[Archived] Election

[koi]

Huh? Presumably you meant to say: "any 'right' to be involved in governing this nation.

I would respond that since they are the third largest party in the House of Commons, where no party has an outright majority then I'd say that entitles them to put their case forward to be part of govt.

The fact is I don't remember any party other than the Lib Dem's advocating PR. For Mandelson to start wittering on about FPTP creaking at the seams, it's a little late in the day. It smacks of desperation in wanting to hold onto power for personal gain, rather than selfless public service on behalf of the Nation.

Both Cameron and Brown were happy to distance themselves from Clegg before the election, giving him a good digging. Now they're interested in how they can work with him, so they can have the keys to number 10. It's tragic and funny.

Not sure about the Lib Dems but agree with the rest! What really made me laugh was Mandleson (talking about those locked out of polling stations) claiming Labour voters traditionally vote later in the day than Tories and they could be losing votes! The guy is incredible.

[jim mk2]

I don't disagree with your comment on the Lib Dems and for what it's worth I don't think they will have a seat in government,

I think you mean a seat in the cabinet, in which case you are wrong, because informed sources say the Lib Dems have been offered key seats such as home secretary and trade secretary among others. Another example of Tory shifting the goalposts in their desperation to broker a pact.

[American]

I think you mean a seat in the cabinet, in which case you are wrong, because informed sources say the Lib Dems have been offered key seats such as home secretary and trade secretary among others. Another example of Tory shifting the goalposts in their desperation to broker a pact.

Or being willing to compromise. Sounds like something you know little or nothing about. It's smart for them to offer key seats, as it says they know they don't have enough votes to do everything themselves.

[jim mk2]

Or being willing to compromise. Sounds like something you know little or nothing about. It's smart for them to offer key seats, as it says they know they don't have enough votes to do everything themselves.

I know my own country and its political system. I suggest you stick to yours.

[broadsword]

Another example of Tory shifting the goalposts in their desperation to broker a pact.

You can't seriously expect people to believe that either:-

a] Labour would refuse to cut a deal with the Lib Dems so as to retain power, were such an opportunity to present itself; or

b] That Labour and the Libs have enough areas of common ground so as to make a credible coalition.

We appear to have reached an impasse. I've changed my mind from what I said some weeks before, a hung parliament is a disaster.

[Plastic Head]

Her Majesty The Queen should dissolve this rotten and indecisive parliament full of blackguards and ne'er-do-wells and take control herself.

If it came to another civil war I think she would have the support of the majority at the moment.

Then she can re-take full control of the commonwealth colonies.

And before they start to kick-off about it, they should remember we still have some very big bombs that they don't have.

Once we have an empire back we can invade Europe and give the Germans a taste of their own medicine. (We can start by going into Italy to get our eye in... a bit like a sort of pre-season friendly against Rochdale).

This will show the Americans that it isn't big or clever to send someone 20 miles upwards in a tin can or decide to invent computers that don't work half the time. Nor is it clever to live in caravans in the middle of a hurricane zone or make country and western music. Also that chips should not be made out of some sort of plastic and meat is best eaten from one animal at once. We can then blockade all tea supplies to the Americas and make them go without a brew as retribution for the events of 1773. They can have all the coffee they want though...terrible stuff.

Am I going off-topic here?

[colin]

Am I going off-topic here?

Apart from the pre-season friendly at Rochdale, no.

[thenodrog]

Not power crazed but an extremely competant transport secretary, probably the best I can remember, and a minister who actually knows his subject.

Mind if I treat a missive from you about motoring with the disrespect that it deserves?

btw Sorry if I shocked you when I referred to my accountant. I actually meant both of them.

[thenodrog]

Not sure about the Lib Dems but agree with the rest! What really made me laugh was Mandleson (talking about those locked out of polling stations) claiming Labour voters traditionally vote later in the day than Tories and they could be losing votes! The guy is incredible.

They will cos they'll not have work to get up for in the morning.

[jim mk2]

Mind if I treat a missive from you about motoring with the disrespect that it deserves?.

Until you've removed the huge spike up your derriere from sitting on the political fence, mind if I treat any missive from you about the election with the contempt it deserves ?

It also might come as a shock to you but the transport minister's brief involves alot more than motoring.

[FourLaneBlue]

Wonder where they got the idea from?

http://jonathanfryer.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/remembering-the-lib-lab-pact/

Interesting how both Callaghan and Brown messed up by not calling an early election and ultimately paid the price. If Brown had called a snap election when he became (unelected) PM in the first place then opinion polls suggested a far better chance of winning. Instead he went on as a PM placed there by his own party and had the recession come and bite him too.

Fortune favours the brave when being PM.

[American]

I know my own country and its political system. I suggest you stick to yours.

I'm guessing I currently contribute more to the British coffers than you do....

Great transport secretary, by the way, allows a company to drop a money losing train line but still keep the cash cows it has.

[jim mk2]

Great transport secretary, by the way, allows a company to drop a money losing train line but still keep the cash cows it has.

I presume you're refererring to the NE debacle. Adonis wanted to terminate the East Anglia franchise immediately (cross-defaulting) after NE walked away from the East Coast franchise but was threatened with legal action. The govt reacted by terrminated the East Anglia franchise three years early.

I'm guessing I currently contribute more to the British coffers than you do....

Enjoy your 50 per cent plus tax rate .

[thenodrog]

Until you've removed the huge spike up your derriere from sitting on the political fence, mind if I treat any missive from you about the election with the contempt it deserves ?

Nothing wrong with the foating vote Jim. Especially when the party of your choice has ruled the country so ineptly. Have you ever stopped to think that if everybody emulated those bereft of individual thought who slavishly vote the same every time there would be no need for any election? Furthermore it'll cause you much angst no doubt, but have you ever considered also that the Labour Party that you love so dearly actually values me and my vote much more than you and yours?

Interesting how both Callaghan and Brown messed up by not calling an early election and ultimately paid the price. If Brown had called a snap election when he became (unelected) PM in the first place then opinion polls suggested a far better chance of winning. Instead he went on as a PM placed there by his own party and had the recession come and bite him too.

Fortune favours the brave when being PM.

I think it's obvious that Brown is a megalomaniac. Didn't help his mental state when Teflon Tony kept stringing him along with 'the best Chancellor ever' lines. Tell the same lie often enough and some people will come to believe it.

[thenodrog]

Enjoy your 50 per cent plus tax rate .

Very funny Jim! And a typical socialist comment if you don't mind me saying so. You're old Dad would have been proud of you. Poor American must be cut to the quick with your razor sharp wit.

btw I bet you wish you'd ever been in a position to pay it. Shiny bog roll and sitting in an outside cludgy can't be much fun.

[American]

I presume you're refererring to the NE debacle. Adonis wanted to terminate the East Anglia franchise immediately (cross-defaulting) after NE walked away from the East Coast franchise but was threatened with legal action. The govt reacted by terrminated the East Anglia franchise three years early.

Enjoy your 50 per cent plus tax rate .

First point - never should have gotten there. Should have known to package crap performing lines with good performing lines to prevent this.

Second point - I wish.

Also, I agree with Gordon. If more people actually looked at ALL of the parties and what they wanted to do at the time instead of voting how they were brought up to, many democracies would be in better shape, including the US.

[jim mk2]

First point - never should have gotten there. Should have known to package crap performing lines with good performing lines to prevent this.

Agree it should never have "gotten" there because the rail industry should never have been privatised in the first place (thank you John Major). Labour looked at re-nationalising the industry after 1997 but the horrendous cost of doing so plus the collapse of Railtrack in the aftermath of the Hatfield and other fatal crashes (themselves the result of poor maintenance after privatisation) meant the government was stuck with the present quasi-private public structure. The irony is that with the takeover of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn a large part of the rail system has been re-nationalised because it is now owned by the German government !! Only a mess like this could happen in Britain.

[thenodrog]

The irony is that with the takeover of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn a large part of the rail system has been re-nationalised because it is now owned by the German government !! Only a mess like this could happen in Britain.

Surely thats good? They may not be the Swiss or the Japanese but Germany must have a better train set than us?

[berkshireblue]

I think you mean a seat in the cabinet, in which case you are wrong, because informed sources say the Lib Dems have been offered key seats such as home secretary and trade secretary among others. Another example of Tory shifting the goalposts in their desperation to broker a pact.

Jim

Gordon on the steps on Number 10, we will offer the LibDems a referendum on PR

Pot kettle black again to suit your argument

Desperate Squatter needs to do the honurable thing and resign, worst Labour result since 1931 and he still wants to be PM

Laughing stock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[koi]

Bit grumpy this morning Jim, have they changed your medication? you certainly seem to be delirious that's for sure.

[SouthAussieRover]

4 days on from the election and the Tories still can't govern.

Says it all realy.

[Tris]

4 days on from the election and the Tories still can't govern.

Says it all realy.

The other lot got 13 years and they never worked out how to either ...

[koi]

I can't believe Jim is talking about privatisation! Nu Labour has privatised and outsourced more work from central government than the Thatcher and Major years put together! In the last four years well over 100,000 jobs have been lost and over 2000 offices closed. And lets not forget that Nu Labour blamed the public sector workers that they are the cause of inflation! And lets not forget the fiasco over Brown and Mandy's pet privatisation project - Royal Mail.

[Paul]

Jim

Gordon on the steps on Number 10, we will offer the LibDems a referendum on PR

Pot kettle black again to suit your argument

Desperate Squatter needs to do the honurable thing and resign, worst Labour result since 1931 and he still wants to be PM

Laughing stock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gordon Brown cannot leave / resign until there is a new government in place. That isn't wishful thinking it's how the system works. What do you imagine would happen if he resigned and we had no PM while the Conservatives and the Lib Dems tried to work out if they're going steady or just good friends?

The other lot got 13 years and they never worked out how to either ...

[berkshireblue]

The other lot got 13 years and they never worked out how to either ...

spot on Tris

South is Jim's minder always has to chip in