tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post3543520827846972940..comments2024-02-04T09:15:50.839+00:00Comments on Mars Hill: A Good NightPaul Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-48690485283324117862007-07-25T10:49:00.000+01:002007-07-25T10:49:00.000+01:00It was Vale of Glamorgan that was 19. The MP, Wa...It was Vale of Glamorgan that was 19. The MP, Walter Sweeney, was one of the more colourful characters in the 92-97 Parliament. A hardline Eurosceptic, he had to go to the toilet before the vote on the Maastricht Treaty in '92. Having completed his ablutions he found he was locked in and missed the vote, although the Tory Whips' Office always denied responsibility.Paul Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-59010984030448469352007-07-24T22:43:00.000+01:002007-07-24T22:43:00.000+01:00But the 1992 majority in Monmouth was about ninete...But the 1992 majority in Monmouth was about nineteen and was effortlessly taken back by Labour in 997. The more I look at the 1992 election, the more I see a victory built on sandPaul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-62428968157821692082007-07-24T14:06:00.000+01:002007-07-24T14:06:00.000+01:00The Monmouth result was extremely odd, since Roger...The Monmouth result was extremely odd, since Roger Evans went on to win back the seat for the Tories at the 1992 GE. I suppose it just goes to show that by-elections don't really mean a great deal at the end of the day.<BR/><BR/>Incidentally it was this by-election that spawned an oft-told anecdote about Jack Cunningham. Being rather short, fat and pompous, Evans had been given the nickname "Toad of Toad Hall" by the Labour activists in the constituency. While down on a campaign visit, Cunningham picked up on this and decided to use the nickname during a speech.<BR/>Unfortunately, his Geordie accent rendered the jibe "Turd of Turd Hall."Paul Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-10177792522696088062007-07-24T12:42:00.000+01:002007-07-24T12:42:00.000+01:00But there were one or two by-election held in safe...But there were one or two by-election held in safe Conservative seats during that period Paul, and the Tories failed to win in both seats. Im thinking of Ribble Valley and MonmouthPaul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-90722191805367249112007-07-24T10:47:00.000+01:002007-07-24T10:47:00.000+01:00I can't recall Major having this kind of boost aft...<I> I can't recall Major having this kind of boost after becoming PM, in spite of the 1992 general election!</I><BR/><BR/>Your memory fails you in that case Paul. For most of 1991, John Major was the most popular Prime Minister since records began. His approval ratings in the period immediately after the first Gulf War were in the region of 90pc. I6t says a great deal for Major that he did not succumb to the temptation to hold a Khaki election at that time. Had he done so, the history of his administration would probably have been very different. With a big majority behind him, he would have been able to marginalise the so-called "bastards" on the Tory Eurosceptic right and lead his party in a much more humane and moderate direction. Major ultimately paid with his political career for his scruples in not cashing-in on his initial surge in popularity.Paul Linfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01977920120772282561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-23236539448044631072007-07-23T09:44:00.000+01:002007-07-23T09:44:00.000+01:00I see your point, but for any Party enjoying a Thi...I see your point, but for any Party enjoying a Third Term it is unique to have this kind of successPaul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-91677704917631071142007-07-22T18:19:00.000+01:002007-07-22T18:19:00.000+01:00I'd hardly call it a "ringing endorsement for Gord...I'd hardly call it a "ringing endorsement for Gordon Brown". You won two bye-elections in seats you already held. Sedgefield was a shoe-in. There was no way any other party would get in there. And the only reason why the Conservatives did not do very well (and by that I mean finishing second) in Ealiing Southall was because their candidate posed for a pic with Tony. I understand why Labour is pleased, but hardly a ringing endorsement. I agree about Cameron though. His backside was on the line and all he got was a cock-up (it).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com