Well the starting gun has been fired on what must surely be the most fascinating General Election contest in over 40 years. Not since Ted Heath asked the country "who governs Britain" back in February 1974 has a General Election been so unpredictable. This election coming up has a few similarities with the February 74 election and I personally reckon that we will have to go back and vote again as no clear result will be given this time. I'm not going to tell you who I shall be voting for and neither do you! If you can be arsed to express your opinions as we go through the run up to polling day, please feel free to unburden yourselves! Average Poll Ratings from 2010 http://www.electoralcalculus.co.uk/polls.html
Reckon I'll have to watch this thread like a hawk. I'm watching <points two fingers at eyes and then at you, repeat as neccessary>
I did think about making my contributions on their thread but I don't think I could cope with all that adulation!
A few on there look who posted before deciding what they think ...rather than looking at content imo..... As for who to vote for.....it's just like betting on the grand national ...just pick a name you like and see how long it takes to fall.
The sad reality is that out of all the 655 seats that will be contested only around 100 constituencies will actually decide the outcome! I live in a marginal constituency so my vote will count but if you live for example in places like Bury St Edmunds or East Surrey or Halifax the result is never beyond doubt! The system under which we elect our governments is desperately in need of an overhaul.
Just looked at the most recent opinion polls for the Ipswich constituency Ben Gummer Conservative on 36% David Ellesmere Labour on 35% Pretty much tracking what the polls are doing nationally.
I'd be interested to know how you think the electoral system could be reformed Johnny.I really can't see the Tories or Labour ever allowing any form of PR, it'd be like turkeys voting for Xmas!
I'm happy to pop over to the Budgie board on your behalf and make CT and his Socialist Worker comrades aware of this thread.
Many moons ago, I was SWP and stood on street corners in Hull selling Socialist Worker. Sadly the only thing that ever sold out was me :-( I quite like a lot of what the Whigs are saying but that is basically all they are doing - they're not fully formed yet and haven't got their a!ses in gear.
I haven't got a clue who I am voting for, I was going down the tory line before last week but Ed did come across better than expected. I really need to see who says what and what works out best for me.
" I was going down the tory line before last week but Ed did come across better than expected. " The same clown who said " friend " 60 times in an hour and didn't once mention the deficit I guess the things we know about the election for 100% fact = * Lib Dems will get hammered. * Like or hate UKIP, SNP, both are on the rise. * Green party require a new leader who can answer questions As for the " winner " etc, I can't see either party having enough for a majority. I think should Labour get in, they cannot go down the road of overspending in the hope of getting the economy moving like last time and will not get away with benefit handout central this time. The tories WILL continue with cuts ( some rightly need cutting ) however WILL have to spend more on health etc than they ideally want to. My main political point however = VOTE or don't moan. We're lucky to live in a democratic country ( of sorts, though I don't trust politicians or the police for that matter any further than I can throw them. ) Main hopes for the next five years = * Child benefit gets capped to 3/4 kids. If you want to churn out 6/7/8 I don't see why the taxpayer should fund you. * Big companies evading tax start to pay it!!!!! * Quite a few other things, common sense things. Over to you parties, it's your time to shine. I maintain Labour appointed the wrong brother. David Milliband would have 100% won this election, Ed, he's difficult to love.
I agree with a lot of UKIP's policies but due to FPTP a vote for UKIP in my constituency would only help Labour who are the polar opposites! Therefore I shall vote Conservative as they stand the best chance of winning and at least they will deliver a lot of what I want!