U.K. Politics: Nadine Dorries resigns her post as MP - or does she?

[Wayne]

The UK General Election - May 7th 2015

Timetable

• Monday 30th March - dissolution of parliament[/*:m:yic2dqn3]
• Thursday 9th April - deadline for candidates to state their candidacy[/*:m:yic2dqn3]
• Monday 20th April - Tuesday 28th April - deadline for voters to register their intention to vote [postal, online or otherwise][/*:m:yic2dqn3]
• Thursday 7th May - polling day! Voting ends at 10pm, and counting begins and continues the following day[/*:m:yic2dqn3]

Following this, we have the return of Parliament, the Queen's Speech, and the election of the speaker of the House of Commons.

To confirm, there are 650 seats in the House of Commons [650 MPs] - to negate the need for a coalition government [or worse still, the chance of a minority government], a majority party would need more than 50% of the seats [i.e. 326 seats or more]. In the last General Election, the Conservatives had a majority, but not THE majority needed to form a government - 306 seats won against Labour's 258 seats. They took the decision to form a coalition with the Liberal Democrats who had won 57 seats.

It's predicted this year that we'll have another hung parliament [*groan*] with Labour having a majority, just not the majority needed to form a government. It's suggested that Labour will form a majority coalition with the SNP, ironic really given how opposed to the structure of the UK, the SNP are! Only possible variable is that the Lib Dems don't do as poorly as predicted and retain enough seats to form the coalition.



Conservatives: Leading the coalition since 2010, David Cameron has been focussing on "building a stronger, more competitive economy and securing a better future for Britain".



Labour: The Labour Party constitution states: "The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour we achieve more than we achieve alone."



Liberal Democrats: Part of the coalition, the Lib Dems say: "We champion the freedom, dignity and well-being of individuals, we acknowledge and respect their right to freedom of conscience."



UKIP: UKIP's principal aim is the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and their manifesto is based upon "Common Sense policies".



Green Party: The Green Party promotes the policies of ecological sustainability, a fairer, more stable economy and a more equal society.

The SNP [Scotland] and Plaid Cymru [Wales] have very patriotic and national policies.

So, who will you all be voting for? How will you be voting? Are you invested in politics, locally and nationally? If you won't be voting, then why?

[Thriller]

I know very little about politics, a lot of it goes over my head and I've never paid close attention to the different parties.

I don't think Cameron has done a bad job as such, day-to-day living does seem to be better now than when he came into power, I just don't really like the Conservatives and think they have more interest in looking after the richest in society.

All I know is I wish Labour had a better leader - Milliband is dire. That said, I will vote for Labour because I prefer their educational policies and stance on the NHS. However, it could all be empty promises as often turns out to be the case.

[ShayLaB]

"It's the economy, stupid"

You can't spend what you do not have so there is no way I will be voting Labour.

Also, another poll that explicitly lists the Greens, UKIP and Plaid Cymru but not the parties in Northern Ireland:
- DUP and Sinn Fein have more seats than of any those three.
- Combined they don't even have as many seats as the DUP.
- Plaid Cymru only have as many seats as the third biggest Northern Ireland party.



Party Seats
Conservative 302
Labour 256
Liberal Democrat 56
Democratic Unionist 8
Scottish National 6
Independent 5
Sinn Fein 5
Plaid Cymru 3
Social Democratic & Labour Party 3
UK Independence Party 2
Alliance 1
Green 1
Respect 1
Speaker 1

[Wayne]

I listed what the BBC consider to be the 7 main parties.

[ShayLaB]

I listed what the BBC consider to be the 7 main parties.

Yeah...I understand. It's complicated and one of the reasons why the parties and broadcasters have got themselves into such a mess over the TV debates.

The (likely) rise of the SNP to be the third largest party has really changed the dynamic of any potential post election coalitions...blowing Labour away but with policies completely at odds with the Conservatives. It doesn't matter as much for the Conservatives because they were not going to win any seats in Scotland but it is a disaster for Labour who would not have wanted such an awkward partner to deal with.

Improving the economy and getting people in work is essential for any government plans. Whatever grand programs and proposals are announced over the coming weeks, they all hinge on the financial health of the nation. So who do you trust more to get it right?

[stevyy]

UKIP ftw.. so that the UK leaves the EU. we all know it will happen eventualy.

[oasisbobo]

I will be voting for the SNP.

I love seeing both labour and the torries shit themselves

[Wayne]

UKIP ftw.. so that the UK leaves the EU. we all know it will happen eventualy.

You want the UK to exit the EU?

[Madgefan]

First election in my life where I really don't want to vote for any of them . I'm very much a Labour supporter but Ed Miliband really puts me off this time. The wrong brother won the leadership. But when push comes to shove I don't want the Tories to win so I will vote Labour.

I will personally shoot any family members that vote UKIP

[Brad]

Who will you be voting for?
Conservatives - 2

Why? :-?

UKIP ftw

Can you not.

[stevyy]

Nigel Farage is like the face of British politics here in Germany. lol

All I hear from the UK is how evil they think the EU is and how Britain would be better off without it. There is so much anti-German propaganda, anti-europe and anti-immigration propaganda, + the consistent reluctance of the UK to associate itself as a Eurostate, a European partner and so much hatred for the continent that I believe that UKIP is best prepared to give the UK its freedom back.

i watch a lot of these EU debates on youtube, and Nigel Farage is such a gifted speaker and so rude and annoying that I'm inclined to believe that the majority of the UK thinks the same. this perception of mine is supported by David Cameron's consistent eye-rolling at everything the EU suggests. Let's not pretend that the UK doesn't want for Europe to further integrate. I think it would be a nightmare, would the EU finally decide to become a political union, which is something I think is necessary to keep Europe viable in the future. But due to the Euro crisis I think everyone hates everybody right now and nobody wants eastern Europe in the EU anymore (at least not in the Schengen Area).

I think this election is as much anti Europe as it is pro Britain.

[Plym]

stevyy, u dont know what youre talking about.
blame german media then, not the uk for your weird outlook on our country.

snp for me now that salmond is gone.

[stevyy]

stevyy, u dont know what youre talking about.
blame german media then, not the uk for your weird outlook on our country.

snp for me now that salmond is gone.

i dont blame the uk for nothing. But it's always two different worlds that clash in Europe and the UK seems to embrace a position rather outside of Europe which is its good right, but it should finally act on it and not stand in the way of progress.

[Plym]

we take the same stance as scandinavia, i dont see u coming for their wigs. only ours.

id like to see you back up your statements with referendum results or polls and not just what anti-europe media has reported to you.
who are all these anti european british who u seem to take the word of so highly?

[stevyy]

we take the same stance as scandinavia, i dont see u coming for their wigs. only ours.

id like to see you back up your statements with referendum results or polls and not just what anti-europe media has reported to you.
who are all these anti european british who u seem to take the word of so highly?

i don't call out Scandinavia for their actions because i thought this is a thread about the UK and their election which i believe will decide the fate of Europe more than we could possibly know at this point. But what is happening or happened in Scandinavia is just as hindering and obstructive for Europe's future. For years it is apparent that the UK would rather stall european integration and freeze the status quo (btw this can also be seen in other countries), but UKIP made it so vocal and crystal clear what nationalists in the UK think of Europe.

I read an article a few months ago. It was about some fees the UK had to pay to Brussels and David Cameron reacted like a scolded child in the vein of: "If we have to pay anything, we will leave the EU (or have a referendum)" (my interpretation of his words).

I don't want to shift this thread's focus any further. It's just that I expected so much more from - what I believe is - Europe's most important leading nation, the UK.

So in the end, I'm very excited for what will happen and what will change. (BTW I think - and that's my personal opinion - everyone who is afraid of immigration or anti Schengen, is essentially an anti-European. That notion includes the ultra right parties in all European countries).

[ShayLaB]

To be clear...David Cameron does not want the UK to leave the EU. However, he is the leader of a country and a party that contains a vocal minority who would like to leave. He has repeatedly said that he wishes the UK to remain but there are limits to the powers he is willing to leave in the hands of the EU.

Britain joined the EU in 1973 after the result of a referendum but there has been a huge amount of 'scope creep" since that time. We are no longer living in a EU that simply represented a trading block of countries...the EU now has fiscal, political and legal influence over member countries and if you are part of the Eurozone then monetary influence as well. At what point did the British people sign up for any of this? There has always been complaints that being part of the 'European project' has consequences for the soveriegnty of the individual member states and you can see how that has played out in Greece where they are being forced to abide by Brussels and have very little control in determining their own financial recovery.

The rules of the European Union are one size fits all but that does not always suit individual nations. Nigel Farage may be an ass, he may be anti-Europe...but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a point. A small, heavily populated, island like Britain can only cope with a certain amount of immigration. Yeah...it might appear racist from the outside but should Britain's borders be open for all and sundry no matter what the implications for Britain itself?

Immigration may be an issue in Britain...in other countries it could be policing policy, defence spending, working hour regulations etc. individual countries have specific needs that are not met with a blanket policy.

I get entirely the opposite impression from the media about the British and German relationship in the EU. David Cameron has publicly praised the German leader on many occasions.

Also, "some fees" was £1.7 billion bill with instructions that it be settled within a few weeks hence. Governments trying to get their countries out of the deepest economic collapse since the Second World War do not have £1.7 billion to spare nor can they magic out of thin air in a couple of weeks. At a time when all the countries of Europe are struggling financially it seemed farcical that the EU should demand a sum that is so out of step with charges and rebates in the past. The £1.7 billion demanded was more than the amount given to the 17 countries due a rebate...Germany was one of the 17?!! Many in Britain' pointed out that it's economy was recovering because it stayed out of the Euro. The demand came up at such a bad time politically in the UK you have to wonder about the political nouse of the EU...UKIP win bi-election, their vote rising, David Cameron is under fire for saying he wants to remain in the EU and then this.

Anyway. I will vote Conservative because I don't want Labour spending us to poverty , nor do I want the SNP (who do not want to be part of the UK) holding Labour to ransom over every policy they disagree with. There is a remarkable irony in them holding such sway over a union they want absolutely no part of. It's really not a great way to govern.

[ShayLaB]

Also, for the people that said they would not be voting....if you don't vote then you don't complain.

If you don't like any of them then vote for the one you dislike least.

[Brad]

I will vote Conservative because I don't want Labour spending us to poverty

Considering the rise in poverty since the last election, this is laughable.

[Wayne]

I will also be voting Conservative.

[Brad]

Disappointing.

[hun]

Why does nobody like Green Party?

[Brad]

Why does nobody like Green Party?

Their membership is at an all-time high and they're predicted to do better than they ever have before in this upcoming election (personally, I think they'll do much better than expected).

They have growing support, but the media are always focused on the main three and the rise of UKIP.

[ShayLaB]

I will vote Conservative because I don't want Labour spending us to poverty

Considering the rise in poverty since the last election, this is laughable.

...except you know rightly that I meant the budget deficit and national debt and not personal finance. The big picture that impacts the finances, tax and spending of the nation. At least there appears to be a plan to get it under control and undo the damage.

The budget deficit is halved in the last five years and the OBR is projecting a surplus within a couple of years. At that point we can begin paying down the national debt.

OBR:




The Labour party were in government between1997 and 2010...notice anything about government spending in that time?

[ShayLaB]

Why does nobody like Green Party?

Their membership is at an all-time high and they're predicted to do better than they ever have before in this upcoming election (personally, I think they'll do much better than expected).

They have growing support, but the media are always focused on the main three and the rise of UKIP.

Their support is broad but shallow...not enough in individual constituencies to gain seats in a first-past-the-post electoral system.

[Brad]

Wonderful figures. Go show them to the people relying on food banks.

FTR, I don't support Labour.