The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[roydo]

I dont buy into this SNP wrecking ball theory.

They are a responsible party of government north of the border. They've been running Scotland for a decade either in coalition or on their own and they have, IMO, some of the best political minds in the country. They are far superior operators than anything down here.

If/when they get into UK government positions they will behave with professionalism. They'll drive through as much of Scotland's interests as possible but they wont be irresponsible. It wouldn't serve their best interests to be seen as anarchic.

Lets see.

 

[Toffeelover]

And would lose pretty much every seat in the country in the election after. They're not stupid short-termists up there; they'll play the long game. Supporting Labour will guarantee them the Scottish parliament majority for decades if done right - usurping Labour would essentially destroy them.

Can't see it Tubey, they are already destroying Labour up in Scotland per reports.

 

[Tubey]

Can't see it Tubey, they are already destroying Labour up in Scotland per reports.

I think we're talking about two separate things...

 

[bring the ghost on]

Can I vote for @Tubey on May 7th?

 

[Tubey]

Can I vote for @Tubey on May 7th?

There are no mod elections on here unfortunately mate. Thanks though.

 

[Toffeelover]

I think we're talking about two separate things...

We were discussing SNP in the Commons, were we not? SNP have set out a few things, return to the 50p tax rate, Hold back on deficit reduction, more money for Scotland (even though at the moment per capita they get more than other part of the UK), kill off Trident ro at least get it out of Faslane, increase spending on welfare, NHS but no indication where the money is coming from.

Probably more but cannot recall just yet.

 

[Tubey]

We were discussing SNP in the Commons, were we not? SNP have set out a few things, return to the 50p tax rate, Hold back on deficit reduction, more money for Scotland (even though at the moment per capita they get more than other part of the UK), kill off Trident ro at least get it out of Faslane, increase spending on welfare, NHS but no indication where the money is coming from.

Probably more but cannot recall just yet.

They'll only get one of those things, and that's already been agreed upon. And even if they didn't they wouldn't back out of supporting Labour, as it'd be long term electoral suicide.

Think beyond 2015 and you'd see how insane it'd be for the SNP to let a minority Labour government fall on its arse if they had it in their power to prop it up.

 

[Seanjd]

Can I vote for @Tubey on May 7th?

Two phones speak sense yo.

 

[Seanjd]

Scottish National party leader Nicola Sturgeon has offered to help make Ed Miliband the next prime minister, even if Labour wins fewer seats than the Tories on 7 May. Her appeal comes as she angrily rejects claims that she thinks he is not up to the job.

Writing in the Observer – as a furious row erupted over disparaging private remarks she allegedly made about the Labour leader – Sturgeon challenges him to lead Labour into an anti-austerity alliance with the SNP whichever party is the largest in the House of Commons on 8 May.

In terms that will enrage many MPs, Sturgeon throws down the gauntlet to Miliband saying: “If together our parties have the parliamentary numbers required after 7 May, and regardless of which is the biggest party, will he and Labour join with us in locking David Cameron out of Downing Street?”

 

[Toffeelover]

They'll only get one of those things, and that's already been agreed upon. And even if they didn't they wouldn't back out of supporting Labour, as it'd be long term electoral suicide.

Think beyond 2015 and you'd see how insane it'd be for the SNP to let a minority Labour government fall on its arse if they had it in their power to prop it up.

What I do not like is that here we would have Scotland, a little country of 5/6 million, compared to England, Wales and NI with a population of 60 million, it would be like a small tail wagging a big dog. Intrinsically you said it your self a minority Labour government so the SNP by supporting them would be acting against the majority of the electorate! all for it's own ends. That I dislike.

 

[Tubey]

What I do not like is that here we would have Scotland, a little country of 5/6 million, compared to England, Wales and NI with a population of 60 million, it would be like a small tail wagging a big dog. Intrinsically you said it your self a minority Labour government so the SNP by supporting them would be acting against the majority of the electorate! all for it's own ends. That I dislike.

It's what political parties do. Look at Cameron now - he didn't win the 2010 election, yet he's prime minister as he and the Lib Dems made a deal to meet their own ends.

 

[Toffeelover]

It's what political parties do. Look at Cameron now - he didn't win the 2010 election, yet he's prime minister as he and the Lib Dems made a deal to meet their own ends.

That is true, but outside of the LIb Dems, they had I think just the edge on Labour over seats. You know so long ago now cannot quite recall exact numbers.

 

[Tubey]

That is true, but outside of the LIb Dems, they had I think just the edge on Labour over seats. You know so long ago now cannot quite recall exact numbers.

I agree with you - but we have FPTP, not PR, so it is what it is.

To give you an example, in 2010, Lib Dems got nearly 7m votes, and 8.8% of the seats. Labour got just over 8.5m, yet ended up with 39.7% of the seats.

PR would be preferable, but would also open the door for some very extreme parties in parliament in big numbers. Like bloody UKIP.

 

[Toffeelover]

I agree with you - but we have FPTP, not PR, so it is what it is.

To give you an example, in 2010, Lib Dems got nearly 7m votes, and 8.8% of the seats. Labour got just over 8.5m, yet ended up with 39.7% of the seats.

PR would be preferable, but would also open the door for some very extreme parties in parliament in big numbers. Like bloody UKIP.

Quite right about UKIP, heaven help us if those twerps get a few seats.

Do not forget though in 2010 Labour had a lot of Scotland seats which according to reports (some say speculation) a majority will be lost to SNP as will many Lib Dem seats. The muddy waters will become clearer in May when all the votes are counted, it is believed!! HAHA.

 

[peteblue]

It's a big contest to see who can spend the most money. Unfortunately it's always someone else's money............