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The Electorate's Message to Tony Blair

The electorate left Tony Blair in no doubt what they thought of him last week. But with only 35% of the vote, Labour secured a projected majority of 66. The Tories took 32%, yet Tony Blair won nearly twice as many seats. And they call this democracy? By Iain Macwhirter

The Demise of New Labour

At least now we can wave goodbye to the pager clones. Those doggedly on-message New Labour MPs have gone the way of the device that used to deliver the "line to take". Many of the most ardent Blairites were massacred on Thursday. Labour is now more like the party it was in the 1970s. The stage is set for a conflict between a leader who has lost credibility and a party that wants its ball back.

A Revolution Come Full Circle

Two images sum up 2005. Stephen Twigg, the infant hero of Labour’s 1997 "people’s revolution", biting his lip as he lost the seat he stole from the Tory minister Michael Portillo eight years ago. His rueful expression summed up the feeling that the New Labour project has come full circle.

Second image. Victorious George Galloway, the former Scottish Labour MP sacked for his opposition to the war, lambasting Tony Blair like an Old Testament prophet: "All the people you’ve killed and the lies you have told have come back to haunt you." Not for the first time, Galloway had found the words to wound. It was the soundbite of the night — and he duffed up Jeremy Paxman too.

The Result: A Defeat Wrapped in Victory

This was a defeat for Blair wrapped in the cloak of victory. It was a triumph for the very people power that helped put him in Downing Street in the first place. Up and down the country, people used a kind of stealth voting to deliver maximum damage to the Prime Minister while avoiding the defeat of a Labour administration they believed to be essentially sound.

By calculated defections and tactical voting, a disillusioned electorate cut Blair’s majority by 99 seats, from a domineering 166 last time to a timid 66. From Putney to Na h-Eileanan an Iar (the Western Isles); from Bethnal Green to Dunbartonshire East, voters held the Prime Minister to account in a concerted and finely targeted withdrawal of consent.

A Remarkable Achievement

This was a remarkable achievement for the British voters. "Labour on a reduced majority" didn’t appear on any ballot paper. The Prime Minister warned that tactical voting would only benefit the Tories. Not so. The Conservatives did not have a good night, winning fewer seats even than the hapless Michael Foot achieved in Labour’s annus horribilis, 1983.

Through a kind of electoral telepathy, the British people managed to overcome the vagaries of our increasingly anachronistic electoral system to achieve the required outcome: Tony Blair stripped of that huge majority which fueled his hubris. The PM will not be starting any more wars in a hurry with his new precarious majority. No more riding shotgun for George Bush as they rid the world of bad guys. Blair, so long as he remains leader, will be looking over his shoulder at a depleted Labour backbench.

The Impact on Hotels

Hotels will need to adapt to the changing political landscape

With the recent election results, the political climate in the UK has shifted, and this will undoubtedly have an impact on various industries, including the hotel sector. As political ideologies and priorities change, hotels must be prepared to adapt to the evolving needs and expectations of their guests.

One area that may be affected is corporate bookings. As the Labour Party undergoes a period of introspection and potential leadership changes, businesses may become cautious about organizing events and conferences at hotels affiliated with the party. This could lead to a decrease in bookings from corporate clients who prefer to align themselves with the new political landscape.

Additionally, with the rise of more progressive parties like the Liberal Democrats, hotels that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility may see an increase in demand. Guests who are aligned with these values may seek out accommodations that reflect their political beliefs and actively support environmentally friendly practices.

Furthermore, political events and rallies may become more common as different parties aim to engage and mobilize their supporters. Hotels located in key campaign regions or popular political hubs may experience a surge in bookings during these periods. It will be crucial for these hotels to handle the influx of guests efficiently and provide excellent service to meet the heightened expectations surrounding political events.

Manchester

Edinburgh

Brighton

Liverpool

Bath

Birmingham

Bristol

London

Norwich

Harrogate

Scarborough

Todmorden

Cowbridge

Hastings

Richmond (Greater London)

Cardiff

Whitby

Torquay