General Election — News — Gwilym David Blunt

Shoring up the Red Wall

There are now less than two weeks before the election and things are not looking good for Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party. Despite climbing from the mid-20s to the low-30s in some polls, they are still 11 points back on some counts. The Labour Party tried to make an election about Brexit an election about austerity. It isn’t working and if they don’t change tact then they are likely to be decimated. They need to show Leavers and Remainers that Boris Johnson’s ‘oven ready’ deal is half-frozen slop that you wouldn’t give to your dog.

Corbyn, General Election, Brexit, UK PoliticsGwilym David BluntNovember 29, 2019Labour, UK Politics, Election, General Election, Brexit

The Only Way is Down?

Today we are two weeks out from the general election and, against my predictions, it seems that Boris Johnson is on track for a strong majority. YouGov’s MRP analysis of every constituency has predicted a major Tory breakthrough. But is this the high tide for the Tories and can they stop it from draining away?

General Election, Corbyn, Brexit, Boris, UK PoliticsGwilym David BluntNovember 29, 2019UK Politics, Boris Johnson, General Election

The Australian-Style Points-Based Immigration System: Reality, Myth, and Delusion

One of the more inexplicable elements of the British political landscape is the enduring fixation with the ‘Australian-style points-based immigration system’. It is a core commitment of the Conservative Party’s manifesto. The problem is that it has little to do with Australia and that country’s immigration system. Indeed, it is a dog whistle that appeals to the folk-memory of the far right in the UK.

Swinson's Gambit

On Friday I said pretty unequivocally that parliament would not grant Johnson an election. He doesn’t have the numbers. However, I made a rather basic oversight. The UK is not a two-party system.. The LibDems and SNP have shown how disruptive they can be. Is their election gambit reckless or sound strategic thinking?

Going for Broke

Boris Johnson, humiliated by the Supreme Court for his unlawful prorogation of parliament, returned to the House of Commons unrepentant. He burned every bridge to the opposition, but this won’t bother him. Johnson and Cummings are going for broke.

The Corbynite Manoeuvre

Johnson and Cummings had a disastrous week. Painted into a corner the government prorogued parliament, while making chicken noises at the opposition. How should Corbyn respond? Be the adult in the room.

The Gamblers III: It Happened Again?

The Prime Minister and Dominic Cummings lost two major bets this week. They failed to block opposition legislation or call an election on their terms. The price has been the catastrophic loss of their majority, a split in the Tory Party, and the narrative is slipping away from them. What can they do now?

In Boris' Shadow: Sajid Javid

It’s hard to be overshadowed by a boss who lurches from crisis to crisis, but it is all in a day’s work for Sajid Javid.

The Gamblers II: Election Season

On the back of the prorogation palaver, Boris Johnson and Dominic Cummings seem set to roll the dice for a general election. Is this wise and what should Jeremy Corbyn do?

The Gamblers

The PM and Dominic Cummings are escalating the risk of No Deal via a constitutional crisis. Is this a high-stake strategic risk or a reckless gamble?

As goes Ystragynlais, so goes the Country?

As goes Ystragynlais, so goes the Country? Lessons from the Brecon and Radnorshire by-election.

Should Boris Johnson Call a Snap Election?

It is almost inevitable that we are heading to a general election in the UK, but the threat to the Conservative Party has been lost amidst Boris Johnson’s optimistic bombast. Tory strategy is coming in shape with the Vote Leave government, but there are at least two reasons to be cautious: LibDems in the suburbs and the challenge of selling the Tory brand in the North (especially while surrounded by the Rule Britannia gang).