Tories lose both by elections.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

You say 'it's a good result for Labour' but they performed very poorly in the Honiton and Tiverton by-election
Dropped to third place with a paltry 3.7% of the vote from 19.5% last time out.

[the other bob wilson]

You say 'it's a good result for Labour' but they performed very poorly in the Honiton and Tiverton by-election
Dropped to third place with a paltry 3.7% of the vote from 19.5% last time out.

I wasn't referring to Honiton and Tiverton because, like the Lib Dems in Wakefield, their candidacy was just a token effort there. I'm hopeful that the voters are ahead of the parties in this as it seems to me that Labour's insistence in fielding a candidate in every GB seat would cost them dear, but perhaps the public are bringing about the sort of Labour/Lib Dem cooperation that I'm fairly sure would beat this Government even if the Labour party in particular are not willing to entertain it on a formal basis.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

I wasn't referring to Honiton and Tiverton because, like the Lib Dems in Wakefield, their candidacy was just a token effort there. I'm hopeful that the voters are ahead of the parties in this as it seems to me that Labour's insistence in fielding a candidate in every GB seat would cost them dear, but perhaps the public are bringing about the sort of Labour/Lib Dem cooperation that I'm fairly sure would beat this Government even if the Labour party in particular are not willing to entertain it on a formal basis.

I would have expected more than a 'token effort' in a by-election where Labour had 19.5% of the vote last time out.

[the other bob wilson]

I would have expected more than a 'token effort' in a by-election where Labour had 19.5% of the vote last time out.

Labour came second in 2019 as well, but I think expecting west country voters to switch from Tory to Labour is a bit like asking people in the Rhondda to switch from Labour to Tory, it's a step too far for many, whereas the Lib Dem's success in the south west prior to their coalition with the Conservatives was proof that the switch from Conservative to Lib Dem was one that could be made - realistically, I'd have thought the only places in Devon and Cornwall that Labour could have hopes of winning are the cities like Plymouth and Exeter.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Labour came second in 2019 as well, but I think expecting west country voters to switch from Tory to Labour is a bit like asking people in the Rhondda to switch from Labour to Tory, it's a step too far for many, whereas the Lib Dem's success in the south west prior to their coalition with the Conservatives was proof that the switch from Conservative to Lib Dem was one that could be made - realistically, I'd have thought the only places in Devon and Cornwall that Labour could have hopes of winning are the cities like Plymouth and Exeter.

The Lib Dems hoovered up wholesale what were previously Labour voters too though.

[the other bob wilson]

The Lib Dems hoovered up wholesale what were previously Labour voters too though.

Well, I’d say that was because the Lib Dems were the choice of the tactical voters as they were held to be the party more likely to beat the Conservatives. What I would say though is that the Lib Dems were very effective in getting the notion that they were the only alternatives to the Tories out there very quickly.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Well, I’d say that was because the Lib Dems were the choice of the tactical voters as they were held to be the party more likely to beat the Conservatives. What I would say though is that the Lib Dems were very effective in getting the notion that they were the only alternatives to the Tories out there very quickly.

It could be argued that tactical votes should have gone to the opposition party that were second last time out and not to a party that was given little chance of winning the seat a while ago. Yes, it's clearly not 'Labour' country down here but I think the party still suffers from a major malaise away from its core areas of support.

[HiVis]

I would have expected more than a 'token effort' in a by-election where Labour had 19.5% of the vote last time out.

maybe labour voters voted tactically here. I know of a few card carrying members who vote LibDem (despite it being against the rules) as its the only way to challenge the Tories.