Political Topography
By pgn
@pgntwo (22405)
Derry, Northern Ireland
June 10, 2017 2:04pm CST
The recent elections in the UK have caused a bit of a kerfuffle, forcing the party with the most seats, the Conservative and Unionist Party [CON, in blue] (lead by Mrs Theresa May) to join hands with a smaller party in order to achieve a majority in the House of Commons in Westminster (the seat of Government in the UK).
The rather cool map above shows each of the 650 constituencies as a cell, each the same size as the next. The smaller party currently being courted is the Democratic Unionist Party [DUP], whose 10 seats are shown in the ruby-coloured cells in Northern Ireland (at the left side of this rather interesting-looking map).
Obviously, a lot of to-ing and fro-ing is in progress this weekend, as the now weakened British Prime Minister struggles to hold on to power by cutting a deal with the DUP in order to have a majority of seats in Parliament.
What happens, we shall see - but for the time being, enjoy the rather odd-shaped map that came from the BBC's website, showing how the political land now lies since the election on Thursday 08-June-2017.
Democratic Unionist Party agree principles of "confidence and supply" deal to support Conservatives.
4 people like this
5 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
10 Jun 17
Very cool map pgn!
Now people will know that N.Ireland is part of the U.K. right? Bwahahahhaha
2 people like this
@topffer (42155)
• France
10 Jun 17
@pgntwo I will probably tell some stupidity as I do not know the details of politics in Northern Ireland. Forget it if it is the case. I had the feeling that there was a risk that Northern Ireland would be the big loser of the Brexit and that having a party in a governmental coalition would be helpful to have a better Brexit for you. According to what you are telling, I was wrong.
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
10 Jun 17
@topffer There is the rub: the 55.8% of the Northern Ireland population that voted to Remain in the EU, were predominantly from the constituencies not held by the DUP... the DUP campaigned for Brexit, and as such represent the minority 44.2% of the Referendum Voters. Nothing is ever simple...
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
10 Jun 17
In answer to your question: No. The constituency in which I live is now represented by SF, who polled 169 votes more than the previous MP from the SDLP (now a party with no seats).
In total, the DUP has 10 of the 18 seats that represent Northern Ireland in Westminster. SF have seven seats, but as a party, the SF have never taken up their seats at Westminster.
The 18th seat for Northern Ireland is held by an Independent.
I wait to see just how the surge of new power will affect the 10 DUP MPs and how they handle matters alongside the SF and Independent MPs where Northern Ireland is concerned. I also fear that the British government can no longer mediate in Northern Ireland affairs if it is in coalition with one of the political parties in Northern Ireland.
Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell has accused Theresa May of threatening the peace process in Northern Ireland by negotiating a
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
10 Jun 17
Hmm... I think not - each cell is the size of a constituency, approx 72,000 people, I think. So the UK electorate is approx 46,800,000 people. It's actually not a bad representation, if you look at how London has ballooned out in relation to the geographical area of the UK capital.
See how the political landscape has shifted overnight.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11134)
• United Kingdom
11 Jun 17
I love this map. It really puts into perspective how rubbish this whole election kerfuffle is.
1 person likes this
@pgntwo (22405)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
11 Jun 17
It is a pretty good illustration, yes - kudos to the BBC for using it on their election coverage.
Shame the live one is missing a label to explain the 18 seats out to the west, in Northern Ireland, though. I dropped the Beeb a comment about that yesterday, no change yet though.
