They are never going to say to vote tactically but resources will be targeted at constituencies where they stand a good chance of winning, which will have a similar effect. I’d respect them more if they said “we aren’t going to win in X, so vote Lib Dem/Green/SNP to really stick the boot in” as it might make all the difference.
The thing about Clacton is polling suggests Labour are in second, with Farage well ahead. So an argument could be made for Labour to step it up a gear there because if Farage messes up (perhaps by continuing to be a Putin stooge) they could sneak between a split Tory/Reform vote and get a cheeky win. Anything to keep Farage out of Parliament as his influence is corrosive. They may be calculating that Farage as an MP might be the nail in the Tory’s coffin for a generation but it may bite them in the arse.
They could also be betting that Farage in parliament may be the nail in the coffin for Farage. Without any power he won’t turn up and will just fizzle. Like Brexit, hell just walk when he doesn’t get the attention any more.
So it could be a play to kill both. However, I think that would discount his love of attention and the media would still give him attention if he can keep saying hateful or controversial things.
You can see what he’ll be like. Constantly trying to talk more than he would be allowed for his position, then claiming he is being silenced when he’s not allowed. If he got himself kicked out for behavior, he’d love it. His followers will lap it all up.
Anyone selected for Labour in Clacton is basically a paper candidate, so I’m not surprised they want him to campaign somewhere where they actually might win.
It’s not a good look even if it is tactical.
Withdrawing in Clacton but fighting in Bristol Central, as if we didn’t already know what this Labour party stands for now.
https://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/fcgi-bin/calcwork23.py?seat=Bristol Central
because they’re the same ideologically
