Current Affairs 2017 General Election

[Mrk]

Why hasn't Labour already pointed out that May's justification of this snap election is due to the supposed 'saboteurs' to democracy over Brexit being within her own party ffs?

As they have an overall majority, so they can pass through whatever they like when it comes to Brexit. unless a section of the their own party vote against.

So the entire premise for this election is by definition due to division within May's own ranks.

This is actually true, however, it's probably a good thing for those of us who don't particularly fancy the idea of a 'hard brexit'. Because May's current majority is so slim, she will undoubtably be held hostage at some point by the hard-line anti-EU MPs, so by increasing her majority and having more moderate MPs, we might actually see a more common sense approach to the whole mess.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

This is actually true, however, it's probably a good thing for those of us who don't particularly fancy the idea of a 'hard brexit'. Because May's current majority is so slim, she will undoubtably be held hostage at some point by the hard-line anti-EU MPs, so by increasing her majority and having more moderate MPs, we might actually see a more common sense approach to the whole mess.

But the converse to that could also be true though, and they could plough through with whatever they see fit after the inevitable landslide that they'll receive.

This is political opportunism nothing more, nothing less. Dressing it up for the gullible as it somehow being a way of ensuring that the opposition don't derail their Brexit plans, is completely disingenuous, not least because it's factually impossible given their overall majority.

The narrative has been set though and the right wing media are hammering home yet another lie.

 

[The Cowboy]

Think the biggest problem for Labour is trying to get the election all about the NHS, the economy etc, if it's all about Brexit (and obviously it will be) they will be knackered because they are all over the gaff.

I've never got the feeling that Labour are actually anti-Brexit. This is Corbyn's biggest flaw imo, he's so woolly and non-committal, it's almost impossible to know what he, and by extension, the Labour Party, truly stand for.

Ostensibly it feels that a vote against the Tories will be a vote against Brexit, and that's certainly the case with the Lib Dems, but I just can't say that about Labour.

 

[AndyC]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08mb5r1#play from 2:10 onwards. Poor from May.

Just listened to that on the iPlayer and she'll have a few bruises after that encounter with Nick Robinson.
Bet she was fuming after that exchange.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

This is actually true, however, it's probably a good thing for those of us who don't particularly fancy the idea of a 'hard brexit'. Because May's current majority is so slim, she will undoubtably be held hostage at some point by the hard-line anti-EU MPs, so by increasing her majority and having more moderate MPs, we might actually see a more common sense approach to the whole mess.

Can anyone say with any confidence what May actually believes, or indeed that she won't change what she believes with the changing winds? For a woman that plays on the moral backbone her upbringing gave her, she doesn't come across as someone you can trust whatsoever.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Can anyone say with any confidence what May actually believes, or indeed that she won't change what she believes with the changing winds? For a woman that plays on the moral backbone her upbringing gave her, she doesn't come across as someone you can trust whatsoever.

I've said from the moment she was crowned by the Tories that she was a puppet for her far right Kingmakers.

Her about turn on the snap election after making plain on numerous occasions since last June that she wouldn't call one, tells me they've choked her chain.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I've said from the moment she was crowned by the Tories that she was a puppet for her far right Kingmakers.

Her about turn on the snap election after making plain on numerous occasions since last June that she wouldn't call one, tells me they've choked her chain.

A rather unpleasant analogy that mate. Who are these kingmakers?

 

[Mrk]

But the converse to that could also be true though, and they could plough through with whatever they see fit after the inevitable landslide that they'll receive.

This is political opportunism nothing more, nothing less. Dressing it up for the gullible as it somehow being a way of ensuring that the opposition don't derail their Brexit plans, is completely disingenuous, not least because it's factually impossible given their overall majority.

The narrative has been set though and the right wing media are hammering home yet another lie.

Of course it's political opportunism, every politician would do the same thing given the circumstances. It's certainly going to make for an interesting few years.

 

[Gwladysstreetlad]

she doesn't come across as someone you can trust whatsoever.

So she's exactly like every single politician you'll ever hear, see or meet then?

 

[Mrk]

Can anyone say with any confidence what May actually believes, or indeed that she won't change what she believes with the changing winds? For a woman that plays on the moral backbone her upbringing gave her, she doesn't come across as someone you can trust whatsoever.

I think I agree, however, she does seem to have more of a moral backbone than the likes of Blair/Cameron, who'd go in whatever direction the focus groups said they should. She's frustratingly hard to read.

 

[Harryflashman]

Can anyone say with any confidence what May actually believes, or indeed that she won't change what she believes with the changing winds? For a woman that plays on the moral backbone her upbringing gave her, she doesn't come across as someone you can trust whatsoever.

A wonderful illustration of the shameless nature of politicians .

May claimed to be a Remainer but is now pushing for a hard Brexit who has said no election but then changes her mind and saying it's down to her desire to get the best deal for this hard Brexit she's pursuing. having told Sturgeon and the SNP they couldn't have a referendum pre Brexit because it'd distract the country.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

So she's exactly like every single politician you'll ever hear, see or meet then?

She makes a lot of her apparent trustworthiness. I'm just saying I don't think that has an ounce of credibility.

I think I agree, however, she does seem to have more of a moral backbone than the likes of Blair/Cameron, who'd go in whatever direction the focus groups said they should. She's frustratingly hard to read.

Hasn't she done exactly that though? In the past year there have been a number of flip-flops, whether it's her views on the single market, the tax rise on sole traders, the need for a general election. On actual evidence, it's hard to see that her word is her bond.

Now I should say, changing your mind when better evidence presents itself is not a bad thing at all, but I don't think she's done that. On the single market, nothing external changed to guide her shift in position, except that being a Brexiter was now good for her career. The about face on NI contributions from sole traders was done purely because of the backlash in the press rather than any real economic conviction. Can we really say her change of heart re the election is any different, despite her urgings that this is in the best interest of the country?

A wonderful illustration of the shameless nature of politicians .

May claimed to be a Remainer but is now pushing for a hard Brexit who has said no election but then changes her mind and saying it's down to her desire to get the best deal for this hard Brexit she's pursuing. having told Sturgeon and the SNP they couldn't have a referendum pre Brexit because it'd distract the country.

It does come across as disingenuous. The sad thing is, as @Gwladysstreetlad hints on above, such behaviour doesn't seem to be a reason not to vote for someone these days.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

A rather unpleasant analogy that mate. Who are these kingmakers?

Standard parlance mate, don't get the 'unpleasant' tag?

Anyway, given that she was backed extremely publically by Paul Dacre during the leadership battle, I think it's fair to assume that she had the far right Tory hierarchy firmly in her corner.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Of course it's political opportunism, every politician would do the same thing given the circumstances. It's certainly going to make for an interesting few years.

If by interesting you mean the Tories doing as they please without any form of meaningful opposition until at least 2022 then I make you right.

Ironically Corbyn being annihilated will bring about dramatic change within the Labour party and they've got 5 years to win back their credibility, as opposed to waiting another 3 years for the inevitable smashing that was always coming their way whilst Corbyn was in the hotseat.

 

[Khalekan]

I've never got the feeling that Labour are actually anti-Brexit. This is Corbyn's biggest flaw imo, he's so woolly and non-committal, it's almost impossible to know what he, and by extension, the Labour Party, truly stand for.

Ostensibly it feels that a vote against the Tories will be a vote against Brexit, and that's certainly the case with the Lib Dems, but I just can't say that about Labour.

Indeed.

Corbyn had little enthusiasm for the Remain vote and it came through in the overall Labour approach to the Referendum.

By his lack of effort, Corbyn delivered Brexit as much as any rabid Brexiteers in the Tories did.