Heating up for double by-election
bioe...@gmail.com
And anyone who doubts this bold statement should venture to Brynmawr or
Tredegar as the whole constituency basks in the baking heat of Wales'
first ever double by-election campaign.
But despite the sun's relentless focus on the ant-like army of
politicans crawling all over the area, the physical and economic
geography remains deeply scarred.
After all, this is a constituency that's still seen by many, through
the prism of the past.
With a history of heavy industry - in coal and steel - the economic
legacy in Blaenau Gwent has for too long been a grim one.
Perhaps these scars are most obvious in Ebbw Vale, where the land
reclamation and regeneration work paid for by the assembly government
is just starting to make an impression on the vast concrete wilderness,
which marks the graveyard of steel-making in this part of Wales.
But history also shows a proud political legacy - with the area
represented by two giants of the Labour movement - the founding father
of the NHS Aneurin Bevan and the party's former leader Michael Foot.
More recently, the voters of Blaenau Gwent rocked the Labour party to
its core, by electing Peter Law as an independent Member of Parliament.
It was his death that has now triggered not one but two by-elections -
to the assembly and to Westminster.
Far from being apathetic, some of the voters seem to be punch-drunk
from the scale of the assault via the phone and on their doorsteps by
political parties seeking votes
The fundamental political question in what was a rock-solid Labour
seat, is whether the party can convince enough of their former voters
to return to the fold - or whether Peter Law's widow and former agent
can retain the seat as independent representatives in Westminster and
Cardiff Bay.
Labour's approach during the campaign very much suggests an overtly and
deliberate local campaign - with even the posters and placards around
the constituency bearing the words "Blaenau Gwent Labour".
Just as with Labour's approach when they won back the Parliamentary
seat in Ynys Mon a few years ago, there's no mention of new, old, or
Welsh Labour here.
Game of dodgems
Indeed, one of the defining features of the campaign so far is the
glaring absence of big name politicians - part of the staple diet of
by-elections past, but an approach which could badly backfire within
the context of this particular contest.
The response on the doorsteps suggests that crime and anti-social
behaviour is one of the areas of greatest concern. And although this is
a problem faced by communities across the whole of Wales, the situation
is perceived to be linked to poverty.
Within the constituency, are some of the most deprived communities in
the country - pockets of extreme deprivation, which are a direct
consequence of broader economic and social problems.
The lack of affordable housing, the need for good skilled jobs, better
transport links and the lack of local services are also issues being
raised on the doorsteps. And even though it's a national issue, the
threat of closure faced by many small post offices, has also been
pushed to the top of the campaign agenda.
In many ways, there's nothing unique to Blaenau Gwent about these
issues, but crucially, they are all issues which have a clear and
direct impact on people's everyday lives. Politics, whether people like
it or not, really matters.
But as the latest batch of politicians rolled through the back streets
of Ebbw Vale, there was a warning.
Far from being apathetic, some of the voters seem to be punch-drunk
from the scale of the assault via the phone and on their doorsteps by
political parties seeking votes.
It's a bit like a game of dodgems, as people try to avoid yet another
gang of eager men and women in suits.
The people of Blaenau Gwent have probably never seen so many
politicians knocking on quite so many doors. The only consolation is
that it will all be over in less than three weeks.