The Leader's Debate

[classicman]

gotcha Dani - I had it backwards.

I did find an interactive map with the results here.

[DanaC]

If the Conservatives and Lib dems don't manage to cut a deal; we could end up in a bizarre situation in which the second and third parties (in terms of number of seats and in terms of percentage of the vote) could form a coalition government; leaving the first party (in terms of both seats and percentage of the vote) in opposition.

[Carruthers]

The whole thing is frightfully un-British.

[DanaC]

Oh god. My eyes are bleeding.

[Sundae]

I Sky+d Channel 4's Alternative Election Show last night.
Given the exit polls - and the fact I was in school this morning - I didn't want to stay up to watch it. I learned my lesson in 1992 and you don't always get a Portillo Moment after all.

Just been watching Brian Cox.
Lovely. Must make an effort to be more intersted in particle physics. Not that I'm shallow enough to be swayed by a cheeky face of course.

Must note - I was so disappointed in my accent location.
I thought he sounded just like Jeremy Dyson. But Dyson was born and educated in Leeds and Cox in Oldham/ Manchester.

Still, I think they both went to private schools. I use that thin and tenuous thread to excuse myself from confusing the two accents.

[DanaC]

I lurve Brian Cox!

The Alternative Election Show was awesome. David Mitchell and Charlie Brooker? Doing political anorak humour, on election night? Great stuff

[CzinZumerzet]

Our local MP down 'ere in the West was a Tory, and still is, but with a bigger majority which nobody is surprised about except the LibDem candidate who did very seriously fancy his chances. Our result came in at just before 2a.m without a recount which we have always needed in previous years.

I too relish the possibility that Cleggie and Cameron fail to strike a deal and we end up with the two losers running the show. The fact that it is just possible fills me with hope and not a little glee. In reality though - we are headed for another dark period of Conservative rule. (Have just seen Clegg on telly news with a priceless expression on his face, that of a naughty mischievious 16 year old lad wondering if anyone knows quite how filthy he's just been...?!) And how sad () to see Lembit bite the bullet.

The fun's not over and Gordon's still in number 10, but is he packing?

[xoxoxoBruce]

What effect did the war in Afghanistan have on the vote?

I caught a glimpse of live BBC coverage on CSPAN at midnight last night (5 am UK).

What I found most unusual - all the candidates in the district standing together on stage while the results are announced...from the big three to the littlest independent or nationalist.

Very civil!

Oh, and doesnt Labour get the first crack at forming a govt. Would the LDs join if Labour dumped Browne?

[DanaC]

@ Redux: yes, constitutionally that is the incumbent's prerogative; however, the Lib dems are talking first to the Conservatives as the largest party and if they cannot find a workable coalition then they will talk to Brown. In theory Brown cuold just refuse to resign and try form a government; but with no mandate and no Lib Dem support it's unlikely. There would just be a vote of no confidence as soon as Parliament opened. If the Conservatives and Lib dems say they can form a government together, Brown will resign as Prime Minister and Cameron will seek permission from the Queen to form a government.

Whatever happens now, it is highly likely that we will go to an election again within a year, or even within 6 months.


@ Bruce: very little I think. It added to some of the negative noise; but mostly in terms of troops not being properly supplied and it mainly affected communities who'd experienced losses. It was not one of the bigger issues. The economy, the deficit, the health service, education, immigration, environmental issues, all seemed to have a higher place on the agenda. Probably the two biggest issues were the economy (including what cuts will be seen in services etc), immigration and the expenses scandal.

Originally Posted by DanaC

@ Redux: yes, constitutionally that is the incumbent's prerogative; however, the Lib dems are talking first to the Conservatives as the largest party and if they cannot find a workable coalition then they will talk to Brown. In theory Brown cuold just refuse to resign and try form a government; but with no mandate and no Lib Dem support it's unlikely. There would just be a vote of no confidence as soon as Parliament opened. If the Conservatives and Lib dems say they can form a government together, Brown will resign as Prime Minister and Cameron will seek permission from the Queen to form a government.

Whatever happens now, it is highly likely that we will go to an election again within a year, or even within 6 months.

I hope in the end it comes down to the one and only Green Party member ever elected to Parliament. A green power broker! (green smile)

[xoxoxoBruce]

Green arty? Bah, they'll just roll 'm and smoke 'em.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Green arty? Bah, they'll just roll 'm and smoke 'em.

...while saving animals and stopping war!

She is also vice-president of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the Stop the War Coalition.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100507...a-a7ad41d.html

[TheMercenary]

Dana and SG, how do you think the parties in the UK compare to the parties in the US. Basically...

[Sundae]

In what way?
That's a dissertation, shurely?

In fact I might lazily leave it to Dani anyway, her answer will be more comprehensive than mine.

Basically our three main parties are pretty much to the left of your two main parties. There are some far right politicians, but they are reined in by their Party Head to an extent. That's painting with a very broad brush of course, you must have some left wing politicians which come in at about centre, and some of our right wing politicians would be comfortable in the Republican party.