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[hohoXD123]

I thought that Cameron did pretty well there, considering the demographic of the audience.

I will be very interested to see what kind of reception Miliband receives.

Could have definitely been worse, but I don't think he did great. No real answer on how he is going to deliver on his NHS/GP pledges nor why he believes the voting age should be 18, no knowledge on what the minimum wage outside London is and not ruling out a coalition with the LGBT-bashing DUP. Plenty of material there for opponents to use.

 

[King_Moc]

And another thing Cameron's really irritating me with is his insistence that we now have a strong economy again. Really? So how come my yearly pay rise this year is 0.9%, compared to the 4 or 5% i was getting each year 7 or 8 years back? He can take his for the rich only economic recovery and shove it.

 

[Meadows]

And another thing Cameron's really irritating me with is his insistence that we now have a strong economy again. Really? So how come my yearly pay rise this year is 0.9%, compared to the 4 or 5% i was getting each year 7 or 8 years back? He can take his for the rich only economic recovery and shove it.

dunno bro i've got bare cash

 

[hohoXD123]

dunno bro i've got bare cash

Let that money trickle down bro.

 

[CyclopsRock]

And another thing Cameron's really irritating me with is his insistence that we now have a strong economy again. Really? So how come my yearly pay rise this year is 0.9%, compared to the 4 or 5% i was getting each year 7 or 8 years back? He can take his for the rich only economic recovery and shove it.

In the middle of the recession I got a 30% payrise because I was super low on the ladder and changes and promotions have a bigger impact on your % payrise then. Sorry it's not working out for you, but you can't really argue with the numbers - wages are rising faster than inflation.

Edit: also, the minimum wage outside London is the same as the minimum wage inside London. You might be talking about the Living wage which, whilst nice and all that, actually has nothing to do with the government or Cameron.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

What is the current rate of inflation again?

 

[King_Moc]

In the middle of the recession I got a 30% payrise because I was super low on the ladder and changes and promotions have a bigger impact on your % payrise then. Sorry it's not working out for you, but you can't really argue with the numbers - wages are rising faster than inflation.

Edit: also, the minimum wage outside London is the same as the minimum wage inside London. You might be talking about the Living wage which, whilst nice and all that, actually has nothing to do with the government or Cameron.

I'm just talking about yearly increases. I refuse to believe that the "recovery" is happening for if businesses aren't increasing pay.

I got promoted since the recession too btw, but I'm not talking about personal good fortune her, but the yearly cost of living increase.

 

[CyclopsRock]

What is the current rate of inflation again?

Super low obviously, but wage increases are basically irrelevant except in relation to inflation, so...

I'm just talking about yearly increases. I refuse to believe that the "recovery" is happening for if businesses aren't increasing pay.

I got promoted since the recession too btw, but I'm not talking about personal good fortune her, but the yearly cost of living increase.

OK. That doesn't actually mean it's not true, though.

 

[kmag]

In the middle of the recession I got a 30% payrise because I was super low on the ladder and changes and promotions have a bigger impact on your % payrise then. Sorry it's not working out for you, but you can't really argue with the numbers - wages are rising faster than inflation.

Edit: also, the minimum wage outside London is the same as the minimum wage inside London. You might be talking about the Living wage which, whilst nice and all that, actually has nothing to do with the government or Cameron.

Only lately and that's mainly because inflation has plummeted due to the oil price crash. Hardly due to the actions of Dave and George. Forgive me if don't bow down when the average wage rise is 1.9%

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Super low obviously, but wage increases are basically irrelevant except in relation to inflation, so...

No, I was genuinely interested. Wasn't trying to make a snide point or anything.

I stopped following it a while back when there was talk of deflation. I noticed that dried up, so I assumed it was on the way up again.

 

[King_Moc]

No, I was genuinely interested. Wasn't trying to make a snide point or anything.

I stopped following it a while back when there was talk of deflation. I noticed that dried up, so I assumed it was on the way up again.

It was 0% last i looked. So wages have been increasing veeerrryyy slightly higher than it for a couple of months, compared to the 4 or 5 years when they were increasing slower. So yeah, everything is fine now. Totally.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Only lately and that's mainly because inflation has plummeted due to the oil price crash. Hardly due to the actions of Dave and George.

I'd say "so?" I mean, the original point was that he's sick of hearing about the recovery. The fact Dave and George might not have had anything to do with it doesn't suddenly mean it's not happening. We have employment figures which keep repeatedly beating the forcasts from the Budget and the Autumn Statements, and wages are growing faster than inflation. I don't really know what other criteria need to be met before he'll accept the definition of "recovery" as being an accurate description for the UK economy (which shouldn't be confused with "recovered", natch).

Edit: Refering to the "rich only economic recovery" bit, I mean. Share price growth is a rich only recovery, millions of new jobs isn't.

No, I was genuinely interested. Wasn't trying to make a snide point or anything.

I stopped following it a while back when there was talk of deflation. I noticed that dried up, so I assumed it was on the way up again.

Aah, sorry - it's 0.3% at the moment, due to low oil prices primarily (which is pretty great, generally).

Edit: Nope, King Moc is right, it's 0%. But being oil driven, it's about as ideal as inflation gets. You have a lot of the stimulatory effects without the traditional drawbacks of deflation.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

It was 0% last i looked. So wages have been increasing veeerrryyy slightly higher than it for a couple of months, compared to the 4 or 5 years when they were increasing slower. So yeah, everything is fine now. Totally.

Aah, sorry - it's 0.3% at the moment, due to low oil prices primarily (which is pretty great, generally).

Edit: Nope, King Moc is right, it's 0%. But being oil driven, it's about as ideal as inflation gets. You have a lot of the stimulatory effects without the traditional drawbacks of deflation.

Thanks.

I guess at least it's not into negative figures, so that's good news.

Interesting point about it having a stimulatory effect without the concern of deflation. I'll admit such things aren't my strongest point, so it's always great to pick up bits of info here and there.

 

[Jezbollah]

Fuck me, I'd love a 1.9% pay rise..

 

[CyclopsRock]

Thanks.

I guess at least it's not into negative figures, so that's good news.

Interesting point about it having a stimulatory effect without the concern of deflation. I'll admit such things aren't my strongest point, so it's always great to pick up bits of info here and there.

Well as kmag said, we're pretty lucky re: the oil. Deflation's usually bad because people become hesitant to buy when they know it'll be cheaper tomorrow (the dreaded "I'll get it when it's on PS+" phenomina). BUT right now most prices are still going up. Inflation is so low because the oil price falling means things like petrol and heating your house become a lot cheaper which drags down the inflation figure. This is good because both of these things are basically unavoidable - unlike buying a new TV or sofa, you can't just wait til it's cheaper tomorrow. If it's cold you need to turn on the heating, if you need a shower you need the water to be hot and if your car's out of petrol, you need to buy some more. So in essence we don't have the usual effects of deflation - people lowering their consumption - because the only things cheaper are the things you can't avoid buying. And we have a stimulatory effect because those things being cheaper means people have more money left than they normally would. Yay!

 

[TomRL]

The part about David Cameron forgetting about the T in LGBT is really petty. Other than that I liked the hard questions from the audience.

 

[King_Moc]

Well as kmag said, we're pretty lucky re: the oil. Deflation's usually bad because people become hesitant to buy when they know it'll be cheaper tomorrow (the dreaded "I'll get it when it's on PS+" phenomina). BUT right now most prices are still going up. Inflation is so low because the oil price falling means things like petrol and heating your house become a lot cheaper which drags down the inflation figure. This is good because both of these things are basically unavoidable - unlike buying a new TV or sofa, you can't just wait til it's cheaper tomorrow. If it's cold you need to turn on the heating, if you need a shower you need the water to be hot and if your car's out of petrol, you need to buy some more. So in essence we don't have the usual effects of deflation - people lowering their consumption - because the only things cheaper are the things you can't avoid buying. And we have a stimulatory effect because those things being cheaper means people have more money left than they normally would. Yay!

Except it doesn't because the companies in charge will laugh in the face of anyone that suggests they lower their prices.

The part about David Cameron forgetting about the T in LGBT is really petty. Other than that I liked the hard questions from the audience.

Not when you consider they were talking about him getting into bed with the DUP. I'd expect him to know exactly what he's getting himself into if he's doing that. It's not a great sign.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Except it doesn't because the companies in charge will laugh in the face of anyone that suggests they lower their prices.

EON and British Gas have both lowered their prices this year.

 

[Zutroy]

The part about David Cameron forgetting about the T in LGBT is really petty. Other than that I liked the hard questions from the audience.

I disagree. When the woman asking the question consistently phrased it as LGBT, why did he choose to drop the T in return? Should have just responded using LGBT too.

 

[King_Moc]

EON and British Gas have both lowered their prices this year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...-far-will-gas-and-electricity-bills-fall.html

This article states that gas prices are 27% down over a year.

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/reducing-energy-bills.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30792208

And 2 of the big 6 suppliers, British Gas and EOn, have reduced their prices by 5% and 3.5% respectively. Fan-fucking-tastic.

 

[kitch9]

And another thing Cameron's really irritating me with is his insistence that we now have a strong economy again. Really? So how come my yearly pay rise this year is 0.9%, compared to the 4 or 5% i was getting each year 7 or 8 years back? He can take his for the rich only economic recovery and shove it.

Wages and job growth are usually the last thing to recover after a recession and it can take good few years depending on the strength of the recovery.

If you believe in basic supply and demand economics there is plenty of reason to think that this process may take longer than normal.

 

[mr-paul]

Anyone else go to a screening of the Russell Brand/Michael Winterbottom documentary last night? It's called The Emperor's New Clothes, for those who are unaware of it, and I'd very much recommend it and agreed with the message it set out to convey.

I have to say though, he didn't come across half as well in the Q&A afterwards - I think Brand really benefitted from having someone to edit his thoughts rather than letting them get lost in a sea of incomprehensible nonsense.

 

[Rush_Khan]

I'm watching this BBC leader's interview with Nigel Farage. First 10 mins and he can't get a single decent defence out. Funny to watch.

 

[Real Hero]

I'm watching this BBC leader's interview with Nigel Farage. First 10 mins and he can't get a single decent defence out. Funny to watch.

He has been strangely shit in the debates too. I've never agreed with him but he's usually a good speaker and can sound convincing but he hasn't been in this campaign at all.

 

[CyclopsRock]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...-far-will-gas-and-electricity-bills-fall.html

This article states that gas prices are 27% down over a year.

http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/gas-and-electricity/reducing-energy-bills.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30792208

And 2 of the big 6 suppliers, British Gas and EOn, have reduced their prices by 5% and 3.5% respectively. Fan-fucking-tastic.

The fact the falls in bills aren't sufficient for you doesn't actually mean they don't contribute to lowering inflation.

 

[kmag]

YouGov/Sun poll tonight – Labour lead by one: CON 33%, LAB 34%, LD 7%, UKIP 14%, GRN 5%

Still no appreciable movement. I think there's a few polls out tomorrow.

 

[CyclopsRock]

If the polls don't change and they're an accurate representation of the final vote and the various seat estimates are more or less accurate - a coalition of multiple parties with a very small majority - I wonder how long it'll last? Will there be another election soon? This year? Next? It's hard to imagine too much getting done when one dodgy curry at a select committee lunch causes the government to lose a vote.

Edit: Are select committee hearings catered? If not, replace for dodgy barrel of ale in one of the commons bars.

 

[King_Moc]

If the polls don't change and they're an accurate representation of the final vote and the various seat estimates are more or less accurate - a coalition of multiple parties with a very small majority - I wonder how long it'll last? Will there be another election soon? This year? Next? It's hard to imagine too much getting done when one dodgy curry at a select committee lunch causes the government to lose a vote.

Edit: Are select committee hearings catered? If not, replace for dodgy barrel of ale in one of the commons bars.

If it remains as is, and it's accurate, then it's probably going to be Labour + SNP. Who knows if it'll work. I don't buy Cameron's scare tactics, but Trident may decide the future of it. Labour doing slightly better than expected and forming a coalition with the Lib Dems may work better.

 

[Meadows]

Here's my prediction:

Conservative + Lib Dem

 

[QuicheFontaine]

Here's my prediction:

Conservative + Lib Dem

Same, on the basis that I want something interesting to happen. Which inevitably means it won't.

 

[mclem]

Has this been posted? Mark Steel on the "but the Scots!" fearmongering.

 

[pulsemyne]

Here's my prediction:

Conservative + Lib Dem

Current poll numbers say that's very unlikely. The Libs are going to get hammered. The most likely outcome is Lab/SNP in a confidence and supply agreement. It'll be worth it just to watch Murdoch lose his shit.

 

[hohoXD123]

Current poll numbers say that's very unlikely. The Libs are going to get hammered. The most likely outcome is Lab/SNP in a confidence and supply agreement. It'll be worth it just to watch Murdoch lose his shit.

Now that would be a sight to behold.

If the polls don't change and they're an accurate representation of the final vote and the various seat estimates are more or less accurate - a coalition of multiple parties with a very small majority - I wonder how long it'll last? Will there be another election soon? This year? Next? It's hard to imagine too much getting done when one dodgy curry at a select committee lunch causes the government to lose a vote.

Edit: Are select committee hearings catered? If not, replace for dodgy barrel of ale in one of the commons bars.

I can see that being a problem. Is there a possibility of a Lab/SNP/Lib Dem coalition should the need arise? Or has Nick Clegg completely ruled out doing deals with the SNP?

Edit: Oh. Well, guess we'll see how true they are to their word...

Edit 2: Oh again. Don't know what to think anymore.

 

[Hellers]

I think if we end up with a Lab/SNP arrangement of some sort I'll need to frame the Sun cover the next day. It'll be epic.

 

[Goodlife]

Here's my prediction:

Conservative + Lib Dem

Those numbers just aren't adding up at the moment.
They'll need to be a decent shift in the polls for that to happen (or the polls will need to be wrong)

 

[RedShift]

I think if we end up with a Lab/SNP arrangement of some sort I'll need to frame the Sun cover the next day. It'll be epic.

I'm guessing they'll either go fully Fox News and claim democracy has been destroyed or they'll pretend they were supporting them all along and it was them wot won it.

 

[killer_clank]

The funny thing is the Scottish Sun is a pro SNP paper these days. They regularly run leaders in Scotland saying it'll be good for them to hold the balance of power, usually the same day as they spew anger about them in England.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Well they do have different editors.

Ahoy thar!

 

[Burai]

I'm guessing they'll either go fully Fox News and claim democracy has been destroyed or they'll pretend they were supporting them all along and it was them wot won it.

They'll take the former option for sure. "Nobody in Engand voted for them, how can they hold power over Westminster? Rabble, rabble, rabble!"

 

[QuicheFontaine]

Those numbers just aren't adding up at the moment.
They'll need to be a decent shift in the polls for that to happen (or the polls will need to be wrong)

Which numbers? The national polls? They don't say it can't happen.

It all depends on the extent of the Lib Dem collapse. They could poll what they're getting now (~8%) and still retain 30+ seats depending on where that 8% is localised. And if they do keep 30+ seats the present coalition could stumble on.

Granted, I haven't seen many actual forecasts putting LD above the mid- to high twenties...

 

[kmag]

Which numbers? The national polls? They don't say it can't happen.

It all depends on the extent of the Lib Dem collapse. They could poll what they're getting now (~8%) and still retain 30+ seats depending on where that 8% is localised. And if they do keep 30+ seats the present coalition could stumble on.

Granted, I haven't seen many actual forecasts putting LD above the mid- to high twenties...

Depends which Lib Dem MP's survive, I'm not sure Farron or George maybe even Huppert could be persuaded to vote for the Tories again. They might all come down with something the day of any close Queen's speech.

 

[industrian]

They'll take the former option for sure. "Nobody in Engand voted for them, how can they hold power over Westminster? Rabble, rabble, rabble!"

If only we had a voting system where the % of the popular vote determined the number of seats. A proportional system if you will. Or at least an alternative system to what we actually use.

Oh wait...

 

[CyclopsRock]

Tbf though AV is dogshit.

 

[kmag]

Tbf though AV is dogshit.

STV is ok. Makes the counting a bit of a bitch though.

 

[industrian]

The funny thing is the Scottish Sun is a pro SNP paper these days. They regularly run leaders in Scotland saying it'll be good for them to hold the balance of power, usually the same day as they spew anger about them in England.

What a difference four years makes.

The Sun always back the winning horse. And since the 2007 election, that means the SNP.

But that's some "we've always been at war with Eastasia" shit right there, son.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

Depends which Lib Dem MP's survive, I'm not sure Farron or George maybe even Huppert could be persuaded to vote for the Tories again. They might all come down with something the day of any close Queen's speech.

I didn't know we still had some of those bothersome 'conviction' politicians left!

 

[PJV3]

This campaign isn't exactly inspiring, i wouldn't fancy another election again soon.

 

[Juicy Bob]

Having voted in Australia and used the preferential system, having to use FPTP next month will feel like such a step backwards.

 

[kmag]

I didn't know we still had some of those bothersome 'conviction' politicians left!

All three voted against the "bedroom tax" when George raised a private members bill to get rid of it. And all 3 have basically said they don't see the Lib Dems going back in coalition with the Tories.

George:

“We have had enough of it. The Tories would not want it and I am sure my party would not go for it,” he said.

He told a meeting of the consumer group Healthwatch: “When we went into this before, there was no question that entering such a coalition in 2010 it was going to toxify the Liberal Democrats.

“When the nice party formed some kind of arrangement with the nasty party you tend to get toxified as a result of it, but we felt we were doing it for the good of the country, rather than for the good of the party.

“We knew it was going to result in some damage to our party as a result of doing such a thing. I argued we were going into it too quickly and too deeply, and in fact there were better ways of doing coalition.”

Asked a second time at the meeting in the Methodist chapel in Penzance to confirm there would be no coalition with the Tories, he said: “I have told you: it is not going to happen.”

As Farron is likely to stand for the leadership post election, he's not been so explicit, but he was scathing about the 2010 deal back in March, and indicated that he'd only agree to any future coalition with either on vastly better terms. Terms which the Tories would find more difficult to agree than Labour given Farron's left leaning politics.

 

[industrian]

Having voted in Australia and used the preferential system, having to use FPTP next month will feel like such a step backwards.

When you factor in the "options" for Prime Ministers and governments that you're voting for in Australia compared to the UK, it's elevated to a sidestep.