...get a chance to watch it happen live - you can see a replay of our online debate between the three main party candidates in the Crewe and Nantwich by-election.
Key battlegrounds were 42 day detention, the Labour Party campaign in the constituency and the non-appearance of Gordon Brown.
Edward Timpson - the Conservative candidate - won the debate, according to the poll, Elizabeth Stenton for the Lib Dems got 22% of votes while Tamsin Dunwoody could only manage 15%.
Have a look at the debate and let us know if you think that scoring's fair...
Written by Miranda Richardson, 19 May 2008
Folks, you are wrong!
My outing of Gary and Effie was censored by Nick and his cronies, whilst our zanuLabour contributors have free-range (much to the annoiance of many of Mr Robinson's contributors).
'Bout time Mr Robinson and Auntie Beeb were put out to pasture. Come Friday, PM, call an election, please...!
Posted by: Fluffy, London, England 21 May 2008 09:42:23
Linda Altrincham
Thank you for your support, it has been a hard road on this blog, believe you me.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 20 May 2008 18:49:19
ELIZABETH DAVIES, CAPE TOWN, LOVE READING YOUR E-MAILS. YOU'RE MORE THAN A MATCH FOR ANYONE ON THIS BLOG.
Posted by: linda, altrincham 20 May 2008 17:26:52
Fee,fye,foe fum, I smell the blood of a Labour candidate who has been "outed" at last. This bye-election is becoming a farce from the Labour standpoint.
The Labour "toff" outdoes the Conservative "toff. This is not class war but "Class Armegeddon" on Labours part.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 20 May 2008 17:03:56
Staggered at the muppetry of the Nu Labour lot for posing as toffs in order to embarrass Edward Timpson.
Tamsin Dunwoody, who lives in a mansion in the Welsh hillsides, was privately educated, had a succession of nannies,has a double-barrelled name and is the granddaughter of a Baroness, likes to proclaim that she is an unemployed single mother with 5 children. Sorry Ms Dunwoody, it's total spinnery. You've been found out.
Many years ago when the Timpson's lived in Wilmslow, my son used to go to the Timpson's house to play with their children. It was a large house but certainly not grand and the parents and their children were very down to earth.
I think Edward Timpson will make a wonderful MP for Crewe and Nantwich.
TAMSIN DUNWOODY IS A FRAUD!
Posted by: linda, altrincham 20 May 2008 16:36:55
Elizabeth:
I actually miss some of the Labour old guard. Yes, the name calling was at times a little too personal for my liking, but at least they could construct an argument in favour of their own point of view.
It was far more interesting discussing political points of view, rather than just name calling, as is the current trend on here.
To a certain degree, the blog has become a little bit like PMQs in some respects; Pointless and a waste of time.
The current Labour supporters say "Aren't we good" and then write another piece to support themselves saying "Yes we are".
No questions from the non Labour supporters are ever answered, other than saying Labour are right and everyone else is wrong, this again reflects PMQs.
Peter in Fife can construct an argument in support of his case, as can, it appears, Mr Happy. Other than those two, no one else appears to be able to argue a point. Most of the others just deny and name call with out giving any evidence or reasons for their point of view. It is like shutting ones eyes and singing.
I honestly believe the blog has lost much of it's political fire since the defeated Labour supporters group have vacated it.
Let's face it, there is no fun or point in arguing with people that can neither argue their case, nor produce an original thought is there?
Posted by: Madnurse 20 May 2008 14:58:28
"Kiwilegs" what brought that name on?
As you all know my
"run-ins" with our former Labour bloggers were legendary! I must confess I don't miss any of the old Labour guard on here, I for one shall not go looking for them.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 20 May 2008 13:47:44
Thanks Fluffy
You are right about Kiwilegs, late of this blog. The style of writing, the challenges and her description of herself as a 70+ lady are unmistakable.
What have not yet appeared so far are the vitriolic personal insults. Those would quickly get her barred on Nick Robinson's site.
Gary is indeed there, in great voice and as usual showing the political insight of a dodo but not yet boasting that he drinks lager all day long.
Posted by: Victor, NW Kent 20 May 2008 12:25:40
Fluffy.
I agree about Kiwilegs. Somehow I doubt that Nick Robinson will allow the same degree of personal attack that she was allowed (?encouraged) to get away with on this site.
Posted by: Patricia 20 May 2008 11:35:23
I've just found Gary Elsby!!!
He's haranguing the BBC for their Tory bias, Nick Robinson in particular. Class-warfare is alive-and-well!
[He's also got friend; "Kiwilegs". Don't recognise him/her from here (unless it's Effie)!]
Two things though:
Can't bring myself to ask him what went wrong in Stoke a few weeks back. All those BNP councillors in a Labour heartland. Tut, tut, tut!
Mike Simpson, Morning Mail, Rae, Carol-Ann, why aren't you joining them. They feel so lonely that they've posted a request!
[Carol-Ann: Ignore that. You're better-off arguing your point here! And Peter, Fife; sorry bud, no invitation for you! You have to stay with the Saffers, Kentishmen, and schoolboy-southerners...!]
;)
Posted by: Fluffy, London, England 20 May 2008 02:47:42
Edward Timpsom comes over an excellent candidate and with his CV he deserves to win on Thursday.
We can all then tell Tasmin Dunwoody, her Labour pals, and Gordon Brown to "T" off.
Posted by: Joe Mooney 19 May 2008 22:17:08
By convention prime ministers do not make campaign visits to constituencies before by-elections.
This is one the Cons should win, however, I forecast that they will be temporary holders of the seat. It will revert back to Labour at the next election.
Posted by: The Morning Mail 19 May 2008 19:19:19
This sort of comic stunt is a political joke. Most questions were obvious, and the answers a 9th-11th year school student could have answered.
Usual bloggers submitted most questions. Tamsin was the worst I thought.
Although a tory I thought Elizabeth Stenton was the most original of a poor lot.
This sort of thing puts people off politics even more.
A live televised debate between leaders under strict control would be different, but GB won't have one.
Posted by: neither/niether 19 May 2008 17:19:48
If Gordon Brown is planning a visit to Crewe he should possibly go in his "Brownmobile" for his own safety. Folks in Cheshire are probably pretty cross about the 10p tax fiasco, and being told not to vote for Toffs! Double whammy there Gordon.
Posted by: Elizabeth Davies Cape Town 19 May 2008 15:01:08
whats happened to the colours on the poll indications. Dunwoody Lib Dem, Shenton Labour and Timpson Green Party.. surely some mishtake....
Posted by: Bernard from Horsham 19 May 2008 15:01:04
I was amongst other [Friends] in the [Shalimar] gardens, and may I say what a spectacular event that was, Martin!
Posted by: Khalid 19 May 2008 14:45:38