open Democracy News Analysis - Is Labour gearing up to go early?, Tom Griffin - Comments

Guy Aitchison on "Is Labour gearing up to go early?"

Guy Aitchison — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:28:00 +0000

Caustic as ever Sarah2...but in all honesty Ill be only too happy to see the back of New Labour.

Dougthedug on "Is Labour gearing up to go early?"

Dougthedug — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:14:11 +0000

English based Westminster Government Ministers are now attacking the SNP in Holyrood which is something they usually leave to the Scottish based MP's or MSP's so there is unusual activity in the battle between the SNP and Labour in Scotland.

I suppose it really depends on whether Labour think that things will get better or worse over the next year.

If support for the Labour Party is going to keep falling from now till the last possible date for an election in 2010 it makes sense for Labour to go for an election now. It might keep them in Government as a coalition or minority government or give a new Conservative Government a very small majority.

If they leave it untill the polls get worse they could end up with the Conservatives holding a very substantial working majority in Parliament.

The Cornish Democrat on "Is Labour gearing up to go early?"

The Cornish Democrat — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 12:11:42 +0000

Dunno bout thaat but I'll wet me knickers if Mebyon Kernow d'win. Still vote fur un tho.

The Cornish Democrat

Sarah2 on "Is Labour gearing up to go early?"

Sarah2 — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:49:15 +0000

I wonder how many of the Our Kingdom writers after complaining about Civil Liberties will be none the less putting their cross in the Labour box and wetting their knickers at the thought that Labour might lose.

Is Labour gearing up to go early?, Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:31:10 +0000

Tom Griffin (London, OK): Mike Smithson believes that Labour's poor showing in today's Populus poll means a 2009 election is off the agenda, but not everyone is so convinced. One opposition source points to the Labour website, where the party is recruiting campaign assistants on 9-month contracts immediately. They suggest this is evidence that Labour is gearing up for a May or June election.

Given the state of the polls such a move would mean accepting the likelihood of a hung Parliament, which might explain the manouvreings described by Anthony Barnett and Peter Oborne.