Co-moderator writes,
As regular readers know Tallbloke has been putting a toe into the water on helping to change local politics.
I’ll let a local newspaper report and this seems even handed.
Labour win Wythenshawe and Sale East by-election
14 Feb 2014 02:38UKIP come second in poll triggered by death of Labour MP Paul Goggins
Voter turnout is usually very low for bye-elections, reported in this case
Turnout decreased to 28.2pc from 54.3pc at the 2010 general election.
And additional snippet, I heard a report that the Liberal Democrats asked for a recount after they realised they may lose their deposit. That strikes me as an unwise move, highlighting what would be missed by many.
The results:
Election Political result
By-election 2014[9]
Turnout: 23,961 (28.2%) -26.1 Labour hold
Majority: 8,960 (37.4%)
Swing: 1.6% from Lab to UKIP
Candidate Party Votes % ±%
Mike Kane Labour 13,261 55.3 +11.2
John Bickley UKIP 4,301 18.0 +14.5
Rev. Daniel Critchlow Conservative 3,479 14.5 -11.0
Mary di Mauro Liberal Democrat 1,176 4.9 -17.4
Nigel Woodcock Green 748 3.1 N/A
Eddy O’Sullivan BNP 708 3.0 -0.9
Captain Chaplington-Smythe Monster Raving Loony 288 1.2 N/A
The result was declared at around 2.30am GMT on Friday, 14 February.[8]Election Political
Posted by Tim. Updated with results by Rog.
Tallbloke's Talkshop 
Two points from me.
Shocking turn out. Those who don’t vote in that constituency are fools to themselves.
Yes we can change things if we get off our bums and vote.
Secondly I sincerely hope Mr Bickley gets another shot and wins.
This comment from Farage is telling…
“Mr Farage, speaking from the count at Manchester Central convention centre, said he was pleased with how his party performed but complained forcefully about the way the election was run, with postal votes issued just three days after the poll was called…”
I think it was an OK result for UKIP, but they need to sharpen up their act by being sharper out of the blocks and getting their supporters out to vote if they are to make a real impression at the next general election.
The Labour win was inevitable, but with a turn-out of only ~28%, I feel UKIP should have done much, much better.
Hi Tenuk; On your first point, UKIP were pretty sharp out of the blocks, having had this snap election and early postal vote stunt pulled on them before at Eastleigh.
On your second point, I think a higher General Election turnout will help UKIP more than a low turnout.
Wythenshawe is a safe Labour seat, but there are plenty of unsafe Labour seats in the north of England. I have no doubt we’ll win some at the G.E. in 2015. Not that UKIP are complacent about that. I say it because of the rate our membership is growing, and because of the passion and dedication with which UKIP members are approaching the electorate to spread the word.
Finally, I’ll ask if you have joined UKIP, and whether you are up for actively supporting your local branch, by helping to deliver leaflets and canvassing for support. If you want change, you need to help make it happen. It’s not just UKIP who need to do much much better. The electorate needs to shake a leg too.
tallbloke says: February 14, 2014 at 1:04 pm
…Finally, I’ll ask if you have joined UKIP, and whether you are up for actively supporting your local branch, by helping to deliver leaflets and canvassing for support…
For a number of years I’ve been non-aligned to any party, preferring to vote for the politician of any persuasion who has views closest to mine.
At the moment UKIP is the nearest regarding the EU, the economy and immigration, and I’ve supported a couple of their local fund raisers. However, I have no desire to join any particular party at this time – in fact I believe the current ‘party’ system is bad for democracy as it has led to the formation of a political elite who can and do ignore the wishes of the nation once the election has gone by.
Fair points. Hard to see what could replace them though. The last thing we want is a political bandwagon focussed on personalities rather than ideologies or theories.
@Roger; Good show for your effort. It takes several years to build a political machine and you have to work at it continuously, not just before an election. The percentage of the general population that you register to your party is not as important as the enthusiasm that they work toward their goal. This is a team sport and the people that play it have sharp elbows. Remember, it is easier to to make progress if YOU don’t care who gets CREDIT.
Be the king maker and let the “Leader” get shot at and you will secede. Just remember to “train” the “Leader” and keep a finger on his pulse or the GEBs (Greedy Evil Bastards) will turn him when he gets elected and assumes his elected position. Politicians are generally shallow venial creatures that crave the limelight and attention of their peers. As soon as they are elected they often feel that other politicians are their peers and the citizens are beneath them. Without your efforts they are nothing, don’t let them forget that they are standing on your shoulders. pg
Tenuk: Fair enough, and thanks for supporting the local fundraisers. Awareness raisers is what we desperately need too – people who can find the time to deliver literature round their local streets. It only takes a couple of hours every couple of months, and you don’t need to join the party to do it. Please get involved if you want change.
Me_Again: I think UKIP is more pragmatic than ideological or theoretical in its approach. It’s loosely despcribed as a ‘libertarian’ party because it wants to reduce the size of government, but in fact it’s not anything like the U.S. American version of ‘libertarianism’. UKIP try to reflect what ordinary British folk generally want. Peace, job security, a reliable and affordable NHS, criminal justice which deters criminality, a sensible energy policy based on affordability and security of supply, etc.
The Official Monster Raving Loony Party is priceless, makes me jealous.
The sheeple are still asleep, just the way the establishment likes them.
That, combined with the “winner takes all” nature of the constituency system, makes it very difficult for a nascent party to make a meaningful impact on British politics. You have a long, uphill battle on your hands, TB.
The best of British luck to you, Sir.
H/T Grumpydenier: A total of 10,141 postal votes were cast and only 13,883 on the day
‘Nuff said.
From Canada, I can’t understand why UKIP is not a lot more popular than this result would suggest. I guess many Brits are a bit odd in general, which is why I emigrated in the 60’s. Nevertheless, I am rooting for UKIP!
In a nutshell John, in a nutshell…….