Petrol Prices.....

[Philly Q]

And I'm sorry, but saying that one party will never win a particular constituency is just wrong. Okay, based on past history, it's unlikely in many cases, but the fact remains - if enough people vote for one party in that constituency, they will win that seat, no matter who has been in charge before!!

Strictly speaking you're right, of course (but I'll be amazed if the Tories win big numbers of seats in Wales or Scotland, for example).

It's precisely this mentality of 'wasted vote' that irritates me, and it's one of the major reasons we're generally left with a 2-horse race in most constituencies (labour/tory/lib dems mainly of course, but the occasional constituency goes for one of the smaller parties or independent). If people actually got it into their fat heads that they can vote for any bloody party they like, it's NOT just between Tory and Labour, this country might not be in such a laughable state! (although it probably would be).

Keep your hair on Roo, I wasn't advocating tactical voting and I don't believe in the "wasted vote", or the "anyone-but-them" vote.  In fact I agree with you.  I was trying to point out that the Lib Dems (for example) might actually gain some seats if people didn't take the view that it's always a two-horse race.  If we all voted as we wanted, rather than trying to second-guess our fellow constituents, things might be different.

[nfe]

When has there been any one from a public school from an average wage family that was a party leader of conservative or labour?

Well, a few for starters:

James Callaghan - son of a Chief Petty Officer
Neil Kinnock - son of a coal miner
Margaret Thatcher - daughter of a grocer
John Major - son of a music hall performer, left school with 3 O-Levels
Michael Howard - son of a shopkeeper

We could argue about "average wage", and many of the above may have won scholarships to good schools before going on to top universities - but it was all through their own hard work.

Politicians aren't all born with silver spoons in their mouths.


(Sorry to hear about your petrol tank situation, Tom)


 

Fair point Phil, it shows you don't have to be born a toff to act like one :P
Atleast I do have a bit of restecp for Maggie about the Falklands, but, the history of PMs is appalling, the fact that we voted for them all feels bad, but we didn't even elect Brown

This infuriates me, Gordon Brown is an elected MP. If you mean we didn't vote specifically for him to be Prime Minister, you're right, but we haven't voted specifically for ANY Prime Minister, EVER.

He's another one of the public school (of the Scottish sort, not what people bizarrely call public schools in England) educated, medium income family born party leaders, too.

Also, we will never have a remotely fair election until proper proportional representation happens.

[Roobubba]

And I'm sorry, but saying that one party will never win a particular constituency is just wrong. Okay, based on past history, it's unlikely in many cases, but the fact remains - if enough people vote for one party in that constituency, they will win that seat, no matter who has been in charge before!!

Strictly speaking you're right, of course (but I'll be amazed if the Tories win big numbers of seats in Wales or Scotland, for example).

It's precisely this mentality of 'wasted vote' that irritates me, and it's one of the major reasons we're generally left with a 2-horse race in most constituencies (labour/tory/lib dems mainly of course, but the occasional constituency goes for one of the smaller parties or independent). If people actually got it into their fat heads that they can vote for any bloody party they like, it's NOT just between Tory and Labour, this country might not be in such a laughable state! (although it probably would be).

Keep your hair on Roo, I wasn't advocating tactical voting and I don't believe in the "wasted vote", or the "anyone-but-them" vote.  In fact I agree with you.  I was trying to point out that the Lib Dems (for example) might actually gain some seats if people didn't take the view that it's always a two-horse race.  If we all voted as we wanted, rather than trying to second-guess our fellow constituents, things might be different.

Wasn't having a go at you, Philly, just wanted to make the point! :)

[Philly Q]

 :drink:

[Roobubba]

 :drink:

[dave_mc]

Depending on the situation in your own constituency, of course.  There are some seats Labour will never win (and likewise for the Tories).  In those seats the Lib Dems might be a realistic alternative.

yeah.

And I'm sorry, but saying that one party will never win a particular constituency is just wrong. Okay, based on past history, it's unlikely in many cases, but the fact remains - if enough people vote for one party in that constituency, they will win that seat, no matter who has been in charge before!!

It's precisely this mentality of 'wasted vote' that irritates me, and it's one of the major reasons we're generally left with a 2-horse race in most constituencies (labour/tory/lib dems mainly of course, but the occasional constituency goes for one of the smaller parties or independent). If people actually got it into their fat heads that they can vote for any bloody party they like, it's NOT just between Tory and Labour, this country might not be in such a laughable state! (although it probably would be).

Roo

also yeah.

I actually don't have a problem with tactical voting if the alternative really is dire; for example, if there's a chance the bnp might get in or something like that. But considering how close labour and the tories are, if you ask me there's not much point.

[Roobubba]

But considering how close labour and the tories are, if you ask me there's not much point.

No no no no no!

Considering how close they: 'are in some opinion polls' or 'were in previous elections' - yes - but for any upcoming election, nothing is decided IN ANY FORM until the votes are cast and counted!!

I wish people would stop assuming that history = present/future. This mindset precludes any meaningful change of any type!!
 

[nfe]

But considering how close labour and the tories are, if you ask me there's not much point.

No no no no no!

Considering how close they: 'are in some opinion polls' or 'were in previous elections' - yes - but for any upcoming election, nothing is decided IN ANY FORM until the votes are cast and counted!!

I wish people would stop assuming that history = present/future. This mindset precludes any meaningful change of any type!!
 

I read that as Dave saying that they're so close in policy, not in voting numbers?

[Johnny Mac]

So much was a new fuel tank for your motor Tom?

[tomjackson]

So much was a new fuel tank for your motor Tom?

Looks like £300 - £400 but I might have a go at fixing it.  IT's just a hole in a plastic tank after all.  Now if I can just find that lighter so I can see what I'm doing :twisted:

[tomjackson]

But considering how close labour and the tories are, if you ask me there's not much point.

No no no no no!

Considering how close they: 'are in some opinion polls' or 'were in previous elections' - yes - but for any upcoming election, nothing is decided IN ANY FORM until the votes are cast and counted!!

I wish people would stop assuming that history = present/future. This mindset precludes any meaningful change of any type!!
 

Your right actually Roo, based on the BKP opinion forum The Lib Dems are winning by far so who knows? Every party has a chance until the votes are cast (Except if you are aginst a party Gearge W is leading or it is in Zimbabwe)

[dave_mc]

I read that as Dave saying that they're so close in policy, not in voting numbers?

yeah, that's what i meant.

that sucks on the cost of fixing the petrol tank. :(

[Ratrod]

Later it turns out the man fooked up big time. Turns out he's not as good as he claimed to be.

How, though, do you justify this claim?

I don't have to. If I'm unsatisfied with the politician's performance, I'll vote for another one.

Democracy.

[dano]

I was deiving from South Coast Devon to North Coast Devon today and right in the middle in some desolate village I spotted unleaded at £1.26 a litre. Almost crashed the car in disbelief.