UK General Election 2015

[The Camel]

I think if people knew that the Conservatives would smash it then UKIP would have got a few more seats.  They weren't that far off in some areas. 

But it looked like every Conservative and Labour seat mattered.

Conservatives didn't "smash it"

They have a wafer thin majority.

1997 election was the last time a party "smashed it".

I meant smash it in terms of how close it was before the election.  It seemed that max everyone was talking about was 280.

Just reading about the 1997 election.

I wonder if this country will ever see a parliament where the Government has a majority of nearly 200 again.

I remember when Major won in 1992 I never thought I'd see another Labour government in my lifetime (if we can't beat an unpopular and worn out government like that, what can we beat?) - but similarly when Blair won for the second landslide in a row in 2001 I doubted I'd see another Tory government.

So it's best to have learned lessons from the past - don't make hard and fast judgements.

5 years is a very long time - who knows what world events will have taken place and what state the country will be in by 2020.

Must say 5/2 about a Labour majority government does look awfully skinny though!

[arbboy]

I think if people knew that the Conservatives would smash it then UKIP would have got a few more seats.  They weren't that far off in some areas.  

But it looked like every Conservative and Labour seat mattered.

Conservatives didn't "smash it"

They have a wafer thin majority.

1997 election was the last time a party "smashed it".

I meant smash it in terms of how close it was before the election.  It seemed that max everyone was talking about was 280.

Just reading about the 1997 election.

I wonder if this country will ever see a parliament where the Government has a majority of nearly 200 again.

I remember when Major won in 1992 I never thought I'd see another Labour government in my lifetime (if we can't beat an unpopular and worn out government like that, what can we beat?) - but similarly when Blair won for the second landslide in a row in 2001 I doubted I'd see another Tory government.

So it's best to have learned lessons from the past - don't make hard and fast judgements.

5 years is a very long time - who knows what world events will have taken place and what state the country will be in by 2020.

Must say 5/2 about a Labour majority government does look awfully skinny though!

5 years is a long time.  Just to put it in context Blatch was still a hero on here 5 years ago!    Don't think we will see those sort of majorities again for a long long time.  Scotland has changed.  Maggie and Blair were great great leaders/speakers whether you supported them or not.  They don't come around all the time as the current crop has shown.  I feel like the tories hosed up this time even though, as Keith says, in old fashioned speak it was/is a tiny majority.  I think any majority nowadays is a big majority if you get my point.

[scotty77]

Who for Labour leader?  Looking at the possibles, I think Jarvis is the best bet.

Having a former soldier is gonna make him hard to tarnish in the press.  Can't see the Sun going after him when the last 10 years they have given massive coverage to Help for Heroes etc.

[MintTrav]

So Michael Gove is to be the new Justice Secretary . . . . .

Ridiculous, isn't it?

[George2Loose]

Chuka Umunna is hugely impressive. They need an outstanding candidate as I get the feeling whoever they pick will be up against Boris

[George2Loose]

Also when does Cameron step down? He's ruled out a third term- will this cause issues as it did with Blair during his third term?

[arbboy]

Chuka Umunna is hugely impressive. They need an outstanding candidate as I get the feeling whoever they pick will be up against Boris

He is massively impressive and would be my choice but he is a cockney and a public school boy.  Big failings of the previous leader to the hardcore of the party.  Suppose it depends whether they are going to stay proper left or pretend left as to whether he gets the job.  He has worked in the real world as well and seems super smart and very well spoken.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuka_Umunna

[teddybloat]

Also when does Cameron step down? He's ruled out a third term- will this cause issues as it did with Blair during his third term?

I think he will do well to see out his term, for this and many other reasons

[scotty77]

Chuka Umunna is hugely impressive. They need an outstanding candidate as I get the feeling whoever they pick will be up against Boris

I like him but I don't think that core Labour working class supporters will.

A non Southern MP IMO.

[George2Loose]

Chuka Umunna is hugely impressive. They need an outstanding candidate as I get the feeling whoever they pick will be up against Boris

I like him but I don't think that core Labour working class supporters will.

A non Southern MP IMO.

but it's not the hardcore Labour supporters they have to win back

[MintTrav]

Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, UKIP, Green, SNP, Plaid.

Which is the odd one out?

Conservatives - the only party not currently led by a woman.

[scotty77]

Chuka Umunna is hugely impressive. They need an outstanding candidate as I get the feeling whoever they pick will be up against Boris

I like him but I don't think that core Labour working class supporters will.

A non Southern MP IMO.

but it's not the hardcore Labour supporters they have to win back

They lost a lot of votes from these areas to UKIP.

I do see what you are saying tho.  They need another Blair.

[david3103]

Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, UKIP, Green, SNP, Plaid.

Which is the odd one out?

Conservatives - the only party not currently led by a woman.

They've been there, done that.

[MintTrav]

Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, UKIP, Green, SNP, Plaid.

Which is the odd one out?

Conservatives - the only party not currently led by a woman.

They've been there, done that.

It wasn't a criticism, just an observation.

[The Camel]

Chuka Umunna is hugely impressive. They need an outstanding candidate as I get the feeling whoever they pick will be up against Boris

I think the reason I'm much sadder and angrier over this election result than I was 5 years ago is that I can almost see the future panning out before me.

Cameron does all the dirty work over then next 3 years, cuts welfare spending, begins to break up the NHS, slashes education, demonises the poor, gives further tax breaks to the rich, yadda yadda yadda.

Then in 2019 he leaves and in sweeps Boris, and he embarks on an immediate giveaway. Bribing the electorate to such an extent that he's sure to win.

5 years doesn't sound like a very long time. But 10 years definitely does.