UK General Election 2015

[DungBeetle]

I think, in retrospect, that Hague became leader too soon - in recent years he's had an odd aura of competence and gravitas that he didn't have when leader.

IDS is simply an idiot - Westminster/Civil Service chatter has it that he is possibly the most intellectually subpar major politician in recent memory.

I agree.  I think Hague would have been far superior to Cameron now if he had bided his time.

[TightEnd]

I think, in retrospect, that Hague became leader too soon - in recent years he's had an odd aura of competence and gravitas that he didn't have when leader.

IDS is simply an idiot - Westminster/Civil Service chatter has it that he is possibly the most intellectually subpar major politician in recent memory.

my point, and i don't think we disagree too much, is that there is a lot of hidden luck as to when a politican hits his prime to be a potential leader as to whether they are viewed as successful leaders or not....depends on the electoral cycles and the fortunes of their party

only big shifts (whether you agree with them or not)  like thatcherism, blair moving labour to the centre etc overcome that, and only comparatively few politicians can change those cycles and they usually stand for something big

with the best will in the world you cannot say that cameron, ed, clegg or any current politician is going to be viewed by history in the same way as thatcher or blair is going to be, in their impact 
 

[AndrewT]

I saw an interview with some US commentator where he said that most Americans have only heard of three UK PMs - Churchill, Thatcher and Blair. Anyone else was just some vague grey cloud in a suit.

Remember that John Major was PM for six and a half years, yet no one ever talks about him today.

[TightEnd]

anyway

LAB now 14 seats behind CON on the @SportingIndex spreads http://bit.ly/1DHtmVS  - the largest gap has ever been



trying to look at the scenarios in a 90%+ likelihood hung parliament as to who needs to coalesce with who to get to 323 is making my head hurt

there must be a pretty decent chance of a minortiy government trying to do stuff on a supply and confidence basis and the whole thing falling apart later in the year, and we go again

[scotty77]

I saw an interview with some US commentator where he said that most Americans have only heard of three UK PMs - Churchill, Thatcher and Blair. Anyone else was just some vague grey cloud in a suit.

Remember that John Major was PM for six and a half years, yet no one ever talks about him today.

Wasn't he from a poor working class background and went to a state school?  Amazing that he isn't seen as more of an inspiration tbh.

Don't think that your average Brit would be able to name many PMs/Presidents of Germany/France/Spain etc which is essentially the same thing.  Only reason why Churchill, Thatcher and Blair are remembered by people is that they each had a huge crisis to deal with.  What's been Cameron's big crisis that has been seen in American eyes?  The BP Oil Spill?  Bar that the odd speech at the UN about targeting ISIS just ain't gonna get much airtime.

[kinboshi]

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk

Of course, this only looks at what the parties SAY they will do.  We only have to look as far as the current coalition to see two parties who've reneged on their pre-election promises and manifestos.

[TightEnd]

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk

Of course, this only looks at what the parties SAY they will do.  We only have to look as far as the current coalition to see two parties who've reneged on their pre-election promises and manifestos.

every party will not stick to its promises

i hold no light for the lib dems but what are you going to do, go into a coalition or stick to your tuition fees promise?

the world is fluid, voters rarely see the bigger picture

[StuartHopkin]

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk

Of course, this only looks at what the parties SAY they will do.  We only have to look as far as the current coalition to see two parties who've reneged on their pre-election promises and manifestos.

Wowzer

I came out 50% UKIP!

[kinboshi]

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk

Of course, this only looks at what the parties SAY they will do.  We only have to look as far as the current coalition to see two parties who've reneged on their pre-election promises and manifestos.

every party will not stick to its promises

i hold no light for the lib dems but what are you going to do, go into a coalition or stick to your tuition fees promise?

the world is fluid, voters rarely see the bigger picture

I was talking more about the other partner in that coalition, but both are culpable.

[TightEnd]

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk

Of course, this only looks at what the parties SAY they will do.  We only have to look as far as the current coalition to see two parties who've reneged on their pre-election promises and manifestos.

every party will not stick to its promises

i hold no light for the lib dems but what are you going to do, go into a coalition or stick to your tuition fees promise?

the world is fluid, voters rarely see the bigger picture

I was talking more about the other partner in that coalition, but both are culpable.

as were Labour in 1997, 2001 and 2005

especially 2007- under Brown.

[Kmac84]

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk

Of course, this only looks at what the parties SAY they will do.  We only have to look as far as the current coalition to see two parties who've reneged on their pre-election promises and manifestos.

Wowzer

I came out 50% UKIP!

I came out 40%  Greens, 30% Lib Dems.  Weird.  Happy with Greens, but defo not happy with Lib Dem.

[redsimon]

60% Green, 20% Labour 20% Conservative

The NHS/Health part listed me as Conservative, though probably not much difference in actual policy between the main parties on this (in theory anyway)?

[doubleup]

Just watching a beeb prog about the French.

The long and short of is they have kept heavy industry that Britain lost decades ago, kept the powerful unions that Britain lost decades ago, kept the earnings linked unemployment benefits Britain lost decades ago and added the most ridiculous labour laws imaginable - basically extreme anti-thatcherism.

The great crash has finally gg'd them, but wp for decades imo.

[Jon MW]

Just watching a beeb prog about the French.

The long and short of is they have kept heavy industry that Britain lost decades ago, kept the powerful unions that Britain lost decades ago, kept the earnings linked unemployment benefits Britain lost decades ago and added the most ridiculous labour laws imaginable - basically extreme anti-thatcherism.

The great crash has finally gg'd them, but wp for decades imo.

Did they mention much about European subsidies? Because my impression is that France in general did very very well from them. That's just my impression but the sources aren't the most concrete - but that would certainly have propped up the system for a long time if it is the case.

[bobAlike]

83.3% Blue 16.7% Yellow - Not surprised