General Election 2015

[Cardsfan]

Is it a democracy though? I know a lot has been made of the FPTP system but it surely can't be right that near enough 4 million people have voted for UKIP, or going on 1 million for Green and between 5 million people we've ended up with 2 MP's. It may not have affected the fact that the Tories would have gotten in, but it's not right that a shade under 10% of the population and around 12% of the electorate (rough maths, not exact) have voted and have more or less been shafted I'd argue - and I didn't vote for either of those two parties but it's still clear to see how it's outdated and unfair. I watched Question Time last night, and listening to Farage I find it hard to disagree that FPTP is designed for a two party system, and that these days it is simply not fit for purpose.

Yes, basically. UKIP and SNP highlight the point before you even consider tactical voting and the fact that those in safe seats basically do not have a vote. Time for electoral reform.

 

[TractorBoys]

Is it a democracy though? I know a lot has been made of the FPTP system but it surely can't be right that near enough 4 million people have voted for UKIP, or going on 1 million for Green and between 5 million people we've ended up with 2 MP's. It may not have affected the fact that the Tories would have gotten in, but it's not right that a shade under 10% of the population and around 12% of the electorate (rough maths, not exact) have voted and have more or less been shafted I'd argue - and I didn't vote for either of those two parties but it's still clear to see how it's outdated and unfair. I watched Question Time last night, and listening to Farage I find it hard to disagree that FPTP is designed for a two party system, and that these days it is simply not fit for purpose.

Conservatives would indeed still have gotten in, but for what it's worth I agree with you entirely.

 

[Techno Natch]

A nonsense statement.

And as for bit in bold, you can, and you will. Speak up all you like (it will do no good). democracy has decided and we are Tory for at least another five years.

If you carry on I'm going to DDOS this place.

 

[TractorBoys]

 

[Stringy]

That makes sense because I don't use Facebook any more. I also use Tumblr on and off, which takes social justice warriordom to levels that would probably make even Ian cringe.

I was a racist until I saw this on Tumblr.

 

[Pliny Harris]

Is it a democracy though? I know a lot has been made of the FPTP system but it surely can't be right that near enough 4 million people have voted for UKIP, or going on 1 million for Green and between 5 million people we've ended up with 2 MP's. It may not have affected the fact that the Tories would have gotten in, but it's not right that a shade under 10% of the population and around 12% of the electorate (rough maths, not exact) have voted and have more or less been shafted I'd argue - and I didn't vote for either of those two parties but it's still clear to see how it's outdated and unfair. I watched Question Time last night, and listening to Farage I find it hard to disagree that FPTP is designed for a two party system, and that these days it is simply not fit for purpose.

Certainly. I personally think it woulda been boss in 2010 and horrid yesterday, but these elections, and the political landscapes in between, were informed in full by FPTP. It's an inferior standard of democracy but whenever I'm down about it I cheer myself up by remembering I'm not an American.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

corporations are people my friend

 

[Murphy]

See there was a protest in London this afternoon around Trafalgar Square and Parliament, not sure if there was any violence but I've seen a vine of police warning protesters to stay back from them. Link here - vine.co/v/em5jOmD9leY

Wouldn't be surprised to see more of these in a more significant nature in the future.

EDIT: Still ongoing, seems to be largely focusing around Downing Street now from what I've seen.

 

[TractorBoys]

Dozens of activists chanted "get the Tories out" as Whitehall was shut for several hours during the demonstration on Saturday afternoon.

Police were at the scene but the Met could not immediately confirm whether anyone was arrested. They said an estimated crowd of 100 people gathered outside Tory HQ before moving on to Downing Street.

Key numbers being "dozens" and "100".

Something to keep an eye on, but barely news at those numbers IMO.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

What are they actually protesting though?

 

[TractorBoys]

End to austerity.

 

[Destruction]

Key numbers being "dozens" and "100".

Something to keep an eye on, but barely news at those numbers IMO.

Looks more than that to me - https://twitter.com/shellyasquith/status/597086360718159872

 

[GodsGift]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CElXV9CWMAAGuFB.jpg

 

[Mustard]

Not long until people start dusting off the Guy Fawkes masks.

ANARCHY. V FOR FUCK THE TORIES.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

I wonder how many of them will still be far left when they're 40.

 

[Techno Natch]

See there was a protest in London this afternoon around Trafalgar Square and Parliament, not sure if there was any violence but I've seen a vine of police warning protesters to stay back from them. Link here - vine.co/v/em5jOmD9leY

Wouldn't be surprised to see more of these in a more significant nature in the future.

EDIT: Still ongoing, seems to be largely focusing around Downing Street now from what I've seen.

Which is exactly why the government want the police to have water cannons etc.

I do like a good protest shame I can't be there.

 

[Techno Natch]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CElXV9CWMAAGuFB.jpg

Some people are morons though.

 

[Stevencc]

I wonder how many of them will still be far left when they're 40.

“If a man is not a socialist by the time he is 20, he has no heart. If he is not a conservative by the time he is 40, he has no brain.”

I don't agree with that at all, but it seems similar to what you were saying.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

I wouldn't consider myself conservative, but I'm definitely shuffling away from leftist economic policies more as I get older, and I was definitely a raving lefty in college too.

 

[Red]

I wouldn't consider myself conservative, but I'm definitely shuffling away from leftist economic policies more as I get older, and I was definitely a raving lefty in college too.

The Sun use that kind of narrative.

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

I'm sure they use association fallacies too.

#fallacyception

 

[TheArtfulDodger]

I'm not sure Ed Miliband could be considered remotely left-wing by Labour's 80s standards, as has been said Labour lost in Scotland and with the collapse of the Lib Dem vote.

I've come to the terms with the disappointing result now, it's not a football game, the Conservatives aren't evil* and will try to the best for the country in their own way. It's not the way I would like it but with a small minority they can't lurch to the right, and will have constant thorns in their side from Scotland and this EU referendum, both which could see absolute crises arise.

*but then I read the manifesto

 

[SUTSS]

I think we're already seeing that the Lib Dems did a pretty good job of restraining the Tories. Snoopers Charter is back and Gove in as Justice Secretary with the Human Rights Act firmly in his sights and we've not even got started yet.

 

[EvertonPaul]

Dianne Abbott for next Labour Party leader anybody?

 

[SALTIRE]

“If a man is not a socialist by the time he is 20, he has no heart. If he is not a conservative by the time he is 40, he has no brain.”

I don't agree with that at all, but it seems similar to what you were saying.

I'll be 40 in a year and a half and I will kill myself if I ever consider putting a cross for those fuckers.

 

[SALTIRE]

Dianne Abbott for next Labour Party leader anybody?

Too old, the lad Chuka Umunna seems popular supposedly and touted as an early runner.

 

[EvertonPaul]

God help us if Abbott comes back into main stream politics.

Andy Burnham for me

 

[Blitzballer]

Dianne Abbott for next Labour Party leader anybody?

Why would Labour want a racist leader ?

 

[Ebeneezer Goode]

She's not racist, some of her best friends are white.

 

[barnet_pls]

The question that labour need to answer correctly is 1. What went wrong & why 2. What will be the right policies to win in 5 years 3. Who's the right leader to appeal to non labour voters?

I find it hard to believe people wanted tougher austerity for another 5 yrs and didn't care that the poor would be targeted? There's no desire or enthusiasm for Cameron at all. No one's living standards have improved.

Lastly how labour didn't challenge "your spending caused the crash" lie - I can't fathom. People believe that building afew hospitals led to banks going bust!!!!!

I've depressed myself again now about the intelligence of the British people..