Steven Fielding
@polprofsteve2024.bsky.social
Emeritus Prof, writing (slowly) about Labour’s existential struggles since 1976 for Polity. Knows stuff about politics & culture.
Labour List: https://labourlist.org/author/s-fielding/
Zeitgeist Tapes: https://shorturl.at/nwdO4
Labour List: https://labourlist.org/author/s-fielding/
Zeitgeist Tapes: https://shorturl.at/nwdO4
Lucy Powell’s seat is potentially vulnerable. North Manchester in the May elections will produce a few reform victories and in the south maybe one or two for the greens.
January 22, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Lucy Powell’s seat is potentially vulnerable. North Manchester in the May elections will produce a few reform victories and in the south maybe one or two for the greens.
Let’s see if he’s even selected as candidate, because if he’s to do that, he has to resign being GM mayor and that will cause yet another by election which labour will not want to hold. It would be an almost legitimate reason for Starmer to stop him standing.
January 22, 2026 at 12:51 PM
Let’s see if he’s even selected as candidate, because if he’s to do that, he has to resign being GM mayor and that will cause yet another by election which labour will not want to hold. It would be an almost legitimate reason for Starmer to stop him standing.
I think there was a by-election in Gorton in 1967 or so when labour was very unpopular which it did not do very well in but I think just about held on in the face of Randolph Churchill’s Conservative challenge. There’s a news report on YouTube about it which shows you how different times were.
January 22, 2026 at 12:46 PM
I think there was a by-election in Gorton in 1967 or so when labour was very unpopular which it did not do very well in but I think just about held on in the face of Randolph Churchill’s Conservative challenge. There’s a news report on YouTube about it which shows you how different times were.
Up till now perhaps?
January 22, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Up till now perhaps?
I’d forgotten about Andrew‘s issues so I apologise if it sounds like I am besmirching him, but I’m sure if things were rather different he might’ve been prevailed to stay on.
January 22, 2026 at 12:20 PM
I’d forgotten about Andrew‘s issues so I apologise if it sounds like I am besmirching him, but I’m sure if things were rather different he might’ve been prevailed to stay on.
Well, it looked like it was a constituency designed to give labour a safe majority anyway. As I think you pointed out, it’s not exactly a natural community of voters is it??!
January 22, 2026 at 12:19 PM
Well, it looked like it was a constituency designed to give labour a safe majority anyway. As I think you pointed out, it’s not exactly a natural community of voters is it??!
And to ensure that Andrew was the candidate because until very recently he was the MP that everybody seemed to like.
January 22, 2026 at 12:15 PM
And to ensure that Andrew was the candidate because until very recently he was the MP that everybody seemed to like.
It was essentially designed to keep labour safe the last time they redrew the boundaries.
January 22, 2026 at 12:14 PM
It was essentially designed to keep labour safe the last time they redrew the boundaries.
One of his posters was still up a few weeks ago when I went through the constituency on my bike.
January 22, 2026 at 12:13 PM
One of his posters was still up a few weeks ago when I went through the constituency on my bike.
Yes, it is an unusual seat given that composition and it must be unusual that reform and greens are essentially tied in second place, I wonder how many of those there are. If labour wins it will be thanks to this divided opposition.
January 22, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Yes, it is an unusual seat given that composition and it must be unusual that reform and greens are essentially tied in second place, I wonder how many of those there are. If labour wins it will be thanks to this divided opposition.
My apologies to that Great Bunch of Lads and that one lady.
January 22, 2026 at 11:53 AM
My apologies to that Great Bunch of Lads and that one lady.
It would be a huge risk for him to stand for labour, given that he would actually be selected, because I can almost write the green and reform candidates manifesto for them.
January 22, 2026 at 11:51 AM
It would be a huge risk for him to stand for labour, given that he would actually be selected, because I can almost write the green and reform candidates manifesto for them.
These days, this does not count as a safe labour seat especially in a by-election. The only question is will reform or the greens emerge as the party that wants to punish labour for its self indulgent and completely unnecessary contest?
January 22, 2026 at 11:50 AM
These days, this does not count as a safe labour seat especially in a by-election. The only question is will reform or the greens emerge as the party that wants to punish labour for its self indulgent and completely unnecessary contest?
Given the powers the NEC has for by-elections, they could just impose a candidate. And if nobody canvases for the party in protest, I’m sure Starmer would be glad to write off that seat to reform or possibly even the greens as the price worth paying for stopping Burnham becoming an MP.
January 22, 2026 at 11:49 AM
Given the powers the NEC has for by-elections, they could just impose a candidate. And if nobody canvases for the party in protest, I’m sure Starmer would be glad to write off that seat to reform or possibly even the greens as the price worth paying for stopping Burnham becoming an MP.
I bet the Labour party will put all of its efforts into retaining the seat…
January 22, 2026 at 11:46 AM
I bet the Labour party will put all of its efforts into retaining the seat…
Do you think he believes he is Trump and Wales is Canada?
January 22, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Do you think he believes he is Trump and Wales is Canada?
It is a combination of the evil and the week.
January 22, 2026 at 11:34 AM
It is a combination of the evil and the week.
I must’ve missed that ceasefire deal, when does it come into operation?
January 22, 2026 at 10:58 AM
I must’ve missed that ceasefire deal, when does it come into operation?
It’s basically how he becomes World King.
January 22, 2026 at 10:49 AM
It’s basically how he becomes World King.
To be fair, Farage might only join if they paid him money to do so.
January 22, 2026 at 10:47 AM
To be fair, Farage might only join if they paid him money to do so.
He’s the China suck-up we all now like.
January 22, 2026 at 8:29 AM
He’s the China suck-up we all now like.