The Coalition

[Purple Monkey]

The fact that the Liberal Democrats were forced into this self-destruct situation purely by coming third and being forced to essentially flip a coin shows you how f**king backwards the system is. I mean, they became more of a threat to the big two than ever before, and so the system decided that it should be assimilated into either the red or blue collective. What a horrible way to do politics - if you even come close to challenging the established red vs blue order, you're forced to compromise and become one, or the other. Assimilation f**king complete, nothing changes, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

I originally saw the Coalition as a good idea. But it has been executed poorly. What it now means is that if you are taken seriously as a competitor, and a threat to our f**ked up so called democracy, you will be neutralised.

Edited August 4, 2010 by Purple Monkey

[sifi]

This is the absolute key. Until this is no longer the case, why would the Libdems even think of going to the country? Their poll rating is going nowhere for, at the very best, the next four years. It might not go anywhere then. But whilst they have the prospect of returning fewer than 10 MPs, why are they going to revolt?

eta

And the tories are fully aware of this which is why the spending review will look like it does and they keep saying no to Cable at every turn. Because they know they can

[Pogues Mcgogues]

The problem is also with the Liberal Democrats. They can do what they like, but believe it's their responsibility to try and dictate to other political parties. If the Tories don't want to do something, then they don't want to. If they won't budge, them go against them on it. Don't try and dictate to them.

They tried the trick with Labour as well.

[eFestivals]

The problem is also with the Liberal Democrats. They can do what they like, but believe it's their responsibility to try and dictate to other political parties. If the Tories don't want to do something, then they don't want to. If they won't budge, them go against them on it. Don't try and dictate to them.

They tried the trick with Labour as well.

It really would help you know if you knew the first thing about what you're talking about.

The DimLibs asked nothing of Labour, they asked only what policies Labour might be prepared to compromise on for them to come to a mutually acceptable coalition agreement - and the answer was "nothing at all".

Labour isolated themselves via their own actions, it had naff all to do with anyone else.

[Pogues Mcgogues]

It really would help you know if you knew the first thing about what you're talking about.

The DimLibs asked nothing of Labour, they asked only what policies Labour might be prepared to compromise on for them to come to a mutually acceptable coalition agreement - and the answer was "nothing at all".

Labour isolated themselves via their own actions, it had naff all to do with anyone else.

[eFestivals]

!!!

No, they didn't put a requirement for Brown to step down! Now tell me what place one party has in determining another parties leader!

If you can't tell me how this isn't trying to dictate, then please pipe down!

No, they said that given the result they wouldn't be able to form a coalition with Labour if Brown was staying in charge. That's a different thing entirely - it wasn't a demand, it was a statement of fact.

And it was so unreasonable and unexpected () that Gordon agreed to it immediately, saying he'd step down by October.

Yet once Gordon and co had led the DimLibs on for a bit, Gordon turned around and said he's changed his mind, and he'd be staying. So the Libs said, "fine, bye" - which is funnily enough what you said above they should have done.

We can all watch the programme, but only some of us say it the same as the people who originally said it said it. And others slavishly re-write history to try to pretend that their f**ked up party is something different to what it is.

Labour f**ked up by believing that the DimLibs would never form a coalition with the tories, and because of that they'd be their puppets. When the option is total puppet or mostly puppet, it's obvious what most people would choose, but too obvious for Brown and co.

Edited August 4, 2010 by eFestivals

[oafc0000]

Labour f**ked up by believing that the DimLibs would never form a coalition with the tories

Edited August 4, 2010 by oafc0000

[llcoolphil]

You make the Liberal Democrats sould like a wife who is the victim of domestic abuse but don't feel like they can leave their violent spouse because they have nowhere to go ...

[pink_triangle]

Labour f**ked up by believing that the DimLibs would never form a coalition with the tories, and because of that they'd be their puppets. When the option is total puppet or mostly puppet, it's obvious what most people would choose, but too obvious for Brown and co.

[llcoolphil]

To be honest I dont think labour f**ked up, I think they were happy to accept a lib/con coallition. The only way the lab/lib coallition could have been viable is if david milliband was on board and apparently he had no interest.

[Pogues Mcgogues]

You really are a buffoon at times

[eFestivals]

To be honest I dont think labour f**ked up, I think they were happy to accept a lib/con coallition. The only way the lab/lib coallition could have been viable is if david milliband was on board and apparently he had no interest.

While being out of power now will quite possibly work to Labour's advantage in the long run, they very definitely wanted to remain in power - the recent documentary made that perfectly clear.

Their problem was that they believed their own spin, and thought their own policies so fantastic that no one could possibly want anything else - which pans out as them being a bunch of non-democrats who felt the election result could be ignored.

[eFestivals]

Since Efestivals is unable to, explain to me why should the Liberal Democrats (Lib Dem leader to be more precise ie. one man) have any say on who the leader of an opposition party is.

And likewise, why should the Labour Party have the whole say on what a coalition govt between Labour and the DimLibs should do?

Labour made no less "demands" of the DimLibs than the DimLibs made of Labour.

But whereas the DimLibs were referencing the views of the people of this country as demonstrated by the election in how they thought things should be, were Labour doing the same? Nope.

The DimLibs are allowed their opinion on how things should be. There was no obligation for Labour to accept their want - and indeed that's exactly what happened.

But meanwhile, what we're talking about here is Brown being leader of Labour, or not. Given that Brown is no longer leader - and by his own choice - care to tell me how the DimLibs want was so outrageous? Labour's actions by its own free will since gets to show that the DimLibs got things 100% spot-on, and it was Labour that got it wrong. Again.

Again and again and again. Which is why they lost the election you complete and utter moron.

[oafc0000]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/aug/04/double-dip-recession-fears-economy

Exactly what Labour and the Lib Dems (before they sold out) warned about...

[llcoolphil]

Since Efestivals is unable to, explain to me why should the Liberal Democrats (Lib Dem leader to be more precise ie. one man) have any say on who the leader of an opposition party is.

[Uncle Liam]

If he was/is "Serious about Socialism" why did he join the Labour party in the first place?

[llcoolphil]

If he was/is "Serious about Socialism" why did he join the Labour party in the first place?

[Uncle Liam]

A question often asked. Bet he mentons the minimum wage in his answer.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Uncle Liam

[Pogues Mcgogues]

A question often asked. Bet he mentons the minimum wage in his answer.

[llcoolphil]

And a question often answered. Too many times. Look back for it.

[Pogues Mcgogues]

Id be too embarrassed to see that the future leader of my party is a Milliband and claim it was a socialist party too.

[Alcatraz]

What is it with Tories and milk?

[llcoolphil]

What's wrong with a Milliband leading the party? It's an open contest.

[llcoolphil]

What is it with Tories and milk?

[Alcatraz]

It's great at the minute - the tories are so sure of the coalition they think that they can come out with any policy proposals that come into their heads!