Forum Topic

Putney post-election analysis - Why did Fleur win?

Putney was the only Labour gain of the night, bucking the national trend and delivering Fleur Anderson close to a 5000 vote majority. Why do you think this happened and who did you vote for?

Daniel Shearer ● 2524d17 Comments

I think this has been covered on another thread  Daniel, but no doubt the vigorous effort put in by Labour (a friend of mine told me after the election that he campaigned  for Fleur but was too scared to tell me lol!) helped as too the number of Roehampton students voting Labour?Having said that I understand Fleur came over best during the hustings and maybe people voted for her as a constituency MP they felt might have their interests at heart (esp in a Remain constituency) rather than Corbyn's Labour Party. She beat the Momentum candidate when she was selected to run and I think that also gave people confidence to vote for her. Seems like she will be on the winning team when Labour elect a new  non Momentum supported leader. I live in hope.

Lucille Grant ● 2524d

I do not think people are actually aware of the union to save it.Or even that they think it should be saved.The term Brexit says it all.What is the glue that holds the union together after all?Radio 4 any questions responses made NI seem like an old aunt. We hope she stays but don't mind if she passes away.

Ed Robinson ● 2523d

"What is the glue that holds the union together after all?"Yes, it may be time for some surgery even more radical than Brexit. Looking at the election results, much of the country is out of step with London. The non-viable parts mostly.  Perhaps we need to consider London's future, alone. As Wikipedia states:-"London produced in 2017 about £430 billion or around $700 billion, around 1/4 of UK GDP, while the economy of the London metropolitan area — the largest in Europe—generates about 1/3 of the UK's GDP or almost $1.0 trillion."London is obviously not getting a fair share back of the wealth it creates. There may be better opportunities for us if we gain our independence outside the UK, as perhaps a new Singapore. The current situation is neither equitable nor democratic.We would still be essentially British. It is not as if we would be physically departing (not yet anyway with the current state of engineering and geology), and we would always have so much in common with our friends in Rump-England, such culture and such memories! Moaning Minnies and other treacherous types will say: "But how will you handle the borders?!" Well, we have the M25 as our wall. Just add electrified concertina wire and a death-strip (and make the Home Counties pay for it). We might not need to import much from Rump-England either. London does have 5 airports (6 if you include Southend - if you must). We will be able to import much of our needs more cheaply from other countries.And don’t worry about how Rump-England will react. They have just re-elected the Tories with Boris Johnson. No problemo.

David Ainsworth ● 2523d

What is “Rump-England”?

Martine Guy ● 2523d

You might regret asking that Martine.

Sue Hammond ● 2523d

England without the all-important London area. Let's get London free from the chains!

David Ainsworth ● 2523d

Feel free to start an Independence for London Campaign. David, as nothing seems to have happened on this since the Referendum took place.

Martine Guy ● 2523d

To the Idiots who Tactically Voted.YOU’VE MADE PUTNEY A LAUGHING STOCK!’Our Council will now be near the bottom of the Queue when Government does it’s Budgets.Please go & move to Islington!

Vic Condon ● 2523d

Well said Vic.Good to hear from someone talking so much sense and seeing the bigger picture.

Paul Game ● 2523d

"Our Council will now be near the bottom of the Queue when Government does it’s Budgets."A pretty nasty assault on the new Conservative government under Johnson that is. Are you suggesting that they are lacking in objectivity, honesty and fairness?"It is understood that the party considered pledging more in infrastructure spending during the campaign, but ultimately opted to be cautious. However, some insiders now want the plans to be re-examined as a way of fulfilling Johnson’s pledge to new voters in the Midlands and the north to remodel his party. The Conservative manifesto stated that its fiscal rules meant approximately £80bn was available in additional capital spending, not all of which has yet been allocated." (Guardian, Saturday)As London, not just Wandsworth, is overwhelmingly Labour, perhaps Johnson will squeeze it? Hmmm, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.Turkeys of the North, guard your necks!

David Ainsworth ● 2523d

Nonsense. A Tory council of the like of  Wandsworth will not be abandoned by a tory govt. Its more likely to receive extra help to ensure it doesn't go red in the 2022 locals.

Andy Pike ● 2523d

Also sour grapes on behalf of the Conservative candidate who as a councillor has already cut services. With x WBC leader Ed Lister at Boris's elbow I don't expect Putney (who Lister represented) will suffer. Perhaps Fleur appealed more as  a constituency MP after all?

Lucille Grant ● 2523d

Paul. As you would say, tough, that's democracy. Labour put up the best candidate, according to public opinion, and won. As a self proclaimed champion of democracy it would be hypocritical to not accept that, surely,? Have a nice day. Bye!

Michael Ixer ● 2523d

Mr Game may now appreciate the Clough poem which I quoted here. These lines:-"If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;    It may be, in yon smoke concealed,Your comrades chase e'en now the fliers,    And, but for you, possess the field."........."But westward, look, the land is bright."And, of course, northward also.

David Ainsworth ● 2523d

Michael I agree, Fleur was a much better candidate than Sweet. Will, if you read this please dont run in 2024, Putney deserves a much better Conservative candidate. Ideally someone who can think for him/her self and not just toe the party line ad infinitum.

Adam Tripp ● 2523d

1) If you had attended a hustings you would have seen that Anderson was by far the most articulate and impressive speaker and proponent of her beliefs.2) She made it quite clear she was a Remainer and that she supported the Labour position of renegotiation and a second Referendum where this position could be voted for.3) She made a compelling case for the fact that Conservative austerity had harmed many and had forced the Conservative WBC to reduce spending on education and Children's Services, areas she works in, and that Labour would reverse this.4) I assume that Labour had carried out a good analysis of Putney's demographic and overall political leaning following from Justine Greening's reduced majority win in  2017.The constituency has many 18-35s who see a continuing Conservative future of expensive rented dwelling, an uncertain job market and a xenophobic narrow minded attitude to the outside world, especially Europe.There is also probably a grouping that though Conservative at heart see economic dangers of Johnson's Brexit and find his leading an insular and nationalist movement to a right wing populism in the Conservatives, as well as the man himself, somewhat distasteful and a move away from Conservatism as they knew it.Both groups probably supported Remain.And of course there are a large number in the constituency who are really suffering from low incomes, scarce housing and a mean-spirited benefits system that they hoped Labour would alleviate.Finally Labour seemed to have run a very efficient local campaign by young enthusiastic supporters to capitalise on the above.Where were the Conservatives ?

John Hawkes ● 2522d

That’s it in a nutshell, John.I would also add that she opposed the Heathrow expansion, and that the Tory candidate looked out of his depth.A number of the people I spoke to both at the doors and on the phone, did mention how many times Labour had called and they appreciated the tenacity, commitment and energy. (I know, it surprised me too).They also mentioned that they had not been visited or called by the other parties.Fleur was a relatively easy ‘sell’, unfortunately, I can’t say the same about Corbyn. Interestingly, most people broadly agreed with much of Labour’s manifesto.Food for thought!

Paul Doorly ● 2522d