UK General Election 2015

[Longy]

This thread has been very good and while I certainly didn't agree with a lot of what was said, I think in general it was very civil given the subject. Particularly massive hats off to Tighty who provided a lot of information, while appearing to be impartial when I certainly knew that he had a major preference in this election.

[vegaslover]

i think history will treat Clegg far better than we think currently

basically had to stuff his party for the national good by going into coalition where there was no maths that allowed for another coalition. didn't have too much choice and clearly, i think, was a positive influence as deputy prime minster from 2010-2015

good politician, decent man.

Disagree he 'had to stuff his party' and form a coalition. Lib dems saw their only shot at power and took it. In doing so also went back on most of their pre election pledges.
They could have stopped the coalition at any time, at the time I didn't think the coalition would last very long, as per history. Lib dems clung onto there position as they knew they were getting stuffed in this election.

[Longy]

Just to add I thought Miliband actually did pretty well in this election and improved his image. The result probably shows he really didn't stand a chance a long way out.

[MintTrav]

Clegg - I resign.

Miliband - I agree with Nick.

[George2Loose]

The fact that UKIP got so many votes but so few seats is also fantastic. It shows that their policies have genuine clout and must be integrated in to labour/conservative policy where possible in the future if they want to secure greater numbers.

All this demonstrates is our voting system is deeply flawed HOWEVER if it delivers strong government then the argument for it is at least more relevant.

I can't help but think the main thing I'll take away from this election is how disengaged people really are from politics. Most don't know how the voting system works and when I tried to talk about the subject to my 17 yo twins they weren't in the least bit interested

[mulhuzz]

Cameron is the first PM since 1900 to have been in power for more than 18 months and to have increased his party's vote share.

pretty amazing, that. In fairness, although it's a result I desperately wanted to avoid, that's a pretty amazing stat.

[George2Loose]

Cameron is the first PM since 1900 to have been in power for more than 18 months and to have increased his party's vote share.

pretty amazing, that. In fairness, although it's a result I desperately wanted to avoid, that's a pretty amazing stat.

I don't think it's that huge an achievement considering his starting point but he's certainly exceeded expectations

[BigAdz]

The fact that UKIP got so many votes but so few seats is also fantastic. It shows that their policies have genuine clout and must be integrated in to labour/conservative policy where possible in the future if they want to secure greater numbers.

All this demonstrates is our voting system is deeply flawed HOWEVER if it delivers strong government then the argument for it is at least more relevant.

I can't help but think the main thing I'll take away from this election is how disengaged people really are from politics. Most don't know how the voting system works and when I tried to talk about the subject to my 17 yo twins they weren't in the least bit interested

Im sure our parents probably said the same mate!

[mulhuzz]

The President of the European Council Donald Tusk has congratulated David Cameron on his election win - and urged him to make the case for Britain to remain in the European Union.

He said: "The United Kingdom plays a key role in ensuring that Europe has a common sense agenda, keeping the emphasis on a competitive economy through an effective Single Market, non-intrusive regulation, openness to trade with other nations, and a confident foreign policy. Objectives which I share.

"I count on the new British government making the case for the United Kingdom's continued membership of the European Union. In that I stand ready to help."

Mr Tusk, who heads the European Council, the forum for the EU's 28 member states, added: "I am deeply convinced that there is no better life outside the European Union, for any country."

from the BBC. After the Union, the battle will turn to saving our relationship with Europe. Weirdly, I think Mr Cameron might be better placed to do that than either Milliband or Clegg.

[George2Loose]

The fact that UKIP got so many votes but so few seats is also fantastic. It shows that their policies have genuine clout and must be integrated in to labour/conservative policy where possible in the future if they want to secure greater numbers.

All this demonstrates is our voting system is deeply flawed HOWEVER if it delivers strong government then the argument for it is at least more relevant.

I can't help but think the main thing I'll take away from this election is how disengaged people really are from politics. Most don't know how the voting system works and when I tried to talk about the subject to my 17 yo twins they weren't in the least bit interested

Im sure our parents probably said the same mate!

Perhaps- think apathy is much worse now then say 20 years ago but maybe I'm wrong.

The point re how the political system works stands though. I'm surprised how little people know or how little they care.

[cambridgealex]

The Mrs didn't even know who our prime minister was last week and she'll lived here for 5 years.

[AndrewT]

Lot of buzz around Dan Jarvis to be new Labour leader at 8/1 - someone I have never heard of.

[TightEnd]

Lot of buzz around Dan Jarvis to be new Labour leader at 8/1 - someone I have never heard of.

Michael Crick ‏@MichaelLCrick

Lab front-bencher: "If Chuka was to win, we'd lose every seat north of the Trent. People feel alienated from metropolitan political elite."

[Whollyflush]

the squeezed middle (a guardian chart)

a more rightwing and polarised electoral outcome than in 2010

labour aren't even left wing

[Woodsey]

The Mrs didn't even know who our prime minister was last week and she'll lived here for 5 years.

Mine asked how much I got bribed to vote for my choice as that's standard where she's from!!