activistpost--2019-12-03--PA County Election Turned Into “Nightmare” After Voting Machines Malfunctioned

A couple of minutes after polls closed in Easton, Pennsylvania on Election Day, the chairwoman of the county Republicans, Lee Snover, realized something had gone horribly wrong.  When vote totals began to come in for the Northampton County judge’s race, it was obvious there was a problem. The Democratic candidate, Abe Kassis, only had 164 votes out of 55,000 ballots across 100 precincts. In an area where you can vote for a straight party ticket, it was near a “statistical impossibility”, according to the New York Times.  When paper backup ballots were recounted, they showed Kassis winning narrowly, 26,142 to 25,137, over his opponent, the Republican Victor Scomillio. Snover said at about 9:30PM on November 5, her “anxiety began to pick up”.  “I’m coming down there and you better let me in,” she told someone at the election office after eventually getting through to them on the phone.  Matthew Munsey, the chairman of the Northampton County Democrats who helped with the paper ballot recount said: “People were questioning, and even I questioned, that if some of the numbers are wrong, how do we know that there aren’t mistakes with anything else?”  The issue in Northampton County continues to highlight fears and mistrust over election security that the nation is feeling on a broader scale heading into 2020. The machines used in Northampton County were also used in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs, crucial areas for next year’s Presidential election.  Calibration of the voting ecosystem is often invoked by those who lose by a small margin.  Snover echoed voter concerns: “There are concerns for 2020. Nothing went right on Election Day. Everything went wrong. That’s a problem.”  Voters around the country say that machines exacerbate an already grueling voting process that is replete with long lines and frustrated poll workers.  Michelle Broadhecke of Easton, like many others who watched their Democratic candidate go down in flames in 2016, said her anxiety about elections began after Trump won.  She said: “It made me sad because with everything that’s going on, you kind of worry about: Was something tampered with, or was it just a mistake. There’s just too much going on that you worry about those things. And you don’t want the wrong people in the wrong places.”  No study has been conducted to determine why the machines malfunctioned in Northampton County. The machines stay locked away for 20 days after the election, per state law. The prevailing theory has been a bug in the software and there have been no visible signs of outside meddling, according to a senior intelligence official.  Or as Democrats call it, “Russian interference”.  County officials say the machines worked as they should have, with the paper ballot backup process working as advertised.  Katina Granger, a spokeswoman for Election Systems & Software, the manufacturer of the machines said: “We also need to focus on the outcome, which is that voter-verified paper ballots provided fair, accurate and legal election results, as indicated by the county’s official results reporting and successful postelection risk-limiting audit. The election was legal and fair.”  Others say the mess highlights a lack of uniformity for purchasing voting systems on a national scale. Federal testing standards for election machines haven’t been updated since 2005, when a large percentage of the machines were not digital, the Times notes.Kevin Skoglund, a senior technical adviser for the National Election Defense Coalition, a nonpartisan group that focuses on election security issues, commented: “Not only is that a decade before the current cybersecurity threats to our elections, it is two years before the first iPhone. There is a newer 2015 standard, but the Election Assistance Commission lets voting system vendors choose which one to use.”  The machines that broke are called the ExpressVoteXL and are made by Election Systems & Software. It is among the most high end machine is being called a “luxury one-stop” voting system that combines a 32 inch screen with a paper printer.  There are nearly 6,300 ExpressVoteXL machines in use across the country and the way they were chosen for use in Philadelphia has drawn significant scrutiny. Since 2013, ES&S had been lobbying two Philadelphia city commissioners and had donated $28,000 in campaign contributions and direct lobbying of Al Schmidt, one of the city’s commissioners.  But the machines are supposed to be able to test themselves to prevent what happened in Northampton County. According to the Times:  Skoglund continued: “It doesn’t test if the touch screen or the scanner work. It doesn’t even cast votes for everyone on the ballot. It is especially concerning that it can send made-up votes to the vote counting software without needing a real ballot. Fake ballots are a feature no voting machine should have.”  The automatic tests in Northampton proved to be problematic in that they didn’t even cast votes for every candidate.  The machines were rolled out and used anyway.  This article was sourced from ZeroHedge.com  Subscribe to Activist Post for truth, peace, and freedom news. Become an Activist Post Patron for as little as $1 per month at Patreon. Follow us on SoMee, Flote, Minds, Twitter, and Steemit.  Provide, Protect and Profit from what’s coming! Get a free issue of Counter Markets today.


americablognews--2019-06-18--Crooks Liars John Amato talks the 2020 election

Crooks & Liars’ John Amato talks the 2020 election

Our good friend John Amato, the founder of Crooks & Liars, joins us to talk about the latest really bad polls for Trump’s reelection effort (including an awful Fox News poll — awful for Trump, that is), the Kyle Kashuv Harvard controversy, and ThinkProgress’ money trouble and what it means for online media and the future of Facebook’s monopoly control over so much of the media world.  PS John also talks to us about the time he toured with Duran Duran!  Below is is a 17-minute excerpt of the hour and 13 minute interview. To hear the entire show, and help keep UnPresidented ad-free, please become a patron over at Patreon.


americablognews--2019-12-14--UK election, impeachment, Bernie & Melania

In today’s podcast, we talk about the UK election and what if anything it means for us, how Dems are doing on impeachment, Bernie’s recent brouhaha over his endorsement of Cenk Uygur for Congress, and right wing freakout over Melania not being named one of the world’s most powerful women.  This is a free episode, to hear the rest of our shows, and support independent media, please become a subscriber over at Patreon.


bigleaguepolitics--2019-12-29--Michael Moore Admits Trump Has Increased Support in Rust Belt, Predicts He Will Win Re-Election

Left-wing documentarian Michael Moore now believes that President Trump will win re-election, based upon his strength in his home state of Michigan and other states in the rust belt throughout the Midwest.  Moore confessed his fears during a recent appearance on Democracy Now! with host Amy Goodman. He believes that if the re-election were to take place today, Trump would certainly be the winner.  “I think if the election were held today,” Moore said. “Hillary won by 3 million popular votes. I believe whoever the Democrat is next year is going to win by 4 to 5 million popular votes. There’s no question in my mind that people who stayed home, who sat on the bench, they’re going to pour out, in California, New York and — you know, but also in Texas and whatever, I mean, places that Trump will probably win, but, yeah, there’s going to be a much higher percentage of people voting against him.”  Trending: Pope Francis Unveils Globalist New World Religion at Summit with United Nations Leader  “The problem is, if the vote were today, I believe, he would win the electoral states that he would need, because, living out there, I will tell you, his level of support has not gone down one inch,” he added. “In fact, I’d say it’s even more rabid than it was before, because they’re afraid now. They’re afraid he could lose, because they watched his behavior. So they are voracious in their appetite for Donald Trump. That’s the bad news.”  take our poll - story continues below  Although he believes President Trump will win, he isn’t giving up all hope quite yet. Moore predicts that 70 percent of the voting public will be women, minorities, and young people who he believes are “on our side.” He thinks that these people could be galvanized if Democrats elect a “fighter” instead of “another Hillary Clinton.”  “What we have to do is we have to make sure we don’t give them another Hillary Clinton to vote for. The Democrats who are encouraging moderation, go to the center — you know, ‘Let’s not upset the angry white guys’ — that’s really what it is,” Moore said. “Ninety thousand wanted to send a message to the Democratic Party: ‘You forgot us a long time ago out here, and we will not put up with this anymore. We’re not going to vote for Trump, but we’re not going to tolerate you sending us another Republican-lite Democrat.'”  “If we go that route, it’s guaranteed we will lose the Electoral College,” Moore continued. “We will win when we put somebody on that ballot that excites the base — women, people of color, young people. When they wake up that morning and they feel the way that many of us, many of you watching, felt the morning that you were going to — in 2008, and you were going to get to go and vote for Barack Obama. That feeling has got to happen in the 18-to-35-year-old demographic. It has to happen with people of color and with women. We already feel that way. They already feel that way. It’s just: Will they come out and vote for a centrist, moderate candidate. I don’t think that is going to happen. They’re going to come out and vote for the fighter, for the person that shares their values.”  Moore believes that nominating a bona fide extremist would be the best way for Democrats to capitalize on the growing polarization in the country and defeat Trump in 2020.  “Polarization is always talked about like it’s a bad thing,” Moore said. “I think it’s a good thing. I think if you think women should have the right to vote, I don’t think there’s a middle position on that. You either believe that women should vote or women shouldn’t vote. You either believe that a fertilized egg is a human being or not. There’s no middle ground there.”  However, recent results in the British election – which saw a populist Conservative Party crush a far-left Labour Party – do not seem to back up Moore’s recipe for electoral victory:  The Conservative Party has crushed Labour in Thursday’s general election, which is expected to result in a substantial majority in Parliament. According to exit polls conducted by the BBC, the Tories will end up with 368 Members of Parliament (MPs), which is 50 more than they had following the 2017 election. Labour is expected to have 191 MPs while the SNP is expected to take 55 and Lib Dems are expected to have 13. The official totals are expected to be known by midday on Friday. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg predicts that this victory will be enough to allow Prime Minister Boris Johnson to remove the UK from the European Union, finally going through with the Brexit that was approved in 2016. Labour’s projected loss of 71 seats would be their worst result since 1935, a damning indictment of radical leftist party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who has drawn a great deal of criticism for his alleged anti-Semitism. He was forced to begrudgingly apologize for the growing anti-Semitism within his party just last week.  Moore’s entire interview can be seen here:


birminghammail--2019-03-13--General Election odds SLASHED as Theresa Mays Brexit deal rejected

General Election odds SLASHED as Theresa May's Brexit deal rejected

Theresa May is facing renewed calls for a General Election THIS YEAR after her Brexit strategy was dealt a devastating blow.  May faces the calls after the House of Commons rejected her EU Withdrawal Agreement by an overwhelming majority for the second time.  A Downing Street spokesman said: "We are not preparing for and we do not want a general election."  MPs voted by 391 to 242 against the deal despite the Prime Minister's assurance new agreements reached with Jean-Claude Juncker in Strasbourg would ensure the UK cannot be trapped in the controversial backstop arrangement indefinitely.  Although the 149 margin was reduced from the record 230-vote defeat of the first "meaningful vote" in January, Mrs May was left far adrift from a majority with just 17 days to go to the scheduled date of Brexit on March 29.  The next general election is set to be held no later than 5 May 2022.  Theresa May  has repeatedly said that calling an early election isn't in the national interest.  Whether or not Theresa May will survive as Prime Minister until then remains to be seen.  Some 75 Conservative MPs rebelled to vote against the deal, while just three Labour MPs and four independents joined the 235 Tories who backed it.  In line with a promise set out by Mrs May last month, MPs are now due to vote on Wednesday on whether they are willing for the UK to leave the EU without a deal on March 29.  Mrs May announced she will grant Conservative MPs a free vote on a motion stating "this House declines to approve leaving the European Union without a Withdrawal Agreement and a framework on the future relationship on March 29".  If MPs reject no-deal - as most Westminster observers expect - a third vote will follow on Thursday on whether to authorise Mrs May to request an extension of the two-year Article 50 negotiation process.  Members of the Malthouse Compromise group of Tories from both Leave and Remain wings immediately tabled an amendment proposing a "standstill" agreement lasting as late as the end of 2021, during which the UK would observe EU rules and pay into Brussels budgets while a full trade deal is negotiated.  A Labour Party spokesman said: "Allowing a free vote on no deal shows Theresa May has given up any pretence of leading the country.  "Once again, she's putting her party's interests ahead of the public interest."  Battling with a croaky voice, Mrs May said she still believed leaving with a deal was the best option for Britain and "the deal we've negotiated is the best and indeed the only deal available".  She told MPs: "Let me be clear. Voting against leaving without a deal and for an extension does not solve the problems we face.  "The EU will want to know what use we mean to make of such an extension and this House will have to answer that question.  "Does it wish to revoke Article 50? Does it want to hold a second referendum? Or does it want to leave with a deal, but not this deal?  "These are unenviable choices. Thanks to the decision that the House has made this evening, they are choices that must now be faced."  Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party would once more put forward its own proposal for a deal and repeated his demand for a general election.  "The Prime Minister has run down the clock and the clock has been run out on her," Mr Corbyn said.  "It's time that we have a General Election and the people can choose who their Government should be."  An extension of Article 50 requires the unanimous agreement of all 27 remaining member states and Mr Juncker has warned it cannot stretch beyond May 23 unless the UK takes part in the European Parliament elections starting on that date.  The European Commission president had already said if MPs turned down the package agreed in Strasbourg on Monday there would be "no third chance" to renegotiate.  Following the vote, a spokesman for European Council president Donald Tusk said the EU had done "all that is possible" to reach an agreement and would require "a credible justification" from the UK for any extension.  "It is difficult to see what more we can do," he said.  "If there is a solution to the current impasse it can only be found in London."  He added: "Should there be a UK reasoned request for an extension, the EU27 will consider it and decide by unanimity.  "The EU27 will expect a credible justification for a possible extension and its duration.  "With only 17 days left to March 29, today's vote has significantly increased the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit.  "We will continue our no-deal preparations and ensure that we will be ready if such a scenario arises."  The UK is set to publish further details of its own no-deal plans - including tariff rates for imports - on Wednesday.  A day of drama in Westminster began with Cabinet giving its approval to Mrs May's package at an early-morning meeting in 10 Downing Street, which ended with the PM telling colleagues: "Today is the day. Let's get this done."  But the momentum moved sharply against the Prime Minister shortly afterwards as Attorney General Geoffrey Cox released formal legal advice that the changes secured by Mrs May "reduce the risk" the backstop will be permanent but do not remove it altogether.  The Star Chamber of lawyers convened by the Brexit-backing European Research Group declared three new documents agreed in Strasbourg failed to deliver the legally-binding changes demanded by the Commons.  The Democratic Unionist Party - which props up Mrs May's minority administration in the Commons - said its 10 MPs would vote against the latest deal as "sufficient progress has not been achieved at this time".  With husband Philip watching from the Commons gallery, the Prime Minister warned MPs "Brexit could be lost" if they gave her deal the thumbs-down again.  But she met a wall of hostility from opposition parties, while only a handful of former Tory rebels fell in behind her.  Brexit figurehead and former foreign secretary Boris Johnson told the Commons that Mrs May and Mr Cox had "sowed an apron of fig leaves that does nothing to conceal the embarrassment and indignity of the UK."  Speaking ahead of the vote, the vice-chairman of the influential 1922 Committee of backbench Tory MPs, Charles Walker, said defeat would mean "a general election within a matter of days or weeks".  He told the BBC: "It is not sustainable, the current situation in Parliament."  Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable later told the Press Association Mrs May's authority was "completely shot".  "How she can continue with the same plan of action is incomprehensible," said Sir Vince.  "Something has got to give. I should imagine the Conservative Party will just put an end to this."  A Downing Street source said the Prime Minister had not discussed resigning with her team and pointed out MPs had only recently expressed their confidence in the Government in a Commons vote.


birminghammail--2019-03-14--Four-year elections for Walsall backed by city council boss

Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward has advised his Walsall counterparts that four-yearly elections have provided "many benefits" to his authority.  Walsall Council is considering the implications of moving from annual elections to a four-year cycle - a move which could see the cash-strapped authority save more than £500,000 over four years.  The issue was discussed at a scrutiny overview committee meeting on Tuesday (March 12) where chairman Councillor John Murray said he had written to three councils who had made the move.  Members of Walsall's ruling Conservative administration and the Labour group were for and against the move but Councillor Ward said four-yearly elections had been a success in the city.  He said: "In May 2018, Birmingham changed to four-yearly elections. As leader of the Labour group, this change is welcomed as it has provided many benefits.  "This has included the opportunity to make difficult decisions, unfortunately necessary in these times of austerity, without constantly being in election mode.  "It has provided a continuity that has been enhanced by the decision of the Labour group to align leader and deputy leader elections with the four year cycle. Other appointments by the groups are still on a yearly basis."  Members of the committee, however, were divided on Walsall becoming the latest metropolitan borough council to move to four-year ballots.  Conservative councillor Adam Hicken said: "I think there would be a loss to the democratic process and engagement with the community would decrease."  Labour's Aftab Nawaz added: "I'm not really convinced this is the way forward. If it is about saving money, then why not get rid of all councillors?  "There is also the issue of democracy - anyone who doesn't like the party in power would have a long wait to change."  But his Labour colleague Doug James said he was in favour of changing to four-years but added he'd like to see the number of councillors on the authority reduced.  He said: "A lot of people feel this is positive because there would be an opportunity for all parties to field councillors across the board and really go for it.  "We want people to be fully engaged with the process and I think this move would make that stronger."  Walsall Council and Tory group leader Mike Bird said: "The monetary savings are a by-product really. If we had one election every four years, it would give stability to the people of Walsall and the council.  "As it is, when there is an election people coming in unpick everything the previous administration has done.  "The message to the public would be clear - you can make a difference by voting for four years stability rather than 12 months' chaos."


birminghammail--2019-04-05--Dudley Council local elections 2019 The candidates standing in every ward

Dudley Council local elections 2019: The candidates standing in every ward

Next month's election for Dudley Council has attracted 104 candidates vying for one of the 24 seats being contested.  With the political balance in the council chamber on a knife edge, Labour and Conservatives have fielded full slates for all of the borough's wards with UKIP standing 15 candidates in its bid to win back the councillors it lost last year.  The Greens are fighting in 13 wards as are the Liberal Democrats.  The election has seen the emergence of a hyperlocal group in the shape of the Black Country Party which is also contesting seats in Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton.  One of the Conservative's target wards is Norton whose sitting Independent, Cllr Heather Rogers, switched her support to the Labour party last year letting them take political control of the authority.  The leader of the council and the Labour group, Cllr Qadar Zada, will be defending his Netherton, Woodside & St Andrew's seat.  The borough will go to the polls on Thursday, May 2.


birminghammail--2019-04-05--Sandwell Council local elections 2019 The candidates standing in every ward

Sandwell Council local elections 2019: The candidates standing in every ward

A total of 88 candidates have thrown their hats into the ring for the 24 council seats being contested in Sandwell at next month's local elections.  Both Labour and the Conservatives have fielded a full slate of nominees followed closely followed by the Green Party, which is putting up 18 people this time round.  The election has also seen the first appearance of a new hyperlocal group in the shape of the Black Country Party which is standing two candidates in Sandwell, along with others across the region.  Former councillors, Dave and Shirley Hosell, are now standing as Independents after being de-selected by the Labour Party.  Voting takes place on Thursday, May 2 and the full list of candidates are:


birminghammail--2019-05-02--Local election results 2019 LIVE Conservatives gain Walsall results from Dudley Sandwell and Wolv

Local election results 2019 LIVE: Conservatives gain Walsall; results from Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton

The political landscape of the Black Country – and indeed the nation – could change overnight as thousands of voters take to the polls in the local elections.  Already the leadership of Walsall Council has changed - the Conservatives have gone from being in minority control of the authority to majority control.  There are 8,425 seats up for grabs in a total of 248 councils, including metropolitan, district and unitary authorities.  The elections are expected to be a major battleground for the Conservative Party  and Labour on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from Brexit to bin collections.  Dudley Council will see candidates contest one seat in each of 24 wards, with 104 candidates in the running.  With the political balance in the council chamber on a knife edge, Labour and Conservatives have fielded full slates for each of the borough’s wards, while UKIP is standing 15 candidates in its bid to win back the councillors it lost last year.  Sandwell remains one of the most politically unbalanced local authorities in the country, with Labour holding all 72 seats.  Twenty-four seats are up for grabs in a poll that comes on the back of a turbulent year.  One third of Walsall Council seats are up for grabs, with 64 candidates set do battle across 20 wards. Both the ruling Conservative group and Labour are fielding candidates in every single one of the 20 wards.  Eighty would-be councillors from eight different parties will be vying for seats on Wolverhampton Council.  Polls close at 10pm and the first results could begin to arrive at around midnight and are expected to be in full flow by 2am.  This live blog will update throughout the early hours to bring details of voting in the four boroughs - as well as the national flavour.


birminghammail--2019-05-03--Jubilant Tories seize overall majority on Walsall Council in local elections

Jubilant Tories became the first party to hold a majority in Walsall since 2011 following the local council elections.  The Conservatives seized Bloxwich East and Birchills-Leamore - two traditional Labour strongholds - to take complete control of the authority.  It was a desperately disappointing night for the Labour group who now must dust themselves down and elect a new leader later today (Friday, March 3).  Last year, the Tories controversially took control of the authority - which was split between 30 Conservative and 30 in the Labour-Liberal Democrat alliance with the 2017/18 Mayor Marco Longhi using his casting vote to re-elect himself as civic leader and put his party back in control.  But following this year's success, the Conservatives now have 32 members with Labour down to 26 and the Liberal Democrats having two.  Walsall Council leader Mike Bird said: "It is a fantastic night. I think all the candidates worked exceptionally hard and I have to pay special tribute to my deputy and election manager Adrian Andrew. We all know how hard he works and without him we'd be lost.  "I think it is a good result for the efforts we have put in and that in itself should never be under-estimated.  "We delivered probably half a million pieces of literature although there is always someone who says 'I had nothing from you' but that is a lot of shoe leather.  "The vote tonight says to me that the people out there believe the council is in better hands and better run by the Conservatives rather than the Labour group.  "Our plans are to build on what we have done this evening and looking forward to the next election and building our majority.  He added he was disappointed with the low turnout which, in some wards, got little over 20 per cent.  Councillor Bird said: "The turnout is appalling and I understand why people might be apathetic to voting as they have probably been electioned out.  "I think there is a great deal of anger on the doorstep because the MPs in Westminster have not delivered the vote that the country cast - 17.5 million people said we should be out of Europe and that's exactly where we should be."  Walsall Labour group deputy leader Lee Jeavons said he and his colleagues would assess where things went wrong for them once the dust had settled.  He said: "Well clearly it is disappointing. We came here hoping to gain seats and we lost two and you can't get around the fact that is disappointing.  "We will have to sit down in the cold light of day when people are not so tired and emotional and work out exactly what happened tonight.  "I'm not pointing fingers. Everybody worked their socks off.  "We need to ask 'why did this happen?' When you look at Walsall, we've had two sets of disappointing results two years in a row so clearly there needs to be some analysis."  "We believe what is going on is an anti-democratic thing. A lot of people stopped at home and we had more spoiled ballot papers tonight than I've ever seen. And they were deliberately spoiled and I think that reflects the mood of the people."  Last month, Councillor Sean Coughlan stepped down as Labour leader due to mental health issues and a new chief will be elected this evening.  Councillor Jeavons added: "The group will make some decisions tomorrow and we will choose a leader and a deputy leader and we will move on.  "The party in Walsall is beginning to renew itself and reinvigorate but we have reached a low point so we need to see how we are going to work up to a high point."


birminghammail--2019-05-03--Local election 2019 results IN FULL as 248 councils declare polls

Voters have vented their anger at the two main parties over the continuing Brexit deadlock as both the Tories and Labour suffered losses in the English council elections.  Conservatives shed more than 400 seats and 16 councils in early results, with voters apparently expressing frustration at the Government’s failure to deliver Brexit as promised on March 29.  There were calls from Tory MPs for Theresa May’s removal as leader, with senior Brexiteer Sir Bernard Jenkin warning that the party would be “toast” unless it “mends its ways pretty quickly”.  Watch above to see the results from the Midlands local elections at a glance  But Labour also struggled, losing seats at a point in the electoral cycle when they could expect to be making significant gains at the expense of the Government.  In contrast, the Liberal Democrats were enjoying a good night, with some predictions that they could pick up as many as 500 seats.  With results in from 109 of the 248 councils where elections are being held, the Conservatives had lost 409 seats and Labour 60, while the Lib Dems had gained 283 and the Greens 35.  There were 85 more independent councillors, while Ukip lost eight.  With some analysts predicting overall Tory loses of 800 seats or more, Brexit Minister James Cleverly suggested it would be a good result if they could be kept down to 500.  “If it was 500 rather than 1,000 I would be happy with that,” he said.  The Conservatives lost Peterborough, Basildon, Southend, Worcester, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield, Folkestone  and Hythe, Broxtowe, Tendring and Tandridge to no overall control while Winchester, Chelmsford, Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset Wesand Taunton, Vale of White Horse, Cotswold and Hinckley and Bosworth fell to the Liberal Democrats, with North Kesteven going to independents.  However the party held on in the bellwether council of Swindon, seen as a possible Labour gain, and took Walsall and North East Lincolnshire from no overall control.  Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the losses reflected the anger among voters over Brexit and called on MPs to rally behind Theresa May’s deal.  “Because we haven’t been able to deliver Brexit on March 29 we are seeing these results,” he said.  “The Prime Minister has stretched every sinew, she has tried everything. We can keep blaming the Prime Minister, ultimately it is in the hands of us parliamentarians.”  Sir Bernard Jenkin said voters overwhelmingly believed that she had “lost the plot” and that the time had come for a change of leader.  “They can see that she has lost the plot. They can see she is not in control of events,” he said.  “Certainly among Conservative activists and council candidates there is an almost universal feeling that it is time for her to move on.”  His comments were echoed by former cabinet minister Priti Patel who said voters saw Mrs May as “part of the problem”.  “I just don’t think we can continue like this. We need change, we need a change of leadership. Perhaps the time has now come for that,” she told the BBC.  Labour meanwhile lost control in Bolsover, Hartlepool and Wirral and the mayoralty in Middlesbrough, where its vote was down 11% as independent Andy Preston was elected, although it did gain Trafford from no overall control.  Even where the party held on in its traditional stronghold of Sunderland, which voted heavily for Brexit in the 2016 referendum, it still lost 10 council seats.  Council leader Graham Miller said the party had paid the price for its stance on Brexit, with some MPs calling for a second referendum.  “The people of Sunderland have said ‘We are just not accepting that’. We have seen a massive protest vote on that issue tonight,” he said.  And MP Jess Phillips blamed the party’s position on Brexit, which has seen it offer support for a second referendum only in a limited set of circumstances.  “I think our position on Brexit has failed,” said the Birmingham Yardley MP. “Bravery is needed. If you combine kindness and effectiveness with a bit of grit most people will respect you even when they don’t always agree.”  Labour’s national elections co-ordinator Andrew Gwynne accepted it had been “a difficult set of elections” for the party and that Brexit had “undoubtedly” been a factor.  “We have to look at the reasons why the Labour vote either didn’t come out or felt frustrated and voted for independents and smaller parties,” he told Radio 4’s Today programme.  “Undoubtedly, Brexit played a part in the results. It was the first opportunity people have had to vote and there’s been that sense of frustration.”  Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice of Strathclyde University said the voters appeared to be punishing whichever of the main two parties was in control in their area.  “The Labour Party is losing where they are strong historically, the Conservatives are losing where they are strong historically. It’s a plague on all your houses,” he said.  In contrast, the Liberal Democrats, who fought on a pro-Remain platform, were in buoyant mood.  As well as picking up councils from the Tories, they took North Norfolk and North Devon from no overall control.  Home affairs spokesman Sir Edward Davey said the results were “equivalent to our best strides forward ever in our history”.  “We are clearly back in the game,” said Sir Edward. “People have been frustrated with the appalling Tory Government, who have let them down not just on Brexit but with cuts to police and schools, and a split opposition with such poor leadership.  “They have been crying out for a strong alternative. The Liberal Democrats have proven we are that strong alternative to the Tories and Labour.”  With results in from 100 of the 248 councils where elections are being held the Liberal Democrats had a net gain of 235 seats and the Greens 34.  The Lib Dems took four councils from the Tories: Winchester, Cotswold, Bath and North East Somerset, and Hinckley and Bosworth, while North Kesteven went to independents.  Another point of satisfaction for the party came from the fact leading Brexiteer MP Jacob Rees-Mogg now has a Liberal Democrat councillor representing him in Somerset.  The Conservatives had a net loss of 332 seats and Labour 45.  While the Tories took two councils – Walsall and North East Lincolnshire from no overall control – they lost Peterborough, Basildon, Southend, Worcester, St Albans, Welwyn Hatfield, Folkestone and Hythe, and Tandridge to no overall control.  Labour was hoping to take Swindon from the Tories, but didn’t manage to.  Brexit-backing Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said: “If the Conservative Party doesn’t mend its ways pretty quickly, the Conservative Party is going to be toast.  “It is quite obvious that the Conservative Party has got to deliver Brexit – and a Brexit that really is Brexit.”  Education Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the losses reflected the anger among voters over Brexit and called on MPs to rally behind Theresa May’s deal.  Jeremy Corbyn’s party also struggled, losing seats at a point in the electoral cycle when they could expect to be making significant gains at the expense of the Government.  Labour lost control in Bolsover for the first time ever, in Hartlepool and in Wirral, although it did gain Trafford from no overall control.  Labour MP Jess Phillips reacted by saying her party’s position on Brexit had “failed”.  Fellow Labour MP Wes Streeting said losses in Sunderland and Liverpool demonstrated that “looking both ways on Brexit isn’t doing Labour any good”.  Labour MP Neil Coyle, a prominent critic of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, made clear that he believes the party should have done better.  Trafford:  Lab gain 6, LD gain 2, Green gain 1, C lose 9. New council: Lab 36, C 20, LD 4, Green 3  Hartlepool:  Lab lose to No Overall Control. Ind gain 3, UKIP gain 1, Lab lose 4. New council: Ind 16, Lab 13, C 3, UKIP 1  Wirral:  Lab lose to No Overall Control. Green gain 2, C gain 1, LD gain 1, Lab lose 2, Ind lose 2. New council: Lab 32, C 22, LD 6, Ind 3, Green 3  Bolsover:  Lab lose to NOC. Boundary change. Ind up 10, C up 2, LD up 1, Lab down 13. New council: Lab 18, Ind 16, C 2, LD 1  Walsall:  Cons gain from No Overall Control. C gain 2, Lab lose 2. New council: C 32, Lab 26, LD 2  North East Lincolnshire:  Cons gain from No Overall Control. C gain 5, UKIP gain 1, Lab lose 4, LD lose 1, Ind lose 1. New council: C 23, Lab 14, LD 4, UKIP 1  Basildon:  Cons lose to No Overall Control. Lab gain 2, Ind gain 2, C lose 4. New council: C 20, Lab 15, Ind 6, UKIP 1  Tandridge:  Cons lose to No Overall Control. R gain 3, LD gain 2, Ind gain 1, C lose 6. New council: C 16, LD 11, Ind 8, R 7.  Peterborough:  LD gain 2, Lab gain 1, Green gain 1, C lose 3, UKIP lose 1. New council: C 28, Lab 17, LD 9, Ind 3, Green 2, Lib 1C lose to NOC  Southend-on-Sea:  Cons lose to No Overall Control.   Lab gain 3, LD gain 3, Ind gain 2, C lose 8. New council: C 20, Lab 14, Ind 12, LD 5  St Albans:  LD gain 7, C lose 7. New council: LD 25, C 23, Lab 6, Ind 3, Green 1  Worcester:  Green gain 1, C lose 1. New council: C 17, Lab 15, Green 3  Winchester:  LD gain 5, C lose 5. New council: LD 27, C 18  Welwyn Hatfield:  LD gain 4, C lose 2, Lab lose 2. New council: C 23, Lab 13, LD 12  Folkestone & Hythe:  Lab gain 6, Green gain 6, LD gain 2, C lose 10, UKIP lose 2, Ind lose 2. New council: C 13, Lab 6, Green 6, UKIP 2, LD 2, Ind 1  North Kesteven:  Ind gain from C. Ind gain 8, C lose 8. New council: Ind 22, C 20, Vacant 1  Tendring:  Cons lose to No Overall Control. Ind up 5, Lab up 2, LD up 1, C down 17, R down 3 New council: Ind 17, C 16, Lab 6, UKIP 5, LD 2, Vacant 2  Broxtowe:  Lab gain 3, LD gain 1, Ind gain 1, C lose 5. New council: C 20, Lab 14, LD 5, Ind 3, Vacant 2  Winchester:  LD gain 5, C lose 5. New council: LD 27, C 18  North Norfolk:  LD up 11, C down 14, Ind down 5. New council: LD 30, C 6, Ind 4  Cotswold:  LD gain 7, Green gain 1, C lose 8. New council: LD 18, C 14, Ind 1, Green 1  Bath & North East Somerset:  LD up 20, Ind up 1, C down 25, Lab down 1, Green down 1. New council: LD 37, C 11, Ind 6, Lab 5  Hinckley & Bosworth:  LD gain 9, Lab gain 1, C lose 10. New council: LD 21, C 11, Lab 2  North Devon:  LD up 8, Green up 2, C down 7, Ind down 4. New council: LD 21, C 11, Ind 7, Green 2, Vacant 1  Chelmsford:  LD gain 26, Ind gain 5, C lose 31. New council: LD 31, C 21, Ind 5  Somerset West & Taunton:  LD up 18, Ind up 10, Lab up 1, Green up 1, C down 28, UKIP down 2. New council: LD 30, Ind 14, C 10, Lab 3, Green 2  Vale of White Horse:  LD gain 22, Green gain 1, C lose 23. New council: LD 31, C 6, Green  Ashfield:  Ind gain from NOC. Ind gain 14, Lab lose 12, C lose 2. New council: Ind 30, C 3, Lab 2  Thurrock:  Lab gain 1, C lose 1. New council: C 22, Lab 18, Ind 9  Stockport:  LD gain 1, Ind gain 1, C lose 1, Lab lose 1. New council: Lab 29, C 16, LD 4, Ind 2  Colchester:  LD gain 1, Green gain 1, C lose 2. New council: C 23, LD 13, Lab 11, Ind 3, Green 1  Portsmouth:  Lab gain 1, LD gain 1, C lose 1, Ind lose 1. New council: LD 18, C 16, Lab 6, Ind 2  Derby:  LD gain 2, UKIP gain 2, C gain 1, Ind gain 1, Lab lose 6. New council: C 20, Lab 16, LD 7, UKIP 5, Ind 3  Hart:  LD gain 2, Ind gain 1, R gain 1, C lose 4. New council: R 11, C 11, LD 10, Ind 1  Torbay:  LD up 6, C down 3, Ind down 2, UKIP down 1. New council: C 15, LD 13, Ind 8  Stoke-on-Trent:  C gain 8, Ind lose 5, Lab lose 3. New council: Lab 16, C 15, Ind 13  Allerdale:  Ind up 9, Lab down 14, C down 1, UKIP down 1. New council: Ind 20, C 15, Lab 14  Bolton:  LD gain 3, Ind gain 3, C gain 1, Lab lose 7. New council: Lab 23, C 20, Ind 8, LD 6, UKIP 3  Harlow:  Lab hold 7, C hold 4. New council: Lab 20, C 13.  Lincoln:  Lab 10, C 1. New council: Lab 24, C 9  Rochdale:  Lab gain 1, C lose 1. New council: Lab 47, C 9, LD 4  Stevenage:  Lab gain 1, LD gain 1, C lose 2. New council: Lab 27, C 7, LD 5  Exeter:  LD gain 1, Ind gain 1, C lose 2. New council: Lab 29, C 6, LD 2, Green 1, Ind 1  Wolverhampton:  C gain 1, Lab lose 1. New council: Lab 50, C 10  Wigan:  Ind gain 2, C gain 1, Lab lose 3. New council: Lab 57, Ind 10, C 8  Southampton:  Lab gain 3, Ind lose 2, C lose 1. New council: Lab 29, C 18, Ind 1  Bury:  LD gain 1, Ind gain 1, C lose 1, Lab lose 1. New council: Lab 29, C 16, LD 4, Ind 2  Tameside:  Lab gain 1, Green gain 1, C lose 1, Ind lose 1. New council: Lab 51, C 5, Green 1  Sefton:  Ind gain 2, C lose 2. New council: Lab 43, LD 12, C 6, Ind 5  Barnsley:  Ind gain 5, LD gain 3, Lab lose 7, C lose 1. New council: Lab 49, Ind 7, LD 4, C 3  Coventry:  Lab 14, C 4. New council: Lab 40, C 13, Ind 1  Ipswich:  Lab gain 2, LD gain 1, C lose 3. New council: Lab 36, C 9, LD 3  Reading:  LD gain 1, Green gain 1, C lose 2. New council: Lab 30, C 10, Green 4, LD 2  Plymouth:  Lab gain 1, C lose 1. New council: Lab 31, C 25, Ind 1  Luton:  LD gain 4, Ind lose 2, C lose 1, Lab lose 1. New council: Lab 32, LD 12, C 4  Leeds:  LD gain 2, C gain 1, Green gain 1, Lab lose 3, Ind lose 1. New council: Lab 58, C 23, LD 8, Ind 7, Green 3  Slough:  Lab gain 3, C lose 2, Ind lose 1. New council: Lab 37, C 5  Nottingham:  Ind up 3, Lab down 2, C down 1. New council: Lab 50, Ind 3, C 2  Telford & Wrekin:  Lab gain 8, C lose 7, Ind lose 1. New council: Lab 36, C 13, LD 4, Ind 1  Eastleigh:  LD gain 2, C lose 2. New council: LD 34, Ind 3, C 2  South Lakeland:  LD gain 3, Green gain 1, C lose 4. New council: LD 32, C 15, Lab 3, Green 1  Epping Forest:  LD gain 1, Green gain 1, Ind gain 1, C lose 3. New council: C 37, R 13, Green 3, LD 3, Ind 2  North Warwickshire:  Lab gain 1, C lose 1. New council: C 21, Lab 14  Rugby:  C 8, Lab 3, LD 3. New council: C 24, LD 9, Lab 9  Maldon:  Ind gain 10, C lose 10. New council: C 16, Ind 15  Bracknell Forest:  Lab gain 2, LD gain 1, C lose 3. New council: C 38, Lab 3, LD 1  North West Leicestershire:  LD gain 3, Lab gain 1, Green gain 1, C lose 5. New council: C 20, Lab 10, LD 4, Ind 3, Green 1  Wokingham:  LD gain 8, Lab gain 1, Ind gain 1, C lose 10. New council: C 31, LD 16, Lab 4, Ind 3  Melton:  Ind gain 4, Green gain 1, C lose 4, Lab lose 1. New council: C 22, Ind 5, Green 1  New Forest:  LD gain 11, C lose 11. New council: C 46, LD 13, Ind 1  East Hertfordshire:  LD gain 5, Lab gain 2, Green gain 2, C lose 5, Ind lose 4. New council: C 40, LD 6, Lab 2, Green 2  South Holland:  Ind gain 4, C lose 4. New council: C 24, Ind 13  Derbyshire Dales:  LD gain 5, Green gain 2, Lab gain 1, Ind gain 1, C lose 9. New council: C 20, LD 8, Lab 6, Ind 3, Green 2  West Lindsey:  LD gain 5, Ind gain 3, C lose 5, Lab lose 3. New council: C 19, LD 12, Ind 5  Dartford:  Boundary change. Lab gain 3, C lose 5. New council: C 29, Lab 10, R 3  Test Valley:  Ind up 5, LD up 3, C down 13. New council: C 24, LD 12, Ind 7  Braintree:  Green gain 5, R gain 2, Ind gain 1, C lose 6, Lab lose 2. New council: C 34, Green 6, R 4, Ind 3, Lab 2  East Riding of Yorkshire:  LD gain 5, C gain 2, Ind gain 2, Lab lose 6, UKIP lose 3. New council: C 49, Ind 10, LD 8  Medway:  Lab gain 5, C lose 2, Ind lose 2, UKIP lose 1. New council: C 33, Lab 20, Ind 2  East Hampshire:  LD up 7, Lab up 2, Ind up 1, C down 11. New council: C 32, LD 7, Lab 2, Ind 2  South Gloucestershire:  LD up 1, C down 5, Lab down 3, Ind down 2. New council: C 33, LD 17, Lab 11  Windsor & Maidenhead Royal:  LD up 8, R up 3, C down 24, Ind down 3. New council: C 23, LD 9, R 5, Ind 4  Dacorum:  LD gain 14, C lose 12, Lab lose 2. New council: C 31, LD 19, Ind 1  South Kesteven:  LD gain 2, Ind gain 2, C lose 4. New council: C 40, Ind 11, Lab 3, LD 2


birminghammail--2019-05-03--Sandwell Council local elections 2019 This is how you voted

Sandwell Council local elections 2019: This is how you voted

Sandwell remains one of the most politically unbalanced local authorities in the country, with Labour holding all 72 seats.  The party went into the 2019 local elections with 72 Labour councillors and emerged with the same number after successfully defending all 24 of the seats.  It came on a night where Labour found it difficult elsewhere - including seeing Walsall Council become a Conservative majority.  It comes on the back of a turbulent year in Sandwell for Labour.  Former leader Steve Eling, a councillor for more than 30 years, quit after the national Labour Party suspended him following a complaint, and did not contest the Abbey seat.  The run up to the elections also saw allegations that Labour’s national office had interfered in candidate selections, amid claims that allies of West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson had been dumped in favour of Corbynites.  A total of 88 candidates threw their hats into the ring for the highly-contested seats.  Both Labour and the Conservatives fielded a full list of nominees followed closely by the Green Party, which put 18 people this time round.  The election also saw the first appearance of a new local group in the shape of the Black Country Party, which stood two candidates in Sandwell, along with others across the region.  This is how the votes looked:


birminghammail--2019-05-03--Solihull Council local elections 2019 - Tories suffer losses after Brexit backlash

Solihull Council local elections 2019 - Tories suffer losses after 'Brexit backlash'

The Conservatives have held on to Solihull by the skin of their teeth, in what proved to be the toughest elections for the ruling group in many years.  Losses to both the Greens and the Lib Dems took the Tories from 31 seats to 26 - the minimum needed for an overall majority.  Amid a backlash over Brexit, many Tory voters were said to have stayed at home and opposition parties reaped the rewards in the borough.  The Greens made gains in Castle Bromwich, Shirley West and Shirley South, while the Lib Dems were victorious in both Lyndon and Elmdon.  And in a shock result in Knowle, Alan Rebeiro, who quit the Conservatives last year, won a knife-edge contest against his former party to hold his seat as an independent.  Cllr Ian Courts, deputy leader of Solihull Council and the frontrunner to take over from Cllr Bob Sleigh, who announced ahead of the election that he was standing down as the group leader, admitted it had been a difficult set of results but insisted "the wheel would turn."  "A large number of people ... are unhappy that the whole Brexit issue hasn't been dealt with and inevitably that will reflect on local voting," he said.  "It is a shame really that on the doorstep people don't sometimes distinguish [between local and national issues].  "Because I think most people regard Solihull as a very well-run council and stable and consistent over the years."  He also argued that his party was defending seats last contested "on a very good night" in 2015, when local elections coincided with a national contest.  Cllr James Burn, leader of the Green group, suggested that Brexit was transforming the political landscape but also believed that his party had become better organised and voters welcomed the fact they were doing things "in a different way".  "People are fed up," he said, when asked about the apparent backlash against the two main parties nationally.  "First past the post has bred a stale system. [The Conservatives and Labour] have ended up being such broad churches they are struggling to say something without offending someone."  On the situation locally, he said: "We have been saying for years that Solihull is one of the most unequal boroughs in the entire country. That should be a scandal, that should be front and centre of the council plans."  Cllr Glenis Slater, leader of the Lib Dems, said she had detected a lot of anger on the doorstep and had seen many spoiled ballot papers while watching the count.  She argued that there was "definitely" an opportunity for her party to regain ground in the face of voters' frustration but admitted it was more challenging in areas like Solihull, where a majority voted to Leave.  Cllr Alan Rebeiro (Ind, Knowle) hailed his win as "a victory for the village", paying tribute to the residents who had helped in his campaign.  "This goes to show that if you work hard and are in contact with the community what you do is appreciated," he said, after winning by 29 votes.  Labour, which had a bruising elections in many parts of the Midlands, gained some solace in Solihull after winning Kingshurst & Fordbridge. Independent Rob Hall had chosen not to defend the seat.  The new Conservative leader is set to be elected this evening, although they will have to govern with a much reduced majority.  There may be speculation over whether Cllr Jeff Potts (Knowle), who has sat as an independent following controversy over retweeting "anti-Muslim" messages in 2017, could formally rejoin the Conservative group.  He was readmitted as a party member last year but Cllr Courts confirmed he was still an "independent" on the council itself.  Julian Knight, Solihull's MP, was also at the count and told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that it was important that the Brexit deadlock was brought to an end.  "Turn-out is very low, in some wards I was in frankly I thought the turn-out was just over half what it would normally be in an election like this," he said.  "And that's because frankly people are fed up and want politicians to get on and deliver Brexit and I totally agree with them in that respect."  Although he has been critical of some council decisions recently, including a controversial shake-up of contracts covering support services, Mr Knight argued Solihull "delivers the best services for the best value in the West Midlands".


birminghammail--2019-05-03--Walsall Council local elections 2019 Conservatives take control

Walsall Council local elections 2019: Conservatives take control

The Conservatives have taken control over Walsall Council following a dramatic election night – breaking an eight-year deadlock for control of the authority.  The Tories took Birchills-Leamore and Bloxwich East wards from Labour to securing a majority of four councillors.  A total of 64 candidates went head-to-head across 20 wards in a bid to win the highly-contested council.  It meant a rare ray of sunshine for Theresa May amid Brexit pressure and cabinet sackings.  The council had been running as a minority Conservative administration, but now has 32 to Labour’s 26.  Both the ruling Conservative group and Labour fielded candidates in every single one of the 20 wards.  Liberal Democrats fielded seven, UKIP selected 10 candidates, the Green Party had four and three stood as independents.  Among the high-profile candidates, former council chief Mike Bird defended his Pheasey Park Farm seat and will clock up his 40th year on the authority.  Walsall's former mayor, Marco Longhi, defended his Pelsall ward seat while a former civic leader of the town, Pete Smith, lost his seat on the council in Blakenall.  Elsewhere in the Black Country, Labour maintained control of Sandwell and Wolverhampton councils.  The full results are below:


birminghammail--2019-05-07--This is where 2019 election results leave Solihull

After one of Solihull's most dramatic local elections for several years , the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) takes a closer look at what the results might mean for the borough.  Eight new councillors will be at the first Full Council meeting of the new municipal year.  Four replaced men and women who were not defending their seat, while the others ousted the incumbent in last week's elections.  Overall the number of women has increased slightly from 15 to 17, although they still only make up a third of the total in the chamber.  There are a number of new councillors from a BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic) background and they are in fact the first elected in Solihull since Cllr Ade Adeyemo (Lib Dem, Lyndon) took his seat in 2016.  The new intake is also on the whole younger, although Olton councillor Katy Blunt (Con) remains the only member under the age of 30.  There was an anxious few hours for Solihull's Conservatives last Friday, with all eyes on whether the ruling group would lose control.  Six losses would have seen the council revert to "no overall control" for the first time in almost a decade.  With both the Lib Dems and Greens having three plausible targets apiece, the Tories knew they would have to win in at least one of them or, failing this, snatch victory in either Knowle or Kingshurst & Fordbridge.  In the end holding off the Lib Dems in Olton was enough to keep the council blue, although the majority is incredibly slender compared with this time last week.  While Green councillor Tim Hodgson described the buffer as "wafer-thin", Cllr Ian Courts, the council's deputy leader, argued it was not the first time his party had needed to get by with fewer councillors.  While Bickenhill has, in recent years, been considered a safe seat for the Tories, there had been a few rumours early on Friday that Labour could claim a major scalp.  At one stage it was said that Cllr Bob Sleigh, the outgoing leader of the council, may be at risk, although the lack of bodies around the table suggested that the speculation could be wide of the mark.  In the end he held the seat by a comfortable margin and another four year term lies ahead.  It remains to be seen if he follows in the footsteps of his two immediate predecessors and takes a cabinet role or else returns to the backbenches.  Despite his own victory, it would have been a bittersweet day for Cllr Sleigh, whose wife Gail was defeated in Castle Bromwich.  For the first time in recent memory this was an election in which all three of Solihull's main opposition parties had something to smile about when all the ballot papers were counted.  For a brief few hours, the borough's Green group was the largest in the country, although it was leapfrogged when the Brighton results were declared later in the day.  In Chelmsley Wood, Karl Macnaughton amassed more than 80 per cent of the vote and it has been suggested that the party has no safer seat anywhere in the country.  Although the growing base will mean yet more seats to defend going forward and increased scrutiny of the party's own policy platform.  The Lib Dems are finally showing signs of recovery having seen a dramatic collapse in support following the party's decision to go into government in 2010.  Valuable gains in Elmdon and Lyndon will mean that the group isn't quite so stretched when it comes to shadowing the various portfolios, although there may be slight disappointment that the other target seat, of Olton, remained Conservative.  Labour's win in Kingshurst & Fordbridge means that Solihull has an "all-red" ward once again and the party will be pleased to have edged the Tories in the sort of traditional working class area where many voted for Brexit.  Although the size of the Green majorities in Smith's Wood and Chelmsley Wood suggests there is a lot of work needed to win back neighbouring wards.  It was a good election for independent candidates across the country and Alan Rebeiro was among those who emerged victorious last week.  His narrow victory in Knowle was especially significant, given that the seat is a traditional Conservative stronghold.  Commenting on the triumph against his old party, Cllr Rebeiro said it was proof that it was possible to beat both the odds and the party machine.  While he has said he will support "all sound and progressive" policies from the administration, he has also signalled he will be able to be more forthright in his comments on, for example, the Local Plan - which is set to bring hundreds of new homes to the village.  It's worth remembering that two new parties, which did not field candidates in this month's council contests, are about to enter the fray.  The Brexit Party - set up by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage - and Change UK, founded by a group of disillusioned  ex-Labour and Conservative MPs, could yet change the dynamic in the borough.  Given that Lyndon, for instance, was decided by just nine votes, it's likely that the arrival of new political forces could have an impact, especially in the most marginal seats.  And considering that UKIP had borough councillors as recently as last year, it would be wrong to dismiss the possibility that those standing for upstart parties might not win outright in some parts of Solihull.


birminghammail--2019-09-04--Boris Johnsons government in crisis as MPs stop him calling an election and demand Brexit delay

Boris Johnson's government in crisis as MPs stop him calling an election and demand Brexit delay

Boris Johnson's government was plunged into chaos tonight after he asked for a general election to decide who runs Britain - and his plea was rejected by MPs.  Earlier in the day, the Commons approved a new law designed to force the Prime Minister to ask the European Union to delay Brexit until at least January 31, despite his vow that he will take the UK out of the EU on October 31.  Mr Johnson responded by telling MPs there an election "must now" be held, so that the British people can decide whether they back his Brexit plans or not.  But Jeremy Corbyn ordered Labour MPs to vote against an election - and said he would only change his mind if Mr Johnson delayed Brexit.  Mr Corbyn said: "If he has a Brexit plan - be it No Deal or this new mystery proposed deal we are yet to see any detail of - then he should put it before the people in a public vote, a referendum or a general election and seek a mandate from them.  "Let the Prime Minister go to Brussels tomorrow and ask for an extension so that he can seek a mandate for his unknown Brexit plan and put it before the people."  Mr Johnson has insisted he would never do that, but it's unclear what he can do instead. While MPs have approved a law to ban him from carrying out Brexit if there is no withdrawal agreement, they have also repeatedly rejected the agreement negotiated between the EU and the UK. There is no sign that the EU is willing to offer a different one.  In the past, Prime Ministers had the power to call a general election whenever they wished. But the Fixed Term Parliaments Act, which became law in 2010, means that they now need the support of two thirds of MPs to do so.  In a vote on holding an election, 298 MPs backed the proposal and only 56 opposed it - but this did not mean the measure had the support of two thirds of MPs.  Mr Johnson may find some other means of calling an election, perhaps by introducing a new which only needs the support of a simple majority of MPs. But it's unclear whether he could even win that vote, following a week of drama which has torn the Conservative Party apart.  On Tuesday, the Prime Minister expelled 21 former Tory MPs from the Parliamentary party, after they backed legislation to block a no-deal Brexit. By stripping them of the party whip, he has made it unlikely they will able to stand as Conservative candidates in any future election - but it also means they have no incentive to support him in any future Commons votes.  Stourbridge MP Margot James was one of the MPs to lose the Tory whip. Meriden MP Dame Caroline Spelman later joined the rebellion against a no-deal Brexit, but remains a Conservative MP.  Mr Johnson insists he still hopes to agree a deal with the European Union. He argues that preparing for a no-deal Brexit will make the EU more willing to negotiate, and by blocking no-deal, MPs have sabotaged the Government's attempts to negotiate.  Birmingham MP Jess Phillips (Lab Yardley) condemned Mr Johnson in a powerful speech in the Commons. She said she would not vote to hold any election due to take place before October 31.  She said: "I have absolutely no faith in anything that the current Prime Minister says. Literally none. I wouldn't trust him."  She added: "The Prime Minister is playing some bully boy game ... the reality is that what we have here is a game where we're not being tolf what he rules are.  "The Prime Minister could bring a deal to this House. He could tell us what his plans are for Northern Ireland. He could tell us what his plans are for trade."  Earlier, the Prime Minister said: "I think it's very sad that MPs have voted like this, I do, I think it's a great dereliction of their democratic duty.  "But if I'm still Prime Minister after Tuesday October 15, then we will leave on October 31 with, I hope, a much better deal."  He mocked Jeremy Corbyn for opposing a referendum, saying: "The PM put pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to get Labour to back a vote for an early general election.  Mr Johnson said: "He has demanded an election for two years while blocking Brexit.  "He said only two days ago that he would support an election and now Parliament, having passed a Bill that destroys the ability of Government to negotiate, is he now going to say that the public can't be allowed an election to decide which of us sorts out this mess?  The PM continued: "I don't want an election, the public don't want an election, the country doesn't want an election, but this House has left no other option than letting the public decide who they want as Prime Minister."


birminghammail--2019-09-04--Boris to demand General Election after MPs defeat him again over no-deal Brexit

Boris Johnson will attempt to call a General Election, after he was defeated by MPs for a second time over Brexit.  The House of Commons voted in favour of a law, by 329 in favour and 300 against, that will ban the Prime Minister from carrying out his promise to deliver Brexit on October 31, if there is no deal with the EU.  Today's defeat for Mr Johnson, in a vote at around 5pm, had been expected after the Prime Minister lost an historic Commons vote on Tuesday night which began the process of making the legislation possible.  It means he is now bound by law to write to the EU asking for Brexit to be delayed until at least January 31, unless MPs either approve a deal with the EU, or vote to allow a no-deal Brexit to go ahead.  But Mr Johnson has vowed that he will never ask for a further delay. Instead, he will now attempt to carry out his threat to call a general election, by moving a motion calling for a poll.  The Prime Minister could once again, be defeated by MPs. No election is officially due until 2022, and he needs to win a vote in the Commons with a two-thirds majority in order to hold an early one. As Labour says it currently opposes an election until it can be certain a no-deal Brexit has been blocked, he's unlikely to get the support he needs.  It's thought that Mr Johnson may try other methods of getting an election, such as trying to introduce a new law or even encouraging a "no confidence" vote in his own government. But at this point it's impossible to say if such a ploy would succeed.  Philip Hammond, who was Chancellor in Theresa May's Conservative Government until July, was one of those opposing Mr Johnson today. He criticised the "mass purge" of Tory MPs who defied the Government on Tuesday night, which saw him and others lose the Tory whip.  Mr Hammond said the Bill aiming to block a no-deal Brexit is not about undermining the Prime Minister's negotiating position or handing power to Labour.  He said: "I would sooner boil my head than hand power to the leader of the opposition."  He added: "Most of us will have no truck with a vote of no confidence. The purpose of this Bill is to instruct this Government and this administration how to conduct the UK's future arrangements with the European Union. It is not an attempt to remove this Government, it is certainly not an attempt to hand power to the leader of the opposition."  He said there is "no mandate" for a no-deal Brexit.  Other former Tory ministers who have lost the whip include Margot James, the MP for Stourbridge. She told Birmingham Live that she believed Mr Johnson may want to negotiate a deal with the EU, but the same was not true of his chief adviser, Dominic Cummings.  “I think the main obstacle to him [Mr Johnson] in getting a deal is that he has set the bar unrealistically high. I don’t know whether deliberately or not. I’m not going to cast aspersions on his motives.  “I do think his erratic and reckless decisions, such as proroguing Parliament, provoking everybody, creating even more division, and finally the summary dismissal of over 20 of his colleagues - and the eradication overnight of his majority - I think is reckless in the extreme. And I'm afraid it really does underline all the reasons that I did not vote for him as our leader back in July.  “I’m absolutely deeply suspicious of the motives of his chief of staff, Cummings. Cummings couldn’t care less if we got a deal.”  Labour MP Hilary Benn introduced the legislation. He told the Commons: "The purpose of the Bill is very simple. It is to ensure that the United Kingdom does not leave the European Union on October 31 without an agreement.  He said the Bill has "wide cross-party support", including from former senior Cabinet members.  Mr Benn added: "You could describe it as a somewhat unlikely alliance, but what unites us is a conviction that there is no mandate for no-deal, and that the consequences for the economy and for our country would be highly damaging."  The Bill gives the PM until October 19 to strike a deal or be forced to ask for an Article 50 extension from the EU up until January 31.  Despite this afternoon's vote, the Bill has not yet become law. It will require further debate in the Commons and debate in the House of Lords first.  Labour said it was taking legal advice to ensure Boris Johnson cannot "wriggle out" of attempts to block a no-deal Brexit. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell said Mr Johnson's opponents had no confidence that the Prime Minister would "abide by the law" even if they pass legislation effectively blocking a no-deal Brexit on October 31.  Mr McDonnell called the PM a "slippery customer" and said legal advice was being sought to ensure the Conservative Party leader could not ignore the legislation MPs are looking to pass to prevent a no-deal exit.  Speaking to journalists in Westminster, Mr McDonnell said: "We want to get the legislation secured (with) royal assent but we are not going to be tricked or conned by Johnson, so we are looking at every way in which, having secured the legislation, that he can't wriggle out of abiding by the law and implementing it.  "We are dealing with an extremely slippery customer whose association with the truth can be construed as passing to say the least.  "At the moment, there is nothing that Johnson has done that gives us the confidence he will abide by the law."  Opposition parties will meet on Thursday morning to look at the options and have been seeking legal advice, the Hayes and Harlington MP confirmed.


birminghammail--2019-11-01--Jeremy Corbyn and Boris Johnson live TV general election debate date set

The first televised election debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn has been set for November 19.  The debate will be aired on ITV and it will be the first time the party leaders go head to head in the election campaign.  Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn challenged Mr Johnson to a debate earlier in the week, and on Friday said it was "welcome" that he accepted.  "This is a once in a generation election. So it's welcome that Boris Johnson has accepted our challenge of a head to head TV debate. The choice could not be clearer: Boris Johnson's Conservatives protecting the privileged few or a Labour government on the side of the many," Mr Corbyn tweeted on Friday.  Mr Johnson also took to Twitter to comment on the debate.  "Looking forward to making the positive case to the country that we should £GetBrexitDone & deliver on the people's priorities - £OurNHS, schools, tackling crime & the cost of living," he said.  The Prime Minister was accused of running scarred from TV debates by rival Jeremy Hunt during the race to take over the Tory Party after the departure of Theresa May.  Mr Johnson did take part in two one-on-one debates during the battle for the Tory crown, but not before Mr Hunt and others placed him under great pressure to do so.  ITV Press Centre made the announcement on Twitter on Friday afternoon and said details of further multi-party debates will be released in due course.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--Election 2019: Who will win the general election?

Everybody wants to know who's going to win the general election. But there's only one honest answer to this question - nobody knows who's going to come out on top, and we won't know until the votes are counted after voting on December 12.  It wasn't always like that. There have been periods in British history when one party was very clearly ahead of the other. For example, in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was clear that Labour was more popular than the Conservatives.  We're in a period now where politics is very unpredictable. That's partly because of Brexit, which might affect how people vote. It's also because smaller parties like the Brexit Party, the Green Party and the SNP have done well in recent elections. And both Labour and the Conservatives - but Labour most of all - have been through radical changes in recent years.  Despite all that, it's still possible to make a guess about what might happen in this election.  Opinion polls show the Conservatives are in the lead  Recent opinion polls all show that the Conservatives are more popular than Labour.  a poll by YouGov found 39% of voters plan to back the Conservatives, with 26% supporting Labour.  A poll by Opinium found 41% backing the Conservatives and 29% supporting Labour.  A Deltapoll survey also found 41% backing the Conservatives and 29% backing Labour.  As we all know, the only poll that matters is the actual vote on December 12. But until then, these opinion polls are the only real measure of what the public is thinking.  Reasons why the Conservatives might win • Boris Johnson might be more popular with voters than Theresa May, the last Conservative leader • His promise to "get Brexit done" might appeal to people who support Brexit, and to people who don't really support Brexit but think we have to leave the EU and should get it over with • He's abandoned austerity. Boris Johnson doesn't talk about cutting spending, he talks about spending more on police, schools and the NHS • Jeremy Corbyn, the Labour leader, appears to be unpopular with some votes • Boris Johnson is unpopular with some voters, and Labour is trying to convince voters that he's done a secret deal to sell the NHS to Donald Trump • Labour is offering a second referendum on Brexit. If you want to stop Brexit then getting a Labour government is probably your best hope of doing so • The Conservatives have been in power for more than nine years and you can argue that some things have got worse. For example, there are fewer police officers, council services have been cut and more people are forced to use food banks • Labour has moved to the left under Jeremy Corbyn and for some voters, that's exactly what they want. Labour's plans to introduce a four-day week and for the government to own 10% of the shares in larger businesses may prove to be popular • Labour probably doesn't need to get a majority of the seats in order to form the next government (and the real definition of "winning " an election is being in power once it is over). In a hung Parliament, smaller parties such as the SNP and Liberal Democrats can help decide who forms a government. Even if they don't do an official deal with Labour, they are likely to prevent Boris Johnson becoming Prime Minister if they possibly can, because they don't support Brexit. The SNP also wants a second Scottish independence referendum, which the Conservatives would block.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019 Aldridge-Brownhills candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Par

General Election 2019 Aldridge-Brownhills candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and other

On December 12, voters in the Aldridge-Brownhills constituency will flock to polling stations to have their say on who will run the country.  During the last election in 2017 the Conservatives saw a staggering 13 per cent rise in votes.  The party have managed to hold their seat since 1979, when they gained it from Labour - where votes saw a swing of 9.8 per cent from Labour to Conservatives.  Although the Tories have taken some hits in losing votes over the years, they have still managed to keep their seat.  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019 Cannock Chase candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and

General Election 2019 Cannock Chase candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and others

A general election is set to take place on December 12- meaning voters across the Cannock Chase constituency will have their say on who gets the seat.  The conservatives gained the seat in the 2010 poll after a 14 per cent swing in their favour.  Every election since then they have managed to hold the seat.  The party saw an increase of 10.8 per cent in votes in the 2017 election and have seen the parties votes rise in every poll.  Here are the candidates:  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.  Keep up-to-date with all things bostin' in the Black Country on our We Love The Black Country Facebook group - where you'll get the latest news, travel, weather and events in your area.  To keep up-to-date with crime in your community, join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019 Stafford candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and othe

General Election 2019 Stafford candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and others

A new candidate is set to replace James Lefroy for the Conservatives in the up coming election.  Voters will have their say on December 12, on who gets the keys to number 10 following the dissolution of Parliament.  The Conservatives gained Labour's seat back in 2010 and have held it ever since.  Jeremy Lefroy has been the MP for the last nine years, but now the party has a new selected candidate - Theo Clarke.  The party has seen a successful increase in votes during the last three elections, snapping up 54.7 per cent of the voters last time.  The last time the Conservatives saw a decrease in votes was back in the 2005 general election.  Here are the candidates:  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019 Stourbridge candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and o

General Election 2019 Stourbridge candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and other

The general election is fast approaching, meaning that voters in Stourbridge will soon cast their votes on whether the constituency seat remains blue.  The Conservatives have won the majority of votes since the general election in 2010, after Margot James nudged out Lynda Waltho.  Margot James has been the MP for the last nine years and is the selected candidate for this years election. In 2017, she won more than 54.5 per cent of the voters but has now stood down.  The Tories have seen an increase in every election after 1997, where they saw a steep drop of 13 per cent in voters.  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019: Dudley North candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and

General Election 2019: Dudley North candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and others

On December 12, voters will flock to polling stations across the Dudley North constituency.  Ian Austin was the incumbent for Dudley North but now the party has selected a new candidate.  Austin has been the MP for the constituency since 2005 after taking Ross Cranston's place.  However, Melanie Dudley will now takeover as Labour's new candidate.  Labour first won their seat back in the 1997 general election, with 5.2 per cent of votes.  Despite seeing a fluctuation in voters, the party have managed to keep their seat.  Also in the running for Dudley North's seat is:  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.  Keep up-to-date with all things bostin' in the Black Country on our We Love The Black Country Facebook group - where you'll get the latest news, travel, weather and events in your area.  To keep up-to-date with crime in your community, join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019: Dudley South candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and

General Election 2019: Dudley South candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and others

Voters in the Dudley South constituency are gearing up to cast their votes in this year's poll.  A general election has been called for December 12, after the dissolution of Parliament.  The Conservatives gained their seat from Labour in the 2010 general election.  Prior to the Conservatives victory, Labour initially won the seat in 1997.  However, since 2010, the Conservatives have managed to steadily increase their votes.  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.  Keep up-to-date with all things bostin' in the Black Country on our We Love The Black Country Facebook group - where you'll get the latest news, travel, weather and events in your area.  To keep up-to-date with crime in your community, join the Black Country Crime Watch Facebook group where you will be alerted to any suspicious or criminal behaviour happening in your area.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019: Redditch candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and oth

General Election 2019: Redditch candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and others

An election is coming, meaning voters in Redditch will soon voice who they want to run the country.  Before Parliament was dissolved, the constituency was represented by the Conservatives - with Rachael Maclean as the MP.  Redditch has been a Conservative constituency since the 2010 general election, when Karen Lumley nudged out Jacqui Smith.  Since then the party has held the seat and secured 5.2 per cent of the votes in the last election.  Rachel Maclean who was the latest MP is also the party's selected candidate for this year's election.  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--General Election 2019:Tamworth candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and othe

General Election 2019:Tamworth candidates for Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, Brexit Party and others

The people of Tamworth are gearing up for the upcoming general election following the dissolution of Parliament.  On December 12, voters will pile into their local polling station to mark their ballots in favour of who they want to see running the country for the next five years.  The conservatives gained the seat from Labour back in the 2010 election.  In the last election the party won over the majority, bagging 61 per cent of votes.  Labour were far behind with just 34.8 per cent but the Liberal Democrats didn't get a look in with a mere 4.2 per cent.  Tamworth's latest incumbent, Christopher Pincher, will also stand to run again in this year's election as he has done for every one since 2005.  Below are the selected candidates:  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.


birminghammail--2019-11-14--What was voter turnout in the last general election and what will happen this time?

Something remarkable happened in the last general election, in 2017.  Voter turnout was up. That means more people decided to vote in 2017 than voted in other recent elections.  However, it's still not good news. Because turnout in general elections over the past 20 years, including in 2017, is much lower than it used to be.  Turnout is the number of people who vote in an election as a proportion of all the people who were eligible to vote. So a turnout of 70%, for example, would mean seven out of ten people who could have voted actually did so.  Turnout in 2017 was 68.8%. That means that for every 1000 people who were eligible to vote, 688 people actually voted.  If you simply look at the number of votes cast, you'll find that tends to go up as time goes by. But that's because the population of the country keeps on growing. So the turnout figure is a better guide to whether people are taking part in elections or not.  How has turnout changed over time?  The 2017 figure of 68.8% was an improvement over other recent elections. Perhaps the 2017 election seemed particularly interesting to people.  Turnout in 2015 it was 66.4%. In 2010 it was 65.1%, in 2005 it was 61.4% and in 2001 it was 59.4%.  However, if you look at elections before 2001, turnout used to be much higher.  In 1997 it was 71.3%. In 1992 it was 77.7%, in 1987 it was 75.3%, in 1983 it was 72.7% and in 1979 it was 76%.  What will turnout be in 2019?  We don't know, but this election is similar to the 2017 election in many ways. Brexit is an issue, and Jeremy Corbyn is still Labour leader.  Also, the election began with the Conservatives apparently in the lead - according to opinion polls - but nobody is sure what the final result will be. That's also what happened in 2017.  So it's possible turnout might be similar too.


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Coventry North East Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

Coventry North East was held by Labour in 2017, and since 2015, the ward has been represented by Colleen Fletcher of the Labour Party.  Since its 1974 creation the area has been a Labour Party stronghold with the Conservative Party finishing second.  In 2017 General Election , Fletcher won a majority with 29,499 votes, up 11 per cent.  Conservative candidate Timothy Mayer made a six per cent gain, receiving 13,919 votes, with Russell Field of the Liberal Democrats achieving 1,350, down two per cent.  Ukip suffered a loss of 11 per cent, with 1,350 votes.  Incumbent Colleen Fletcher, who represents Labour, will contest the seat once again, along with candidates from the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and the Brexit Party.  The General Election will take place on December 12.  Who are the candidates for Coventry North East in 2019?


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Coventry North West Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

Coventry North West was held by long-serving Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson in the 2017 General Election .  Mr Robinson, who will be 79-years-old by the time of the General Election, was contesting his seat for the 11th time.  But this year, Robinson is stepping down.  Mr Robinson has represented the ward since 1976 – a total of 43 years – and made the announcement earlier this year that he was retiring due to ill health.  With a General Election set to take place on December 12, Labour have announced their candidate to stand for the seat. Other parties have also announced who they will be putting forward.  Mr Robinson has represented the ward since 1976 – a total of 43 years – and made the announcement earlier this year that he was retiring due to ill health.  With a General Election set to take place on December 12, Labour have announced their candidate to stand for the seat. Other parties have also announced who they will be putting forward.  In 2015, Mr Robinson won with an overall majority of 18,557.  This year, he received 26,894 votes, up 12.94 per cent.  Conservative candidate Resham Kotecha racked up 36 per cent of the vote with 18,134.  Ukip's Michael Gee was down 12 per cent, to just 1,525 votes, while Liberal Democrat and Green candidates Andrew Hilton and Stephen Gray were down one and three per cent respectively.  Who are the candidates for Coventry North West?  The Brexit Party have not yet declared a candidate. A party spokesman said the candidate will be revealed "in due course".


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Coventry South Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

Labour held Coventry South in the 2017 General Election, after MP Jim Cunningham emerged victorious.  Mr Cunningham’s seat had been a key target for the Conservatives but he increased his majority to more than 8,000.  The candidates contesting the seat were the Conservative Party's Michelle Lowe, Labour's Jim Cunningham, UKIP's Ian Rogers. The Green Party's Aimee Challenor, Liberal Democrat Greg Judge and Independent Sandra Findlay.  Coventry South was held by the Labour Party in 2015 with a majority of 3,188 over the Conservatives. It has been a Labour seat since it was established in 1997.  This year, in Coventry South there’ll be changes whatever happens, as incumbent Jim Cunningham is stepping down.  The long-serving MP is retiring after representing the constituency since 1992 – although the boundaries have changed slightly and it was known as Coventry South East before 1997.  He announced he was stepping down in September and said it was time to "pass the baton on to someone new".  Who are the candidates for the Coventry South constituency?


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Kenilworth and Southam Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

Kenilworth and Southam was held by the Conservatives in the 2017 general election after the constituency was created seven years earlier.  Since then, it has been represented by Jeremy Wright, who defended successfully two years ago.  It contains the district of Warwick wards of Abbey, Cubbington, Lapworth, Leek Wootton, Park Hill, Radford Semele, St John’s, and Stoneleigh, the District of Stratford-on-Avon wards of Burton Dassett, Fenny Compton, Harbury, Kineton, Long Itchington, Southam, Stockton and Napton, and Wellesbourne, and the Borough of Rugby wards of Dunchurch and Knightlow, Leam Valley, and Ryton-on-Dunsmore.  The seat was established in 1983.  Who are the candidates for Kenilworth and Southam ?  Conservatives won with a majority of 28,474 in 2015.  Jeremy Wright received 31,207 votes, up two per cent.  Labour's Bally Singh was up 10 per cent, to 13,121 votes, while Ukip, Green and Lib Dems all suffered losses of nine, one and 0.48 per cent respectively.  Richard Dickson, of the Lib Dems, racked up 4,921 votes, while Green candidate Rob Ballantyne achieved 1,133.  The turnout of 51,311 was a healthy 77.37%.


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Meriden Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

Meriden was held by the Conservative Party in the 2017 general election, and the constituency has been represented in the House of Commons of the UK Parliament since 1997 by Caroline Spelman.  Ms Spelman won in 2010 with an overwhelming majority of 28,791 - and, in 2017, she has racked up 33,873 votes, a share of 61.99 per cent, up 7.26 per cent from two years ago.  In September, Ms Spellman confirmed that she was standing down after months of abuse and threats relating to Brexit.  Labour candidate Tom McNeil has racked up 14,675 votes, up seven per cent, while Antony Rogers, of the Liberal Democrats, achieved 2,663 votes, down 0.14 per cent.  Ukip suffered considerable losses, down 13 per cent, with candidate Leslie Kaye achieving 2,016 votes.  The Conservative Party has announced Ms Spelman's successor as parliamentary candidate as Saqib Bhatti. A vote took place on Tuesday with Charlotte Hodilva and former Nick Timothy, an advisor to former PM Theresa May, also running for the spot.  Who are the candidates for Meriden ?


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Newcastle-under-Lyme Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

Constituents in Newcastle and Stafford are guaranteed to be getting new MPs, whatever happens on December 12, as previous seat-holders Paul Farrelly and Jeremy Lefroy have both stood down.  Anyone looking to vote in the December 12 election who is not already registered has until midnight on Tuesday, November 26 to submit their application.  Registration for postal voting must be completed by 5pm on November 26 if you live in England, Scotland or Wales, or by 5pm on November 21 if you live in Northern Ireland.  Jason Cooper, from the Brexit Party, will stand against the Tories' Aaron Bell, Carl Greatbatch of Labour, and Lib Dem candidate Nigel Jones.  The Green Party's Carl Johnson completes the list, which can be viewed below.  These are the candidates for 2019:  Why are we having an early election?  A general election - which determines who runs the country - normally happens every five years.  There are 650 constituencies, where voters are invited to select an MP to represent their area.  Nearly three-and-a-half years ago voters were called to the ballot box to decide whether the UK should remain in or leave the European Union.  The majority chose to leave and we were supposed to have left on March, 29 this year, however, it has since been delayed after MPs failed to back plans put forward by former Prime Minister Theresa May and now Boris Johnson.


birminghammail--2019-11-15--North Warwickshire Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

North Warwickshire was held by the Conservatives in the 2017 General Election.  The constituency has been represented by the Conservatives since 2005.  In 2015, Craig Tracey won with a majority of 20,042 and Mr Tracey extended this to 26,860 two years later.  Keith Kondakor of the Green Party received 940 votes, just a shade under 1,028, which was achieved by Liberal Democrat candidate James Cox.  Turnout was down on 2015 - from 68% to 65.46%.  The General Election will take place on December 12.  The Brexit Party said it will be announcing candidates for seats in Warwickshire and Coventry ‘in due course’.  Incumbent Craig Tracey will be defending his seat after serving as the constituency’s MP since 2015.  The previous MP was also Conservative. Dan Byles held the seat from 2010 – when the constituency was lost by Labour – until 2015.  Mike O’Brien held the seat for Labour from 1992.  Who are the candidates for Warwickshire North?


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Nuneaton Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

The Conservative Party held Nuneaton in the 2017 general election after Marcus Jones increased his majority to 23,755, from 20,827 in 2015.  His share of the vote was just six per cent from 2015.  Philip Johnson, of Labour, received 41 per cent of the voters, to Jones' 51 per cent, with 19,016.  The result means Johnson has increased his share of the vote by six per cent, too, with Ukip losing 10 per cent.  Turnout was 66 per cent, with Craig Carpenter of Ukip receiving 3.51 per cent of the vote, with 1,619.  Since 1997, the seat has been seen as an important national bellwether.  The boundaries of the seat changed in 2017.  Now, it takes in the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth wards of Abbey, Arbury, Attleborough, Bar Pool, Camp Hill, Galley Common, Kingswood, St Nicolas, Weddington, Wem Brook, and Whitestone, and the Borough of North Warwickshire wards of Arley and Whitacre, and Hartshill.  Who are the candidates for Nuneaton in 2019?  The Brexit Party have not yet declared a candidate. A party spokesman said the candidate will be revealed "in due course".


birminghammail--2019-11-15--Rugby and Bulkington candidates Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party

Rugby and Bulkington candidates Election candidates for 2019 - Labour, Tories, Lib Dem Brexit party and more

Rugby, Warwickshire, was held by the Conservatives at the 2017 general election after a total of four parties were represented on the ballot paper.  These included The Green Party, The Conservative Party, the Liberal Democrats and The Labour Party.  The constituency has been represented by Mark Pawsey, a Conservative, since its creation in 2010.  Pawsey once again won a majority, with 27,872 votes.  This is up five per cent from 2015, with Claire Edwards of Labour receiving a 10 per cent increase with 19,600 votes.  Jerry Roodhouse of the Liberal Democrats received 2,851 votes, down 0.11 per cent, while Green Party candidate Graham Bliss received 953 votes.  The turnout was 72 per cent.  The constituency contains: The Borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth ward of Bulkington, and the Borough of Rugby wards of Admirals, Avon and Swift, Benn, Bilton, Brownsover North, Brownsover South, Caldecott, Earl Craven and Wolston, Eastlands, Fosse, Hillmorton, Lawford and King's Newnham, New Bilton, Newbold, Overslade, Paddox, and Wolvey.  Who are the candidates for Rugby and Bulkington in 2019?