Never mind the first British-Asian women MPs, tonight on BBC1 I think we've just had the first ever Brit Asian in Doctor Who's tardis! Or at least the first person in there ever to be called Nasreen Chaudary. Am I right? If yes, you go girl!
In fact, reading elsewhere about this just now, Meera Syal has apparently been desperate to appear on the show for some time. I'm not surprised. She and I are about the same age and so, growing up, the programme must have the same iconic status for her as for me. (Though I must say, I've tried but I'd still prefer David Tennant...sigh...him and Meera would have been magic.)
Doctor Who continues on Saturdays at 6.15pm on BBC One.
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Election results night
[Read this post back-to-front - it starts at the bottom ...]
I'm off to bed now. Will I wake up to a hung parliament or Tory-geddon?
The count for Greenwich is underway at the vast former Beckham Academy next to the O2 dome. Apparently there was some nervousness about the Cheryl Cole and Black Eyed Peas fans clearing off after their sold-out O2 concerts there tonight.
Nice to see two wonderful academics being called on for some TV political punditary. Profess Robert Hazell (from UCL's Constitution Unit) and Professor Peter Hennessey, from Queen Mary London and expert on British political procedures and Whitehall.
That's three women MPs returned so far...
23.40hrs: Sunderland Central
BNP: 1,913
Cons: 12,720
Lab: 19,485 Julie Elliot ELECTED
lib Dem: 7,191
UKIP: 1,094
[LAB HOLD. Swing Lab to Cons 4.8%. Turnout 57%]
23.20hrs: Washington and Sunderland West
BNP: 1,913
Cons: 8,157
Lab: 19,615 Sharon Hodgson ELECTED
Lib Dem: 6382
UKIP: 1,267
[LAB HOLD. Swing Lab to Cons]
Labour's 11th safest seat. Turnout 54%.
22.48hrs: News that 'hundreds' of people have been unable to vote, locked out, at polling stations in Lewisham (and Manchester, ealing, Hackney and Dalson). Reports that Police officers at a polling station in Brockley in Lewisham, south-east London, tell a BBC camera crew that voters are still being allowed to vote at 10.30pm. Police were called to a polling station in Manwood Road, Lewisham, south London, where around 300 people had yet to vote by 10pm, Scotland Yard said. There were reports of similar situations in other parts of the country.
22.51hrs: Houghton & Sunderland South
BNP: 1,961
Lib Dem: 5,292
UKIP: 1022
Cons: 8147
Lab: 19,137 Bridget Phillipson ELECTED
Ind: 2,462
[LAB HOLD. Swing: Lab to Cons just under 7%]
If this swing replicated across the country, then the Tories would have a majority!!
22.00hrs: A joint BBC/Sky/ITV exit poll says:
Conservatives would have 307 MPs (up 97 on 2005)
Labour would have 255 (down 94)
Lib Dems 59 (down 3)
Nationalists and others would have 29.
David Cameron would fall 19 seats short of a Commons majority. It would also mean that Labour and the Lib Dems together could not have a majority. Poll based on 17,607 voters at 130 polling stations across the UK.
Get the BBC results charts here. I'm going to record a few happenings here for the couple of hours or so that I can watch the results and follow the Election Night Live Blog at Liberal Conspiracy.
[read this post bottom to top!]
Vote Labour today
I can't put it any better (or quicker, got to do some work today...) than Hopi Sen:
"Vote Labour on Thursday.
For the right strategy on the economy, for lower unemployment, for investment in schools and protected spending on frontline services.
For support for industrial R&D and capital spending, for better transport networks, for fairer working condititions and a society that is more tolerant and more.
For support for Working families, for those looking for jobs, for people trying to pay their mortgages.
Vote Labour for a better, fairer Britain.
That is all."
Although Sunder Katwala of the Fabian Society also has a really good, though more detailed, piece at:
"Vote Labour on Thursday.
For the right strategy on the economy, for lower unemployment, for investment in schools and protected spending on frontline services.
For support for industrial R&D and capital spending, for better transport networks, for fairer working condititions and a society that is more tolerant and more.
For support for Working families, for those looking for jobs, for people trying to pay their mortgages.
Vote Labour for a better, fairer Britain.
That is all."
Although Sunder Katwala of the Fabian Society also has a really good, though more detailed, piece at:
Why I am proud to vote Labour today
Election Day, 6 May 2010
So the day has finally arrived. The closest UK election for a generation. Liberal Conspiracy is quoting YouGov President Peter Kellner’s prediction of the outcome, as follows:
Conservative: 300-310 seats
Labour: 230-240
Lib Dem: 75-85
Others: around 30
That is still not believed to be enough for Cameron to form a majority government.
The Harris poll, as reported by the BBC on 5 May, is more optimistic about Labour's chances. If people voted like this (to the left) at the general election there would be a hung parliament. Labour would be the largest party, but would be short of a majority by 54 seats.
Let's see what happens. Roll on the results. I will try to stay up as late as possible tonight, though work and kiddy-duties will mean I might have to give in to sleep.
Conservative: 300-310 seats
Labour: 230-240
Lib Dem: 75-85
Others: around 30
That is still not believed to be enough for Cameron to form a majority government.
The Harris poll, as reported by the BBC on 5 May, is more optimistic about Labour's chances. If people voted like this (to the left) at the general election there would be a hung parliament. Labour would be the largest party, but would be short of a majority by 54 seats.
Let's see what happens. Roll on the results. I will try to stay up as late as possible tonight, though work and kiddy-duties will mean I might have to give in to sleep.
Wednesday, 5 May 2010
Election night results at Queen Elizabeth Hall
If you want to join a crowd in London to track the election results tomorrow night, this sounds a fun (and free!) event, from 10pm onwards:
"Watch the election results live, and join in discussion and debate with leading commentators, comics and political experts in an informal 'open salon' in the foyer of Queen Elizabeth Hall. Featuring big-screen live TV and Twitter feeds, a late bar, reactions, gossip and more, with Martin Bright and guests. Whatever the election result, join us for what promises to be a stimulating evening.
This event has been organised by Southbank Centre Artists in Residence New Deal of the Mind. New Deal of the Mind is a coalition of artists, entrepreneurs and opinion formers who recognise the huge value - economically, socially and culturally - of Britain's creative talent."
More information at the The Front Room at QEH, Election Night Special.
Tuesday, 4 May 2010
Why no-one should vote for the BNP
Transpontine has just blogged about the latest alarming case of BNP violence:
This is the problem about the BNP. When people say that they merely another political party and that they are being demonised for simply talking about immigration, I say which other party attacks its fellow candidates and members of the public? Apart from their supporters, BNP politicians themselves, and aspiring ones, are not exempt from criminal behaviour. We're also reminded that:
Co-incidently, yesterday the Raincoat Optimist had a brilliant post about why people should not vote for the BNP, focussing on the Barking and Dagenham where Nick Griffin is standing. He also had this useful digest with lots of interesting links:
"Other reasons for not voting fror the BNP, from other wesbites, are:
"Yesterday, Cormac Hollingsworth, standing as a Labour candidate for Council in South Bermondsey, was leafleting an estate in the area 'when he was punched three times in the face and kicked. Meanwhile the attacker kept up a stream of insults and shouted pro-BNP slogans'. (full story at TMP online)."
This is the problem about the BNP. When people say that they merely another political party and that they are being demonised for simply talking about immigration, I say which other party attacks its fellow candidates and members of the public? Apart from their supporters, BNP politicians themselves, and aspiring ones, are not exempt from criminal behaviour. We're also reminded that:
"David Clarke, the BNP candidate for Heathfield ward (Croydon Council) was convicted last week of two separate assaults on anti-racist campaigners who had been giving out leaflets outside East Croydon station. Full story at Croydon Advertiser."
Co-incidently, yesterday the Raincoat Optimist had a brilliant post about why people should not vote for the BNP, focussing on the Barking and Dagenham where Nick Griffin is standing. He also had this useful digest with lots of interesting links:
"Other reasons for not voting fror the BNP, from other wesbites, are:
- they make bad councillors (many racist, many more just moronic)
- their high profile members are not simply racists, but immature and are ashamed of it
- their PR stunts with “army soldiers” are shite
- they do silly things to other candidates
- they have no plans about job cuts (a bit like Thatcher)
- Hitler is still a good influence on some of their top brass
- When Griffin thinks no one is looking he says really stupid stuff
- for such a relatively small party, it has a large number of criminals in its team, and not those noble “PC crimes”
- ethno-nationalism is a pointless exercise anyway, but to suggest this can be deciphered over the phone is insanity – and talking of insanity."
Sunday, 2 May 2010
The PM in Eltham today
Turns out Gordon Brown made a quick stop in Eltham this morning as part of a whistle-stop tour. The Guardian's Dave Hill reports on having had a brief interview with him. When asked, Brown disagreed that Lab-Con marginal voters (such as those in Eltham) should vote tactically for Lib-Dem - carry on voting Labour was his advice, though others seem to disagree.
Photo above: Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown walks with Clive Efford (Labour PPC) and members of the Metropolitan Police and the Safe Neighbourhood Scheme, in Eltham, south London, 2 May. (REUTERS/Lewis Whyld/Pool)
Gordon Brown went to visit Dulwich and Brixton. Tomorrow South-East London sees Nick Clegg, the LibDem leader, touring - he'll be in Blackheath, Montpelier Vale at 10am....
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Tarnished Gold for Eltham
WTF!
I was shocked to see this comment (red-circled to the left) on the website of the Tory candidate for Eltham. As he is a candidate in a marginal Labour constituency it is a bit chilling that he may become our MP next week.
Would David or any of his team care to explain the implication of the quote? Or confirm that this reprehensible quote will be removed? It seems to be a scrolling 'vox pop' box by the way so the comment is not static, in case you look for it.
I was shocked to see this comment (red-circled to the left) on the website of the Tory candidate for Eltham. As he is a candidate in a marginal Labour constituency it is a bit chilling that he may become our MP next week.
Would David or any of his team care to explain the implication of the quote? Or confirm that this reprehensible quote will be removed? It seems to be a scrolling 'vox pop' box by the way so the comment is not static, in case you look for it.
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