General Election, 4 July 2024 - MP changes

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I have posted the date of the general election (4th July 2024 for anyone who's been asleep for over 18 hours) on the forum / in "Who's who on Western Railways" as we will see changes in some of our members of parliament - with some riding off into the sunset by choice, and in all likelihood some others leaving when they wished to continue.  A big "thank you" - should they happen to read this - to all the MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) who have supported rail, public transport improvements, etc, over pervious years.  And, wider and more muted for the audience and attention given and politeness to them where they have been less inclined to help.

Who's retiring?  Have they been helpful?  How do your local constituencies changes?


What can we expect to see / what can we look forward to with the next crew, whether they are a change at the top or just an update?

[GBM]

Mid Cornwall Metro.
I 'think' was a joint scheme from the County Council, supported by local M.P's.
As was the upgrading to permit a half hourly service.

Again, I think it was.  This from memory.

Cornwall Council seem to be very transport friendly.

As for political changes upcoming, we will just have to wait and see.

[Noggin]

Bristol should be interesting.

Not only is there a fair chance that Carla Denyer will get elected in Bristol Central (every single ward elected Green councilors), but it seems the Labour councilor for Horfield was not eligible for election (she's a teacher and thus a full-time BCC^» (Bristol City Council - about) employee), so there will likely be a by-election. If the Greens win, that brings them one seat short of an absolute majority on Bristol City Council.

That should bode well for rail, and particularly the Severn Beach line, but I suppose it depends on how well they work together with WECA^» (West of England Combined Authority - about).

[JayMac]

I'm in a boundary changed constituency. Formerly Somerton & Frome, it is now Glastonbury & Somerton. This constitutency takes the towns of Glastonbury and Street from the former Wells constituency, renamed, with a new boundary, Wells & Mendip Hills.

Four candidates for Glastonbury & Somerset confirmed so far. Jon Cousins (Grn), Sarah Dyke (LD), Hal Hooberman (Lab), Faye Purbrick (Con).

Frome is moved to a new constituency called Frome & East Somerset, taking parts of Jacob Ress Mogg's North East Somerset constituency, renamed, with a new boundary, North East Somerset & Hanham.

My current MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Sarah Dyke (LD - Somerton & Frome) is standing in the new Glastonbury & Somerton constituency. She became MP in a byelection in July 2023 following the resignation of the Conservative, David Warburton, who stood down following allegations of sexual harassment, financial impropriety and Class A drug use. Sarah took the seat from the Conservatives with a 29% swing, overturning a 19,000 majority.

I've had correspondence with Sarah Dyke, both when she was my local authority councillor, and as MP. And have met her once. Approachable and competent. Her main opponent in the general election will be Faye Purbrick (Con).

I've just ordered my garden poster board.

[IndustryInsider]

I've just ordered my garden poster board.

Nothing is likely to make me vote for a party less than seeing loads of those silly things all over the place!

[JayMac]

Glad to hear you're voting on the policies II.

I'm having to get a poster from one the main parties. No OMRLP candidate is standing in my constituency.

[froome]

Glad to hear you're voting on the policies II.

I'm having to get a poster from one the main parties. No OMRLP candidate is standing in my constituency.

There's still time for you to put yourself forward. 

I'm sure they are not choosy!

[grahame]

Glad to hear you're voting on the policies II.

I'm having to get a poster from one the main parties. No OMRLP candidate is standing in my constituency.

There's still time for you to put yourself forward. 

I'm sure they are not choosy!

There's a certain temptation, isn't there?   https://www.loonyparty.com/get-involved/stand-for-the-offical-loony-party/

[ChrisB]

You have to put up your own deposit I think....

[grahame]

You have to put up your own deposit I think....

Yes, £500, but you only have to get 5% (or more) of the votes cast to get it back  ... and I'll have to work out how many weeks pension that it.    Imagine the power of an election address to every address in the constituency coverage such loony idea which actually could work!

EDIT to note - I have gone off on a Lighter Side silly on this at http://www.passenger.chat/28744

[Chris from Nailsea]

In my local constituency, North Somerset, Dr Liam Fox is our MP^▸ (Member of Parliament).  He is a strong supporter of the railways, consistently involved in the campaign to re-open the Portishead Line.

I met him once, in 2010, when he cut the ribbon at the opening of the Strawberry Line cafe at Yatton Station.  He was Secretary of State for Defence at that time, during the Iraq war, which meant there were also two men in suits there, with interesting bulges under their arms - clearly his bodyguard.

North Somerset is a fairly safe Conservative seat - so I have no doubt that Liam will be re-elected.

[grahame]

North Somerset is a fairly safe Conservative seat - so I have no doubt that Liam will be re-elected.

Electoral Calculus is not so sure.  And a week is a long time in politics and we have six to go.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Dr Liam Fox was previously a GP in Nailsea; he is well regarded locally as a very good constituency MP^▸ (Member of Parliament).

I'll bet you a tenner! 

[ChrisB]

The Rail Minister is off....not standing again.

[CyclingSid]

What is the closing date for nominations for candidates? I wonder how many more are going to jump ship before.

I see in the press that Jacob Rees-Mogg's predecessor as MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) is going to stand against him, with apparently a good chance. A Portillo moment on election night?