News | Elections
News | Elections
downsmail.co.uk
downsmail.co.uk Voters won’t be fooled again
POLLSTERS are warning that Britain’s third General Election in just four years is a journey into the unknown. With traditional political tribal
unity in meltdown over Brexit, and voters sickened by a seem- ingly endless diet of inaction, con- descension, spin and evasion from Westminster, those who make a living predicting the mood of the nation are almost at a loss.
Most pundits agree the Decem-
POLLSTERS are warning that Britain’s third General Election in just four years is a journey into the unknown. With traditional political tribal
unity in meltdown over Brexit, and voters sickened by a seem- ingly endless diet of inaction, con- descension, spin and evasion from Westminster, those who make a living predicting the mood of the nation are almost at a loss.
Most pundits agree the Decem-
ber 12 poll could be the most sig- nificant since the end of WWII. Upon it hangs not only the UK’s future relationship with the Euro- pean Union but, potentially, an- other move for Scottish independence and the end of the Westminster political system as we know it. Sir David Butler, who has 70
years’ experience at the polls, could only rejoice that he was no longer in the business of forecast- ing the outcome of elections when the latest ballot was announced. And Philip Cowley, Professor
of Politics at Queen Mary Univer- sity, London, cited a “youthquake”, collapse of party loyalty, broken promises and tac-
ber 12 poll could be the most sig- nificant since the end of WWII. Upon it hangs not only the UK’s future relationship with the Euro- pean Union but, potentially, an- other move for Scottish independence and the end of the Westminster political system as we know it. Sir David Butler, who has 70
years’ experience at the polls, could only rejoice that he was no longer in the business of forecast- ing the outcome of elections when the latest ballot was announced. And Philip Cowley, Professor
of Politics at Queen Mary Univer- sity, London, cited a “youthquake”, collapse of party loyalty, broken promises and tac-
Voters won’t be fooled again
DECEMBER’S general election is set against the background of Brexit and a divided country. Doug Kempster takes an overview and offers this assessment…
DECEMBER’S general election is set against the background of Brexit and a divided country Doug Kempster takes an overview and offers this assessment…
tical voting as the reasons why reading the tea leaves has become so difficult. In Maidstone and Malling, tra- ditional true-blue heartlands, however, even the most cautious commentators predict the Con- servatives will hold power. But respected pollster Martin Baxter at Electoral Calculus anticipates three of our four MPs will get a drubbing in terms of their voter share.
tical voting as the reasons why reading the tea leaves has become so difficult. In Maidstone and Malling, tra- ditional true-blue heartlands, however, even the most cautious commentators predict the Con- servatives will hold power. But respected pollster Martin Baxter at Electoral Calculus anticipates three of our four MPs will get a drubbing in terms of their voter share.
Maidstone and The Weald’s
Helen Grant (pictured above with supporters) could see her 34.2% of 2017 slashed to 16.3%,
Maidstone and The Weald’s
Malling’s Tom Tugendhat faces a fall from 41.3% to 28.5%, and Mid Kent’s Helen Whately is pre- dicted to see a drop from 35% to 28.8%. Only Aylesford’s Tracey Crouch is expected to buck the trend, seeing her share rise from 2017’s 23.3% to 25.3% this time round. One party insider suggests it’s no coincidence that she is widely perceived to be the local MP least likely to toe the party line.
Helen Grant (pictured above with supporters) could see her 34.2% of 2017 slashed to 16.3%,
The struggle both incumbent Candidates set out stalls
MAIDSTONE and Malling can- didates were quick to welcome news of another poll. Incumbent MPs Tracey Crouch,
MAIDSTONE and Malling can- didates were quick to welcome news of another poll. Incumbent MPs Tracey Crouch,
Helen Grant and Tom Tugendhat all supported the move as the only way to break the parliamen- tary deadlock over Brexit. Labour selected Dan Wilkin-
Helen Grant and Tom Tugendhat all supported the move as the only way to break the parliamen- tary deadlock over Brexit. Labour selected Dan Wilkin-
son (pictured) to fight Maidstone and the Weald who will be up against Lib Dem James Willis. Former Maidstone Grammar School pupil Mr Wilkinson, who grew up in Marden, said: “Our country is at a crossroads, and this election presents us with an historic opportunity to redress the imbalance between the many and the privileged few.” The Green Party’s Stuart Jef-
fery will also contest the seat. The Brexit Party has decided not contest Tory-held seats. Mr Willis told Downs Mail: “Maidstone and the Weald is a
8
son (pictured) to fight Maidstone and the Weald who will be up against Lib Dem James Willis. Former Maidstone Grammar School pupil Mr Wilkinson, who grew up in Marden, said: “Our country is at a crossroads, and this election presents us with an historic opportunity to redress the imbalance between the many and the privileged few.” The Green Party’s Stuart Jef-
fery will also contest the seat. The Brexit Party has decided not contest Tory-held seats. Mr Willis told Downs Mail: “Maidstone and the Weald is a
Maidstone East December 2019
Malling’s Tom Tugendhat faces a fall from 41.3% to 28.5%, and Mid Kent’s Helen Whately is pre- dicted to see a drop from 35% to 28.8%. Only Aylesford’s Tracey Crouch is expected to buck the trend, seeing her share rise from 2017’s 23.3% to 25.3% this time round. One party insider suggests it’s no coincidence that she is widely perceived to be the local MP least likely to toe the party line.
The struggle both incumbent
and would-be MPs face is gaining traction, with a politically-savvy
Candidates set out stalls
who will campaign for a second referendum on Brexit. Jenny Reeves stands for Labour. Mrs Parkin said: “Thousands
of young people who could not vote in 2016 should be given the chance to decide, and we all know much more now about the serious damage leaving the EU will do to the UK economy. A second referendum is essential.” The Green Party’s April Clark
great place to work and live, and I want to champion that, not sim- ply as a face at the odd photo op- portunity but rolling my sleeves up and getting stuck in.” In Faversham and Mid Kent,
MP Helen Whately faces the Green Party’s Hannah Temple and Lib Dem Hannah Perkin,
great place to work and live, and I want to champion that, not sim- ply as a face at the odd photo op- portunity but rolling my sleeves up and getting stuck in.” In Faversham and Mid Kent,
MP Helen Whately faces the Green Party’s Hannah Temple and Lib Dem Hannah Perkin,
will be challenging Mr Tugend- hat’s majority in Tonbridge and Malling. She said: “I am fighting this election for our climate – the biggest emergency we are facing. Over half of voters polled said climate change would affect how they voted, rising to 74% of under -25s.” Mrs Whately has recently
but disillusioned electorat who, on a local level, are wrestling with congested roads, over-develop- ment, ment, and swelling GP waitin lists. These voters can spot spi and “cleverly-worded” non-an swers and publicity stunts at 5 Political observers in both
and would-be MPs face is gaining traction, with a politically-savvy
Maidstone and Malling concede that a candidate of action, who can prioritise the thoughts, fears and feelings of the average person in the street above the political machinations of the Westminster bubble,bubble, can count on success i the December election... regard
the December election... regard- less of what pollsters predict.
less of what pollsters predict. RESULTS IN 2017
who will campaign for a second referendum on Brexit. Jenny Reeves stands for Labour. Mrs Parkin said: “Thousands
of young people who could not vote in 2016 should be given the chance to decide, and we all know much more now about the serious damage leaving the EU will do to the UK economy. A second referendum is essential.” The Green Party’s April Clark
will be challenging Mr Tugend- hat’s majority in Tonbridge and Malling. She said: “I am fighting this election for our climate – the biggest emergency we are facing. Over half of voters polled said climate change would affect how they voted, rising to 74% of under -25s.” Mrs Whately has recently
been promoted to a junior min- ister in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government.
Maidstone and The Weald: Con – 29,136 Lab – 11,432 Lib – 8,455 UKIP – 1,613 Green – 888 Other – 172
Faversham and Mid Kent: Con – 30,390 Lab – 12,977 Lib – 3,249 UKIP – 1,702 Green – 1,431
Tonbridge and Malling: Con – 36,218 Lab – 12,710 Lib - 3,787 Green – 2,335 UKIP – 1,857
RESULTS IN 2017
Maidstone and The Weald: Con – 29,136 Lab – 11,432 Lib – 8,455 UKIP – 1,613 Green – 888 Other – 172
Faversham and Mid Kent: Con – 30,390 Lab – 12,977 Lib – 3,249 UKIP – 1,702 Green – 1,431
Tonbridge and Malling: Con – 36,218 Lab – 12,710 Lib - 3,787 Green – 2,335 UKIP – 1,857
been promoted to a junior min- ister in Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government.
Chatham and Aylesford: Con – 25,587 Lab – 15,129 UKIP – 2,225 Lib – 1,116 Green – 573 Other - 260
Chatham and Aylesford: Con – 25,587 Lab – 15,129 UKIP – 2,225 Lib – 1,116 Green – 573 Other - 260
but disillusioned electorate who on a local level, are wrestling wit congested roads, over-develop and swelling GP waiting
lists. These voters can spot spin and “cleverly-worded” non-an- swers and publicity stunts at 50 paces. paces. Political observers in bot Maidstone and Malling conced that a candidate of action, wh can prioritise the thoughts, fear and feelings of the average perso in the street above the politica machinations of the Westminste can count on success in
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