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[kitch9]

Well, obviously ukip aren't putting anything directly racist in their manifesto. But it's still Farage's party, so it's still the party that wants to allow employers to discriminate based on race and gender, wants to get rid of mandatory holidays, maternity pay and sick pay. They haven't changed, they're just learning to fool idiots.

Employers currently are discriminating based on race and gender because they have to tick boxes on a piece of paper.

 

[kmag]

A good analysis of why Ed Milliband is about to be our next PM. The numbers just don't add up for anyone else, unless you believe that current polling has got it totally, comprehensively wrong.


History. The SNP brought down James Callaghan's Labour government, which led to the election of the Conservatives under the leadership of one Margaret Thatcher. Labour haven't been too happy with the SNP ever since, because however much they hate the Tories, they hate Tory enablers (SNP then, Lib Dems now) even more.

The SNP may have pulled the trigger, although Thatcher actually landed the shot (it was her bill which actually torpedoed Callaghan not the SNP's), but Labour essentially did it to themselves by their backbenchers last minute amendment to the Scotland bill which meant the dead voted no in the referendum.

 

[industrian]

Their policy announcement of a Scottish Report card for the people in England to see exactly what those dirty scrounging Scots are getting this morning is essentially a war on the union. Gawd bless them.

Better Together.

 

[King_Moc]

Employers currently are discriminating based on race and gender because they have to tick boxes on a piece of paper.

Are they though, or is it just there as a measure to audit that firms don't have people employing people on the basis of their race? I've been on interview panels at my workplace and the issue of racial quotas has never been raised.

 

[electroshockwave]

A labour minority government is infinitely preferable to a labour majority government. A labour minority with SNP support will not last 5 years, and labour literally cannot afford to fight another election anytime soon. Heck, they can't afford to fight this election. The conservatives cannot win this election, they can read the polls as much as we can - it's basically impossible for them to get a majority. But they can afford to win the next election, and if all that matters, above anything else, is getting power then bowing up the union is a decent way to do it for them.

My betting is now a labour minority government, which falls after two years tops and is followed by a conservative majority government headed up by Theresa May.

Fixed term parliaments act somewhat complicates things in your scenario, doesn't it?

 

[RedShift]

Fixed term parliaments act somewhat complicates things in your scenario, doesn't it?

Nope. The act specifically states that a vote of no confidence will trigger an early election unless followed by a vote of confidence within a fortnight.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Lol. Apparently Sinn Fein are currently presenting their Westminster manifesto. Bet that's a long one.

 

[kmag]

I'm not sure what the effect of just call me Dave's Scottish report card is? Is he going to pledge to correct any 'unintended effects' of Scottish policy on the English? How is going to accomplish that? Additional spending to ameliorate those effects (congratulations Nicola you now actually control Westminster spending) or more likely is he going to get Westminster to undo the Scottish Parliaments legislation. That'll go down well, the UK would be over before the ink dried on any bill proposing that.

 

[CyclopsRock]

I'm not sure what the effect of just call me Dave's Scottish report card is? Is he going to pledge to correct any 'unintended effects' of Scottish policy on the English? How is going to accomplish that? Additional spending to ameliorate those effects (congratulations Nicola you now actually control Westminster spending) or more likely is he going to get Westminster to undo the Scottish Parliaments legislation. That'll go down well, the UK would be over before the ink dried on any bill proposing that.

The obvious answer is "nothing" other than something to point at when talking about how the SNP can harm the UK. Given he said that this a) wasn't about telling the SP what to do and b) won't change Barnett, I can't think of anything short of individual grants (ie to Northern Airports) to even the playing field.

 

[industrian]

I'm not sure what the effect of just call me Dave's Scottish report card is? Is he going to pledge to correct any 'unintended effects' of Scottish policy on the English? How is going to accomplish that? Additional spending to ameliorate those effects (congratulations Nicola you now actually control Westminster spending) or more likely is he going to get Westminster to undo the Scottish Parliaments legislation. That'll go down well, the UK would be over before the ink dried on any bill proposing that.

I think that - just in case - we better get on the horn to Nicola that the lack of tolls on the Forth Road Bridge is destroying the union.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Ok ok so back to the "Where are they now?" Lib Dem voter stuff, check this shit out...

Huh!

Edit: Really puts the "Where did the BNP voters go?" question to bed, too.

 

[Spaghetti]

Labour did nothing to stop the great Space Raiders price hike of 2007

or the sale of cadbury

Edit: Really puts the "Where did the BNP voters go?" question to bed, too.

yikes, yes it does.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

About 40% of the electorate have the same attitude as you. This propagates the status quo even further. At least get yourself registered and spoil your vote if you have to so you're part of the turnout.

I'm already registered, as is everyone else in the house.

 

[kitch9]

Are they though, or is it just there as a measure to audit that firms don't have people employing people on the basis of their race? I've been on interview panels at my workplace and the issue of racial quotas has never been raised.

I'm guessing you have never applied for a government contract then? They enforce strict quotas and you have to write a detailed explanation as to why you haven't hit that quota and even then they may disregard your application.

 

[kmag]

Populus:
CON 32 (-1)
LAB 34 (=)
LIB 9 (=)
UKIP 15 (+1)
GRN 4 (=)

 

[kmag]

or the sale of cadbury


yikes, yes it does.

Some famous glasgow graffiti. "25p for a freddo!"

 

[kmag]

Gavin HewittVerified account
‏@BBCGavinHewitt
Tory source tells me the party is set to step up warnings of Labour/SNP alliance. Big hitters will be deployed to develop sense of crisis.

Some people are suggesting they must have evidence that this line works well, I'd argue this about all they have left. They've tried personal attacks and failed to move the polls, they've tried massive giveaways and failed to move the polls and this is pretty much all they have left.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Some people are suggesting they must have evidence that this line works well, I'd argue this about all they have left. They've tried personal attacks and failed to move the polls, they've tried massive giveaways and failed to move the polls and this is pretty much all they have left.

Dan Hodges (yeah I know) has said a few times that, whilst personally skeptical, he's heard from a few Tories that their polling suggests this is a good line of attack and thus they're pursuing it. It's likely to be in the North East where it's most powerful, one would imagine.

 

[RedShift]

Some people are suggesting they must have evidence that this line works well, I'd argue this about all they have left. They've tried personal attacks and failed to move the polls, they've tried massive giveaways and failed to move the polls and this is pretty much all they have left.

They've already replaced their repeated yelling of 'Ed Miliband' with 'Ed Miliband and the SNP', so I wouldn't be surprised.

Even if I didn't already hate the Tories I'd really want them to lose for the cynical, personal campaign they're running.

 

[Hellers]

Dan Hodges (yeah I know) has said a few times that, whilst personally skeptical, he's heard from a few Tories that their polling suggests this is a good line of attack and thus they're pursuing it. It's likely to be in the North East where it's most powerful, one would imagine.

Doesn't the north-east tend to not vote Tory very much to start with? My MP has been labour since what feels like three ice ages now.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

I saw this billboard in the Loughborough constituency (which is one of the important ones in an election due to eclectic nature of the student population):

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/09/tory-election-poster-ed-miliband-pocket-snp-alex-salmond

 

[Billy_Pilgrim]

Dan Hodges (yeah I know) has said a few times that, whilst personally skeptical, he's heard from a few Tories that their polling suggests this is a good line of attack and thus they're pursuing it. It's likely to be in the North East where it's most powerful, one would imagine.

Absolutely no chance of Tories picking up any seats outside of Berwickshire. We had a Skeptics in the Pub hustings at the Tyneside Irish centre, the Tory bloke was barely even a Tory and he was still booed.

The UKIP bloke was a lot more warmly received, but ultimately this is as safe labour territory as you can get, and we have the exact same concerns as the scots.

The Hexham MP will be alright, because they love him and they're all Tories anyway. That's probably about it. The North East has been hit harder by the coalition than anywhere else. In my district, we have youth unemployment of 78%.

 

[iMax]

I'm already registered, as is everyone else in the house.

Good. Make sure you go and vote and just draw a dick on the ballot paper if you have to. Show people you care for democracy but not for the system!

 

[kmag]

Dan Hodges (yeah I know) has said a few times that, whilst personally skeptical, he's heard from a few Tories that their polling suggests this is a good line of attack and thus they're pursuing it. It's likely to be in the North East where it's most powerful, one would imagine.

What are they going to say? That they've given up? It's going to take a swing of about 4% from current polling to get the Tories in a position of power, the polls haven't really budged an inch since the start of the election. Even late swingback looks doubtful. It's not even so much the percentages it's the type of seats they won in 2010 they'd have to defend against Labour which will be very difficult for them to do while Labour is around 34%. Most of their gains will come at the expense of the Lib Dems which just removes a potential coalition partner.

Even if they match their 2010 share of the vote which they won't, they'd still be borderline requiring Lib Dem and DUP support for the barest of majorities.

http://may2015.com/featured/electio...-miliband-is-likely-to-become-prime-minister/ breaks it down in pretty compelling detail.

Obviously this assumes the polling is right, but they are so many polls coalescing at the same point that it would be shocking if they were miles out.

 

[KingSnake]

As an outsider it is quite funny to see now Scotland pictured as something bad for UK while some months ago the campaign was to keep them in the union. Practically the same people campaigned for SNP to have such big influence in the UK Parliament.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Doesn't the north-east tend to not vote Tory very much to start with? My MP has been labour since what feels like three ice ages now.

Indeedy but at this point there's not much point in them trying to win seats from the Lib Dems.

Absolutely no chance of Tories picking up any seats outside of Berwickshire. We had a Skeptics in the Pub hustings at the Tyneside Irish centre, the Tory bloke was barely even a Tory and he was still booed.

The UKIP bloke was a lot more warmly received, but ultimately this is as safe labour territory as you can get, and we have the exact same concerns as the scots.

The Hexham MP will be alright, because they love him and they're all Tories anyway. That's probably about it. The North East has been hit harder by the coalition than anywhere else. In my district, we have youth unemployment of 78%.

There must be a few marginals up there, no? They have a few MPs and Osborne is (I think) up there today doing the rounds - they must think they have a shot somewhere.

 

[Billy_Pilgrim]

Indeedy but at this point there's not much point in them trying to win seats from the Lib Dems.



There must be a few marginals up there, no? They have a few MPs and Osborne is (I think) up there today doing the rounds - they must think they have a shot somewhere.

Redcar is a target for both labour and conservative. Labour party wanted me to go and campaign there on election day, it's a lib dem seat up for grabs I think. Outside of that there aren't any gains for blue.

 

[Lego Boss]

I saw this billboard in the Loughborough constituency (which is one of the important ones in an election due to eclectic nature of the student population):



http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/mar/09/tory-election-poster-ed-miliband-pocket-snp-alex-salmond

Yeah, I saw this too in Loughborough (it's recently been changed). Complete insult to the electorate considering Sturgeon is now the leader.

When I worked at the Uni it seemed quite conservative (with a small and capital C), I just hope that in such a key marginal the students will get out and vote (and in the local elections too for Storer ward).

 

[JonathanEx]

I'm not saying the right-wing press have run out of angles to attack with

but

https://twitter.com/sunnation/status/590132193470611457

 

[mclem]

One interesting announcement: apparently C4's coverage this time around will be hosted by the fascinatingly bizarre combo of David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman. In a sense, it's Mark and Jez!

Can't work out if that'll work. Last time around they used the 10 O'Clock Live crew (including Mitchell), and rated better than ITV did, so there's some potential there. I just want a new Election Night Armistice, of course.

 

[PJV3]

I'm not saying the right-wing press have run out of angles to attack with

but

https://twitter.com/sunnation/status/590132193470611457

Because "Ed looks like a man who would have a cat allergy"

Bless.

 

[JonathanEx]

One interesting announcement: apparently C4's coverage this time around will be hosted by the fascinatingly bizarre combo of David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman. In a sense, it's Mark and Jez!

Can't work out if that'll work. Last time around they used the 10 O'Clock Live crew (including Mitchell), and rated better than ITV did, so there's some potential there. I just want a new Election Night Armistice, of course.

Well last time round was effectively the pilot to 10 O'Clock Live, wasn't it?

I'm hopeful, mainly due to Paxman. There's a couple of the C4 news team, Adam Hills, Phonejacker, Richard Osman (well done if you got that at home, it's a pointless MP) aaand a Gogglebox special.

 

[King_Moc]

I'm guessing you have never applied for a government contract then? They enforce strict quotas and you have to write a detailed explanation as to why you haven't hit that quota and even then they may disregard your application.

So, you at least get the option of arguing your case? Sounds preferable to companies being able to employ nothing but white, English men and not even having to justify it.

 

[CyclopsRock]

One interesting announcement: apparently C4's coverage this time around will be hosted by the fascinatingly bizarre combo of David Mitchell and Jeremy Paxman. In a sense, it's Mark and Jez!

Can't work out if that'll work. Last time around they used the 10 O'Clock Live crew (including Mitchell), and rated better than ITV did, so there's some potential there. I just want a new Election Night Armistice, of course.

10 O'clock live was fucking awful though. That sounds like a pretty fascinating combo but tbh by 3am all I want to know is what constituencies have returned. Will be interesting to see if the extra comedy element is welcomed after the 6th Red Bull or if it's just an annoyance.

I'd like to see Johnson giving a big high five to the victors though.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

Yeah, I saw this too in Loughborough (it's recently been changed). Complete insult to the electorate considering Sturgeon is now the leader.

When I worked at the Uni it seemed quite conservative (with a small and capital C), I just hope that in such a key marginal the students will get out and vote (and in the local elections too for Storer ward).

Sturgeon isn't as unlikeable as Salmond, so I figure they went with the latter option for that reason.

 

[Go_Ly_Dow]

http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ard-doesnt-work-tories-panic-armando-iannucci

Another term with the Tories would destroy me.

 

[industrian]

As an outsider it is quite funny to see now Scotland pictured as something bad for UK while some months ago the campaign was to keep them in the union. Practically the same people campaigned for SNP to have such big influence in the UK Parliament.

September 2014: If only the SNP would stop talking about independence and start being constructive for the UK as a whole in Westminster.

May 2015: How dare the SNP try to take part in Westminster and be constructive for the UK.

 

[mclem]

http://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ard-doesnt-work-tories-panic-armando-iannucci

Another term with the Tories would destroy me.

My major takeaway from that:

The date of crossover, rather like the rapture, keeps being pushed back. It was meant to be Christmas last year, but nothing of significance happened then apart from a particularly good Dr Who special.

Iannucci is watching Capaldi's Doctor. C'mon, Moffat, you know what to do!

 

[Moosichu]

My major takeaway from that:



Iannucci is watching Capaldi's Doctor. C'mon, Moffat, you know what to do!

Hahaha. I would love it if the Doctor said "Fuckity bye!" to the Daleks.

 

[D4Danger]

the SNP problem would be solved if we had an English parliament.

 

[Uzzy]

the SNP problem would be solved if we had an English parliament.

Sure would. A Federal UK would be a step in the right direction, and quite possibly save the Union.

 

[Jezbollah]

SNP Election Manifesto 2015

 

[Principate]

or that most perfect of semantic paradoxes, “Vote for Change: Vote Conservative"

This one killed me, I hadn't actually seen this one before, haha.

 

[kmag]

Guardian / ICM:
Con – 34 (-5)
Lab – 32 (-1)
UKIP – 11% (+4)
LDEM – 10% (+2)
GRN – 5% (-2)

The two parties are actually equal on weighted respondents. It's ICM's DK adjuster which pushes the Tories ahead. ICM simply take half the DK's and assign them to the parties they voted for in the last GE.

 

[tomtom94]

This one killed me, I hadn't actually seen this one before, haha.

Personal favourite:

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

Personal favourite:

Reckless is an unfortunate surname for a politician. Probably worse than "Balls".

 

[KingSnake]

September 2014: If only the SNP would stop talking about independence and start being constructive for the UK as a whole in Westminster.

May 2015: How dare the SNP try to take part in Westminster and be constructive for the UK.

Yeah, pretty much. I mean, if what Scots want it's so contradictory to England or UK's best interests and the SNP being in the government is an issue big enough to become a main campaign theme, wouldn't have been better without them?

 

[industrian]

Reckless is an unfortunate surname for a politician. Probably worse than "Balls".

The media would love Ed Balls to be elected Prime Minister. 5 years of headlines writing themselves.

"EU showdown has Britain by the Balls"
"Balls out for Britain's intervention in Syria"
"New statues for Labour prime ministers has big Balls"
"Britain's Balls busted in expenses scandal"
"New policies makes Balls bounce from right to left"
"Exit polls breaks Balls"

Etc, etc, ad nauseam.

 

[iMax]

Reckless is an unfortunate surname for a politician. Probably worse than "Balls".

Nothing is worse than Balls.

The media would love Ed Balls to be elected Prime Minister. 5 years of headlines writing themselves.

"EU showdown has Britain by the Balls"
"Balls out for Britain's intervention in Syria"
"New statues for Labour prime ministers has big Balls"
"Britain's Balls busted in expenses scandal"
"New policies makes Balls bounce from right to left"
"Exit polls breaks Balls"

Etc, etc, ad nauseam.

Good point. Have to say, I'm enjoying the prospect of the headlines following an Ed Balls visit to Bath.

 

[RedShift]

Imagine if Alan Johnson were Labour leader.

Johnson and Balls...