NationStates Jolt Archive

OK any bets when the election is and who's going to win it?

The media seems convinced that the date will be May 5 (050505)

But who is going to win?
I personally am not convinced by any of the parties invloved, and have taken to watching politics the only entertaining way, via Comedy.

Bremner, Bird and Fortune are in the lead, with a slight tory bias.

Let me know your preferences for the election and the best way to keep up with the infighting

they should damn well wait til after November 21st!

they should damn well wait til after November 21st!

If they did who would you pick?

they should damn well wait til after November 21st!why?

why?
I think you'll find thats Tinks Birthday and she'll be old enough to vote

If they did who would you pick?
I don't know, I'd have to look into it a bit more, it's not a decision i would make lightly

I think you'll find thats Tinks Birthday and she'll be old enough to vote
yes (i feel so old)

yes (i feel so old)

OOC: I'm Double that, Now I feel really old :(

don't know who i'd vote for. not the tories, maybe labour, maybe lib dems. i really can't decide between those two. the economic record of this labour government has been excellent, while the lib dems haven't had a chance to prove their economic prudence for so long it defies comparison.
labour have all that negative stigma and hoo-haa over Iraq/Afghanistan, etc... which i don't like. AND the lib dems want to legalise weed (or something similar like decriminalisation), while labour are now talking of reclassifying the herb back up to B.

if the lib dems get it (doubtful) i sure hope their economic policies are ok

don't know who i'd vote for. not the tories, maybe labour, maybe lib dems. i really can't decide between those two. the economic record of this labour government has been excellent, while the lib dems haven't had a chance to prove their economic prudence for so long it defies comparison.
labour have all that negative stigma and hoo-haa over Iraq/Afghanistan, etc... which i don't like. AND the lib dems want to legalise weed (or something similar like decriminalisation), while labour are now talking of reclassifying the herb back up to B.

if the lib dems get it (doubtful) i sure hope their economic policies are ok

My biggest laugh so far has been watching the Tories say what they would do then hear the Labour party say they are doing it before the election.

Most people agree that New Labour are on course for another election victory, and it seems quite unlikely that there will be any other result than that.
I'm not sure who I would vote for If I could (only 17 damn it! one more year...), because I don't really like some of the changes that Tony Blair has made to the Labour party, though as said the economic record has been very good, I don't think the Liberal Democrats are credible enough yet and I don't think that much of Charles Kennedy, and I would find it difficult to vote Conservative ever anyway, and nearly definitely not with Michael Howard as leader.
So, I'm not sure really, but I would probably just vote Labour, though I would not be completely happy about it.
Oh, and Bremner, Bird and Fortune are really great and very funny! :)

I'm hoping for some sort of situation whereby the only way either of the major parties can get a mojority is by forming a coalition with the lib-dems.

ARGH! Why do i have to miss B,B&F!!! I'm stuck in another country and without a television too! oh well....

Anywho, as I am going to be a postal voter ( :D ), I'm going to be voting Lib Dem, mainly as I can't say I would vote Tory *shudders* and New Labour are introducing Top Up Fees...as well as the whole Iraq 'Intelligence' debacle (45mins my arse :mad: )...

Everyone knows the Tories are bad, But I have seen little to say why.

Reasons please. (I really enjoy your eloquence)

Everyone knows the Tories are bad, But I have seen little to say why.

Reasons please. (I really enjoy your eloquence)
They are evil and must die. Their advertising says "How hard is it to keep a hospital clean?" Well probably quite hard, and it was tgem that made hospital cleaning less funded. Labour have become like tories in many ways. Both want war. I shall vote for lib dems when i'm old enough, or another independent party (but not UKIP)

they should damn well wait til after November 21st!

I may well still be able to vote twice so if you want I could cast your vote by proxy.

I may well still be able to vote twice so if you want I could cast your vote by proxy.
you can vote twice?

you can vote twice?

Yeah due to me moving about the country and not filling out the relavent paperwork I'm registered twice in two different regions... :D

Yeah due to me moving about the country and not filling out the relavent paperwork I'm registered twice in two different regions... :D
cool, well you can cast a vote for the Lib Dems for me if you want

cool, well you can cast a vote for the Lib Dems for me if you want

Your wish is my command, I was going to vote lib-dem anyway...

They are evil and must die. Their advertising says "How hard is it to keep a hospital clean?" Well probably quite hard, and it was tgem that made hospital cleaning less funded. Labour have become like tories in many ways. Both want war. I shall vote for lib dems when i'm old enough, or another independent party (but not UKIP)

But the tories went out 8 years ago, how much longer can we blame them for all the problems?
Economic changes take around 18 month (i think) to take full effect.
Surely 2 terms is enough to stop pointing at the previous government.

Everyone knows the Tories are bad, But I have seen little to say why.

Reasons please. (I really enjoy your eloquence)

Firstly, coming from a working class background, the way they delt with the miners and other incidents appaled me. They privitised the railways and look where that got us, worse rather than better. Thing is Labour is just carrying it on, so no votes for either of them from me.

While I dont kid myself into thinking my vote will count, nor that we have a proper democracy under the current system I'd got for the Lib Dems, I've been delivering their leaflets around my village for years and they have sound polcies on all the issues that I care about. Just hope the election is after 26/9 so I can vote =)

Well, I'm not old enough to vote anyway, so this is all moot; but...

I would NOT vote for the Tories. I am morally opposed to them.
Labour? Lost my trust over the Iraq war. Plus, thanks to them turning into "New Labour", their original principles have become diluted. Socialist? I think not...
As for the Lib Dems... They are the party I am most inclined to support. I agree more with them generally when it comes to their viewpoints, and they were the only one of the three parties who DIDN'T support the Iraq war. But! Recently, when everyone was voting on the new Anti-Terrorism bill, the Lib Dems were pushing for all the new amendments to it. Then, when the time came to vote, THEY DIDN'T SHOW UP! Or most of them didn't--certainly not Charles Kennedy. They would have won if they had--it would have been enough to make a majority. Their first chance to win on a major vote and they blew it by being defeatist losers!
I'd probably still vote for them, though, since I have NO respect for the other parties.
And UKIP is not even in the running. They're one-issue. And their party-political broadcasts about the EU constitution got up my nose.
"That's E-useless!" "That's E-useless!" OH SHUT UP!

Sorry, getting over emotional.

And Bremner, Bird and Fortune are teh funniez. (Excuse the 1337-speak.) But I still love Dead Ringers.

Just hope the election is after 26/9 so I can vote =)

I got a letter the other day congratulating me on being eligible to vote in this years election. This is odd since I'm not till September. But I ain't gonna argue! :D

It'll be on 050505 - And Labour will win, unfortunatley

But Bremner, Bird and Fortune don't have a Tory bias :P, they're Labour voters, they just rip it out of everyone!

It'll be on 050505 - And Labour will win, unfortunatley

My dad thinks that Labour will win, but the Lib Dems will have the majority of seats; thus forcing an alliance.

What do you guys think? Is it possible?

(Or am I out of line here for being off topic?)

EDIT: And Bremner, Bird and Fortune were making fun of Michael Howard just last night.

We weren't blaming the economy on the tories, as that's doing fine as it is (Tories would say that's due to their erosion of the power of the Unions and other reforms that gave businesses more power, Labour say it's due to their administration.)

However, the problems in society are due to the cuts in funding brought in by Thatcher. It's likely the MRSA virus was already endemic in NHS hospitals when Labour took over in 1997, as they privatised the cleaning contracts, pushing prices down but also greatly reducing quality and care. Same with education, as the over-crowded classrooms and lower standard of education is probably due to the cuts in pensions and wages, leading to fewer talented people choosing teaching. Of more recent concern is the privatisation of school food, brought about by the Tories, leading to a much poorer diet for school-children, and it has been suggested that a diet full of E-numbers can lead to a weaker concentration span and hyperactivity. Another great institution destroyed by Tory privatisation was the public transport system, mainly Rail. I don't think I really need to go into detail about that, considering the many crashes and terribly poor service that is now part of the Rail Service.

You may ask why Labour haven't done anything to turn back the clock and renationalise. This partly due to the ease of maintaining a strong economy (by the current definition) under such conditions, and also due tot he shift in core Labour belief as "New Labour".

Please God, let's have a Hung Parliament. Then the fun will really begin. Won't happen though.

I'll either go Lib Dem or independent, but my vote won't make the blindest bit of difference.

my vote won't make the blindest bit of difference.

What if everyone thought that way? ;)

I'm missing out on the vote by 5 days, unfortunately. I'm hoping for a reduced Labour majority, as then hopefully they won't be able to get much more legislation repealing human rights through.

My mum's going to stand in Pembroke as a candidate for the Green Party, and I'm probably going to the count on election night, which should be amusing.

Going to vote Labour *ducks awaiting things to be thrown*
They've done a good job as far as the economy is, as well as introducing the minimum wage, something the Tories were against.
The Lib-Dems need time as the opposition and until then they just don't really have the credibility of top flight politics.
Will never vote Conservative unless there is a massive shift in most of their policies (Labour aren't as right wing as people seem to think, they're just more central then they were), though I know the Tories'll get in in our constituency.

Going to vote Labour *ducks awaiting things to be thrown*
They've done a good job as far as the economy is, as well as introducing the minimum wage, something the Tories were against.
The Lib-Dems need time as the opposition and until then they just don't really have the credibility of top flight politics.
Will never vote Conservative unless there is a massive shift in most of their policies (Labour aren't as right wing as people seem to think, they're just more central then they were), though I know the Tories'll get in in our constituency.

I'm voting Lib dem. Labour don't really have a chance in my constituancy, anyway.

I'm expecting to see Labour win with a reduced majority. I'd really like to see a Lib dem win, but it's not gonna happen. What'd make me really sick is if the Tories got in though.

I think that for the Tories to actually represent some kind of opposition, they need to develop some policies that Labour can't nab and then implement. I reckon Libertarianism is the best way to go...

they should damn well wait til after November 21st!
Funny old world - that's the date of my birthday as well :)

Apparently the tories want to repeal the Human Rights act so they can bully travellers, so their ideology on human rights can't be totally brilliant either...

With that in mind, i'd get my parents to vote Lib Dem or Green (ill have to wait a couple of years), since they floccinaucinihilipilificated their vote (great word :p ) and there probably won't be any Socialist Party candidates in our Tory stronghold area, even Labour cant get in here!

Blair will get a third term, but with a reduced majority 'cause Howard will get the grey vote and other voters will go Green or Lib Dem. Or UKIP like my grandma...

four people posted while i was typing...i must be slow :eek:

Apparently the tories want to repeal the Human Rights act so they can bully travellers, so their ideology on human rights can't be totally brilliant either...

Oh, that annoyed me SO much when I heard that. Way to jump on the crappy popularist bandwagon. How about having a policy which actuallly addresses the problem, eh?

The thing that annoyed me most about the Tories was when they tried to play the religion card recently.

The thing that annoyed me most about the Tories was when they tried to play the religion card recently.

Yeah. They practically throw themselves at any idea they think might win them a vote or two, without actually thinking it through. And look at their immigration policies... Michael Howard then plays the "I am the child of immigrants therefore I can't POSSIBLY be racist" card... it just seems like they're using any and all means to try to get votes. Labour are better, but still not great.

I don't like the Conservatives, can you tell? :p

OK, Tories advocate here.
So far the reason not to vote blue is Margaret Thatcher (ousted 10+ years ago).
Hospital and transport Privatisation, not put right in 8 years of Government.
Now I think If I had 8 years in power I would have addressed these issues.

Re the school dinners thing, I agree things are bad now, But with all the extra spending in education something should have been done. Even Margaret Hodge (lobour MP) said on TV this morning that the schools should have enough money by now to fix the food.

So is it really that people wont vote for the Tories as the once had MT as the PM? if so don't you think you shuld be judging them more on whats happening now?

Oh yes, re the good economy, look at other economic figures from the governments own, they tend to point to the world figures as a part of the reason that the economy is still growing, also the only reason that were not horribly in the red is the taxes from oil and stamp duty.

If voting changed anything it would be make illegal

So is it really that people wont vote for the Tories as the once had MT as the PM? if so don't you think you shuld be judging them more on whats happening now?

Well, their current policies mostly suck also.

Yeah. They practically throw themselves at any idea they think might win them a vote or two, without actually thinking it through. And look at their immigration policies... Michael Howard then plays the "I am the child of immigrants therefore I can't POSSIBLY be racist" card... it just seems like they're using any and all means to try to get votes. Labour are better, but still not great.

I don't like the Conservatives, can you tell? :p

For some reason the above reminded me of this (http://www.private-eye.co.uk/cartoons/1128_16.jpg)

There really is no point in voting, especially where I live. I'll probably vore Lib Dem in the vain hope they will help act against the illiberal legitslation Labour are (planning on) bringing in.

Still, I have little faith in them, or any other party. We're all screwed no matter who gets in :(

If voting changed anything it would be make illegal

Emma Goldman++

Still, I have little faith in them, or any other party. We're all screwed no matter who gets in :(

Yup. But the level of screwedness does vary between parties. A Conservative government might possibly be leave-the-country screwey (although I still have two more years of degree to do first, so if they did get in I might as well hang around in the hope of them losing in 2009).

But then again, a Conservative goverment would probably just break all its election promises anyway (which'd be a GOOD thing, looking at what they're promising) and it might not be THAT bad, just like the current government with a crappier economy and more cuts. I would say worse international relations too, but I'm not sure they can get any worse without someone doing something really drastic.

[QUOTE=New Burmesia]Apparently the tories want to repeal the Human Rights act so they can bully travellers, so their ideology on human rights can't be totally brilliant either...QUOTE]

not so they just want travellers to apply for planning permision like every one else and 2/3 af them do this any way its the other third the tories want to stop building on land at will without planning permision

btw im wouldnt vote for any of the parties coz most of the top flight polititians are lying scum however i wouldnt want to not use my vote so i'd go for an independant or possibly the greens as their not really big enough to interest the buisness tycoons wo run the country anyway

I would say that unless something desastrous happened to the Labour campaign before the deadline there will be a may election. I'm 17 this year (so close) so while I can't impliment my opinions yet I still want to express them

NEVER EVER gonna vote any of the three main parties in their current incarnations:
Tories; scum, not just in the past (damn Thatcher to Hll) but still malicious fits; Howard talks about the Travellers setting up on land without planning permission, but it is a direct consequence of his stint as Home Secretary. And his attempt to win votes the Bush way by utilising religion to fight a campaign is disgraceful.
Labour; backstabbing dogs, top up fees, foundation hosiptals, the terrorism bill, and lying to everyone over Iraq (which they are now desperatly trying to sweep under the carpet). Their present attempts to win votes, fox hunting (support the theory but if they cant enfore it why bother wasting the manpower) and jumping on the Jamie Oliver/school dinners bandwagon is nearly as bad as Howard's attempt at riding a wave of religious ideas into power. Their only redeeming feature is Gordon Brown and his beautiful economy, just another four years then we get a proper socalist Labour party.
Lib Dem: before the terrorism bill I would have probably voted for them, despite their wishy washy policies, even if it was just to make them the opposition or reduce Labour's majority (which would mean that Blair would need the Brownites, which could push Labour back left). But when the leader of the party and many of his MPs don't turn up on the day that they can swing the day against the government on one of the most important acts of the last four years :headbang: you struggle to believe that they could be effective even as an opposition (thank God for the Lords, I have a new respect for that group).

Thus I am left with one of the smaller parties, namely Green, BNP, UKIP or Respect. Well George Gallaway id too much of a one trick Pony for my liking, I will NEVER vote for the racist and xenophobes of the BNP :sniper: or UKIP :mp5: , so Green it is.

[QUOTE=New Burmesia]Apparently the tories want to repeal the Human Rights act so they can bully travellers, so their ideology on human rights can't be totally brilliant either...QUOTE]

not so they just want travellers to apply for planning permision like every one else and 2/3 af them do this any way its the other third the tories want to stop building on land at will without planning permision

From Howard's speech earlier today (21/3/05) on Travellers (first bit is from memory, italics is a direct quote)
'Why should there be one law for the travellers and one for the rest? That is why the Conservative party will be reviewing the Human rights act. And if it cannot be improved it will be scrapped.' :eek:

BTW, I not Michael Howard's or the Tories (which means scottish cattle thief I believe, or was that the Whips, its that or an irish thug i tink, either way its not nice. Fitting however) biggest fan.

lemme see...

Labour: Have no credibility whatsoever. Their changing 'motives' on why to invade Iraq demonstrates that very well. Also, I despise them because they use fear and emotional blackmail to kick the electorate into line, with their constant yabbering about terrorism and how they need to take away civil liberties to keep us safe. And their rhetoric disgusts me - we seem to be at WAR with everything, a WAR on terror, a WAR on obesity, a WAR on infectious disease. We don't have problems, we have ENEMIES, and VICTORIES instead of solutions. They had one good idea about freeing interest rate control from govt influence, hence the continuation of our economic growth. But we've fallen from around the 5th most economically competative country to around 14th - it doesn't bode well for long term investment...

Tories: No ****ing way. Their moral consevatism repulses me. Their crap on travellers and abortion just demonstrates they'll happily drink from the well of bigotry to leech a couple of votes. They're also inherently eurosceptic, so blech. And anybody who wants to cut the human rights act should be hit in the face. Hard.

UKIP: single issue nutters and knapman runs the thing like his own personal fiefdom.

Veritas: Heard the theme tune? 'Nuff said.

Operation Christian Vote/Christian Democrats/Pro Life Party etc: religion + politics = arrrrrrrrrrrrg

BNP: Well at least I know who to vote for if I want to destroy our economy and deport anybody who'se less than 80% white :headbang:

National Front: I'd rather not get investigated by MI5 thanks...

Respect: Not mine, mate. Just a rebranded SWP headed by a pillock. Fine, the war in Iraq was a bad thing, but my real beef with it is how much of a muppet Blair was over how he lead us to war and either way it's not reason enough for me to vote for a socialist party. Our economy is doing quite well as it is and I see no reason to ditch our current flavour of capitalism.

Green Party: No scientific credibility WHATSOEVER. Just look at their nuclear policy. If you want an objective views on nuclear energy ask a nuclear physicist who will know what they're talking about, not some bearded hippie wearing a robe and smoking dope. They also have some really radical elements which are worrying (it's what tore the party apart after their '89 election success, a bit like UKIP actually...). Also their space 'policy' is diabolical. We've explored precisely naff all percent of the universe and what do they want to focus on cleaning up space junk! Honestly, the crap up in orbit is of no threat to our environment and is just a waste of money. In fact, the amount of assorted gasses you'd spew into the atmosphere by burning the chemical rockets to get some sort of probe up their to grab the trash and bring it back into to earth for disposal or to kick it out of our orbit would be infinately more damaging. They just don't think things through and go with kneejerk reactions for everything. The bottom line is that the Greens may seem appealing to a disillusioned voter but their scientific integrity is 0. A decent green party has to be well informed about the science behind the environmental issues - these people aren't, not by a long shot.

Liberal Democrats: Well, this is the party I would vote for. They're europhiles, They strongly believe in the preservation of civil liberties and the elimination of discrimination. And thankfully they've finally rolled out some policies in line with their economically Liberal principles - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4368075.stm. And they're being frightfully honest about how they'd pay for their proposals - raise taxes! Whilst I don't particularly like the prospect of higher taxes at least they're not trying to scrounge something for nothing and ending up with a mess (*cough*tories*cough*) or by just avoiding the subject and trying to hide the fact that every party will need more revenue to pay for their plans, like Labour. I know the terrorism bill vote was an immense cock-up, but in their defence everybody thought it'd get passed by a pretty big majority, there's no point holding a three-line whip if you don't think it would make any difference as it just pisses of the MPs (still, they should have, obviously, but they didn't have the benefit of hindsight).

So vote Lib Dem - good sense socially, good sense economically. Shame about the leader though :( (still, there's always Simon Hughes)


Don't think I've left anything out, at least any parties that could be standing where I live...

looking through the posts here most seem to be coming from 17 year olds who hate Maggie.
I lived through that time and, at the time at least, what she did was nessersary.
The country was brought to it's knees by the unions, if gdp went up by 3% they wanted pay to rise by 6%, just not possible.

Another point here is the Poll Tax, the idea was it was means tested and everyone would pay something, this was due to replace the council tax, which is based on the size house you have, OK until you realise that OAPs who have lived in one house thier whole lives are the ones paying most, (See the recent spate of OAPs going to jail for non payment, or being forced to move out and dieing shortly after). What is a fair replacement?

looking through the posts here most seem to be coming from 17 year olds who hate Maggie.
I lived through that time and, at the time at least, what she did was nessersary.

Actually, I'm 19 ( :D ) and I dislike the Conservative Party in it's current state. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't have valid opinions on the way our country should be run.

BTW, I not Michael Howard's or the Tories (which means scottish cattle thief I believe, or was that the Whips, its that or an irish thug i tink, either way its not nice. Fitting however) biggest fan.

You're on the right track...

Tories was the old name for a scottish cattle thief, and Whigs (the old liberal party, pre-1910) was the old name for an Irish horse thief. Ah the wonders of a-level british history! :D

I think I'll probably vote for RESPECT in the elections. I dislike the three main parties because they all seem pretty much the same to me, give or take a few policies. There is not enough difference between the main parties to offer a real choice to voters in this country.

I'll admit I am a Socialist, and I'm aware that my views are probably quite out of step with many people in this country. I also know that voting for a smaller party isn't going to do much but I've decided I'd rather stay true to my beliefs than use my vote tactically.

Still not totally sure if RESPECT is the best party for me, so I'll research it, and the other smaller parties, a lot more before the election ;) .

If I had to vote for one of the main parties it would probably be the Lib Dems, voted for them in the Council elections (we only had the three main parties on offer grr).

This election should be interesting. I think people are waking up to the fact that the two largest parties are pretty much the same and there isn't a real choice on offer. Whatever your political persuasion surely people agree that it was better when the choice was old Labour and Conservatives. At least then there were much clearer ideological differences between the two main parties.

I think the outcome for the general election will be a New Labour victory with a smaller majority than previously. The Tories will lose quite a few seats too, and the Lib Dems will probably gain most of the seats the Tories lose. Don't think they will become the second largest party in Parliament, but I don't think they will be far off. There may even be a few more smaller parties gaining a seat such as UKIP, the Greens or (god forbid) the BNP.

Actually, I'm 19 ( :D ) and I dislike the Conservative Party in it's current state. Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't have valid opinions on the way our country should be run.

I by no means meant to suggest that your opinions on current politics was invalid. Just that many people seem to have forgotten that Margret Thatcher was PM for so long because she was good (apart from the last couple of years).

The Conservative Party then degenerated into a party that did stuff for cash, and slept around, sporting children from people who were married to others.

The current Labour party has already reached the same point but it now seems to be completely acceptable, while the memory of the Conservative sleaze remains.

FYI I really don't like the current choices.
Conservatives, they have the appearance of a party that would do anything for votes.
Labour, They believe they are right, and I am sure they see elections as a nusance, in the same way that they did question time.
Liberals, This is thier big chance but they just arent making any noise, they seem to be unready to step in
Others, fringe and generally one topic parties.