So, before Gwyneth Dunwoody is even in the ground, the Labour party has called the by-election. I am in two minds about this. I will admit, when I first read the news, my second thought was 'wonder what her majority was?', a bit tasteless in retrospect, but we are all political anoraks here, whether we will admit it or not. So, if I thought that then I guess I can't condemn Labour for doing what they have done. However, it still just doesn't sit right. There is a big difference between having a look at a majority and actually calling a by-election. I would have thought the least the Labour party would do is wait until her funeral, before starting the political fun and games.
But no, it seems they are scared, so want to rush the campaign in an attempt to keep the seat. Politically, I understand where they are coming from. Personally, I think it is tasteless and quite contemptible.
1 hour ago
4 comments:
Sorry Arnie, you are way off here.
From the Guardian
The Dunwoody family said: "We fully support the decision to begin the process of electing a new MP for Crewe and Nantwich. Our mother proudly represented this constituency for 34 years and would not want to see local people go without an MP.
"She worked tirelessly for local people and recognised there was always more to do. She would want that job of work to continue as quickly as possible."
You are right though. It's natural for political animals to be looking at majorities when a by-election is likely through whatever circumstances. I'm sure Gwyneth would have agreed.
Personally, I'm hoping Tamsin Dunwoody will be selected. That's if she even wants to stand, of course.
I know the family are happy with the process, but even so, it still just strikes me as wrong. I wasn't trying to suggest that it was directly causing distress to anyone, but like I say, it just doesn't sit right with me.
When my mother died last year, we got on with sorting out her things well before the funeral. I'm afraid life goes on.
I imagine campaigning will be low key until after 8th May.In the same way campaigning for the euro elections was toned down for a week or two following the death of John Smith in 1994.
It was interesting to hear Michael Crick on Newsnight last night saying that the Lib Dems are already sending election workers to Crewe & Nantwich and they have replaced their candidate.
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