UK Election 2015 - Surprises all Round.

The General Election has caused a few surprises to put it mildly, however it has given the Association of Pension and Benefits CIC (the ABC) some cause for celebration.

Although the ABC only launched on 05th November 2014, the ABC approached the Scottish National Party (SNP) about a Questions & Answers (Q&A session) as well as other political parties. We were delighted when the SNP took part, and we remain impressed by their professionalism, the clarity of their ideas, and the sincere desire to truly care for those they represent. ‘They stood out from the other parties we spoke too, in how well organised they were’ points out ABC founder Simon Collyer. They said what they were going to do and when, and then they did it.

‘Given the success of the SNP, next time an election comes along our top politicos may be more enthusiastic about engaging with us, our audience and our members’ points out Simon.  

The ABC article Key Seat Wirral West on the 02nd April pointed out the vulnerability of former Minister for Employment, Esther McVey of the Conservative Party, who has lost her seat to Margaret Greenwood who won in Wirral West after securing 18,898 votes - just 417 more than Ms McVey.

The ABC article Stop Press - We Wish They Would! Was critical of Sir Bob Russell’s campaign. The Lib Dems campaign looked frankly rather ‘old school the ABC said, compared to their coalition buddies, the Conservative Party. The Lib Dem Campaign used mainly print media - spam publications dressed up to look like free local newspapers and delivered via the letterbox. Sir Bob Russell (Colchester) sent out the Colchester Courier and we then received the Colchester View. Perhaps we asked in our article, the Essex Chronical - a real newspaper - had complained, that the use of 'Chronical' might cause confusion?

The Conservative Party’s campaign using daily email bulletins, YouTube videos and strategically placed billboard advertising and saw Will Quince unseat Sir Bob Russell with a campaign that looked far more fresh and modern in its approach.

Phycologists know that it’s not want you say, it is how you say it, that people remember. Continuous repetition in social media marketing is also key.

Sir Bob's done a great job for Colchester however he was swept away no fault of his own. 'The Bob Russell factor' as it is known locally - was was not enough to turn back the national tide.  

The Conservative Party sewed doubt about the outcome of an election where a Labour dog was left being ‘wagged’ by an SNP tail. It turned out it was a winning strategy. People do not like uncertainty.

The Conservatives had the marketing budget and if you want to start a war, having a bigger chest of ammo certainly helps.

FOR THE FUTURE

Will Ian Duncan Smith be back at the DWP pursing his personal crusade? Will we have another five years of austerity vilifying once again the poorest in our country?  Will the NHS, BBC and our motorways all be sold off? Will we see pensioners being sanctioned for failing to find part-time jobs? Retirement at 70 and the rich getting even richer, as our tax and assets are transferred to those with all the loot already.  

Can our current voting system survive, when so many people have voted for MP’s they did not get?  Will proportional representation come in?

One thing is positive there has been a high voter turnout after years of decline and here again the ABC has played a part, working with the Electoral Commission.

The ABC have not changed the world, but we certainly took part in one of the most exciting election contests for decades.