h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Since Peter Mandelson was created a EU commissioner both Labour and the Liberal Democrats have been hard at work campaigning for the Hartlepool bye election. As for the Tories not a peep. Michael Howard was in the North East, he made a speech in Middlesborough, but did not make the short trip to Hartlepool. In fact the Tories have yet to name a candidate, UKIP have as have the other two big parties.

Are the Tories abandoning all hope? Have they forgotten how to campaign? Is a Tory vote now a wasted vote? Have they become the third party in British politics?

Well, duh, of course they're going down.
Oberon2001

Here's hoping Unfortunately I live in an Labour heartland. ie Scotland.

Sounds worryingly like complacency to me on behalf of the LDs. The Tories are being sensible. Why waste money on Hartlepool? They haven't got a hope so they may as well save it for the next General Election. I remember the conversation with you when Howard was elected. I told you to be careful before dismissing him. He is quickly rebuilding support amongst the Thatcher heartland. I come from Kent and still have a lot of friends there. The Tories are becoming increasingly confident and influential once again. I think you are in for a rude shock if you think the Tories are still in the doldrums. They are beginning to win back the support in areas they need it. Remember they were in power for 18 years just through the South and Midlands returning Tory MPs. It can happen again and complacency will just speed up the process.
SBE

SBE the Tories were second in Hartlepool at the last general election. They are the people who should be in opposition to the sham that is running the country. When Thatcher was in charge Labour contested every bye-election they could with fervour as it allowed them to get publicity for thier agenda.

Howard was in Middleborough that is not too great an expense to get to Hartlepool. They haven't even got an agent in place to run an election campaign from what I gather. That is someone in the local party surely. Coming second 3 years ago must mean their is some local organisation surely.

You say that Thatcher was able to rule just in the SE and Midlands. Wake up. The Tories did nothing in Leicester or Birmingham at the recent elections. So where is this surge in the Thatcher heartlands you are talking about. I don't see.

So the Tories should be in opposition to the sham that are running the country. I thought the LDs were! As to telling me to wake up, well that was unnecessarily rude. I was going on what my friends from Kent were telling me. The tories are making great moves there. I didn't mention how well they were doing in the Midlands, because I've been in HK and Oz and I don't know. Sorry for offering my opinions, but I thought that was the idea. I will think twice about it in future.
SBE

Sorry SBE forgot your location. Was thinking you were getting info straight from the Battlefield. As for Lib Dems proving effective opposition that is something that is going on the recent election results show that. Charles Kennedy has even recently said that we are reviewing hte election strategy to take on Labour in some of their urban heartlands.

Sorry for being testy! I think the latest e-mail from Hartlepool Labour is interesting! An unholy alliance between Lib Dems and Tories!! Having said that it happened in 74 & 97 with Labour so maybe Kennedy wants a change of scene!! Even a tacit agreement could eat into the Labour majority and increase LD representation. Its merely a different devil to sup with!! Is it that much more abhorrent than Ashdown's attempt to get on to the Blair bandwagon? At least any influence would be real if the Tories sneak in in 2009!!
SBE

SBE I have just checked in with Chorley Street there is no pact between the Lib Dems and the Tories. We are geared up to taking both parties at this bye election and the next general election.

They however found this very intersting as another smear that a wqorried Labour are trying to foist on our campaign. They are obviously running scared.

Particulary as one of the Lib Dem Target seats for the next General Election is Michael Howard's seat in Eastbourne.

Michael Howard's seat isn't in Eastbourne (East Sussex). Wrong County.
Try Folkestone in Kent.

Tenaka

Ta. I knew it was along the coast somewhere.

Where I live (London Borough of Hillingdon) the Tories are kept in power by the Lib Dems. The Lib Dems have given up all of their seats on the Cabinet to Tories and have excluded Labour from it.

We effectively live in a Tory run council put there by Lib Dems.

One advantage of each local party being automonous to decide local affairs such as this.

Won't people see the Lib Dem vote as being a wasted vote if they don't use the balance of power?

I am shocked to hear about that particualr council though. Lib Dems do share power with Labour, Conservative, Independents and Nationalists in all sort of contexts up and down the country so I have no idea why they wouldn't in you own case. Maybe it has more to do with potential gains at Westminster possibly.