Through the Middle
We have found our table and our most communicative fellow diner is Sheila. Londoner but these last 20 years a leading light of the Fylde Labour party in coastal Lancashire. She's here with her son Jim - now a Department of Work and Pensions PR wallah - and husband big Den.
Den flirted with the SDP at one point, even had some of them in the house a couple of times, but Sheila is 'totally Labour'. She enjoys annoying the Tory neighbours with her huge Vote Labour garden posters. And she is keen to do what she can for Labour.
In fact last time Fylde Labour reduced the Tory majority by 10,000 votes. This is huge. But there are 10,000 more to go. Nonetheless if Sheila's team could hold their vote and no more and the Lib Dems could snatch 5,001 from the Tories then our man would win by 1.
This is the 'through the middle' route to success. Potentially Lib Dem swings of about 10% from Labour could bring 80 seats changing hands. About 75 Tories therefore winning on the 'through the middle' or 'through the muddle' phenomenon.
And 'our man' is right as Fylde have selected a Manchester Central member as their candidate. In fact young Will (25) texted me as soon as he found out he had got the selection. "Selected for Fylde" it started. I texted back "Aaaaargh" - my reaction as I thought for a fleeting moment that no-one wanted to do it and they were press ganging innocent party members!
Our starters arrive.
Den flirted with the SDP at one point, even had some of them in the house a couple of times, but Sheila is 'totally Labour'. She enjoys annoying the Tory neighbours with her huge Vote Labour garden posters. And she is keen to do what she can for Labour.
In fact last time Fylde Labour reduced the Tory majority by 10,000 votes. This is huge. But there are 10,000 more to go. Nonetheless if Sheila's team could hold their vote and no more and the Lib Dems could snatch 5,001 from the Tories then our man would win by 1.
This is the 'through the middle' route to success. Potentially Lib Dem swings of about 10% from Labour could bring 80 seats changing hands. About 75 Tories therefore winning on the 'through the middle' or 'through the muddle' phenomenon.
And 'our man' is right as Fylde have selected a Manchester Central member as their candidate. In fact young Will (25) texted me as soon as he found out he had got the selection. "Selected for Fylde" it started. I texted back "Aaaaargh" - my reaction as I thought for a fleeting moment that no-one wanted to do it and they were press ganging innocent party members!
Our starters arrive.
posted by Chris Paul at 8:11 PM
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