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[Rich!]

Looks like we're getting a Tory/Lib Dem government. Sweet.

 

[dakster]

Got to give it to Clegg, true to his word.

 

[Jex]

I think Clegg's right. The party with the most votes should call dibs and get a first shot on the national interest - the public voted for them. It doesn't mean he WILL work with the Tories - just he thinks they should get a say first.

That's not how our system actually works thought - the sitting Prime Minister has the right. Not that it means that system will actually play out in reality...

 

[Varion]

Only positive I can see out of this is if he's saying "I'll give him the chance to form a government, but I'm not going to back a single bill I don't agree with. In fact, I'll vote against you! And then you'll just be screwed and then you can fight over me afterwards."

Total bombshell.

 

[Withnail]

brillo's back

 

[operon]

where the hell is the Boat, did it sink.

 

[killer_clank]

That's not how our system actually works thought - the sitting Prime Minister has the right.

But if Clegg won't give him the chance he'll HAVE to resign.

 

[Rich!]

But if Clegg won't give him the chance he'll HAVE to resign.

*pops champange*

Good riddance.

 

[Varion]

What clank said. If the Lib Dems won't work with them, they're out. They don't have a chance in hell of forming a majority because there aren't enough seats for them to ally with. He'll have to tell the Queen he can't do shit, and then Cameron will have his chance and Labour will have to replace Brown.

 

[Jex]

I don't know how well this coalition will work in the long run, but I guess Clegg thinks it's the cleanest solution to the problem, which makes sense.

 

[industrian]

where the hell is the Boat, did it sink.

Hopefully North Korea bagged that one too.

 

[Xavien]

Looks like we're getting a Tory/Lib Dem government. Sweet.

I don't think you'll be happy with that outcome, Tories will have to bend over backwards to make a government work.

 

[Lucius86]

That's not how our system actually works thought - the sitting Prime Minister has the right. Not that it means that system will actually play out in reality...

I didn't say that's how it works - I know how it works lol! I'm just saying how it works currently, IMO, is wrong.

 

[killer_clank]

LOL Galloway

 

[Rich!]

I don't think you'll be happy with that outcome, Tories will have to bend over backwards to make a government work.

As long as Labour (and brown) is gone, I'm happy.

 

[BGBW]

Guess they let the cat out.

 

[operon]

Galloway the cat is gone

 

[killer_clank]

oh god ashdown looks old.

 

[Xavien]

As long as Labour (and brown) is gone, I'm happy.

So your vote for Tories was just a protest vote at Labour?

 

[industrian]

I was hoping Galloway would win, but since Paxman seems to have fucked off to bed there's no point.

 

[curls]

Can't get my head around how a Con/Lib government would work. Oh well if we get PR then I'm happy.

 

[Withnail]

Go on Paddy!

 

[killer_clank]

Dimbleby should be back on BBC1 at 11.

 

[Rich!]

So your vote for Tories was just a protest vote at Labour?

Not at all - I've explained my reasons previously in the thread. Getting rid of Labour is just a neat addition.

 

[Jex]

Democratically speaking, it's slightly odd that by getting the least share of the votes (vs the big two) the Liberal Democrats have more power then Labour, who got the second largest share of the votes.

 

[Xavien]

Can't get my head around how a Con/Lib government would work. Oh well if we get PR then I'm happy.

I agree, but something tells me the Tories will implode before they adopt PR/STV. :lol

Not at all - I've explained my reasons previously in the thread. Getting rid of Labour is just a neat addition.

Then you'll be happy with Lib Dems dictating policy to the Tories?

 

[industrian]

Can't get my head around how a Con/Lib government would work. Oh well if we get PR then I'm happy.

It would work as much as a Con/Lab government.

Which strangely enough worked quite well a few years ago in taking us to war and making new anti-terror laws.

 

[industrian]

Some constituencies in the North of England will have to wait until 13:00 to be declared.

 

[dsister44]

does anyone else think the beginning of this song sounds like monster hunter tri?

 

[Varion]

We missed you Dimbleby!

 

[killer_clank]

Yay! The master is back!

 

[brain_stew]

Democratically speaking, it's slightly odd that by getting the least share of the votes (vs the big two) the Liberal Democrats have more power then Labour, who got the second largest share of the votes.

The current system is just completely fucked on so many levels. Needs to be gutted from top to bottom. Hopefully the Tories are willing to dance, can't see it happening myself though.

 

[phisheep]

Got to give it to Clegg, true to his word.

This.

Good on him.

Set out his criteria up front and stuck to his word despite obvious temptations elsewhere. And what's more, did it quickly and in public knowing that it would probably make some of his supporters unhappy - but avoiding any accusation of a backroom stitchup.

An honourable man. We could do with more like that.

EDIT: Question now is how quickly Brown will resign.

Not as PM (he can't do that until the Queen says he can) but as leader of the Labour party. Because if there is any chance that a deal can still be struck if initial negotiations between Clegg and Cameron fail, there needs to be somebody Clegg can deal with.

 

[Rich!]

Then you'll be happy with Lib Dems dictating policy to the Tories?

Not ecstatic, to be honest - but the Tories still have the majority of the seats, which counts for something. And if this is the worst case scenario, it's still better than a labour led government IMO.

 

[industrian]

251 seats now for Labour.

302 seats now for a possible Labour/LD coalition.

 

[killer_clank]

The Tories REALLY need to be winning some more seats here - their position is looking shitty.

 

[blazinglord]

I think nothing is guaranteed yet about a Tory government, but at the end of the day this was the only choice the LDems could have taken. Even if they had decided they would rather back Labour, together they would still not have the combined majority needed to govern effectively.

 

[brain_stew]

Not ecstatic, to be honest - but the Tories still have the majority of the seats, which counts for something. And if this is the worst case scenario, it's still better than a labour led government IMO.

Uhm.....

 

[Veidt]

The current system is just completely fucked on so many levels. Needs to be gutted from top to bottom. Hopefully the Tories are willing to dance, can't see it happening myself though.

Clegg better put the interest of the people before his word.
Reform, if Cameron says no. Take it to Lab.

 

[Rich!]

Uhm.....

Disregard that, I've been up all night. :lol

 

[Nicktendo86]

Good riddance Galloway. Looks like Respect will lose Bethnal Green as well. Good.

 

[blazinglord]

251 seats now for Labour.

302 seats now for a possible Labour/LD coalition.

Wrong, 326 seats is needed to form a majority. A Labour/LD coalition majority would also require the guaranteed support of the Nationalists MPs.

 

[Xavien]

Not ecstatic, to be honest - but the Tories still have the majority of the seats, which counts for something. And if this is the worst case scenario, it's still better than a labour led government IMO.

No, it counts for nothing, Labour will not vote with the Tories, it relies on the Lib Dems to make a Tory Coalition work. They'll have to compromise with LD at the very least in order for it to work.

Also, this isn't a forgone conclusion, like another poster said, Nick Clegg can reach out to the Tories and then use the collapse of negotiations as an excuse to go with Labour (coalition with the Tories is impossible etc etc).

Wrong, 326 seats is needed to form a majority. A Labour/LD coalition majority would also require the guaranteed support of the Nationalists MPs.

and Conservatives need the Lib Dems to form a majority.

 

[Jex]

Lib/Con is just simply more likely, and I don't even think it will result in PR but there may be compromises in other areas. Interesting to see how it will play out.

I also agree that, if it was necessary, the Liberals will pull out and go talk with Labour. It makes the most sense. The Conservatives will have to compromise on something.

This result hasn't been good for anyone.

 

[industrian]

Wrong, 326 seats is needed to form a majority. A Labour/LD coalition majority would also require the guaranteed support of the Nationalists MPs.

302 is more than 291. It's not an absolute majority, but it's enough.

 

[Nicktendo86]

I would love to be a fly on the wall at Labour HQ right now...

 

[Xavien]

Lib/Con is just simply more likely, and I don't even think it will result in PR but there may be compromises in other areas. Interesting to see how it will play out.

I also agree that, if it was necessary, the Liberals will pull out and go talk with Labour. It makes the most sense. The Conservatives will have to compromise on something.

Nick Clegg specifically said that electoral reform needs to be accomplished, i don't think he'll budge on this.

 

[killer_clank]

Wow, these LD gains are now probably of no use to Labour.

 

[industrian]

I would love to be a fly on the wall at Labour HQ right now...

Not with the amount of furniture probably being thrown at the walls right now.

 

[Dambrosi]

Clegg is being clever. He's putting himself into a position where if talks fail/he simply wants to work with Labour, he can blame the Tories.

This.

And realistically, it would have seemed wrong for him to deny the party that got the most votes and the most seats the first bite of the cherry (even if he doesn't want to work with them in reality) - it would just look horrible politically. Clegg pretty much HAS to play it like this.