British Election Approaching- how would you vote?

[Symmetry]

I thought it was blue too, but apparently it's purple. Is this a third way?

[spurgistan]

Have LibDems ever been quite so relevant as it looks like they might be now? Is this a reaction against Labour/Con, or is Clegg really that good?

[Symmetry]

Have LibDems ever been quite so relevant as it looks like they might be now? Is this a reaction against Labour/Con, or is Clegg really that good?

Mixture of both I'd say. Lib Dems have always been the party of political reform in one way or the other, and now reform is a big issue. Both labour and the conservatives have a history of sleaze and corruption when in power.

Clegg was exceptionally good in the debate. I didn't think he had it in him, but he really spoke a different language from the broad platitudes on the other sides. The real test will be how he responds to the responses.

[Genghis Khant]

Only 3 votes for the Backward Nazi Pricks? I'm pleasantly surprised - I thought there were more idiots in these fora.

(The 10 that voted Tory aren't idiots per se, merely misguided)

[targetman377]

my option is not on here i would vote with tea silly chaps

[nyheerhh]

I've always sympathised with Labour but always voted Lib Dem as Labour never stood a chance in my seat. My Lib Dem MP (last 2 parliaments) has proved himself to be a cracking local MP, no hint of a taint from the expenses scandle, very available to his constituents and genuinely engaged and concerned in local issues. On this basis I will be happily be giving him my vote this time. The fact that the Lib Dems now seem to represent my world view far better than New Labour is a bonus.

[Fruitcake]

I have found that I agree with the core UKIP policy of realigning the relationship with Brussels (EU). The general public are kept in the dark for most of the time regarding the spread of centrist power from Brussels. It is a little known fact that over 85% of our national laws are now passed by the plenary in the EU (and of course originate from the Commissars, sorry, unelected Commissioners, based in Brussels) and that Westminster is now little more than a local tax raising institution.

Apart from the above, and many other issues I have with politicians generally, I find that any man who can give speeches such as the examples below gets my vote. unfortunately we have no real politicians in Westminster any more who would dare to take on the mighty EU establishment this way.

Please note, that the examples show EU politicians from different parties. My argument is with the expanionist EU not with any particular party politician, I hate them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1waGanUNt0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4t ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHvTq6Bf_pg

[Symmetry]

I have found that I agree with the core UKIP policy of realigning the relationship with Brussels (EU). The general public are kept in the dark for most of the time regarding the spread of centrist power from Brussels. It is a little known fact that over 85% of our national laws are now passed by the plenary in the EU (and of course originate from the Commissars, sorry, unelected Commissioners, based in Brussels) and that Westminster is now little more than a local tax raising institution.

Apart from the above, and many other issues I have with politicians generally, I find that any man who can give speeches such as the examples below gets my vote. unfortunately we have no real politicians in Westminster any more who would dare to take on the mighty EU establishment this way.

Please note, that the examples show EU politicians from different parties. My argument is with the expanionist EU not with any particular party politician, I hate them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1waGanUNt0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4t ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHvTq6Bf_pg

Yeah, right. Some fun rhetoric, and nicely phrased, but we all know that 88.2% of statistics are made up on the spot. Standard UKIP nonsense.

A quick check for fact checking services turns up this:

Here

Try not to swallow every link and statistic UKIP give you.

Anyway, anyone have thoughts on the latest debate tonight?

[nagerous]

Yep, Gordon Brown rocked as usual, he owned the stage, surprised so many people on this forum are buying Cameron's schtick.

[Symmetry]

Yep, Gordon Brown rocked as usual, he owned the stage, surprised so many people on this forum are buying Cameron's schtick.

He was much much better than he was in the first debate. I really think the foreign policy experience showed, and he neatly divided Lib Dems into too European, and Conservatives into too American factions. Maybe a clever tactic.

[Timminz]

Speaking of Cameron, have you guys ever wondered what he daydreams about? Well, wonder no longer.

[Doc_Brown]

I have to admit that I know very little about the political parties in the UK. A number of people in the US whose political philosophies I respect have spoken very admiringly of Margaret Thatcher. That said, the same logic could be used to say, "Some people I respect really liked Reagan, so I'm voting Republican." It really doesn't hold much water. I have an impression that the UK Conservative party is the closest in political philosophy to the US conservatives, so I'd probably lean that direction. But I almost never vote for someone on the basis of his political party, so I'd have to do a lot more research before I picked a candidate or party to support in the UK.

All that aside, I thought some of you might be interested in this site:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
Those guys are statisticians by trade and had by far the most accurate predictions going into the 2008 US elections. They've put together a much more robust model for the upcoming UK elections that you guys might be interested in. Right now they're expecting Conservatives to hold 299 seats, Labour to end up with 199, and Democrats to get 120. He runs through various scenarios with each party gaining or losing 4% after tonight's debate. Overall, it looks like the Conservatives are likely to come out the best. Worst case scenario for them still gets them 220 seats, while a really good performance tonight could get them all the way to 367. Another gaffe by Brown tonight could end up dropping Labour down to 115 seats, and their top end is only 288. Scenarios for the Liberal Democrats range from 73 to 261 seats.

[Symmetry]

I have to admit that I know very little about the political parties in the UK. A number of people in the US whose political philosophies I respect have spoken very admiringly of Margaret Thatcher. That said, the same logic could be used to say, "Some people I respect really liked Reagan, so I'm voting Republican." It really doesn't hold much water. I have an impression that the UK Conservative party is the closest in political philosophy to the US conservatives, so I'd probably lean that direction. But I almost never vote for someone on the basis of his political party, so I'd have to do a lot more research before I picked a candidate or party to support in the UK.

All that aside, I thought some of you might be interested in this site:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
Those guys are statisticians by trade and had by far the most accurate predictions going into the 2008 US elections. They've put together a much more robust model for the upcoming UK elections that you guys might be interested in. Right now they're expecting Conservatives to hold 299 seats, Labour to end up with 199, and Democrats to get 120. He runs through various scenarios with each party gaining or losing 4% after tonight's debate. Overall, it looks like the Conservatives are likely to come out the best. Worst case scenario for them still gets them 220 seats, while a really good performance tonight could get them all the way to 367. Another gaffe by Brown tonight could end up dropping Labour down to 115 seats, and their top end is only 288. Scenarios for the Liberal Democrats range from 73 to 261 seats.

This is roughly in line with some of the UK predictions, but there are a couple of things to bear in mind. FIrst is that there is the possibility of a coalition between Labour and the Lib Dems. That would put the coalition in the majority. Second is that the actual seats won will not necessarily reflect the percentage of votes gained in any meaningful way. Hopefully that will push through electoral reform.

[pmchugh]

Can't believe the clegg wagon, people are so easily swayed its ridiculous.

p.s. vote eboue!

[Symmetry]

Can't believe the clegg wagon, people are so easily swayed its ridiculous.

p.s. vote eboue!

Heh, as if thirty years of campaigning by the Liberal Democrats resulting in support for their policies equals an "easily swayed" public.

[pmchugh]

Can't believe the clegg wagon, people are so easily swayed its ridiculous.

p.s. vote eboue!

Heh, as if thirty years of campaigning by the Liberal Democrats resulting in support for their policies equals an "easily swayed" public.

They were going absolutely nowhere for the last 30 years (maybe less im a bit too young for that), suddenly one tv debate and wabam! they are flying.

[Snorri1234]

I have found that I agree with the core UKIP policy of realigning the relationship with Brussels (EU). The general public are kept in the dark for most of the time regarding the spread of centrist power from Brussels. It is a little known fact that over 85% of our national laws are now passed by the plenary in the EU (and of course originate from the Commissars, sorry, unelected Commissioners, based in Brussels) and that Westminster is now little more than a local tax raising institution.

Apart from the above, and many other issues I have with politicians generally, I find that any man who can give speeches such as the examples below gets my vote. unfortunately we have no real politicians in Westminster any more who would dare to take on the mighty EU establishment this way.

Please note, that the examples show EU politicians from different parties. My argument is with the expanionist EU not with any particular party politician, I hate them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1waGanUNt0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4t ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHvTq6Bf_pg

Yeah, right. Some fun rhetoric, and nicely phrased, but we all know that 88.2% of statistics are made up on the spot. Standard UKIP nonsense.

A quick check for fact checking services turns up this:

Here

Try not to swallow every link and statistic UKIP give you.

Word. There is a lot of bullshit thrown about on how Brussels is totally going to control everything and already does for the most part but it's the sort of shit you see in the Daily Mail or Sun. I did a little bit of research during the last EU elections on precisely what got done in Brussels and what didn't (found out that the wages and paperwork-expenses were pretty damn low, the money we pay is at least put to use)

Did you see the QI episode about the EU?

[Symmetry]

I have found that I agree with the core UKIP policy of realigning the relationship with Brussels (EU). The general public are kept in the dark for most of the time regarding the spread of centrist power from Brussels. It is a little known fact that over 85% of our national laws are now passed by the plenary in the EU (and of course originate from the Commissars, sorry, unelected Commissioners, based in Brussels) and that Westminster is now little more than a local tax raising institution.

Apart from the above, and many other issues I have with politicians generally, I find that any man who can give speeches such as the examples below gets my vote. unfortunately we have no real politicians in Westminster any more who would dare to take on the mighty EU establishment this way.

Please note, that the examples show EU politicians from different parties. My argument is with the expanionist EU not with any particular party politician, I hate them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1waGanUNt0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4t ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHvTq6Bf_pg

Yeah, right. Some fun rhetoric, and nicely phrased, but we all know that 88.2% of statistics are made up on the spot. Standard UKIP nonsense.

A quick check for fact checking services turns up this:

Here

Try not to swallow every link and statistic UKIP give you.

Word. There is a lot of bullshit thrown about on how Brussels is totally going to control everything and already does for the most part but it's the sort of shit you see in the Daily Mail or Sun. I did a little bit of research during the last EU elections on precisely what got done in Brussels and what didn't (found out that the wages and paperwork-expenses were pretty damn low, the money we pay is at least put to use)

Did you see the QI episode about the EU?

No, is it on iplayer?

[nagerous]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/electio ... l?ITO=1490


Classic Daily Mail fearmongering but got me thinking of changing my vote from labour

[Snorri1234]

I have found that I agree with the core UKIP policy of realigning the relationship with Brussels (EU). The general public are kept in the dark for most of the time regarding the spread of centrist power from Brussels. It is a little known fact that over 85% of our national laws are now passed by the plenary in the EU (and of course originate from the Commissars, sorry, unelected Commissioners, based in Brussels) and that Westminster is now little more than a local tax raising institution.

Apart from the above, and many other issues I have with politicians generally, I find that any man who can give speeches such as the examples below gets my vote. unfortunately we have no real politicians in Westminster any more who would dare to take on the mighty EU establishment this way.

Please note, that the examples show EU politicians from different parties. My argument is with the expanionist EU not with any particular party politician, I hate them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1waGanUNt0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4t ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHvTq6Bf_pg

Yeah, right. Some fun rhetoric, and nicely phrased, but we all know that 88.2% of statistics are made up on the spot. Standard UKIP nonsense.

A quick check for fact checking services turns up this:

Here

Try not to swallow every link and statistic UKIP give you.

Word. There is a lot of bullshit thrown about on how Brussels is totally going to control everything and already does for the most part but it's the sort of shit you see in the Daily Mail or Sun. I did a little bit of research during the last EU elections on precisely what got done in Brussels and what didn't (found out that the wages and paperwork-expenses were pretty damn low, the money we pay is at least put to use)

Did you see the QI episode about the EU?

No, is it on iplayer?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjYxU32J ... playnext=1
it is on the youtubes.

it's quite interesting.

[Symmetry]

Can't believe the clegg wagon, people are so easily swayed its ridiculous.

p.s. vote eboue!

Heh, as if thirty years of campaigning by the Liberal Democrats resulting in support for their policies equals an "easily swayed" public.

They were going absolutely nowhere for the last 30 years (maybe less im a bit too young for that), suddenly one tv debate and wabam! they are flying.

They were the third major party in UK politics, an important force in local local politics, and the only one of the major parties that seriously opposed the Iraq war, the current electoral system, and the credit crunch that resulted in the current financial crisis.

In other words, they were right, and people are noticing. It's not like they changed their policies, it's just that they turned out to be right.

[icedagger]

Heh, as if thirty years of campaigning by the Liberal Democrats resulting in support for their policies equals an "easily swayed" public.

I was going to vote lib dems before the first debate, but it's pretty clear that's what's given them their 8-10% boost.

I have to admit that I know very little about the political parties in the UK. A number of people in the US whose political philosophies I respect have spoken very admiringly of Margaret Thatcher. That said, the same logic could be used to say, "Some people I respect really liked Reagan, so I'm voting Republican." It really doesn't hold much water. I have an impression that the UK Conservative party is the closest in political philosophy to the US conservatives, so I'd probably lean that direction. But I almost never vote for someone on the basis of his political party, so I'd have to do a lot more research before I picked a candidate or party to support in the UK.

All that aside, I thought some of you might be interested in this site:
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/
Those guys are statisticians by trade and had by far the most accurate predictions going into the 2008 US elections. They've put together a much more robust model for the upcoming UK elections that you guys might be interested in. Right now they're expecting Conservatives to hold 299 seats, Labour to end up with 199, and Democrats to get 120. He runs through various scenarios with each party gaining or losing 4% after tonight's debate. Overall, it looks like the Conservatives are likely to come out the best. Worst case scenario for them still gets them 220 seats, while a really good performance tonight could get them all the way to 367. Another gaffe by Brown tonight could end up dropping Labour down to 115 seats, and their top end is only 288. Scenarios for the Liberal Democrats range from 73 to 261 seats.

I would be shocked if the lib dems got 120 seats. Three figures would be a great result for them, especially considering the (admittedly limited) marginals polls we've had which show them performing relatively poorly against the tories. They have labour much lower than seems likely too- do you know how they've calculated it (presumably not UNS)?

[icedagger]

Great gordon brown speech- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BA2Jz7xIXw

And completely ignored by the right-wing press of course. Why couldn't he have done this in the debates?

[Minister Masket]

Personally I feel that people don't want to vote Tory for the sake of it, or because others have said they won't.

"Herrr.....the Conservatives are Thatcher's children!"

Uh...so what? She lasted three terms, quit on her own terms, and her Tory successor John Major won the next election after that! Yeah, clearly everyone hated the Tories after Thatcher....

[icedagger]

, quit on her own terms,