As you may or may not know on 6th May there will be a General election in the United Kingdom to determine a new Prime Minister; I'm making this thread partially for people to discuss it since it's really hottintg up (especially after the first of the TV debates). But, since during the American elections I, as a Englishman, was bored stiff being shown all kinda of debates and comaprisons and info on TV and in print etc. for Obama and McCain that was, to an extent, irrelevant to me, I was wondering what effect the U.K. elections were having in other countries; in America, in common-wealth countries etc. are you getting the same coverageof the UK election I got of the American one? Or is it a one-way street?
Anyway thanks for any posts it'll be interesting to see how much information apsses each way
What does BNP stand for? I've heard a lot about these Neo-Nazis . . . .
British National Party. A bunch of racist crackers from the North who want to deport all those who aren't 100% ethnically British, among other things like bringing back public hanging, and creating penal colonies near the Antarctic. They are nuts.
What are some divisions of policy among the party lines? What kind of debates are taking place?
Main issue is the economy. We have a massive deficit, but a crap economy needing low interest rates and lots of stimulus to sustain it. The Tories want to cut the deficit now, Labour and the Lib Dems want to cut.
All 3 parties are committed to Afghanistan, although the Lib Dems would set a solid exit date. Notably though, on defence, the Lib Dems want to get rid of nukes which is a pretty big deal.
The differences between the major parties are small. They all support tax breaks for married couples (a big issue this election), they want to increase spending in the National Health Service, they all want to cut taxes and public services, they all want to extend the mission in Afghanistan. It's just a matter of how the plans are made.
For example, the Conservatives want big cuts in public services, Labour wants medium cuts, and the Liberals want small cuts. Conservatives want to cut down on immigration and enforce tough rules. Labour and Liberals want to enforce tough rules for immigration as well, but don't want to cut the numbers. They agree on most issues, but they disagree on how to get the job done.
Anything about removing UK's presence in the Middle East?
Liberals and Labour want out of Iraq. But the mission in Afghanistan will probably get bigger.
I'm sure those three parties all want the same thing to happen, just that the manner of doing so will diverge.
Well this general election was also my first time voting eva, so it was kinda cool. Indiana's voting laws kinda suck now that I realize; in the general election, you either vote Democrat or Republican. That means when you grab a ballot, you only have a selection of different positions all under the same party. What if I wanna vote for a Republican guy?
Anyway, I voted for a guy named Greg Ewing for sheriff. He had some pretty neat ideas to prevent jail overcrowding and some new concepts for eliminating meth labs. This and his 20 years of experience in various law enforcement professions gave him 80% of the vote while the other three got <10%-- of course, in one party that is.
They all support tax breaks for married couples (a big issue this election)
Really? I thought that was just the Tories. And it hasn't been a massive issue really. More of a symbolic policy to demonstrated Cameron's 'big society' stuff. No one I've
they want to increase spending in the National Health Service,
They only want to maintain it. And only on the frontline. Non essential services like A and Es have been closing all over the country and will continue to do so under any of the three.
Liberals and Labour want out of Iraq. But the mission in Afghanistan will probably get bigger.
They agree on most issues, but they disagree on how to get the job done.
I'd say that's the state of affairs in any moderate liberal democracy. But that shouldn't belittle the massive implications these different means have. This is certainly the most important election of the past 2 decades. Policy may have a similar aim, but very different consequences, economically and socially. The riots happening in Greece could very easily happen over here if Draconian spending cuts are put in place.
Holy crap, I totally forgot about that. I need to catch up on my Iraq news.
Anywho, 550 of the 650 seats have been declared. Right now the Conservatives have 268, Labour with 213, Liberals with 42, Scottish Nationalists 6, Plaid Cymru (Welsh Nationalists) 3, and 18 seats to other parties. Northern Ireland has all gone to Irish parties.
Ughhhhhhh. All nighters. I am literally so tired. The election adrenalin has worn off and now I feel terrible.
This election result couldn't have been worse in my eyes. Playd for Clegg for sticking to his principles and going to Cameron. Not that they could ever form a coalition. The differences are too fundamental.
A Labour-Liberal coalition isn't happen as they do not make up 326 seats, and it appears Clegg won't form a minority coalition with Labour, so that is out of the question. I have to give props to Clegg for standing by his principles. He said whoever got the most seats should form the next government. And at a press conference this morning he told the Conservatives to form a government, even if it's a minority. Cameron is offering to form a coalition with the LibDems. But I don't see that one working out for too long.
A Labour-Liberal coalition isn't happen as they do not make up 326 seats, and it appears Clegg won't form a minority coalition with Labour, so that is out of the question.
The hope is that the SNP will join in the broad anti Tory coalition. Also note that Clegg hasn't ruled out going with Labour, but that he will try the Tories first. Cameron's speech a few minutes ago confirmed by suspicion that a lib con deal would be unworkable. All they are offerring is an eletoral commission on reform, which has happened many times before with no results.
The two pivotal issues are the economy and electoral reform. The LiB Dems and the Tories have fundamentally different views on how to handle the economic situation, whereas Labour and the Lib Dems are practically identical in this regard. As far as electoral systems go, Labour have promised a referendum for AV, a much sweeter deal than the Tories promise of a commission. I predict that Clegg won't make a deal with the Tories, will try and form a government with Labour and the SNP, or if needs be, a minority government. If that fails there will be another election in a very short time.
I think a labour-lib dem collabirationwould be a lot better than conservarive but its not gunna happen. BTW if they have another vote becuase it a hung parliament does anyone know when it would happen?
The Conservatives have to most seats out of any oarty, but still fail to gain a majority (326 seats), and therefore cannot currently govern.
Labour has the right now, to be able to 'team-up' with other partys (Lib dems for example), and form a coallotion or a minority government.
The conservatives, if Labour fail to make an agreement with the other parties, then can attempt to work with the likes of the Lib Dems to get the overall majority.
Yep. Pretty much the worst result possible, since no one can forom a majority government.
It'll be interesting to see what happens here constitutionally, because, we don't actually have one. The convention is that the PM governs until he no longer has the confidence of the commons. Without some sort of lib pact, or confidence and supply deal, no one can do that. I'm sticking to my guns and predicting another election in a few months.
