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UK General Election - 8th June 2017 |OT| - The Red Wedding

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Uzzy

Member
It is! Maybe that's a good way to explain what I mean.

So yes, the Tories have failed in their target to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands (a lolsworthy target while we were still in the EU imo). That's true. But if you like immigration, and you would actually increase immigration, then you can't attack them on that.

Of course you can. One's a policy concern, and the other is an issue of competence.
 

PJV3

Member
It is! Maybe that's a good way to explain what I mean.

So yes, the Tories have failed in their target to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands (a lolsworthy target while we were still in the EU imo). That's true. But if you like immigration, and you would actually increase immigration, then you can't attack them on that.

Of course you can if it's being used as an issue to gain power and do other stuff you don't like.
 
It is! Maybe that's a good way to explain what I mean.

So yes, the Tories have failed in their target to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands (a lolsworthy target while we were still in the EU imo). That's true. But if you like immigration, and you would actually increase immigration, then you can't attack them on that.

Tribal politics in a nutshell. I'm fine with immigration the way it currently is. I enjoy interacting and working with people from different corners of the globe. 10s of thousands is impossible even outside the EU unless you want to stop everyone except PhD's from moving over.
 

TimmmV

Member
It is! Maybe that's a good way to explain what I mean.

So yes, the Tories have failed in their target to reduce immigration to the tens of thousands (a lolsworthy target while we were still in the EU imo). That's true. But if you like immigration, and you would actually increase immigration, then you can't attack them on that.

To take it back to the national debt then:

How can the Tories attack Labour on the national debt, when they also increased it, only by cutting everything at the same time?
 
Of course you can. One's a policy concern, and the other is an issue of competence.

Well with immigration you can just say it's the EU's fault.

Of course you can if it's being used as an issue to gain power and do other stuff you don't like.

Instead of "you can't attack", what I should say is "it's not an effective attack". To say look at that you let in all those immigrants, tut tut. And then to turn around and say I actually like that, and would have gone even further. Are you complementing them? It's a confused message, and not a great way to persuade people to your side.

To take it back to the national debt then:

How can the Tories attack Labour on the national debt, when they also increased it, only by cutting everything at the same time?

With your standard polticking:
i) we haven't had enough time to "turn the ship around" after LABOUR;
ii) we need to be given more time to "see the job through";
iii) and by the way they would do an even worse job than we're doing;
iv) <cheap shots about appearance and bearing>

etc etc
 

PJV3

Member
Instead of "you can't attack", what I should say is "it's not an effective attack". To say look at that you let in all those immigrants, tut tut. And then to turn around and say I actually like that, and would have gone even further. Are you complementing them? It's a confused message, and not a great way to persuade people to your side.

The attack would be the government using a wedge issue that they can't or aren't really trying to solve themselves.

Otherwise you're just giving the government a blank cheque regarding their manifesto, it's meant to be a basic part of holding the government to account, this is what you said, this is what you did.
 

TimmmV

Member
With your standard polticking:
i) we haven't had enough time to "turn the ship around" after LABOUR;
ii) we need to be given more time to "see the job through";
iii) and by the way they would do an even worse job than we're doing;
iv) <cheap shots about appearance and bearing>

etc etc

Well yeah, that's what happens in the end in reality. That doesn't mean the original point doesn't stand though
 
SO apparently the polls are suggesting that the majority of People in the UK are actually regretting the Brexit. At the moment only the LibDems seem to he championing an exit from brexit, while labor is supporting brexit. Why arent people just voting for the libdems?
 

PJV3

Member
SO apparently the polls are suggesting that the majority of People in the UK are actually regretting the Brexit. At the moment only the LibDems seem to he championing an exit from brexit, while labor is supporting brexit. Why arent people just voting for the libdems?

Our shitty electoral system doesn't help for a kick off, and then people left and right have different reasons to be for and against the EU.
 
Our shitty electoral system doesn't help for a kick off, and then people left and right have different reasons to be for and against the EU.

There are many reasons to be against the EU but leaving it is another issue in particular if you benefitted from the EU for so long (eg the banking sector)
 

phisheep

NeoGAF's Chief Barrister
To take it back to the national debt then:

How can the Tories attack Labour on the national debt, when they also increased it, only by cutting everything at the same time?

Because the Tory plan was to tackle the debt by reducing the structural deficit, which - until the deficit is eliminated - means the debt continues to rise. The Tories didn't claim to be able to reduce the debt in this timescale, just the deficit.

Of course, they haven't managed to eliminate the deficit either.
 
SO apparently the polls are suggesting that the majority of People in the UK are actually regretting the Brexit. At the moment only the LibDems seem to he championing an exit from brexit, while labor is supporting brexit. Why arent people just voting for the libdems?

I know, right?! :)

It's not that easy, alas. Tribal voting and the bad electoral system means we'd probably be needing about 45% of the national vote to form any sort of government. The Tories only really need about 36%.

As a Lib Dem, I'm optimistic that quite a lot of people are going to switch as the campaign goes on. This is going to be a brutal campaign, but Labour are unelectable, UKIP are nowhere and despite calling the election and the polls, there's a good chance of getting a few kicks in on the Tories, too.

Other than a few people around saying "I can't stand Farron", we're in a pretty good place for growth. It just has to happen now.
 

TimmmV

Member
Because the Tory plan was to tackle the debt by reducing the structural deficit, which - until the deficit is eliminated - means the debt continues to rise. The Tories didn't claim to be able to reduce the debt in this timescale, just the deficit.

Of course, they haven't managed to eliminate the deficit either.

I was kind of touching on this with the original point that increasing the national debt through increasing investment spending vs increasing the national debt by cutting things are different economic policies and its ok to think one is good and the other is bad
 

PJV3

Member
There are many reasons to be against the EU but leaving it is another issue in particular if you benefitted from the EU for so long (eg the banking sector)

Oh I know, there's lots of reasons we are in this pickle. The Tories being able to turn every little bit of internal Tory party stuff into the national interest doesn't help either.
 
I know, right?! :)

It's not that easy, alas. Tribal voting and the bad electoral system means we'd probably be needing about 45% of the national vote to form any sort of government. The Tories only really need about 36%.

As a Lib Dem, I'm optimistic that quite a lot of people are going to switch as the campaign goes on. This is going to be a brutal campaign, but Labour are unelectable, UKIP are nowhere and despite calling the election and the polls, there's a good chance of getting a few kicks in on the Tories, too.

Other than a few people around saying "I can't stand Farron", we're in a pretty good place for growth. It just has to happen now.
Is 45% really unachievable given how catastrophic the brexit is seemingly going to be?
 
Is 45% really unachievable given how catastrophic the brexit is seemingly going to be?

Speaking as a Lib Dem, who has campaigned for the party since 2009?

YES.

...At least without a TV debate.

The big issues are:

1. Getting the message out
2. Tribal voters
3. Safe seats
4. Being taken seriously
5. Gaffes and the coalition government hangover.

To beat the above, Farron would have to be given a free massive media event to introduce himself properly to English voters. Without a TV debate that won't happen, so we're probably going to finish third... or maybe a narrow second if Labour's fears about getting 20% play out.
 
I've heard of including the regular state pension, but NHS or fire service type ones is taking the piss.

It's the intent that's the problem. I don't mind them including pensions on a graph of state spending, in fact, that should be public knowledge.

Problem is, they designed the welfare chunk of the graph like that specifically to appeal to people who assume that "welfare budget" means "scroungers and people faking disabilities", and justify making austerity cuts to those people.
 
Is 45% really unachievable given how catastrophic the brexit is seemingly going to be?
The problem is, it isn't actually going badly 'catastrophic' though is it?

Negotiatons haven't started, there is no clear picture of what the final deal might resemble (except end of freedom of movement which has a lot of popular support) and the economic collapse we were all promised in the campaign has failed to materialise yet.

I am sure it is all calm before the storm, but at the moment, campaigning to change course against the 'disaster' that is Brexit isn't going to be a vote winner or appeal to anyone other than hardcore remainers. I think most people (soft remainers and the politically apathetic) are ambivalent about May's brexit policy.
 

8bit

Knows the Score
I see Boris is out today signing us up to another war. That's great.

giphy.gif
 

slider

Member
Just saw May on the telly after that incident in Westminster; she came across better than I've ever seen before.

On a related note, wouldn't be surprised if the idiot detained had come back from Syria or something.
 
Speaking as a Lib Dem, who has campaigned for the party since 2009?

YES.

...At least without a TV debate.

The big issues are:

1. Getting the message out
2. Tribal voters
3. Safe seats
4. Being taken seriously
5. Gaffes and the coalition government hangover.

To beat the above, Farron would have to be given a free massive media event to introduce himself properly to English voters. Without a TV debate that won't happen, so we're probably going to finish third... or maybe a narrow second if Labour's fears about getting 20% play out.

To be fair in the age of new media he needs to be penetrating Facebook feeds and not TV screens, though I admit a debate would do both. It's something that I haven't seen much of from any of the parties in the last couple years, though it probably has more to do with who I'm friends with.
 
To be fair in the age of new media he needs to be penetrating Facebook feeds and not TV screens, though I admit a debate would do both. It's something that I haven't seen much of from any of the parties in the last couple years, though it probably has more to do with who I'm friends with.

Facebook is a black art, but it's something that will be used extremely heavily this campaign.

Entertaining news: Boris Johnson's sister, Rachel, has joined the Lib Dems.

https://www.channel4.com/news/rachel-johnson-joins-liberal-democrats-block-brexit

She's apparently wanting to stand in Yeovil or Bath. She'll be disappointed - our party process requires all parlimentary candidates to pass an assessment, and those don't generally run at election time.
 

Pandy

Member
To be fair in the age of new media he needs to be penetrating Facebook feeds and not TV screens, though I admit a debate would do both. It's something that I haven't seen much of from any of the parties in the last couple years, though it probably has more to do with who I'm friends with.

My Facebook feed is about 40% Corbyn, 5% Greens, 55% people telling me how great their fucking lives are.

I don't use Facebook much.
 

Maledict

Member
This is definitely Lyndon Crossby. It was the same in 2015 - no matter what the question or topic, it would always lead back to "long term economic plan". I know politicians always like to use their key phrases but it's definitely a hall mark of his that they force it into every single line ever.

It is a genius strategy as well - it attacks Corbyn without naming him, plays up her biggest strength (the appearance of being the adult in the room), and it makes it a patriotic move to vote for Theresa - even if you don't like her, voting for her will help Britain beat Europe.
 

PJV3

Member
This is definitely Lyndon Crossby. It was the same in 2015 - no matter what the question or topic, it would always lead back to "long term economic plan". I know politicians always like to use their key phrases but it's definitely a hall mark of his that they force it into every single line ever.

It is a genius strategy as well - it attacks Corbyn without naming him, plays up her biggest strength (the appearance of being the adult in the room), and it makes it a patriotic move to vote for Theresa - even if you don't like her, voting for her will help Britain beat Europe.

It will be interesting to see if she can pull it off like Cameron did, she's not natural and it's already becoming a joke a week in.
 

Moze

Banned
It's so annoying to hear that shit. I don't think it works nearly as well as you guys are making out either. Farage done extremely well by doing the exact opposite, and it was very much appreciated by the millions who voted for him. The same happened with Trump in America.
 

boxoctosis

Member
I know, C4 news asked people in the street about May and they said she was strong, but they don't know why.

Though in contrast if you saw Corbyn on Marr on Sunday unwilling to give a straight answer on using nuclear weapons for instance, he looked very very weak. Dithery. Geography teacher-esque. No wonder the Tories are taking this line of attack, it's free money.

Such a shame Labour are in this mess.
 

PJV3

Member
It's so annoying to hear that shit. I don't think it works nearly as well as you guys are making out either. Farage done extremely well by doing the exact opposite, and it was very much appreciated by the millions who voted for him. The same happened with Trump in America.

If the opposition was more ruthless they could Ed Miliband her, she's really stiff and awkward and you can see the cogs whirring away. Cameron was oily and slick but he was a good salesman and a natural bullshitter.
 

Maledict

Member
It's so annoying to hear that shit. I don't think it works nearly as well as you guys are making out either. Farage done extremely well by doing the exact opposite, and it was very much appreciated by the millions who voted for him. The same happened with Trump in America.

Um, Trump did exactly this. What is his single policy? Build the wall. What's his slogan? Make America Great Again.

Repeating things endlessly *works*, especially when it plays into a narrative that's already clear in peoples head (Iron Lady versus dithering geography teacher).
 
The problem is, it isn't actually going badly 'catastrophic' though is it?

Negotiatons haven't started, there is no clear picture of what the final deal might resemble (except end of freedom of movement which has a lot of popular support) and the economic collapse we were all promised in the campaign has failed to materialise yet.

I am sure it is all calm before the storm, but at the moment, campaigning to change course against the 'disaster' that is Brexit isn't going to be a vote winner or appeal to anyone other than hardcore remainers. I think most people (soft remainers and the politically apathetic) are ambivalent about May's brexit policy.

it is not going catastrophic because nothing has changed yet aside of a devaluation of the pound. tariffs will kick in and financial institutes will be barred once UK is out of the EU.

the picture is clear. there will be no trade deal until the modalities of the divorce are clear and EU is prepping for some hard points. it will be nearly impossible to pull that off within two years and after that who knows how long it will take to negotiate a trade deal.

aside of that there are internal issues like the scottish independent movement and the problem with northern ireland and gibraltar... so yeah its going really well..
 

Par Score

Member
It's so annoying to hear that shit. I don't think it works nearly as well as you guys are making out either. Farage done extremely well by doing the exact opposite, and it was very much appreciated by the millions who voted for him. The same happened with Trump in America.

What?

Trump followed this strategy to a tee. He operated entirely in monosyllabic soundbites and catchphrases.

Make America Great Again. Build The Wall. Lock Her Up. Crooked Hillary. Drain The Swamp.

It works because of how the human brain works. We learn by repetition.
 
It was hilarious (I genuinely laughed out loud), but this stuff works man. That's why they do it!

It sounds ridiculous to people like us who follows this stuff closely, but there aren't actually that many people following politics day-in day-out. For people who catch a couple of bulletins a week, hammering one or two key ideas into their minds is vital.
 

Uzzy

Member
No way... That's legit??

As far as I can tell it is!

It's annoying, not only because it's a reheated slogan from the last election, but because it works. Most people are only going to hear or read a few lines about this election, and if all they end up hearing is 'strong and stable leadership' and associate it with May, she wins.

I mean, for us crazy people who follow political events everyday, it's grating to hear it for the Xth time. Had I been serious about my drinking game, I'd have already been dead from liver failure. But we aren't the people being targeted with this stuff.
 

Jezbollah

Member
Our PM might as well just be a soundboard.

You say that, you're probably right.. but Election 101 is getting your message across. Being clear, concise and sticking to it. It gets boring, but it's effective.

A few days ago you had Corbyn delivering a message about Trident and Defence that was completely contradictory to Labour party policy. Confusion about policy is not what you need right now.
 
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