ProjectFearlessnessJan 29

Here in the U.K. the Gorton and Denton by-election has got people making all kinds of predictions, with most people saying it's a straight battle between Greens and Reform.

I'll just leave this here by Professor Rob Ford from the University of Manchester. He's saying it's actually a 4 party battle with none of the parties having a clear route through to victory.

He's not making any predictions.

#UKPolitics

The Gorton and Denton by-election: a tale of two Manchesters?
https://swingometer.substack.com/p/the-gorton-and-denton-by-election?utm_campaign=post&showWelcomeOnShare=true

The Gorton and Denton by-election: a tale of two Manchesters?

Unpopular incumbent + fragmented opposition + unusual seat = unpredictable contest

The Swingometer
Show threadProjectFearlessnessJan 29

I can see it now. While all the candidates in the Gorton and Denton by election will be busy having a titanic ideological battle for the soul of the nation, the actual winner will be whoever promises to fix all those potholes on Hyde Road.

#UKPolitics
#Manchester

Show threadProjectFearlessnessJan 30

Here in the U.K. I know exactly who will win the Gorton and Denton by election.

It's whichever of the three parties on the left that stops using the threat of a Reform win as a stick to beat people into voting for them and actually starts campaigning.

The people of Gorton and Denton are many things, but stupid is not one of them.

#UKPolitics
#Manchester

Show threadMatt MascarenhasJan 30

@ProjectFearlessness Totally! So far the only candidate whose name I know is Hannah Spencer, of the Green Party.

Literally 100% of the coverage that's registered with me.

I'm just willing people on to talk about this by-election such that this kind of percentage – and, let's face it, good will towards the process – remains.

Show threadProjectFearlessness
@miblo
I like Hannah Spencer, but the Greens aren't helping anyone in Gorton by framing this as a "battle for the soul of the nation".
What the people actually want to know is what the candidates are going to do about local issues like poor health outcomes, low educational attainment, high unemployment and the housing shortage. You know, politics.
Jan 30 at 6:48pmWeb
Show threadMatt MascarenhasJan 30

@ProjectFearlessness Ach, I see, yep!

Just taking health, I reckon Hannah's campaign could be a great opportunity for some coalition building, associating with the hospital repair funding advocacy of my own MP Lisa Smart down in nearby Hazel Grove.

Lisa herself actually does this cool thing in her speeches of kind of knitting together our neighbouring constituencies, cross-party. I'd love for Hannah to tap into this.

Show threadProjectFearlessnessJan 30
@miblo
Yes, it would be great to hear some actual issues discussed instead of all the overwrought sniping. If it carries on like it has started off I might just move to Liverpool for the month.
Show threadMatt MascarenhasJan 30
@ProjectFearlessness Hehe, right!