Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim Procter
As someone who knows nowt about Accrington politics--If Councillor Britcliffe is so unpopular how come he keeps being re-elected?
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Hi Jim. (are you former HCA Chair I did jury service with?)
Just to answer in part the question, how does he get back in?
The share of vote over the last few years has been 48-52 varying to 52-48 the other way. That usually produces 8 Tory wins and 4 Labour wins. This unfairness goes back to the boundary changes back in 2001 when Labour let Peter redraw the boundaries to his liking.
In fact Labour has won the popular vote the last 2 years and that is with Tories having the advantage of 3 of their seats having an extra councillor (so an extra election when Tories get to vote more often than Labour artificially skewing the popular vote).
This year Labour polled 42%, Conservative's 39%, Independent 17%. (presume 2% spoilt). If Labour had stood a candidate in Overton (ill health) and got 1200 votes as expected it would have been Labour 46%, Tory 38%, Independent 13%.
It is the reverse situation of the national boundaries and voting. Interesting Mr Clegg and Mr Cameron are arguing this needs correcting. Would they apply this thinking to Hyndburn one wonders?