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Yes, the May 2026 local and regional elections are done and dusted.  And all the party leaders agree that they got great results.


Zak Polanski is pleased to have taken the Dingleberry East constituency in North-North Norfolk for the Green Party, and a spokesman provided this statement: ‘This is a council seat that illustrates the importance of delivering green energy without solar farms, turbines, dangerous wave power or nuclear energy.  And also of removing the unaffordable triple lock on pensions.  We are confident that, if this result is replicated nationally, we will be voted in at the next General Election.’


Nigel Farage is pleased to have taken the Dingleberry South constituency for the Reform Party, and a spokesman provided this statement: ‘This result illustrates the importance of a tough, mean-spirited and uncompromising policy on immigration.  And also of maintaining the unaffordable triple lock on pensions.  We are confident that, if I can secure further donations to guarantee my security, and if this result is replicated nationally, then we will be voted in at the next General Election.’


Keir Starmer is pleased to have taken the Dingleberry Central constituency for the Labour Party, and a spokesman provided this statement: ‘This was, in some ways, a narrow win. But a win is a win.  The result illustrates the importance of, err, change, and delivering change with a laser focus, difficult decisions, broadest shoulders etc.  And also of delivering on the other manifesto commitments, like, err, you know, the triple lock on pensions.  We are confident that, if I can secure donations for some more free suits and spectacles, and if this result is replicated nationally, we will be voted in at the next General Election.’


The Plaid Leader has rejected criticism of their candidates' performances in all the Dingleberry constituencies and a spokesman provided this statement: ‘Many English voters strongly support Welsh devolution, including our policies to treble council tax on second homes, reducing speed limits to 15mph, doing absolutely everything in Welsh, and not allowing English pensioners to use their bus passes on buses in Wales.  And on pensions.  Everyone seems to mention pensions.  We are confident that we can win over voters everywhere, and that we will be voted in at the next General Election.’


The SNP Leader said, ‘On this occasion, and for one time only, I entirely agree with my Plaid colleague.  Independence now!’


Kemi Badenoch is pleased to have almost taken the Dingleberry West constituency for the Tory Party, and a spokesman provided this statement: ‘This very close but catastrophic result illustrates that there is further work to do to expunge the appalling legacy of Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Dominic Cummings, Dominic Raab, Gavin Williamson, and all the other dimwits who spaffed the Tory party up a wall.  We have a clear policy to scrap Stamp Duty, and will deliver a second policy very soon.  It will probably be about the triple lock on pensions.  We are confident that, if this result is replicated nationally, then the Conservative Party will survive the next General Election and live to fight another day.  ’


Image: mounsey - Pixabay




The Plaid Cymru election manifesto argues that Wales should get £4bn compensation for HS2. This is despite the fact that no houses in Wales have been knocked down, no tunnels built, and no sheep disturbed. But Plaid Cymru clearly feel that they have a case.


This has emboldened the Isle of Wight Independence Party to argue along similar lines and make rail improvements part of its platform.


Colin Card, 63, says that there is an ‘obvious’ case for investment in the railway line that runs between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin. Colin says that a feasibility study, conducted by Norman from the model railway club, shows that the current 28 minute journey time could easily be cut to 23 minutes. The economic benefits are therefore huge, because a massive amount of productive time will be released. 'HS2 only cut 10 minutes off the journey from London to Birmingham,' says Colin, 'so our plans knock that into a cocked hat.'


Colin also says that there is also a good economic case for integrating services between Smallbrook Junction and Wootton, currently served by a heritage railway. And there is also a strong case (Norman again) for extending the existing railway from Shanklin to Ventnor, as travellers to Ventnor must currently complete their journey from Shanklin station by bus. In their wilder moments, Colin and Norman dream of a circular railway line running round the whole island. And some trains, obviously.


The islanders will be tracking the Plaid Cymru case very closely. If Wales is successful, then there should be no barrier to funding for the Isle of Wight. £4bn would be just the ticket.


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