Corby by-election

[Red Celt]

Today, my hometown is voting for the replacement of the (hideous) Louise Mensch. Which party will take over? It is a traditionally Labour seat... and I can't for the life of me see the narrow Tory victory being repeated. It was the after-effect of an understandable anti-Gordon Brown general election. It would be an easy claim to see it slipping back to Labour hands, but there are no real certainties in politics.

The BBC have been making some strange claims about Corby being a "bell-weather" seat, in that it reflects the mood of the rest of the country. That ignores the changes within the town which also includes a lot of staunchly-Tory villages to its East. There have also been a lot of new residents from neighbouring parts of the county, as the house prices are noticeably cheaper. It has also become a commuter town for London - it is a long commute, but relatively easily done with a short drive and short rail journey.

Basically, Corby doesn't reflect the rest of the UK. It's just changed (a lot) over the years.

Once known as "Little Scotland" because an estimated 70-80% of the population migrated from Scotland (including my own family), that has changed over the years. Scottish accents aren't as readily-heard these days. Although it still has a Glasgow Rangers FC supporters club, and the Grampian club (next door to the Irish Centre). Despite what Alan Davies said on an episode of BBC's QI, it doesn't have a Glasgow Celtic FC supporters club.

But anyway. Tonight's BBC Question Time is coming from Corby. I'll watch it (as I do every week) with an observant eye for anyone I recognise... remaining hopeful that whichever candidate gets elected, it isn't the Conservative one.

[mistermack]

Vote CNP.

(Corby National Party). The people of Corby, taking responsibility for their own government, instead of being ruled by Cameron in London.

You know it makes sense.

[Xamonas Chegwé]

I was wondering if Corby residents were going to get6 a vote in the Scottish independence referendum. The town used to have the 7th largest Scottish population of any town in Britain (if what I heard was true!)

[Red Celt]

Vote CNP.

(Corby National Party). The people of Corby, taking responsibility for their own government, instead of being ruled by Cameron in London.

You know it makes sense.

Do you ever wake up in the morning and think to yourself "Today, I will be slightly less stupid than I was yesterday"? Because it'd be cool if you would. One day. Eventually. In your own time, like...

[Red Celt]

I was wondering if Corby residents were going to get6 a vote in the Scottish independence referendum. The town used to have the 7th largest Scottish population of any town in Britain (if what I heard was true!)

The council (or someone in the council) made the request... but it would be silly (in the extreme) to grant it. Would it only be open to residents who were born in Scotland or were of Scottish descent? Other than trying to prove that, why would every other Scottish migrant be excluded from the vote?

Those eligible are those on the electoral role in Scotland... whatever their nationality.

[mistermack]

Vote CNP.

(Corby National Party). The people of Corby, taking responsibility for their own government, instead of being ruled by Cameron in London.

You know it makes sense.

Do you ever wake up in the morning and think to yourself "Today, I will be slightly less stupid than I was yesterday"? Because it'd be cool if you would. One day. Eventually. In your own time, like...

You should learn to enjoy stupidity in others.
You make this site a pleasure to read.

[Red Celt]

Vote CNP.

(Corby National Party). The people of Corby, taking responsibility for their own government, instead of being ruled by Cameron in London.

You know it makes sense.

Do you ever wake up in the morning and think to yourself "Today, I will be slightly less stupid than I was yesterday"? Because it'd be cool if you would. One day. Eventually. In your own time, like...

You should learn to enjoy stupidity in others.
You make this site a pleasure to read.

Perhaps tomorrow, then. Ever the optimist.