BS: Can the LibDems Win?

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,Allan
Date: 05 May 10 - 02:25 PM

"If the UK wants PR (surely it does?) then Lib Dem is the only way. Lab & Con are never going to go along with that because they know they have so much to lose!"

Labour had a huge majority at Westminster and yet they introduced PR as the voting system in the devolved Scottish Parliament despite the fact that it was obviously against their interests to do so. Without PR the Labour Party would probably have had a permanent majority at Holyrood whereas they've had coalitions with the Lib Dems and now are the opposition party to the SNP govt. They also introduced PR in Wales where they are now in coalition with Plaid. Surely it will most likely be Labour, albeit with the Lib Dems nagging in their ears, who will eventually introduce it at Westminster too?

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 May 10 - 02:54 PM

The only way PR could come would be if the Lid Dems held the balance between Labour and the Tories, dug their heels in, and got one of those parties to offer it in exchange for support.

More likely is a reform involving the Alternative Vote. That could come about even if the Tories formed a minority government, since in a hung parliament there would be a majority likely to support that, who could outvote the Tories and set up a referendum to bring it in.

And quite conceivably the Tories could offer this in exchange for L9b Dem support. After all they could still campaign for a No vote in such a referendum.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Lox
Date: 05 May 10 - 03:48 PM

Well they've got a better chance than this lot ...

Poor poor knickers ...

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: DougR
Date: 05 May 10 - 07:47 PM

I hope the Conservatives win, and it looks like they may have a shot.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Dave MacKenzie
Date: 05 May 10 - 07:49 PM

In one way I hope the Conservatives win - from the way Cameron's been talking it'll mean the complete break up of the United Kingdom.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,The Smiler
Date: 06 May 10 - 02:54 AM

Thats good Dave. We can then stop subsidising you lot.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,Allan
Date: 06 May 10 - 04:19 AM

"More likely is a reform involving the Alternative Vote. That could come about even if the Tories formed a minority government, since in a hung parliament there would be a majority likely to support that, who could outvote the Tories and set up a referendum to bring it in."

I don't think that would really happen. The vast majority of bills are generally introduced by government ministers and in a Tory minority administration (bar possibly an Ulster Unionist) all the ministers would be Tories. The Tories point blank refuse electoral reform. Opposition members have an opportunity to propose Private Members Bills but in reality in the past only uncontroversial legislation ever proceeds to bill stage - though it can cause a caffufle right enough so can directly effect govt thinking. The problem for the opposition is that Labour propose the Alternative Vote system in their manifesto whereas the Lib Dems totally disagree and support the Single Transferable Vote system. So if a Lib Dem backbencher managed to introduce a private members bill it is unlikely they would get full Labour backing and vice-versa. I think the only way it would come about in the next session (unless there is a complete Tory u-turn) is if we have a Labour-Lib Dem coalition where the method of voting to be proposed is hammered out and agreed on right at the start of party negotiations. A Labour leader may be much more co-operative with the Lib Dems if the keys to No 10 are on offer - whereas as members of the opposition they might be far less liekly to vote for Xmas

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 06 May 10 - 07:04 AM

Whoever wins will need to do something about the utter peabrains at both Companies House and HM Revenue & Customs.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 06 May 10 - 01:42 PM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/first_time_voter/8518247.stm

I know that a lot of thick people will be voting, but this really takes the biscuit!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,The Smiler
Date: 06 May 10 - 03:41 PM

Bonzo
Some people have never voted before, so it helps to explain what to do.

Its Ok for me having voted for 46 years.

However in fairness, I explained to my daughter who is 18, what to do, as it was her first time.

I also spent time helping her to know the difference between the different parties and what they stood for.

I also explained that she was not voting for the prime minister and that she should be voting for the person who will serve our area best.

I gave her info on each candiddate and then explained that it was her decision who she voted for.

She took it all seriously and enjoyed her first time voting.

I asked her who she voted for and the bugger wouldn't tell me :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 May 10 - 04:06 PM

"I hope the Conservatives win."

You sure, Doug? Here's what David Cameron had to say about health care, in the first of our TV debates. Way to the left of anything you'd get from Obama or the people I think you'd call "far left":

"I think the NHS is a wonderful, wonderful thing. What it did for my
family and for my son, I will never forget. I went from hospital to
hospital, A&Es in the middle of the night, sleeping in different wards
in different places. The dedication, and the vocation and the love
you get from people who work in the NHS just, I think, makes me
incredibly proud of this country, so thank you for all that you've
done.

"I think it is special, the NHS, and we made a special
exception of the NHS and said yes, there are going to have to be
difficult financial decisions elsewhere, but we think that the NHS
budget should grow in real terms, i.e., more than inflation, every
year under a Conservative government. My vision is that we
improve it, we expand it, we develop it, we make sure that it's got
more choice and more control for the patient."

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Lox
Date: 06 May 10 - 05:27 PM

Well it looks like the Libs are the damp squibs ...

... How sad - i had hoped it might be their year.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,The Smiler
Date: 06 May 10 - 05:58 PM

Tories predicted to be just short of a majority. How the f*** do they know that at 22:53 Uk time?

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Lox
Date: 06 May 10 - 06:04 PM

exit polls

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 May 10 - 06:09 PM

I'm sorry, Yookies. Put yer money under the mattress.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,The Smiler
Date: 06 May 10 - 06:14 PM

I am not a yookie Sorcha :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 May 10 - 06:40 PM

Are too! UK-er as opposed to US-er. Therefore a 'Yookie'

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: DougR
Date: 06 May 10 - 07:39 PM

Well, McGrath, somebody is going to win. I doubt Labor's attitude toward NHS is more conservative than the other two parties running.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 02:32 AM

We will celebrate the loss of so many labour seats!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 05:13 AM

A useless prime minister indeed who has lost so many seats.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bugsy
Date: 07 May 10 - 05:37 AM

One bright light there though, no BNP!!!!


Cheers

bugsy

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 05:46 AM

Absolutely!

Brown is "an unelected prime minister" who has been voted out of office and must go.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Stu
Date: 07 May 10 - 05:48 AM

Good news that the Green Party have their first MP too.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,MikeL2
Date: 07 May 10 - 06:07 AM

Hi

The answer to the original question posed is obviously no !!!!!

There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.....then comes the negotiating !!!

IMHO Clegg will go with Tories .....what it will cost them and us...who knows ??

Bad day for the Country.

The real downer is that in this age of financial debt we look like another election is on the cards very soon.

Does anyone know just how much this will cost an already bankrupt Country ??

cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 May 10 - 06:07 AM

"Brown is "an unelected prime minister" who has been voted out of office and must go. "

By the same token, if Spawn of She-Devil Cameron took office, he too would be an unelected Prime Minister as he does not have a decisive mandate to do so. Sauce for the goose, Boko!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Lox
Date: 07 May 10 - 06:07 AM

Yes Jack.

That is the big news.

Well done Brighton for having the guts to ignore the 2 party tactical blackmail lie.

And Well Done Caroline Lucas.

At the next election, when we have PR, her party will win more seats as will the lib dems.

There might be a BNP candidate or 2 who scrapes in but society will be represented.

Oh yes - and the big parties will have to grow up and learn to cooperate.

All this idea that a Hung Parliament is a nightmare is only true in a first past the post system where the government can be undermined by the threat of a no confidence motion followed by another first past the post election.

Under PR, the main parties would have to stop behaving like spoiled children fighting over a toy.

Bonzo3legs - why are you wearing a blue suit? In all likelihood the tories will be in opposition for another 5 years after which PR will ensure that they never have an absolute majority ever again.

Your dream is over.

But you carry on gloating if you like.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 May 10 - 06:11 AM

The fact is, Lox, that although BonzoBoko claims to be an accountant, he can't add up - wouldn't like to be one of his clients!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:02 AM

89 labour seats lost.........blue suit..........celebration!!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:14 AM

What's to celebrate, the fact that PR is as far away as ever?

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:19 AM

PR is not on my agenda, can you comprehensive/secondary modern people not unot understand English - I celebrate the labour loss of 89 seats or whatever it is now,

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Lox
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:41 AM

it seems that Bonzo does "not unot understand English" as well as he thinks he does ...

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:45 AM

That's a good typo - I must use that again!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:50 AM

Everyone ready for the next election?

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:54 AM

"comprehensive/secondary modern people not unot understand English "

You snotty bastard - I assume you went to some minor public school where you were beaten, bullied and buggered into having that brain-dead lickspittle attitude.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 May 10 - 07:56 AM

...and this from someone who lives in Croydon - UGH!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 07 May 10 - 08:18 AM

"Brown is "an unelected prime minister" who has been voted out of office and must go."

Why don't you dopes get it - there's no such thing as an elected Prime Minister, our electoral process doesn't include a space on the ballot paper where you can vote for the Prime Minister.

Gordon Brown was electd as an MP by his consituency, and elected as Leader by the Labour Party under their established election process. He was as 'elected' a Prime Minister as any other.

And before you crow, Bonzo-Half-A-Brain, face facts - this is a disaster for the Tories. With the events of the past two years they should have won the election with a huge majority. As it is, they'll struggle to form a government because a lot of people realised that Cameron's just a Pretty-Boy-Soundbite-Collector, with no recognisable or credible policies, who relies on people who enjoy taking it up the arse from the Toffs to vote for his appalling party.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 May 10 - 08:37 AM

LOL!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Lox
Date: 07 May 10 - 09:10 AM

In fact I can't help but wonder how Labour might have done with someone like Milliband as their leader.

Gordon was caught calling a woman a bigot and then didn't have the balls to stand by his comment ... not to mention public perception of him before the campaign started ...

... And the tories still didn't get an absolute majority?

Shame!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 May 10 - 09:54 AM

I am not at all convinced that Brown was not put in place simply to make Blair look good after he lost face over Iraq. I am sure there were better political choices than Mr Bean! STill, all over now bar the shouting. Don't think he will last long as leader.

DeG

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 09:54 AM

I laugh at the typical labour ranting and raving - bad losers!!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 May 10 - 09:59 AM

If Clegg takes it up the arse from "Dave" (well, he should be used to it, having gone to Westminster) it will be the end of the LDs

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:02 AM

Just bite the pillow, Nick.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:03 AM

Didn't another Lib leader do that Richard?

:D

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:08 AM

I've lost track of who is winding up whom here!!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Lox
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:14 AM

Richard - Brown has responded by offering unconditional electoral reform effective immediately if he gets into government.

Cameron has offered an enquiry into electoral reform.

The Libs have a very clear policy preference.

Don't Panic.

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: theleveller
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:27 AM

"I laugh at the typical labour ranting and raving - bad losers!!"

You seem to be the only person who thinks they know who's won. One thing is for certain - it isn't the Tories.

Seems to me that, after 40 million or so people have voted (or whetever it was)it comes down to the casting vote of one man.

Democracy in action?

(BTW, boko, whatever makes you think that I voted Labour?)

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:35 AM

BTW - In answer to the thread question. I think they are probably the only ones who might have!

DeG

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:37 AM

Consider how many seats PR would give to the BNP - just think on that nightmare and waste of government time!!

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:39 AM

Bend over and brace yourself, Bozo - Dave and his cohorts have got plans for you and the rest of the Mucky Toffs. Hope you've got a big jar of Vaseline! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Can the LibDems Win?
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 07 May 10 - 10:44 AM

David el Gnomo - are we talking about Jeremy Thorpe?