General Election 2017: The Results and Aftermath

[backontrack]

Not yet.

Many sources say that this seems to be the case.

Of course the real shock of this election is just how the 792,248 more votes that the Tories got over Labour transferred into 57 extra seats. In percentage terms that's 2.4% vote share for 8.77% seat increase.

For comparison under a PR system (top 4 parties only)
Tories: 276
Labour: 260
Lib Dem: 48
SNP: 20

Note how close that is compared to the FPTP result where every vote after second place +1 counts for nothing.

That's because of the boundary changes, quite simply. We're actually at the point where some of these seats are just very large rotten boroughs.

 

[northwichcat]

Turns out the DUP have strong opinions on people running through their fields of crops.

A farmer who allowed one of the world's best-selling pop stars to film in his grain field told her to cover up after she stripped down for a video.

Local councillor Alan Graham said he was fetching his tractor when he saw her and thought it was unacceptable.

The Rude Boy star was filming a new pop video in his Bangor field.
"I thought it was inappropriate. I requested them to stop and they did," he explained.

"I had my conversation with Rihanna and I hope she understands where I'm coming from. We shook hands," he said.

Mr Graham is a member of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), the largest political party in Northern Ireland and one which is traditionally conservative in its views.

He admitted that he did not know who the 23-year-old sex symbol was when he got a phone call to ask for the use of his field in Bangor, County Down, for a pop video last week.

"I didn't know who was coming. If the name 'Rihanna' had been mentioned, well, no disrespect but it wouldn't have meant anything," he explained.
Rihanna, one of the most successful pop performers in the world, came to film in the alderman's Bangor grain field on Monday.

She pulled up in a white caravan on the A2 dual carriageway.

Traffic practically ground to a halt near Ballyrobert as drivers strained to get a glimpse of the singer and her cavalcade.

But the DUP man said it was still his field and he wasn't happy with what she was doing.

"From my point of view, it was my land, I have an ethos and I felt it was inappropriate.

"I wish no ill will against Rihanna and her friends. Perhaps they could acquaint themselves with a greater God," he said.

Hundreds of people also gathered by the roadside to watch the impromptu performance with many local school children using their camera phones to record the event for posterity.

The Barbadian first came to prominence in her homeland and the United States before achieving worldwide fame with her 2007 hit, Umbrella.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15104707

 

[northwichcat]

Of course the real shock of this election is just how the 792,248 more votes that the Tories got over Labour transferred into 57 extra seats. In percentage terms that's 2.4% vote share for 8.77% seat increase.

For comparison under a PR system (top 4 parties only)
Tories: 276
Labour: 260
Lib Dem: 48
SNP: 20

Note how close that is compared to the FPTP result where every vote after second place +1 counts for nothing.

But of course people would vote differently under PR. A lot of seats are safe seats or 2 horse races which puts people off the candidates expected to finish 3rd or below.

 

[backontrack]

Turns out the DUP have strong opinions on people running through their fields of crops.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-15104707

We've asked Theresa not to do that before and she never does.

Even if Theresa won't stop doing it...can she get Boris Johnson to, please?

 

[Altfish]

Where are Boris Johnson, David Davis and Philip Hammond hiding?

Planning a coupe?

 

[NorthernSpirit]

Wouldn't it be easier if UKIP just scheduled an automatic leadership election every 6 months, to save their leaders the bother of having to resign?

UKIP are more honest on the lines of if they cannot deliver reasonable results at an election, its best for the leader to stand down and let someone else lead rather than limping on as what May and Corbyn are doing. Had it been a Labour minority then Corbyn would have likely asked his palls as the IRA...sorry Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams to join him to form Government, instead we've got a mirror of that with the Tories and DUP.

I knew it would end up in a coalition no matter who gained the most, whether it'd be Tory-Labour or whoever-whoever.


It has to be said that a Brazilian mate of mine supports UKIP because she agrees to the principles and policies that UKIP stand for. She may, once she has emigrated to the UK, stand for UKIP in the 2022 General Election.
I wonder how the Corbynites on here feel about hearing this?

 

[Mordac]

Where are Boris Johnson, David Davis and Philip Hammond hiding?

Planning a coupe?

As long as it's an Aston Martin!

 

[Seacook]

Since the First Past the Post delivered far more seats to the Conservative Party than were won by the Labour Party, why on earth do you make references of "consequences"?

The only consequence that I can see was the Conservatives were the largest party in terms of number of seats gained.

The more usual way of expressing the last sentence is "number of seats won." In normal electionspeak "gain" indicates winning in a constituency previously held by another party. Overall, the Conservatives lost seats, but not in sufficient numbers to prevent them from winning the largest number. The situation regarding MPs in Scottish constituencies is similar - the SNP has the largest number of Scottish seats but not as many as they had two months ago.

 

[backontrack]

UKIP are more honest on the lines of if they cannot deliver reasonable results at an election, its best for the leader to stand down and let someone else lead rather than limping on as what May and Corbyn are doing. Had it been a Labour minority then Corbyn would have likely asked his pals at the IRA...sorry Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams to join him to form Government, instead we've got a mirror of that with the Tories and DUP.

How. Many. Times. :roll:

 

[SS4]

MThat's because of the boundary changes, quite simply. We're actually at the point where some of these seats are just very large rotten boroughs.

I feel for you and your peers who will be badly affected but were unable to do anything to change it (I think I read you were too young to vote, apologies if that isn't the case)

But of course people would vote differently under PR. A lot of seats are safe seats or 2 horse races which puts people off the candidates expected to finish 3rd or below.

That's certainly true and any transferable votes would also have an affect. I still cannot buy it being more rotten that FPTP though. That may have been OK in the 1800s but it's nowhere near fit for purpose today (do any political parties use it to elect their leader?)

 

[bnm]

So, in just over a weeks time we will be sending a Conservative & Unionist Negotiating Team to Brussels. Just a handy acronym needed...

 

[507021]

Many sources say that this seems to be the case.

I only looked on the results page for the constituency on the BBC website, hopefully it's been updated now.

 

[backontrack]

FINAL TOTALS:

Conservatives 318
Labour 262
SNP 35
Liberal Democrat 12
Democratic Unionist Party 10
Sinn Féin 7
Plaid Cymru 4
Green 1
Independent 1
UK Independence Party 0
Ulster Unionist Party 0
Social Democratic and Labour Party 0
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland 0
Others 0


Conservative total includes Speaker of the House.

 

[AlterEgo]

Had it been a Labour minority then Corbyn would have likely asked his palls as the IRA...sorry Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams to join him to form Government

No they wouldn't. Sinn Fein are abstentionists and have absolutely no wish whatsoever in forming the Government of the United Kingdom. Hogwash!

 

[backontrack]

I feel for you and your peers who will be badly affected but were unable to do anything to change it (I think I read you were too young to vote, apologies if that isn't the case)

Thanks

It's not all grim though. In my seat, Canterbury...it was a brilliant night.

 

[Busaholic]

I haven't read all the recent postings on here re the DUP. I'd just like to mention how, a quarter century ago, a perennially weak Conservative Prime Minister had to rely on some Northern Ireland Unionists to keep his government in power, in order that they could pass such important legislation as the regulating of traffic cones on motorways, and those unionists were Ulster Unionists, at the 'softer' end of Unionism, relatively speaking.They have now been wiped out, just as the SDLP have been wiped out by Sinn Fein, neither development being for the long-term good of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland imo. Just imagine if Corbyn was given a chance to form a government and had to try to persuade SF to take their seats in order that they could help prop him up. The press etc would (rightly) have a field day and probably stop it before it ever got off the ground. The DUP should be treated in exactly the same way as SF imo i.e. with great suspicion.

Another consideration - a certain re-elected Tory MP is to appear in court early next month on electoral fraud charges and, if convicted, will be forcibly removed from his seat, so that 'majority' would decrease by one.

 

[backontrack]

I haven't read all the recent postings on here re the DUP. I'd just like to mention how, a quarter century ago, a perennially weak Conservative Prime Minister had to rely on some Northern Ireland Unionists to keep his government in power, in order that they could pass such important legislation as the regulating of traffic cones on motorways, and those unionists were Ulster Unionists, at the 'softer' end of Unionism, relatively speaking.They have now been wiped out, just as the SDLP have been wiped out by Sinn Fein, neither development being for the long-term good of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland imo. Just imagine if Corbyn was given a chance to form a government and had to try to persuade SF to take their seats in order that they could help prop him up. The press etc would (rightly) have a field day and probably stop it before it ever got off the ground. The DUP should be treated in exactly the same way as SF imo i.e. with great suspicion.

Agreed.

 

[507021]

I haven't read all the recent postings on here re the DUP. I'd just like to mention how, a quarter century ago, a perennially weak Conservative Prime Minister had to rely on some Northern Ireland Unionists to keep his government in power, in order that they could pass such important legislation as the regulating of traffic cones on motorways, and those unionists were Ulster Unionists, at the 'softer' end of Unionism, relatively speaking.They have now been wiped out, just as the SDLP have been wiped out by Sinn Fein, neither development being for the long-term good of peace and prosperity in Northern Ireland imo. Just imagine if Corbyn was given a chance to form a government and had to try to persuade SF to take their seats in order that they could help prop him up. The press etc would (rightly) have a field day and probably stop it before it ever got off the ground. The DUP should be treated in exactly the same way as SF imo i.e. with great suspicion.

I completely agree.

Thanks

It's not all grim though. In my seat, Canterbury...it was a brilliant night.

One of the best results of the night, in my view.

I was extremely worried about the City of Chester seat which was a top target for the Tories, but Chris Matheson held the seat for Labour with his majority increased from 93 to 9,176.

 

[Busaholic]

Thanks

It's not all grim though. In my seat, Canterbury...it was a brilliant night.

How I'd have loved to have been in Canterbury today to see my beloved Kent cricket team and, afterwards, to celebrate in the city.

 

[backontrack]

How I'd have loved to have been in Canterbury today to see my beloved Kent cricket team and, afterwards, to celebrate in the city.

Agreed! Hope we finally get promoted this year.

Anyway, they are the Conservative and Unionist Party once more. #DUPCoalition

 

[ainsworth74]

BTW what is the story with Middlesbrough South & Cleveland East? Thats Loftus, Brotton, Skinningrove, Park End etc. That isnt natural Tory territory! Is it a Brexit back lash? Is it the bourgeoisie of Marton and Nunthrope wot wont it?

Guisborough will have won it I'd expect. Marton and Nunthorpe will have helped but if Guisborough went Tory (and it wouldn't surprise it's fairly natural territory for them) coupled with UKIP voters from Loftus, Brotton, etc it's not that surprising really!

 

[ainsworth74]

FINAL TOTALS:

Err when did Kensington declare?

 

[Butts]

I wouldnt be to sure about Scottish tory gains, the lib dems are more likely to do well up here in a Westminster election, there is also a good bit of voting against the SNP by disgruntaled voters, I know of 2 like this. Torys will hang on to Upper Nithsdale but doubt any or many other gains.

Can I ask where and when you will be "eating your hat"

I only expected to have a "Blue Border" but the results in Scotland have exceeded my wildest expectations......

This means more to me than an overall Conservative Victory.

Never mind "were you up for Portillo" the Scottish equivalent of Salmond is far more rewarding.

It's been no fun being a "Panda" for nearly 20 Years :cry:

I was in Portsmouth with a load of Labour supporters last night and Ruth's boys and girls made the night a lot more bearable.

Don't believe what ME123 and GUSB tell you - there is a large latent rural Scottish Conservative leaning electorate crying out for a moderate Conservative Admimistration they can back. As there probably is in the rest of the UK as well.

I'd say Indie 2 is well and truly on the back burner

Just a footnote LD's wiped out in Wales , we lost a couple and Leannes lot gained one and Labour did extremely well .

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

What were the odds offered by the bookmaking fraternity on:-

1)...The number of seats won by the Conservative Party

2)...The number of seats won by the Labour Party

3)..The number of seats won by the Scottish National Party

4)..Laura Kuenssberg shrieking out neurotic sounding soundbites in Downing Street

 

[Butts]

Exactly.

@Butts Ken Clarke is speaking, hope you're watching.

I was thankyou - he should be Leader of the Party

 

[Dave1987]

What were the odds offered by the bookmaking fraternity on:-

1)...The number of seats won by the Conservative Party

2)...The number of seats won by the Labour Party

3)..The number of seats won by the Scottish National Party

4)..Laura Kuenssberg shrieking out neurotic sounding soundbites in Downing Street

I have to admit I'm a bit surprised by your staunch defence of May here. She has forfeited a workable majority for a minority Government propped up by the DUP of all parties. Based on the fact she didn't have to call this election and it was purely opportunism on her part, it's a complete failure however you look at it. Her campaign was diabolical, refusing to be scrutinised wherever she could. Putting risky policies in because the polls were unassailable. How can you possibly defend her so staunchly? Even her own supporters in the Tory party have said she won't last and this election has been terrible for the party. (And remember May decided to call it!!)

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Just a footnote LD's wiped out in Wales , we lost a couple and Leannes lot gained one and Labour did extremely well .

Whilst Plaid Cymru gained a seat off LD, they came perilously close to losing their supposedly safe seat in Arfon (my constituency) where Mary Griffiths Clarke only lost by 92 votes with a 10% increase. Plaid Cymru were very arrogantly complacent, feeling that someone whose address was in Streatham (altho' originally from the area) would have no chance.

 

[northwichcat]

Agreed! Hope we finally get promoted this year.

Anyway, they are the Conservative and Unionist Party once more. #DUPCoalition

I noticed seeing a few of the results being announced on the news channel that in Scotland they always seemed to say "The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party", yet in England they are just Conservative.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It is said that a reduction in the number of Members of Parliament will soon be the case, but has any official date been set for this to be enacted?

 

[D365]

What were the odds offered by the bookmaking fraternity on:-

1)...The number of seats won by the Conservative Party

2)...The number of seats won by the Labour Party

I must say my friend got spectacular returns (something like 25/1) by betting on the eventual outcome of these two points.