UK Election 2015

[KC Cantiaci]

Maybe Miliband didn't want to talk about the economy or deficit at the time. Did the media and opposing political parties know what he was going to talk about, did they have access to the speech he had prepared?

Did they hell.

It was just that the right-wing media and opposing parties needed to have something to moan about. They haven't stopped moaning since then and it's really boring.

The run-up to this general election is the worst I can ever remember. I am sure that the commentators will be trying to analyse the politicians' farts next.

They also keep saying that this is the most important election since votes were invented. I mean, who really cares?

Labour and the Tories are so similar. It will be the same pro-capitalist/EU/corporations and banks, mob who get into power as before, albeit under an different name perhaps.

How many times do we have to be told by the politicians, and the patronizing media, that the SNP will probably work in conjunction with Labour on a vote-by-vote basis during the next government?

l know who I am going to vote for and I can't wait until the whole process is over.

If Hug Me Dave and his clowns lose, I might celebrate by going down to Whitehall to chant "C^^^, c^^^, C^untMoron f*** off."

Jack

Come on Jack.....Miliband's a politician the same as the rest. And they'll say whatever they think will get them votes. This election has a few main battlegrounds including the economy/deficit, immigration/EU and the NHS..... so to not talk about/mention plans on how they are going to deal with these issues going forwards is either a mistake or he doesn't feel it's important enough. Either reason is bad news.

But I agree the run up to this election has been poor. It's turning into a circus with multiple debates that say the same thing over and over. The reason the media keep talking about the SNP and Labour tie up is because the polls are predicting a hung parliament with the SNP being the only party likely to have enough seats to be able to join with another to create a majority....and they won't deal with the Tories. But Miliband probably knows if he entered a coalition with the SNP, it's likely Labour would lose a shed load of votes next time around.....and it's possible this could happen even on a confidence and supply basis. I just see more votes leaving the main parties and heading towards the smaller ones as people realise they can't trust either of them.

 

[matthewr]

but forgot to mention one of the key elements in the run up to this election which is the economy/deficit. He was panned and labelled with the typical 'out of touch with the electorate' type comments by the media and opposing parties.

He forgot the section on the deficit but talked about the economy at great length. One would expect him to be panned by the opposing parties, but his panning by the media reflects the fact that a poor understanding of macroeconomics has become the narrative and our media seems incapable of talking about any other subject.

If Ed is "out of touch with the electorate" one wonder exactly what planet Cameron is living on.

 

[jackbarron]

The reason the media keep talking about the SNP and Labour tie up is because the polls are predicting a hung parliament with the SNP being the only party likely to have enough seats to be able to join with another to create a majority....and they won't deal with the Tories. But Miliband probably knows if he entered a coalition with the SNP, it's likely Labour would lose a shed load of votes next time around.....and it's possible this could happen even on a confidence and supply basis. I just see more votes leaving the main parties and heading towards the smaller ones as people realise they can't trust either of them.

The media don't need to keep prattling on, because we all know that it's likely to be a hung Parliament and Labour will have to rely on the SNP. I would be more likely to vote Labour, if I knew they would willingly go into a coalition with the SNP.

Since they are still playing silly buggers, I'll vote Green instead, plus they are far more left wing than Miliband and Labour.

I don't think that Labour will lose a lot of votes if they ally with the SNP on a confidence and supply basis. People know that coalition governments and compromises are likely to happen in the future.

Are the working people of the UK worried about Scotland becoming independent? I know I'm not. Good luck to them.

Jack

 

[Mullardman]

And so it continues....

There was some BBC News discussion of Milliband's real difficulties in handling the immigration debate. Fair enough, except that the commentator ended the piece with 'but Milliband knows he has a long way to go before the electorate trust him on this..'

This is lousy reporting and is at best speculation, at worst unabashed bias.

Have any of us heard words to the effect that "Cameron has a long way to go before the electorate trust him with the NHS/Welfare/Public Services/our Cat"?

Mull

 

[KC Cantiaci]

The media don't need to keep prattling on, because we all know that it's likely to be a hung Parliament and Labour will have to rely on the SNP. I would be more likely to vote Labour if I knew they would willingly go into a coalition with the SNP.

Since they are still playing silly buggers, I'll vote Green instead, plus they are far more left wing than Miliband and Labour.

I don't think that Labour will lose a lot of votes if they ally with the SNP on a confidence and supply basis. People know that coalition governments and compromises are likely to happen in the future.

Are the working people of the UK worried about Scotland becoming independent? I know I'm not. Good luck to them.

Jack

Like people say about the chance of UK exit from the EU....it's the uncertainty which creates instability and it feels like we are all going to be subjected to the 'neverendums. Scotland had its say, voted to stay and we heard Salmond say that there wouldn't be another referendum for a generation. But the SNP's raison d'être is to become independent and Sturgeon seems to be looking for any excuse to call another one at the first chance she gets. IMO, the focus shouldn't still be on the independence question any more. Didn't Sturgeon get boo'd in Scotland when she brought the topic up at the Scottish debate?

It's also created the feeling of inequality as Wales are feeling short changed as they get less money than Scotland. So I'm not sure how it will look to Wales if there's a tie up between the SNP and Labour. It could end Labour support in Wales completely and they could find them out of there as well as Scotland. This is all heading towards a federal UK IMO and I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing?

 

[simeon]

There is an excellent summary of the manifestos here.

 

[KC Cantiaci]

And so it continues....

There was some BBC News discussion of Milliband's real difficulties in handling the immigration debate. Fair enough, except that the commentator ended the piece with 'but Milliband knows he has a long way to go before the electorate trust him on this..'

This is lousy reporting and is at best speculation, at worst unabashed bias.

Its probably not far from the truth. Labour did get it hopelessly wrong with their immigration predictions. What was it....13,000? Doh! They weren't even close. And Labour are reluctant to admit their mistakes and seem to do so under duress so I'd agree that Labour has a long way to go to gain the trust of the electorate on matters to do with immigration.

Have any of us heard words to the effect that "Cameron has a long way to go before the electorate trust him with the NHS/Welfare/Public Services/our Cat"?

Mull

Not yet. But a lot feel there needed to be some curbs and cuts......and Labour are also going to continue to make cuts if they get it.

 

[SteveG]

Like people say about the chance of UK exit from the EU....it's the uncertainty which creates instability and it feels like we are all going to be subjected to the 'neverendums. Scotland had its say, voted to stay and we heard Salmond say that there wouldn't be another referendum for a generation. But the SNP's raison d'être is to become independent and Sturgeon seems to be looking for any excuse to call another one at the first chance she gets. IMO, the focus shouldn't still be on the independence question any more. Didn't Sturgeon get boo'd in Scotland when she brought the topic up at the Scottish debate?

The independence question is mostly brought up by the other parties. The SNP have said that something significant (e.g. EU exit) would have to change before they pushed for another referendum, and it doesn't even look like it'll be in their manifesto for the next Scottish government elections.

Apparently the Westminster parties think it's ok for the Scottish electorate to speak when it was to reject independence, but not when it's to reject Labour and instead express a preference for the SNP as their representation at Westminster.

 

[Brian]

The media don't need to keep prattling on, because we all know that it's likely to be a hung Parliament and Labour will have to rely on the SNP. I would be more likely to vote Labour if I knew they would willingly go into a coalition with the SNP.

Since they are still playing silly buggers, I'll vote Green instead, plus they are far more left wing than Miliband and Labour.

I don't think that Labour will lose a lot of votes if they ally with the SNP on a confidence and supply basis. People know that coalition governments and compromises are likely to happen in the future.

Are the working people of the UK worried about Scotland becoming independent? I know I'm not. Good luck to them.

Jack

Not that I expect the LibDems to be significant but a far bigger danger to the country is another coalition between Tories and Libdems, or Tories and UKIP.

The tories dismissive manner toward the electorate really is a blast from the past and 1997. The ridiculous notion from Grant Michael Green Schnapps (or whatever he calls himself) that they need just 11000 votes to win outright being another example.

 

[KC Cantiaci]

The independence question is mostly brought up by the other parties. The SNP have said that something significant (e.g. EU exit) would have to change before they pushed for another referendum, and it doesn't even look like it'll be in their manifesto for the next Scottish government elections.

But wouldn't that be dependent on who gets in government?

Apparently the Westminster parties think it's ok for the Scottish electorate to speak when it was to reject independence, but not when it's to reject Labour and instead express a preference for the SNP as their representation at Westminster.

Do you think? I can understand this being the case for Labour as they are going to lose a shed load of seats if the polls are accurate. Why do you think the Scots have turned away from Labour to the SNP?

 

[Brian]

The independence question is mostly brought up by the other parties. The SNP have said that something significant (e.g. EU exit) would have to change before they pushed for another referendum, and it doesn't even look like it'll be in their manifesto for the next Scottish government elections.

Apparently the Westminster parties think it's ok for the Scottish electorate to speak when it was to reject independence, but not when it's to reject Labour and instead express a preference for the SNP as their representation at Westminster.

No it isn't.

Sturgeon mentioned it the other night on the questioning session along with the other lot who had the balls to take part. I guess you must have been deep frying a pie or something and missed it.

 

[SteveG]

Not that I expect the LibDems to be significant but a far bigger danger to the country is another coalition between Tories and Libdems, or Tories and UKIP.

The Tories and the LibDems maybe - if both perform a lot better than they're currently forecast to do - although at the moment it looks like they would be a long way short. I don't see anyone doing a deal with UKIP though - they're unlikely to get enough seats for them to be relevant, and even if they did get more than the 1 or 2 forecast they'd still be difficult to do a deal with as they're not a coherent party anyway.

The danger with the LibDems is that they've proven totally without principle and are willing to prop up anyone that'll see them retain the merest sniff of power. Or perhaps they've just accepted what others already see, in that there really isn't that much difference between Labour or the Tories any more - or the LibDem's for that matter.

 

[SteveG]

No it isn't.

Sturgeon mentioned it the other night on the questioning session along with the other lot who had the balls to take part.

One mention, against the thousands we're seeing from the Westminster parties.

I guess you must have been deep frying a pie or something and missed it.

Ah - a jibe at Scots - par for the course I suppose when other arguments fail.

Anyway you don't see many deep fried pies in London, which is where I mostly live (I'm half-English, half-Scots and have homes in both countries but spend most of my time in the South). You don't see that many in Scotland either - you see them in Glasgow chip shops but they're not at popular elsewhere. I've never had one myself.

 

[matthewr]

I am deeply uncomfortable with Nationalist parties of any ilk, be that SNP, UKIP or the isolationist wing of the Tory party. It's just a bad and outmoded thing on which to base one's politics and world view.

Labour have taken Scottish votes and seats for granted in recent years as they shift to the right to take on the Conservatives and the SNP have moved into this vacuum (they were also somewhat more centre-right previously as I recall).

All of which is probably an argument for more regional powers and devolution if only to avoid having to be schizophrenic when campaigning on a UK level.

 

[SteveG]

I am deeply uncomfortable with Nationalist parties of any ilk, be that SNP, UKIP or the isolationist wing of the Tory party. It's just a bad and outmoded thing on which to base one's politics and world view.

I'm fine with nationalist parties as long as they're not racist parties. In Scotland's case I suspect the SNP are going to stick independence on the back-burner for a while anyway, and instead position themselves as a socialist/centre-left alternative to a Labour party which is looking more and more like the Tories every day.

If I was the SNP I'd be very tempted to change the name and stand in English seats as well. I suspect they'd win a few in the north of England.

 

[Tony L]

Cameron on Andrew Marr Show now and sounding increasingly desperate despite the usual glossy sheen of PR slime and endless regurgitation of the same tired old catch-phrases and preset statements. He comes across as an in-Action Man toy for unbelievably posh children that has several ridiculous and implausible statements that can be heard again and again by pulling the string on the back. Vacuous in the extreme.

 

[Mick P]

Cameron on Andrew Marr Show now and sounding increasingly desperate despite the usual glossy sheen of PR slime and endless regurgitation of the same tired old catch-phrases and preset statements. He comes across as an in-Action Man toy for unbelievably posh children that has several ridiculous and implausible statements that can be heard again and again by pulling the string on the back. Vacuous in the extreme.

Chaps

Speaking as someone who would lay down his life for the Conservative party (well not quite but you know what I mean) I have, with great reluctance, to agree with the above.

Unfortunately Cameron, Clegg and Milliband have all been trained to listen to a question and then convert their answer into a well rehearsed monologue of how they support hard working people etc etc.

The only two politicians who don't evade a question are Farage and Sturgeon and even though I disagree with them on nearly everything, you have to accept they at least answer questions. You may not like their answers but at least you know where you stand with them.

Overall this is the most dull election in living memory and I for one look forward to when it is over and we all know where we stand.

Regards

Mick

 

[Brian]

One mention, against the thousands we're seeing from the Westminster parties.

But a mention, nevertheless. She wants to split the UK, which is a concern for many given we'll end up with a tory govt probably forever in that scenario.

Ah - a jibe at Scots - par for the course I suppose when other arguments fail.

Anyway you don't see many deep fried pies in London, which is where I mostly live (I'm half-English, half-Scots and have homes in both countries but spend most of my time in the South). You don't see that many in Scotland either - you see them in Glasgow chip shops but they're not at popular elsewhere. I've never had one myself.

Not at all. I've lived in Scotland and have a number of friends who are Scots. Over the years I've grown accustomed to these people being able to take a joke such as that but it appears you can't.

Note: I've only had one deep fried pie. It was a Scotch pie at a chippy in Edzell village.

The Tories and the LibDems maybe - if both perform a lot better than they're currently forecast to do - although at the moment it looks like they would be a long way short. I don't see anyone doing a deal with UKIP though - they're unlikely to get enough seats for them to be relevant, and even if they did get more than the 1 or 2 forecast they'd still be difficult to do a deal with as they're not a coherent party anyway.

The danger with the LibDems is that they've proven totally without principle and are willing to prop up anyone that'll see them retain the merest sniff of power. Or perhaps they've just accepted what others already see, in that there really isn't that much difference between Labour or the Tories any more - or the LibDem's for that matter.

We'll see. I think the polls are going to be a bit off this time around. There is quite a difference between Tory and Labour, there is just no difference when it comes to the gravy train side of things. If you think they have the same policies and the same way of going about things all I can think of is you're so nationalistic you're blind to reality.

 

[SteveG]

If you think they have the same policies and the same way of going about things all I can think of is you're so nationalistic you're blind to reality.

Nationalistic? Me? I wouldn't say so - if anything I think I've a better perspective on it given I straddle the English/Scots thing both from a heritage and a location perspective.

It's easy for people to write off the support for the SNP as being purely a nationalistic thing, but a very big part of it is that the voters in Scotland see a credible socialist alternative to the right leaning parties that Westminster is presenting them with. If English voters had the same them perhaps they'd also be voting in a similar fashion.

 

[simeon]

It's easy for people to write off the support for the SNP as being purely a nationalistic thing, but a very big part of it is that the voters in Scotland see a credible socialist alternative to the right leaning parties that Westminster is presenting them with. If English voters had the same them perhaps they'd also be voting in a similar fashion.

Nail and head. I'd vote SNP if I could but they are not fielding a candidate in Devon.