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April 2007 Archives

New Statesman

Posted by David Sudworth on April 30, 2007 7:38 PM

AS part of the New Statesman magazine's build-up to the local elections, they asked me to pen an article for them on the situation here in West Lancs.


I'm one of four 'pundits' who've joined their Local Elections blog panel, the others being:


- Neil Carter, a senior lecturer in politics at the University of York
- Abigail Bremner, campaigns manager at Capability Scotland
- Kenneth Skates, a former jounalist himself and PA to Mark Tami MP


I've given them the run-down here, done a bit of scene-setting and given them my theory as to what the West Lancs political map will look like come Friday morning.


You can view the articles by logging onto http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/election-2007


Enjoy...

Operation Green Vote West Lancs

Posted by David Sudworth on April 28, 2007 7:02 AM

IT'S BEEN quite funny watching the Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems falling over themselves to show off their green credentials.


And it appears there's been a bit of that going on locally too. I'm told by one of my spies that Labour's election leaflets have a distinct green look about them - as in the actual colour.


They couldn't confirm whether it was printed on recycled paper, but they'll let me know soon.


I've asked my spy to keep their eyes out for a Tory leafet so I can compare. I suspect that due to all this colour-swapping, the Greens will be putting out blue and red colour leaflets (or purple perhaps?)


It's strange how it's now become so cool to be green. In the 80s, it was usually the preserve or spotty students with limp hair, CND T-shirts and 50 year old men (and women) with beards, cardigans and an unhealthy obsession with tofu.


Politics is quite faddy - one minute people are moaning about crime, then the health service, then the poll tax, then education and now it is green issues.


I wonder whether it will stay the course or, like a hyperactive five-year-old's toys, get pushed to one side once they get bored.

Please, Not Another Blair Departure Story...

Posted by David Sudworth on April 27, 2007 4:08 PM

SPECULATION about the exact date of Tony Blair's depature is in the news again today.


If it carries on at this rate, he'll beat the Rolling Stones' record for the amount of times people have predicted his demise and to be honest, I'm getting a little bored of it.

Even if he quits tomorrow, it will have no impact on next week's local elections whatsoever. A year ago maybe, but not at this late stage.


If he did, it would (rightly or wrongly) be seen as a cynical attempt to save Labour's supposedly imminent blushes at the polls across the county.


Personally, I think he's hanging on to make it to the 10-year mark. He might even choose that actual day to resign.

It's his own fault for telling people he's going within a year. From that moment on, hacks and political opponents have gathered round scenting blood.


Whatever happens, the hunters will get their quarry eventually so why don't they call off their dogs for the time being?


Afterall, I'm sure they'll find plenty of bones to chew on once it's all over...

Rubbish on GMTV

Posted by David Sudworth on April 26, 2007 7:26 AM

THERE'S only three things on television which raise my blood pressure; Vernon Kay, Loose Women and GMTV.


Now I'm not normally one to pass comment on fellow journos but in the case of the latter I'm prepared to make an exception.


This is the programme which gets some of the most important people in the country on the sofa (like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown - obviously not at the same time) and asks them really probing questions like...err... "So, what's it like to be a dad?"


This morning's show took the biscuit. Their top story was about fortnightly rubbish collections and how councils may end up charging to take extra bags away.


They say it could be a key local election issue with voting day just a week away now.


Just goes to prove how much notice they take about issues north of Watford Gap because the Advertiser had that story around 12 months ago.


Anyway, they got Ben Bradshaw, Minister For Bin Bags (not his real title, obviously), on the sofa to quiz him about the scheme.


Mr Bradshaw's opening gambit was. I quote: "I think it's really good we're debating but but we need to use the right words. The collections aren't fortnightly, they're alternative."


At that point, most hacks would butt in and say: "So tell me then, how often in terms of weeks will my recycled stuff get collected."


But no, he managed to get away with that and many more..


So here's a tip (no pun intended), if you're going to get a government minister on your programme - whoever you are - I expect there to be blood on the carpet after you're finished. If he smiles at the end, you've lost and you should hang your heads in shame.


That's why ministers of a certain seniority won't go near the likes of the Today programme and Newsnight but are happy to cosy up to Richard and Judy.


Imagine if they took my advice. I can see the headlines now:


THE DAY GMTV TURNED NASTY
PM mauled by Penny Smith in heated debate


I don't know why but the words "pigs" and "fly" have just sprang to mind...

More Free Food

Posted by David Sudworth on April 25, 2007 4:20 PM

I'M thinking of only going to public meetings from now on if there's a spread laid on.

I say that because the last two I've been two, Up Holland Parish Council's annual assembly last week, and the Skelmersdale Town Council debate last night, were both supplemented by excellent refreshments. I fear I'm getting spoiled.

The Skem event put on a full buffet, sausage rolls, cheese sandwiches, crab sticks... the lot. There was even a choice of desert. Excellent - and it saved ne a trip to the chippy on the way home.

I digress as the main point of last night's meeting was to discuss the Town Council plan for Skelmersdale. It's an issue I've been following for a few months and there was a good turnout.

Clearly there's an appetite (if you'll forgive the pun) for such plans and despite there being no guest speakers there was a good debate and some interesting points made. There's a full report about it in this week's Skelmersdale Advertiser.

So now it's up to the people of Skem - if they want a Town Council there's certainly enough enthusiasm to make it happen.

Hopefully the campaigners will also take onboard my suggestions about having buffets at every meeting...

Apathy - Democracy In Action?

Posted by David Sudworth on April 23, 2007 6:27 PM

I'LL wager a few of my hard earned English pounds that come May 4, politicians and commentators alike will be chewing the fat pretty loudly about the absurdly low turnouts.

When you compare our collective apathy with the recent scenes in Africa where people are quite happy to queue up to vote, it's pretty shameful.

Hang on though, how about looking at it another way. How about if I said that the apathetic 80-off per cent have actually been pretty democratic in their decision not to vote because either they felt disengaged from the whole process or, frankly, couldn't give a monkeys?

Surely both those actions are as equally democratic as those people who conscientiously turn out come rain, sleet or shine every first Thursday in May to make their mark.

It would be undemocratic if they didn't have the right to vote in the first place, but having actually secured that right then it is their own business what they choose to do with it.

Say for instance whether you're a staunch Lib Dem supporter living in West Lancs and there's no candidate standing in your ward. What do you do? Vote for a party you disagree with?

For an election to be totally democratic for the voter, they should surely have a choice of a candidate from every political party registered as such which has never happened yet and never will.

So when you hear people commenting on turnout, it's worth asking yourself whether turn outs of 20/30 per cent are harming the democratic process, or are actually conciously making a pretty big and damning statement about it...

No Place To Hide

Posted by David Sudworth on April 22, 2007 7:52 AM

MY SNOUTS tell me that I made the correct call in not going to last week's full council meeting.


In an earlier blog posting, I mused about the record number of motions on it.


Experience told me it had all the hallmarks of a pre-election scrap. It turned out to be such an occasion.


Full council meetings are usually quite lively affairs with certain members on both sides enjoying taking chunks out of each other. But I feared that if I went to that meeting, all I'd come back with was basically each parties' manifestos for May 3.


In light of this, I opted for a night on the couch.

Unfortunately, I wasn't completely safe from the current outbreak of electioneering as the batteries in our remote control ran out just as I was about to switch over from yet another party political broadcast.


Just proves the old saying, you can run but you can't hide...

Pushing Back the Boundaries

Posted by David Sudworth on April 20, 2007 8:49 PM

IT'S QUITE uncanny how boundary changes just so happen to give the political edge locally to the same party which is in government nationally.

When change is in the air, you usually find the main parties split - and on which side of the fence they sit tends to indicate just how better (or worse) off they'd better under a new system.

Take for instance the last Boundary Committee recommendations for West Lancashire. The Tories wanted West Lancs to become a unitary authority while Labour were pushing for a Lancashire-wide council.

It's not particularly hard to guess why. On a county-wide basis, the number of Labour councillors outnumber the Tories. On a district level, it's the other way round.

The other day I was talking to a West Lancs Labour Party member who, quite candidly, pointed out the possibility of Labour only being able to take back control of West Lancs "by the back door" - in other words if the district council was scrapped.

I think most people - even the top bananas at West Lancs council - would admit that sooner or later two-tier authorities will be scrapped.

As I've said before, my own theory is that the government will devolve power to town and parish council level and then swiftly get rid of the middle man - in this case the district.

Certainly the local Labour Party wouldn't mind such a scenario. The Conservatives on the other hand would protest very strongly.

But you really do have to wonder though how much longer it will be before district councils are, like urban district and rural councils before them, are consigned to the history books...

A Desperate Plea

Posted by David Sudworth on April 19, 2007 7:02 AM

RE: Party political broadcasts

Dear Political Parties,

I felt I must write this open letter to you as a matter of utmost urgency and concern regarding your party political broadcasts.

After conducting thorough research with 20 half-sozzled mates down my local, I have to tell you that your chances of wooing them and me through these 'sermons' is practically zero percent.

In fact, I don't know whether you're aware of it but all you're doing is boosting the viewing figures for Home & Away.

Also, there's no point getting 'celebrities' on either because, quite frankly, we see enough of Alex Ferguson as it is. We don't need them grinning at us while we're trying to eat our dinner.

I've seen David Cameron's kitchen enough times now to be able to tell you where he got his tiles from, what his kids eat for breakfast and what type of washing up liquid they prefer.

And while we're at it; Tony Blair and Gordon Brown sharing a black cab? Who are you trying to kid? It's taken all their energy over the past 10 years not to appear on Neighbours From Hell.

So do us a favour please, let us watch our dinners in peace. After a busy day at the office, the last thing I want is to be forced to get up from the table and switch over just as I'm about to tuck into my bangers and mash.

I trust you will henceforth get those nice people at the BBC and ITV to move them to the pre 10pm news slot.

By that time, I for one would be quite grateful of something to get me to sleep quickly.

Yours etc..


Parish Power

Posted by David Sudworth on April 18, 2007 2:08 PM

LAST night I attended Up Holland Parish Council's annual assembly held at the Community Meeting Room, Hall Green.

Such events can be a bit hit and miss and I was therefore pleasantly surprised by the number of people who attended and who took part in the debate.

It was also nice to see community stalwart Arthur Tennant officially receive his honorary citizenship. It's the first time the parish council has done this and it's well-deserved.

The occasion also allowed colleagues to pay tribute to Arthur, and there were many funny tales exchanged about his time on the council. There's a full report about it in tomorrow's Skelmersdale Advertiser.

Unfortunately, there wasn't enough space in the paper to mention the excellent slices of fruit cake and tea they served after the meeting... perhaps I'll save that for a future edition.

Motion Sickness

Posted by David Sudworth on April 17, 2007 7:10 AM

I'M SURE that as we speak a scientist somewhere is busy trying to establish the genetic link between politicians and hedgehogs.

Not only can both species prove very prickly when manhandled, they also seem to come out of hibernation at the same time.

This week nationally there's been blood on the floor of the Commons after Defence Secretary Des Browne admitted making a gaffe over the navy story-selling debacle.

Meanwhile in West Lancs, we've had Conservative Cllr Margaret Edwards' shock deselection from her Scarisbrick seat as well as Labour's Geoff Roberts revealing he's also been deselected - for the fourth time in his political career.

This week the flurry of local activity continues with - wait for it - four motions going to full council, backed by 17 councillors.

For the uninitiated, motions are a bit like Early Day Motions/Private Members' Bills but for councillors. They request that the council looks at a certain issue and either adopt it as policy or take it forward for further scrutiny.

As someone who has warmed many a press bench in Council Chambers in his time, I have to say it's pretty unusual to see this many motions for just one meeting.

I'm putting it down to the recent hot weather and beginning of a new season.

I wonder next year, with the onset of global warming, whether they might start stirring in March...?

Election? What Election?

Posted by David Sudworth on April 16, 2007 7:00 AM

IF I WENT into the centre of Ormskirk today, picked 100 people at random and asked them what the local elections were for I bet most of them wouldn't have a clue.

Not only that, they probably also wouldn't know:
a) It was taking place
b) Which ward they live in
c) The candidates in that ward
d) Their current councillors

To be fair, I could go into any settlement in West Lancs, or indeed the whole UK, and still come up with the same stats.

I suppose it's partially to do with the fact that local elections are an irrelevance to many people. At last year's polls, only an average of 30-odd per cent bothered to cast their vote.

It seems that only certain issues (usually council/poll tax) pull people to the polls.
For instance, when I was a reporter in Southport, one year the council tax shot up by 9%. This setllement from the Lib Dems and Labour (a deal had to be struck between them as Sefton doesn't have one party which has overall control) left people flabbergasted.
The newly-formed Southport Party managed to turn this to their advantage and a few months later their of their candidates won seats in the town - and in the process beat the then council leader Dave Bamber. It sent political shockwaves through the town, albeit temporarily.

But to be honest, that is the only big issue which I've ever seen have a direct impact on a local election result.

I wondered whether there might may been a backlash against the new recycling collections in West Lancs but the anger felt by many didn't have much sway at all in terms of the final votes counted.

But 12 months on and at the Advertiser we still get complaints and letters so perhaps last year was merely the calm before the storm?

What do YOU think? To have your say, click on the 'comment' link at the bottom right hand of this post.
You do not have to give your e-mail address or website and can use either your own name or a pseudonym if you prefer. Join the debate now!

Make Sure You're Entitled To Vote

Posted by David Sudworth on April 15, 2007 7:00 AM

ANYONE who wants to vote but isn't on the electoral register must sign up before this Wednesday (April 18).

If you don't do it before this date, you lose your right vote. Coincidentally, the 18th is also the deadline for postal vote applications.

And 25 April is the deadline for proxy vote applications.

For more information contact:

Electoral Registration Office, Admin & Electoral Services
Tel: 01695 585014
Fax: 01695 585050
Email: elections.office@westlancsdc.gov.uk

More info can be found here

Talking Tactics

Posted by David Sudworth on April 14, 2007 7:01 AM

Former Tatton MP Martin Bell


IT isn't just football managers who spent half their lives talking tactics. Political parties are equally adept at burning the midnight oil when preparing to go into battle.

West Lancashire's politicians are no different and, make no mistake, each seat has been subjected to a certain degree of scrutiny by all sides.

This year, both the Conservatives and Labour have put up candidates in every ward, which is quite interesting. You're probably thinking: "Well of course they have, it's an election you idiot hack - what would you expect?"

Well, allow me to explain...

For the past few years, both sides have flirted with the idea of using 'Tatton Tactics'.

This harks back to the 1997 General Election when the Lib Dems and Labour pulled their candidates out of the Cheshire seat to give independent Martin Bell (the ex-BBC journo) the best chance of beating sitting Tory MP Neil Hamilton. The Lib-Lab pact came about because they knew they had no chance of taking the seat themselves but also realised that the only way to get the Conservative out was not to split the indie vote.

Such tactics aren't uncommon in West Lancs either.

Back in 2003, Labour didn't put up in Tarleton, leaving a straight fight between former independent Cllr John Hodson and Conservative Rosie Evans, who won.

Although Cllr Evans won comfortably in the end, if Labour had put up there it's quite conceivable the majority could have been even bigger between the pair.

A year later, the Conservatives fielded a candidate in Skelmersdale North Ward - a move they have regretted ever since because on the night Joan Morrison, an independent, came within inches of beating the then Labour leader Alan Bullen.

Afterwards, many Conservatives privately admitted that they should have pulled out their candidate and instructed his supporters to back Mrs Morrison. If they had done that, she would have probably won and, in the process, have claimed a massive scalp.

So it just goes to show that when candidate lists are published, it's usually more interesting to see who isn't on it as opposed to who is...

What do YOU think? To have your say, click on the 'comment' link at the bottom right hand of this post.
You do not have to give your e-mail address or website and can use either your own name or a pseudonym if you prefer. Join the debate now!

Who's Right Anyway?

Posted by David Sudworth on April 13, 2007 7:00 AM

I'VE NEVER wholly subscribed to the view that the likes of UKIP or any other party deemed to be on the right of British politics as automatically being a threat to the Conservatives more than Labour.

Pundits, for some reason, always seen to think that they would split the Tory vote and, therefore, cause them the most damage in an election.

However, what people tend to forget is that many traditional Labour voters are actually very conservative (note the small 'c') in their outlook. Maggie Thatcher realised this and that is what won her three general elections.

It's folly to think as Labour as a purely left-wing organisation. Both parties have their hawks and doves because politics, just like life, is not as clear cut as what we'd probably like it to be.

So I suppose the big question is, what impact will UKIP (which has a candidate in Up Holland) and the English Democrats (standing in Newburgh and Scott Ward) have on these seats?

Neither stood at the last election for these particular ward seats, so comparing results is not an option.

Scott was always going to be an interesting ward because of the power struggle between Labour and the Conservatives. But adding the Greens and English Democrats into the mix makes it even more exciting for the neutrals among us.

I suspects there's going to be a heck of a lot of shoe leather worn out on Scott Estate and its environs between now and Thursday, May 3...

What do YOU think? To have your say, click on the 'comment' link at the bottom right hand of this post.
You do not have to give your e-mail address or website and can use either your own name or a pseudonym if you prefer. Join the debate now!

All Eyes on Scarisbrick?

Posted by David Sudworth on April 12, 2007 10:51 AM

Cllr Margaret Edwards


THE decision to deselect Conservative Cllr Margaret Edwards from her Scarisbrick seat has quite literally stunned fellow councillors and indeed everyone who takes an interest in the West Lancs political scene.

Even more sensational is her claim is that Tory Party bosses did it because she's "too old".

And to top it all, she's now preparing to run as an independent against the official Conservative candidate Andrew Fowler. Read the full story here.

It was quite clear when the candidate list was announced that something had gone on.

But what makes this such a shock is that she's one of the longest serving councillors. A former cabinet member and council chairman, she's held some of the highest positions in West Lancs.

However, that is all history and Cllr Edwards now faces the prospect of fighting an election as an independent in a strong Tory seat.

The last time she was elected, she has a majority of 342 but that was against just one other candidate from Labour. This time, there's four candidates in total (Lab, Con, Independent and Green) vying for the seat and that could mean a wider split.

However, and crucially, people like Cllr Edwards who have been in seats for a long time can sometimes have a very strong personal vote. But whether it will be enough to return her is the big question.

It's going to be an interesting fight.

What do YOU think? To have your say, click on the 'comment' link at the bottom right hand of this post.
You do not have to give your e-mail address or website and can use either your own name or a pseudonym if you prefer. Join the debate now!



Celebrity Councillors - Now There's A Thought...

Posted by David Sudworth on April 12, 2007 7:00 AM

Blur drummer Dave Rowntree Jon Culshaw for Scott Ward?


ROCK band drummer Dave Rowntree is standing for his local council, according to the BBC.

The Blur musician is a Labour candidate for the ward covering Marylebone High Street in Westminster, London. Read the story here

It got me thinking and I started looking back over the West Lancs candidates list to see if I'd missed out on a potential scoop right here on our own doorstep.

But after a mad scramble I can exclusively revealed that calm has been restored at the Advertiser offices as my 11th-hour hunt didn't throw up a celebrity... national or otherwise.

But who knows, maybe one day Ormskirk-born funnyman Jon Culshaw may decide to do battle in Scott Ward.

He'd certainly make a big 'impression'...

What do YOU think? To have your say, click on the 'comment' link at the bottom right hand of this post.
You do not have to give your e-mail address or website and can use either your own name or a pseudonym if you prefer. Join the debate now!

In this week's Advertiser...

Posted by David Sudworth on April 11, 2007 5:12 PM

The Advertiser


WE'VE got a two page special on the local elections in this week's Advertiser, which is out on Thursday (April 12).

Our reports include:

- Stunned Tory claims: "I was ditched for being too old"

- Labour vetertan deselected for a fourth time

- Independent: "Why I'm not standing this year"

- Bank worker: "My bid to be one of the UK's youngest-ever councillors"

- Full list of district council candidates



So if you want to know more, and to catch up on all the latest news, views, sport and advertising, don't forget to pick up your Addy!

Losers Can Be The Winners...

Posted by David Sudworth on April 11, 2007 8:36 AM

AS an election candidate, it's natural you'd want to stand in the most safe seat for your particular party.

However, because there's so few marginals and once someone's in a safe seat it's hard to shift them, there's never enough to go around.

So as a rule, new candidates are rarely parachuted into safe seats (unlike parliamentary elections, it has to be said) until they've had a few stints putting up in True Blue areas if you're Labour, or in Skelmersdale if you're a Conservative.

What this does enable anoraks like me to do, though, is spot potential future councillors.

Here's a few I found earlier...

Labour
- David McKay (Parbold 2002 and Aughton Park 2004 - now councillor for Skelmersdale South)
- Mary Whitby (Burscough East 2006 - standing this year in the stong Labour seat of Digmoor)
- Steve Hanlon (Aughton Park 2003 - now finance spokesman and councillor for Moorside)
- Barry Nolan (Knowsley 2002 - now councillor for Skelmersdale North)

Conservatives
- David Meadows (Ashurst 2006, now Scott Ward councillor)
- Malcolm Barron (Moorside 2004, now a county councillor)

I'm sure there's a few in this year's candidates list aswell, but to be fair to everyone (and to save me from having to take my foot out of my mouth if I get it horribly wrong) I'll leave my predictions until after polling day...

What do YOU think? To have your say, click on the 'comment' link at the bottom right hand of this post.
You do not have to give your e-mail address or website and can use either your own name or a pseudonym if you prefer. Join the debate now!

The Wards To Watch

Posted by David Sudworth on April 10, 2007 2:05 PM

POLITICIANS are always quick to discount polls. I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard them trot out the phrase:"The only one which matters is the one on election day."

But don't be fooled, political parties are slaves to statistics, and aren't afraid to divert campaign resources accordingly. Afterall, when is the last time you saw a sitting Prime Minister visit a constituency in the middle of an election campaign where their party is ranked third and has never had a sniff of victory there?

Local elections are a bit different as the only figures we have to go on are, indeed, the ones from previous election results.

This year's seats were last contested for in 2003, with the exception of Newburgh Ward which is being re-run 12 months on because of a boundary change.

You could argue the figures are a little out of date but on the other hand it's the closest we'll get to any kind of projections. Besides, MORI doesn't tend to take a great deal of interest in West Lancs for some reason...

So, based on those stats, there's four marginals (and one semi-marginal) on which all eyes will be focused.

If Labour has any hope of wrestling back control of West Lancashire from the Conservatives, they must hold both Scott and Wrightington wards which, just so happens, are both the first and second least safe seats respectively.

After that, they will not only have to take Derby and North Meols from the Tories, but produce a corker by going into the True Blue heartlands of Aughton, Scarisbrick and Knowsley wards and overturning majorities of 300-plus. Either that or they're relying on other parties/candidates to cause an upset.

That is the enormity of the task facing Labour if they want to take control this year.

The Conservatives have much more room for manoeuvre. Even if they lost Bickerstaffe, Derby, North Meols and failed to recapture Scott and Wrightington, they'd still have an overall majority of seven. What it would do, though, is set up a nailbiter for next year.

The Tories have, over the past five years since seizing power, built up a very strong position for themselves which would be, dare I say it, impossible to break down at just one election. There would have to be a complete collapse in the Tory vote for this to happen.

However, if Labour take the top four target seats then they will consider it a good day at the office. They know that in order to win back power, they're going to have to play the waiting game with them setting their sights on a return to the political big time in 2008 or 2010.

Seats in order of vulnerability

1) Scott - Labour majority of 8
2) Wrightington - Labour majority of 20
3) Bickerstaffe - Conservative majority of 55
4) Derby - Conservative majority of 77
5) North Meols - Conservative majority of 100
6) Up Holland - Labour majority of 153
7) Ashurst - Labour majority of 215
8) Tanhouse - Labour majority of 254
9) Skelmersdale North - Labour majority of 255
10) Birch Green - Labour majority of 264
11) Tarleton - Conservative majority of 299
12) Knowsley - Conservative majority of 315
13) Aughton & Downholland - Conservative majority of 336
14) Digmoor - Labour majority of 340