grandmajet Harold Wilson didn't have a traditional working class background. It's ironic that Ted Heath's background was actually more working class than Wilson's. Wilson had a degree in PPE from Oxford and became one of the youngest ever Oxford dons at the age of 21. Before becoming an MP, he was a civil servant.
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What I think will happen tomorrow
(490 Posts)That the SNP will do well
That Labour in Wales will do well
That Laurence Fox and Shaun Bailey will be humiliated in London
That my local council will stay LD
That Labour will hang onto its Mayors and do badly elsewhere
This is not a difficult prediction
Urmstongran
I didn’t think the SNP could get any of the list?
I suppose with the Greens it IS a majority. No change overall then from the last 4 (or is it 5) years. I do think that NS hoped for a majority vote without a coalition with the Greens again to achieve another run at Indy2!
You think NS hoped for an overall majority ? No shit, Sherlock ?
Urmstongran
I didn’t think the SNP could get any of the list?
I suppose with the Greens it IS a majority. No change overall then from the last 4 (or is it 5) years. I do think that NS hoped for a majority vote without a coalition with the Greens again to achieve another run at Indy2!
Hooray! I told you to stick at it!
Highly unlikely to get any on the list because of the success in the constituencies.
With the Greens, its a majority of seats held by independence-supporting parties. I've been ranting on for a while about the fact that not only the SNP are pro-independence. Now we'll see how it goes.
suziewoozie
Callistemon
Is this an unusual trend?
Quite often local elections may reflect a dissatisfaction with central government with the opposition party gaining local seats.Yes because it’s unusual times. There’s never been anything like this . I think some of the analysis will be very interesting. Broadly though incumbent governments have succeeded across the 3 nations - that’s relevant as with also most Mayors. London is interesting - I thought he might do it on 1st preferences and Bailey is beyond dire.
It's not what I expected to happen.
Perhaps it's the vaccine bounce.
Certainly I thought voters would make a protest vote about the poor offer to the NHS after their efforts over the past 16 months.
Seems I’m a quicker learner than I give myself credit for Alegrias‼️. ??
Laurence Fox is marginally ahead of Count Binface, so not quite bottom so far.
Urmstongran
Seems I’m a quicker learner than I give myself credit for Alegrias‼️. ??

Callistemon
Laurence Fox is marginally ahead of Count Binface, so not quite bottom so far.
Disappointed to hear that.
Count Binface, as I recall, had a great manifesto.
Callistemon
suziewoozie
Callistemon
Is this an unusual trend?
Quite often local elections may reflect a dissatisfaction with central government with the opposition party gaining local seats.Yes because it’s unusual times. There’s never been anything like this . I think some of the analysis will be very interesting. Broadly though incumbent governments have succeeded across the 3 nations - that’s relevant as with also most Mayors. London is interesting - I thought he might do it on 1st preferences and Bailey is beyond dire.
It's not what I expected to happen.
Perhaps it's the vaccine bounce.
Certainly I thought voters would make a protest vote about the poor offer to the NHS after their efforts over the past 16 months.
I’m really interested that you thought that - it sadly never crossed my mind. I say sadly because it is sad that I never thought it was an issue that enough people would care about enough for it to influence their vote. The whole pay rise thing has been very muted hasn’t it for ages now. The thing about incumbents being successful is that all 3 nations are in a good place re vaccine roll out as all have succeeded. All 3 are the leaders at a tough time and have been given credit for that by enough voters. I simply voted here on past performance of the LDs - no national issues were relevant for me but I know for lots of people their motivations would and could have been different.
Perhaps it will become a bigger issue before the next GE but that is a long time to wait.
I am surprised, though, that it seems to have been largely forgotten.
I've spoken to a few medical staff recently as well as those in the family and not only are many exhausted after last year, they are now working to try to reduce the backlog of other cases.
In Nursing Notes they have reported that the percentage of Nurses/Healthcare workers voting Conservative has increased this time.
Callistemon
Perhaps it will become a bigger issue before the next GE but that is a long time to wait.
I am surprised, though, that it seems to have been largely forgotten.
I've spoken to a few medical staff recently as well as those in the family and not only are many exhausted after last year, they are now working to try to reduce the backlog of other cases.
Oh goodness - I wonder what will happen before the next .election? And even when it will be? Some are saying 2023. Just the thought of it makes me tired ?. I know from my dd about the efforts of the local Trust to get back to normal and they are very impressive. During the worst of the waves, her department put a lot of extra effort into making medical staff feel as cared for as possible ( and other sections looked after nurses and other staff groups) and I hope this has paid off - feeling valued and respected by your employers is paramount to retention and facilitates obviously better patient care. But that doesn’t obviate the need for a pay rise does it?
growstuff, yes you’re right! He went to grammar school via a scholarship. I think I’m biased cos I liked him! I should know better than get into a political thread. ?
GrannyGravy13
In Nursing Notes they have reported that the percentage of Nurses/Healthcare workers voting Conservative has increased this time.
Here’s the link ( I’m a good PA am I not)
nursingnotes.co.uk/news/politics/two-in-five-healthcare-workers-vote-conservative-in-local-elections/
No detail of how the 1800 respondents were selected and I’d like to have seen a breakdown between the different occupational groups. There’s a link in the link to the survey in 2019.
But that doesn’t obviate the need for a pay rise does it?
Certainly it doesn't.
Thanks suziewoozie I was looking for the link.
I was just surprised as I imagined anyone working in the NHS would have voted for a three legged donkey rather than a Conservative 
Does anybody know why Labour bucked the trend in the West of England mayor vote?
GrannyGravy13
Thanks suziewoozie I was looking for the link.
I was just surprised as I imagined anyone working in the NHS would have voted for a three legged donkey rather than a Conservative
Well that all depends doesn’t it ? There’s a healthcare assistant and there’s a consultant with a thriving private practice.
growstuff
Does anybody know why Labour bucked the trend in the West of England mayor vote?
I’d missed this so looked it up - one guess, the Tory candidate wasn’t the incumbent ? That’s all I can think of ( if I were shallow I would say he was more handsome but then I’d have to give my wrist a sharp slap)
growstuff
Does anybody know why Labour bucked the trend in the West of England mayor vote?
I think the previous Conservative mayor retired, perhaps the Labour candidate may have been better known than the Tory candidate?
From what I’ve seen (glued to results for most of the past 2 days) it would seem that there’s been a great deal of tactical (Unionist) voting in Scotland. Even if she had the go-ahead for a referendum next month, I doubt NS would want to risk it at the moment.
suziewoozie
growstuff
Does anybody know why Labour bucked the trend in the West of England mayor vote?
I’d missed this so looked it up - one guess, the Tory candidate wasn’t the incumbent ? That’s all I can think of ( if I were shallow I would say he was more handsome but then I’d have to give my wrist a sharp slap)
I think the photo on Wiki (if that's what you saw) was taken a few years ago.
growstuff
suziewoozie
growstuff
Does anybody know why Labour bucked the trend in the West of England mayor vote?
I’d missed this so looked it up - one guess, the Tory candidate wasn’t the incumbent ? That’s all I can think of ( if I were shallow I would say he was more handsome but then I’d have to give my wrist a sharp slap)
I think the photo on Wiki (if that's what you saw) was taken a few years ago.
I have looked at up to date photos - the winner was clearly the best looking and I am thoroughly ashamed of my contribution to this issue ?
Witzend
From what I’ve seen (glued to results for most of the past 2 days) it would seem that there’s been a great deal of tactical (Unionist) voting in Scotland. Even if she had the go-ahead for a referendum next month, I doubt NS would want to risk it at the moment.
I agree with you on all counts Witzend.
ANGELA RAYNER HAS BEEN SACKED BY KEIR STARMER ‼️
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