tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post2295004713192686185..comments2024-03-27T12:40:09.015+00:00Comments on Three Thousand Versts of Loneliness: With cool heads, Conservatives and Unionists can deliver electoral resultsOwen Polleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-10537939398897669692009-01-14T09:07:00.000+00:002009-01-14T09:07:00.000+00:00"which is capable of producing detailed policy and..."which is capable of producing detailed policy and effective consistent electoral messages."<BR/><BR/>Absolutely. Clearly I'm missing out the detailed policy, but it's the approach which will allow it to be developed I'm talking about.Owen Polleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00567787385096905811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-12934882502528933002009-01-13T00:39:00.000+00:002009-01-13T00:39:00.000+00:00You are right to emphasise that the Conservative/U...You are right to emphasise that the Conservative/UUP link should be a long term investment. <BR/><BR/>The aim should be to build up votes over a horizon of two general elections with the same candidate working the ground and raising profile throughout. <BR/><BR/>Winning any seat in 2010 would be success but the real goal is the longer term electoral payoff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-54348081927000444562009-01-12T21:57:00.000+00:002009-01-12T21:57:00.000+00:00Good beginning, been a DUP voter for a while now u...Good beginning, been a DUP voter for a while now under the presumption that they "wont be pushed around" whilst they have succeeded to a degree at keeping nationalism in line so too can nationalism stifle unionism, tit for tat. I'm tired of it, I wish to see a more pro-union approach, more integration and more attempts at tempting traditional non unionist voters without into the fold without compromising core policy centred around the Union. This UUP/Conserative pact excites me and I wait in anticipation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-91964966714699963592009-01-12T20:46:00.000+00:002009-01-12T20:46:00.000+00:00I think what is needed now by the UUP/Conservative...I think what is needed now by the UUP/Conservatives is the development of a clear analysis, which is capable of producing detailed policy and effective consistent electoral messages. <BR/><BR/>To be fair, the DUP emerged in 2003 after a period of reflection, with considerable analysis and a very detailed and clear policy position. <BR/><BR/>Their policy documents at the time "Devolution Now" and the "accountability agenda" were innovative and realistic. Clearly, in retrospect, they paved the way for their St Andrews deal. <BR/><BR/>The DUP showed real talent in connecting their analysis with effective electoral message making. The 2007 slogan "Getting it Right" fitted in with their analysis.<BR/><BR/>It attracted the centre ground without scaring off their core vote.<BR/><BR/>The Conservative/UUP message needs to be clear. What you have argued is a starting point, something that can attract the centre, but it must be supplemented with realistic policy analysis and be translated into an attractive electoral message that can attract new votes while keeping the old.<BR/><BR/>The Conservatives and UUP will need to attract some back room brains as well as shiny new candidates to succeed. <BR/><BR/>And it will certainly take some time as you say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-61764925232250496612009-01-12T18:33:00.000+00:002009-01-12T18:33:00.000+00:00Very good analysis. A good framework for the Union...Very good analysis. A good framework for the Unionists/Conservatives.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2623721153002721356.post-82079020262912416892009-01-12T17:55:00.000+00:002009-01-12T17:55:00.000+00:00Funny how you ignored the DUP outlining childcare ...Funny how you ignored the DUP outlining childcare as another key priority in 2009? Strange that....<BR/><BR/>There's none so blind....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com