Discussion » Syl asked, 'Why is this election so important?' This needs a thread of its own.

Posted by WarHead, 2 years ago:
 
Well, many of us who remember the last conservative government don't want to be subject to their kind of leadership again.

Then again, we're not enamoured of Gordy's 'no more boom and bust' economic management either, or Labour's record on Iraq, etc, etc, Nor are we happy with many of the current MPs of any party who were playing fast and loose with their expenses, even though technically many of them weren't breaking the law.

Basically, we're pretty pissed off with all of them and don't have a lot of confidence in whoever ends up running the place.

We've been here before. Both labour and conservative promising change, but we end up with the same broken promises and the gap between rich and poor continuing to widen, regardless of who wins.

Anyone want to add to the list of issues we're unhappy about?
Posted by Sul, 2 years ago:
 
Lack of sexy!
Posted by syl, 2 years ago:
 
Do you have two main parties Labour and Conservative? Also Liberal Democrats? I see from BBC news that the Conservatives are winning. No it's hung, what happens now?
Posted by Miki, 2 years ago:
 
I find all the houpla about a "hung parliament" so funny
even the name suggests disaster
I'm not saying the netherlands are doing very well, but we always have coalition governments and it's not like the sky has come down or anything
Posted by che, 2 years ago:
 
Yeah everyone makes out like we are all going to die, but most of Europe has coalitions and it seems to work ok.
Posted by WarHead, 2 years ago:
 
We ARE all going to die, but not necessarily as a result of this hung parliament.

As to what happens now, you've probably seen the follow up news so may know by now, but basically, the current Prime Minister has the option to continue as PM as long as he/she can form a government. They have a couple of weeks to organise themselves, then they have to tell the queen if they can do it or not, perhaps in coalition with other parties. If not, the queen will invite the party with the most seats (in this case the conservatives) if THEY can form a government. If no party can form a government they have to have another election in a couple of months.

There's a decision tree graphic on the Beeb illustrating this here.
Posted by Meatwood Flack, 2 years ago:
 
It's all fairly entertaining. Still no decision as to who's in charge. The Libs are going to get stitched up either way. There's no way they're going to get electoral reform from the Tories, which means they're going to be hated by their supporters if they cosy up with Cam, but hammered by the press if they get into bed with Gordy (or Miliband/whoever else) - "Coalition of the losers" and all that. And if they don't get PR and ally with the Tories they'll get doubly-pincered at the next election and will probably end up totally wiped out. Maybe that's a slightly pessimistic view of things. Perhaps they'll manage to temper some of Cam's more brutal reforms, but then that's what Tony always said he was doing with George, and look what happened there...

Syl: Libs = Liberal Democrats = Third largest party. Massively hampered by our current electoral system. Got 23% of the vote and 57 seats in the Commons.

Labour = Been in power for 13 years. Didn't do as badly as a lot of people thought. Got 29% of the vote and 258 seats in the Commons.

Tories = Conservative Party. Bastards. Got 36% of the vote and 306 seats in the commons.

So to have absolute power, you need 326 seats = 50% of the commmons. The Tories could do this by teaming up with the Libs but the Libs want to reform the electoral system so it's a bit fairer (especially on them!) but the Tories will never allow this as it'll keep them out of power (possibly for ever!) - the Labour + Lib Dem vote (who are broadly 'on the left' for the sake of a monstrous generalisation) massively outnumbers the Tory vote - so under a fairer system you'd never get someone getting 36% and being able to hold power.
Posted by Meatwood Flack, 2 years ago:
 
... and now it looks like the Libs are going to team up with the Tories. Don't do it, Nick! (unless they guarantee PR)
Posted by Meatwood Flack, 2 years ago:
 
(which they won't)
Posted by Meatwood Flack, 2 years ago:
 
And now Gordy's resigned!
Posted by WarHead, 2 years ago:
 
Do you think Dave gave Samantha a celebratory porking on their first night in No.10? I know she's up the duff, so it'd prolly have to be doggy, but what would YOU do on your first night if you were the new PM?

And do you suppose Gordon gave Sarah one to celebrate their freedom?

Um, in case you think I have a fixation with this, it's linked to that old idea of imagining people of power on the bog, but I prefer to think of them doing the nasty instead. It's a great leveller, I feel.
Posted by Miki, 2 years ago:
 
I can't focus on the sex questions I'm still all confused about the doc making sense
Posted by WarHead, 2 years ago:
 
Scary, isn't it?
Posted by Uncle Moc, 2 years ago:
 
Sorry guys.... FFFooorkkk!! IN MY FRIkkiiiinn EEEEYYYEEE11111
Posted by che, 2 years ago:
 
WarHead - Judging from today's antics, I think last night involved Cameron rogering Clegg. (Or the other way around).
Posted by syl, 2 years ago:
 
Thanks everyone, I have a good idea now.
Posted by friday, 2 years ago:
 
Did someone hack into Warheads account or have I really been away for that long that I don't know anyone anymore?
Posted by WarHead, 2 years ago:
 
Nope, it's all my own work.

Well, the bits posted as me are.

And now Syl has a better idea about who's rogering who, so it's all good.
Posted by Meatwood Flack, 2 years ago:
 
Regarding the 'rogering', this is certainly worth a read for those wishing to get a grip on contemporary UK politics.

NSFW if you're blind or partially sighted and you have one of those programs that reads out what's on the screen.
Posted by syl, 2 years ago:
 
That's barred at work. I'll have to look at home :S
Posted by syl, 2 years ago:
 
Really Doc, linking to bad things. :P

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