2015 post UK election discussion

[roydo]

including yourself

Didnt need Conservative Central Office to tell me that mate! Been thinking its been on the cards sine the No result. And for the record, I would have had the exact same thoughts if I was a Labour supporter, and Ed had got in, then had to play circus games with them for 5 years.

 

[Mrk]

Yes, that balances matters out in the media doesn't it?

*sigh*

I didn't mention balance, I was simply stating a fact, that people have a choice over what newspaper they buy. Maybe it's hard to accept, but for some reason, which I must admit is completely unknown to me, people like right-wing newspapers.

 

[davek]

Sure as eggs is eggs: after a couple of years of this lot in power, unrestrained and slashing through the length and breadth of this land with their ideologically driven agenda you will find NO ONE who will put their hand up to voting this shower in a couple of days ago. NO ONE.

All the hand wringers who claim they had 'no choice' = vanishing act.

Seen it all before under Thatcher. No one ever knew how that monstrous oxygen thief ever became elected because there was no evidence of her supporters. And it'll happen again.

 

[chewee]

It's an easy trap to fall into. I know a few Tories (unfortunately none of them are rich toffs) who dislike Cameron a lot, but they campaigned for him and now that he's won a stunning victory, he's a messiah and he walks on water.

Labour will only win elections from the centre ground. Until Labour get that bit right, they're just pissing in the wind.

Through gritted teeth I have to say it was a stunning win. Never in a million years would I have predicted that. He has had his career defining moment he craved so much, in 50 years time it will still be the election which commentators refer to most.

 

[Seanjd]

I'd rather he didn't advertise the Sun because it is an absolute rag, but he has every right to do that. And, let's be honest, when you go into a shop, they are literally right next to each other, so you don't need to be a brain surgeon to choose the one that best suits your views.

But it goes back to a point I made a while ago. The Sun is hardly a political paper. People who buy it, generally, are not looking to be educated politically. However, you buy it and you will pick up on the drip, drip style political influence. Not just during election run ups. You say if they don't like it they can buy the Mirror, but the Sun is put into your face more. It is advertised on the TV more, etc.

 

[Seanjd]

Didnt need Conservative Central Office to tell me that mate! Been thinking its been on the cards sine the No result. And for the record, I would have had the exact same thoughts if I was a Labour supporter, and Ed had got in, then had to play circus games with them for 5 years.

Sorry, I didn't intend on putting words in your mouth, but I believe that on the whole, the SNP influence in a Labour gov factor was definitely over stated.

 

[roydo]

Through gritted teeth I have to say it was a stunning win. Never in a million years would I have predicted that. He has had his career defining moment he craved so much, in 50 years time it will still be the election which commentators refer to most.

And they will still wonder how it happened! It was an astonishing night.

I just pray that he does the right, (with a small "r") thing, and he can put some of the wilder critiques to bed. Whether the right, (with a large "R") pipe down to let him do it, lets see.

 

[daylightrobber]

I believed in Miliband and as someone who leans left I was genuinely excited by his manifesto. I was very active for the party in the run up to the election and being wrapped in the Labour bubble of hype with so many like minded people it was hard for me to find fault in our campaign. Only after such a crushing defeat and a clear rejection by the electorate do you sit back and take stock.

The last 48 hours have certainly altered by own political views - I hope those central to helping the party rebuild have learned lessons to.

I doubt that the section of the voting electorate that pushed the Tories over the line were either pro right or anti left tbh. They were more likely than not the voters who have no active interest in policies. Taken in by the politics of fear spun by the Tories and in particular UKIP.

Labour didn't do enough to calm those fears but that's another story.

 

[Mrk]

But it goes back to a point I made a while ago. The Sun is hardly a political paper. People who buy it, generally, are not looking to be educated politically. However, you buy it and you will pick up on the drip, drip style political influence. Not just during election run ups. You say if they don't like it they can buy the Mirror, but the Sun is put into your face more. It is advertised on the TV more, etc.

I appreciate that, but we live in a world in which if you have a product, or a service, you have the right to advertise it.

People buy it. I don't know why, but they do. We can't legislate for idiots unfortunately.

 

[davek]

I didn't mention balance, I was simply stating a fact, that people have a choice over what newspaper they buy. Maybe it's hard to accept, but for some reason, which I must admit is completely unknown to me, people like right-wing newspapers.

I think we're going over old ground here. If they like right wing papers it doesn't account for why the circulation has dropped like a stone and it doesn't account for why social surveys point us to the opposite conclusion of the population's instinct on issues...which are centre left, broadly.

Just face it: some people buy their tat for the footy, some for the gossip and celeb pics, some for the bawdy language and general knock about 'fun' they include. Most know they're comics and little else.

 

[Seanjd]

And they will still wonder how it happened! It was an astonishing night.

I just pray that he does the right, (with a small "r") thing, and he can put some of the wilder critiques to bed. Whether the right, (with a large "R") pipe down to let him do it, lets see.

He can't even if he wants to. They have slim majority, which means he will have to pander to those sat on the back benches who occupy the further right or risk them defecting. It's going to be painful, alright.

 

[roydo]

Sorry, I didn't intend on putting words in your mouth, but I believe that on the whole, the SNP influence in a Labour gov factor was definitely over stated.

Not from my view point mate. I have been consistent on this for months. The SNP would have relished playing fast and loose with Ed. Make no bones about it.

I said a few weeks back that I would rather have a Labour majority win than some cobbled together "agreements" with a minority Labour win/SNP.

 

[Seanjd]

Not from my view point mate. I have been consistent on this for months. The SNP would have relished playing fast and loose with Ed. Make no bones about it.

I said a few weeks back that I would rather have a Labour majority win than some cobbled together "agreements" with a minority Labour win/SNP.

But how? Labour wouldn't have had to listen to anything the SNP wanted to play fast and loose with. They simply would have voted his policies through the commons or faced being rejected next time round for letting the Tories in.

 

[Mrk]

I think we're going over old ground here. If they like right wing papers it doesn't account for why the circulation has dropped like a stone and it doesn't account for why social surveys point us to the opposite conclusion of the population's instinct on issues...which are centre left, broadly.

Just face it: some people buy their tat for the footy, some for the gossip and celeb pics, some for the bawdy language and general knock about 'fun' they include. Most know they're comics and little else.

The circulation of all newspapers, pretty much all over the world has dropped like a stone. You can thank Steve Jobs for that.

Honestly, I really don't like right-wing red tabloids, none of them advocate liberal views on any subject, so I'm hardly biased in favour of them

 

[roydo]

He can't even if he wants to. They have slim majority, which means he will have to pander to those sat on the back benches who occupy the further right or risk them defecting. It's going to be painful, alright.

Yep, that could happen. No doubt. He has a honeymoon period until the G&T swilling golf club 1922 lot stop thanking him for getting them back in, (mind you, most of that lot would still be elected come what may I would guess).

Will he last the full term? 50/50 imo. Depends who the LP get in charge I suppose. Its a pretty slim looking list atm.