Observer editor Rob George shares his thoughts on a hugely surprising election night in the Faithful City
WHO’D HAVE thought it?
After the Brexit election of 2017 where the Conservatives and Labour engaged in a fight to the finish at the expense of the other parties, we all said it wouldn’t happen again.
But it did, Brexit in Worcester has focused voters minds clearly. Once again the city has been divvied up along red and blue lines, though this time with a splash of gold thanks to the Liberal Democrats.
It’s a stunning result for the Conservatives, left fearful in 2017 after their hopes and dreams of a five figure majority were reduced to a little over 2,500.
Yet this morning Robin Walker wakes up more secure, once again representing the city which again has replicated the national picture as the party in Government is the party in control of Worcester.
For Labour this was an unmitigated disaster, four days ago Jeremy Corbyn arrived in the city talking of winning the seat and winning the country. This morning his party locally wakes up to all the hard work of two years ago undone, crestfallen and looking at just where did it all go wrong.
It may be an inconvenient truth for some but the facts are the city was won under the Blair government which won three terms of office yet which is so despised by the current leadership which now has played two, lost two.
The smaller parties were somewhat cast aside again but credit must go to Stephen Kearney for increasing his party’s share of the vote while the Green Party will be left devastated their progress locally again doesn’t translate on the bigger stage.
What now? Well its Brexit for Christmas, trade talks in 2020 and I hope leadership for the many, not the few. Sorry Jeremy.
