Robert Buckland Weblog

The great soap opera that has been the Labour Leadership Question seems to have been resolved for now.  How Labour MPs and members can tolerate their current dire situation is something only they can answer.   Sunday night’s Count at the Oasis kept us occupied until after 10pm, and it was not happy viewing for Cllr Derique Montaut, the new Labour Group leader in Swindon.   Whilst a Conservative win was always on the cards, UKIP’s 22% in Swindon put Labour in the shade at only 16%.  In the South West, it was interesting to see that UKIP’s vote dropped in Devon and Cornwall, and that the move from Labour to Green helped ensure the election of Ashley Fox as a third Conservative MEP.  Veteran Labour MEP Glyn Ford’s defeat means that the region will be sending no Labour MEPs to Brussels.  Labour’s vote in the South West is dissolving.

An interesting chat with Gorse Hill and Pinehurst Labour Councillor John Ballman in which he revealed to me that his late brother lived in Tumble, a few miles north of my home town of Llanelli.  John was intrigued as to my Toryism, coming as I do from such a traditional Labour area.   Having joined the Tory Party during the Miners’ Strike,  which polarised the community, I was able to give him some insight into my views about Labour and its failings.  What I have learned from my many and varied experiences in politics, however, is my respect for individuals like John who come into public life because they want to achieve something for the community.  

As a footnote, although we didn’t win Llanelli in the Euros, the fact that Conservatives got the largest proportion of votes in Wales this year is a welcome indication that there are more and more people who think like me. 

I have been talking about the fundamental decency of many politicians of all parties.  I do not include the BNP, who did not make any impact in Swindon or the South West apart from a bit of flyposting at Coate roundabout that has now been dealt with.  With their new profile comes accountability.  My prediction is that they will fail, but only if we ensure that those who registered their protest in this way are properly listened to.