What should Labour and the Conservatives take away from the results of Thursday’s by-elections? (Picture: PA)
Why did the Labour Party not win Uxbridge and South Ruislip in Thursday’s by-elections?
Was it the ULEZ expansion plans or an unclear political standing? That’s the topic being discussed in today’s Metro Talk.
Are either party doing enough to appeal to their voters? Maybe not, considering the Conservatives lost two historic seats to Labour and the Liberal Democrats.
Should Labour need to rethink their policies if they want Conservative seats? And do you think Rishi Sunak will rethink general election plans, given the Tories’ poor results?
One reader certainly thinks Labour has some thinking to do. Do you agree?
‘Boris Johnson was found in contempt and Uxbridge and South Ruislip still voted Tory.’
Thursday’s by-election results demonstrate that the Labour Party need to do more, and not relax their guard despite being on course.
The two Conservatives losses, while not unsurprising, could have been three – and Labour failing to take the seat in Uxbridge and South Ruislip should serve as a warning.
Despite the constituency’s last Conservative MP being found in contempt of parliament and quitting in disgrace, the people of Uxbridge and South Ruislip preferred another Tory candidate to Labour.
The Conservatives had a clear offer, while Labour is currently anything but clear, moving more into murky centralism and leaving those on the Left without a mainstream party to rally behind.
Keir Starmer, possibly the most least exciting man in politics, leads a party that not only fails to inspire, but may fail to take over from the Conservatives. A Jones, Buxton
METRO TALK – HAVE YOUR SAY
Let us know what you think…
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In the light of the poor showing by the Conservative Party in Thursday’s three by-elections, is it not time for PM Rishi Sunak to call a snap General Election and let the general population decide if they still want the incumbent party to continue in power? Nick Smith, London
I agree with most of Judith’s comments (MetroTalk, Thu) on an alternative political system. Career politicians have proven time and time again that they are out of touch with reality and most are really just faceless extras who contribute nothing.
To me the first step should be a system to get more independent candidates into parliament seats.
The aim should be to eventually have 25 per cent of MPs as independents.
That way we should at least see counter arguments which don’t just toe the party line. Ross, Edinburgh
The more I see our current PM and the way he speaks and acts, the more I think of Norman Wisdom. Terry, Winnersh
Maybe a protest is meant to be annoying
Regarding your article about the priest with tattoos who has been called ‘prideful’ and ‘vain’ (Metro, Thu).
More to the point hasn’t she read the Bible, presumably the text she represents.
It says in Leviticus 19:28 ‘Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print or tattoo any marks upon you.’ Paul, Alfreton
Has the Coutts bank debacle made Nigel Farage into a martyr?
Should all organisations recognise freedom of speech? (Picture: Shutterstock)
Nigel Farage, who has had his account closed by Coutts bank, fought hard for the UK to break from the EU, to enforce its own policies and to have the freedom to decide who enters.
But presumably he thinks this logic and approach should never apply to him or any of his political mates?
Good on Coutts! They have every right to decide who they want to provide services to. Michael, Pimlico
It seems the optics on the Coutts affair are working.
Setting a narrative that it’s the public against the ‘state’ is straight out of the Donald Trump playbook.
Poor Nigel, battling for the little people. It is a vote winner because it preys on the fears of the public.
Neil Dance, Birmingham
Now the government has instructed banks to recognise freedom of speech or face punitive action against them, will it now tell all other organisations, including universities, government departments and councils, that penalties will be imposed if they deny customers or employees such freedom?
An apology like that offered to Mr Farage is not enough.
Corrective action, up to and including dismissal of offending officials, must be considered if public trust in the organisation is to be restored.
Jonathan Longstaff, East Sussex
I have no time for Nigel Farage.
However, the attitude and actions of Coutts bank are appalling.
They show a brand of fascism that outstrips Mr Farage’s.
Coutts have now managed to give the tiresome man the power of a martyr.
C Dulson, Cumbria
MORE : Who created Ulez as Labour lays Uxbridge by-election blame on the Sadiq Khan’s expansion plans?
MORE : Metro petition to make baby formula more affordable hits 34,000 mark
MORE : Coutts bank breaks silence amid Nigel Farage account row
What should the Labour party and the Conservatives take away from the by-election results? ” preload=”none” playsinline>
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It is easy to say that Just Stop Oil’s protest methods are annoying, but how many of us can come up with a protest that makes the government listen while not annoying people? Samuel, Tooting
Chris (MetroTalk, Fri) wants to us to ‘live with’ climate change and writes about ‘stone age’ windmills.
Had he turned to Page 5 on the same day, he’d have read that offshore wind deals boosted King Charles’ profits from the Crown Estate to £442.6million last year. George Ricks, Bristol
Regarding all the comments this week in the Metro around Just Stop Oil: what will happen when we have Just Stopped Oil and everyone is using electric vehicles?
Could we have more demonstrations against Lithium used for batteries, as producing it is destroying flora, fauna as well of the health of the workers in South America.
Perhaps we could go back to horse and carts. The sacks to pick up the manure on our roads will have to be big. And the bins to put them even bigger.
The future looks messy. Linda Thomas, Essex
Here’s how to donate to Formula For Change if you don’t own a smart phone:
Metro is calling on the government to urgently review their infant formula legislation and allow retailersaccept loyalty points, all food bank vouchers and store gift cards as payment for infant formula (Picture: Getty / Metro.co.uk)
In your full-page item highlighting the fact that poverty often leads to people being unable to afford baby formula Metro asks people to support the campaign to remedy this, however the only method provided was a QR code to scan.
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can’t access the campaign or make your voice heard. Susan Lamb, Colindale.
Metro replies:
Thank you for highlighting, Susan. You make a valid point – for people unable to scan the QR code, please head to change.org/formulaforchange to sign the petition.
‘The bible has strict rules about tattoos’
Reverend Wendy Dalrymple caused a stir for her tattoos online for after she was appointed to Canterbury Cathedral.(Credits: Canterbury Cathedral / SWNS)
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