davieG Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 The major problem with a hung parliament is that the power is now in the hands of Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats (and possibly even some of the nationalist parties with tiny representations). They can basically get what they want to a large extent now, with both the Tories and Labour fighting for their support. Absurdly, it seems they're in a very strong position despite being nowhere near the Tories and Labour in terms of seats. I don't think it's as strong as that, Cameron still has the upper hand and could go with a minority government and using the 'crisis' as a vote our policies through or face the wrath of the public for preventing recovery. Cameron needs to be seen in a conciliatory mood but can use the fact that at this point in time recovery will be seen as significantly more important than reform and if the Libs don't agree he can argue that all the Libs care about is their own progress through reform. It's not as simple as it might first appear. Clegg needs reform to gain kudos with in his party and Cameron will not agree to anything other than a very loose commitment to consider reform. Clegg really needs to come to some agreement if he ends up with Labour I'm not sure that will go down very well because he'll either be keeping Brown in power or some unelected Labour replacement neither will be seen as popular.
davieG Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 This: The age of "mass branded parties" is coming to an end and there needs to be a "looser" form of organisation among politicians to allow more independent thought, Tory MP Douglas Carswell says. Well I live in hope.
Legend_in_blue Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Brown is still running his mouth. Shut up. I can't stand much more of it. Do the decent thing and resign.
Tilley Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Brown is still running his mouth. Shut up. I can't stand much more of it. Do the decent thing and resign.
Samilktray Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Be glad when its all done with. Everyone on my Facebook seems to have become political experts over night.
Jon the Hat Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Be glad when its all done with. Everyone on my Facebook seems to have become political experts over night.
Legend_in_blue Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Clegg and Cameron have talked some sense. Hopefully they can get something sorted.
Webbo Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Nothing can take the shiteating grin off my face today. There will be no Tory majority government. Labour kicked back. The Lib Dems held the line, although they didn't make the gains they hoped. The worst-case scenario here is a hobbled Tory minority dragging its bloated, stinking carcase around the Commons until progressives throw enough rocks at it to make it squeal out another election. Yes, they can and probably will do some damage. No, it won't be as bad as it might have been. :laugh: Priceless.
purpleronnie Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 The major problem with a hung parliament is that the power is now in the hands of Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats (and possibly even some of the nationalist parties with tiny representations). They can basically get what they want to a large extent now, with both the Tories and Labour fighting for their support. Absurdly, it seems they're in a very strong position despite being nowhere near the Tories and Labour in terms of seats. Suits me sir.
Shrenchel Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Wish the toffs would just give the Lib Dems a referendum on PR and then they can cuddle up and we can all get on with our lives.
Fosse Boy Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Suits me sir. Agree. Our system screws the minor parties over enough as it is, so if this is their only chance to flex their muscles and squeeze the big two for all their worth then it's probably a good thing for our democracy.
Webbo Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Agree. Our system screws the minor parties over enough as it is, so if this is their only chance to flex their muscles and squeeze the big two for all their worth then it's probably a good thing for our democracy. How can it be good or fair that the third largest party can keep the largest party out?
Fosse Boy Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 How can it be good or fair that the third largest party can keep the largest party out? I don't think it's fair by any means, but a situation like this presents minor parties with the chance to haggle their way into influence. Under a majority government in a FPTP system their voices just aren't heard otherwise as they get grossly underepresented for the percentage of the vote share that they receive.
purpleronnie Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Quite astonishing how few seats in england were labour compared to scotland. I had to laugh at the footage I saw over here. During the US election you have all these superstars performing for the candidates with 10,000's of fans packing into massive venues to hear the leaders speak, and in england they go to some leisure centre in skegness where the result is announced to 3 men and a dog. I prefer the british way.
Ozwin Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Dunno if this has been posted or not but look at the Leeds parties, most notibly the bottom candidate. http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/election2010/results/constituency/c50.stm
davieG Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 How can it be good or fair that the third largest party can keep the largest party out? How is it fair that the LibDems increase their share of the vote but end up with less seats, the Tories and Labour only have significantly more seats because of the unfair voting system that doesn't in any way reflect how people have voted. 64% of the population didn't want the Tories in control.
Shrenchel Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 How is it fair that the LibDems increase their share of the vote but end up with less seats, the Tories and Labour only have significantly more seats because of the unfair voting system that doesn't in any way reflect how people have voted. 64% of the population didn't want the Tories in control. 64% of the people that voted didn't want the Tories in control. There are millions of people stuck in some constituency which has had an absolutely massive majority for the last 50 years in favour of a party they dislike and just don't see the point in going out to vote. The proportion of the adult population which voted Tory is probably more like 20-25%.
dandannieldanok Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 64% of the people that voted didn't want the Tories in control. There are millions of people stuck in some constituency which has had an absolutely massive majority for the last 50 years in favour of a party they dislike and just don't see the point in going out to vote. The proportion of the adult population which voted Tory is probably more like 20-25%. That doesn't add up, I guess you mean the adult population that was eligible to vote? If so then I agree.
Shrenchel Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 That doesn't add up, I guess you mean the adult population that was eligible to vote? If so then I agree. Apart from the easties surely every adult is eligible to vote??
Daggers Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 64% of the population didn't want the Tories in control. This. Apart form the missing words "inept", "evil", "duplicitous" and "wankers"
dandannieldanok Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 Apart from the easties surely every adult is eligible to vote?? True in a sense, but you do have to register and if you're not on the electoral roll come polling day then you're not eligible.
davieG Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 I applaud the art editor on the BBC website Great picture, how to sum up the outcome in one shot!
Webbo Posted 7 May 2010 Posted 7 May 2010 How is it fair that the LibDems increase their share of the vote but end up with less seats, the Tories and Labour only have significantly more seats because of the unfair voting system that doesn't in any way reflect how people have voted. 64% of the population didn't want the Tories in control. Yes but 71% didn't want Labour in control and 77% didn't want the Liberals. Under a PR system the tories would still have been the largest party so it's still unfair.
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