BS: Official UK election thread 2005

Subject: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:05 AM

The election has been called for May 5th. Anyone surprised?

Lets hope we're rid of Blair on May 6th, be it by act of electorate, God or conscience (unlikely, but possible...)

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Flash Company
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:19 AM

Interestingly, I rang our local electoral office this morning to express my concern about postal voting following yesterday's court summing up.
I was told that all the ballot papers were already with the printers!
The bloody man has not even announced the disolution of Parliament yet, but everone has already decided to print everything for May 5th.
I give up!

FC

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:21 AM

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Everyone on the left says they won't vote TB - mainly cos of the Iraq war.
This will mean that the true party of government, the Conservatives, will win.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
and why I can't stop laughing is - the Conservatives were even more in favour of the war than the labouring party!!

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha


life is good, life is sweet.

Thank you so so much.

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Millie
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:54 AM

Absolutely,Tory Boy,

Seconded.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Crystal
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:18 AM

I'm voteing Monster raving looney!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tricia Patel
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:23 AM

I'm voting Sinn Fein

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Davey Peters
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:25 AM

At one time, folkies were all left wing (except Peter Bellamy) and right wingers all loved country and western.
Can we revert to this please and keep tories out of our forum.
I am old enough to remember the damage done to all public services by Thatcher, so p*ss off the lot of you.


Davey Peters

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:39 AM

In a word, no. Life would be so much less interesting if we were all the same. Besides, as Blair and his ministers have been further right than any Tory since Thatcher would dare be, what do names matter?

Bunnhabhain

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: MBSLynne
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:42 AM

And no...folkies weren't always left wing. I've never been left wing in my life, but I've been a folkie a long time.

Love Lynne

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:52 AM

Ditto for me Lynne, and I've been going to folk clubs for about 40 years!
G

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 09:03 AM

white folk's clubs

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: mandoleer
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 09:45 AM

I'd like to propose a change to the voting system. Every voter should have two votes, one positive and one negative. That way, people who can't agree on who they want in have a chance to say who they want out. It would give a new dimension to strategic voting. Personally, I agree with the SF writer who said that anyone who stands for public office thereby declares themselves unfit to hold it. In my town, I don't like the Lib Dem MP, and reckon the Tory candidate's not much better. The Labour one will be a no-hoper or first-time try-out, and I don't want to support Blair anyway. I don't like the rest of the Greens' policies - the ones you don't see immediately, and the rest of the candidates are likely to be anti EC, or possibly even BNP type. I think I'll spoil my paper.....

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: MBSLynne
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 09:56 AM

I ended up doing that last time Mandoleer, after a lot of thought. There really was nothing to choose between them all. This time, however, I want Tony Blair OUT. so because of our stupid system I suppose that means I will have to vote Conservative, and I don't really think they are much better. All this is complicated by the fact that I have a great deal of respect for our local MP and would vote him in with no hesitation, but you don't actually vote for your MP do you? YOu are actually voting for the Prime Minister, and as our MP is Labour, I won't be able to vote for him. Should be a separate election....

Love Lynne
PS Sorry, this breaks all my rules about posting to political threads.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 09:58 AM

>Besides, as Blair and his ministers have been further right than any Tory since Thatcher would dare be, what do names matter?<

Names matter as Tories will have to be to the right to Bliar (Labour) to be tories...

Labour don't enter the equation where I live. It's Lib Dem vs Conservative here and I shall be voting Lib Dem.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Old Guy
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 10:42 AM

You Limeys had the political incorrectness to try to tell us Yanks whom to vote for.

Now it is our turn. You are too stupid to figure it out yourselves so Vote for Blair.

Old Guy

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 11:02 AM

Thanks for your considered and thought provoking insight Old Guy, I'm sure I'll find a use for it. As your beloved leader dragged us into a war we should never have been involved in, we did feel as though we were allowed an input into your undemocratic election. so that's our excuse, what's yours?
I shall be in France so will miss a bit of the mud slinging, will apply for a postal vote of course, and waste my vote on the Scottish Nationalist Party as usual. Actually I may follow the Birmingham Aston trend, and apply for about 20 postal votes!
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 11:14 AM

Old One, I for one don't remember telling anyone who to vote for. That said, I would have considered the American choice easier for me to make than the UK choice.

My politics are slightly to the left of centre. Assuming just Bush and Kerry, my choice would have been easy as my wanting to vote towards the party of the two that would be slightly closer to my own views and my wanting to vote to express my digust over Iraq would lead me in the same direction.

In much of the UK we are considering Conservatives and Labour as the most likely parties to form a government. That would cause me a problem as, much as I dislike New Labour, Conservatives move even further away from me views but I would still want to express my disgust over Iraq. This situation has my desires pulling in oppoisite directions.

As I indicated above though. I live in an area that is pretty much conservative territory with Lib Dem (who did get in for the first time last GE) forming the opposition so I can vote for someone who stands a good chance of getting re-elected without being "torn". I'd probably opt to vote the same way in other parts of the country but may fell a little more reluctant to do so as I wouldn't feel so confident I was voting for someone likely to get in.

That said, maybe it's better anyway to just vote for who you belive in the most anyway rather than sometimes voting tactically to try to help ensure the party you least want does not get in.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 12:30 PM

On a point of order, and to enlighten our colonial friends, only those on the electoral roll in the Sedgefield constituency will have the opportunity to vote, or not vote, for Bliar. He's a party leader, not the President of the UK (although he may like to believe he's the President). His position is in the hands of the membership of the Labour Party - no one else's.

And those of you who relish the thought of a new Conservative government have got very short memories indeed.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: jonm
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 12:33 PM

Some interesting statistics from the various lunchtime news programmes (did you know elections are the biggest cause of statistics?):

Poll on which way people would vote 36%labour, 33% tory
Poll only of those definitely going to vote 39%tory, 33% labour

Suggests a lot of labour supporters may abstain or not bother to vote.

Poll on voting labour if Tony Bliar not in charge, I think it was 47% labour!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 12:48 PM

The constituencies are gerrymandered in such a way as to make it almost impossible for the Conservative party to win anyway. The present government was elected with an overall vote of just over 24% of those who voted.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: cool hand Tom
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 01:44 PM

Im in the communist party and shall be voting that way.The thought of the Tory boys in is highly unlikely thank god.opinion polls mean nothing. I feel Labour shall win,as for the communist party no chance but im doing my bit for what i believe in.Bye the way i hate Stalin and that sort of communism but for the moment in the coming election better the devil you know than the demons u dont.

    Regards Tom

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: DougR
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 02:27 PM

If the Labor Party wins, I hope they have the good sense to re-elect Tony Blair. Perhaps, sometime in the future, you aginers will grow to appreciate him.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 02:29 PM

The UK is relativly free of Gerrymandering.
pedant alert
This is as gerrymandering is a term that originated from Gerry Mander, a Chicago politician of the late 60's/early 70's. It is the pratice of redrawing boundaries to make seat uncompetitive.

The electoral bias in the UK dates to long before this, and is much more simple. Urban, mainly labour areas genrally have seats with less voters in than rural and suburban seats that tend to be Tory/Lib dem. Small steps have been taken by the Electoral Commission to change this, such as the reduction of number of Scottish seats, but there is a long way to go.

Bunnahabhain.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 04:44 PM

Pedant alert indeed, the Boundaries Commission is redrawing and redefining constituency boundaries on an ongoing basis, so much so that something like 10 constituencies have actually disappeared most of them labour seats too. Not that that will change the outcome of the upcoming bun feast, I am putting £10 on the Lib Dems to increase their seats by at least 50%. I do know about Gerry Mander but it has become a generic term, much like biro for a ball point pen, and Hoover for a vacuum cleaner.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 06:50 PM

The best result would be if the voters in Tony Blair's constituency voted him out; likewise, if the voters in Michael Howard's constituency dumped him.

And enough marginal seats would go Liberal to ensure that the next government, led by Gordon Brown, has to introduce a more representative voting system, which would mean that in future we could vote for the people we like best, without the risk of letting the Tories sneak back in again, ever.
...................................

One paradoxical thing about this election is that, while normally parties want voters to think they are going to win, this time Labour's strongest card to play is the idea that the Tories might get in - and the Tories need to get people thinking there is no chance of a Tory victory, so we feel safe to give Labour a scare.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Chris Green
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:05 PM

It's a knotty one. I can't bring myself to vote Labour, due to the blatant disregard they've shown for the opinions of people who put them where they are in the first place. Nor will I vote Conservative, as they are all a bunch of incompetent right-wing loons who couldn't run a knocking shop. Lib Dems have some appealing policies, but are nowhere near ready to govern (although seeing them get into opposition would be interesting - there might actually BE some opposition for a change!) The remainder are minority fruitcakes who I despise (BNP) or think are broadly right but naive (Greens).

Maybe I'll deface my ballot paper. After all, the turnout at the last elections was around 60%. If the remaining 40% had turned up at the polling stations and spoiled their papers, maybe the blokes in Westminster would realise that there are a lot of people out there who don't feel represented by them.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Emma B
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:25 PM

A vote for Labour is, in fact, a vote for Bliar who took us into an illegal war. A vote for the Tories is a vote for a xenophobic Little Britain. Thanks to our "first past the post system" we are told that a vote for the Lib Dems is a vote for the Tories - and "they" wonder why there is a low turn out......

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:46 PM

Lets actually look at the local canidates we can vote for. Is every Tory a xenophobe? Has the whole Labour party supported Blair on every vote? Of course not. Look at your local canidates and their national party line. Then decide for yourself. I'm campaigning for the next month, but I won't tell people which way to vote here*.



Bunnahabhain













*unless you're in Sedgefield, in which case 9000 of you who trusted him last time should throw the lying barsted out.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Red Eye 1
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 07:53 PM

Always vote for the party that will do you least harm

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 05 Apr 05 - 08:00 PM

I do apologise to the Right Honourable Tony Blair, in case he's reading this. I clearly meant to call him a Lying Bastard. Damm typos....

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Bryant Fish
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 01:26 AM

.... and nobody has spotted yet that the date will be 05.05.05 ....

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Boab
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 01:43 AM

Tony will hate the sound of the word "Iraq", and it will be the trigger which will prompt more lies and more again. He isn't worthy of one vote. But in Britain even such as he is better than the party of the Thatcher descendants [ of which he SHOULD be a member], so let's pray that the English people vote overwhelmingly Labour. I sincerely hope my own people [the Scots]will give their votes to the Scottish National Party; no big deal for nationwide Labour, but at least a point will be made thereby.
   Just B.T.W. ---and no insult is intended here---Doug R.'s word of praise for Tony Bliar should stir a thought in some people's mind, since Doug has always been proudly well right of centre.....

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Peace
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 01:56 AM

Main Entry: 1ger·ry·man·der
Pronunciation: 'jer-E-"man-d&r, also 'ger-; orig 'ger-
Function: noun
Etymology: Elbridge Gerry + salamander; from the shape of an election district formed during Gerry's governorship of Massachusetts
1 : the act or method of gerrymandering
2 : a district or pattern of districts varying greatly in size or population as a result of gerrymandering

Main Entry: 2gerrymander
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form(s): -dered; ger·ry·man·der·ing /-d(&-)ri[ng]/
1 : to divide (a territorial unit) into election districts to give one political party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few districts as possible
2 : to divide (an area) into political units to give special advantages to one group         

"Elbridge Gerry was born in Marblehead, Massachusetts, on July 17, 1744. He studied at Harvard to be a merchant, graduating in 1762. He was elected to the Massachusetts Legislature in 1773 and was selected to attend the Provincial Congress in 1774. He was then appointed to the Continental Congress, where he was engaged in committee work on commercial and naval concerns. He attended the Constitutional Convention in 1798 but was opposed to the new Federal Constitution, refusing to sign it. He was elected to the first two Congresses from Massachusetts and, in 1797, was one of several envoys sent to France. He was elected governor of Massachusetts in 1810 and 1811. He was much criticized for redistricting the state to the advantage of his own party (Democratic-Republican). That incident was the source of the term gerrymandering. In 1812 he was elected Vice President of the United States. He died in office, on November 23, 1814, at the age of seventy."

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: el_punkoid_nouveau
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 03:02 AM

A quick thought - don't vote it only encourages them!

It was said at the time that John Smith was leading the Labour Party that there was no difference between them and the Tories - there was a man in a grey suit leading one side, and a man in a grey suit leading the other. Things have changed - it's now a choice between Dracula and Alf Garnett's grandson in law. I know where my vote is going, which is a shame, because we actually have a decent constituency MP, who appears to have as little time for Bliar/Bleah as the rest of us.

Oh well... one can always dream...

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 07:11 AM

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. Thank you my leftwing friends. It seems the left hate Tony and according to a poll today, 9% of people think Iraq is the main issue. Therefore,assuming all the 9% are indeed lefty, that means 9% will not vote labouring party and Michael Howard will surely be the next Prime Minister. Another pro-Bush, anti-Saddam party will replace the current pro-Bush, anti-Saddam party.

You cannot believe how great this makes me feel. I have never been anything other than Tory - and proud of it - but to see our party win because of the left wing is so satisfying.

The trouble with all your agonizing is that you cannot vote "LABOUR (but not Tony)" on polling day.
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha Are you thinking what we're thinking?

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: ard mhacha
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 07:56 AM

In a an earlier thread Gareth and Cllr, informed one and all that in nothern Ireland it was the done thing to "vote early and vote often", it is very strange that since the new system was introduced Sinn Fein`s vote has enlarged to such an extent that they are now the biggest nationalist party in the north.

In the Birmingham postal voting fraud involving Tony Blair`s party, presiding Judge Mawney warned that, "there was no realistic system in in place to detect or prevent postal voting fraud".

Judge Mawney condemned the government for complacency in the face of fraud, stating that the present postal voting set-up would,"disgrace a banana republic".

One political commentator suggested they copy the northern Ireland system of postal voting to prevent further fraud.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Stu
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:10 AM

I will almost certainly spoil my ballot. How? Not sure yet, probably a poem or some some song lyrics, but I haven't ruled out gluing a small painting on the paper.

Don't get me wrong this is not voter apathy- I will go to the polling station to exercise my right to vote - but I will not vote for any of the shower of sh*te on offer in this constituency, who only represent the three main parties and UKIP.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: A Wandering Minstrel
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:33 AM

Just to scotch an old myth

a vote for the Liberal Democrats is in fact...... A vote for the Liberal Democrats.

the trick is to have enough people vote for the Liberal Democrats that Labour stays in but with a very reduced majority of say, 2. That would sharpen up their thinking on dragging us into other countries colonial wars.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: kendall
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:38 AM

To bad you have to burn the barn to kill one rat...

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:43 AM

I will be voting for The Countryside Alliance.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 09:01 AM

If I were still living in England I would vote Conservative for one reason, and one reason only, their policies on Europe, as both of the other parties are in favour of further European integration.
Wrong wrong wrong, NO to political union with Europe!
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: ard mhacha
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 09:58 AM

The Europeans on the mainland will be pleased, there is not a town or village in the UK that is not inhabited by the lowest form of humanity,the pictures on the TV show drunken youngsters, urinating, girls "mooning", these are no-go areas for most decent folk.
No, the European mainland wouldn`t want this culture visited on them, ask the Spaniards who have the dubious pleasure of their presence in the tourist season.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Giok
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 10:58 AM

Couldn't agree more Ard Macha, but then we don't want them here either!
Time for the return of judicious corporal punishment, particularly for those visit physical violence on others.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Cllr
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 03:03 PM

Oh ard stop showing your ignorance or your wilful misinterpretation of what I meant, "vote early and vote often" is a quote attributed to Al Capone and often used in a wry manner, do a search on google. Gareth hasn't posted since last june and he was fairly prolific up til then. Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 03:44 PM

Spoiling your Ballot Paper is the sort of thing that lets the extremists in ! Vote for the party that is ,in YOUR opinion, ,going to do least harm !
And Agitate for a NONE OF THE ABOVE option on ballot Papers !!
The thing ALL the politicians count on is a LOW turnout , then the active political types can run things !! Take your vote for a nice walk on may 5th - EXCERCISE YOUR FRANCHISE !

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 07:59 PM

Vote for the party that is, in YOUR opinion, going to do least harm !

Well, if that's sufficient, all you have to do is vote for one you are sure isn't going to get elected.
.........................
I agree with ard macha there - I think one of the most popular things De Gaulle ever did was when he vetoed the UK joining the Common Market. Popular in France I mean.

But with all the Poles and Czechs and suchlike coming in to the country now things should start looking up, and the tone of the place might improve.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 06 Apr 05 - 08:25 PM

Some time ago, our beloved (not) Tony Blurt did say that he wouldn't mind being the first president of a "United States of Europe".

I'm torn between doing anything short of murder to stop that happening, and wishing that it would. I have a picture in my mind of the Germans and the French, helpless with laughter at the thought of this oily little creep really believing in the possibility.

If we are not happy with the electoral choices we have now, I'm bloody sure we'd be worse off ruled from Paris and Bonn.

Tony's got to go!
Dammit, there's never a member of Murder Inc. around when you want one.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Boab
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 02:12 AM

Well,now, Guest Tory Boy----Judging by the short gap for gibberish between the first line of "ha-ha"s and the concluding line of the same, it seems plain that your brain has the sorry tendency to refill with nothing but "ha-ha"s at disturbingly short intervals. The gibberish is completely harmless, but a higher opinion should be sought regarding the "ha-ha" affliction...

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Stu
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 05:50 AM

"EXCERCISE YOUR FRANCHISE"

I am. I go to the station and collect my ballot - I never stay at home and not bother.

Sorry, but there is no way I am going to vote on anything but principle. Tactical voting does have its place, but if no candidate or party represents my view and opinions, why should they get my vote?

The 'none of the above' suggestion is a good idea, although the end result will be the same, i.e. a discounted vote.

Ard Macha is correct though - the drunken boorish louts that have ruined the towns and cities of the UK need some sort of action. Luckily Tony B.Liar has the answer - longer opening hours! Hooray for anti-social behaviour!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: ard mhacha
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 06:01 AM

Isn`t it nice to have so many friens agreeing with me, Cllr, you would have to be extremely ignorant to be a Tory counciller.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 12:27 PM

Current polls indicate a real risk of the monster raving Dracula party getting in. And Medway is I think 59th most likely seat to swing, and Marshall-Andrews is good Old Labour. So I think I shall have to eschew the luxury of voting for the Scottish Distillers company (oops, Lib Dems). Or the vegetarians, or the (other) neo-nazis.

Nothing, repeat nothing, is more important than keeping Howard's fascists out.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Cllr
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 01:05 PM

At leasr I can spell councillor, Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: ard mhacha
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 02:17 PM

Just shows you what I think of the little Hitlers.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 02:37 PM

One interesting point is that that Micael Howard is in a very precarious position as a candidate. Here are last time's figures:

        Michael Howard   Conservative         20,645         45.0         +6.0         
        Peter Carroll          Liberal Democrat         14,738         32.1         +5.2         
        Albert Catterall Labour                9,260   20.2         -4.7         
        John Baker          UK Independence         1,212         2.6         +1.9         
                                                
                Majority         5,907         12.9                 
                Turnout         45,855         64.1         -8.6

In other words, if the people who voted for Labour in Folkestone last time can bring themselves to vote Liberal Democrat - which shouldn't be that hard, given that on a lot of things the Lib Dems are more in tune with Labour traditions and values than New Labour is - Michael Howard won't be moving into Number 10, even if the Tories did pull off a miracle and actually won a majority in the country.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: DougR
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 07:12 PM

After reading all these posts, I worry much less about Tony Blair's party not being re-elected. Evidently there are some, though, that believe if the Conservatives are elected GB could still be counted on to support the freedom effort in Iraq. So perhaps it is not so important if Labor wins.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 07:16 PM

Whatever party wins they will not pull out of Iraq
G

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Peace
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 07:17 PM

Wot? And leave all that oil?

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Cllr
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 07:21 PM

The labour party of collapsed round here in midbeds they cant field enough candidates in the county elections plenty of independents and greens though Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Apr 05 - 07:32 PM

When an elected Iraqi government tells the occupation armies to get the hell out of Iraq, I'm inclined to feel that it'll be a bit hard to get away with refusing to comnply.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Boab
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 03:41 AM

McGrath! You actually have the idea in you head that the USA intends EVER to leave Iraq??? After closing all their bases in Saudi? And after building the world's biggest embassy building in an Iraqi city?
Only the naive could harbour such a notion. The US will leave Iraq when they are physically forced out, or when they are convinced that it is not in American interest to be there. Wait and watch the political skulduggery when any key position in an Iraqi government is filled by one who just might be anti american occupation, or who is brave enough to openly be anti-american. Don't you watch some of the shit that goes on in central America?

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 04:14 AM

Interesting article on tactical voting from the BBC site.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 08:10 AM

I wasn't talking about the US forces, Boab. They'll go when they are forced out, and a major element in that will be the American people wanting them out.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 08:18 AM

Well Kevin that sort of implies that GWB would listen to the American people, and that would seem to be as plausible as the premise that Tony Blair listens to the British people.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 11:26 AM

Boab

Very sorry for my ha ha ha affliction.
It's just that I cannot stop laughing about the beauty of this election.
My doorstepping friends, incidentally, are finding that well over 60% of white working class people canvassed are scared of immigrants, asylum seekers (not even bogus!), travellers, gypsies, east-europeans, black and brown people.
We are sure that this is because of the leadership's successful posters which only HINT and as they are non-specific, people fill in their own views.
Believe me, these messages are winning over people who voted BNP, UKIP and were thinking of Veritas too. So you see we're capturing both far left - by defection from labouring party - and far right at the same time!!

I'm sorry but:

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Crystal
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 11:44 AM

Damm that is depressing!
Maybe we should vote a cat as PM, cats are much nicer than people and I bet a cats approvel rating would be higher than Mr Bliars, or indeed Draculas.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 12:58 PM

I'm voting Conservative.
Labour are rubbish.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Bunnhabhain.
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 04:07 PM

To be PM, one must be an MP. MPs must be 21, so the a cat would have to be 21. And nominations have closed for this election....

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 04:18 PM

Convicted criminals or felines are barred from voting, as are lunatics, which lets me out!
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 07:40 PM

And nominations have closed for this election....

No, they haven't. They don't officially start until 14th April, and close on 19th. Still plenty of time.
...........................

You aren't suggesting that the Tories aren't rubbish as well, surely jOhn? (And in two out of the three Hull seats the Tory came third last time, so voting Tory is not the best way to beat the Labour candidate anyway.)

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Peace
Date: 08 Apr 05 - 07:41 PM

Best way to beat the Labour candidate is with a stick.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 04:46 AM

I could see some attractions in that idea Brucie!
Giok ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Crystal
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 05:24 AM

gives a new meaning to the phrase MP bashing!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 05:30 AM

The pity of it is that some very good (in the constituency sense) MPs will suffer loss of support because of that sycophantic, lying prat who leads them.

And, for those who know that I'm a tory by inclination, yes, I do mean that.

I feel that between the more moderate Tories, and the more genuinely socialist Labourites, and some Lib Dems too, one might possibly be able to cherrypick a government that would come closer to representing all of us, than any we have seen in the past.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: ard mhacha
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 06:21 AM

Don, no chance of that, most candidates will tell you they are all of what you seek, but only when electioneering.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 07:11 AM

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Great thinking you lot.


ha ha ha ha ha ha ha


Blue is the colour

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Crystal
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 07:13 AM

I thought black was the colour!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Jackkie
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 07:23 AM

Just how long will it take before Bliar retires, IF Labour win?
It will help me make up my mind whether or not to vote.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 07:24 AM

I rather think Tory Boy isn't.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 07:30 AM

Ah Crystal you forget the Glasgow Rangers supporters song, Blue is the Colour, or was it Chelsea, I know and care nothing about football!
G ¦¬]

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Cllr
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 07:57 AM

Speaking as an actual conservative standing in the county elections on the same day, I rather like brucies suggestion but I have no labour candidate standing against me, just a liberal. Oh well you make do with what you have got - pass the 2by4. Cllr

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 03:45 PM

Don't hold your breath, Jackkie,

Like all power hungry egotists, Tony won't give up easily. He'll have to be dragged out, kicking and screaming for the cameras.

A bit like Maggie, after she went mad.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,jacqui.c
Date: 09 Apr 05 - 07:45 PM

But unlike Maggie his party can't get rid of him unless he decides to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 02:33 AM

If blairy retires the next leader of labouring party
will be cyclops brown.
And he's a bl**dy scotsman!!!
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

You lefties are proper stuffed.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:06 AM

The dog whistle issues for today are immigration and asylum seekers.

Lets just see what labouring party make of those!!! Will they say Conservative policies on these issues are half-baked?




ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Apr 05 - 03:46 AM

You'll find Tory Boy that TB is a Scot too, were it not for the Scottish voters New Labour would be a dead duck.
G..

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 12:00 AM

Giok

Tony Blair - and Andrew Marr incidentally - have had the good sense to get elocution lessons to hide their Scottishness. Cyclops has not.
There are too many Scots down here - we paid for them to have their own parliament and they should get back up there where they belong.

St George's Day is coming along. Lets forget labouring party's political correctness and get out and celebrate Englishness unpolluted by the celtic fringe, travellers, asylum-seekers and immigrants.
It is not racist to be patriotic. Wave the flag for St George.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,John Barden at work
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 06:25 AM

I don't see why I can't be English and celtic as we're a mongrel lot to say the least who have bread with travellers, asylum-seekers and immigrants throughout history. I'm certainly patriotic and wave the flag for St. George, as our fellow celts do for St. Andrew, St. David and St. Patrick, but I will never wave it in the cause of racism. The BNP has nicked my national flag and sullied it - give it back and go!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Don(Wyziwyg)T
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 06:35 AM

Second that, John. I'm English, from 800 years of Celtic stock.

Don T.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: fair maiden of nottingham
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 07:01 AM

hi folks,its nice to know politics get into even here.
yes i agree us brits have been around a long time, and its true we are intermixed...but we have kept our heritage, but today it seems we are loosing everything. equal rights,equal ops, everything has rights unless you wish to stay a brit.(and i might add a royalist also)

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 12 Apr 05 - 11:42 AM

Sorry, it was lazy of me to say celtic fringe when I specifically meant Welsh, Scots and Irish.

All my other remarks and exhortations still stand.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Vote BNP
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 06:02 AM

Vote BNP! they used some excellent folk/trad sounding music on their broadcast and what they have to say makes much more sense than all the others. www.bnp.org.uk

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Crystal
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 07:25 AM

THE BNP IS HIJACKING MY CULTURE!!!!
KILL THEM ALL!!!!

(of course the big joke is that our culture owes more to immigrants, asylum seakers, invaders and people who were just passing through trying to get back home than any other!)

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Vote BNP
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 08:42 AM

The BNP is a democratic political party and also a cultural movement working to preserve the roots and identity of the native British people. Comments like Crystal's such as "kill them all" only go to show who the real 'fascists' are. We have a right to our opinions. If you don't agree, why don't you debate rather than throw insults and threats?

BTW the "immigrants, invaders" etc. who came to these isles in the past ie. the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Celts, Jutes, Normans etc. were all from closly related European tribes. The mass-immigration we now see is from countries that have no cultural or historical ties with us.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Crystal
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 10:02 AM

Why should I want my culture to be usurped by rascict scum? Why should I be branded a rascist for performing the music, dance and songs which I love?
You took my country's flag and turned it into a focus for your rascist ideas but a flag is a piece of cloth and we can get a new one. Our culture is a part of our identity and should be sacred.


"BTW the "immigrants, invaders" etc. who came to these isles in the past ie. the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Celts, Jutes, Normans etc. were all from closly related European tribes. The mass-immigration we now see is from countries that have no cultural or historical ties with us."

one word

Colonialism!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 10:19 AM

Weep no more ladies, BNP are a busted flush this election.

Only a very few floating voters in marginal constituencies are needed to win this election and Michael Howard is winning the fight on the doorsteps.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Bunnahabhain
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 11:50 AM

TROLL ALERT! TROLL ALERT!

Ignore the BNP and they, and the guest looking for troble will go away.

Bunnhabhain.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Piers
Date: 25 Apr 05 - 12:06 PM

Have no fear Crystal, there is evidence to suggest that left to their own sordid devices BNP members will kill themselves: see here.

But on a more serious note, I don't think a 'culture' can be belong to anyone. As we socialists are oft pointing out, the right of possesion is also the right to exclude non-possessors. Where would we be, for example, if blues music was the 'property' of its originators?

I don't think folkies have anything to gain from retreating and building walls around the open and evolving traditions of the wherever they live. Also, folkies have nothing to fear because, as shown by numerous historical studies of racism, it is a relatively new phenomenum and I guess they cannot get much support for their irrational beliefs from traditional music.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 04:36 AM

'Racism' is not a new phenomenen. It is a natural instinct within us all to want to be with people of our own kind above all others. It is something that has been with man always and you can never wipe it out.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 04:44 AM

99

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Paco Rabanne
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 04:45 AM

It's mine!

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: burntstump
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 04:50 AM

Is it right that Blair has been nominated for an Oscar? for his portrayal of a Prime Minister.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: Emma B
Date: 26 Apr 05 - 06:40 AM

Guest above - you are certainly NOT one of my "kind of people"! and my instincts tell me I don't want to be anywhere near you or your beliefs

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 30 Apr 05 - 09:13 PM

I was staying clear of this discussion till now, but the latest news made me hit the roof: Blair hit by new leak of secret war plan - The Times

So, never mind Lord Goldsmith's mind and legal advice changing in 10 days - this latest tidbit was 8 months before. Blair had already committed the country to war, even while he was claiming to the House of Commons that "there are no plans for war".

Shit, is this guy for real? Is this our next Prime Minister?

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Jez
Date: 01 May 05 - 02:30 AM

Grek, son

It's that old phrase NO PLANS.

It's used by every government, Labour, Tory, whoever.

You have to read the words.

Subject: RE: BS: Official UK election thread 2005
From: GUEST,Tory Boy
Date: 01 May 05 - 02:45 AM

labouring party never tell the truth about anything.
They all lie: Blair, Brown, Prescott everyone of them.
The Libdems also.
The only party who are whiter than white and who have not lied in this campaign are the Conservatives.
Come on one final push and we can get the sleezebags out.