Vote UK Almanac New Boundaries development

[andrewp]

Nov 8, 2024 17:43:51 GMT Robert Waller said:

I possess all editions going back to 1950, plus the 1929 through 1935 reprint (all in one volume) that I believe was done by Politico's when Iain Dale was in charge. I also have a full facsimile of 1906 in PDF form (the very first was in 1880).

As for 2024 which I have been going through, yes, the map is not like the old fold out days.
It seems to be fairly solidly produced, can't say if it will fall apart if you use it enough!
I have found one mistake only in the 16 page Rallings/Thrasher article on the results - they say Labour regained all the so-called Red Wall losses but I would very much include Ashfield in that, and have said it was thus unique in my chapter in the Dale byelection book (forthcoming), while discussing Ashfield's remarkable long-term history.
I have found a couple of places so far where my brief profiles were mangled beyond comprehension.
There are a pair of short but sprightly additional pieces by Michael Crick, one on the new MPs and one on the history of the Guide, including the beginning of David Butler's career.
I am not recommending it at the price, necessarily, but I do think / hope it's somewhat better than the last few editions. Some of the apercus in the Almanac here, by various contributors, may be recognised. But of course we have an evolving full coverage of seats here, free of charge ...


By the way, I would have thought this discussion would be better placed after the parallel post I made within the psephological books thread on the General Psephology sub-board. It is not about future Almanac development.

Does the new Times guide have DOB for all MPs or have some of them not disclosed that?

[Robert Waller]

There are a few Not Availables.
And some year or year and month only.

[carlton43]

Nov 8, 2024 18:08:24 GMT batman said:

I have the much-prized one of 1945, and also have 1955 & 1959. My friend Ted was a candidate in the 1955 general election, and gave me the other two - as far as I know he is still with us, I'd have heard if otherwise. A friend of my dad's stood in 1945 for Common Wealth, which in later life he described as "youthful left-wing folly". My dad however remained left-wing to the end. It is strange seeing 1950s pictures of Roy Jenkins, he looks so thin & so different from how most of us would remember him.

Good claret make a real man of you!

[Davıd Boothroyd]

There was no 'Times Guide to the House of Commons' published after the 1906 election ...

I have originals of 1895 and of 1929 to date, plus the 'Dale' reprint of 1910, 1911 and 1919, and a separately published reprint of 1911.

I suspect the '1906' guide is in fact the Pall Mall Gazette Popular House of Commons. This appeared in 1888, 1889, and then after each general election up to December 1910. I have pdf copies of the first two and printed copies of all the others except 1895.

[Davıd Boothroyd]

Nov 8, 2024 18:30:04 GMT andrewp said:

Does the new Times guide have DOB for all MPs or have some of them not disclosed that?

Many, many gaps.

[Robert Waller]

I went through the first 100 and there are 2 with no birth info, 12 with just a month/year or year (mainly the former) and 86 with exact birthday.
Last 100 - 85 with exact date, 11 month and year, 4 no birth info.

Is that many, many gaps? Maybe, though if they won't give that personal detail, not sure what anyone can do.
Freedom of information request, anyone?




And I still think this is nothing to do with Almanac development.

[andrewp]

I got my copy of the Times Guide today. Beccy Cooper, Lab, Worthing West has a DOB listed of 24/11/97- which would make her 26, and would have had her contesting Worthing West in 2017 and being elected as a councillor the same year both at age 19. That’s not correct is it? I feel like I would have remembered it being mentioned if she was that young.

[batman]

I've met Beccy and I am quite sure that, while she is far from elderly, she is not as young as that.

[Robert Waller]

I agree. Possible misprint 1979 for 1997. Not a part of the book I was responsible for checking ...

[johnloony]

Nov 8, 2024 23:02:39 GMT Robert Waller said:

I went through the first 100 and there are 2 with no birth info, 12 with just a month/year or year (mainly the former) and 86 with exact birthday.
Last 100 - 85 with exact date, 11 month and year, 4 no birth info.

Is that many, many gaps? Maybe, though if they won't give that personal detail, not sure what anyone can do.
Freedom of information request, anyone?

And I still think this is nothing to do with Almanac development.

On a similar theme, I counted (as an initial sample) that 35 of the first 130 constituencies have an MP older than me. I think 2019 was the first time that a majority of MPs were younger than me.

On your point: I think that MPs nowadays (compared with decades ago) are probably more reluctant generally to reveal personal information, just because of greater awareness of security threats. A bit like the increase in candidates not giving their home address on the ballot paper.

[Robert Waller]

It may appear that there is no activity on the Vote UK Almanac sub-board due to the lack of new posts, but in fact I'd like to point out that the process of updating to 2024 is well underway.
I believe batman and YL have already updated all their 'own' seats in the initial posts on each thread. John Chanin has clearly done most of his, and as for mine, I am working through the regions alphabetically and have nearly finished the North East.
Others such as bsjmcr and doktorb🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ have updated too (my apologies as I am bound to have missed some ...)
In due course I expect all the initial material to incorporate 2024, and if the thread originators do not wish to do so I intend (eventually) to undertake that task myself.

[therealriga]

I've updated the Belfast and County Antrim seats for 2024. I hope to do the other 10 very soon.