Why do we fall Bruce?

This tired, faded and slightly jaded flutterby seemed a good metaphor for today.

I've said since I embarked on the campaign trail that my sole aim was to be able to look myself in the eye this morning and know I'd done my best - and on that level I'm pleased to say I'm still smiling.
But last night was a tough night in many many ways. The Council swung predominantly blue - and it did so with an unpleasant air about it everywhere, anyone who doesn't think tougher times are coming is in for a nasty surprise if the attitude of many I met last night is any indication. The count was interesting if a little archaic and oh so slow - but from the opening of the first postal votes it was clear that something dramatic was on the cards - the turnout in 'my' division was huge, double and triple that of some in Cumbria - and it quickly became clear it was a very blue and Methodist turn out!
With the absence of a UKIP candidate this time we knew the Tories would gain - but we'd still been perplexed by their apparent lack of endeavour - but slowly we found out that campaigning after services - using the tagline RevPhil and a huge targeted postal push had born massive dividends. One polling station attendant told me she thought it was Sunday - even I had to laugh. Whilst we held the LibDem Vote, and also realistically lost 300 to Labour and the Greens (who weren't on the last ballot) - RevPhil polled very nearly more votes than the entire 2013 turnout - doubling the Tory vote - an amazing, if somewhat sickening result - giving him more votes individually than most entire seats! I got a fair split of most of the division, was ahead in my village - but the main villages where he served for 20years voted in the upper 90%'s for him - and in huge numbers.

Highlights were;
The camaraderie - overall the LibDems stood still - but everyone stayed till the last count (depressingly me) at 3.45am.
Seeing the unbelievably dull wheels of democracy in action (if you're ever offered the chance to go - do &..... don't, you've been warned)
Seeing Will get elected to Lakes Central - an inspirational young man tragically injured and quadriplegic.
Seeing Neil - again a bit of a gold hearted outsider being oh so narrowly re-elected after a viscous campaign in a two horse race - it meant the world to him - and in the early hours really did feel like a win against the darkside.
Finding out that there's still enough good to fight the bad - wonderful to find climbing pals Debs & Bex being paper candidates to make sure the Libdems always offer an option - hopefully they'll be encouraged to get more involved. And to discover that fellow Blipper DawnCHS is out there actively fighting to make Cumbria a fairer happier place.

Philosophy Friday
Losing isn't always the end - sometimes it becomes the beginning.