BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 11:43 AM

I did have to walk a mile to my polling station. When I got there I had to request a seat while I read through the 11 names on the ballot paper.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 11:48 AM

Mrs G got an email from our Conservative MP, Julian Smith, today. She has written to him about various topics so she will be on his mailing list. Talk about desperate. Not one single mention of any manifesto policies. Not one single positive thing to say about hos owm party. Just scare stories about how bad things will be if Labour get in. Is this what politics has become?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: DMcG
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 11:54 AM

I agree a walk is quite a way to walk for many people, but it is nothing much in a car, hence my 'assuming you can drive'.

Even so, we don't get queues to compare with some places in the US

Again, a quick web search suggests that on average each polling station deals with 1.300-ish voters. Allowing for some remote places with a lot fewer electors, one dealing with 4,000 must be fairly rare.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: DMcG
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 11:55 AM

I agree a MILE is quite a way to walk...

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 12:04 PM

The polling station used to be in a school half a mile away. In recent years they moved it to the Railway Club which is a mile away.

It was a pleasant day and I enjoyed the walk there and then back into town to spend a few hours in the pub.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: DMcG
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 12:12 PM

^^^ OPEN INVITATION ***

At the election before last, Steve and I spent a long time commentating on the overnight results as they came in. I am out this evening until maybe 11:30pm, and then expect to be up watching until maybe 4 or 5.

If anyone wants to chat, we can do it here, unless someone has a better recommendation for a chat system we should use instead. If so, put the names or links here.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 01:18 PM

On my morning walk this morning (~3 miles) I passed two polling stations. I voted almost two weeks ago by post.

We’ve received two communications from our long-time-sitting Tory MP and, like Dave’s experience, no word on Tory policies, just propaganda about how awful it would be under a Labour government, and how much we would have to pay in extra taxes. What a poile o’ shoite!

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 01:48 PM

Several states here, including my original home state, have voting by mail and that produces a high response. This state where I live now is run by a GOP governor who wants to discourage turnout so I have to write to the county registrar every year to request that all ballots be sent to me. Only those who meet certain criteria can vote by mail (over 65 being one.) But I write, I get the ballots, and I vote. The nearest polling place is about 6 blocks from my house. There used to be a lot more, the reduction is again the result of the GOP constriction on voting ease.

Good luck getting the results you want. Too bad too many people didn't take that Brexit vote seriously or it might not have passed. Lesson learned, eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 02:14 PM

Thanks Stilly. Nice to see interest from across the pond and spot on about the Brexit vote.

I'll stop up till after the exit polls but won't stay till silly o'clock. Even though my eldest lad is a candidate!

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 03:00 PM

Where are our resident Tories BTW? I am genuinely interested in what they have to say. Are there any positive selling points or is it all just "we are better than them"?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 03:26 PM

"Good luck getting the results you want. Too bad too many people didn't take that Brexit vote seriously or it might not have passed. Lesson learned, eh?"

72.21% of registered voters turned out to vote. That was a higher percentage than your last presidential election.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 05:13 PM

It's what they did with their votes. I read that quite a few people voted "for" as a lark - thinking it couldn't possibly pass. The equivalence to that nonsense is voting for third party candidates here. Anyone who votes for the Kennedy name (no one in the Kennedy family takes him seriously, they've known about his problems with blending truth and fiction much of his life) is throwing out a vote that can actually make a difference.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 04 Jul 24 - 08:35 PM

On my morning walk this morning (~3 miles) I passed two polling stations. I voted almost two weeks ago by post.

I realise that some people who have mobility problems, other commitments on the day, or may be away from home, would need a postal vote. As none of these seem to apply to you, BWM, I would be interested to know why you chose a postal vote over voting in person.

I quite like being part of the event on the day. I suppose it makes me feel a bit more involved. I have only had a postal vote once, for the Brexit referendum, but that was because I was away on holiday on the day.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:59 AM

Corbyn elected.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 02:08 AM

LABOUR LOOK LIKE APPROX 419 SEATS

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 02:46 AM

I dunno about BWM Doug but I went postal when they brought in the need for photo ID. I do have ID but disagreed with the principle.

Generally feeling good about the result. Apart from the loathsome Farage. The honourable member for the 18th century (Rees-Mogg) losing almost makes up for that.

Hopefully we can get some honest politics now, if not massive changes in how the country is run

My lad got nearly 1% of the vote as an independent and did what he intended :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 02:49 AM

Looking at the numbers of votes cast by party, it’s pretty clear that it’s less a case of Labour ‘winning’ the election, more a case of the Tories losing. The Tories have been committing a form of slow Hara-kiri since 2016 and, although some former Tory voters switched to Labour, they appear to have hæmorrhaged votes to the Lib-Dems and the loathsome Reform UK party,

Labour have done the easy part of the trick by achieving a majority. The difficult part remains to be performed over the next five, possibly ten, years - reversing the huge damage done over the past fourteen years to the UK, and to the ordinary man and woman in the street, by the Party of Greed and Selfishness.

IMHO, of course, and YMMV.

@DMcG - Mrs Backwoodsperson and I have had a postal vote for years now, we applied one year when we were on holiday at election time, and we’ve never seen a reason to revert to in-person voting - postal voting is so convenient. If on-line voting ever becomes a ‘thing’ (doubtful, I know) we’ll be amongst the first to register for it.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 03:23 AM

Labour have won the election.
The other factor, not mentioned by BWM that has affected labour, is the pro palestine candidates.Leicester south is an example

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 04:11 AM

No Tory presence at all in Wales now.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 04:21 AM

Kent Online

"Labour have taken the coastal constituency of Dover and Deal with a majority of over 7,000 votes.

Mike Tapp received 18,914 votes seeing off the Reform challenge in second with 11,355 while the Conservatives came in third with 10,370."

"Voter turnout has been confirmed as 63%, down from 66.4% at the last election in 2019."

"In Kent, Labour have won 11 seats, the Conservatives have kept hold of six and the Lib Dems have gained one.

It means the Tories have lost in 10 seats in the county they previously held - and even came third in Dover, with Reform finishing second.

At the 2019 general election, Conservative Natalie Elphicke was elected with a majority of more than 12,000.

However, Ms Elphicke shocked the political world by defecting to the Labour Party in May, just weeks before the election was called, despite being considered firmly on the right of the Tory party."

++

I guess my vote made all the difference.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 04:28 AM

Very sad, although not entirely surprised, that Reform UK have succeeded here in the Backwoods, getting the obnoxious Tice into first place in the Brexit Capital of Britain - Boston and Skegness. My friends in Boston are appalled.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 04:40 AM

From the BBC

"The BBC is predicting that turnout will be 60% across the UK as a whole. This will be the second lowest turnout ever in a UK election since 1885, with only 2001 being lower at 59%

Vote share

Labour has around 34% share of the vote across the UK and the Conservatives 24%.

While the Liberal Democrats are expected to have the third highest number of seats, it is Reform who are currently in third place by share of the vote.

However, Reform have found it difficult to convert votes into seats, and the party has only four MPs returned so far, including party leader Nigel Farage in Clacton."

++

The turnout is disappointing. No doubt some of that might be down to people thinking Labour were going to win anyway, so there was no need to vote. I just wish the turnout was higher. I don't think it is healthy for up to 40% of people not to bother voting.

Based on these results I don't think Labour will be thinking too much about changing the voting system.

Labour have the chance to make a difference to the country. It will not be easy. I always live in hope that things will get better.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: DMcG
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 04:55 AM

Just got up after watching until 5am.

Although I am pleased at the size of Labour's win, I think a comment by Nadhim Zahawi that the results are built on sand has a lot of wisdom. Come the next election, the anti-Conservative factor will be much reduced, and the voting will be based on what has been achieved. Inevitably, because of the finance restrictions and where we are starting from, it is going to be a long slog, and so Labour will also lose those who had unrealistic ideas of what could be chosen. Then, inevitable, as lot of them seats are on comparatively slim majorities.

Added to which we have a Conservative party that needs to sort out how it will respond to Reform, who will be gleeful at these results. Labour, meanwhile, will I hope realise that you cannot outbid Farage on immigration: cut it to a tenth of what is it and stop all the boats and Farage will still be beating the "Too many immigrants" drum. So somehow our other Labour needs to draw the teeth of the immigration issue and get it out of the conversation while at least Reform and possibly Conservatives will be trying to keep it prominent. Not to mention that Farage in his acceptance speech said he was coming for Labour.

I am very hopeful of what can be achieved over the next few months, and as I said the key will be people feeling progress is being made, but how both Labour and the Conservatives react to the size of the Reform vote will be critical.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 08:24 AM

There is a lot for them to do but Starmer, for all I have said, does seem efficient in achieving his goals. Too far to the right for my tastes but let us hope this does centre the political spectrum somewhat.

There has been a lot of talk about Reform taking a huge share of the vote but, in terms of seats, the LibDems have fared far better and the Greens have equalled Farage's neo-nazis. I think the Tories will now be in a quandry. Do they move further right and try to out xenophobe Reform or do they pull back to the centre and aim for the LibDem losses?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: DMcG
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 08:32 AM

I agree that what the Conservatives decide to to will be critical. The do need to remember that they cannot 'outFarage Farage.' If they decide to adopt his stance, I think even more will leak from them to Reform.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 09:08 AM

what about another referendum

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 10:32 AM

I see in my news this morning that Labor won "in a landslide" but with lower voter turnout. (So it would have been even bigger if more people voted, one hopes). What an elegant concession speech Sunak gave. We hope to return to a world of civil political behavior soon. (But wait - Farage was elected to Parliament - perhaps I write too soon. What a boor.)

The New York Times has been particularly busy raining on everyone's parade lately. An opinion piece this morning says Britain’s Election Is Not the Centrist Triumph It Appears to Be but tucked inside is this:

The Conservatives deserved the rebuke they got. They were in power for 14 years, with little to show for it other than a damaging exit from the European Union. After winning by a landslide in 2019, the party burned through three prime ministers, lurching from the feckless populism of Boris Johnson to the reckless 49-day libertarianism of Liz Truss to the uninspiring technocracy of Rishi Sunak.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 10:36 AM

Very, very unlikely indeed. So unlikely as to be not worth even considering the possibility for one nano-second. Starmer, and Labour, seem to want an end to the conflict and divisiveness we’ve been subjected to in our politics since 2015, why would they rake the Brex-Shit up now?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 10:37 AM

I guess you don't know too much about British politics.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 10:44 AM

Having lived here the past 77 years, I think I know as much as most, and possibly more than some.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 10:46 AM

My comment was in response to the post from SRS.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 11:04 AM

"what about another referendum"

About what?

The UK is not set up for referendums, as we all saw after the Brexit vote.

We vote for MPs. They do not have to follow any party line. They are not obliged to agree with any referendum. As voters we cannot do anything about it until the next election.

Parties do not controL MPs. Once elected they can do as they please.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 11:16 AM

about what? rentering Europe.
the uk is set up for referendums, There have been 3 since 1975.
Parties do control Their MPS they use people called Whips

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 11:30 AM

We can't get at the NYT article, Stilly. Can you post the gist for us please?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 11:42 AM

Question from Rain Dog on the US presidential thread

"Yesterday the people of the UK voted for moderation in politics."

Seriously?

We have ended up with a party that is too far right for your tastes because a lot of people have voted for a far from moderate party.

Yes, seriously. We have booted out the showboating and stupid antics of the Eton Mess caused by Cameron, Johnson and the rest over the overprivileged crew. My comment about too far right was referring to Starmer but the Labour party is still based on the left wing principles of caring for those in need. It is my hope that ot will remain left of centre with repesentation from both sides of the party keeping excesses from either side in check. Reform took votes from the Tories but I do not believe that is how Labour won. If Reform had not have been there, the votes still would have cast aganst the Tories - Just in a different direction.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 11:49 AM

”My comment was in response to the post from SRS”

Apologies RD, it appeared straight after mine, so I assumed (wrongly) you were replying to me.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 12:17 PM

"about what? rentering Europe.
the uk is set up for referendums, There have been 3 since 1975.
Parties do control Their MPS they use people called Whips"

I guess you don't know too much about UK politics.

Here in Dover & Deal we have just elected a Labour MP
When parliament next meets there is nothing to stop that MP deciding to join any other party. The whips have no control. They can only threaten a MP with stopping or hindering his advancement in the party. The MP is under no obligation to take any notice of the whips.

Meanwhile as voters we will have to wait until the next election to take action against the MP.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:08 PM

There is no reason why there should not be another referendum on rejoining Europe.
The role of whips has absolutely nothing to do with whether there should be another referendum on Europe.
I know as much as you do about UK politics,I lived in the uk from 1951 t0 1990
Anybody that states that the uk is not set up for referendums[is clearly ill informed when there have been 3 since.1975 two of them concerning respectively the common market and the second leaving Europe.
You may not like the result of the last referendum [neither do I], but they happen and can happen again, here is some info
The Government of the United Kingdom has also to date held ten major referendums within the constituent countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland on issues of devolution, sovereignty and independence; the first such referendum was the 1973 Northern Ireland border poll and, as of 2023, the most recent is the 2014 Scottish independence referendum.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:12 PM

I, for one, do not want rule by referendum. People are both ill informed and easily swayed when it comes to making decisions that affect all our lives. The last one was a prime example.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:12 PM

In reply to Dave the Gnome.

Here in Kent Labour gained 10 new MPs. I would say that it is unlikely they would have managed that without the Reform vote. Even here in Dover where Labour won with a majority of 7,000 (better than most of the other gains in Kent) it was still less than the combined Reform/Conservative vote.

The one standing Labour MP in Kent retained her seat. The sad fact is the Labour party probably wished that she lost.

Party politics, huh?

As I said earlier, I voted Labour.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:16 PM

Sandman you simply do not understand UK politics.

MPs are under no obligation to agree with a referendum result. That is what happened in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:19 PM

As I said, Rain Dog, I believe that without Reform, the Tory vote would have just gone to LibDem, Green or other. I don't think that would have impacted the Labour vote. But maybe you are right so we can just agree to differ! Thanks for a good natured disagreement anyway:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:28 PM

In reply to Sandman



Was the EU referendum advisory?

"In the end, the argument comes down to different visions for democracy in the United Kingdom. The conventional view is that ultimate political power lies with Parliament. The High Court came to its conclusion that the referendum was not legally binding guided by “basic constitutional principles of parliamentary sovereignty and representative parliamentary democracy”.

In a parliamentary democracy, as barrister Rupert Myers bluntly puts it, “the people are not sovereign”.

That’s why Nigel Farage, for example, accepts that the referendum result was technically advisory only, but says that “I would now wish to see constitutional change to make referendums binding”.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:34 PM

I do understand uk politics, a Referendum can take place, but why would lABOUR MPS with a MAJORITY and liberals mps who are pro European oppose a referendum on rejoining Europe, in practical terms you are talking bollocks

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Rain Dog
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 01:52 PM

It was not in the manifesto. Why do you think that was?

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 02:55 PM

Is a Referendum necessary for the government to begin negotiations for our re-admission to the EU? I can’t find anything to confirm that it would be.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 03:08 PM

I see even suggesting rejoining the EU as being too divisive at the moment. A better option would be to build closer ties and work toward a long term goal of eventually rejoining on the right terms.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 03:45 PM

I completely agree, Dave. And I think the new government will have more than enough on its plate trying to deal with the disaster-area the Tories have left. But, as the subject of Referendums had been brought up, I just wondered if one would be necessary. I don’t think so, but not sure.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 04:32 PM

Absolutely unnecessary. By voting for our MPs we explicitly give them the right to make major decisions about the running of the country. It is to be hoped that they will get the best expert advice to make these decisions but, sadly, that does not always happen. Still, I would trust the MP with access to all the facts over the bloke in the pub who read about it on Facebook any day.

Subject: RE: BS: Brexit & other UK political topics - 3
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 05 Jul 24 - 05:00 PM

Amen to that, Dave!