Elections
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Figures Of Change: Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage is a politician with a long, illustrious career in UK public service. He’s formidably popular in his own right. He has many powerful friends, and works to make contacts internationally for his new party, Reform UK.
Much of his early work focused on building bridges between people. He joined activists together to form new groupings to combat European influence in UK politics.
He joined the EU Parliament to successfully end its longstanding involvement. In January 2020 he celebrated the UK’s exit by joining thousands in London’s Parliament Square. He’s regarded as a father of Brexit Britain.
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Reform UK back to strength in Parliament
Sarah Pochin’s win in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election has led to Reform UK getting its first female MP in the House of Commons.
It’s a bonus as it recovers from the loss of Rupert Lowe MP (Great Yarmouth/Independent), following abuse allegations.
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Carney wins Canada election
Mark Carney has won the Premiership of Canada, beating Pierre Poilievre’s party into second place.
The Globe And Mail – YouTube He’s projected to emerge as the victor. It follows a tight race between liberals and conservatives in Canada.
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Reform UK aim for Runcorn and Helsby
Reform UK will contest the Runcorn and Helsby by-election with Sara Pochin, a former Mayor of Cheshire East. The budding MP appeared with leader Nigel Farage MP (Clacton/Reform UK) at a launch event in the constituency.
The seat is left vacant by Labour’s Mike Amesbury following a recent conviction. Pochin will replace Rupert Lowe MP (Great Yarmouth/Independent), if successful, who left after his own suspension due to malpractice.
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Reform UK push local elections
A small set of local elections are due for May, and Reform UK have set it as a big test. They want to prove their effectiveness across the UK. They also want to show prowess in local areas.
At a press conference in Westminster today, leader Nigel Farage presented a slew of councillors who’ve defected to his party in recent weeks. He sees it as an early show of strength.
The reality is these elections won’t trend in the Commons, after a faltering performance of late, but a good result will reassure party faithful newly joined that it has the legs to carry on with.
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AfD sweep East German states
The German elections resulted in an unsurprising second place for Alternative for Germany yesterday. It won 152 seats on the back of 83 in 2021. The near doubling of its tally took in all five East German states.
The Christian Democratic Union meanwhile took first place with 164 seats. It’s an increase of 12 since 2021, but 42 less than the Social Democratic Party won last time. It will need a coalition to govern with.
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The AfD run many risks
In Europe today, talking as a politician constitutes a threat. If you’re already labelled “far-right”, it’s best to quit your job, empty a bank account, and hide away because it’s likely to happen to you. At least you’ve still got the dignity of having done it to yourself.
This is the perception that exists because of attempts to do it to many notable figures and more than a few private citizens. It was rumoured that particular staff members at the University of Oxford once attempted it on thousands of loosely related people.
The fear is that Germany has the same idea. This is because Alternative for Germany, a relatively new party that is contending for more seats in Sunday’s round of elections, is already being put down in history as being a new style of pro-Hitlerian party.
It’s drawn such criticisms from across the world, but America in particular. The press there have drawn swords over a suggestion of fascist ideals in pro-border control rhetoric. It’s a matter of interpretation, but it’s enough to raise suspicions regardless.
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Carney seeks to be Canada PM
Mark Carney, a former governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, has said he will seek to win the office of Prime Minister of Canada later this year.
Mark Carney at his launch event He declared his candidacy at a campaign event, held yesterday to launch his run for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. It’s the first time he’s tried to do so.
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Parliament’s ‘world’ map
The makeup of Parliament is different to our perceptions. In one way it’s because of how the seats are divided up. There are a majority for English MP’s, and a sliding scale for the three remaining regions.
Seats in Parliament It affects the division of interests and power. It may appear that England gets more from its Parliament than Scotland, let’s say. This is due to having over 500 seats. Yet time is still given to the UK’s other parts.
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Farage is back
Nigel Farage made one of his first contributions to the chamber in the House of Commons today as an elected MP.
He paid tribute to the service of Sir Lindsay Hoyle – who is to remain as Speaker of the House – and disparaged John Bercow, his predecessor in the role.
“Mr Speaker-Elect, thank you very much. We are the new kids on the block. We have no experience in this Parliament whatsoever, even though some of us have tried many times over the years to get here, so we cannot judge you from working in this place, but we can judge you from how the outside world sees you. I mean not just the United Kingdom but the world, because Prime Minister’s question time is global, box office politics. It is pretty clear to everyone that you act with great neutrality and that you have brought tremendous dignity to the role as Speaker, so we absolutely endorse you entirely for this job. That is, I must say, in marked contrast to the little man who was there before you, who besmirched the office so dreadfully in doing his best to overturn the biggest democratic result in the history of the country. We support you fully, Sir.”
His successful campaign in the constituency of Clacton has boosted his chances of Reform UK having an influence over the way the nation is governed.
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The Tory problem
The Tories have a distinct problem with big name figures. This is because if they lose it appears a bigger loss than usual. Their tenure isn’t measured it’s just calculated.
It isn’t about an office but a standpoint.
The problem reared its head this election. The Tories lost Jacob Rees-Mogg, Johnny Mercer, and Liam Fox as well as other such names.
There’s even the issue of Steve Baker having gone missing.
The gaps are noticeable but this is because of how the party is configured. In a Tory community a larger name makes more profit for the party and draws in members and attention.
It makes media sense in other words.
This election saw a lot of to and fro that didn’t sit well with a Conservative mindset. It’s better to settle down and focus than dart between issues – and people – finding fault and picking fights.
The Tories didn’t sound great and the betting scandal was lousy.
It tarnished their reputation somewhat, and the doorstep isn’t a kind place already for a Tory.
The question is how the streets can be made Tory again.