn't realistic. They recognise that the Greens are far more likely to motivate those people out to the polls.
I'm willing to acknowledge that the Labour Party needs to try and avoid a collapse in their support, as part of the broader campaign against the BNP. But this adoption of "scorched earth" politics, to try and frighten reluctant Labour voters to back them one last time, with no acknowledgment that D'Hondt and the PR system means voters can back other parties to stop the BNP, is for me the domestic low point of Labour's years in power.
The Greens have many principled ex-Labour members in our ranks. Here in the North West, Geoff Smith, my campaign manager and fellow Euro candidate in Allerdale. John Reardon, previously a Labour PPC and councillor. Nigel Rolland, a former Labour councillor from Tameside. These are just a few names.
Maybe this low point will be a signal for many more former Labour people to join the Greens in the North West. We certainly need principled activists to be in our party, particularly now.
"...only Labour can beat the BNP here. A vote for another party is wasted vote and could let the BNP in."
This is a personalised leaflet, emphasising the Labour list candidate Theresa Griffin's local credentials as a "community campaigner" although a quick search on Google doesn't throw up much evidence to support the claim.
What is disgraceful is the "only Labour can beat the BNP" claim that is being made. This is wrong for so many reasons, but let's just raise three:
- No individual party can beat the BNP because it is a list system
- Even if Labour hold their third seat, if the Greens don't beat the BNP or the Lib Dems don't get double the BNP vote, then the BNP still win a seat
- Labour will of course "beat" the BNP because they will gain more votes than the BNP, as will the Tories, Lib Dems and (I predict) the Greens
You've seen the Green approach to this issue. We've issued reasoned arguments, built an anti-racist coalition of support and made it absolutely clear that we intend to keep Nick Griffin out by beating them to the all important 4th place. We've been reasonable, making clear that we believe we are the best anti-racist vote, but we've acknowledged that other votes do count as anti-racist ones.
So why are Labour stooping to such depths? Frankly, the government is on its knees, and despite the fact that Labour were badly damaged by the Iraq war effect in the 2004 Euros, their polling is so awful now that they look set to do worse. So the Labour leadership are in fact using the BNP threat to get activists out again. Unfortunately it seems that Labour are lying to their own people, and are prepared to lie in their literature to secure party political advantage ahead of a genuine and honest approach to maximising the anti-racist vote.
What I find shameful (and I speak as someone who campaigned for Labour in 1997) is that every principal has now been discarded. Just look at the second part of the quote:
"A vote for another party is wasted vote and could let the BNP in."
Let's break this down again:
- If turnout doubles, and all of the extra turnout in the region is anti racist, the BNP lose
- Even if Labour falls short of winning a third seat, then the Greens can beat the BNP to stop them winning a seat, or the Lib Dems could possibly get double the BNP vote, so clearly wrong again
- The share of the Tory vote is another crucial factor in determining what will be needed by each of the parties to gain the final seat
So demonstrably false. Is there anyone from the Labour party willing to defend these claims? That is the shameful thing. These claims are indefensible. They are arrogant, deceitful, disgraceful and shameful.
In the first draft of this post, I wanted to launch into an Al Franken tirade, but I haven't done so. Labour activists and representatives by and large, are good people, who probably came into politics to do good. The D'Hondt system is poorly understood, and actually, if you tell an activist - "only we can beat the BNP" - they are inclined to believe what they are told by people they trust.
I know of at least two Labour councillors who will be voting for us on June 4th, who can't say it in public, but are realistic in seeing the Greens as the best anti-racist option in this region. They are also realistic in realising that for many voters, asking them to once again vote Labour, despite everything that has happened in the past two years of the Brown administration, simply isn't realistic. They recognise that the Greens are far more likely to motivate those people out to the polls.
I'm willing to acknowledge that the Labour Party needs to try and avoid a collapse in their support, as part of the broader campaign against the BNP. But this adoption of "scorched earth" politics, to try and frighten reluctant Labour voters to back them one last time, with no acknowledgment that D'Hondt and the PR system means voters can back other parties to stop the BNP, is for me the domestic low point of Labour's years in power.
The Greens have many principled ex-Labour members in our ranks. Here in the North West, Geoff Smith, my campaign manager and fellow Euro candidate in Allerdale. John Reardon, previously a Labour PPC and councillor. Nigel Rolland, a former Labour councillor from Tameside. These are just a few names.
Maybe this low point will be a signal for many more former Labour people to join the Greens in the North West. We certainly need principled activists to be in our party, particularly now.
2 May 2009
Tour Finishes, Media Blitz Begins
I got back from Cumbria late Thursday night with my wife and son, but if I thought it was going to calm down politically on my return to Liverpool, I was wrong.
Yesterday I hopped on the train to meet an Observer journalist in Manchester, who is doing a piece on the North West and the BNP threat. I then hopped back on to Liverpool Lime Street to meet up with a photographer from the Independent (piece expected on Monday) but more specifically about how the Greens can beat the BNP. We also got the offer of a Comment is Free piece from the Guardian, so I'm writing this weekend.
A radio interview at the Radio City tower with Larry Neild followed (broadcast tomorrow on Merseyside) then a few snatched moment of lunch with my family and then I was off for an afternoon's campaigning in Widnes, where our local candidate Derek Mellor, polled over 30% of the vote in the Halton View ward last year.
I'm about to head out again, with my son in his buggy, this time in south Liverpool, on the doorstep and handing out leaflets. The rest of the team are already out delivering, but at 5 months, my son's need to eat comes before his appetite for politics...
Yesterday I hopped on the train to meet an Observer journalist in Manchester, who is doing a piece on the North West and the BNP threat. I then hopped back on to Liverpool Lime Street to meet up with a photographer from the Independent (piece expected on Monday) but more specifically about how the Greens can beat the BNP. We also got the offer of a Comment is Free piece from the Guardian, so I'm writing this weekend.
A radio interview at the Radio City tower with Larry Neild followed (broadcast tomorrow on Merseyside) then a few snatched moment of lunch with my family and then I was off for an afternoon's campaigning in Widnes, where our local candidate Derek Mellor, polled over 30% of the vote in the Halton View ward last year.
I'm about to head out again, with my son in his buggy, this time in south Liverpool, on the doorstep and handing out leaflets. The rest of the team are already out delivering, but at 5 months, my son's need to eat comes before his appetite for politics...
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