UK Local Elections : May 1st 2008

[Silent Hunter]

All the best then, Harry!

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Blaenau Gwent nominations by ward

Abertillery: Labour 3, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1, No Description 1, LibDem 1
Badminton: Labour 2, Independent 2, Peoples Voice 1
Beaufort: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 2, Independent 3
Blaina: Labour 3, Independent 4, No Description 1
Brynmawr: Labour 3, Independent 3, Peoples Voice 1
Cwm: Labour 2, Independent 1, Peoples Voice 1
Cwmtillery: Labour 3, Peoples Voice 2, Independent 2, No Description 1
Ebbw Vale North: Labour 3, Peoples Voice 3
Ebbw Vale South: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 2, Independent 1, LibDem 1
Georgetown: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1, BNP 1
Llanhilleth: Labour 3, Independent 2, Peoples Voice 1, No Description
Nantyglo: Labour 3, Independent 3, Peoples Voice 1
Rassau: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1
Sirhowy: Labour 3, LibDems 3, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1, Tory 1
Six Bells: Labour 2, Independent 2
Tredegar Central and West: Labour 4, Peoples Voice 2, LibDem 1, Plaid 1

[Harry Hayfield]

Blaenau Gwent nominations by ward

Abertillery: Labour 3, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1, No Description 1, LibDem 1
Badminton: Labour 2, Independent 2, Peoples Voice 1
Beaufort: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 2, Independent 3
Blaina: Labour 3, Independent 4, No Description 1
Brynmawr: Labour 3, Independent 3, Peoples Voice 1
Cwm: Labour 2, Independent 1, Peoples Voice 1
Cwmtillery: Labour 3, Peoples Voice 2, Independent 2, No Description 1
Ebbw Vale North: Labour 3, Peoples Voice 3
Ebbw Vale South: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 2, Independent 1, LibDem 1
Georgetown: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1, BNP 1
Llanhilleth: Labour 3, Independent 2, Peoples Voice 1, No Description
Nantyglo: Labour 3, Independent 3, Peoples Voice 1
Rassau: Labour 2, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1
Sirhowy: Labour 3, LibDems 3, Peoples Voice 1, Independent 1, Tory 1
Six Bells: Labour 2, Independent 2
Tredegar Central and West: Labour 4, Peoples Voice 2, LibDem 1, Plaid 1

Likely Results based on nothing more than guesses!

Abertillery: 1 Lab 1 Lib Dem 1 People's Voice
Badminton: 1 Lab 1 People's Voice
Beaufort: 2 People's Voice
Blaina: 2 Ind 1 Lab
Brynmawr: 1 Lab 1 Ind 1 People's Voice
Cwm: 1 Ind 1 People's Voice
Cwmtillery: 1 Lab 2 People's Voice
Ebbw Vale North: 3 People's Voice
Ebbw Vale South: 2 People's Voice
Georgetown: 1 People's Voice 1 Ind
Llanhilleth: 2 Lab 1 People's Voice
Nantyglo: 1 Lab 1 Ind 1 People's Voice
Rassau: 1 Ind 1 People's Voice
Sirhowy: 1 Lib Dem 1 Lab 1 People's Voice
Six Bells: 2 Ind
Tredegar Central and West: 1 Lab 2 People's Voice 1 Plaid

Grand Total
Conservatives: 0
Labour: 10
Liberal Democrats: 2
Plaid Cymru: 1
Independents: 9
People's Voice: 20
Total Councillors Elected: 42
Winning Line: 22
Status: Lab LOSS to NOC

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Powys now...

Candidates elected unopposed

G.R.Banks, LDem, Presteigne
S.R.M.Baynes, Con, Llanwddyn
R.G.Brown, No Description, Llandrinio
R.Davies, No Description, Llandinam
S.C.Davies, Labour, Cwm-Twrch
J.Evans, Ind, Llanllyr
V.E.Evans, Ind, Llanfair Caereinion
C.G.Gwillim, Labour, Aber-Craf
M.R.Harris, Ind, Llangynidr
G.G.Hopkins, Ind, Gwernyfed
D.R.Jones, Ind, Guilsfield
E.M.Jones, Ind, Meifod
M.J.Jones, Ind, Churchstoke
T.Jones, Ind, Llansantffraid
W.Jones, Ind, Dolforwyn
G.Lewis, Ind, Llangunllo
S.McNicholas, Labour, Ynyscedwyn
E.T.Morgan, Ind, Maescar-Llywel
R.W.Morgan, Ind, Llanbrynmair
M.E.Morris, Ind, Glasbury
W.D.Powell, LDem, Talgarth
D.R.Price, Ind, Llanafanfawr
G.D.Price, Ind, Llandrindod East - Llandrindod West
K.Roberts-Jones, Ind, Kerry
J.Shearer, Ind, Rhiwcynon
W.B.Thomas, Ind, Llanfihangel
M.J.B.Tunnicliffe, LDem, Llangors
B.Vaughan, No Description, Banwy
G.P.Vaughan, Glantwymyn
J.M.Williams, Ind, Machynlleth

Councillors not seeking re-election

J.W.Griffiths, Ind, Newtown Central
J.H.Hughes, Ind, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant - Llansilin
D.M.James, Ind, Talybont-on-Usk
V.A.Morgan, Ind, Llanelwedd
K.Riffel, Ind*, Forden
J.D.A.Thompson, Ind, Llanyre
G.T.Tibbott, Ind, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant**
R.H.Tyler, LibDem, Rhayader
H.J.Whittle, Ind, Felinfach
L.H.Williams, LDem, Newtown East

Llangattock (won by an Independent in 2004) appears to be vacant. Candidates are LibDem and Tory.

*Elected as LibDem
**Ward seems to have been re-named Llanwddyn

[Harry Hayfield]

Powys now...

Candidates elected unopposed

G.R.Banks, LDem, Presteigne
S.R.M.Baynes, Con, Llanwddyn
R.G.Brown, No Description, Llandrinio
R.Davies, No Description, Llandinam
S.C.Davies, Labour, Cwm-Twrch
J.Evans, Ind, Llanllyr
V.E.Evans, Ind, Llanfair Caereinion
C.G.Gwillim, Labour, Aber-Craf
M.R.Harris, Ind, Llangynidr
G.G.Hopkins, Ind, Gwernyfed
D.R.Jones, Ind, Guilsfield
E.M.Jones, Ind, Meifod
M.J.Jones, Ind, Churchstoke
T.Jones, Ind, Llansantffraid
W.Jones, Ind, Dolforwyn
G.Lewis, Ind, Llangunllo
S.McNicholas, Labour, Ynyscedwyn
E.T.Morgan, Ind, Maescar-Llywel
R.W.Morgan, Ind, Llanbrynmair
M.E.Morris, Ind, Glasbury
W.D.Powell, LDem, Talgarth
D.R.Price, Ind, Llanafanfawr
G.D.Price, Ind, Llandrindod East - Llandrindod West
K.Roberts-Jones, Ind, Kerry
J.Shearer, Ind, Rhiwcynon
W.B.Thomas, Ind, Llanfihangel
M.J.B.Tunnicliffe, LDem, Llangors
B.Vaughan, No Description, Banwy
G.P.Vaughan, Glantwymyn
J.M.Williams, Ind, Machynlleth

Councillors not seeking re-election

J.W.Griffiths, Ind, Newtown Central
J.H.Hughes, Ind, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant - Llansilin
D.M.James, Ind, Talybont-on-Usk
V.A.Morgan, Ind, Llanelwedd
K.Riffel, Ind*, Forden
J.D.A.Thompson, Ind, Llanyre
G.T.Tibbott, Ind, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant**
R.H.Tyler, LibDem, Rhayader
H.J.Whittle, Ind, Felinfach
L.H.Williams, LDem, Newtown East

Llangattock (won by an Independent in 2004) appears to be vacant. Candidates are LibDem and Tory.

*Elected as LibDem
**Ward seems to have been re-named Llanwddyn

Which when you tally it up comes to:
Con 1
Lab 3
Lib Dem 3
Ind 19
NPI 3
which means that Powys WILL have to be elected (having declared as Ind HOLD in 2004 before a single vote had been cast. Politics has clearly arrived in Powys!

[Peter]

Oxford, 2008

Map of 2008 incumbents (click to enlarge)


There has been a lot of defections/by-elections for the Class of 2004 - 2 councillors went LD -> Tory, another went LD -> Labour. One LD councillor passed away to be replaced by a Labour councillor. Labour successfully defended two more by-elections, and the Greens another also.

Map of 2006 results (click to enlarge)


(Map of Ward names for reference)

After the 2006 elections, the Council stood as follows:
Lib Dem - 19 (formed a minority administration)
Labour - 17
Green - 8
IWCA - 4
Source

Today it stands as:
Lib Dem - 15 (nominally the minority administration)
Labour - 19
Green - 8
IWCA - 4
Conservative - 2

Labour needs 24 seats to have exactly half of the council; I think that 5 seats is too much of an ask for Labour, though I think it is now inevitable they will end up as the Minority administration once again.

Predictions
Barton and Sandhills - LD inc.; Likely LD (v. Lab)
Blackbird Leys - IWCA inc.; Likely IWCA (v. Lab)
Carfax - Conservative inc.; Tossup LD/Green [Student ward - Conservative is a LD defector]
Churchill - IWCA inc.; Leans Labour (v. IWCA)
Cowley - Labour inc.; Leans Labour (v. LD)
Cowley Marsh - Labour incumbent; Likely Labour (v. LD)
Headington - Open LD; Strong LD
Headington Hill and Northway - Open Labour; Leans LD (v. Con/Lab)
Hinksey Park - Labour inc.; Strong Labour
Holywell - Open Green; Tossup LD/Green
Iffley Fields - Green inc.; Likely Green (v. Labour)
Jericho and Osney - Labour inc.; Strong Labour
Littlemore - Labour inc.; Strong Labour
Lye Valley - Labour inc.; Leans Labour (v. LD)
Marston - LD inc.; Tossup Lab/LD [Condependent candidate makes this unpredictable]
North - LD inc.; Strong LD
Northfield Brook - IWCA inc.; Tossup Lab/IWCA
Quarry and Risinghurst - Conservative inc.; Tossup Lab/LD [Estate ward - Tory is a LD defector]
Rose Hill and Iffley - Labour inc.; Strong Labour
St Clement's - Green inc.; Strong Green
St Margaret's - LD inc.; Strong LD
St Mary's - Open Green; Strong Green
Summertown - Open LD; Likely LD (v. Green)
Wolvercote - Open LD; Strong LD.

[Harry Hayfield]

According to the returning officer, Ceredigion nominations should be online by the end of today. I can tell you that in Ciliau Aeron, the nominations are:

HAYFIELD Harry Welsh Liberal Democrats
MASKELL John Plaid Cymru
SHELDON Iain Independent

[Harry Hayfield]

Candidates for Ceredigion 2008
(Cllr. designates sitting member)

Aberaeron: Elizabeth Evans, LDm, Cllr. Richard Emlyn Thomas, Ind

Aberporth: Cllr. Gethin James, Ind, Mark William Mainwaring, Con

Aber, Bronglais: Robert Mark Schofield, Con, Trevor Graham Shaftoe, LDm, Cllr. Alun Williams, PC

Aber Central: Emily Dale, Con, Cllr. Ceredig Davies, LDm, Mark Strong, PC

Aber North: Aled Davies, PC, Anthony Alexander Pickles, Con, Cllr. Carl Williams, LDm

Aber Penparcau: Richard Boudier, Lab, David John Cogdell, Con, Steve Davies, PC, Cllr. Goronwy Edwards, Ind, Rob Gorman, PC, Mick Jones, LDm, Cllr. Owen Jones, Ind, Graeme Matthew David Smith, Con (elects two councillors)

Aber, Rheidol: Jason Luke Edwards, Con, Cllr. Eric John Griffiths, LDm, Susan Jane Jones-Davies, PC

Beulah: Neil Flower, LDm, Cllr. William David Lyndon Lloyd, PC

Borth: James Whitlock Davies, NPI, Cllr. Ray Quant, Ind (NPI stands for Non Party Independent and is the term I have come up with for candidates who leave the description box blank)

Capel Dewi: Cllr. Peter Davies, Ind (elected unopposed) HOLD

Cardigan Mwldan: John Adams-Lewis, PC, Cllr. Mair Morris, Ind, Bradley George Stephen Vaughan, Con

Cardigan Rhydyfwuch; Cllr. Mark Cole, LDm, Ann Rees-Seabrook, PC

Cardigan Teifi: Catrin Miles, PC, Cllr. Alan Wilson, Ind

Ceulanamaesmawr; Cllr. Ellen ap Gwynn, PC, Richard Oliver Morgan-Ash, LDm

Ciliau Aeron: Harry Hayfield, LDm, Moelfryn Maskell, PC, Iain James Sheldon, Ind (Cllr. Stanley Thomas has stood down, Iain Sheldon was UKIP in 2004)

Faenor: Alan Lloyd Evans, PC, Robert James MacKinnon, Con, Cllr. John Roberts, LDm

Lampeter: Michael Neville James Chamberlain, Con, Elly Foster, Grn, Cllr. Hag Harris, Lab,
Robert Phillips, PC, Dorothy Williams, NPI, Cllr. John Ivor Williams, Ind, Derek Wilson, LDm (elects two councillors)

Llanarth: Cllr. Eurfyl Evans, LDm (elected unopposed) HOLD

Llanbadarn Fawr Padarn: Cllr. Gareth Davies, PC, Terry Raymond Lynch, LDm, Bob Morris, NPI

Llanbadarn Fawr Sulien; Peter Jeffry Hampson, LDm, Cllr. Paul James, PC

Llandyfriog; Alex Bashford, LDm, Cllr. Benjamin Towyn Evans, PC

Llandysiliogogo; Gareth Lloyd Cletwr, NPI, Cllr. Cen Llwyd, PC

Llandysul Town; Cllr. Keith Evans, Ind, Iwan William Richards, PC

Llanfarian: Cllr. Alun Lloyd Jones, PC, Elian-Lorrae Jones-Southgate, LDm, Llinos Mai Thomas, Con (Cllr. Jones defected to Plaid on the day nominations closed)

Llanfihangel Ystrad: Matthew Gee, LDm, Cllr. Owen Llywelyn, PC

Llangeitho: Cllr. David Evans, PC (elected unopposed) GAIN from Ind (Cllr. Evans defected to Plaid on the day nominations closed)

Llangybi: Cllr. Odwyn Davies, PC, Sonia Rose Williams, LDm

Llanrhystud: Emyr Morgan Jones, NPI, Cllr. Rowland Rees-Evans, LDm

Llansantffraid; Dafydd Edwards, Ind, Cllr. Meurig James, PC

Llanwenog: Kathy Bracy, LDm, Cllr. Hadyn Richards, PC

Lledrod: Ifan Davies, Ind, Catrin Myfanwy Huws, PC (Cllr. Evans has stood down)

Melindwr: Rhodri Davies, PC, Cllr. Fred Williams, LDm

New Quay: Luke William Ashley Evetts, Con, Cllr. Gill Hopley, Ind

Penbryn: Cllr. Ian ap Dewi, PC, June Perry, LDm

Penparc: David Richard James, PC, Cllr. Haydn Lewis, Ind

Tirmynach: Paul Hinge, LDm,  Cllr. Penri James, PC (Cllr. James is the Plaid PPC for Ceredigion)

Trefeurig: Martin John Squires, LDm, Cllr. Dai Suter, PC, Kari Walker, NPI

Tregaron: Cllr. Catherine Jane Hughes, PC (elected unopposed) HOLD

Troedyraur: Cllr. Wynford Jones, PC (elected unopposed) HOLD

Ystwyth: Sian Mereid Archer, PC, Cllr. Rowland Jones, LDm, Leila Kiersch, Grn

Total candidates and changes since 2004

Plaid Cymru 34 candidates (n/c on 2004)
Liberal Democrats 27 candidates (+8 on 2004)
Independents 16 candidates (-3 on 2004)
Conservatives 12 candidates (+11 on 2004)
Non Party Independents 6 candidates (-1 on 2004)
Green candidates 2 candidates (+1 on 2004)
Labour candidates 2 (+1 on 2004)

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aber Penparcau: Richard Boudier, Lab, David John Cogdell, Con, Steve Davies, PC, Cllr. Goronwy Edwards, Ind, Rob Gorman, PC, Mick Jones, LDm, Cllr. Owen Jones, Ind, Graeme Matthew David Smith, Con (elects two councillors)

A Labour candidate polled about 240 votes in that ward in the 2004 community council elections, so that's no surprise.

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This man is almost certainly a member of the Conservative Party.

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IIRC Williams took most of the LibDem vote last time. With them running a candidate this time round he might be vulnerable; he nearly lost in 1999.

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lolz. Labour pulled the same stunt in a Port Talbot ward, btw.

[Harry Hayfield]

Penparcau ward of Aberystwyth Town Council 2004
(Emboldened candidates elected)

EDWARDS Llewelyn Goronwy Ind 594
JONES Owen H Ind 485
JAMES John Thomas Plaid 468
JONES John Michael Plaid 290
PARRY Graham Thomas NPI 282
COLE Denise Elizabeth Lib Dem 266
LEWIS Dylan Paul Lab 243
FOSTER Timothy John Green 115

If Cllr. Davies is a Conservative and has been elected as Independent, perhaps after the elections a letter to the Electoral Commission who are investigating the abuse of party labels might be called for?

Lampeter's Electoral History 1987 - 2004
1987: Evans NPI 723 Barton Lib Dem 698 Williams NPI 645 Jones Green 328
1991: Harris Lab 1,003 Barton Lib Dem 636 Evans Ind 628 Davies Ind 294
1995: Harris Lab Evans Ind (elected unopposed)
1999: Harris Lab 681 Williams Ind 428 Ramaya Ind 382 Evans Lib Dem 314 Phillips Plaid 304
2004: Harris Lab 785 Williams Ind 643 Carter Plaid 350

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Anglesey...

Councillors not seeking re-election

J.A.Edwards, Plaid, Gwyngyll
P.J.Dunning, Con, Trearddur
G.A.Roberts, Ind, Parc a'r Mynydd
J.Rowlands, Ind (was Plaid), Llangoed
K.Thomas, Plaid, London Road
W.J.Williams, Ind, Llanddyfnan

Councillors running for a different party

W.J.Chorlton, Kingsland, was Ind now Labour
C.L.Everett, Holyhead Town, was Ind now Labour
J.A.Roberts, Morawelon, was Ind now Labour

Elected Unopposed

C.L.Everett, Labour, Holyhead Town
D.R.Hughes, Ind, Moelfre
G.O.Jones, Ind, Llanfair-yn-Neubwll
R.G.Parry, Plaid, Bryngwran
G.W.Roberts, Ind, Amlwch Rural
P.S.Rogers, Ind, Rhosyr
J.Williams, Ind, Llanbadrig

[Harry Hayfield]

Candidate Nominations (Data from BBC Wales and Electoral Commission
Conservatives 519 (+140 on 2004)
Labour 877 (-54 on 2004)
Liberal Democrats 439 (+17 on 2004)
Plaid Cymru 516 (-30 on 2004)
Independents 718 (+130 on 2004)
Others 197 (+4 on 2004)
Grand Total: 3,266 (+277 on 2004)

[Verily]

Does "Independents" include Llais Gwynedd, People's Voice, and the various other local parties?

[Harry Hayfield]

Does "Independents" include Llais Gwynedd, People's Voice, and the various other local parties?

I believe that BBC Wales counts Independents as those listed as Independent on the ballot paper so therefore Llais and People's Voice would be listed as Others

[Harry Hayfield]

I think I may have found the longest ballot paper for the council elections in the whole of Wales (unless anyone else can find a longer one).

Council: Swansea
Ward: Sketty
Councillors Elected: 5
Candidates Nominated: 17
Length of Ballot Paper: 2ft 1½ in (64.77cm)

[Harry Hayfield]

Electorates for Ceredigion by county ward

Aberaeron   1104 Aberporth   1879 Aberystwyth Bronglais   1014 Aberystwyth Central   1629 Aberystwyth North   1267 Aberystwyth Penparcau   2253 Aberystwyth Rheidol   1514 Beulah   1359 Borth   1623 Capel Dewi   1092 Cardigan, Mwldan   1344 Cardigan, Teifi   809 Cardigan,Rhydyfuwch   911 Ceulanamaesmawr   1524 Ciliau Aeron   1555 Faenor   1513 Lampeter   1636 Llanarth   1197 Llanbadarn Fawr - Padarn   732 Llanbadarn Fawr - Sulien   827 Llandyfriog   1428 Llandysiliogogo   1536 Llandysul Town   1106 Llanfarian   1136 Llanfihangel Ystrad   1598 Llangeitho   1226 Llangybi   1174 Llanrhystud   1199 Llansantffraed   1914 Llanwenog   1425 Lledrod   1782 Melindwr   1592 New Quay   937 Penbryn   1778 Penparc   1948 Tirmynach   1475 Trefeurig   1359 Tregaron   972 Troedyraur   1040 Ystwyth   1544

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The BNP were due to run a candidate here, but their candidate seems to have either withdrawn or been disqualified and, by the look of it, won't be on the ballot.

[Harry Hayfield]

Some useful information re the Welsh local elections on May 1st
http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/council/1870.asp Blaenau Gwent Nominations
http://www.bridgend.gov.uk/Web1/groups/public/documents/form/047688.doc Bridgend Nominations
Caerphilly: No nominations online
http://www.cardiff.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=2867%2C3597&parent_directory_id=2865&id=6365 Cardiff Nominations
http://www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/attached_files/geraint/PCS58868.PDF Carmarthenshire Nominations
Ceredigion: Nominations listed in earlier post
http://www.conwy.gov.uk/drcllrwardcandidates.asp?cat=5949&doc=22166&language=1 Conwy Nominations
[urlhttp://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en-gb/DNAP-7AJFZW[/url] Denbighshire Nominations
http://www.flintshire.gov.uk/Webcont/newrealweb.nsf/vwa_docref/GROS7CMFVR Flintshire Nominations
http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_doc.asp?cat=5766&doc=20578&language=1 Gwynedd Nominations
Merthyr Tydfil: No nominations online
http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/56F0DE9E-54E1-40AD-96B8-21399ADF7826/0/StatementofNominationsCounty.pdf Monmouthshire Nominations
http://www.neath-porttalbot.gov.uk/downloads/elections/Candidates_Summary_County_Borough_Council_Elections_2008.pdf Neath and Port Talbot Nominations
http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=members.become&contentid=CONT225379 Newport Nominations
http://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/content.asp?nav=101,1187&parent_directory_id=646&id=14813 Pembrokeshire Nominations
http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=4798 Powys Nominations
RCT Rhondda, Cynon, Taff Nominations
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/media/pdf/b/0/Nominations_-_Local_Government_Elections_-_10-04-08.pdf Swansea Nominations
http://www.torfaen.gov.uk/CouncilAndDemocracy/CouncillorsDemocracyAndElections/Elections/1MayElections/TCBC/PersonsNominated.aspx Torfaen Nominations
http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/our_council/council/voting_and_elections/local_elections_2008/persons_nominated.aspx Vale of Glamorgan Nominations
http://www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/council/electoral/local_elections_08/wardmap.htm Wrexham Nominations
Ynys Môn : No nominations online

[Filuwaúrdjan]

The Merthyr, Anglesey and Caerphilly nominations *are* all online (I know for I have seen them) but they're hidden in odd places. In at least one case under "notice of poll".

(fixed the RCT link above)

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Talking of Merthyr:

Councillors not seeking re-election

D.James, Ind, Penydarren
J.Taylor, Ind (was PBP), Cyfartha
S.Morgan, PBP, Town
C.Tovey, Ind (was Lab), Vaynor

There appears to be a vacancy in Merthyr Vale.

No uncontested wards, but Labour are guarenteed one seat in Gurnos and two in Park (both of which are in Merthyr proper). For 33 seats there are only around 70 candidates; astonishing given the length of the ballot paper in Merthyr in the last Assembly election.

[Harry Hayfield]

I was in Carmarthen today and asked if the following was possible



To which they said "Yes".

That's a trial to see if I can do the same with Ceredigion tomorrow.

[Harry Hayfield]

How to put both feet it in at the same time!

1) Attack a Conservative councillor
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7351866.stm (Rod Richards cautioned for attacking canvasser)

2) Then get your maths wrong:

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(David Cameron MP, today in Abergele)

According to BBC Wales, the Conservative have 515 duly nominated candidates (representing 16% of the total number of candidates)

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Haha! Rottweiler Rod hasn't changed! I still think his astonishingly bitter and paranoid resignation speech is one of the highlights of devolved politics so far.

---

I think he must mean 41% of seats or wards or something. Which is possible; a lot more paper Tory candidates than last time and they're running people in Powys for once.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

A newspaper in Salford has done a crappy "poll" of the borough. Or, more accurately, of random people in town centres, shopping centres and the like... lol... here are the numbers:

Labour 40%
Won't Say 22%
Tory 19%
Other 11%
LDem 8%

So... yeah... at least we now know something about the political habits of random Salford shoppers!

[Hash]

Lol. About as good as the polls they did in the Marseille sectors this time around. And got everybody scared of the FN.