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Month: August 2013

Survation poll out

Survation poll out

There’s a new poll out by Survation for the Mail on Sunday. The fieldwork was entirely after the government defeat. Survation interviewed 1002 respondents online on Friday afternoon and evening seeking their reactions to the Government’s House of Commons defeat over Syria. As we can see there’s been very little movement in VI. Survation for The Mail on Sunday – VI (Change since August 4th) CON 29% (+1) LAB 37% (+1) UKIP 17% (-1) LD 11% (NC) AP 7% (NC)…

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Corporeal asks: Was this the best possible political result for David Cameron?

Corporeal asks: Was this the best possible political result for David Cameron?

  Government defeats in House of Commons vote are usually a blow to the sitting Prime Minister, leaving a scar of weakness, and requiring a scramble to reformulate policy to account for the set-back and fill the gap left by the defeated motion. A coalition government adds another level of questions about what this means in terms of unity. In this case however, I wonder if David Cameron will benefit from losing this vote far more than if he’d managed…

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A bad day all round, except for the result

A bad day all round, except for the result

David Herdson wonders if the biggest loser was Obama It’s unlikely that many of those involved in Thursday’s debate and vote will look back on their participation with pride.  Quite why parliament was recalled early when it was due to return next Monday anyway remains unclear, particularly given that the UN inspectors’ report should be published at the weekend or shortly after.  The assumption has to be that irreversible steps were planned before next week, probably at the initiative of…

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After the Syria Vote: What happens next in the UK

After the Syria Vote: What happens next in the UK

Here's a montage of the most recent front pages I've seen. #Syria http://t.co/EkYjORp06g pic.twitter.com/sRvJIGQyNm — Nick Sutton (@suttonnick) August 30, 2013 Looking at those front pages, it doesn’t make for pleasant reading for David Cameron today. As Janan Ganesh writes Defeat in Thursday night’s parliamentary vote on the principle of military action in Syria is not an existential wound for David Cameron, whatever his more excitable enemies say. But, after several months of good form, the prime minister looks weaker than at…

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Labour can’t afford a Shadow Cabinet anchored to the past

Labour can’t afford a Shadow Cabinet anchored to the past

  The debate on Syria has highlighted one of the advantages of Ed Miliband’s leadership. As someone who was not even an MP or in the country when the decision to invade Iraq was taken, the Labour leader is able to make policy decisions today free from some of the political shackles of the past. This is far easier for him than his former leadership rivals (with the exception of Diane Abbott).  It’s far harder to hit a moving target…

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Cameron loses the Syria Vote

Cameron loses the Syria Vote

Now that Dave has lost the vote on Syria Cameron loses Syria war vote; 272 v 285. — Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) August 29, 2013   Perhaps it is time to review these markets, this is not good for Dave, his authority has diminished somewhat. I suspect there is no chance of UK participation in any military intervention in Syria now.   Ladbrokes, year of the election, 2013, 25/1 and Dave to leave as PM in 2016 with Ladbrokes at…

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Winderemere, Bowness North By-Election Preview: August 29th 2013

Winderemere, Bowness North By-Election Preview: August 29th 2013

  Windermere, Bowness North on South Lakeland (Lib Dem Defence) Last Local Election (2012): Lib Dem 34, Con 13, Lab 4 (Liberal Democrat majority of 17) Result of last election in ward (2011): Lib Dem 608 (65%), Con 280 (30%), Lab 47 (5%) It is very rare to have just a single by-election on one day and this ward in South Lakeland (which covers the Lake District) is one of only three councils in Cumbria that hold elections every year…

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Syria – How it will impact domestic politics

Syria – How it will impact domestic politics

There was some polling released overnight by YouGov for The Times YouGov/The Times poll finds support for firing UK missiles against Syria fell to 22%, from 25% on Tues opposition grew from 50 to 51% — TSEofPB (@TSEofPB) August 28, 2013   YouGov finds 63% launching missiles at Syria will make things worse than better. 15% Disagree — TSEofPB (@TSEofPB) August 29, 2013   Despite overwhelming opposition to missile strikes in Syria, David Cameron’s personal ratings can give him some…

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