14 replies to this topic

[JCRendle]

On Thursday (7th May 2015) the British people will be given the chance to vote for who they want to represent them in Parliament, both at a local level (their constituencies MP) and national.

The outcome is far from certain and we don't even know if the party with the most votes or seats will end up in Government.

The likelihood is that we'll get a hung parliament, with no party having enough seats to govern out right (like in 2010) and the political parties will have to make up seats by siding with rivals.

This year will be even more unpredictable as the opinion polls are too close to call and many minor parties are making themselves known - especially UKIP and the SNP.

UKIP have made a lot of noise, but I don't see them making a major dent in the major parties, the SNP, on the other hand, could cause a major change.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the SNP. The most seats they can get are 59, and that doesn't include Sturgeon, who isn't standing as a candidate.

The polls are showing a strong majority for them, some even predicting that they'll take all 59 seats in Scotland - not bad considering they only took 6 in 2010.

If this is the case then it'll hit Labour hard, as they took 41 seats in Scotland at the last General Election, and they were still 68 away from the required 326 to form a majority government.

It'll also make it likely that they beat the Liberal Democrats to 3rd place, as they only took 57 seats, including 11 in Scotland - this would be a major blow to Clegg, and (if he's even elected this time around - polls in his constituency are looking bad for him) it may cause his resignation as leader.

Even without a majority, Conservatives and Labours seats will be in the mid-200s to 300s.

It's going to be either Tories or Labour but it'll be who backs them up which is important. Miliband has said he won't make any deals or form a coalition with the SNP - this may haunt him in the future.

What are your thoughts on the election? Are British members here planning on voting? (I am) do you have any preferences?

[stromberg]

Politics thread. Um.

Tread lightly, folks. No heated debates. No propaganda.

Strict rules of golf.

[Royal Dalton]

It's going to be either Tories or Labour but it'll be who backs them up which is important. Miliband has said he won't make any deals or form a coalition with the SNP - this may haunt him in the future.

He doesn't need to do a deal with them. As long as there are enough anti-Tory votes in the House of Commons to pass a Queen's Speech, he can run a minority Labour government.

[Major Tallon]

I'm embarrassed to tell my many British friends, but, coming from a country where more than half the population can't identify our own vice-president, the vast majority of the American public is unaware that there even is an election in Britain, let alone know anything about the candidates or issues. 

 

If they were forced to guess, I can imagine the impressions of the average American:  Cameron ("Didn't he play shortstop for the Phillies?"), Milliband (a broadcast frequency), Clegg ("Wasn't he in Hogan's Heroes?"), Sturgeon ("I know that one!  It's a fish!"), and Farage (a perfume). 

 

As for me, I enjoy sitting up and watching BBC's election coverage on our public access network.  Bring on the Swingometer!

[glidrose]

Not surprised at all if the Lib-Dems take a pounding. That's par for the course when a third party props up the government in a hung/minority situation. Can hardly campaign against the government when you propped it up.

 

Rather surprised - and chuffed - that exit polls put the Conservatives far out in front. I thought Labour was going to come out slightly ahead. Well, the night is still young...

[JCRendle]

It's definitely a must watch election for me. I'm going to be shattered tomorrow.  

[DamnCoffee]

Come on Labour!

[JCRendle]

Come on Labour!

 

At the moment, it's not looking good for Labour.

[DamnCoffee]

Indeed. Still clinging onto hope though. There has been instances where the exit poll has been completely wrong. So it could still go either way. 

[JCRendle]

Indeed. Still clinging onto hope though. There has been instances where the exit poll has been completely wrong. So it could still go either way. 

 

I'm going by actual results mixed with exit poll - There are swings to the Tories in safe Labour seats, even where Labour take them.

[freemo]

I'm embarrassed to tell my many British friends, but, coming from a country where more than half the population can't identify our own vice-president, the vast majority of the American public is unaware that there even is an election in Britain, let alone know anything about the candidates or issues.

 

Er, why should they be?

 

Why do Americans dislike "the average American" so much?

[thecasinoroyale]

Well seems it's heading for a majority Conservative win - but a nightmare result for Labour and especially the Lib Dems.

 

Great turn for the SNPs, but then what does that mean for the balance of the UK as a whole?

 

A very interesting, and very important, outcome I feel....still obviously not definite but looking that way.

[JCRendle]

It say something were a shadow chancellor is voted out. This whole election has been entirely unpredictable

[thecasinoroyale]

Sounds like we will have 3 party leaders leaving their role by end of today: Clegg (LD), Milliband (L) and now Farage (UKIP).

 

Brutal!

[DamnCoffee]

This is a complete bloodbath. 

 

Very disappointed with the result. Devastated infact. These next 5 years are going to be bleak. Struggling to live as it is.