Re: The General Election Thread : Thu May 07, 2015 12:37 pm  

Ferocious Aardvark wrote: Brenda may be appointing a new govt soon, but not much changes, I was delighted to read that I am paying for police officers to leaflet the village where William and Kate live warning everyone off harassing by photography. A heartwarming use of public money and police time I think, but would have been good if they could have dropped off a menu from the local Indian at the same time for free. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-32609527 The majority of the work was paid for by the Royal Family from private funds. I find it funny that the BBC have to say this at the end of the article about the house refurbishment, fully aware of the ridiculousness of the whole folly.

Ferocious Aardvark wrote: Brenda may be appointing a new govt soon, but not much changes, I was delighted to read that I am paying for police officers to leaflet the village where William and Kate live warning everyone off harassing by photography. A heartwarming use of public money and police time I think, but would have been good if they could have dropped off a menu from the local Indian at the same time for free. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-32609527 The majority of the work was paid for by the Royal Family from private funds. I find it funny that the BBC have to say this at the end of the article about the house refurbishment, fully aware of the ridiculousness of the whole folly.

Re: The General Election Thread : Thu May 07, 2015 4:16 pm  

DaveO wrote:

It's not just about voting Labour down but offering to support a Tory govt. One of the things I have seen suggested elsewhere is the SNP do a deal with the Tories who deliver devomax to the SNP in exchange for support in passing William Hague's "EVEL" legislation. The logic being devmax is what they always wanted and the Tories have long since given up on Scotland or the concept of the United Kingdom and just want to "rule" England.

I think it is a bit fanciful to say the least and if they did then I reckon the SNP would revive other parties fortunes north of the border as quickly as support for Labour dropped away after the referendum and with 2016 looming they won't do it.

As to the simpler situation of a Labour Queens speech being rejected the SNP would possibly have to vote against to ensure it was, not just abstain. Another election occurs and if the Tories won outright then I am sure Labour and others would argue a vote for the SNP was a vote for the Tories as they suggest voting for the Lib Dem's is.

If the SNP voted Labour out, Labour would probably win the election. Refusing to give concessions to the SNP would give them huge kudos in England and they probably couldnt do any worse in Scotland. There certainly wouldnt be any posters of Miliband in Sturgeon or Salmond's pocket.

It doesnt seem that the Scots are as bothered about the prospect of a Tory government as some seem to think. If keeping out the Tories was their be all and end all, they'd all be voting Labour. They must know that voting SNP increases the chances of a Tory government but seem prepared to take the risk. Only a quarter of them are likely to vote for the option that is most likely to keep out the Tories. It seems to me that if the SNP get the seats that are being predicted they will have a strong mandate to stir the pot at Westminister, even at the risk of a Tory government.

Re: The General Election Thread : Thu May 07, 2015 5:55 pm  

The SNP are ina win win situation, Tories win and they can claim that the Tories do not represent anyone in Scotland with some authority and would bring separation quicker. A Labour win could help them gain a foothold of power to push on for separation in the future, I as a socialist have no problem with it. They have similar policies to Labour, in fact many of us feel that the SNP influence could give us a proper socialist party of the left back.

I am busy with the election at the moment, just stopping for some food before doing some active knocking up of support. All I can say at the moment is the Labour vote is not only holding up its high, very high and the good weather is helping.

Re: The General Election Thread : Thu May 07, 2015 6:44 pm  

DaveO wrote:

As to the simpler situation of a Labour Queens speech being rejected the SNP would possibly have to vote against to ensure it was, not just abstain. Another election occurs and if the Tories won outright then I am sure Labour and others would argue a vote for the SNP was a vote for the Tories as they suggest voting for the Lib Dem's is.

You're wrong mate.

A Queen's Speech can be voted down without causing anything other than a little embarassment for those proposing it. It WILL NOT trigger another election.

An election could be triggered only by the incumbents losing a confidence vote, so the SNP can stay true to their promise to reject Trident without bringing down a Labour minority government.

All this was written into the cabinet book in 2010. Drafted by Gus O'Donnell and approved and signed off by Camoron, Clegg et al

Re: The General Election Thread : Thu May 07, 2015 8:45 pm  

What was turnout like where you are? Bigger queue than usual at our polling station. I guess the locals are panicking in case they let Red Ed and the short Scottish woman (who ain't even a candidate) in after reading their newspapers! Mind you their votes will have no influence - safe seat.

Re: The General Election Thread : Thu May 07, 2015 9:12 pm  

BBC exit poll shows Tories +9 on last time and Labour - 19. If correct (and spot on last time) Tories will be running the show and with increased confidence. Welfare system will be destroyed.

Re: The General Election Thread : Thu May 07, 2015 9:21 pm  

Sounds like it's hardly worth staying up. Just hope Clegg and Balls lose their seats and at least one high profile Tory.

Re: The General Election Thread : Fri May 08, 2015 12:14 am  

If the exit polls are to believed it looks like pretty much what I predicted last year.

This election was gamed the moment UKIP arrived out of nowhere (financed to the eyeballs). Why people seem to think the British electorate won't put up with cynical race-baiting I've no idea.

Anyhow, both the Lib-Dems and UKIP have performed their tasks manfully. The Beeb seems shocked that Farage might lose his seat. But like the Lib-Dems (who will now take up their high-salaried roles in the city as payment for allowing the Tories to rape them each day since the last election) - Farage will now jet off to a nice house in the sun somewhere.

Neither were ever going to be around during this next government which will now execute its plans for massive public-spending cuts, the railroading through of TPPA, European arm-twisting and heaven knows what else.

Opening up the Scottish vote was nothing but a cynical ploy to further undermine the power of a major state government.

The electorate really does get the government it deserves (not that Cameron possesses anything like the power British PMs 50 years ago wielded). I hope it enjoys it.

Re: The General Election Thread : Fri May 08, 2015 12:18 am  

Dally wrote:

Sounds like it's hardly worth staying up. Just hope Clegg and Balls lose their seats and at least one high profile Tory.

Balls was being touted as losing before, apparently, the ballot boxes had turned up at the count. It's all gone quiet on that one, although it may be accurate.

The BBC are trumpeting their own exit poll surprise surprise while ignoring the others that have it closer. I hope they kept the receipt if it turns out to be crap

Re: The General Election Thread : Fri May 08, 2015 12:20 am  

Mugwump wrote:

If the exit polls are to believed

Have you just finished a stint on the BBC?