The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[Mrk]

Very good read the last few pages, sorry but can't see the SNP going any other way but backing Labour. A minority Labour government propped up by SNP votes would have to make concessions. I understand concerns about the union but secretly the left wing of the Labour Party are excited about a potential forced shift in party policy. Any perceived SNP / Tory deal would be political suicide for the SNP given how hated they are North of the border.

Everyone presumes the Lib Dems will support Cameron again if needs be but it's not as simple as that. In recent weeks in Hallam, Labour have gone from 8/1 in to 15/8 to win Cleggs seat, there is a growing belief he could be toppled. Danny Alexander is almost certain to lose his seat up in Scotland as well. Rumblings suggest if both of them go so does any Cameron deal

Fascinating few weeks ahead whichever way you look at it.

I'm not entirely sure why the left wing of the Labour Party (or what is left of it) should be excited about the prospect of an SNP deal - if you look at the SNP's core principles (which are few and far between) they're hard to place on the left/right scale - on some issues they're on the left, on some they're on the right. They're a populist party at heart - going into a deal with them would only further alienate the moderate Labour vote.

 

[chewee]

They see it as a chance to bring about a new era of progressive politics, something which they feel the centre right led core of the party would not under normal circumstances entertain.

The SNP have publically positioned themselves to the left on of the political spectrum, Salmond plays up to the media well and never protests when they refer to him as a socialist. I actually remember him reffering to himself as a 'sexy socialist'

I do take on board what you are saying though, his proposed tax hike is right wing in nature. Interesting to note that the SNPs voting record between 2005-2010 when Labour were last in government actually sided with the Tories more in terms of vote %.

It's a fine line that Miliband has to tread if he has to deal with the SNP. As for the moderate Labour vote, I'm sure he'd be willing to run the risk with them if the keys to number 10 were dangled infront of him.

Also worth noting the key figure on election night is 323 and not 326 seats. Sinn Fein hold 4 seats but never take them up.

 

[Joey66]

You will be all shocked if the Tories scape a small election win, and need, and agree a supply and demand
Coalition with the Irish Ulster unionist!
All this bluster from them about the SNP is a smokescreen- any leader like Flashman bully boy. DC to control the TV debates is farcical!

 

[Donald Twain]

Oh my ! Tories imploding.

 

[Joey66]

It's one big game of cat and mouse, but yes as you say it's a strong weapon the scaremongering right wing media can use.

The price of SNP support will be a lot lower than what he has suggested to the media tonight, It's high stakes poker and he's playing a very smart hand. Set SNP goals ridiculously high so if (and of course it's a big if) they enter negotiations with Labour about a potential coalition he has plenty to bargain with. If they can get even 1/4 of what is on their manifesto through they'll see it as a resounding success.

Whitehall is traditionally filled with old Etonian boys club types. This generation of civil servants have yet to experience a government left of centre (Blair/Brown included who were both right centre), if we saw the SNP hold any degree of power they'll be having kittens.

What will they think when DC cosies up to the Irish Ulster unionist - he has already let them avoid Welfare cuts this time around!

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Hmmm

For sure, things like his views on homosexuality and capital punishment are not to my tastes at all, I just find it interesting how influential his views have been across a wide range of the political spectrum.

I mean there's an interview with him here from INSEAD business school. Not sure many dictators get that kind of platform.

 

[The Esk]

For sure, things like his views on homosexuality and capital punishment are not to my tastes at all, I just find it interesting how influential his views have been across a wide range of the political spectrum.

I mean there's an interview with him here from INSEAD business school. Not sure many dictators get that kind of platform.

He was a remarkable man for sure and no-one can dispute his success in developing Singapore into what it is today (in my mind the best place to do business in SE Asia and the wider region).

However the order he demanded came at a cost in terms of human rights across many areas, hence the "hmmm" comment

 

[Clint Planet]

You might find this interesting by the way

I really don't have the time to watch it, mate. Is there a synopsis anywhere?

 

[Joey66]

Davy the bottler may stand down if the Tories do not win just on the BBC news!

 

[Clint Planet]

Not really that bothered by designations of left or right as they're usually too simplistic, and nearly always far too divisive and strangle any attempts to learn from one another.

I'll readily accept that I may have succumbed to the confirmation bias, but pretty much everything I read about successful change involves searching rather than planning

Do you think that "hunting" will help to slow down or stop deforestation? Will it reverse the redistribution of wealth away from the poor to the super-rich? Is it checking the growing power of multinationals? Is it helping solve the housing crisis in Britain? How is it doing with overhunting and overfishing? Will it help check global warming?

(I'm trying hard not to dwell too much on the suggestion that support for this approach might somehow make me an apartheid or slavery sympathiser).

Oh, belt up.

That this seems to give lots of power and freedom to us as people would, I've had thought, please us both?

What freedom is that?

 

[Mrk]

Davy the bottler may stand down if the Tories do not win just on the BBC news!

And the award for least shocking news story of 2015 goes to...

 

[Jib in lad]

And the award for least shocking news story of 2015 goes to...

Oh right you seen it coming did you?.

Ha ha the arrogance of the man is astounding he hasn't even got through this election yet and he is saying he wont run for a third term.

 

[Mrk]

Oh right you seen it coming did you?.

Err, yes... When was the last time a PM who lost an election stayed as party leader...?

 

[Jib in lad]

Err, yes... When was the last time a PM who lost an election stayed as party leader...?

That's obvious his feet wont touch the ground but this third term thing how arrogant does he sound .

 

[Mrk]

That's obvious his feet wont touch the ground but this third term thing how arrogant does he sound .

I've just watched that, and the presenter clearly asks 'if you remain PM after the next election..." - how is that arrogant? (unless I watched the wrong interview - quite possible).