General Election 2015

[kaosmark2]

I'd be OK with hunting foxes for food if they tasted nice.

Dressing up like twats and hunting them for sport in the name of helping farmers protect their chickens is just ridiculous though.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

Do they care about Scottish people, or do they care about Scottish independence?

this

[feral chile]

Do you not understand that it might be considered hypocritical to want to govern yourselves, and then vote on how England governs itself, when it doesn't impact on you? Maybe they think it would be undemocratic to vote on things that impact on the rest of the UK when Scotland already bans hunting.

don't nationalist parties within Westminster get accused of precisely this?

Edited May 16, 2015 by feral chile

[eFestivals]

Just to put that in context

That's the context of nationalism, and not progressive nor representing the role they were elected to.

Parochial over the progressive.

[feral chile]

On matters of life and death yes.

Aren't some things more important than getting more money for scotland?

like the democratic process, and who you think you're representing (and have a right to represent).

[LJS]

You guys have such double standards

this is nothing new. For years the Snp have not voted on bills with no Scottish impact. I have never heard any complaints about that. On the contrary I seem to remember some criticism when they said they would vote on English NHS measures because they would impact on Scotland's budget. Make your minds up guys.

By the way , I have no truck with Fox hunting.

[feral chile]

You guys have such double standards

this is nothing new. For years the Snp have not voted on bills with no Scottish impact. I have never heard any complaints about that. On the contrary I seem to remember some criticism when they said they would vote on English NHS measures because they would impact on Scotland's budget. Make your minds up guys.

By the way , I have no truck with Fox hunting.

Quite. I really don't understand how they can be damned for voting on UK wide policies, and damned for not voting.

They want to have a voice, so Scotland is represented fairly. Since Scotland is part of the UK, they are forced by the democratic process to have a voice in the future of all the UK. If they choose to use it.

Edited May 16, 2015 by feral chile

[russycarps]

Do you not understand that it might be considered hypocritical to want to govern yourselves, and then vote on how England governs itself, when it doesn't impact on you? Maybe they think it would be undemocratic to vote on things that impact on the rest of the UK when Scotland already bans hunting.

don't nationalist parties within Westminster get accused of precisely this?

It's in their interests for england to kill foxes while they don't. They can point at a further division.

The fact that foxes have to die brutally doesn't matter.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

Didn't they specifically pledge to stand up for England's compassionate half as a solid opposition to all the crap the Tories came up with or did I imagine that

Edited May 16, 2015 by Zac Quinn

[kaosmark2]

You guys have such double standards

this is nothing new. For years the Snp have not voted on bills with no Scottish impact. I have never heard any complaints about that. On the contrary I seem to remember some criticism when they said they would vote on English NHS measures because they would impact on Scotland's budget. Make your minds up guys.

I fully supported the idea that they should vote on English NHS measures. I don't like the rise of English nationalism in response to the Scottish.

I also understand their position here, but considering they went on about how they would make an effort to vote and be a positive influence on the UK, it seems like a different stance to what they said in the election campaign.

[eFestivals]

better funded based on what criteria?

On what it could self-fund. Around 50% of the public money spent in Wales comes from taxes raised in England.

There's not a better Wales to be found thru nationalism, unless 'better' means a much worse financial position than you have within the UK.

Based on needs, top of the list for extra money is the north east of England. Nats don't much like facing that truth cos it would mean less for them.

[feral chile]

On what it could self-fund. Around 50% of the public money spent in Wales comes from taxes raised in England.

There's not a better Wales to be found thru nationalism, unless 'better' means a much worse financial position than you have within the UK.

Based on needs, top of the list for extra money is the north east of England. Nats don't much like facing that truth cos it would mean less for them.

Apparently Wales is underfunded, and would receive more based on need. I'm not an economist, so that's just what I've read. Again, I presume the reason Plaid doesn't do well is because Wales doesn't feel it's economically viable on its own.

What have we got besides tourism and water?

(And apparently a friendly-sounding accent making us fine fodder for Contact centres )

Edited May 16, 2015 by feral chile

[kaosmark2]

NE England, Cornwall, East Anglia, various areas of the Midlands are all massively more deprived than the other "nations". Unfortunately, because of how the funding system works, the Tories can shit on them in favour of shoring up votes in swing-seats in middle-England (anyone remember Swindon and Wiltshire councils getting a massive share of the pot last time round?)

[eFestivals]

You guys have such double standards

this is nothing new. For years the Snp have not voted on bills with no Scottish impact. I have never heard any complaints about that. On the contrary I seem to remember some criticism when they said they would vote on English NHS measures because they would impact on Scotland's budget. Make your minds up guys.

By the way , I have no truck with Fox hunting.

Does Scotland want to be a part of the UK or does it want to be marginalised?

Answers on a postcard to the country that can't make up its mind, at the parliament sited to the benefit of the elite, Scotlandshire.

[eFestivals]

Apparently Wales is underfunded, and would receive more based on need. I'm not an economist, so that's just what I've read. Again, I presume the reason Plaid doesn't do well is because Wales doesn't feel it's economically viable on its own.

What have we got besides tourism and water?

(And apparently a friendly-sounding accent making us fine fodder for Contact centres )

I don't deny Wales is underfunded but its not top of the needs list.

If your issue is underfunding take up the cause of the north east first. If your issue is self interest be honest enough to say it.

[LJS]

Does Scotland want to be a part of the UK or does it want to be marginalised?

Answers on a postcard to the country that can't make up its mind, at the parliament sited to the benefit of the elite, Scotlandshire.

You support EVEL you plonker. but you slay the SNP for not voting to protect English foxes.

Personally, I would rather Fox hunting stayed banned & I would be perfectly happy for the SNP to vote against it, but if you can't see the logic in their position, you are more stupid than you think I am:)

And if you think there wouldn't be massive outrage if they did vote then you are even more stupid tHan that.

[russycarps]

You support EVEL you plonker. but you slay the SNP for not voting to protect English foxes.

Personally, I would rather Fox hunting stayed banned & I would be perfectly happy for the SNP to vote against it, but if you can't see the logic in their position, you are more stupid than you think I am:)

And if you think there wouldn't be massive outrage if they did vote then you are even more stupid tHan that.

Outrage from who? The english tories? Why on earth would they care about that? Only the scottish electorate matters to them.

They are using the lives of animals to further their political goals. At least be honest about it.

[LJS]

Outrage from who? The english tories? Why on earth would they care about that? Only the scottish electorate matters to them.

They are using the lives of animals to further their political goals. At least be honest about it.

You're losing it Russy. How does them doing exactly what they've done for years equate To using the lives of animals...? I would imagine they abstained on the original vote to ban hunting too. You really will have to learn that you can't rely on the Scots to be your conscience. Grow up & take responsibility for your own votes.

Kettle on, nice cup of tea, then maybe you'll see what a prat you're being.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

Jim Murphy's gone

[LJS]

Jim Murphy's gone

But not forgotten.

[kingcrawler]

Jim Murphy's gone

His position was untenable really, especially with such a small margin on his vote of confidence.

[Rose-Colored Boy]

His position was untenable really, especially with such a small margin on his vote of confidence.

Yep

Tho in a similar position to the Kippers and LD's, in that there aren't exactly great numbers to choose from as a replacement

[kingcrawler]

Yep

Tho in a similar position to the Kippers and LD's, in that there aren't exactly great numbers to choose from as a replacement

That's true, just about anyone would do better than Murphy but given the options and that the last 4 Scottish Labour leaders have all been fairly shambolic I don't have much hope for them. I think it will end up being Kezia Dugdale and she'd do ok I think. They'll still be some way off the SNP no matter who they choose though

[LJS]

Yep

Tho in a similar position to the Kippers and LD's, in that there aren't exactly great numbers to choose from as a replacement

I think the whole of British politics is woefully short of politicians with real leadership qualities. Probably something to do with the selection requirements now imposed by all parties which results in a barrowload of uninspiring uncontroversial mp's.

[feral chile]

I don't deny Wales is underfunded but its not top of the needs list.

If your issue is underfunding take up the cause of the north east first. If your issue is self interest be honest enough to say it.

I agree that it depends how you carve up the UK, if you look at England and Wales as a whole, for instance. And I don't, necessarily. I do sympathise with those who want to see stronger regional representation, however, because deprived areas (whichever part of the UK) get neglected.