The Politics Thread

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

It's certainly got to be even funnier to see Libs and Cons in bed together - I think they're genuinely going to try and work it - but they're ideologically way further apart than Lib/Lab.

Economically, yes, but I, like many Conservatives, think of myself as being a 'liberal'.

[Worthy4England]

Did enjoy this from yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkHwU4DRA8

Adam Boulton shows himself to be a complete tw*t, yet again.

That was quite funny I think some of the coverage from Sky, has been absolutely appalling - probably coming a close second to TASS as the mouthpiece of a political party.

[Worthy4England]

It's certainly got to be even funnier to see Libs and Cons in bed together - I think they're genuinely going to try and work it - but they're ideologically way further apart than Lib/Lab.

Economically, yes, but I, like many Conservatives, think of myself as being a 'liberal'.

In what sense liberal? (meant as a genuine question)?

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

It's certainly got to be even funnier to see Libs and Cons in bed together - I think they're genuinely going to try and work it - but they're ideologically way further apart than Lib/Lab.

Economically, yes, but I, like many Conservatives, think of myself as being a 'liberal'.

In what sense liberal? (meant as a genuine question)?

In the sense that I want people to be free to live their lives with as little state interference as possible; to have freedom of religion, sexual orientation, speech, press, assembly, and to operate in free markets.

I mean, what is it that separates the Lib Dems from Labour? Although the Lib Dems argue for redistribution, I think they are much less naturally 'statist' in their view of how things should be done.

[Prufrock]

It's certainly got to be even funnier to see Libs and Cons in bed together - I think they're genuinely going to try and work it - but they're ideologically way further apart than Lib/Lab.

Economically, yes, but I, like many Conservatives, think of myself as being a 'liberal'.

In what sense liberal? (meant as a genuine question)?

In sense that I want people to be free to live their lives with as little state interference as possible; to have freedom of religion, sexual orientation, speech, press, assembly, and to operate in free markets.

I mean, what is it that separates the Lib Dems from Labour? Although the Lib Dems argue for redistribution, I think they are much less naturally 'statist' in their view of how things should be done.

I'm not sure the whole party share you're liberalism, particularly on sexual equality. Though of course you never claimed they did.

It looks wrong Cpt. Moonface walking into number 10. Also, he's only been in there 45 mins and there's already two scottish families unemployed and homeless!

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Did enjoy this from yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gkHwU4DRA8

Adam Boulton shows himself to be a complete tw*t, yet again.

That was quite funny I think some of the coverage from Sky, has been absolutely appalling - probably coming a close second to TASS as the mouthpiece of a political party.

You've got to admire anyone who gets stuck into Alistair Campbell though - Burnley bastard.

[Zulus Thousand of em]

Some labour has-beens start the grumble, stupid bastards, in alliance with scots who hate the SNP... and give Clegg the excuse to embrace his chosen new squeeze... Their statement is simply to justify a choice they will regret as it tears their party apart...

I'm looking forward to welcoming the decent people misled into an unprincipled alliance...

In all this sorry mess, and a hung parliament is always a sorry mess irrespective of your political standpoint, most of the pundits have overlooked the ultimate madness of the failed attempts by Broon to cobble together a government this week.

If they had got the Lib Dems on board that would have only brought them close to a majority. They would then have had to negotiate with the lunatics in the SNP (3 MP's) and Plaid Cymru (9 MP's) to obtain some sort of majority. (I think I've got the numbers right.) So what would the outcome be then? Yes, make the budget cuts required but they had better not impact on any of the citizens of Auchtermuchty or Llandindrod Wells. Now that's a recipe for tear gas on the streets if ever I saw one!

Politicians are tawdry by nature. This is as tawdry an episode as I can remember for some time though.

Just one other point, I can't wait for the full story to come out about the Labour negotiations with the Lib Dems. Reading between the lines I'm guessing that one or more members of the Labour negotiating team got the mood and approach spectacularly wrong. All good fun!

[General Mannerheim]

so what does all this mean for the construction industry?

will they be stopping all spending on new schools, hospitals & Social housing?

[boltonboris]

so what does all this mean for the construction industry?

will they be stopping all spending on new schools, hospitals & Social housing?

They'll be focusing their efforts on building extra houses... The new types, that are made out of fecking cardboard (like mine). They'll build shitloads, in order to encourage new buying. But there'll be too many and not enough people will have the money to buy one... Leading to another load of companies going tits up, because they couldn't get their money back on them

[thebish]

My guess is 18 months before a LibDem split, as Clegg is stuck very uncomfortably with a governing party very likely to be at war against its people, quite possibly with tear gas in the streets... and the liberal portion of his party deserts him...

The LibDems incredibly stupid to turn away from the best chance their party had to attain their policy of 60 + years... but got to give it to Cameron, he's obviously good at schmoozing and Clegg at swooning...

What have they turned away WtW? Had to switch off my news coverage...

I think it's all a little strange - if I was Tory, I'd be looking to go back to the polls fairly soon to see if I could improve on what I had...

but i thought the tories were proposing fixed-term 5-year parliaments?

[thebish]

ok - so now we are where we are...

does Clegg still get to ask Qestions at PMQs - surely not?
what if there is a by-election - do tories and lib dems BOTH stand?

[fatshaft]

Some labour has-beens start the grumble, stupid bastards, in alliance with scots who hate the SNP... and give Clegg the excuse to embrace his chosen new squeeze... Their statement is simply to justify a choice they will regret as it tears their party apart...

I'm looking forward to welcoming the decent people misled into an unprincipled alliance...

In all this sorry mess, and a hung parliament is always a sorry mess irrespective of your political standpoint, most of the pundits have overlooked the ultimate madness of the failed attempts by Broon to cobble together a government this week.

If they had got the Lib Dems on board that would have only brought them close to a majority. They would then have had to negotiate with the lunatics in the SNP (3 MP's) and Plaid Cymru (9 MP's) to obtain some sort of majority. (I think I've got the numbers right.) So what would the outcome be then? Yes, make the budget cuts required but they had better not impact on any of the citizens of Auchtermuchty or Llandindrod Wells. Now that's a recipe for tear gas on the streets if ever I saw one!

Politicians are tawdry by nature. This is as tawdry an episode as I can remember for some time though.

Just one other point, I can't wait for the full story to come out about the Labour negotiations with the Lib Dems. Reading between the lines I'm guessing that one or more members of the Labour negotiating team got the mood and approach spectacularly wrong. All good fun!

Spectacularly wrong.

As for lunatics, well we now have a Tory party in power, who were thought of so poorly, that they couldn't get a majority against possibly the second most unpopular PM ever (after Thatch). While Kay Burley is a balloon, I think she was right when she said 67% of the UK voted for a hung parliament.

I'm happy enough though, played right into the SNP hands again, the Libs are now going to struggle to hold seats up there, putting a party into power that is abhorent to most.

[Worthy4England]

My guess is 18 months before a LibDem split, as Clegg is stuck very uncomfortably with a governing party very likely to be at war against its people, quite possibly with tear gas in the streets... and the liberal portion of his party deserts him...

The LibDems incredibly stupid to turn away from the best chance their party had to attain their policy of 60 + years... but got to give it to Cameron, he's obviously good at schmoozing and Clegg at swooning...

What have they turned away WtW? Had to switch off my news coverage...

I think it's all a little strange - if I was Tory, I'd be looking to go back to the polls fairly soon to see if I could improve on what I had...

but i thought the tories were proposing fixed-term 5-year parliaments?

They are - I said if I was a Tory, I wouldn't have at this stage - I'd probably have risked putting the budget in place, then running for a second election in September to try and get a clear majority, before the full weight of the cuts happened. Less of a risk, if they've watered down the cut programme or delayed it some.

[Lord Kangana]

Some labour has-beens start the grumble, stupid bastards, in alliance with scots who hate the SNP... and give Clegg the excuse to embrace his chosen new squeeze... Their statement is simply to justify a choice they will regret as it tears their party apart...

I'm looking forward to welcoming the decent people misled into an unprincipled alliance...

In all this sorry mess, and a hung parliament is always a sorry mess irrespective of your political standpoint, most of the pundits have overlooked the ultimate madness of the failed attempts by Broon to cobble together a government this week.

If they had got the Lib Dems on board that would have only brought them close to a majority. They would then have had to negotiate with the lunatics in the SNP (3 MP's) and Plaid Cymru (9 MP's) to obtain some sort of majority. (I think I've got the numbers right.) So what would the outcome be then? Yes, make the budget cuts required but they had better not impact on any of the citizens of Auchtermuchty or Llandindrod Wells. Now that's a recipe for tear gas on the streets if ever I saw one!

Politicians are tawdry by nature. This is as tawdry an episode as I can remember for some time though.

Just one other point, I can't wait for the full story to come out about the Labour negotiations with the Lib Dems. Reading between the lines I'm guessing that one or more members of the Labour negotiating team got the mood and approach spectacularly wrong. All good fun!

Well according to Newsnight last night Zulus, your take on Brown is entirlely wrong. Apparently his approach was always a back up plan, and supposedly he was supportive of, and receptive to, the coalotion moves by the Tories and The Libdems. Staying in No10 until a Government was formed was merely a constitutional formality, much as publications such as The Sun haven't the brains to work that out.

[Lord Kangana]

Anway, the new jobs are being handed out in the new cabinet, and the rumour is that Ken and Vince will be given some responsibility for checking George's homework. Thank f*ck for that.

[Hoboh]

My guess is 18 months before a LibDem split, as Clegg is stuck very uncomfortably with a governing party very likely to be at war against its people, quite possibly with tear gas in the streets... and the liberal portion of his party deserts him...

The LibDems incredibly stupid to turn away from the best chance their party had to attain their policy of 60 + years... but got to give it to Cameron, he's obviously good at schmoozing and Clegg at swooning...

Never mind William at least you may get your revolution you sadly even missed with Thatcher!
If the new, ah how refreshing that sounds I'll say it again, new government keeps the subsidys going in the student bars it will be only Swampy and the great unwashed job dodgers left to protest and I'm sure a couple of hundred extra prison spaces or the odd rusty prison ship mid Atlantic can be found to deal with them .

We've had the doom and gloom now lets give the new boys a chance, face it, they cannot make things any worse than Rob Roy did and on that subject when are we going to give the Scots independence to stop them meddling in English affairs and draining resources? Alec fish would love having to explain to his electorate why their tax bills had to tripple . Chuck the Welsh mob in too and it maybe worth a few % off our tax bills, in fact they can contribute to us for providing them with services.

[Worthy4England]

ok - so now we are where we are...

does Clegg still get to ask Qestions at PMQs - surely not?
what if there is a by-election - do tories and lib dems BOTH stand?

I don't believe Clegg does ask questions at PMQ's - as he's part of the Government.

[Worthy4England]

Some labour has-beens start the grumble, stupid bastards, in alliance with scots who hate the SNP... and give Clegg the excuse to embrace his chosen new squeeze... Their statement is simply to justify a choice they will regret as it tears their party apart...

I'm looking forward to welcoming the decent people misled into an unprincipled alliance...

In all this sorry mess, and a hung parliament is always a sorry mess irrespective of your political standpoint, most of the pundits have overlooked the ultimate madness of the failed attempts by Broon to cobble together a government this week.

I doubt (as I said on previous occasions) that he'd have been able to carry this through the party. I'd be very surprised if it was anything more than a negotiating tactic. I wouldn't expect any of Murdoch's press to have seen it that way - it doesn't make half as good news.

[CAPSLOCK]

Negotiating tactic?

What was he hoping to negotiate and with who?

[thebish]

Negotiating tactic?

What was he hoping to negotiate and with who?

who knows? but - it was no more than a couple of hours after the news broke that the lib dems were talking to labour that the tories (through Hague) stood on the steps and publically made a raft of "extra mile" promises that (presumably) they hadn't made when they thought it was just them talking to Nick.

Labour would NEVER have held together the ramshackle alliance that was being suggested with their back benches of perpetual dusgruntlement - their negotiating team are clever enough to have realised that from day one.

anyway... lots of people ringing R5 to say they are joining the labour party (mostly ex lib dems)