Scottish independence

[Ronnie the Rep]

That's because labour have altered many boundaries to make it much easier for them to get a majority. This would have been redressed so that things were even until that two faced tosser clegg reneged on the deal because he lost the vote on PR

This is once again, nonsense, from start to finish. The independent Boundary Commissions alter boundaries, not political parties, and it is cited as a reason by people who haven't the first clue about why our electoral system works the way it does. The main reasons why Labour usually wins more seats for the same vote share is that turnout tends to be lower in safe Labour seats than in safe Conservative seats. Effectively, tories tend to vote more frequently even if it is not required. You could redraw boundaries if you like, it wouldn't change anything, unless you got rid of FPTP. Secondly, we have never voted on PR. Thirdly, those who win elections, win the marginals. The better you are at it, the more disproportionate the votes. In the 1980s, it took many fewer votes for the Conservatives to win seats. Why? Because they won the elections, and by large margins. The more you win elections, the more you win marginals, the more a small number of votes effects greatly the number of seats. Under FPTP, that is the only way it can be. Either you win elections, win marginals, and win more seats per vote, or you lose elections, lose marginals, and win fewer seats per vote. There's no magic in it. Fourthly, seems superfluous even to mention it but the main reason Cameron was even getting away with challenging the independence of the Boundary Commissions is because, in a politically-motivated move, he was trying to advantage his own party by reducing the number of seats. So you've flipped it on its head.

My mistake about the PR. According to the guardian (hardly likely to favour the conservatives) say that the system is biased in favour of labour. For a start, their constituencies are smaller. Therefore, as you say, a low turnout doesn't hurt them. I accept that the 600 is the figure that would hurt labour most but if, as the article says, a big part of the reduction would be in Scotland then it is a moot point if the jocks bugger off anyway - that's not going to lose the Tories seats as they haven't got any :-)


Anyway, got to be up early so goodnight

 

[BigJimLittleJim]

"there will only be a conservative government from now on", that's a long time Ronnie, must be one hell of a crystal ball you've got there!

I've pointed out that this is nonsense over and over again. The last time the Conservatives won a majority of seats in England was 1992. The last time Labour won a majority of seats in England was 2005.

2005 election results in England:
Labour - 286 seats
Tories - 194 seats
Lib Dems - 47 seats
IKHH - 1 seat
Respect - 1 seat

2001 election results in England:
Labour - 323 seats
Tories - 165 seats
Lib Dems - 40 seats
Independent - 1 seat

1997 election results in England:
Labour - 328 seats
Tories - 165 seats
Lib Dems - 34 seats
Independent - 1 seat
NLP - 1 seat

There have only been two elections which Labour has won where it didn't win a majority in England. Basically, when Labour wins elections, it wins in England.

That's because labour have altered many boundaries to make it much easier for them to get a majority. This would have been redressed so that things were even until that two faced tosser clegg reneged on the deal because he lost the vote on PR

So that's an admission you were wrong then Ronnster?

 

[Bill Walker]

Give em they're Independence and good luck to them

Great race the Scots

 

[fathellensbellend]

Not read the whole thread, how come the Scots can vote whether they stay or go, and surely in the interest of fairness, we should be allowed to vote if we still want them

 

[Ifwecouldjust.......]

Not read the whole thread, how come the Scots can vote whether they stay or go, and surely in the interest of fairness, we should be allowed to vote if we still want them

If they choose to go for independence will it mean that the Duke of Edinburgh will have to go with them? Please somebody say yes.......

 

[MSP]

GBP already down 7%. If they vote yes, some analysts predict further down up to 15%.

That would be pretty shocking for your buying power.

 

[Gabriel]

GBP already down 7%. If they vote yes, some analysts predict further down up to 15%.

That would be pretty shocking for your buying power.

But good for exports, no?

 

[Juan King]

Not read the whole thread, how come the Scots can vote whether they stay or go, and surely in the interest of fairness, we should be allowed to vote if we still want them

We should be able to deport Lorraine Kelly also & put Hadrian's wall back up.

 

[pee dubya]

Not read the whole thread, how come the Scots can vote whether they stay or go, and surely in the interest of fairness, we should be allowed to vote if we still want them

The culmination of a long, democratic process.

 

[the god Gerry Gow]

Not read the whole thread, how come the Scots can vote whether they stay or go, and surely in the interest of fairness, we should be allowed to vote if we still want them

If they choose to go for independence will it mean that the Duke of Edinburgh will have to go with them? Please somebody say yes.......

Don't think so but look on the bright side it will give him another group of people he can insult