General Election 2015

[aquarius moon]

maxxi Wrote:

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> Voting for the party you believe in is a futile

> exercise in this area if you are not Labour or LD.

> - Cor, I dunno, (someone on social media might

> say) just as you start to think your vote may

> count and are willing to give democracy a go ...

> the first past the post system shits in your

> satchel and, unless you are a follower of the two

> mentioned, you may as well stay home.

So true.

Last time some Harriet Harman reps did at least knock on the door pre-election, asking people to display posters, support them etc.

This time, no-one except an independent. Nothing from any of the main parties.

It's been so quiet, you wouldn't even know there was an election going on.

It's such a safe seat that they don't need to bother. Which is fine by me because I vote for them anyway, but if I didn't, I wouldn't see the point in voting.

[Blah Blah]

Thank you for correcting Louisa's poor version of electoral history brandnewguy. I also tend to think that first past the post and democracy are a contradiction in terms. A truly democratic system would reflect voting proportions surely? If you want to lead with a majority, shouldn't you be there because the majority of those who voted, voted for you? Seems ridiculous to me that any party should be in power with just 33% of the popular vote.

[miga]

.

[????]

Loz Wrote:

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> bodsier Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > Simple and clear cut analysis.....

> >

> >

> http://benjaminstudebaker.com/2015/05/02/britain-f

> or-the-love-of-god-please-stop-david-cameron/

>

> Or, to summarise: the author took 77 graphs to

> show he thinks Cameron is bad, but then concludes

> that Miliband will only a teenie-tiny itsy-bit

> better. Maybe.

Was there No graph on either employment levels or unemployment. UK GDP growth compared to Other European countries cut off handily at 2012....wot no 2013 and 2014 figures, why on earth could that be? Surely not because they don't fit in with his anti-coalition narrative

[????]

Anyway one day only to put up with the incessant shite of an election on social Media. please let there be a majority so we don't have to go through this shite again in the next year. PLEASE.

[Louisa]

Blah Blah Wrote:

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> Thank you for correcting Louisa's poor version of

> electoral history brandnewguy. I also tend to

> think that first past the post and democracy are a

> contradiction in terms. A truly democratic system

> would reflect voting proportions surely? If you

> want to lead with a majority, shouldn't you be

> there because the majority of those who voted,

> voted for you? Seems ridiculous to me that any

> party should be in power with just 33% of the

> popular vote.

Sounds like a disgruntled lib dem to me. What do you suggest as more democratic then? A system whereby we elect a handful of parties who have to agree to coalitions forever, similar to Italy, which hasn't had a stable government in decades. Be careful what you wish for.

Louisa.

[uncleglen]

Politics is like catch 22- the fact that someone wants to have power over people means that they have completely the wrong mentality to actually have power over the people....

[miga]

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[miga]

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[Earl Aelfheah]

All electoral systems have their flaws, but first past the post has more than most and more than should be acceptable in a mature democracy. Trying to get sitting MPs to push for change though is like asking Turkey to vote for Christmas.

[miga]

t!

[Otta]

Hmm, that referendum didn't offer the reforms that epople actually want, it was a ploy and the tories knew people wouldn't go for it, yet they could claim they'd given people the choice.

[miga]

.

[Louisa]

I agree no one cares about electoral reform other than the lib dems and other minor parties. If it ain't broke why fix it?

Louisa.

[miga]

.

[JohnL]

Labour seem to be making a big effort on the ground.

Lord Steel saying LibDems should not rejoin the coalition.

Labour willing to call a constitutional Convention (wooing LibDem)

Is it slightly heading Labours way ??

[Louisa]

But that's how plurality works miga, it's not about party A and B jointly having more votes than party C, it's about one single party winning the most votes in a seat, however small that victory may be. It creates long term stability. I would personally rather have electoral stability long term (even if it's deemed slightly undemocratic), than long term chaos with lots of parties arguing over coalitions forever and a day.

JohnL I agree the campaign is heading the way of Labour, but not everywhere. The 40 odd marginals where they need to be pumping resources remain too close to call. The likes of Steel always come out the woodwork at the late stage of a campaign to ensure the ground work for coalition building is in place for tomorrow morning.

Louisa.

[JohnL]

Louisa -It's ever so slightly IMHO

Every poll and feeling on the ground may be wrong

and the Tories have a majority of course :)

[Louisa]

Are we allowed to talk about this stuff today? I'm not so sure we can.

Louisa.

[miga]

.

[JohnL]

Louisa Wrote:

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> Are we allowed to talk about this stuff today? I'm

> not so sure we can.

>

> Louisa.

Not allowed to broadcast anything I think.

Everybody (and some famous names) tweeting (but no exit polls until 10 apparently)

Gorgeous George has allegedly tweeted something he shouldn't.

[DulwichFox]

Louisa Wrote:

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> Are we allowed to talk about this stuff today? I'm

> not so sure we can.

>

> Louisa.

It only seems to apply to TV coverage..

Social media and Twitter are not affected but TV journalists cannot comment on things

from Social Media.

Will be lifted at 21.00 GMT 22.00 BST

Foxy

[KirstyH]

Any election night events on?

List on Huffpost says Cam&Peck is due at c. 3am and Dulwich and W.Norwood at c. 3.30am - full list by time & alphabetic order:

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2015/05/06/election-2015-declaration-times_n_7220684.html?utm_hp_ref=general-election-2015

Anyone looking for analysis & detail on what's happening up in Scotland - I've been recommended Holyrood mag (https://www.holyrood.com/articles/news/general-election-holyrood)

[Louisa]

Despite what the polls say, the bookmakers seem to be predicting a slightly different outcome.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/who-win-general-election-2015-9201178

This article sums it up. Labour edging ahead in popular vote and marginals, just. Bookies saying Tories largest party, Cameron favourite to remain PM, just.

We will find out later.

Louisa.

[BrandNewGuy]

Louisa Wrote:

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> I agree no one cares about electoral reform other

> than the lib dems and other minor parties. If it

> ain't broke why fix it?

>

> Louisa.

LOL - cos it's broken.