It's Election Day

[Pinhead]

"Former Tory Cabinet minister: "This has been astonishing." Long pause. "Quite astonishing." Shakes head and walks off. #GE2015" - BBC

Even the Tories can't believe they have been voted back in.....

[Stu H]

avoiding the question I see.

Yes, it makes me feel bad to think of the misery and suffering ahead for millions of people because of the actions of these selfish people.

You obviously feel fine because you couldnt give a shit. Good for you!

Politics isnt something I only think about once every 5 years.

You love a good generalisation Russ.

You think we're all selfish, none of us give a shit about those who suffer and that we only think about politics every election.

[sime]

Good man!

Thanks chief!

[hjglasto]

Overheard someone saying today "I could care about poor people n those who are less well-off or I could vote for whoever will keep my house price rising - the conservatives". Sums up the attitude of too many people in the uk - selfishness, lack of empathy and gullibly swallowing tabloid 'economics'; can sadly see us having a Tory government for a good while.

[The Placid Casual]

I haven't heard anything about it being officially scrapped, just more of a general tightening of purse strings.

As far as I know (which admittedly falls well short of what it should), the NI Executive is allocated an annual budget from Westminster which, in the name of austerity, was slashed despite the need for it to grow.

I know people elsewhere might say 'well you get more per head than elsewhere' but the needs over here differ from elsewhere as well, which is why they were getting more per head in the first place.

The NI economy is also heavily public sector dependent, which has meant every department's budget has seen cuts ranging from manageable to completely unacceptable

We definitely don't get the same benefits that Scotland do, but this is because Scotland are more vocal about it. A lot in our country decide to lay back and accept the situation for what it is, hence the vast majority voting labour/conservative.

[found home in 2009]

One fact sticks in my mind more than most - over half of the tory MPs voting against equal marriage rights. They are a horrible party.

The guy that was my Labour mp yesterday and is out of a job today always voted with the party until the gay marriage rights bill, which he voted against.

Glad to see the back of him, he was such a divisive character the local Labour party refused to campaign for him:

http://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/scottish-politics/labour-mps-campaign-in-disarray-as-local-councillors-refuse-to-campaign-f.119022122

[russycarps]

If this referendum happens I'm going to be very conflicted. I have nothing against immigrants and for the most part can see the benefit of being part of the EU.

However, at the moment the EU is in the process of agreeing a trade treaty with America (TITP) which allows for "investor state dispute settlement", which basically means companies can sue governments if they believe their laws are preventing them making money.

Australia signed a similar treaty with Hong Kong and ended up being taken to court by the tobacco companies when they tried to bring in laws on tobacco packaging because of it.

The whole idea that companies could have so much power over our government disgusts me so much I think I'd have to vote for us to come out of the EU if TITP goes through.

if the uk leaves the eu it will be signing up to much more odious trade agreements than this.

Edited May 8, 2015 by russycarps

[Boopickledaddy]

So who else is having a huge whopping drinking session tonight to help get over this result?

Yeah, I intend to get drunk tonight . Can't believe we have another 5 years of the Tories. It's like the 80's have been forgotten :-(

[hjglasto]

One fact sticks in my mind more than most - over half of the tory MPs voting against equal marriage rights. They are a horrible party.

In addition, 14% voted to equalise age of consent, 24% to repeal section 28, and 6% for equal adoption rights. Sickening. As a comparator, over 90% of LD and Labour MPs voted in favour of each.

[mungo57]

Sorry I don't have more than 1 upvote for this.

He's gone! Whoop!!

There's a house for sale by the festival. It's still in the UK, but we get resident tickets.

IM IN

[carlosj]

yep.i was going to add this to the word association thread.

[pmcallister89]

SNP for me

Up to the Scottish Socialists/Greens/SNP for our other election next year.

[eFestivals]

Made up for by the revenue from North Sea oil, not being dragged into illegal wars and making their own decisions when it comes to welfare priorities

I think you need to take a look at the facts of Scottish finances - produced by the Scottish Govt - in the GERS historical spreadsheet, or the more-recent yearly GERS announcements.

You'll find your view is contrary to the facts.

[bennyboi]

We already have two books going at work.

1) Month first strike is called.

2) Month the next round of future council (redundancies) start in our service.

What council do you work for doing what if you don't mind me asking?

[hjglasto]

I don't agree with tactical voting whatsoever. I believe that the people should vote for someone who will represent their views in parliament. Why on earth someone would vote for somebody they don't even want in Parliament is beyond me.

I agree with this in part, and in an ideal world there wouldn't be tactical voting, but we clearly don't live in an ideal world. My friend voted Lib Dem to attempt to avoid a Tory government in Twickenham (unsuccessfully), despite being a Labour supporter.

For the record I didn't vote tactically, as Labour won a 67% majority in my constituency and was always going to be safe. I think I would consider voting tactically though if I was in a position to help prevent a Tory/UKIP candidate getting a seat.

[bennyboi]

If this referendum happens I'm going to be very conflicted. I have nothing against immigrants and for the most part can see the benefit of being part of the EU.

However, at the moment the EU is in the process of agreeing a trade treaty with America (TITP) which allows for "investor state dispute settlement", which basically means companies can sue governments if they believe their laws are preventing them making money.

Australia signed a similar treaty with Hong Kong and ended up being taken to court by the tobacco companies when they tried to bring in laws on tobacco packaging because of it.

The whole idea that companies could have so much power over our government disgusts me so much I think I'd have to vote for us to come out of the EU if TITP goes through.

I was not aware of this agreement with the yanks. But thanks for bring it to my attention.

It is discussing but that's capitalism. And that's why the Torys are in charge. Hey could be worse, we could live in America.

[Stu H]

I think you need to take a look at the facts of Scottish finances - produced by the Scottish Govt - in the GERS historical spreadsheet, or the more-recent yearly GERS announcements.

You'll find your view is contrary to the facts.

Yep, full control of finances in Scotland, if that were happening now, would not make for pretty reading.

It's not going to be the socialist utopia many SNP supporters will have you believe. Quite the opposite.

I am fearful for the future of Scotland, hence my tactical vote.

[The Placid Casual]

I think you need to take a look at the facts of Scottish finances - produced by the Scottish Govt - in the GERS historical spreadsheet, or the more-recent yearly GERS announcements.

You'll find your view is contrary to the facts.

Does that cater for the money that will be saved by making their own decisions on welfare priorities and the money they'll save from illegal wars?

I'm sure the 15% cut in public services won't look too bad when those are taken into account.

[The Placid Casual]

I agree with this in part, and in an ideal world there wouldn't be tactical voting, but we clearly don't live in an ideal world. My friend voted Lib Dem to attempt to avoid a Tory government in Twickenham (unsuccessfully), despite being a Labour supporter.

For the record I didn't vote tactically, as Labour won a 67% majority in my constituency and was always going to be safe. I think I would consider voting tactically though if I was in a position to help prevent a Tory/UKIP candidate getting a seat.

People who vote tactically are part of the reason why we don't live in an ideal world

[Badlands]

Grim, grim, grim. The only thing worse than a tory government is a tory government that’s been given a second term. It’s like an approval for them to magnify their policies even further. They’ll go for the working class after their finished with those on benefits, remove security and rights from employees, they’ve tried it before, they’ll try again.

If that’s what the majority of the UK are keen on, then so be it. As Stu H said, it’s a free country and people can vote for who they want. It doesn’t stop me from commenting on what an awfully reprehensible society we live in. A place that acknowledges (though through their vote rather than by voicing opinions), that they want to live in a place that doesn’t help those that need it most, for the sake of them being a little more comfortable.

[Festiboi69]

People who vote tactically are part of the reason why we don't live in an ideal world

I think the conservative party are more of a reason we don't live in an ideal world, though.

[Wanderlei]

This feels like a bad dream. With the prospect of a coalition at least there was a little hope.

[Matt42]

Sun have just posted this video

Disclaimer.. this is disgusting, content warning

Probably should advise Russy not to watch this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooF8EPhbmwo

I hate this system. People who actually want to make things better being slandered, fucking tory scum.

Edited May 8, 2015 by Matt42

[zero000]

This election:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5N5jKF_8CE

[fatyeti24]

Is that not sort of the point?!

People spouting off opinions on Twitter, Facebook etc and then moaning about a lack of privacy

i believe it should be up to the individual whether their data - be that comments online or bank/medical details or whatever else - is private or public or whether it can be sold for profit.

that we have so quickly accepted that that is not the case doesn't bode well for a future that will be increasingly reliant on digital communication of data.

a genertation ago we wouldn't let a stranger into our houses to look through our bank books, or allow the government to sell information about our medical details. now that these things exist in the seemingly more abstract world of the internet, and are thus a step removed from physically having to do this, we have just allowed it to happen. we don't notice it.

it should be your choice, or my choice what we do with this data. data that is currency in the digital world. we have given up this choice, to all intents and purposes. you could opt out totally, but good luck with that.

i feel these things are important because we are currently in the process of setting a precedent for the future - past rules no longer apply. but we haven't been given much of a say in things. those setting the rules here aren't involving us in the decisions - or in most cases even allowing us to be aware of what is happening.

rant over. i'm going to have a chocolate hob nob and calm down!