2017 General Election Thread

[Ancient Moaner]

Have voted Tory ever since I was old enough to vote, despite my own family having always voted labour, well, if you live in the West Midlands, you do don't ya, it's the law!
However, yesterday the new Thatcher, didn't do herself or her party any favours, by restating that foreign aid will NOT diminish (how long has the man in the street yearned for some of that to be spent on our own public services, ie the NHS and the despicable amount of folk living on the streets, in Manchester it's an epidemic.) Also as a pensioner myself, her disrespect to us by not confirming an annual rise, has raised cause for concern.
However she will romp back into power, Labour will only retain the heartland votes, where folk vote labour 'because we always have' (pot and black after my initial comment! :wink: ) There IS no opposition.
My local area Leigh has Labours Andy Burnham in the seat, think his majority was near the 20K mark last time, so I think a raving loony party vote from me would be as useful!

[saddlerken]

Just seen Corbyn's new vote winner.

More Bank Holidays, all in the 1st part of the year bar one for the jocks in November.

What a total and utter barclays.

[SaigonSaddler]

Just seen Corbyn's new vote winner.

More Bank Holidays, all in the 1st part of the year bar one for the jocks in November.

What a total and utter barclays.

Can't fault his logic, based on the dumbing down of the brexit fiasco, seems like a clear cut vote winner.
Perhaps he'll daub the promise on the side of an ice-cream van and promote it with free 99s.

[Cully]

Just seen Corbyn's new vote winner.

More Bank Holidays, all in the 1st part of the year bar one for the jocks in November.

What a total and utter barclays.

Can't fault his logic, based on the dumbing down of the brexit fiasco, seems like a clear cut vote winner.
Perhaps he'll daub the promise on the side of an ice-cream van and promote it with free 99s.

Perhaps he could play a catchy tune at every conference, link hands with Dianne Abbott et al for some excruciating dad dancing, rename the party The Lovely New Labour Party and promise that everybody that they don't have to work but instead be paid from some miraculous Government Bank that will be funded by selling the Queen and Cliff Richard to the USA. Failing that he could reopen all the coal mines and bring back British Leyland as places of worship, apparently 'Traditional' Labour voters long for those days gone by.

Err..........hang on, hasn't that been tried already although I think the sale of Cliff Richard fell through at the last moment due to an unexpected priest.

[SaigonSaddler]

Jeremy's Happ'nin' Party

Everything will probably go exactly to plan.

[Surrey Saddler]

Time for a bit of tactical voting, fellow Saddlers. Put your cross with the Lib Dems and there is still a chance we will get a soft Brexit or even - here's hoping - no Brexit at all. And as for all you leavers on here still hoping for the good times to return with Brexit - dream on.

[Exile]

and a Labour leader who likes terrorists (hamas and Ira)more than this country.

Does he though?

I think he has failings as a leader but this sounds extreme.

Maybe extreme but has publicly mentioned his love/admoration/respect for Gerry Adams and the IRA and Hamas. He also wants to scrap Trident and reduce spending on armed forces leaving country without a defence, good or bad depending on your view.
He asks for backing and loyalty from his MPS when he has the worst record for voting against his own party,many labour supporters do not trust him or like him and unfortunatly get wiped out with him as leader at a time when we need a strong 2nd party.

Setting aside that personal attack, what particular policies from Labour are stopping you from voting for them?

Is it the fact that there's no such thing as a magic money tree, Tone? :?

You'll be disappointed to know that between 1946 and 2016 Tory governments have borrowed more and repaid less than Labour governments. Fiscally, Labour has been better for Britain, so your magic money tree argument is null and void - the Tories treat the public purse like a money-shitting unicorn to enrich themselves, not the nation.

[SaigonSaddler]

You'll be disappointed to know that between 1946 and 2016 Tory governments have borrowed more and repaid less than Labour governments. Fiscally, Labour has been better for Britain, so your magic money tree argument is null and void - the Tories treat the public purse like a money-shitting unicorn to enrich themselves, not the nation.

The biggest con trick ever pulled on the British public was allowing the media to portray the self-servatives as anything but a odious group of scheming, thieving bastards.

[Exile]

You'll be disappointed to know that between 1946 and 2016 Tory governments have borrowed more and repaid less than Labour governments. Fiscally, Labour has been better for Britain, so your magic money tree argument is null and void - the Tories treat the public purse like a money-shitting unicorn to enrich themselves, not the nation.

The biggest con trick ever pulled on the British public was allowing the media to portray the self-servatives as anything but a odious group of scheming, thieving bastards.

The media? You mean the mainstream press owned by tax-avoiding billionaires? Why would they ever portray the Tories as utterly useless for 99% of the population when they benefit so much as the 1%? Ah, that's right. Self-interest. The days of editorial independence ended years ago, but people still believe what they're told to write as if it's gospel.

[Cheesebag]

One good thing about this election is that there will probably be a decent opposition after it, Corbyn and Abbot can go back to their Islington shag pad and plan another revolution

[chunkster]

Disappointed in nuttals vote winner. While the tory's are spouting about getting brexit right and at least having a strong hand if they have a another 5 years. And corbyn giving out bank holidays like smarties. He comes along with a "lets ban the burka" idea :|

[SaigonSaddler]

Disappointed in nuttals vote winner. While the tory's are spouting about getting brexit right and at least having a strong hand if they have a another 5 years. And corbyn giving out bank holidays like smarties. He comes along with a "lets ban the burka" idea :|

A bigger shower of shite you will not find. 60+ million people and these tossers are fighting it out to lead the country. Bloody Nora! :(

[chunkster]

Disappointed in nuttals vote winner. While the tory's are spouting about getting brexit right and at least having a strong hand if they have a another 5 years. And corbyn giving out bank holidays like smarties. He comes along with a "lets ban the burka" idea :|

A bigger shower of shite you will not find. 60+ million people and these tossers are fighting it out to lead the country. Bloody Nora! :(

Have to agree. we have never looked so desperate :( Even screaming lord such looks a better prospect :(

[Super Gabor]

Disappointed in nuttals vote winner. While the tory's are spouting about getting brexit right and at least having a strong hand if they have a another 5 years. And corbyn giving out bank holidays like smarties. He comes along with a "lets ban the burka" idea :|

A bigger shower of shite you will not find. 60+ million people and these tossers are fighting it out to lead the country. Bloody Nora! :(

Indeed.

60+ million people and these tossers are fighting it out to lead the country. Bloody Nora! :(

Look across the pond. 320 million and look at the tosser that ended up leading their nation :(

[seventies_saddler]

Compared to nuttall farage is the chuffing messiah!

[JonnyOwen]

I'm really torn. I live in a clear majority Labour seat with Tom Watson in West Bromwich East, and unsurprisingly i'm a 20 year old who wants to vote for the Lib Dems. But they got a whopping 2% here last election, so I feel like i'm firstly throwing my vote away (especially as we don't have proportional representation) and secondly I am taking a vote from Labour (as I voted for them in 2015) who i'd still much rather be in than the Tories, and the Brexit result makes me worried that they could somehow win.

However more votes for Lib Dems, even those in vain currently, will maybe help to make them a real opposition to the Tories. But also at the same time just looking at the numbers who have voted for UKIP and the Tories coupled with the failure of Labour, I'm doubting whether they could ever grow to be a true opposition anytime soon. Just from my limited perspective at least, it feels like we're trending towards a more right wing and authoritarian UK then I've ever noticed. I could be really bloody wrong though, I ay been paying attention to this kind of stuff for long.

Politics is really bloody annoying. :lol:

[yoda]

it feels like we're trending towards a more right wing and authoritarian UK then I've ever noticed. I could be really bloody wrong though, I ay been paying attention to this kind of stuff for long.
:

Not just UK, to be fair. Its a global trend at the moment.

These things are cyclical though. It's been proven policies too far to the left are just as damaging as those too far to the right (hence why we need strong oppositions to keep things in check). Eventually the public will start to tire of the right, the left will strengthen again and the whole cycle will continue.

[derbysaddler]

I'm really torn. I live in a clear majority Labour seat with Tom Watson in West Bromwich East, and unsurprisingly i'm a 20 year old who wants to vote for the Lib Dems. But they got a whopping 2% here last election, so I feel like i'm firstly throwing my vote away (especially as we don't have proportional representation) and secondly I am taking a vote from Labour (as I voted for them in 2015) who i'd still much rather be in than the Tories, and the Brexit result makes me worried that they could somehow win.

However more votes for Lib Dems, even those in vain currently, will maybe help to make them a real opposition to the Tories. But also at the same time just looking at the numbers who have voted for UKIP and the Tories coupled with the failure of Labour, I'm doubting whether they could ever grow to be a true opposition anytime soon. Just from my limited perspective at least, it feels like we're trending towards a more right wing and authoritarian UK then I've ever noticed. I could be really bloody wrong though, I ay been paying attention to this kind of stuff for long.

Politics is really bloody annoying. :lol:

The Lib dems will gather a fair amount of younger votes but a lot of their old vote haven't forgot the coalition debacle and our weary of them. I agree with some of their policies but with Farron all I am seeing is a push to knock out labour and take some of their seats.

The Tories will happily rely on the baby boomer and purple rinse generations to secure their vote.

I genuinely I have no idea how Labour will do.

[El_Nombre]

Have voted Tory ever since I was old enough to vote, despite my own family having always voted labour, well, if you live in the West Midlands, you do don't ya, it's the law!
However, yesterday the new Thatcher, didn't do herself or her party any favours, by restating that foreign aid will NOT diminish (how long has the man in the street yearned for some of that to be spent on our own public services, ie the NHS and the despicable amount of folk living on the streets, in Manchester it's an epidemic.) Also as a pensioner myself, her disrespect to us by not confirming an annual rise, has raised cause for concern.
However she will romp back into power, Labour will only retain the heartland votes, where folk vote labour 'because we always have' (pot and black after my initial comment! :wink: ) There IS no opposition.
My local area Leigh has Labours Andy Burnham in the seat, think his majority was near the 20K mark last time, so I think a raving loony party vote from me would be as useful!

Well it's got nothing to do with voting for them because I always have, I'll be voting for them because I care about the NHS, I prefer Soft Brexit to a "Red White and Blue one" and I quite like the Human Rights act.

[derbysaddler]

Have voted Tory ever since I was old enough to vote, despite my own family having always voted labour, well, if you live in the West Midlands, you do don't ya, it's the law!
However, yesterday the new Thatcher, didn't do herself or her party any favours, by restating that foreign aid will NOT diminish (how long has the man in the street yearned for some of that to be spent on our own public services, ie the NHS and the despicable amount of folk living on the streets, in Manchester it's an epidemic.) Also as a pensioner myself, her disrespect to us by not confirming an annual rise, has raised cause for concern.

Genuine question, not a dig, but the mantra for years now has been the country must leave within its means, tighten its belt and make cuts on public services and the welfare budgets (which pensions are the largest slice) .

In light of this and the phrase 'all in this together' why do you think the triple lock is currently still sustainable?

[Super Gabor]

I'm really torn. I live in a clear majority Labour seat with Tom Watson in West Bromwich East, and unsurprisingly i'm a 20 year old who wants to vote for the Lib Dems. But they got a whopping 2% here last election, so I feel like i'm firstly throwing my vote away (especially as we don't have proportional representation) and secondly I am taking a vote from Labour (as I voted for them in 2015) who i'd still much rather be in than the Tories, and the Brexit result makes me worried that they could somehow win.

However more votes for Lib Dems, even those in vain currently, will maybe help to make them a real opposition to the Tories. But also at the same time just looking at the numbers who have voted for UKIP and the Tories coupled with the failure of Labour, I'm doubting whether they could ever grow to be a true opposition anytime soon. Just from my limited perspective at least, it feels like we're trending towards a more right wing and authoritarian UK then I've ever noticed. I could be really bloody wrong though, I ay been paying attention to this kind of stuff for long.

Politics is really bloody annoying. :lol:

My suggestion Jonny is:

1) Do vote - remember what people have been through to achieve universal suffrage. Also, note how many young people kicked themselves for not bothering to vote at the EU referendum
2) Vote for the party / candidate you really want to (although in reality this may be the "least worst" option!) and don't bother with tactical voting. Vote for your preference.

Why? If everyone took the tactical voting approach and ended up over-thinking possible permutations, the outcome is not going to be true to people's real voting intentions. Not sure this does anyone any favours.

I get the fact that those in strong Labour or Tory seats who loathe the party their MP is a member of, feel a sense of "why should I bother?" as "my choice" will never get elected....but we only have to look back to 2015 to see the huge swings to the SNP.

If you supported the SNP's policies but lived in a constituency that ALWAYS returned a Labour MP, election after election you may have thought "what's the point in me voting?". Yet, swings of 25% to 40% to the SNP at that election, showed the value of getting out and voting according to your preference.

PS - you may want to do a bit of desk research checking out Tom Watson, if you haven't already. :wink:

[yoda]

On the topic of tactical voting, I see a website has appeared to organise votes most effectively in each area against the Conservatives.

www.tactical2017.com

[Cully]

You'll be disappointed to know that between 1946 and 2016 Tory governments have borrowed more and repaid less than Labour governments. Fiscally, Labour has been better for Britain, so your magic money tree argument is null and void - the Tories treat the public purse like a money-shitting unicorn to enrich themselves, not the nation.

The biggest con trick ever pulled on the British public was allowing the media to portray the self-servatives as anything but a odious group of scheming, thieving bastards.

The media? You mean the mainstream press owned by tax-avoiding billionaires? Why would they ever portray the Tories as utterly useless for 99% of the population when they benefit so much as the 1%? Ah, that's right. Self-interest. The days of editorial independence ended years ago, but people still believe what they're told to write as if it's gospel.

:lol: Hilarious double act guys but you forgot to mention Teresa Mays magic clockwork trousers and the case of the disappearing political clichés.

Oops sorry, I've just reread your posts and it's just the magic clockwork trousers you missed.

[IHTC.]

I'm really torn. I live in a clear majority Labour seat with Tom Watson in West Bromwich East, and unsurprisingly i'm a 20 year old who wants to vote for the Lib Dems. But they got a whopping 2% here last election, so I feel like i'm firstly throwing my vote away (especially as we don't have proportional representation) and secondly I am taking a vote from Labour (as I voted for them in 2015) who i'd still much rather be in than the Tories, and the Brexit result makes me worried that they could somehow win.

However more votes for Lib Dems, even those in vain currently, will maybe help to make them a real opposition to the Tories. But also at the same time just looking at the numbers who have voted for UKIP and the Tories coupled with the failure of Labour, I'm doubting whether they could ever grow to be a true opposition anytime soon. Just from my limited perspective at least, it feels like we're trending towards a more right wing and authoritarian UK then I've ever noticed. I could be really bloody wrong though, I ay been paying attention to this kind of stuff for long.

Politics is really bloody annoying. :lol:

we live in the same constituency but could never put a x against Watsons name. I heard a rumour he was in the area recently, I think his sat nav must have broke or West Brom Marks n Sparks promised him a new pizza wheel if he spent all of his tax payers funded allowance in their store.

[Exile]

The FPTP system is incredibly unrepresentative of real politics. Need to move to proportional like NZ or similar, and while you're at it, an elected upper chamber, get rid of those troughers-for-life!

[Pedagogue]

The FPTP system is incredibly unrepresentative of real politics. Need to move to proportional like NZ or similar, and while you're at it, an elected upper chamber, get rid of those troughers-for-life!

Agreed!

[cookyskid]

I'm really torn. I live in a clear majority Labour seat with Tom Watson in West Bromwich East, and unsurprisingly i'm a 20 year old who wants to vote for the Lib Dems. But they got a whopping 2% here last election, so I feel like i'm firstly throwing my vote away (especially as we don't have proportional representation) and secondly I am taking a vote from Labour (as I voted for them in 2015) who i'd still much rather be in than the Tories, and the Brexit result makes me worried that they could somehow win.

However more votes for Lib Dems, even those in vain currently, will maybe help to make them a real opposition to the Tories. But also at the same time just looking at the numbers who have voted for UKIP and the Tories coupled with the failure of Labour, I'm doubting whether they could ever grow to be a true opposition anytime soon. Just from my limited perspective at least, it feels like we're trending towards a more right wing and authoritarian UK then I've ever noticed. I could be really bloody wrong though, I ay been paying attention to this kind of stuff for long.

Politics is really bloody annoying. :lol:

My suggestion Jonny is:

1) Do vote - remember what people have been through to achieve universal suffrage. Also, note how many young people kicked themselves for not bothering to vote at the EU referendum
2) Vote for the party / candidate you really want to (although in reality this may be the "least worst" option!) and don't bother with tactical voting. Vote for your preference.

Why? If everyone took the tactical voting approach and ended up over-thinking possible permutations, the outcome is not going to be true to people's real voting intentions. Not sure this does anyone any favours.

I get the fact that those in strong Labour or Tory seats who loathe the party their MP is a member of, feel a sense of "why should I bother?" as "my choice" will never get elected....but we only have to look back to 2015 to see the huge swings to the SNP.

If you supported the SNP's policies but lived in a constituency that ALWAYS returned a Labour MP, election after election you may have thought "what's the point in me voting?". Yet, swings of 25% to 40% to the SNP at that election, showed the value of getting out and voting according to your preference.

PS - you may want to do a bit of desk research checking out Tom Watson, if you haven't already. :wink:

If we had proportional representation (aka real democracy), then I think your advice to "vote for the party you really want to" would be correct. But we don't, so I guess the question Jonny should be asking himself is 'what is more important to me, registering a vote for the Lib Dems, which will certainly have absolutely no effect on the outcome, or voting for my second choice (Labour) and possibly helping prevent the election of someone I definitely don't want (Conservative)'. I guess only Jonny knows which is more important to him.

I get your point about the SNP seemingly coming from nowhere, but I think that circumstances in Scotland are very different from those in England, and I see little prospect of the Lib Dems achieving similar swings. I also don't agree that tactical voting is any more likely to give an outcome that isn't true to people's intentions than voting non-tactically. The first past the post system almost always results in a majority government elected by a minority of those voting, and an even smaller minority of the total electorate, and so is never "true to people's true voting intention's". I totally agree with your first point though - you should always vote. In fact I would make it compulsory, as they do in Australia and a few other countries.

[The Red Prince]

Vote Corbyn comrades, for peace, bread, land, and an end to Capitalist oppression!!

[Super Gabor]

To think, if Labour actually won the election, this would be our new Home Secretary.

Unbelievable.

http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/nick-ferrari/diane-abbotts-agonising-interview-over-policy-cost/

[derbysaddler]

Corbyn should have jettisoned her a long time ago. Must be something about the current leaders picking fudge up's , Teresa_bot giving Boris a job was outstandingly bad.