UK General Election 2015

[DungBeetle]

Are the EU asking for more cash, or is it just a different split and we are paying more due to a "strong" economy?

If it's the latter I think they have to pay it - after all the politicians constantly lecture us that those with the broadest shoulders have to pay the most tax andeveryone must pay their fair share etc etc.

If it's just EU being greedy then I think there is a good case for telling them to get stuffed.

[redarmi]

Are the EU asking for more cash, or is it just a different split and we are paying more due to a "strong" economy?

If it's the latter I think they have to pay it - after all the politicians constantly lecture us that those with the broadest shoulders have to pay the most tax andeveryone must pay their fair share etc etc.

If it's just EU being greedy then I think there is a good case for telling them to get stuffed.

From what I read it is well within the rules and, given Ken Clarkes contribution to the debate in the HoC today, it is probably incompetence that they didn't expect it.  Strikes me that in the past four or five days we have seen a real effort by the Tories to "out UKIP" UKIP which is very, very sad in my opinion.   Michael Fallons comments barely stopped short of visions of the River Tiber foaming with blood and today withdrawal of support for the migrant rescue missions in the Mediterrean just lacks basic humanity imo. 

[Jon MW]

From what I've read it wasn't a surprise, they re-assess on a regular basis

The surprise was that they went so back so far, and were given such a short deadline.

The favoured result is likely to pay it, but over a longer period.

[Eck]

Are the EU asking for more cash, or is it just a different split and we are paying more due to a "strong" economy?

If it's the latter I think they have to pay it - after all the politicians constantly lecture us that those with the broadest shoulders have to pay the most tax andeveryone must pay their fair share etc etc.

If it's just EU being greedy then I think there is a good case for telling them to get stuffed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/eu/11184605/Explainer-Why-must-Britain-pay-1.7bn-to-the-European-Union-and-can-we-stop-it-happening.html

[Kmac84]

Remember the hoo-ha when the Scottish Government suggested they wouldn't pay the UK debt during the referendum campaign. 

Do as I say not as I do.

[MintTrav]

Are the EU asking for more cash, or is it just a different split and we are paying more due to a "strong" economy?

It's pure opportunism by Cameron. All the focus in the UK is on the adjustments, not the total contributions. Germany still pays the most.

It's possible they will get a bit off by negotiation but the adjustment will have to be paid and Cameron will look daft for having painted himself into a corner unnecessarily.

[DMorgan]

We owe it fair and square, pretty poor manoeuvring from team Cameron I reckon. Given that we signed on the dotted line we have to pay up however little the government likes it.

His plan to 'renegotiate our relationship with the EU' (has anyone actually said what this means yet btw?) surely relies heavily on UK generally being able to bargain in good faith if Cameron has any shot at getting what he wants....whatever that is? We play by the rules, we're a net contributor, we're trying to fight the rise of anti-EU parties at home etc.

If he goes into these negotiations as a welcher, what hope does he have?

[redarmi]

We owe it fair and square, pretty poor manoeuvring from team Cameron I reckon. Given that we signed on the dotted line we have to pay up however little the government likes it.

His plan to 'renegotiate our relationship with the EU' (has anyone actually said what this means yet btw?) surely relies heavily on UK generally being able to bargain in good faith if Cameron has any shot at getting what he wants....whatever that is? We play by the rules, we're a net contributor, we're trying to fight the rise of anti-EU parties at home etc.

If he goes into these negotiations as a welcher, what hope does he have?

He has no hope but he wins the next election because he stands up for Britains rights in the eyes of all of those that want to vote for UKIP so he neutralises them.  Of course even Cameron isn't stupid enough not to realise that he also fucks up the country for a generation but given the choice I think most Tories would put the parties electoral prospects above the good of society (which, famously, most of them don't believe in anyway) and some of them are truly bonkers enough to think welching would be a good thing!!

[Kmac84]

IPSOS Mori Poll today suggests that Labour could be wiped out in Scotland returning only 4 MP's in 2015 GE.  SNP - 54, LIB DEMS - 1

Thoughts?
Should we get the Betting boots on?

[arbboy]

IPSOS Mori Poll today suggests that Labour could be wiped out in Scotland returning only 4 MP's in 2015 GE.  SNP - 54, LIB DEMS - 1

Thoughts?
Should we get the Betting boots on?

Can we get a few more wiped out in England as well!!!

[Kmac84]

IPSOS Mori Poll today suggests that Labour could be wiped out in Scotland returning only 4 MP's in 2015 GE.  SNP - 54, LIB DEMS - 1

Thoughts?
Should we get the Betting boots on?

Can we get a few more wiped out in England as well!!!

Fire away, save John McDonnell though.  I have much time and respect for him. 

[redarmi]

IPSOS Mori Poll today suggests that Labour could be wiped out in Scotland returning only 4 MP's in 2015 GE.  SNP - 54, LIB DEMS - 1

Thoughts?
Should we get the Betting boots on?

No - it assumes a standard swing across constituencies which won't happen.  They may well be well beaten but I would lay long odds on it won't be this bad.

[TightEnd]

[MintTrav]

How would you vote tomorrow?

Con	32%
Lab	33%
Lib	7%
UKIP	17%
Green	7%

Presumably if there was an election tomorrow, UKIP and Greens would get a lot less than that and the Libs would get more, so it's a question of how that affects Labour and the Conservatives.

[DungBeetle]

I imagine that of that 17% voting for UKIP, they'll lose about half due to our FPTP system.  The potential UKIP voters will picture Miliband's face in the voting box, and grudgingly put a cross next the the Tory.