howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#1
another mixed bag for tomorrows press.
comres/independent
blues 35%
reds 26%
yellows 26%
yougov/sun
yellows 34%(calm down stephen)
blues 31%
reds 26%
populus/times
blues 32%
yellows 31%
reds 28%
i cannot remember an election like this since the days of power cuts when genial ted heath asked us the question "who runs the country, the blues or the miners"?
close run thing but the miners won.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#2
What, no UKIP, Howard?
True friends stab you in the front.
Unregistered User
#3
Interesting to see on the Sky News break down of the figures that in most of the polls despite the Blues being in the lead the Reds will still have the most seats, not sure how that works?
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#4
That'll be the first-past-the-post polling system we have. In the event of a hung parliament, with the Lib/Dems holding the balance of power, you can bet your bottom dollar that the first thing on Nick Clegg's shopping list for brokering a deal will be electoral reform to consign this grossly unfair polling system to the history books.
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#5
The last thing we need is PR putting the Libdems permanently the arbitors of who gets to form the Government. Nothing can be less democratic than that.
The system does need reform, I agree. DC's proposals for a reduction in seats by 10% and a levelling of the numbers of voters plus a reformed boundary commission, keeping constituency borders up to date is the answer. You will get a lot more marginal seats in that arrangement and a lot less safe seats for all side. They will be more responsive to the electorate.
The present seat boundaries do provide an advanatage to Labour and given the present polls all the seat predictors, whether UNS or formulaic are redundant.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
#6
I think that might just be what people are looking for now though BarryW..a system where nobody has total control. Some of the experts were saying that it seems to have emerged as the publics favourite idea...thanks to Nick Clegg.
Interesting there about the Polls. I dont think we have ever seen such an opinion poll revolution.Well we havent in fact. The questions being asked now are... is this an explosion of new thinking or a short term blip??
The big story now is not so much these polls, but whether Mr Clegg can do it again tomorrow night in the second debate. He is under the same level of pressure now as David Cameron was in the first one. If he pulls off mass popularity again it will be a heckuva feat and may well herald lasting change in British politics. Its all down to tomorrow night now....another Clegg starring performance and the rabbit is out of the headlights.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#7
I put it down to a lack of faith in the established parties, especially with Labour. The expenses thingy I believe has made the average (if there is such a thing) citizen totally disillusioned with perceived corruption within the bipartisan system - it's that 'Oh, they're as bad as each other' cliché we've all heard. All of which brings into play the other cliché we've all heard before : 'Well, Labour and the Tories have both buggered it up, why not give the Libs a go?'
I believe there are far more people considering voting for a 'minority' party than ever before. I don't want to get into an argument with BarryW - I know he doesn't agree with me over this - but the reason I'm supporting Vic and his UKIP party this time round is that both Labour and Conservatives have wheedled out of election manifesto promises over holding a referendum on the continued British membership of the EU in the past and shown that they are quite prepared to say whatever they think will get themselves elected; once in office, their pledges go out of the window. Thus, they are not deserving of my vote this time round and I hope that many others feel as I do; politics is about substance, not spin or image. I have to say that Nigel Farage is not my cup of tea, but I do believe in what he and his party are saying over membership of the EU. In exactly the same way, I believe that many others have had their fill of lies from the two major parties and are preparing to vote against them for too many broken promises in the past.
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#8
Andy - be fair the Conservatives were not in a position to uphold that manifesto pledge as they were not in power. Only Labour had that ability. That said the Conservatives helped by Labour rebels could have forced a referendum via a Commons vote except the LibDems did their usual trick in betraying their pledge to have a referendum as well and voted with Labour. If they stayed by their manifesto alongside the Conservatives there would have been a vote.
Now the treaty is law such a vote is not relevant. Thursday night Foreign Affairs will be the subject so I expect this to arise then.
The ironic thing is that the LibDems are just as tainted by the expenses scandal as anyone else. Clegg himself claiming for a business class flight but travelling standard class. If that is not out and out expenses fraud then I dont know what is. He was of course the highest expense claimer of all party leaders as well. Many other LibDems are equally guilty. He is a total hypocrit to claim the holier than thou attitude that he has.
Andrew Neale demolished Clegg the other day.
#9
I reckon the only politicians who could stand up to Andrew Neil would be Maggie Thatcher, Wedgie Benn and William Hague. Unlike Paxo, Andrew doesn't go for the ego trip, and knows his politics. Shame about the hair which says much about Andrew's persona methinks.
As for expenses scandal, at the end of the day every MP was culpable. Those that didn't fiddle must have known it was going on, known it wasn't morally acceptable but still kept quiet, including our Gwyn. The prediction of many MP's being dumped this time round will, I believe, prove to be true. However, are we really to blame those that claim what is allowed when the system and process allows them to do so.
There is a huge diference between using the rules as laid down and actual theft, fraud or embezzlement.
#10
Andrew Neil has always been renowned for having a good grasp of foreign affairs!
#11
Jobless up to 2.5 million. Inflation up to over 3%. Only a 5.5% swing needed for the blues to take Dover.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#12
As I said, Barry, I don't want to get into an argument over this with you; we'll just have to agree to differ.
The other point I'd like to raise with you is why the Tories feel it necessary to conduct such a nasty, sleazy campaign. Your post on the UKIP thread about Lord Pearson is typical of what I'm talking about; in that interview as far as I can see Lord P (whom I've met and can attest to being a decent man, far from the character assassination you carried out on him) simply spoke the truth about Muslims. Jon Sopel interview was biased and antagonistic and designed to rile Lord P who I thought stood up to the bully boy tactics very well. Then again, in your post #8 above, you round on Nick Clegg who seems to have the upper hand on David Cameron. Take it from me, the Tories would look a far more decent and electable party if they didn't try to belittle their opponents; as with all bullies, it always backfires on the bullies. Look at the polls.
True friends stab you in the front.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#13
Andy - I just say it as I see it. Watch that video, I am not exaggerating, it is appalling.
Guest 670- Registered: 23 Apr 2008
- Posts: 573
#14
The Tories have seen their lead in the polls drop considerably, nobody really knows what their policies are and at the moment nobody appears to care as they have become more interested in Clegg. To embark on a characterisation campaign against Clegg will only strengthen him.
Guest 649- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 14,118
#15
Barry,I think Andy does not need to see a video of lord Pearson, after being with him on a one to one meeting.And I would also like to point out it was UKIP that had the big guns out first in Dover with a visit from our leader ,and the other partys following up just like they will in the Election in Dover.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#16
Lord Pearson may be a nice bloke, though with a highly dubious record with his own expenses, but he is way out of his depth as a party leader. To not even know his own manifesto and to make such a fool of himself is enough proof of that.
Dave1 - come off it!
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
#17
clegg does seem to be getting more popular than cameron/brown.the two so called big partys could come unstuck here if they are not carefull.oh yes i see the tory papers are trying to assasanate clegg clegg at the moment on half backed accusations.just wish these papers edittors try and get therefacts right before they go to print.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
#18
Brian - Clegg until now has escaped proper scrutiny as he was not considered worth it, but that has changed. The man is being exposed for what he really is along with his rather disgusting Party who, without a doubt, are and have been the dirtiest and most decietful political fighters in Uk post war political history.
The wheels are starting to come off the Clegg bandwagon.
Guest 693- Registered: 12 Nov 2009
- Posts: 1,266
#19
Barry
Didn't you think from my reply that I had watched that video? As I said, the overriding memory of that was an extremely antagonistic and aggressive interview from Jon Sopel; far from Lord P coming out of it badly, I thought Jon Sopel came across as an arrogant and opinionated jerk.
True friends stab you in the front.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
#20
i think nick clegg will lap up any personal attacks on him from the others.
it will show him as the underdog being picked on by bigger boys.
the british public always side with the underdog.
