British Politics

[LewEngBridewell]

Many things happening on the British political scene today. First and foremost, we've seen big strides for Labour following the local elections yesterday, while there have been major losses for both the Conservatives and the Lib Dems. With regard to the latter, this was always going to happen. The party sealed its fate the moment they leaped onto the Tory bandwagon back in the last general election, which saw the formation of the coalition government under Prime Minister David Cameron.

Also, it seems to be an increasingly close battle between Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone, as the result of the London Mayoral election is soon to be announced.

Any thoughts?

[racechick]

It5 was a very very low turn out and this sort of thng tends to happen mid term, Im not sure we should read too much in to it. Regarding the mayor, I think thats very close.

[LewEngBridewell]

It5 was a very very low turn out and this sort of thng tends to happen mid term, Im not sure we should read too much in to it. Regarding the mayor, I think thats very close.

What do you think about the low turn-outs? It seems to be becoming increasingly common these days.

[andrew]

Labour coming out well in any election just shows how stupid and forgetful the voting public are in the UK. This is the crowd that pretty much bankrupted a nation! To be honest, the UK needs someone to just say "we're doing this so deal with it". There's far too much of this waffle and whilst the country slips further down the u-bend. They are a bunch of overly paid fools, none of which have the stones to make the tough choices they speak about.

The Scottish political situation is also dire. The SNP are pushing for independance and are getting their referendum. Unfortunately there are enough fools who are amazingly allowed to vote who are stuck in the whole English hating thing so chances are it'll be voted in. Scottish independance may have worked in the 60's when North Sea oil was just starting but I have doubts. Maybe Alex Salmond is hoping that Donald Trump ruins more SSSI and builds more golf courses!

What do you think about the low turn-outs? It seems to be becoming increasingly common these days.

I don't vote and have no intention of doing so until there is someone I feel is worth voting for. Basically, there is no real difference between any of the big political parties - the words are different, but the lies are the same.

[LewEngBridewell]

I'll give my views / response to you andrew when I have a little more time...

As it is, there seems to be a great deal of faffing around at City Hall. Mayoral election still not announced! Boxes lost apparently. What a great advert for London's organisation ahead of the Olympics!

[McLaren]

Labour coming out well in any election just shows how stupid and forgetful the voting public are in the UK. This is the crowd that pretty much bankrupted a nation! To be honest, the UK needs someone to just say "we're doing this so deal with it". There's far too much of this waffle and whilst the country slips further down the u-bend. They are a bunch of overly paid fools, none of which have the stones to make the tough choices they speak about.

The Scottish political situation is also dire. The SNP are pushing for independance and are getting their referendum. Unfortunately there are enough fools who are amazingly allowed to vote who are stuck in the whole English hating thing so chances are it'll be voted in. Scottish independance may have worked in the 60's when North Sea oil was just starting but I have doubts. Maybe Alex Salmond is hoping that Donald Trump ruins more SSSI and builds more golf courses!

What do you think about the low turn-outs? It seems to be becoming increasingly common these days.

I don't vote and have no intention of doing so until there is someone I feel is worth voting for. Basically, there is no real difference between any of the big political parties - the words are different, but the lies are the same.

Roughly the same as what I think.Although I might vote conservative just to keep those labour idiots out.But like you say,not a lot of difference between the lot of the cheating lying gits.

[bud]

I don't think Salmond will get his way in the vote, but who knows the SNP might push to screen Braveheart the night before... hopefully sense will prevail in not breaking up the Union

[vaptin]

No idea why Labour choose Ken for London elections, the guy is clearly an unpopular character.

These were local elections, vote on the merits of the candidates in front of you, or your just messing with the system. Want a better class of politician? Start using your vote better.

Politicians are of course very imperfect, but it's way better than any alternative.

Low electoral turnout is the real issue I think, combined with an electoral system based around two parties and is grossly unfair in turning the proportion of votes into actual seats held. But people voted against a new one for some reason.

I think it might be time for large scale political reform, of course the Conservatives hate that. Why do we have so many elected officials for the local councils? Is the way authority is currently divided really the best way?

Look at central government and parliament, it's antiquated and inefficient, I don't think the public feel historically and patriotically sentimental enough to really support it.

[andrew]

I don't think Salmond will get his way in the vote, but who knows the SNP might push to screen Braveheart the night before... hopefully sense will prevail in not breaking up the Union

As I said there are a lot of English hating prats with low IQ that are allowed to vote.

The biggest stumbling point is that what is Scotlands biggest income source? Oil and gas has past it's hey day with it becoming more and more expensive to reach what is left and there is virtually no manufacturing left. Realistically, tourism isn't reliable enough to be a stable source of income. Scotlands biggest employer is the service sector but if independance is granted then I can the cost of running this sector increasing.

[Jabberwocky]

I blame it all on the minimum wage

[LewEngBridewell]

So here is our re-elected Mayor of London:

[What's Burning?]

Nothing is more wasteful in a democracy than not casting your vote.

[andrew]

Voting just for the sake of it is even more wasteful as is so-called tatical voting. Besides, it's a persons democratic right to choose not to cast their vote.

[What's Burning?]

Well then it would be hypocritical of you to call someone else's voting decision stupid would it not?

[andrew]

No, not really. To vote for a party whose policies pretty much bankrupted a nation is stupid. Sadly none of the other options seem to have a cajones to make the decision that would make a difference and get us out of this recession thus why I don't vote.