BS: Election Day, who's going?

Subject: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:07 AM

Good luck to my friends in the UK.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:16 AM

good luck to, joe stead who is standing in calder valley , he represents world peace through song.Joe Stead, who is known as The Singing Politician, playing the banjo at his home in Sowerby Bridge

23 April 2015
Song, laughter and free train travel are the promises offered by one candidate to voters in Calder Valley next month.
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Joe Stead, known as The Singing Politician, is standing in the West Yorkshire constituency for his own party - World Peace Through Song.

A professional folk singer and former "blinkered" Labour supporter, Mr Stead formed his own party after becoming disillusioned with mainstream politics and believes in the "huge power" of song as an alternative to war.

Mr Stead, 73, from Sowerby Bridge, said: "I was what you call a blinkered Labour voter until 2003 when Mr Blair decided it was a good idea to attack Iraq and open up the Pandora's box that we have now.

"And all the problems we now have stem from there - I actually do believe that Mr Blair should be tried as a war criminal - and I said I would never, ever, ever vote Labour again. And I haven't."

After a few years voting for the Liberal Democrats, Mr Stead realised he did not want to vote for any of the mainstream parties on May 7.

"In October I thought 'Who am I going to vote for in May?'," he said. "I might as well vote for myself. So I started my own party, World Peace Through Song."

Mr Stead, who accompanies his singing on a banjo bought by his grandfather just after the First World War, has a manifesto which includes nationalising the railways; free train travel for all voters; saving Halifax Accident & Emergency unit from closure; protecting dairy farmers; and stopping fracking.

His election songs include My Rainbow Race, which was written by American folk singer and activist Pete Seeger in the 1960s.

Mr Stead said: "Song has a huge power. There's great power in song. When people ask me how's this going to change things, I say to them 'Well, how are you going to stop the war by killing people who want to die?'"

He added: "We've got to talk to people. There is no point fighting people because it just brings up more and more and more problems."

Mr Stead said he has had a great response from the electorate in Calder Valley - a constituency with around 52,000 voters.

"I've had great fun. Well, I've got nothing to lose. I've had them laughing right from the start, I've had people laughing from the word go because that's something I can do, I can make people laugh," he said.

"So many people I have met on the road, talking to people on doorsteps, (they say) 'Do you know, Joe, I might just vote for you because I'm fed up with voting for parties who don't fulfil what they promise to actually do'."

The current MP, Conservative Craig Whittaker, beat Labour candidate and Cherie Blair's stepmother Steph Booth in the 2010 election to win the seat with a majority of 6,431 votes.

Mr Stead said he does not think he has an "earthly chance" of being elected but urged people to use their vote.

He said: "The answer is to vote for me, World Peace Through Song. On May 7, vote for Joe.

"Or if you don't vote for Joe, go out and vote. That's the most important thing.

"You have no right to criticise if you have not voted. On May 8, you have no right to argue about anything if you have not put your cross on there, or at least gone out and spoiled the paper.

"It's most important for people of Calderdale, and the whole country come to think of it, to vote."

:: There are seven candidates standing in Calder Valley: Alisdair Calder McGregor (Liberal Democrats); Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour); Paul Rogan (Ukip); Jenny Shepherd (Green); Joe Stead (World Peace Through Song); Rod Sutcliffe (A Voice For The Region); and Craig Whittaker (Conservative

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:39 AM

Is the old bugger still claiming he wrote some of Jake Thackrey 's songs?

He'd make a good politician then.




If he ever managed to get that banjo tuned up....

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Rapparee
Date: 07 May 15 - 09:39 AM

I tried to vote, but was turned down on a technicality. Something about having to live in the UK....

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 07 May 15 - 10:28 AM

Same here, Rap. They said something about this "not being mudcat where anyone gets to chime in . . ."

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 May 15 - 10:30 AM

Election day? What election day? No-one told me...

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 10:42 AM

We were going to tell you afterwards Dave. The Gnome Liberation Party is fielding candidates and we couldn't risk them getting votes.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 07 May 15 - 10:45 AM

I'll have you know it is the Gnome Democratic Party. Reported on a lot in the news, particularly when the GDP is up or down...

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 15 - 11:02 AM

[probably an old joke - but what the hell....]

So would the tories have needed to wheel out their core voters early this morning
as soon as the polls opened;
because there's no knowing how many would still be breathing later in the day...???😜


me and the mrs will vote about 8ish after she gets home from Zumba...

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Spleen Cringe
Date: 07 May 15 - 11:31 AM

Off to vote after work. We have a Lib-Dem to get rid of and our Labour candidate has far better musical taste. Then across the road to the neighbours to watch the start of the coverage of the count of a bottle or three of IPA...

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Derrick
Date: 07 May 15 - 11:59 AM

Voting closes at 10pm.
Counting overnight,possibly recounts
Results throughout tomorrow.
Votes from the islands possibly delayed by bad weather.
Finally the parties settle down to fight amongst themselves, if as predicted, there is no overall winner.It's taken Israel about seven weeks to come to agreement with no clear winner.
Wonder when we will get to know who will form the government.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Ian
Date: 07 May 15 - 12:03 PM

Just voted this afternoon. Unfortunately the Tories had a 4600 majority last time in Colne Valley. Hope we can get rid of them this time or I dread to thinkwhat they will try to do.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Leadfingers
Date: 07 May 15 - 12:43 PM

Took my Vot for a walk at Midday (Exercised my Franchise) My Incumbent is that very rare thing , a Socialist !

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 01:08 PM

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Musket - PM
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:39 AM

Is the old bugger still claiming he wrote some of Jake Thackrey 's songs?

He'd make a good politician then.




If he ever managed to get that banjo tuned up...
musket, joe has never had problems tuning his banjo, when i have seen him, neither does he make the claims that you are stating,what a nasty snidey comment

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Penny S.
Date: 07 May 15 - 02:16 PM

The comparison with Israel is not very encouraging.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 02:49 PM

Excellent post Dick.

Are you sure you don't write the Viz script for Major Misunderstanding?

The last time I saw Joe, he was having problems adjusting his nappy. (I wouldn't have minded but it was the morning after the gig and I was giving him a lift to the station.

Although he does claim he wrote Sister Josephine all the same. Perhaps if you knew a bit more about the old bugger than just cutting and pasting something out of a newspaper and calling it a post, you might post something interesting for once?

Election Day is for those who choose to live where the election takes place, not those who find taxes on entertainers more comfortable elsewhere eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 15 - 03:07 PM

just done it -

Labour for the general election, Labour for town centre, Liberals for the commuter belt and farmlands...


Lab and lib both posted us graphs showing they were ahead for winning the town centre...

one of 'em must nave been a bit dodgy with statistics, if not exactly telling fibs...???😕

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 04:33 PM

Musket, Joe, produced two of my lps, he has been a friend of mine since 1980, kindly take your silly snide remarks somewhere else.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 May 15 - 04:49 PM

Joe Stead? Flippin' 'eck.

Ian, me kid sister lives in Colne Valley. Her house is very dark inside due to all her Labour posters plastering every window. Good luck up there. You might just do it. And pass on your good vibes to us in Cornwall North, where we're trying to stop the Tories nicking it from the LibDems. Voting Labour here is tantamount to half a Tory vote. The UKIP ignorami might actually do us a favour here by nicking Tory votes. We're in for a sweaty night!

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 May 15 - 05:07 PM

We're stuffed, aren't we? :-(

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Musket
Date: 07 May 15 - 05:33 PM

Joe Stead produced some scrambled eggs whilst I concentrated on the coffee when we put him up, but you don't hear me bragging..

Just seen the exit polls. Tories almost on a majority. Ladbrokes giving 20/1 on for Cameron to form a government.

If the exit polls are right, it's a great result for folk music. Far better protest songs written under the Tories...

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 06:09 PM

no, more likely labour snp coalition.we will see

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 06:13 PM

bragging, dont be ridiculous, just facts.If I wanted to brag it would not be about Joe being a friend.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 06:17 PM

Things are not looking good for those who oppose the Tories. I wish it was otherwise. The news we are getting in Canada is that they may form the next government, albeit a minority government. That was determined by exit polls, so who knows.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 May 15 - 06:20 PM

the exit polls do not mean anything yet, wait for the real results.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 07:06 PM

Sure will.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: akenaton
Date: 07 May 15 - 07:25 PM

Voting swings to UKIP just under 20%, with three N English seats declared.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 07:47 PM

I was just reading the following page from The Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11586490/results-live.html

It states that there are 650 seats up for grabs but only 323 for a majority. A majority to me would mean 326. Would someone please explain that to me? Thank you.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:03 PM

Sinn Fein don't turn up for votes. Without them the overall majority is 323. With them it's 326.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:09 PM

326 is needed for a majority. in reality that may be less as Sinn Fein don't take their seats so that would then depend on how many seats they do or don't win

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:15 PM

Sinn Féin boycotts the Westminster Parliament. All five of those elected for the party in 2010 refused to take up their seats, reducing the number of active MPs to 645. Thus, in practice, 323 is sufficient for an overall majority.

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:16 PM

Why do other people always type faster than I do?

DC

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:23 PM

Thank you also to Guest and Doug.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 08:41 PM

Steve, my apologies. I wrote a thank you to you, posted it, and there is was, gone. So, thank you :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 07 May 15 - 09:00 PM

De nada!

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,#
Date: 07 May 15 - 09:13 PM

Gracias.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 07 May 15 - 09:14 PM

First result in from Scotland and it's not just a win but an absolute massacre. 26% swing from SNP to Labour in Kilmarnock where Labour lose that seat and end up with half the SNP vote

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 07 May 15 - 09:20 PM

And Labour were supposedly putting all their resources into holding 3 seats. Douglas Alexander's, Jim Murphy's and Margaret Curren's. Alexander has just lost his seat to Mhairi Black a 20 year old student.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Stanron
Date: 07 May 15 - 10:49 PM

The SNP has elected itself into total irrelevance in UK politics. It has declared itself as the opponent of the Tory party. It can't have much alliance with Labour and Lib Dems with it's Trident red line and has a comparatively insignificant number of seats. It's only opportunity for influence could come from alliances. With whom?

My take on Scotland's attitude in this election is that they have chosen to tweak the English nose. They don't hate us. They have voted against independence but they want us to know they are feeling feisty. This communication must be received. However the Scottish voter also needs to realise that in order to have influence in UK politics they need to be aligned to some sort of larger party. 50 odd seats out of 636(?) is nowhere.

It might be 50 years now before we have a Prime Minister or even Cabinet Member from Scotland. Do the electorate of Scotland realise that they have voted for that?

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 07 May 15 - 11:24 PM

There was no Trident red line. Sturgeon said neither she nor the party would vote to renew Trident but on the Scottish leaders debate she made it clear she would not seek to bring Labour down over said issue. So that is a red herring.

Your take on the election is simply wrong. You do realise that the SNP won a majority in the last Scottish Parliament election with 45.4% of the constituency vote in a system designed to stop any party obtaining a majority. The great sea shift really happened half a decade ago. Yes you are seeing 30% plus swings from the last Westminster vote but it is only really a 5 to 7% or so swing from the last major election in Scotland. English chattering classes really need to keep up. It is more a case of Holyrood voting patters beng transferred to Westminster and a bit of a lift to boost.

Douglas Alexander said it all "the Scottish people have lost their trust in Labour to represent them - we need to regain that trust". The idea that people rush to the polls in Scotland thinking "yipee this will upset the English" is a pretty daft idea.

Also the idea that 40 odd Scottish MPs in a defeated Labour party's ranks would have any more sway than 57 or so SNP members is debateable to say the least. Even if Labour had won the SNP were not particularly wanting a formal coalition with Cabinet posts etc. They are about making Scotland's voice heard not about personal careers in the Cabinet etc and as the third largest party in the UK parliament they will have a much bigger platform and influence than they've had before. Not all about just voting. They will be much more represented on committees and in the media etc just as the Lib Dems were prior to being in coalition.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 07 May 15 - 11:48 PM

well.. looks like a fair few ex senior MPs
will be scrabbling for appearances on "Big Brother" and "I'm a Celebrity"...😜

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Stanron
Date: 07 May 15 - 11:50 PM

But Scotland is now incapable of having any say in the UK parliament. Our previous Prime Minister held a Parliamentary seat in Scotland. When do you expect that that will happen again?

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 08 May 15 - 01:12 AM

I think the point is not where a politician or PM comes from but what their priorities are and what they put first - party or country! And the facts are that a big portion of Scots trust the SNP to work for Scotland more than they do the other parties. I've seen it myself how ministers can look to actively work against their own country.

I would think that whatever the result of the referendum was all politicians would work for Scotland and stand up for Scotland's interests! However I saw the opposite. I was at a dinner where David Mundell was guest speaker. There was a story, which was later shown to be false, that Spain would look to block Scottish entry to the EU.

Now Mundell could have taken the tact about warning that it may be difficult to gain entry because of this threat. However he didn't. He was rubbing his hands in glee, laughing, and stated "we've found an ally in the Spanish PM" to loud applause from the mostly elderly Tory audience. I was astonished that a Scottish member of the UK gvt was applauding a foreign politician who he thought was threatening to work against Scotland. More than astonished I was disgusted.

Even in this campaign the english Tories have been spinning anti-Scottish rhetoric to English voters for months now. Led to believe that Ruth Davidson was livid but no current Scottish Tory politician stood up for the legitimacy of Scottish members at Westminster. Likewise Labour did not condemn it either. Only retired unionist politicians spoke out (Michael Forsyth, David Steel, Henry Mcleish etc)

So sorry many Scots (and I know it is not all) just see the politicians as being more interested in short term party interests and long term careers in the Lords etc than they do in actual Scottish interests.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 08 May 15 - 03:04 AM

It looks like the SNPs wishes to partner Labour in government, and thus have a strong say, have been well and truly scuppered.
They are now just a minority party (although not in Scotland) smaller than Labour, and about on a par with the historic Liberal party.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: akenaton
Date: 08 May 15 - 03:08 AM

Onward and upward!......Not "Jockalypse Now"....Independence Now!!!.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Thompson
Date: 08 May 15 - 03:31 AM

Nigel, the SNP are in the position the Irish Unionists have traditionally held; they can give or withhold support to the government and swing legislation their way.
I'm not that familiar with the British electoral system - how many by-elections would it take before the Conservatives lost their majority?

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 08 May 15 - 03:34 AM

how many by-elections would it take before the Conservatives lost their majority?
That would depend on which party's seats came up for by-election, and which party won the by-election.
Although the Tories don't yet have a majority, if they get one, future by-elections could just as easily increase their majority.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 08 May 15 - 04:46 AM

Cameron will lead a Conservative government without needing to do any deals.
England has placed itself centre right as usual.
Labour wins when it moves onto that ground as under Blair.
When they move to the left, as under Miliband and Kinnock, they lose.
(And that is not mockery Dave)

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 15 - 05:03 AM

I will be perfectly honest and let people know that I voted for neither of the main parties. They have all gone further down in my estimation due to this campaign of scaremongering by both sides of the fence. Rather than voting for issues we have been reduced to voting against the biggest bogeymen and that is wrong. Had we have been marginal I may have voted Labour but in our constituency a Tory victory is inevitable.

We can but hope that, as in many capitalist societies, big business start to see that the welfare of people is important to maintaining a sound economy. My optimistic view is that the more influential and moderate business leaders will pull enough strings to stop any excesses from the governmental puppets.

Hopefully when incomes start to rise, so will spending and tax revenue. With a growing economy it should be inevitable that the poorest will also benefit but that is where my theory may be dashed. I hope not.

Subject: RE: BS: Election Day, who's going?
From: GUEST,Dave the Gnome
Date: 08 May 15 - 05:07 AM

Oh , and Keith, they lose is indeed not mockery. You lose is. But no-one really care about your silly little games when it comes down to serious issues so try not to bring them over from threads you have already been instrumental in closing.