Norwich North: There’s spin … and then there’s him

Politicians are famed for spin and for trying to make even the darkest days bright and breezy. This is never more evident than following an election defeat.

Back in the local elections in 2007, Twydall’s winning Labour councillors spun their number-of-votes increase as increased support.

They may have got more people out to vote than in 2003, but, as I revealed back in June 2007, when you look beyond the bare number of votes, the facts hidden beneath are far more revealing.

In fact, whilst the number of votes had increased, the share of the vote had decreased, allowing for an increased vote share for the Conservatives and UKIP. Because of ward changes, it is impossible to view the pattern further back in time, however I would bet that such has been the case since 1997.

So why am I bringing this up again? Well take a look at this video and you’ll see why. Prime Minister Brown clearly states that the Conservative vote fell as well in Norwich North, just as the Twydall Labour Councillors said their vote increased in 2007.

Spin is in the wording of the phrase, and (dare I say it) Mr Brown is correct – to a point. But, it is when Mr Brown starts to open his mouth that you must remember to keep your fingers close to the salt shaker.

In 2005, Labour scored 21,097 votes, the Conservatives 15,638 – that makes a Labour majority of 5,459 when 61.1% of the electorate turned out to vote. Not bad for the country’s most generous landlord*, Dr Ian Gibson.

Thursday’s by-election saw Labour’s vote drop to 6,243, and the Conservatives to 13,591. That’s a dramatic drop for Labour and a minimal drop for the Conservatives. What is more revealing, however, is that with a substantially decreased turnout (45.88% to be precise), Chloe Smith achieved an increased majority – 7,348.

The Conservative share of the vote increased by 6.3% while Labour’s dropped by a staggering 26.7%! That’s something Mr Spin won’t tell you.

Gordon Brown is a desperate Prime Minister hanging on by the skin of his teeth. He is relying on transparent spin and petty half-truths and it is embarrassing to our entire country.

The Time for Change in this country’s leadership has never been more evident than it is now.

*If you don’t understand the reference, Dr Gibson allowed his tenant – his daughter – to live in his flat rent-free. A flat paid for by the UK taxpayer.