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

[Madgefan]

A recent poll has the Conservatives on 35%, ahead of Labour's 30% - still not enough for a majority. However; after Miliband last night ruled out a coalition with the SNP, God knows what we will end up with.

That polls seems to be an odd one out

YouGov had Labour on 35 and the Tories on 34 after Question Time and most others have it as close too at the moment.

He doesn't need the SNP to become PM. If neither win a majority and Cameron doesn't win his vote of confidence in the HoC (which will most likely be the case), it'll be Miliband forming a minority government. The thought of which isn't very appealing, but it might not last the full term if history is anything to go by. He's foolish not to put cards on the table for a formal coalition deal.

I could see this happening with possibly another General Election in October, minority government's are very unstable. This is certainly the most interesting election I can remember in my lifetime, growing up it was always predictable that the Conservatives (mainly), or Labour would win with a majority.

[Graham76man]

I could see this happening with possibly another General Election in October, minority government's are very unstable. This is certainly the most interesting election I can remember in my lifetime, growing up it was always predictable that the Conservatives (mainly), or Labour would win with a majority.

That's because it was fixed for one of them to win. Since it was the first past the post system and still is. It gave minority governments (with less than 45% of the vote) the power to have landslide elections. However due to the changes in the political parties, Labour voters split into two parts, you might recall the expulsion of the Militants in the past, with some none left members going to the Liberals and the Social Democrats. The Conservatives row on the Poll Tax - which defeated Mrs T - and then the rows over the EU has seen their landslide power reduced as voters went to the Liberals instead. Now with the rise of the Scots faction, the landslide vote especially for Labour - who used to control Scotland - has gone down.
The more that the smaller parties steal seats from the big two, the less chance of landslide and the extreme policies that brings.

I don't think this will make politicians that popular. Since any manifesto commitments which are controversial will get fudge, in compromise. I think the Liberals are paying for that in this election. The one thing they wanted was PR and they failed to deliver that.

[Brad]

If only people had bothered to pay attention to the referendum that could've killed FPTP. Ugh.

[Wayne]

I like that we have a complex, voting system.

I am a fan of "first past the post" too - it means that a UKIP or a BNP can never truly wield legislative power, as their popularity is usually regional and in small pockets.

In a popular vote, UKIP were headed for about 15% of the vote at the end of last year according to some polls - that would translate to 97 seats in the House Of Commons. Under our FPTP system, they probably won't even break into double figures. Which they will proudly spin as a success, though in reality they are just another BNP.

Of course, the FPTP system isn't perfect (it basically ensures that my lifetime will consist of Conservative/Labour rule) - but I'd take it over a popular vote 9/10 times. I also think it's a much better voting system than the American Electoral College.

[cidermaster]

Countdown to the most amazing Election in the history of the UK,hell even the Pixies are voting!

[Graham76man]

Yes it's a great voting system in the UK allright
Especially when you consider that a large percentage don't vote, some of which are on this site!

They go on about PR various parties, but I don't think even the proposed system is really that democratic. I certainly wouldn't have the system where you have choices. Vote number one , vote two etc.

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

[Brad]

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

I don't agree with this.

[Graham76man]

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

I don't agree with this.

Why?

[4warduntodawn]

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

I don't agree with this.

Why?

Because naive left-wing 16 and 17 year olds who know nothing about politics would vote for the likes of labour/SNP/greens and it'd be a disaster for the country

[Brad]

Because naive left-wing 16 and 17 year olds who know nothing about politics would vote for the likes of labour/SNP/greens and it'd be a disaster for the country

What kind of melodramatic nonsense.

Anyway.

They're too tied to their socialised views / opinions / beliefs rather than having formed their own. 18 is just right.

I'm amused by those who think we should have an age limit because "it's not their future". I can see the logic to it but it's not particularly democratic.

[Thombus]

Looking forward to watching this unfold on Thursday, I've never seen such an unpredictable election before.

The claims some are making to try and get those last votes are crazy - I just hope whoever gets in does what's best for the country and not their party.

[Graham76man]

Really silly argument saying that people aged 16-18 are going to vote for left wing views. In fact most of them would probably go along with the crap that is presented on TV news as being neutral and independent when in fact it's a centre-right view of the world. It's not until they get to university and start studying politics or join the student unions do they become more left wing and that's generally after 18.

Reducing the voting age to 16 would simply make it fairer for them. The biggest impact would be they could see their MP and they might act on the issues they face. Whereas now - since they don't vote - the MPs won't stand up to fight any cases. It wouldn't change the political map of the UK in the slightest to give them the vote. Chances are if when they vote for the first time at 18, it will be for the same party as they would at 16.
Most people will vote on the issues that face them in their lives. If there family is being hit hard by the bedroom tax, they ain't going to vote conservative. And likewise for the issues the other parties stand on.
The only ones that really change parties are those that feel guilty about being rich or sick to death of being poor. So those brought up by rich families take up the left wing causes. And those born to poverty become mean and will do anything to make a fast buck. But these are by no means common in society.

[Marius]

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

I don't agree with this.

Me neither, i'd make it 21. Or even better, 3 years after they start work (with a minimum of 21).

[Brad]

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

I don't agree with this.

Me neither, i'd make it 21. Or even better, 3 years after they start work (with a minimum of 21).

No way. That would be worse.

[Wayne]

Did anybody watch that Joey Essex election program? I was in stitches. So funny!

[oasisbobo]

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

I agree with this!

[Thombus]

Did anybody watch that Joey Essex election program? I was in stitches. So funny!

I've done my best to avoid it - I can't tell if he puts it on or if he genuinely is that dumb....

On another note, is it really sad that I'm quite excited by the thought of watching the live results tomorrow night? Growing up really sucks

[Wayne]

Me too!

I have been trying to spin it as something so much more interesting than it actually is.

This is how the BBC called it today in their poll tracker...

Conservatives: 34%
Labour: 33%
UKIP: 13%
Lib Dems: 8%
Greens: 5%
Other: 7%

[Madgefan]

One thing that should happen is that the voting age should be 16 not 18.

I don't agree with this.

Me neither, i'd make it 21. Or even better, 3 years after they start work (with a minimum of 21).

That would be crazy though...you'd be old enough to have sex, pay taxes, even die for your country but not have a say in it's running until you are 21
I still remember when the Age of consent was 21 ... to have to wait to vote until that age...no thanks.

[Serby]

3 year after they startz working is crazy, that's make some people 30?

[Rihab]

Ellie Goulding
22 hrs ·
It has to be Labour. ?#?vote?

I don't know why, but this made me laugh.
She's right though, you guys better vote Labour or SNP.

Is there a reason why you guys vote on Thursdays btw?

[Madgefan]

Ellie Goulding
22 hrs ·
It has to be Labour. ?#?vote?

I don't know why, but this made me laugh.
She's right though, you guys better vote Labour or SNP.

Is there a reason why you guys vote on Thursdays btw?

It's statistically proven it rains less on a Thursday in the UK

[Wayne]

Ellie Goulding
22 hrs ·
It has to be Labour. ?#?vote?

I don't know why, but this made me laugh.
She's right though, you guys better vote Labour or SNP.

Is there a reason why you guys vote on Thursdays btw?

Historically, Thursday was a market day for the UK and thus the time when most people were out and about - that's what I once read anyway.

The Fixed Term Parliament Act however now legislates that The General Election has to take place on a Thursday every five years.

[Rihab]

Ellie Goulding
22 hrs ·
It has to be Labour. ?#?vote?

I don't know why, but this made me laugh.
She's right though, you guys better vote Labour or SNP.

Is there a reason why you guys vote on Thursdays btw?

It's statistically proven it rains less on a Thursday in the UK

ah thanks, Wayne, makes sense

[hellohello]

Me too!

I have been trying to spin it as something so much more interesting than it actually is.

This is how the BBC called it today in their poll tracker...

Conservatives: 34%
Labour: 33%
UKIP: 13%
Lib Dems: 8%
Greens: 5%
Other: 7%

Who are the 'other' parties?