Rumour has it that there will never be another Party Conference at Blackpool. Almost everyone attending such a thing is now either a London-based politician, or a London-based journalist, or a bag-carrier for one or both of these. There is simply no demand, apparently, for a town offering enormous accommodation within easy reach of Scotland, Wales and the North.
Blackpool returned two Tory MPs when the Tories were in government (although one of them is now a Lib Dem activist), and has now returned two Labour ones for three successive General Elections. Take the hint: if General Elections really were determined in the South East, then there would now be a Tory Government with an enormous majority.
In fact, they are determined in Scotland, Wales, the North, the Midlands and the West Country. When the Tories hold on in Scotland and Wales, beat Labour in the Midlands and much of the North (including Blackpool), and beat the Lib Dems in the West Country, then they win. When they don't, then they don't. Simple as that.
So think on before you abandon Blackpool, the natural venue for the new party's first Conference.
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What about Brighton?
ReplyDeleteBrighton will be the next to go. Imagine the conversation:
ReplyDelete"Why do we go down to Brighton?"
"Apparently, it's accessible from places like Devon and Cornwall, wherever they are."
"Scotland. But we don't get anyone from Scotland. That's why we stopped going to Blackwell."
"Blackpool."
"That's it. Anyway, enough of this Brighton rubbish. From now on, London every year and no hotel costs."
"Right you are."
And right it will be. But not for the new party.