Conservatives go American, Totnes Primary.

[Azrael]

It's part of a wider campaign to tractor beam them - bad results in these primaries will help make their threat clearer.

It might do, but what then? If independents have a strong showing, the parties will have to change their line to counter them, which helps the independents' agenda (since there's extremely unlikely to get in as it is).

I think it's the other way round Azrael. If the local parties put up 4 candidates each, across a spectrum of views within the party (including hang em flog ems etc and an outside candidate) - then there'll have to be parity, because otherwise Independents clean up as everyone realises their lulz votes in the primaries have left them with fucking morons as major party candidates, and the independent sweeps the board.

Even if we get a spectrum of candidates, who'll go to the trouble of filling in a postal vote? People who either can't be bothered with constituency politics or people who feel it's too mainstream. Either way, either they won't be familiar with the pitfalls of bad candidates, or won't care.

If it goes ahead, I expect a few candidates with "robust" populist views to the right of a Daily Express leader column to get in, and the whole scheme to be ditched before it can do any further damage.

 

[Balbi]

The majority of the electorate aren't specifically affiliated though are they? At the minute, candidates are selected by party members, at closed meetings. They run through it all, and eventually the electorate get given the choice of one and then only during the G.E itself.

In this case, there's a bit of outside involvement - an extension of the G.E beyond the election period.

 

[butchersapron]

It might do, but what then? If independents have a strong showing, the parties will have to change their line to counter them, which helps the independents' agenda (since there's extremely unlikely to get in as it is). .

Or take them into the fold - sponsered mobility. An old tradition. The question of independents is utterly minor anyway (those now in the fold possibly not)

 

[butchersapron]

The majority of the electorate aren't specifically affiliated though are they? At the minute, candidates are selected by party members, at closed meetings. They run through it all, and eventually the electorate get given the choice of one and then only during the G.E itself.

In this case, there's a bit of outside involvement - an extension of the G.E beyond the election period.

Why aren't they - because they don't want to be. If they wanted to be they would. If the argument is for greater democracy there's better ones than having the opportunity to vote for their tory candiate. If they want local plebiscites, fine bring them on. But they won't because it's not about that. It's just PR bollocks.

 

[Balbi]

Aye, but it's something and nothing. I'll watch to see what happens with interest. It'll probably be a disaster, because there's a bigger root problem than candidate selection and that's what you're saying, willingness to be involved in the process. I find the whole thing fascinating personally, because I actually lack any sort of social life or personality

 

[Azrael]

The majority of the electorate aren't specifically affiliated though are they?

Because they don't want to be. This primary might be open to the whole electorate in theory, but in practice, I suspect voters will be a mix of enthusiasts and malcontents who for one reason or another aren't involved with constituency politics. Unless there is a cunning plan to fix the election amongst opposition supporters, I imagine they'll exclude themselves. I'd have no interest in helping Labour pick a candidate, for example.

 

[butchersapron]

I wonder why totnees was chosen for this new PR dawn

Anthony Steen, Conservative 21,112 41.7%
Michael Treleaven, Liberal Democrat 19,165 37.9%

...and the tory vote def going be down due to Steen's expenses crap. Every seat counts

 

[Azrael]

If the vote is that closely split in Totnes, this is an especially bad idea. A hardliner could tip it in the Oxymorons' favour. At least give it a spin in an ultra-safe Tory seat where the proverbial Alsatian in a blue rosette would get in. If my suspicions are right, he could even end up on the shortlist.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

For a town with a population of ageing hippies, that gives the impression that it is still 1968 except for the prices in the numerous antique shops, this is all a bit advanced.

They will miss Anthony Steen because he has been MP for that constituency going back to the last Ice Age. It is a safe Tory seat because it is farming country. There is the LibDem presence but nothing else. There won't be any surprises in the final Tory candidate. I wonder if they will shortlist any women.

 

[butchersapron]

12 years that's all - from the labour GE victory.

A passing lib dem presence - they been within a few thousand of winning it every every time since 97.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

12 years that's all - from the labour GE victory.

A passing lib dem presence - they been within a few thousand of winning it every every time since 97.

Anthony Steen was MP for the South Hams from 1983 until it was abolished in 2007. Totnes is in the South Hams. I think he was also MP for the area in the '70s before the South Hams constituency was created. I can't remember what the constituence was called back then - perhaps Totnes*. There have been complicated boundary changes over the years in South Devon.

Yes I will grant that the LibDems have been giving the Tories a run for their money.

*Yes I have checked this. It was a Parliamentary Constituency from 1884 to 1983 when it was abolished in favour of The South Hams.

 

[Idris2002]

PR bollcoks

Two tons of shit in a five ton crate.

 

[butchersapron]

Fair dos, you concede on the lib-dems i'll concede on the ice age.

 

[JHE]

I think that in the US there are 'primaries' of different sorts. In some, you have to be a member of the relevant party to vote in the 'primary'. In others, anyone, including opponents of the party, can vote if they want.

The Tories are just trying it out to see if they end up doing better by having a 'primary' to choose a candidate.