Articles by jim

A propaganda battle is being fought on the doormats of Norwich South. In the 2005 election Norwich South, who historically have always been Labour, voted for Charles Clarke. However things seem a bit closer this time with pushes from the Lib Dems and the Greens to try and oust Clarke (who has also been bombarding us with leaflets).

The Lib Dems say this:

The Greens say this:

So who is right? The Lib Dem figure is from the last result in 2005 and the Green figure is from all the June 2009 local elections. Five years a is a long time in politics and I think the race is much closer than the Lib Dems would have us think however it really could go either way between the two parties.

However, one thing that irks me is this on the Lib Dems leaflet:

Point one is indeed true although I would like to see the context of the quote, it could be said that the Lib Dems came a “rather poor third” too.
The second point is also factually correct although North and South Norwich are different beasts, you as well point to South Norfolk.
The third point is stupid, Norwich South isn’t the Lib Dems best bet either!

Personally I’m hoping for a hung parliament so my main fear for Norwich South is that the votes will be split between the Greens and the Lib Dems so Clarke will get back in again. I don’t think either party has a clear lead at the moment which the only poll available appears to back up:

The poll, commissioned by the Union of UEA Students and conducted by Ipsos MORI, had the other three parties neck-and-neck, with the Conservatives on 20pc and the Liberal Democrats and Greens both on 19pc.

As for the Tories, we’ve had exactly one piece of post from them so far. I don’t think they’re really trying…..