A Conservative Shadow Cabinet member has today admitted that the Conservatives ‘do not think they will win’ the Ealing Southall by-election. As the party’s press release puts it:
A Conservative Shadow Cabinet member has today admitted that the Conservatives ‘do not think they will win’ the Ealing Southall by-election.
Local Liberal Democrat Nigel Bakhai who finished second at the last General Election is leading a strong campaign for the local area.
Liberal Democrat Chief Executive Lord Rennard said:Share:“It is very honest for the Conservatives to admit that they won’t win. Conservative supporters will take heed of this fact. Many will switch to the Liberal Democrats.
“We are gaining support and will challenge Labour very strongly this Thursday.”
Note:
The Times reports:
“Two senior Conservatives have admitted to The Times that they do not think they can win, but they believe a strong performance would demonstrate that the Tories were gaining support among ethnic minority communities. A member of the Shadow Cabinet said: ‘We don’t think we will win but we want to come a good second’.”
18 Comments
Don’t you have a link available to this Conservative party’s press release, where this unnamed Conservative Shadow Cabinet member admitted that the Conservatives ‘do not think they will win’ the Ealing Southall by-election?
Hi LDV
Would it be possible for you to plug my Sedgefield caption competition?
No Lib Dems were permanently harmed (probably not, let’s hope) in the making of this photo caption.
Obviously the Tories and the Lib Dems are not going to win in Ealing Southall. You don’t have to be a Shadow Cabinet Minister or a LD Mimicster to spot that one.
Chris P
Are we 100% sure this wasn’t Chris Rennard astroturfing?
As long as the Tories piss in the Lib Dems soup and ensure that they don’t win it will be mission accomplished.
An honest Lib Dem would admit they will neither win nor come second.
M, Lib Dems don’t take lesson from Tories on honesty. We’ve already seen how honest the Tories are, posing as Lib Dems.
6 well said. The Tories have made it clear they will say anything, or pose as anyone to get elected these days. There’s no chance the Tories will win or come second and this is clearly reflected on the doorstep in Ealing Southall.
At least it’s nice to see there is limited honesty in senior Tory circles. Even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day.
I still haven’t found the party’s press release you are refering to. I’ve seen the story in the Times, but that doesn’t speak of any press release.
R,
What an illiberal response!
M, please elaborate. Perhaps you think that liberalism means, that the Conservatives should be able to freely lie and pose as Lib Dem councillors and tell Lib Dems to give up, so that the non-existing chances of the Conservatives would improve? You have a lot to learn on liberalism, just as has Cameron.
??? I suggest you take a course in grammar and syntax.
“the party’s press release” refers to the Lib Dem press release.
“M, please elaborate”
Liberalism means treating people a individuals and not prejudging their behaviour on the basis of the group they belong to. Whether or not one or two Tories have lied condemns all Tories as liars no more than racist campaigning by certain Lib Dems tarnishes all Lib Dems as racists.
The betting markets (at least on Betfair) are starting to swing our way again after favouring the Tories for a while.
It makes grim reading for Labour too – they are rapidly sliding towards evens territory, having been firmly odds-on for the entire campaign.
That said, it’s mostly politicos putting the bets on, so what that tells you I’ve no idea…
I’m heading down there tonight, so we’ll see what results the final push yields us! This could be a really close one…
The Sedgefield odds are shocking for the Tories, I notice – currently 159/1 against them winning!
M – what was your prediction a week out from Dunfermline?
Didn’t have one as I didn’t live in the area.
The Tories do not stand a chance in Ealing. They came third last time and their candidate does not even live in the constituency. Nigel Bakhai is a first-rate candidate who lives in the heart of the constituency and is active in his local community. Now… all of you… off to Ealing and get stuffing leaflets through doors!
The video from by-election HQ ought to have the Tories quaking…all that activity, funky soundtrack and look a Panama hat!