lazyred

We dont know what the terms are

I'd say the Greens went through this phase in the late 90's/early 2000s. All mainstream parties accept man made climate change and moving to net zero. The Greens have evolved into a broader party that has to promote policies for Govt and they will be scrutinised for them. I don't accept there are wasted votes just unintended consequences. If you think Labour are as bad as the Tories then there is no reason to vote for them. I think you end up with nothing rather than something.

I also want a large labour majority but to answer your question. Voting for a small Labour majority is the same as voting for a coalition. You can't predict which you will get. There is not much danger if the main Labour alternative is not Tory. By the way the 1970s is evidence coalitions can survive. The Lib-Lab pact kept Callaghan in Govt for a couple of years.

Last week US and UK were describing the proposed ceasefire in terms of Isreal making concessions. Cameron said Isreal had made a generous offer. This lets them blame Hamas for any breakdown in talks and Isreali move into Rafah.

Some unsavoury types washed in by the green surge

I thought Hamas wanted a permanent ceasefire otherwise Isreal will finish them off once the hostages are returned. Even if that happened surely Hamas are finished in Gaza? I presume US and Europe will be helping pay to rebuild Gaza and they'll want the Palestinian Authority in charge.

I think the attacks on her are unfair. Her job is to ask these questions not to give them an easy ride. All the commentary I've read has mentioned the effect of Gaza.

Just watched on iplayer. Her comments on Starmer and Labour were deranged. She's fuming that her plot has collapsed

Great result for Tracy Brabin as West Yorks Mayor. 50% of the vote and 10% swing to Labour

In the Calderdale Park ward shown here Labour came third behind Workers Party and Greens. They have always won easily in the past.

Greens won 34 out of 70 in Bristol. They did well generally, definitely picking up disaffected Labour/Muslim votes

The PNS in 1995 had Labour at 46 instead of 34 today. So 21 points ahead of Tories compared to 9 today. https://labourlist.org/2024/05/local-elections-results-2024-bbc-national-share-labour-tories/

Labour won North East mayor easily in the end. Jamie Driscoll was treat badly by Labour, he should have been on the candidate short list

As in Scotland, the targets were set to look good with no plan for achieving them. The targets will be changed because no one has prepared the voters for what is necessary.

That off the cuff remark early on about witholding water and aid hasn't been forgotten

Yeah easily enough to win the areas' seats at the general election. People have forgotten what an achievement it would be to get the 13% swing for a small majority in the next election. A 17% swing is massive.

Labour are briefing they've lost the West Midlands Mayor because of a drop in muslim votes

They might be attracted by a deal around immigration, leaving the EHCR and slowing progress to net zero. Without a deal they could still help certain MPs so they can influence the next Tory leader.

BBC saying Houchen has won for the Tories as Teeside mayor

Yeah I remember the Nuclear Power No Thanks stickers.They were successful in Germany which meant they needed russian gas and turned back to coal for a time after the Ukraine invasion.

I'm in a west yorkshire town in a Tory marginal with a Labour council. Multiple leaflets and 3 knocks on the door from Labour. Nothing from anyone else apart from one Tory leaflet through the post. I took that to mean Labour have motivated activists rather than that they are worried.

Its all PFI style contracts for private business investment. This costs a lot more in the long run because they have to guarantee returns. Needing private investment is also why they are going back on workers rights

Its says they will consult on (ie weaken) the single status for employees and drop the fair pay agreements except for social care.

Ths SNP only need one, it might get them through the next 2 years. Obviously support from the 7 Greens is better. Will the Greens benefiit from an election and what is the minimum they will they want from the next leader?

Anyone in the UK can get to Northern Island as easily as I could. People get to the UK on small boats because the French don't stop them. The EU insisted on no border checks across Ireland. They used the border against us in the Brexit deals cheered on by Ireland. We need a migrant deal with the EU but we shouldn't accept anyone from any EU country until then. The migrants may come back voluntarily anyway because the Republic is not very welcoming to refugees.