Loz

Blah Blah Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I think traditionally we are a centre left/right country, and in the past, the party that wins > general elections has typically been the one best able to occupy that ground. I would go a little further and say we are a centre-right country on economic matters and centre-left on social matters. But yes, whoever wants to run the country has to occupy that ground. Which is why whoever wins out of whatever combination of Con/Lab/LD means very little, as they are all jostling for that same position. There is the perception that the Tories get pulled to the right and Labour to the left, but in reality, this doesn't ever really happen. So I do find it amusing when lefties say they don't want the Tories in and righties say they don't want Labour. They are so close to each other, policy-wise, that it really matters not one jot. Whoever wins will still stick with austerity, have ineffective (but loudly trumpeted) policies on immigration, suck up to business, try to look to be tough on benefit fraud, continue privatising stuff and spend lots of money on the NHS. Yes, there will be minor difference and slightly different approaches, but for the major stuff they are all much of a muchness.

I've never quite worked out why lefties vote for the centre-right Labour party. Least worst option I suppose. But some of them are actually enthusiastic about the party that holds few to none of their views.

Is it your broadband or your wifi? Have you tried to run the speed test from a wired connection?

The place where I worked once had a South African temp in, who was rather new to London. I asked her where she was living, she replied, "Low-bro Junction". Took quite a while for the penny to drop for me.

Just read somewhere that 'Ed Miliband' is an anagram of "Lib Dem And I". Chortle.

maxxi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > So the predictions are for a lor of SNP seats at the GE - despite a majority in Scotland recently > voting against the SNP's raison d'etre. > > So either this same majority are voting for a party whose fundamental aim they oppose - or the > electoral system is a little bit jiggered? > > If the Libs hold the balance again - and I suspect they will - surely they will demand a PROPER > referendum on electoral reform (not the farce of last time) as part of any deal. I think if this election turns out as badly and as fragmented as it is looking, it will set the PR/electoral reform debate back 20 years.

I love the 'Monkey Dust' styling of that. I rather miss 'Monkey Dust'.

Saw "The Play That Went Wrong". Very silly, but very, very funny. I pretty much laughed throughout the whole thing.

Can anyone explain why England, Scotland, Wales and NI are considered countries and not states? Well, mostly by themselves - does anyone outside the UK (and the occasional sports body) consider them separate countries? To me, they are no more a country than Bavaria or Alaska or Catalonia. To use Pointless's definition, they are not "any sovereign state that's a member of the UN".

ED to LB, then Jubilee all the way. Easy!

JohnL Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > DaveR Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > I don't think the Lib Dems will lose anywhere near > > the number of seats that is being predicted based > > on their expected share of the vote. There are > > plenty of seats that have been Lib Dem now for 15+ > > years with big majorities, and they are > > notoriously good at playing local politics. The > > key issue seems to me to be how many seats will > > the Tories lose because UKIP split their vote. If > > they can keep it to no more than a dozen, I'd > > expect Tories + Lib Dems to have a narrow > > majority, and if they can form a government, they > > will. > > > Thats what Clegg seems to think > > http://www.theguardian.com > > I think he's damaged them more than he realises - Are LibDem supporters really Tories ?? > Or does Clegg realise he'll have to go if they swap sides. That article says "most probably in coalition with the Conservatives". The LibDems can form a coalition with either Lab or Tory. As a LibDem voter, I really don't mind which - as I said, the major policies for both Lab and Tories are pretty much the same. The LibDems are a good moderating influence for both the big two, rather than the blackmailing influence UKIP or the SNP will be. > The SNP will vcte against the Tories whatever. They won't abstain because that may let the Conservatives in. Don't underestimate the SNP - they will sell their souls to the Tories if it gets them what they want. You forget, the SNP had an informal coalition with the Tories in Scotland for a number of years.

The numbers are worrying. Current predictions have Lab at about 270, Tory at about 275 and LD at about 25. So, both Lab+LibDem and Tory+LibDem about 10-15 seats short of a majority. I don't really mind who gets in so long as it is stable and the nationalists/UKIP/Greens aren't involved. Let's face it - whichever combination of Lab/Tory/LD gets in, it will be much the same as before - there's sweet FA in policy difference between them in the major areas. Though ejecting Scotland from the union would rather neatly solve things!

maxxi Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Loz Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > > to quote the great man himself... "Women. Can't live with 'em ... pass > > the beer nuts." > > "How's life treating you Mr Peterson?" > "Like it caught me in bed with its wife." "What's shaking, Norm?" "All four cheeks and a couple of chins."

FraddsMan Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > My ?50 bet on a Cameron led govt post election went on at 6/1. Now at 4/7. That's partly because, in the event that neither Tories or Labour get a full majority or can form a coalition, convention says that Cameron gets first dibs at forming a government.

Calsug Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > If you have a mortgage then yes you must Not true. Some require them, some don't.

DulwichBorn&Bred Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Apparently 14+ welding googles are safe to use ? You want to find out the hard way?

MrBen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > You mean Devo max? No, I mean expelliarmus. Scotexit. Vote 'Yes' for them.

Louisa Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Loz I've checked the forecast, clear blue skies and sunshine all day tomorrow. Figures - the one day of sunshine and the sodding moon gets in the way.

Personally I think the only solution is to ditch Scotland. Else the SNP is going to cause constitutional mayhem.

It's March in London, Louisa - the sun is usually obscured and the city in partial darkness.

Sorry.. been away from my desk. Shall try not to do that again. Yes, Norm was the one. And to quote the great man himself... "Women. Can't live with 'em ... pass the beer nuts."

I was by the side of Lake Balaton in Hungary and got the full show. Viewing a total eclipse is really quite extraordinary.

Next question... My real name was Hilary and you never saw my wife's face.

Charlie, from Charlie's Angels?

Starsky & Hutch? With the more likely "success" being David Soul? ETA: Damnit... beaten by that Foxy person.