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Thoughts about why we should abolish the Honours system in the UK

This society purports to be actively opposed to colonialism and the actuality and the legacy of the former British Empire, yet it perpetuates the shadow of that edifice through issuing hundreds of 'honours' to people predicated on an institution it also reviles and seeks to apologize for.

If one is successful in business the reward is a very tangible huge income and the deference of a workforce and the accolades of a peer group. What need is there for a nation to praise you for doing well and getting rich. No one did it to benefit humanity or to advance the nation, they did it for ambition/fun/the challenge/kudos/cash. The role and the income are their own rewards.

If one is a successful sports or entertainment star then the fame, cash and accolades are ever present. Massive appearance money, promotion contracts, stellar salaries, cups, trophies, awards, and legions of prizes and self-massaging events happening all the time. Why do we need to 'honour' these overpaid, over-hyped, over-indulged people who by definition never do anything of real importance.

Then there is politics and the press! I don't need to say anything on this do I?

What of the humble and ordinary? Well they are humble and ordinary. Why should that be rewarded? What are we rewarding? Joe was a fine doorman for 43-years at the FO. Good. Well done Joe. Thanks. Nice safe job wasn't it? Constant pay and good public service pension. You were diligent, polite and attentive. They very features of the job description. No award.

The special cases for the National Treasure antiques expert, figure skater, cricket umpire or chief of a charity? No, they have the kudos of being a national treasure and they know the public like them already. They were just doing a job for which they were rewarded in various ways. And for all those toilers in the public service or the voluntary sector...........Surely that is the purpose of 'serving'....to serve, not for a reward. If you award a gong or series of gongs it was a less selfless act looked at in retrospect.

I am all for binning the whole system forever and replacing it with nothing. If any of you think some service needs a reward then people are doing it for the wrong reason.

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Who the CLP have nominated in the Labour Leadership contest

@CLPNominations a good account to follow

So far, seventy constituencies have made supporting nominations. Fourteen for Smith and fifty-six for Corbyn.

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Top 10 MPs by Followers on Twitter

interesting website http://www.mpsontwitter.co.uk/
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NamePartyFollowersChange
Rt Hon David Cameron MPConservative1,606,638▲ 547
Jeremy Corbyn MPLabour598,1431,346
Rt Hon Edward Miliband MPLabour531,464▼ -95
Rt Hon Nick Clegg MPLiberal Democrat280,732▲ 20
Boris Johnson MPConservative239,897▲ 199
Tom Watson MPLabour223,969▼ 0
Rt Hon Alex Salmond MPScottish National Party221,478▲ 89
Rt Hon George Osborne MPConservative188,723▼ -7
Caroline Lucas MPGreen Party184,651▲ 66
Mr Chuka Umunna MPLabour166,284▲ 43
Change refers to number of new followers in past 24 hours.

ICM POLL CONVERTED INTO A ELECTION FORECAST

If the ICM poll was converted into a forecast Polling data

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National and Regional Prediction: Conservative majority 106

Party2015 Votes2015 SeatsPred VotesGainsLossesNet ChangePred Seats
CON37.8%33143.0%470+47378
LAB31.2%23227.0%047-47185
LIB8.1%88.0%23-17
UKIP12.9%113.0%00+01
Green3.8%13.0%00+01
SNP4.9%564.7%11+056
PlaidC0.6%30.5%10+14
Minor0.8%00.8%00+00
N.Ire1800+018

A list of upcoming council by elections and vacant seats

Link to >>> Council election results May 2016 - April 2017

Collated By MiddleEnglander

There are 20 by-elections for 21 seats during August and 8 already in September.  There are  a further 20 known vacancies - 14 in England, 4 in Wales and 2 in Scotland - where there is as yet no date for the by-election.

4th August - 7 link to >>> candidates and past election results

Ashford BC, Beaver - Labour resigned - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, Green, UKIP
Brighton & Hove UA, East Brighton - Labour resigned - 6 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, UKIP, Ind
East Yorkshire UA, South East Holderness - Conservative resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, UKIP, Ind
Eden DC, Alston Moor - Conservative resigned - 2 candidates: Con, LD
Newcastle- Under- Lyme BC, Silverdale & Parksite - UKIP sitting as Independent Group died - 4 candidates: Con. Lab, UKIP, Ind
Nottinghamshire CC, Bingham - Conservative died - 3 candidates: Con, Lab, Ind
Rushcliffe BC, Cranmer - Conservative died - 3 candidates: Con, Lab, Ind

11th August - 3
North Ayrshire UA, Irvine West - SNP resigned - 6 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, SNP, Green, Socialist Labour
Renfrewshire UA, Renfrew South & Gallowhill - Labour died - 4 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, SNP
Worcestershire CC, Ombersley - Conservative died - 4 candidates: Con, LD, UKIP, Ind

18th August - 9 contests for 10 seats
Gravesham BC, Pelham - Labour died - 6 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, UKIP, Eng Dem
Kent CC, Gravesham East - Labour died - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, UKIP
Redcar & Cleveland, Ormesby - Liberal Democrat resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, UKIP, North East
Richmondshire DC, Catterick - Independent died - 4 candidates: Con, LD, Green, Ind
Surrey CC, Farnham South - Conservative resigned - 6 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, UKIP, Residents, Ind
Thanet DC, Northwood - 2 UKIP sitting as Democratic Independent resigned - 10 candidates: 2 Con, 2 Lab, 2 LD, 2 UKIP, United Thanet, Ind
Wandsworth LB, Tooting - Labour resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, LD, Green, Social Democratic
Waverley BC, Farnham Castle - Conservative resigned - 4 candidates: Con, LD, UKIP, Residents
Waverley BC, Farnham Shortheath & Boundstone - Conservative resigned - 5 candidates: Con, LD, UKIP, Residents, Ind

25th August - 1Fife UA, The Lochs - Independent (Communist) resigned - 5 candidates: Con, Lab, SNP, Green, Communist

1st September - 5
Bournemouth UA, Kinson North - Conservative resigned
Cornwall UA, Four Lanes - UKIP resigned
Dorset CC Ferndown - Conservative died
East Dorset DC, Parley - Conservative died
Stockton-On-Tees UA, Grangefield - Labour died

September 8th -2

Mansfield UA, Yeoman Hill - Labour died
Sheffield MB, Mosborough - Labour died

22nd September - 1North Lanarkshire UA, Coatbridge North & Glenboig - SNP resigned

Not yet called - 20Blackpool UA, Tyldseley - Labour died 25th July
Bolton MB, Rumworth - Labour died around 27th July
Cotswold DC, Stow - Conservative died 15th July
Derby UA, Allestree - Conservative resigned 16th May
Gateshead MB, Chopwell & Rolands Gill - Labour resigned late May
Kettering BC, Rothwell - Labour died around 20th July
Kings Lynn & West Norfolk BC, Heacham - Conservative resigned early July
Maidstone BC, Shepway South - UKIP died 13th May
Newcastle-upon-Tyne MB, Blakelaw - Labour resigned around 3rd July
North East Derbyshire DC, Tupton - Labour resigned 11th July 
Rother DC, Darwell - Conservative resigned beginning of May
Shropshire UA, Bishop's Castle - Liberal Democrat resigned around 22nd July
Teignbridge DC, Teignmouth Central - Conservative died 2nd June
Wellingborough BC, Finedon - Conservative died 11th July

Glasow UA, Garscadden & Scotstounhill - Labour died 25th July
Highland UA, Cullodon & Ardersier - Labour died 21st July

Caerphilly UA, Gilfach - Labour resigned around 14th April
Caerphilly UA, Risca East - Labour resigned late July following election to Assembly
Cardiff UA, Plasnewydd - Labour died 24th July
Carmarthenshire UA, Cilycwm - Independent died 5th July

Seats losses party by party since May 2016 main cycle

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

Link to the information

Conservative seats lost <<< Link to (31)

Labour seats lost <<< Link to (22)

Independent seats lost <<< Link to (9)

UKIP seats lost <<< Link to (7)

SNP seats lost <<< Link to (5)

Lib Dem seats lost <<< Link to (1)

Green Party seats lost <<< Link to (1)

Council by election LOSSES by The SNP since May 2016

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

Click on the link for the result

Losses to

Independents

Argyll & Bute, Oban North & Lorn 2nd June 2016
Angus, Carnoustie & District 5th December 2016

Labour

North Ayrshire, Irvine West 11th August 2016
North Lanarkshire, Coatbridge North & Glenboig 22nd September 2016

Conservatives

Aberdeenshire, Banff & District 3rd November 2016

Council by election LOSSES by Independents since May 2016

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

Click on the link for the result

Losses to

Liberal Democrats 

Cornwall, St Teath & St Breward 14th July 2016
Wiltshire, Trowbridge Grove 14th July 2016

Conservatives

Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, Valley Hill 16th June 2016
Richmondshire, Catterick 18th August 2016

Labour

Fife, The Lochs 25th August 2016

No Description

Gwynedd, Marchog 14th July 2016

Plaid Cymru

Carmarthenshire, Cilycwm 22nd September 2016

SNP

Angus, Arbroath East & Lunan 28th November 2016

UKIP

Tendring, Great & Little Oakley 9th February 2017


Council by election LOSSES by UKIP since May 2016

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

Click on the link for the result

Losses to

Liberal Democrats

Cornwall, Newquay Treviglas 14th July 2016
Cornwall, Four Lanes 1st September 2016

Labour

East Staffordshire, Stapenhill 26th May 2016
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Silverdale & Parksite 4th August 2016
Rotherham, Dinnington 2nd February 2017

Conservatives

Medway, Strood South 20th October 2016
Dorset, Ferndown 1st December 2016


Council by election LOSSES by the Labour Party since May 2016

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

Click on the link for the result

Losses to

Liberal Democrats


South Hams, Totnes 27th July 2016

Sheffield, Mosborough 8th September 2016
North East Derbyshire, Tupton 15th September 2016
Cardiff, Plasnewydd 20th September 2016
Highland, Culloden & Ardersier 6th October 2016
Sunderland, Sandhill 12th January 2017 
Rotherham, Brinsworth & Catcliffe 2nd February 2017

Conservatives

Selby, Byram & Brotherton 14th July 2016
Kent, Gravesham East 18th August 2016
Stockton-On-Tees, Grangefield 1st September 2016
Kettering, Rothwell 20th October 2016
Greenwich, Eltham North 10th November 2016
Pendle, Reedley 24th November 2016

UKIP

Essex, Laindon Park & Fryerns 9th June 2016
Ashford, Beaver 4th August 2016
Hartlepool, Headland & Harbour 6th October 2016

SNP

Renfrewshire, Renfrew South & Gallowhill 11th August 2016
Glasgow, Garscadden / Scotstounhill 6th October 2016

INDEPENDENT

Conwy, Abergale Pensarn 20th October 2016
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Madeley 8th December 2016

Plaid Cymru

Neath Port Talbot, Blaengwrach 20th October 2016
Cardiff, Grangetown 3rd November 2016


Council by election LOSSES by the Conservatives since May 2016

Click on the link for the result

Losses to

Liberal Democrats


Dorset, Sherborne Rural 2nd June 2016

Mole Valley, Leatherhead North, 30th June 2016
North Norfolk, Astley 14th July 2016
Northampton, Westone 21st July 2016
Cornwall, Newlyn & Goonhavern 28th July 2016
Eden, Alston Moor 4th August 2016
Suffolk, Hadleigh 22nd September 2016
Teignbridge, Teignmouth Central 22nd September 2016
Cotswold, Stow 29th September 2016
Dacorum, Adeyfield West 29th September 2016
Poole, Broadstone 13th October 2016
East Riding of Yorkshire, St Mary's 20th October 2016
Chichester, Southbourne 1st December 2016
Taunton Deane, Blackdown 15th December 2016
Teignbridge, Chudleigh 15th December 2016
Teignbridge, Bovey 15th December 2016
Three Rivers, Gade Valley 12th January 2017
Cotswold, Fairford North 9th February 2017
North Norfolk, Waterside 9th February 2017

LABOUR

Allerdale, Christchurch 22nd September 2016
North Warwickshire, Arley & Whitacre 22nd September 2016
Braintree, Witham North 20th October 2016
Telford & Wrekin, Horsehay & Lightmoor 8th December 2016

Farnham

Waverley, Farnham Castle 18th August 2016
Waverley, Farnham Shortheath & Boundstone 18th August 2016

Oxted and Limpsfield Residents Group 

Tandridge, Limpsfield 13th October 2016

Independents

Denbighshire, Dyserth 2nd June 2016

Kings Lynn & West Norfolk, Heacham 20th October 2016
Maldon, Maldon West 8th December 2016
St Edmundsbury, Moreton Hall 15th December 2016

The Green Party

Mid Suffolk, Barking & Somersham 2nd June 2016

Council by election results 28th July

Link to >>> Council Election Results May 2016 - April 2017

Cornwall, Newlyn & Goonhavern - Liberal Democrat gain from Conservative

Party   2016 votes      2016 share      since 2013      since 2009   
Liberal Democrat 
247
24.4%
from nowhere
-1.1%
Conservative
234
23.1%
-23.0%
-17.2%
Independent Yeo *
163
16.1%
from nowhere
from nowhere
Mebyon Kernow
161
15.9%
-28.1%
from nowhere
Labour
77
7.6%
-2.2%
+3.5%
Independent Tucker   
75
7.4%
from nowhere
from nowhere
Independent Thomas 
54
5.3%
from nowhere
from nowhere
Independent



-23.9%
Liberal



-6.1%
Total votes
1,011

84%
66%

* was Liberal Democrat candidate in 2009

Swing since 2013 not meaningful and since 2009 Conservative to Liberal Democrat 8% although of limited relevance
Council now 43 Liberal Democrat, 34 Independent, 30 Conservative, 8 Labour, 4 Mebyon Kernow, 1 Green, 1 UKIP, 1 Non Aligned, 1 Vacant


Haringey, Harringay - Labour hold

Party   2016 votes      2016 share   since 2014 "top"since 2014 "average"since 2010 "top"since 2010 "average"
Labour
1,054
46.2%
+3.7%
+4.2%
+8.7%
+9.1%
Liberal Democrat 
765
33.6%
+3.7%
+3.3%
-5.5%
-5.5%
Green
325
14.3%
-2.3%
-2.6%
+3.8%
+4.4%
Conservative
99
4.3%
-1.2%
-1.6%
-3.4%
-4.0%
UKIP
36
1.6%
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
TUSC


-5.5%
-4.9%


Independent 




-5.1%
-5.7%
Total votes
2,279

58%
65%
40%
44%

Swing Liberal Democrat to Labour 0% / ½% since 2014 but ~7% since 2010

Council now 48 Labour, 9 Liberal Democrat

Newport, St Julian's - Liberal Democrat hold

Party  2016 votes     2016 share   since 2012 "top"since 2012 "average"since 2008 "top"since 2008 "average"
Liberal Democrat 
948
53.7%
+11.6%
+11.9%
+4.4%
+5.5%
Labour
432
24.4%
-20.3%
-21.3%
+3.4%
3.2%
UKIP
156
8.8%
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
Conservative
135
7.6%
-5.5%
-4.9%
-17.3%
-17.9%
Plaid Cymru
71
4.0%
from nowhere
from nowhere
-0.7%
-1.1%
Green
25
1.4%
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
Total votes
1,767

78%
82%
76%
81%

Swing Labour to Liberal Democrat 16% since 2012 and ~ ½% / 1% since 2008

Council now 37 Labour, 10 Conservative, 2 Independent, 1 Liberal Democrat

Sutton, Carshalton Central - Liberal Democrat hold

Party  2016 votes    2016 share   since 2014 "top"since 2014 "average"since 2010 "top"since 2010 "average"
Liberal Democrat 
1,250
43.4%
+5.1%
+5.7%
-3.9%
-4.9%
Conservative
1,061
36.9%
+11.6%
+11.7%
+0.4%
-0.4%
Green
211
7.3%
-0.3%
+0.4%
+0.5%
+1.6%
Labour
1,76
6.1%
-3.1%
-3.2%
-3.2%
-2.5%
UKIP
150
5.2%
-10.5%
-11.5%
from nowhere
from nowhere
Christian
29
1.0%
-1.1%
-1.2%
from nowhere
from nowhere
TUSC


-1.7%
-1.8%


Total votes
2,877

67%
71%
51%
55%

Swing Liberal Democrat to Conservative ~3%  since 2014 and ~2% since 2010

Council now 44 Liberal Democrat, 8 Conservative, 2 Independent

Wychavon, Droitwich West - Conservative hold

Party   2016 votes      2016 share   since 2015 "top"since 2015 "average"since 2011 "top"since 2011 "average"
Conservative
281
41.9%
-2.9%
-1.8%
-10.3%
-9.6%
Labour
161
24.0%
-13.8%
-14.6%
-23.8%
-24.5%
UKIP
132
19.7%
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
Liberal Democrat  
97
14.5%
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
from nowhere
Green


-17.4%
-17.7%


Total votes
671

31%
31%
52%
Row 7 column 7

Swing Labour to Conservative 5½%  / 6½% since 2015 and 6½% / 7½% since 2011

Council now 39 Conservative, 5 Liberal Democrat, 1 UKIP