Wandsworth’s political elite have got their claws out on Twitter and the banter is palpable.
@CllrSimonHogg @LabourHousing @tomcopley @wandsworthnews @tom_watson @batterseasoc @BatterseaLabour @SamanthaLHeath You are a prize wanker!
— PeterBingle (@PeterBingle) March 31, 2015
As the general election draws ever closer and campaign teams bash on doors from Battersea to Tooting, a very local, and sometimes personal, debate is also being played out online.
Expect the occasional expletive, cheeky jibes, funny door knockers and regular selfies posted from the streets of Wandsworth, championing “great” feedback in support of a prospective Parliamentary candidate.
The mud-slinging rages largely between the Tory and Labour supporters, although occasionally there is a sweet glimmer of friendship and the odd offer of a coffee.
Recently a Tory Twitter “master class” was the subject of much derision from the Labour crew, meanwhile the Tories regularly point the finger at Sadiq Khan’s refusal to admit or deny his rumoured mayoral ambitions.
An account even appeared recently, called ItsBasicGrammar, deriding a local Labour campaigner’s grammar.
Jane Ellison and the team canvassing in Battersea. Residents v welcoming. pic.twitter.com/fFXz1dxV36
— Melanie Hampton (@melanieham20) January 10, 2015
Sometimes it can get a bit personal. In response to a recent post by Labour Councillor Simon Hogg declaring Battersea’s housing market as “broken” and claiming the Tories did not have a plan to fix it, GLA Conservative Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth, Richard Tracey, told him he was a disgrace to the name “Hogg”.
Only days beforehand a former Conservative Wandsworth councillor, Peter Bingle, called him a “w*nker” in response to his blog post declaring Wandsworth Council a “property empire”.
Couldn't resist a cheeky #LabourSelfie with an AMAZING group of people! #WillToWin pic.twitter.com/6cAcjy5T0j
— Sean Lawless (@SeanLawless90) January 25, 2015
As election fervour grows the Wandsworth Guardian has compiled a list of the most interesting and active local characters and commentators on Twitter.
Top 15 Wandsworth Twitter accounts worth a follow during the election:
1. Simon Hogg
3. Sean Lawless
4. Peter Bingle
6. Ian Hart
7. Ben Johnson
9. James Daley
10. James Cousins
11. Leonie Cooper
12. Steffi Sutters
13. Jim Maddan OBE
14. Fleur Anderson
15. Kathy Tracey
The borough’s former MPs, Jane Ellison, Sadiq Khan and Justine Greening, are all on Twitter, along with their competition Will Martindale, Dan Watkins and Sheila Boswell.
The Wandsworth Guardian is set to kick off its election coverage shortly. In the meantime we want to know your thoughts.
Should remember to do these ghastly selfies pre-canvassing, but here I am with @DanWatkins @_RichardField_ @IanHart14 pic.twitter.com/UYGFSXNyVD
— Matthew Plummer (@mwyp) April 7, 2015
Are you a Wandsworth voter? What do you think about the borough’s politics? Do you think we will have different MPs come May 7? Email ssleigh@london.newsquest.co.uk
Out and about in Balham - even in the rain! #LabourDooorstep @TootingLabour pic.twitter.com/VCIBWGPtYU
— Fleur Anderson (@CllrFleur) March 29, 2015
The deadline to register to vote in the general election is April 20. It only takes five minutes and you will need your National Insurance number.
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