The General Election Thread

[inbetween]

Having just spent over an hour in the car, it gave me time to think about the result and I think there are some interesting things have come out of it.

Firstly Sturgeon should be delighted, not just because of the number of seats won but also because she won't have to risk screwing up as part of a coalition or otherwise supporting a minority Labour government.

Secondly, it could actually make life more difficult for Cameron having a small overall majority than it was in coalition. In reality, the party is a coalition with the left of the party as polar opposites to the right on many key issues. Previously the LibDem MP's shored up the left and gave Cameron a ready made excuse when he didn't have freedom of action. Now, the Tory right will be baying for blood and they have the power to force the agenda. I've never really got Cameron but I suspect he's centre/left of centre at heart. He's going to find it quite uncomfortable over the next few years if so.

Another interesting thing is that the SNP fought on an avowedly left wing platform and triumphed whereas Labour sort of fought on a leftist platform and failed miserably. Was that a purely Scottish factor or should they have been more upfront?

It was also extremely interesting that UKIP took a lot of votes from Labour, which tends to support the view expressed on here my some of us that many Labour supporters are actually quite reactionary and right wing.

Finally, what's the future for the LibDems? In the same way that UKIP have taken right wing votes off the Labour party, should they move firmly to the left and target the left wing voters in the Labour party, effectively becoming the English version of the SNP. After all, it worked in Scotland.

The SNP vote was lets face it all on the wave of the independence vote. I don't think Labour failing in Scotland is their own doing but more Scotland suddenly waking up to the prospect of having a say and governing themselves. With us now guaranteed to have an EU referendum, I think it will be a cast iron guarantee they will equally strongly pursue their own referendum once again. It was close last time and now it looks likely they would be even closer to getting what they want.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Many of the Tory voters in this thread have come across as callous and have a distinct lack of compassion, I am not sure they mean to but it is how they come across, I know lots of Tories who are nothing like that and are decent caring people

I think a fair few on either side don't come out of this thread particularly well, a lot of bitterness, bile and cheap shots rather than debate from both sides.

Regarding your "cheap" dig at me, I should point out that I'm delighted to class SWP"s Back as a friend so you're mistaking a bit of banter for a cheap shot.

 

[Ancient Citizen]

Having just spent over an hour in the car, it gave me time to think about the result and I think there are some interesting things have come out of it.

Firstly Sturgeon should be delighted, not just because of the number of seats won but also because she won't have to risk screwing up as part of a coalition or otherwise supporting a minority Labour government.

Secondly, it could actually make life more difficult for Cameron having a small overall majority than it was in coalition. In reality, the party is a coalition with the left of the party as polar opposites to the right on many key issues. Previously the LibDem MP's shored up the left and gave Cameron a ready made excuse when he didn't have freedom of action. Now, the Tory right will be baying for blood and they have the power to force the agenda. I've never really got Cameron but I suspect he's centre/left of centre at heart. He's going to find it quite uncomfortable over the next few years if so.

Another interesting thing is that the SNP fought on an avowedly left wing platform and triumphed whereas Labour sort of fought on a leftist platform and failed miserably. Was that a purely Scottish factor or should they have been more upfront?

It was also extremely interesting that UKIP took a lot of votes from Labour, which tends to support the view expressed on here my some of us that many Labour supporters are actually quite reactionary and right wing.

Finally, what's the future for the LibDems? In the same way that UKIP have taken right wing votes off the Labour party, should they move firmly to the left and target the left wing voters in the Labour party, effectively becoming the English version of the SNP. After all, it worked in Scotland.

The SNP vote was lets face it all on the wave of the independence vote. I don't think Labour failing in Scotland is their own doing but more Scotland suddenly waking up to the prospect of having a say and governing themselves. With us now guaranteed to have an EU referendum, I think it will be a cast iron guarantee they will equally strongly pursue their own referendum once again. It was close last time and now it looks likely they would be even closer to getting what they want.

Let's hope they do, fuck this 'better together' shit.

 

[Silva_Spell]

 

[blueinsa]

Having just spent over an hour in the car, it gave me time to think about the result and I think there are some interesting things have come out of it.

Firstly Sturgeon should be delighted, not just because of the number of seats won but also because she won't have to risk screwing up as part of a coalition or otherwise supporting a minority Labour government.

Secondly, it could actually make life more difficult for Cameron having a small overall majority than it was in coalition. In reality, the party is a coalition with the left of the party as polar opposites to the right on many key issues. Previously the LibDem MP's shored up the left and gave Cameron a ready made excuse when he didn't have freedom of action. Now, the Tory right will be baying for blood and they have the power to force the agenda. I've never really got Cameron but I suspect he's centre/left of centre at heart. He's going to find it quite uncomfortable over the next few years if so.

Another interesting thing is that the SNP fought on an avowedly left wing platform and triumphed whereas Labour sort of fought on a leftist platform and failed miserably. Was that a purely Scottish factor or should they have been more upfront?

It was also extremely interesting that UKIP took a lot of votes from Labour, which tends to support the view expressed on here my some of us that many Labour supporters are actually quite reactionary and right wing.

Finally, what's the future for the LibDems? In the same way that UKIP have taken right wing votes off the Labour party, should they move firmly to the left and target the left wing voters in the Labour party, effectively becoming the English version of the SNP. After all, it worked in Scotland.

The SNP vote was lets face it all on the wave of the independence vote. I don't think Labour failing in Scotland is their own doing but more Scotland suddenly waking up to the prospect of having a say and governing themselves. With us now guaranteed to have an EU referendum, I think it will be a cast iron guarantee they will equally strongly pursue their own referendum once again. It was close last time and now it looks likely they would be even closer to getting what they want.

The SNP vote up here is a complete rejection of anything Westminster, especially Tory and of course will lead to a referendum and the breaking up of the Union. The language both labour and Tories used in this campaign about the SNP and Scotland was a disgrace and they will pay for it.

I say that as an Englishman living and working up here.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

Having just spent over an hour in the car, it gave me time to think about the result and I think there are some interesting things have come out of it.

Firstly Sturgeon should be delighted, not just because of the number of seats won but also because she won't have to risk screwing up as part of a coalition or otherwise supporting a minority Labour government.

Secondly, it could actually make life more difficult for Cameron having a small overall majority than it was in coalition. In reality, the party is a coalition with the left of the party as polar opposites to the right on many key issues. Previously the LibDem MP's shored up the left and gave Cameron a ready made excuse when he didn't have freedom of action. Now, the Tory right will be baying for blood and they have the power to force the agenda. I've never really got Cameron but I suspect he's centre/left of centre at heart. He's going to find it quite uncomfortable over the next few years if so.

Another interesting thing is that the SNP fought on an avowedly left wing platform and triumphed whereas Labour sort of fought on a leftist platform and failed miserably. Was that a purely Scottish factor or should they have been more upfront?

It was also extremely interesting that UKIP took a lot of votes from Labour, which tends to support the view expressed on here my some of us that many Labour supporters are actually quite reactionary and right wing.

Finally, what's the future for the LibDems? In the same way that UKIP have taken right wing votes off the Labour party, should they move firmly to the left and target the left wing voters in the Labour party, effectively becoming the English version of the SNP. After all, it worked in Scotland.

Cameron was rather centrist when he came in imo, and I've often felt he would be the fairest Tory PM you could imagine in a prosperous time. I think the economic woes, added to the natural right wing element of the Tory party, has meant he's had to put that on the back-burner. The sounds emanating from him, Osbourne and Johnson tonight have struck well with me, they've reiterated a centre-right viewpoint, the problem with the Tories is always that right wing element. I like Cameron though and I think he'd put more centrist/centre-right policies on the table if it weren't for the rise of UKIP and dissention on the back-benches. It will be interesting if they flare up whether he tries to push through his original philosophy as Tory leader and maybe even canvasses some support from different parties on certain policies, especially towards the end of his final term. It's difficult for him for sure.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Morning punters.
First of all congratulations to the Tories. Ruthless winners.
I think Labour got done over twice by the SNP, in Scotland (obviously) and in England where voters didn't want the SNP influencing the government in any way.
I still think Labour should have got at least around 270 seats and it's a desperately disappointing night for them.
Oh well back to supporting the real blues. I just hope they can be as ruthless at winning as the political blues.
PS I won't be taking any further notice of opinion polls in the future.

Very gracious of you Len , it has been fun , do you think Miliband can survive the week?

He won't survive the day, he'll be seen dragging a huge stone tablet around London in scenes reminiscent of The Last Temptation of Christ

Or it'll get dropped on his head in a scene reminiscent of Life of Brian.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

Many of the Tory voters in this thread have come across as callous and have a distinct lack of compassion, I am not sure they mean to but it is how they come across, I know lots of Tories who are nothing like that and are decent caring people

I think a fair few on either side don't come out of this thread particularly well, a lot of bitterness, bile and cheap shots rather than debate from both sides.

Regarding your "cheap" dig at me, I should point out that I'm delighted to class SWP"s Back as a friend so you're mistaking a bit of banter for a cheap shot.

fair enough, the post you've quoted wasn't referring to you, btw.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Are you Privy to Conservative cabinet meetings then? and I wonder why you only warn us now surely you should have mentioned this before and told everyone to vote labour to protect the Nation you did Vote Labour didn't you?

Your pathetic answer "are you privy to Conservative cabinet meetings then" just shows what an ill-informed fuckwit you really are.

Funding, particularly for local government is projected at least two years in advance and most Councils set their budgets accordingly. I know of one major council in the North West - a Labour council that has been one of the hardest hit in the country - which has forecast that with the planned reduction in funding, by 2017/18 it will not even have sufficient funding for those services it is legally obliged to provide.
It will effectively only be able to deliver some adult social care and refuse collection and nothing else.

But of course you don't give a single fuck about that do you? It's only poor people and overpaid, lazy public sector workers who will suffer and you will be just fine, so fuck everyone else. You selfish c**t.

Lets see if the mods let that that vile abuse and frankly utter nonsense pass???

Given some of the shit we've let you get away with that's somewhat ironic.

 

[SWP's back]

If you only knew what they have planned for public services in this country I don't think you would be so happy their are cuts on the way the like of which have never been seen before, there will be social breakdown of course they will have row back like they had to last time they tried this, the good news is if they hold good they will lose the next election

Are you Privy to Conservative cabinet meetings then? and I wonder why you only warn us now surely you should have mentioned this before and told everyone to vote labour to protect the Nation you did Vote Labour didn't you?

Your pathetic answer "are you privy to Conservative cabinet meetings then" just shows what an ill-informed fuckwit you really are.

Funding, particularly for local government is projected at least two years in advance and most Councils set their budgets accordingly. I know of one major council in the North West - a Labour council that has been one of the hardest hit in the country - which has forecast that with the planned reduction in funding, by 2017/18 it will not even have sufficient funding for those services it is legally obliged to provide.
It will effectively only be able to deliver some adult social care and refuse collection and nothing else.

But of course you don't give a single fuck about that do you? It's only poor people and overpaid, lazy public sector workers who will suffer and you will be just fine, so fuck everyone else. You selfish ****.

Stay classy fella.

Not very gracious are you.

Im guessing the many mods in here will have had a word about that unprovoked personal attack.

 

[worsleyweb]

Your pathetic answer "are you privy to Conservative cabinet meetings then" just shows what an ill-informed fuckwit you really are.

Funding, particularly for local government is projected at least two years in advance and most Councils set their budgets accordingly. I know of one major council in the North West - a Labour council that has been one of the hardest hit in the country - which has forecast that with the planned reduction in funding, by 2017/18 it will not even have sufficient funding for those services it is legally obliged to provide.
It will effectively only be able to deliver some adult social care and refuse collection and nothing else.

But of course you don't give a single fuck about that do you? It's only poor people and overpaid, lazy public sector workers who will suffer and you will be just fine, so fuck everyone else. You selfish c**t.

Lets see if the mods let that that vile abuse and frankly utter nonsense pass???

Given some of the shit we've let you get away with that's somewhat ironic.

I still stand by my comment that you hold the record for the most incredible post in Bluemoon History.

I still think about it every week and I was sat by a pool with my mouth literally wide open in amazement!! Its all good fun. I don't remember calling anyone a fuckwit or selfish ****!!??

 

[M18CTID]

Are you Privy to Conservative cabinet meetings then? and I wonder why you only warn us now surely you should have mentioned this before and told everyone to vote labour to protect the Nation you did Vote Labour didn't you?

Your pathetic answer "are you privy to Conservative cabinet meetings then" just shows what an ill-informed fuckwit you really are.

Funding, particularly for local government is projected at least two years in advance and most Councils set their budgets accordingly. I know of one major council in the North West - a Labour council that has been one of the hardest hit in the country - which has forecast that with the planned reduction in funding, by 2017/18 it will not even have sufficient funding for those services it is legally obliged to provide.
It will effectively only be able to deliver some adult social care and refuse collection and nothing else.

But of course you don't give a single fuck about that do you? It's only poor people and overpaid, lazy public sector workers who will suffer and you will be just fine, so fuck everyone else. You selfish c**t.

Stay classy fella.

Not very gracious are you.

Im guessing the many mods in here will have had a word about that unprovoked personal attack.

The personal attack was bad enough but it was the irony of a clearly selfish person calling someone else selfish that I found utterly hilarious.

 

[Gaylord du Bois]

Did we win?

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

Did we win?

the Tories did, majority virtually confirmed.

 

[M18CTID]

Even after last night's exit poll, the bookies were astonishingly offering around 7-1 for a Conservative majority.

 

[Ducado]

Again I will repeat it's virtually unheard of for an incumbent government to be booted out in the first election the reality is that whilst I disagree with some Tory policy they had not reached the point that Brown and Major reached, they are still unpopular in the North of the country and this should be a wake up call to them,

 

[Wilf Wild 1937]

For those panicking about excessive Tory cuts relax. They probably won't end up eliminating the deficit until the
end of this Parliament. All parties in government overspend. This is not a return of Margaret Thatcher.

There will though be continued progress to reduce the deficit, create jobs and rebalance the economy so it's not overly
reliant on London or financial services. The leading Tories will all now be looking at who will be the next PM.
George Osborne needs Manchester to prosper to win and he holds the purse strings. That's got to be good news for us.

UKIP have been neutered and the EU referendum will be a formality. Right wing nut job MPs can't defect to UKIP because they know
if they do and Cameron falls they will lose their seats in 2020.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

Lets see if the mods let that that vile abuse and frankly utter nonsense pass???

Given some of the shit we've let you get away with that's somewhat ironic.

I still stand by my comment that you hold the record for the most incredible post in Bluemoon History.

I still think about it every week and I was sat by a pool with my mouth literally wide open in amazement!! Its all good fun. I don't remember calling anyone a fuckwit or selfish c**t!!??

The point was (and you're certainly not the only one who's been guilty) that some people have seemingly taken great delight in showing a nasty attitude in this thread, even if that hasn't directly involved abuse. And that probably includes mods as well.

We accept it's an emotive subject that people have strong views on and, like a good referee allows the game to flow when he could strictly blow the whistle every ten seconds, sometimes we let things go that might attract sanctions in other contexts.

Now everything is done and dusted I would urge everyone to calm down and respect the CoC.

 

[Happy Feet]

At least Balls lost his job, c**t of the highest order.

 

[kas_tippler]

What's going to happen to the the giant stone monolith?