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Sleaze’s threat weighs heavily on the Tories before Bexley’s election

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Residents of the London suburb of Old Bexley and Sidcup voted on Thursday, in the first round of the UK Conservative party after weeks of bad headlines over false charges.

The election, which began with the death of Conservative MP James Brokenshire, has prompted the arrival of Tories officials who took to the streets to hand over their party to voters.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson this month was widely criticized after revealing that several government Tory backbenchers had earned millions. additional funding from secondary services, and concerns about the changing social care system and reducing HS2 rail activity.

Although the Labor Party has not won the constituency since its inception in 1983, Labor leader Daniel Francis hopes that serious doubts about the government’s performance will be enough to persuade mature Tory voters to leave the party.

Worker Daniel Francis hopes to benefit from weeks of devastating Conservatives © Tolga Akmen / FT

Brokenshire, amen died in October after suffering from lung cancer, he held the position since 2010 and held senior positions, including the Northern Ireland secretary, under two ministers.

“James was an amazing man and an MP, he was very much loved and it was a great loss to the community,” said Paula Dole.

Paula Dole: ‘I don’t think the Tories have such a strong position here’ © Tolga Akmen / FT

A 52-year-old boy told the Financial Times that many in the region were very loyal to Brokenshire because of his interest in voters. In the 2019 general election, the former MP received nearly 30,000 votes in the Tory constituency, almost three times the number he was fired for.

But that loyalty will not extend to the entire Conservative party, Dole warned. “Boris [Johnson] he must be nervous, “he said.” I don’t think the Tories have such a strong position here. “

A YouGov A November 22 poll showed that 64 percent of Britons surveyed believe Johnson is doing bad things as prime minister.

“I wish the government would just do what the voters promised to do,” a resident who asked not to be identified told FT.

“We find a lot of Conservative voters unhappy,” said Simone Reynolds, a Liberal Democrat representative in the region. “We also find a lot that can’t be done on doors.”

Liberal Democrats’ spokesman Simone Reynolds: ‘We find many Conservative voters unhappy’ © Tolga Akmen / FT

Reynolds, who has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 20 years and has two children in local schools, is keen to be a “strong voice for local families” as well as people at high risk.

He added: “We also have a large number of elderly people in the area who are not happy with the government’s three locks. . . I think some of the former Conservative voters are now thinking twice. ”

The rural area, located in southeast London, has already been represented by the Conservatives, including Sir Edward Heath, who served as Prime Minister of Tory between 1970 and 1974.

London election map With the current MP G1920_21X

“Old Bexley and Sidcup may be in London depending on the location, but politics is difficult,” said Sir John Curtice, a professor of political science at the University of Strathclyde. “This is an area where he voted 63 percent to leave Brexit referendum. ”

According to statistics from the London Borough of Bexley, which includes Sidcup and Bexley, the region has a population of about 250,000, with at least 25 people making up about a third of the population, while the number of residents over the age of 65 is increasing. .

The Conservatives have put Louie French ahead of the seat. Frenchman, former deputy mayor of Bexley City Council and finance officer in the City, grew up in Welling and Sidcup.

Boris Johnson and Conservative candidate Louie French © PA

In preparation to break away from the growing political issue of laziness and second-hand jobs, the French will soon. he promised to step down City if elected next week.

“As the campaign progresses we have heard a lot from the public about how angry they are with the government for the sleaze and the councilors are working again,” Francis of Labor told FT. “We are hearing from Conservative voters, some of whom have stayed home and some will vote for Labor next week.”

For resident Audrey Johnson, what has happened over the past few weeks has shown the difference between the two leaders.

Audrey Johnson: ‘Keir Starmer is very good and honest and not a liar like Boris’ © Tolga Akmen / FT

“I’m a member of Labor and I vote for Labor,” Johnson said. “Keir Starmer is very good and honest and not a liar like Boris,” said the 74-year-old.

Francis, a former councilor who grew up in Bexley, said the districts were “disappointed” by the Conservative-led council, as well as by the government, regarding the six-week-long bin-hitting of bin during the summer.

“While no one knows what the consequences will be, it would not be surprising if the Tory party has a very small population,” said Anthony Wells, YouGov’s chief of political and cultural affairs.

James Brokenshire, who died in October from lung cancer © Invicta Kent Media / Shutterstock

Thursday’s voter turnout is a concern for both parties but especially for the Tories, Wells protested, realizing it could be less than usual.

“Making people happy with the Conservatives right now in the election can be difficult,” he said. “[They] they are now approaching the middle of their leadership and we are back in politics as usual.

For some people, the controversy over second-party jobs and the division of political affairs have caused them to become disillusioned with the election, despite their best efforts.

Aston Craddock: ‘I don’t care much about politics at all’ © Tolga Akmen / FT

“I don’t care much about politics,” Amod Mathur said. “I keep politics to the fore,” added 24-year-old Aston Craddock. “A lot of the things I hear make me angry.”

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