Brighton Pavilion - Greens set to win first seat.

[5unny]

Betfair and the bookies have made the greens clear favourites for this seat. In 2005 the results were: Labour/Co-Op 15k votes, Tory 10k, Greens 9k, Libs 7k.

So what has suddenly made the greens so popular here?

I guess having 90% of the media on your side spinning MMGW helps, but it can't just be that can it?

[JB!]

5unny said:

Betfair and the bookies have made the greens clear favourites for this seat. In 2005 the results were: Labour/Co-Op 15k votes, Tory 10k, Greens 9k, Libs 7k.

So what has suddenly made the greens so popular here?

I guess having 90% of the media on your side spinning MMGW helps, but it can't just be that can it?

brighton, full of leftie student types...

[Dunk76]

Brighton Pavilion is the 'alternative' part of town.

Brighton Council is actually Tory, believe it or not. Although the other parties have formed an effective coalition against them. Nasty Tories trying to increase spending on roads, or something.

Celia Barlow has been Labour MP for Hove since 1997, and despite the fact I despise her, I will grant her that she didn't scam expenses, and doesn't always vote with the whip. Mind you, there seems to be a lot she doesn't vote on.

On the flipside, her propoganda may have something to do with it - periodic leaflets proclaiming how Labour have reduced taxes, increased investment, blah blah blah. Interestingly, the sort of investment she says she's achieved is normally down to the Council, or it's Sure Start nursery bribery type schemes in the poorer areas of the town.

Fundamentally, Brighton is a liberal alternative town, and it'll vote for almost anyone except the mainstream. Looking at the council seats, you can easily tell the demographic of the wards just by who they elected;

West Hove and North Brighton areas - Tory; this is the 'normal' end of the town
Hove central, Poets Corner and others - Green; these bits are the trendy hip middle-class one-child organic food and clothing professional parents type area.
Central Brighton - liberal and pink parties; it's the gay enclaves
Housing estates - labour; because that's what you'd expect.

[Gun]

It's a terrifying thought that one of these blinkered idiots might win a seat. The Green Party, determined to take Britain back to the dark ages!

[Bill Carr]

I disagree, I think it would be good to have at least on Green MP. Their policies will be put under a great deal more scrutiny than they are at present. Plus it would be interesting to see how they deal with the Westminster juggernaut.

[MX7]

Bill Carr said:

I disagree, I think it would be good to have at least on Green MP. Their policies will be put under a great deal more scrutiny than they are at present. Plus it would be interesting to see how they deal with the Westminster juggernaut.

Agreed. I think it's probably quite healthy to have at least one opinion from across the spectrum.

This isn't really a surprise. Had the EU election last year been a General Election, Lucas would have become an MP.

[5unny]

Bill Carr said:

I disagree, I think it would be good to have at least on Green MP. Their policies will be put under a great deal more scrutiny than they are at present. Plus it would be interesting to see how they deal with the Westminster juggernaut.

Yes interesting way to look at it.