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Given that it is such a brexity area, I’m sure those disappointed will have no issue getting over their loss.
Hmmm, I’m inclined to see this as a relatively lightweight, mid-term protest from the core Tory demographic than a substantial shift in the national picture. The Shropshire Tory faithful just stayed home rather then hold their noses and tick a different box.
Whilst I'd agree, it's such a safe seat that in previous elections I'd imagine a lot of center/left voters didn't even bother going out.
So it will be interesting to see if the momentum carries through.
This constituency was also one of the highest brexit supporting ones in the country. Voting against the tories because of the impact of brexit would require them acknowledging they personally were wrong to vote in the referendum the way they did. That is a mountain that is never going to be climbed (to be fair it’s probably the same the other way too – the UK is terminally polarised on this I fear).
Convincing people that they were wrong to vote for brexit will be hard.
I think it will be better to focus on the current settlement being a Tory deal which has sold them out.
could just well be those lib dem/labour voters who didnt bother voting in a safe seat election
Ah but what this shows is that change is possible. It is worth voting something different. As with the new northern tory seats, it'll probably revert, but it's a massive kick up the arse to complacent parties and MPs.
Convincing people that they were wrong to vote for brexit will be hard.
From what I've seen of the reporting of canvassing, the impact that Brexit is going to have on farming has been a major issue on the doorstep.
Convincing people that they were wrong to vote for brexit will be hard.
Not hard at all, they can see it all around them. I think what you actually mean is admit they voted for it.
Convincing people that they were wrong to vote for brexit will be hard.
+1
Probably impossible.
Not hard at all, they can see it all around them. I think what you actually mean is admit they voted for it.
Facts don't change opinions / beliefs when those opinions / beliefs are emotively held.
Loads of studies on the subject....
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/02/27/why-facts-dont-change-our-minds
https://jamesclear.com/why-facts-dont-change-minds
https://research.com/education/why-facts-dont-change-our-mind
Maybe the narrative needs to change then. Rather than 'Look, you dickhead - you voted for this and i'ts a disaster' perhaps 'They cheated you and tricked you into voting for something that isn't what they said it was. Not your fault.'
From what I’ve seen of the reporting of canvassing, the impact that Brexit is going to have on farming has been a major issue on the doorstep.
What exactly did these pro-Brexit farmers think was going to happen? (Having been a student at an agricultural college, I've lots of old friends who farm, in some way or another, but don't think that instigating an out of the blue text conversation with this would be appropriate! 😀 I also can't imagine that any of my farming friends would be stupid enough to think they'd be better off after Brexit.)
‘They cheated you and tricked you into voting for something that isn’t what they said it was. Not your fault.’
Which is mostly true. They were lied to, and sold a pig in a poke
What's fascinating is that both Tory & Lib dem canvassers said that the farmers they spoke to were very upset with how brexit had turned out😜
Not wishing to turn this into the Brexit thread but you don't need to convince people that Brexit was bad, just that this version of Brexit is bad. Brexit in name only lets a lot of people feel like they've won without them loosing face.
Pretty obvious the Brexit people were conned into voting for (wishful thinking, xenophobic over excitement, glorious empire, subtle racism) isn't what the government is delivering. Convincing them its OK to admit you were conned rather than just ain wrong is a very canny line for opposition parties to take.
Interesting BBC vox pop - local protest votes for local candidates if its in any way representative. And a warning to the other parties as well, if true
BBC News - North Shropshire by-election: How did Tories turn off true blue voters?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-shropshire-59694892
I see Johnson’s fridge buddy Laura K. has coined a new piece of alliteration - of which she is far to proud of given its mediocrity - miserable mid-term.
Now that the 1922 committee are accepting letters by email how long till we see a leadership challenge. Your bets on the table please.
It can happen at a general election too - Ludlow (which is the entire south of the county nowadays), and which I always thought beyond hope, elected a Lib Dem in 1997. Labour voters spotted the opportunity, but I do know that there were a lot of fed up Conservatives.
Crikey ... Lib Dems.
I do find a certain dose of Schadenfraude in the party wiped out by Tory policies in the coalition govt being the one handing out the kickings to Johnson now.
You don't have to convince people they were tricked. Just that the Tories are screwing up "the amazing opportunity of Brexit". So it's Johnson's fault not that of Brexit voters.
You don’t have to convince people they were tricked. Just that the Tories are screwing up “the amazing opportunity of Brexit”. So it’s Johnson’s fault not that of Brexit voters.
Fine in principle, but I couldn't say "amazing opportunity " and keep a straight face 🤣
Some tory mp on the news today when asked about this, didn't think a 34% swing and losing a seat that his party had held for two centuries could be considered a disaster of monumental proportions.
Muttered on something about covid.
Genuinely surprised by it and very happy, it's such a cliche that there's unassailable tory safe havens but I think most people would have put this one in that list. Richly deserved.
bruneep
Full MemberHa ha You’d think that ….ever met a Scottish Tory.
Hah. Fondly remember that time John Lamont was asked to vote for a national outdoor events award, which had Tweedlove in it, from his own constituency... He voted for the Henley Regatta