The UK’s
ruling Conservative Party led by Prime Minister David Cameron was recently
defeated in another By-election and its Liberal Coalition partners lost their
deposit, with the opposition Labour Party headed by Ed Miliband gaining yet
another surprising majority.
The By-election was triggered in Wythenshawe and Sale East Constituency following the sudden death of 60-year-old MP Paul Goggins, a veteran Labour politician. The Constituency is in the City of Manchester and the Borough of Trafford.
A few weeks ago, the Conservatives decided to select the young 26-year-old Vicar Daniel Critchlow as candidate. He was expected to interact with the voters; nonetheless, he was able to grabbed only 14 percent of the votes.
Most amazingly, the Conservatives came third behind the UKIP, a party currently gaining unprecedented support mainly on a platform of Immigration, the EU and Social Reforms. It scored nearly 18 percent.
The Liberal Democrats, a partner in the coalition government, were even more battered as the party lost their deposit. But the Liberals contended that it was ‘understandable that the party had done well…but extraordinarily badly where it did not have a stronghold’.
Among the by-elections reported by The Point over the years, this was one of the most unpredictable due to current unanticipated political programmes; however, the opposition Labour party’s candidate Mike Kane was victorious, with 55 percent of the votes.
Interestingly, it seems the Manchester Evening News is not somewhat surprise about Labour’ victory, as prior to the election it described the deceased Labour politician as a ‘well-loved MP’. His successor, no doubt, benefited from that credibility.
Nonetheless, the defeat of the Conservatives by UKIP is described by some respected commentators and pundits as an ‘embarrassment’.
However, Prime Minister Cameron strongly defended himself and his party, noting that he was ‘not surprised’ and also acknowledged that the constituency was a ‘safe Labour seat …there was never much doubt about the results’.
But on the other hand, social and welfare reforms, which are issues here vigorously pursued by the coalition government in their own method has been widely criticized, by both the country’s vibrant and pulsating press and certain religious leaders.
A few hours ago, Cardinal-designate Vincent Nicholas, who is the current leader of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, publicly described the government’s social reforms as a ‘disgrace’ to the country’.
Nevertheless, despite predictions and estimates regarding the outcome of these reforms, there is no doubt that the Labour Party is reaping the benefits in the polls.