General Election 2015

[gary1979666]

Let's not forget the Libdems budget today....though most of them seem to have forgotten!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3002331/What-farce-Lib-Dems-unveil-rival-Yellow-Budget-calling-fewer-cuts-just-17-Clegg-s-MPs-bother-turn-up.html

[eFestivals]

Isn't that one and the same

It very much is, yep.

You've been mugged, and you think that's a good thing. Perhaps stop and think on that one....?

[eFestivals]

No chancellor ever does,

Sorry?

No chancellor ever details their spending cuts? How do they cut spending, then? Magic?

Either Gideon has a plan for how his planned cuts will work, or he has no plan at all.

If he has no plan, he should state it's merely an unspecified wish.

If he has a plan, he should lay out that plan.

If he wants to appeal to the brain dead, he merely has to carry on as he is.

Ed hasn't managed to attack them anywhere near enough over the past four years either.

Ed's shit for (in your mind) giving them a free-pass on the quiet, so what is the man who gives them a free-pass with vocal support....?

[kemosabe]

Sorry?

No chancellor ever details their spending cuts? How do they cut spending, then? Magic?

Ed's shit for (in your mind) giving them a free-pass on the quiet, so what is the man who gives them a free-pass with vocal support....?

Well evidently if its going to be negative then he is going to detail it weeks before an election. Labour, SNP, DUP ect... would/will do exactly the same.

As for Ed, he has been a terrible opposition leader yes.

Just for clarification I am about as left wing as they come by the way.

[eFestivals]

Well evidently if its going to be negative then he is going to detail it weeks before an election. Labour, SNP, DUP ect... would/will do exactly the same.

It's not the same. Gideon is doing standard govt business, nothing to do with the election.

Only Gideon is in the position to start implementing his plans, and is in fact obliged to start implementing his plans as the 2015-16 financial year has a month to run before the election.

And yes, i would demand the same of any party in the same position, and will be wanting a decent amount of detail from Labour when they shortly publish their manifesto. I wouldn't demand the same amount of detail as you'd expect in an officially-announced to-be-implemented plan such as the budget, tho. I would hold Labour to account in the same fine detail only when in the same position of wielding actual power.

As for Ed, he has been a terrible opposition leader yes.

Just for clarification I am about as left wing as they come by the way.

It depends if you want an opposition, or you want someone who sings your song.

Surely it hasn't passed you by that over 50% of the population consistently vote significantly to the right of Labour?

Do you really think they're doing so because the left isn't left wing enough for them?

Edited March 19, 2015 by eFestivals

[kemosabe]

Surely it hasn't passed you by that over 50% of the population consistently vote significantly to the right of Labour?

Do you really think they're doing so because the left isn't left wing enough for them?

What has that to do with Ed as a leader?

[eFestivals]

What has that to do with Ed as a leader?

What is a leader who leads too few to gain power?

Ed might not win, but I don't believe a shouter would do better. Like it or not the economy fucked up on Labour's watch, and plenty feel they need to take some responsibility for that. Playing the game the same would have too many thinking that everything of the game hasn't changed.

Ed is different. He's not shouty, he's not a sleaze, and he looks a bit weird - and these are ultimately good things and not bad things. It stands a chance of moving the debate to being on substance and not soundbites, which would be a great thing for politics in general (and i'd hope, supported by all political leanings).

I certainly don't agree with too much about Labour - Marx and me are best buddies - but I do try to keep a grip on the political realities in this country, and i'm well aware that anything to the left of his general position would be too unpalatable to too much of the country.

Wishy-washy centre-ground Labour is the best I can realistically get in the short and medium term, and on that basis I welcome Ed massively after the years of Blair and Brown. Bring it on!

[LJS]

What is a leader who leads too few to gain power?

Ed might not win, but I don't believe a shouter would do better. Like it or not the economy fucked up on Labour's watch, and plenty feel they need to take some responsibility for that. Playing the game the same would have too many thinking that everything of the game hasn't changed.

Ed is different. He's not shouty, he's not a sleaze, and he looks a bit weird - and these are ultimately good things and not bad things. It stands a chance of moving the debate to being on substance and not soundbites, which would be a great thing for politics in general (and i'd hope, supported by all political leanings).

I certainly don't agree with too much about Labour - Marx and me are best buddies - but I do try to keep a grip on the political realities in this country, and i'm well aware that anything to the left of his general position would be too unpalatable to too much of the country.

Wishy-washy centre-ground Labour is the best I can realistically get in the short and medium term, and on that basis I welcome Ed massively after the years of Blair and Brown. Bring it on!

So you have decided that "wishy washy" is the best we can realistically hope for & that's a judgement you are entitled to make. What saddens me is that you have no respect for those who would argue that wishy washy is not acceptable. You argue that the British electorate won't tolerate anything further to the left. That's again a perfectly logical position to take.

But there is another view. When was the last time the Labour Party tried to stand up for anything approaching Labour values? Early 90's? Maybe, but even then the New Labour makeover had started. So we're probably talking close to 25 years where no one has seriously challenged the supposed centre right consensus. If all the electorate hears is a media & political establishment telling them "there is no other way", it's hardly surprising that they believe it.

I do not believe that it is impossible for a Labour party campaigning with passion for a "reasonable" left wing agenda to win over enough voters to win an election.

Too late for this election sadly.

[LJS]

Yeah but this just another example of you being an idiot and having no grasp on reality.

Thanks Barry, I'd have been worried if you'd agreed with me.

[kaosmark2]

Thanks Barry, I'd of been worried if you'd of agreed with me.

Got to speak it in Barry language, otherwise he won't understand.

[feral chile]

Got to speak it in Barry language, otherwise he won't understand.

tch!

[russycarps]

So you have decided that "wishy washy" is the best we can realistically hope for & that's a judgement you are entitled to make. What saddens me is that you have no respect for those who would argue that wishy washy is not acceptable. You argue that the British electorate won't tolerate anything further to the left. That's again a perfectly logical position to take.

But there is another view. When was the last time the Labour Party tried to stand up for anything approaching Labour values? Early 90's? Maybe, but even then the New Labour makeover had started. So we're probably talking close to 25 years where no one has seriously challenged the supposed centre right consensus. If all the electorate hears is a media & political establishment telling them "there is no other way", it's hardly surprising that they believe it.

I do not believe that it is impossible for a Labour party campaigning with passion for a "reasonable" left wing agenda to win over enough voters to win an election.

Too late for this election sadly.

So you accept 5 more years of the tories then.

Ace.

[kaosmark2]

Oh look its the Champagne Socialist

Says the person who goes on three foreign holidays a year.

[LJS]

So you accept 5 more years of the tories then.

Ace.

Not at all. I am in the fortunate position of knowing that my constituency will not elect a Tory & I have already said if i lived in a Lab/Tory marginal. I would probably hold my nose & vote Labour. Assuming, there will be no overall majority for any one party, I am genuinely torn between wanting a Labour government supported & held to account by the SNP & some sort of Tory Government that forces the Labour party to go away, lick its wounds & realise what it is really for. Sadly, I think the UK Labour party is probably beyond redemption so my best hope is Lab/SNP & get the hell out of the stinking cesspit that is UK politics asap.

nothing personal guys!

[kaosmark2]

Not at all. I am in the fortunate position of knowing that my constituency will not elect a Tory & I have already said if i lived in a Lab/Tory marginal. I would probably hold my nose & vote Labour. Assuming, there will be no overall majority for any one party, I am genuinely torn between wanting a Labour government supported & held to account by the SNP & some sort of Tory Government that forces the Labour party to go away, lick its wounds & realise what it is really for. Sadly, I think the UK Labour party is probably beyond redemption so my best hope is Lab/SNP & get the hell out of the stinking cesspit that is UK politics asap.

nothing personal guys!

I really don't think Labour are as bad as you're making out. They're not as good as they should be, but they're a damn sight better than they were 8 years ago, or 5 years ago, or 13 years for them at their worst.

[eFestivals]

What saddens me is that you have no respect for those who would argue that wishy washy is not acceptable.

and that's because?

They support something more wishy-washy, and to the right of Ed's position.

The SNP rob the poor to give the middle classes privileges. Ed plans to rob the rich to give the middle classes privileges.

Spot the difference? It's an important difference.

You argue that the British electorate won't tolerate anything further to the left. That's again a perfectly logical position to take.

it's what how people vote *ABSOLUTELY* says.

Unless you think people vote for right wing parties because Labour aren't left enough...?

But there is another view. When was the last time the Labour Party tried to stand up for anything approaching Labour values? Early 90's? Maybe, but even then the New Labour makeover had started. So we're probably talking close to 25 years where no one has seriously challenged the supposed centre right consensus. If all the electorate hears is a media & political establishment telling them "there is no other way", it's hardly surprising that they believe it.

There's a number of different parties who do - and no one votes for them. Not even in Scotland, not even for the Scottish Parliament where PR gives them a chance of getting elected.

So you're welcome to that view, but don't go spouting bollocks that it';s meaningful in any electoral sense.

And anyway, when a lecture like that is from someone who refuses to criticise the poor-robbing SNP, you only prove the point that the middle classes want to be bought off with privileges. You approve, FFS!!!

I do not believe that it is impossible for a Labour party campaigning with passion for a "reasonable" left wing agenda to win over enough voters to win an election.

Too late for this election sadly.

It's all happening, and you'll keep your eyes shut and claim the poor-robbing SNP are to the left of Labour.

The error is yours, not Labour's.

Edited March 20, 2015 by eFestivals

[eFestivals]

Not at all. I am in the fortunate position of knowing that my constituency will not elect a Tory & I have already said if i lived in a Lab/Tory marginal. I would probably hold my nose & vote Labour. Assuming, there will be no overall majority for any one party, I am genuinely torn between wanting a Labour government supported & held to account by the SNP & some sort of Tory Government that forces the Labour party to go away, lick its wounds & realise what it is really for. Sadly, I think the UK Labour party is probably beyond redemption so my best hope is Lab/SNP & get the hell out of the stinking cesspit that is UK politics asap.

nothing personal guys!

and yet snippers like you never explain how a party to the right of Labour will take Labour to the left.

Show me just one policy where the SNP are to the left of Labour. You can't!!

The SNP are the party - like the tories - who said Labour's lax bank regulation was too tight. When a party is to the right of John Redwood, to the right of even UKIP, they're a bunch of fruitcakes.

[gary1979666]

Looks like the north east might not be a sure fire win for Labour come May 7th!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3004322/Geordie-SORE-Ant-Dec-X-Factor-s-Cheryl-attacks-Miliband-mansion-tax-f-over.html

There are some truely abominable quotes in this article. Neil - make sure you're sitting down, when you read about Chezza's struggle with her wealth!

[eFestivals]

fuck me, if the Daily Hate Mail is having to sink to trying to get the public to feel sorry for celebs this far from voting day, Chicken Dave is proper sage and onion stuffed.

[LondonTom]

"The 'Crazy Stupid Love' singer also suggested she could 'make my own party' adding that 'stranger things have happened'."

Can't wait for the X Factor version of the General Election, hope they have boot camp!!

Who of the rich and famous should we have on the panel to tell us who to vote for then? My vote is for Gary Barlow, Jimmy Carr and Adele

Edited March 20, 2015 by LondonTom

[kaosmark2]

Stupid rich people don't want to pay tax shocker.

[LJS]

here's some comedy to brighten up your Sunday afternoon...

this is genuine by the way not a spoof - I got it from the conservative's website.

I think they have axaggerated Ed's dancing abilities myself

[kaosmark2]

this is genuine by the way not a spoof - I got it from the conservative's website.

You pay a lot of attention to their campaigning LJS, something you're not telling us?

[eFestivals]

here's some comedy to brighten up your Sunday afternoon...

the morning comedy was better, when Salmond was out campaigning for the tories, using their campaign slogan.

[gary1979666]

the morning comedy was better, when Salmond was out campaigning for the tories, using their campaign slogan.

It was a strange move, as Sturgeon had been toning down the SNP holding Labour to ransom line. But you're right, it seems very much like they want a Tory win.