What a peculiar election that was.
When it was announced it seemed like the Conservative majority would be strengthened in Westminster with Labour being even more sidelined. Then it
would be time to play hard ball with the EU.
What transpired was nothing of the sort. Tonight Theresa May is still Prime Minister having 'won' the UK General Election. Jeremy Corbyn is still
leader of the opposition. But looking at the headlines and TV news you'd have thought it was Labour who had won the election.
There were a number of factors at work.
Theresa May tried to make it all about her vs Corbyn, an incompetent buffoon, who couldn't even organize a birthday party never mind look after our
nation. She was also over confident. Even being brazen enough to warn you not to get dementia or she'd be after your home to pay for your care. A big
mistake.
Then after repeating how "strong and stable" she was she appeared weak and afraid when she declined to appear in televised debates. Along with the
right wing dominated media the onslaught on Jeremy Corbyn continued.
From seemingly nowhere his campaign suddenly gained ground. Where May was stiff and awkward on a genial TV chat show, the BBC's One Show, Corbyn came
on and was relaxed, a bit quirky, and like your friendly uncle. Probably not important at that time. But it was a kick start to people taking notice.
Then Jeremy upped his game and outflanked May with his social media campaign, his speaking around the nation and then appearing in a debate on TV. He
actually campaigned on policies not personalities. More people began to take notice and were thinking he wasn't the fool they'd been told. Even the
Tories were noticing it. He ended his campaign speaking in venues across Scotland, Wales and England yesterday to large crowds. May appeared to shun
the people and take her votes for granted. While Corbyn appeared evasive on defence and association with 'terrorist' organisations this was far
outweighed by the fact that he just performed better in the race to the line than May. Even though he just fell short in the end.
The election was obviously also affected by the 'independence' issue in Scotland. I know a few of my Scottish chums were voting Conservative because
they wanted the SNP out and thought Labour to be a spent force. Others felt the SNP was the only choice.
The collapse of UKIP's vote was probably due to them being a one trick pony. Their work is done. But Labour seemed to benefit more than the Tories.
It was also notable that the majority of party leaders were women. Perhaps a welcome sign of the times. Unfortunately for the Conservatives Theresa
May is probably the least charismatic of the lot. She could learn lessons from her party leader in Scotland. Ruth Davidson is more natural engaging
with the public and a better speaker. Her performance earned gains from the SNP.
Also more younger people seemed to be inspired to vote this time around. The future is theirs to inherit and I am glad they are noticing the
importance of politics.
So what of the future?
Ultimately the Tories stay in power but it seems that Labour won some very important battles. UKIP will probably fade away and become irrelevant now.
Unless Farage decides to make yet another comeback. We will leave the EU. But due to the complexity of negotiations we may well end up staying in the
single market with perhaps a special deal to keep all parties happy and prevent the lorries queuing up at Dover.
I have no idea what will happen with Scotland. I think the divisiveness from the constant talk of referendums until Scotland leaves the UK and the
extra debate over Brexit make it very difficult to predict.
I also don't know whether May will face political death by the usual suspects within her own party, whether the alliance with the DUP will ultimately
succeed or fail and whether politics really has returned to the ways of the old two party system. Only time will tell.
edit on 9/6/17 by mirageman because: typo