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Senior sources inside the UK Independence Party (UKIP) have told Breitbart London that their only Member of Parliament, Douglas Carswell, faked his attendance in Oldham for the recent by-election in which candidate John Bickley came second to the Labour Party.
Mr. Carswell, who has again today opened up a leadership challenge against his party’s boss Nigel Farage MEP, is claimed to have only visited the constituency once, though repeatedly tweeted a number of different photos over the course of a matter of weeks to make it look like he had been to Oldham more than once.
A senior UKIP source told Breitbart London at the time: “He’s never here. He’s been here maybe once. There was even some talk about him carrying around a spare shirt and tie so he could change and make it look like he was here more often. I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s what people are saying. His social media proves he’s a fake”...
They really are out to get him now ... he's their only MP, it must rankle like hell.
Spelthorne DC - a Tuesday contest saw a Tory hold of a ward that has safely returned three councillors in recent years (though the LibDems snatched one back in 2003) though they will be pleased with a healthy increase since May to over 60% of the vote. This was mostly at the expense of UKIP who retained their second place on GE day (they had polled decently in 2011 as well) but even more distantly than then. LibDems third - their long term decline here continuing - and then Labour who were down about 5%, strangely enough almost exactly the share of the last placed Greens who were standing here for the first time.
Conwy - this one was on Wednesday, and again saw a Tory hold as they advanced strongly by around 15% or so - even though second placed Labour were little changed on the last 2012 contest here. Plaid remained in third, slightly up - and the LibDems polled a bit over 6% after sitting the last contest out (they have polled better here previously) The reason for this at first slightly strange set of figures was the almost total disappearance of a previously substantial Independent vote - not only did one of their two candidates top the poll three years ago, but the other polled respectably as well. And this becomes even more explicable when the winning Indy last time was a previous Tory incumbent (they had won both seats here comfortably in 2008 and more narrowly in 2004) who this time round endorsed the ultimately victorious Tory candidate.
Brent - moving to the usual Thursday contests now, this was a comfortable Labour hold with over half the vote; their share only fell by about 1% on last year despite an advance by the LibDems, who fell below the sole Green runner last time. This is former Sarah Teather country and its recent electoral history reflects that - whilst this ward has always returned three Labour councillors, a very easy win in 2002 was followed by a substantial LibDem advance in 2006 and their getting within about 50 votes of a seat on GE day in 2010. Followed by the post-coalition collapse, of course - even more complete here in 2014 than most of the country (or, indeed, London) Tories advance into third, up a bit on last time - but this was at least as much to do with a Green collapse, down over two thirds. UKIP stood here for the first time, but only got 2% for their pains.
East Hertfordshire DC - Tory hold (even though there was a nominations cock-up which meant the party name did not appear on the ballot paper) with an increase in their support to over half. Again, this is at least partly explainable by Independents - they came second in May but did not even stand this time. In actual fact, GE day saw the least convincing Tory performance here for some time - easy wins in 2011 and 2003 bookended an unopposed return in 2007. LibDems stood here for the first time in a dozen years, and were rewarded with second with near to 20% - ahead of UKIP and Labour, both slightly down on earlier this year. As were the last placed Greens, who fell to 4%.
Worcestershire CC - Tory gain from the localist Health Concern (winners in a 2013 by-election to get both the seats in this two member division as they had done in 2009, it was a gain from UKIP after they had won one of them earlier that year in the regular polls - the Tories last won here when they shared with HC in 2005) which gives away that this contest took place in the Wyre Forest area. This was the fragmented outcome we have become familiar with in elections here, with the Tories advancing but still winning with less than 29%. Health Concern were little changed on May 2013 and slightly down on the by-election, whereas third placed Labour marked time on the first but were up 4% compared to the latter. They overtook UKIP, whose decline since their high point here is now marked - but there was still just 8% between them and the Tory winners. The same can't be said for the Greens, last with less than 2% - a new recent low.
Ryedale DC - Liberal (yes, that's right, *not* LibDem) gain from Tory, taking over 35% in a ward they have never stood before (though they have a long standing power base elsewhere on this council) Tories clearly down on GE day - they have won both seats here every time since 2003, save for 2007 when they stood only one candidate and the LibDems cashed in - but they faired better than the Independents, who came second earlier this year but halved now to 15% in yet another decline. It is quite possible the Liberals were helped by another ballot paper blunder, this time by the LibDems who more than halved (though appearing as "no description" can hardly have helped them) Last place taken by the pro-devolution Yorkshire First, whose 4% is consistent with their generally modest electoral performances thus far.
That's not quite it for 2015 - there is one (Wednesday) contest next week, in Bucks.
Last edited by AnatolyKasparov on Fri 18 Dec, 2015 9:49 pm, edited 3 times in total.
BBC Breaking NewsVerified account
@BBCBreaking
Major powers agree text of draft UN resolution for Syria peace process, diplomats say http://bbc.in/1RtTiP8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
The statement backs a nationwide ceasefire in Syria to come into effect “as soon as the representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition have begun initial steps towards a political transition under UN auspices”.
UN security council adopts resolution on Syrian peace process
StephenDolan wrote:The statement backs a nationwide ceasefire in Syria to come into effect “as soon as the representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition have begun initial steps towards a political transition under UN auspices”.
UN security council adopts resolution on Syrian peace process
Link @WCL_News Dec 17
National Wildlife Crime Unit threatened with extinction via @wcl_news @fishvetmj #wildlife http://www.wcl.org.uk/national-wildlife ... nction.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; … @MarkAvery
Scott Nelson ☭ @TheMockneyRebel 6m6 minutes ago
Labour has failed to communicate with me yet publicly announces on Twitter I've been booted. This isn't over @issagaro @labourpress
Row been going on all evening, don't know rights & wrongs fully, but Labour can not "boot" someone over twitter, with no hearing or context ??? That just seem wrong to me (even if decision turned out to be right one).
