2015 Election season ..........stuff it in here.

[Strokes]

What about a Cuntservative and UKCrap alliance?

It's virtually impossible, and I think UKIP ruled out a coalition.

[Dr The Singh]

It's virtually impossible, and I think UKIP ruled out a coalition.

.....and rule out the chance of power???????

[Webbo]

UKIP aren't going to win enough seats to have any say in anything. they'll be lucky to get 3.

[MiniFox]

It's virtually impossible, and I think UKIP ruled out a coalition.

So is their any realistic outcome where the Conservatives form a government? UKIP are only projected around 3/4 seats anyway I think.

[Strokes]

.....and rule out the chance of power???????

Well I doubt we will get the chance to find out but UKIP would be more likely to form a coalition with labour.

[Dr The Singh]

UKIP aren't going to win enough seats to have any say in anything. they'll be lucky to get 3.

Not if I become there leader

[Alf Bentley]

I'm consider myself a right wing Tory with views very sympathetic to UKIP regarding immigration and Europe, I was also impressed with the frank honesty of UKIP up until about 9 months ago, they were prepared to talk about further cuts to reduce the deficit, serious welfare reform and were intent on having a serious debate about how we fund the NHS as it seems pretty clear to me it's totally not fundable long term in it's present form, that's now all been tossed out the window as they've become another partry just offering promise and unrealistic promise to try and win votes. Despite the myth trying to be pushed that UKIP are 'more Tory than the Tories' anyone who has read their manifesto would simply know that they aren't (and really show their own political ignorence), I wish they were.

 

To a lefty outsider, UKIP have had an odd trajectory. They started off as a Eurosceptic party of the Thatcherite Right, attracting people of that persuasion. Then, partly by accident and partly due to Farage's personality, they became an anti-Westminster protest party for people angry about, or fearful of the state of the nation. Then immigration came up the agenda, with Euroscepticism, attracting the zealous ire of idiots on the left who saw them as akin to the BNP (I don't like their attitude to international relations, but they're not overt racists). Now, for the election, while still mainly going on about immigration and Europe, they've come up with all these low-credibility populist policies designed to win votes, promising to slash every tax under the sun and yet provide a massive boost to NHS funding.

 

I wonder what Thatcherites like Carswell make of recent policies? I presume that Farage sees himself as the leader of a "people's party" and wants to attract "common-sense people like him" from across the board, not just the Right. While it is a strategy, I imagine that a lot of it stems from Farage's own personality. He always strikes me as someone who wants to be liked by "decent, normal people like him", unlike, say, Enoch Powell or Norman Tebbit (or Nigel Pearson!), who didn't give a shit if some people hated them - or even relished it. Maybe Farage was unpopular at school or something?

 

Whether or not Farage wins in Thanet, it'll be interesting to see where UKIP go next. If there's a EU referendum, that will be their focus, I presume. But what if there isn't? It looks as if they're unlikely to get more than 3-5 MPs, which won't buy them much influence at Westminster. They can't just spend the next few years protesting about the lack of a referendum. If there's economic/social/political chaos (entirely possible), that could play into their hands, allowing them to build themselves up for 2020 as a populist, anti-Westminster party, maybe in alliance with right-wing Tory elements. If the Tories do badly and Cameron goes, maybe the likes of Carswell would return to the fold under a different Tory leader?

 

I presume that, if Farage loses in Thanet, he will stand down and Carswell will take over. Maybe not, but Farage has looked pretty knackered recently, what with the relics of his plane crash injuries and cancer (and probably a pickled liver).

 

 

This I totally agree with. We'll be back here again in six months with new faces.

 

Problem is I don't see what another election will solve, people aren't going to change their minds. We'll just end up with the same situation save for a few seats.

 

Unless dramatic new events intervene, I reckon it'll take longer than 6 months, even if the election result is very indecisive and the subsequent government fragile. Whoever has power and influence after the election won't want to jeopardise that unless they really have to or there's a very strong prospect of improving their position. 

 

I wouldn't rule out a stable 5-year government, either. We got a stable government 2010-15 with figures of Con 36%, Lab 29%. The figures now are about 34%-33%, so it wouldn't take much of a shift in either direction....and apparently 40% of voters have yet to decide how to vote. OK, assuming 20% simply won't vote and 10% are just being shy about their intentions, that still leaves maybe 10% who could tilt the result one way or the other.

 

"New faces" could change the scenario after the election. If the Tories lose power, Cameron goes, I think. If Labour lose badly, Miliband goes. Not so sure if they lose narrowly - he's under-performed for 4 years and then over-performed for 4 weeks! It also sounds as if there's a lot of rumbling from the Lib Dem grassroots, ready to rebel if Clegg seeks another deal with the Tories - and he's not even guaranteed to be in parliament (though I think he will be - Ashcroft now has him only 1% behind Labour in Sheffield, so surely Tory tactical voters will push him over the line?).

 

Then there's "events, dear boy", as Macmillan (?) said. Renewed economic problems or an enhanced recovery, a series of terrorist outrages, a Eurozone crisis, an NHS crisis....anything like that could tilt the scales over coming months.

 

Going to study Government and Economics at LSE, reluctantly giving up my season ticket as well was half hoping we'd go down so it'd be easier for me to get tickets. There seems to be quite a few people in London on here, not sure if he mentioned it but I think lavrentis is one of them

[....]

 

Sod becoming a Tory MP when you can be just as hated but earn more being a banker I would actually like to promote some modern conservatism, that's based on the proper free market capitalism of Hayek and Friedman rather than the crony corporate capitalism that led to the mess of the last 8 years, but I don't really fancy the idea of being in politics. Who knows what will happen

 

Good luck at the LSE! I'm sure you'll prosper there and get your ideas honed, challenged and developed, while hopefully having a lot of fun. I'm very envious!

 

A fine mind like that and you want to use it to become a shameless speculator for shallow materialistic gain? Shame upon you! Seek power, prestige and public office instead (you can always use it to get cash afterwards, anyway). KingGTF for Tory PM 2040! You might be just in time to privatise my pension or my funeral or something! 

[Guest Col city fan]

Mrs Col has just asked me a question: what happens if no party gains a majority AND no coalition is formed? Is this called a 'hung Parliament'? And what happens then?

I couldn't answer her...

[Guest Bilo]

Mrs Col has just asked me a question: what happens if no party gains a majority AND no coalition is formed? Is this called a 'hung Parliament'? And what happens then?

I couldn't answer her...

 

The largest party would try to rule as a minority government for a while.

 

This would fail, there'd be a vote of no confidence in the the HoC and a new election inside 12 months.

[Mark_w]

Will you do a deal with the SNP Ed?
 

No.

 

Will you really?

Ugh... no.

 

Are you sure you won't do a deal with the SNP Ed?

We won't do a deal with the SNP.

 

x1000

 

Getting bored now.

[Guest Col city fan]

The largest party would try to rule as a minority government for a while.

This would fail, there'd be a vote of no confidence in the the HoC and a new election inside 12 months.

Cheers Bilo...

[bovril]

Mrs Col has just asked me a question: what happens if no party gains a majority AND no coalition is formed? Is this called a 'hung Parliament'? And what happens then?

I couldn't answer her...

 

Mrs Col often asks what a hung... ah forget it.

[Harry - LCFC]

Will you do a deal with the SNP Ed?

 

No.

 

Will you really?

Ugh... no.

 

Are you sure you won't do a deal with the SNP Ed?

We won't do a deal with the SNP.

 

x1000

 

Getting bored now.

 

I don't believe him. If Labour don't win a majority they need support from somewhere and the SNP is the obvious choice. I don't believe Labour would say no the SNP if it meant that a government wouldn't be formed.

 

The Conservative party are doing exactly the same thing of course. They refuse to the answer the question on what they'd do if they didn't win a majority. It's boring listening to them pretend that it isn't a serious possibility.

[Strokes]

Mrs Col often asks what a hung... ah forget it.

She mentions Big Ben a lot though,, eh Col

[Guest Col city fan]

She mentions Big Ben a lot though,, eh Col

Hey..you crazy fellas.....

[Jon the Hat]

Cameron killed it tonight on QT. Milliband couldn't even step off the stage without looking like an incompetent twat.

[Dr The Singh]

Cameron killed it tonight on QT. Milliband couldn't even step off the stage without looking like an incompetent twat.

if he turns out to be our PM, we will be the laughing stock of the world, may aswell have MR Bean or Rincy as the PM

[Guest Bilo]

Cameron killed it tonight on QT. Milliband couldn't even step off the stage without looking like an incompetent twat.

 

I thought he did well, but it wasn't exactly a convincing win according to the polls.

 

44% Cameron and 38% Miliband. 

[L1HT]

Well what does everyone think about UKIP candidate Susanna Steptoe http://www.myukip.com/parliamentary-candidates-l-o.html

 

According to her leaflet she's a teacher at Moat valley where 90% aren't English born, meaning almost 100% aren't english heritage. 

 

I think she is extremely brave as a teacher standing as UKIP.  Lets not forget that the teaching unions have a campaign called 'Stand Up to UKIP'.  Here is a quote from a very quick google:

 

The NUT and other trade union and community groups will be leading anti-racist work in Great Yarmouth, where 47% of voters chose UKIP.  The town is UKIP’s second target seat next year and as such they need a strong opposition.

 

And the NUT also plough millions into Hope Not Hate whose whole purpose at the moment is to stop UKIP.  There current website says: Hope not Hate is running extensive and highly targetted campaigns in the parlimentary constituencies most at risk by UKIP.

 

So lets think about this: She pays money to a group of people who use her money, to actively protest against her and stop her getting elected.  And before anyone says it, even if she isn't in the union, the philosophy stands about the future of this country, when ALL EDUCATORS are being brainwashed in staff rooms that UKIP is racist - and this is passed on to youngsters who they become more narrow minded.

 

Susanna Steptoe I applaud your bravery

 

What do the teachers on here think?  How would it go down in your workplace?

[ADK]

I didn't watch it but Milliband definitely won cos Cameron is a willy puller.

[ADK]

Well what does everyone think about UKIP candidate Susanna Steptoe http://www.myukip.com/parliamentary-candidates-l-o.html

 

According to her leaflet she's a teacher at Moat valley where 90% aren't English born, meaning almost 100% aren't english heritage. 

 

I think she is extremely brave as a teacher standing as UKIP.  Lets not forget that the teaching unions have a campaign called 'Stand Up to UKIP'.  Here is a quote from a very quick google:

 

The NUT and other trade union and community groups will be leading anti-racist work in Great Yarmouth, where 47% of voters chose UKIP.  The town is UKIP’s second target seat next year and as such they need a strong opposition.

 

And the NUT also plough millions into Hope Not Hate whose whole purpose at the moment is to stop UKIP.  There current website says: Hope not Hate is running extensive and highly targetted campaigns in the parlimentary constituencies most at risk by UKIP.

 

So lets think about this: She pays money to a group of people who use her money, to actively protest against her and stop her getting elected.  And before anyone says it, even if she isn't in the union, the philosophy stands about the future of this country, when ALL EDUCATORS are being brainwashed in staff rooms that UKIP is racist - and this is passed on to youngsters who they become more narrow minded.

 

Susanna Steptoe I applaud your bravery

 

What do the teachers on here think?  How would it go down in your workplace?

 

Just as long as she doesn't step on anyone's toes she'll be fine.

[Dr The Singh]

Well what does everyone think about UKIP candidate Susanna Steptoe http://www.myukip.com/parliamentary-candidates-l-o.html

According to her leaflet she's a teacher at Moat valley where 90% aren't English born, meaning almost 100% aren't english heritage.

I think she is extremely brave as a teacher standing as UKIP. Lets not forget that the teaching unions have a campaign called 'Stand Up to UKIP'. Here is a quote from a very quick google:

The NUT and other trade union and community groups will be leading anti-racist work in Great Yarmouth, where 47% of voters chose UKIP. The town is UKIP’s second target seat next year and as such they need a strong opposition.

And the NUT also plough millions into Hope Not Hate whose whole purpose at the moment is to stop UKIP. There current website says: Hope not Hate is running extensive and highly targetted campaigns in the parlimentary constituencies most at risk by UKIP.

So lets think about this: She pays money to a group of people who use her money, to actively protest against her and stop her getting elected. And before anyone says it, even if she isn't in the union, the philosophy stands about the future of this country, when ALL EDUCATORS are being brainwashed in staff rooms that UKIP is racist - and this is passed on to youngsters who they become more narrow minded.

Susanna Steptoe I applaud your bravery

What do the teachers on here think? How would it go down in your workplace?

She looks quite fit, I'd vote her

I didn't watch it but Milliband definitely won cos Cameron is a willy puller.

[RobHawk]

I didn't see it tonight so can't comment specifically. I've been impressed with Milliband so far, it's also worth remembering how lightweight Cameron was in opposition back in 2010. And that was up against Brown!

It's so much easier to look dominant and in control when your in charge rather than in opposition!

[Rincewind]

I was bored with Cameron repeating the same lines and both he  and Clegg claimed credit for the positive things.  Like a broken record. Although Milliband was not much better.

[The Horse's Mouth]

Ed has been on top form