Paul Arnott’s plea for people to take part in the “Green Wedge” consultation
Paul Arnott, leader of EDDC (his column on the local press):
On Monday night this week for the first time in years I watched the climax of the world snooker finals on BBC2 when Kyren Wilson prevailed over the dignified Jak Jones. It took me back…
— Read on eastdevonwatch.org/2024/05/09/paul-arnott-explains-the-reason-behind-the-green-wedge-consultation/
And another one: Exmouth council byelection – split opposition lets Tories retain seat
From East Devon Watch:
See below for Owl’s analysis East Devon District Council – By-election 2 May 2024 Declaration of results for East Devon District Council Exmouth Brixington Ward 2 May 2024 Exmouth Brixington Name of CandidateDescription (if any)Number of votesElected?BAILEY Aurora EConservative Party Candidate586electedBENNETT, JulieThe Labour Party339 CONDUIT, DianneLiberal Democrats513 ROSSER, Michael JThe Green Party136 Electorate: 6110Ballot Papers Issued: 1593Rejected…
— Read on eastdevonwatch.org/2024/05/03/brixington-by-election-split-opposition-lets-tories-retain-seat-on-38-of-the-vote/
Discredited Tory police commissioner hangs on because big anti-Tory majority splits its votes
It’s a big disappointment that Alison Hernández, the Conservative Devon & Cornwall police commissioner, has been re-elected with 131,000 votes to 107,000 for Labour and 64,000 for the Lib Dems.
This is a clear lesson here for the General Election – there is a clear anti-Tory majority in our region (171,000 to 131,000 in this case) and we can remove most of their MPs. But if we split our votes between two or three opposition candidates in a constituency, the Tories will survive.
Richard Foord calls for Parliament to have a say on any military action
Not everyone is aware, perhaps, that not only is Richard Foord a very effective constituency MP – his office has just completed its 10,000th constituency case since he was elected 22 months ago – but he also plays an important role as the Liberal Democrats’ Defence spokesperson. He was influential to getting the party to push for a Gaza ceasefire – before Labour came round to it – and now, following recent use of British forces to support Israel against Iran, he has stood up for the principle that Parliament should have a say on any British military action. You can watch here.
Tories have rigged the voting system to try to keep their Police & Crime Commissioner
As postal votes arrive for the Police & Crime Commissioner elections, it’s important to understand that the Conservatives have changed the voting system to try and stave off defeat for their candidates. In previous elections, you could also express a second preference, and in both 2016 and 2021, the Labour candidates came close to defeating the Tories, after many Lib Dem voters gave their second choices to Labour. This year, the government has changed the system to first-past-the-post – no second preference.
The present Tory commissioner, Alison Hernandez – never seen in East Devon except for election photo-opportunities – is hoping to squeak back in thanks to opposition votes being split between Labour and the Lib Dems. Since Labour has proven to be stronger in these elections in the past, I’ll be voting for them. Horses for courses – in the General Election, of course, I’ll be supporting our Lib Dem MP, Richard Foord.
Website cheat was Simon Jupp’s campaign manager
The domain “richardfoord.uk” was bought by Oliver Kerr, who works part-time as Mr Jupp’s campaign manager, and is paid by taxpayers to also work for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. Works for the Standards Authority.You couldn’t make it up! – Owl “The Office of Mr Jupp has acted deceitfully, and without integrity. This behaviour has…
— Read on eastdevonwatch.org/2024/04/19/simon-jupp-admits-campaign-staffer-set-up-websites-in-lib-dem-rivals-name/
Simon Jupp’s belated response to the false websites raises more questions than its answers
Conservative candidate Simon Jupp (pictured below with Liz Truss) has finally told the BBC that he was “not responsible for the web domains” which took people searching for Richard Foord, our Liberal Democrat MP, to his own website. Jupp’s failure to apologise or even express concern suggests that he was happy with this underhand behaviour – at least until it was found out – and has no intention of finding the culprits – presumably because they are members of his own team. As BBC reporter Miles Davis says on Twitter, it “feels like there is a long way to go to get to the bottom of this story”. Let’s hope that Spotlight, the Midweek Herald and other media keep up the pressure.
Local Green candidate follows Labour lead – campaign for the party in Bristol, not here
A de facto cross-party coalition is building up around Richard Foord, our Liberal Democrat MP, to be re-elected for the new Honiton & Sidmouth constituency, which includes Seaton. Last month the Labour candidate, Jake Bonetta, urged local members to go to Plymouth to campaign in the General Election, rather than campaigning here (although Labour will still be fighting for council seats and the police/crime commissioner).
Now Henry Gent, the Green candidate, has said on Twitter that Honiton/Sidmouth members should go to Bristol to help win the Greens a second MP. Labour, Greens, and Independents like me – we all agree it’s essential to keep the Tories and Simon Jupp out, and get Richard Foord back in. It’s the best way for us to be involved in the big change that the election will bring.
Could Tories cling on here despite slumping support?
There have now been four national opinion polls this year which have attempted to project constituency results. All have estimated that Tory support in Honiton & Sidmouth constituency is drastically reduced – to just 36 per cent in the latest YouGov poll, compared to over 60 per cent for Neil Parish in 2019. Yet all also estimate that the Tories will still win on such a miserable level of support, because the opposition vote will be divided between Lib Dems, Labour and Greens.
It’s our job to prove them wrong, by rallying around Richard Foord and sending our first ever non-Tory MP back to Parliament. The decision by Labour to prioritise other constituencies in the General Election is a step in the right direction.
Seaton & Colyton MATTERS 