Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

theguardian.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 336 posts

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#11

Post by k-mcgrady »

woodylondon wrote: post #4

I knew I should have put a bet on this, we were never going to leave Europe. Which ever parties manifesto says stay in Europe will win - end of story.

As much as I want to stay in Europe that ain't happening. She didn't need to call this. She did it because the polls say she'll win and that's another 5 years we're stuck with a tory government. Labour is the biggest challenger and they're pro-brexit. With the SNP's popularity Labour can't win enough seats to challenge anyway and given their differing stances on brexit I don't see how a Labour/Lib Dems/SNP coalition would work.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#12

Post by bogle »

chrisseaton wrote: post #3
RugnirViking wrote: post #2

As if the UK needed more political turmoil.

I think the point is to resolve some of the turmoil and get a new government in place with a new mandate.

I'll lay odds that Scotland at least will not be giving that mandate. Currently the Conservaties have 1 out of 59 MPs in Westminster from north of the border. Of course, that's irrelevant as the Tories can simply continue to completely ignore Scotland.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#13

Post by growse »

s_kilk wrote: post #5

May's reasoning is basically that there is an opposition now, and that there should not be. The thought of indefinite unopposed Tory rule is sickening.

I think her reasoning is more around the fact that there isn't any effective opposition now, so might as well lock in another 5 years.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#14

Post by talktime »

woodylondon wrote: post #4

I knew I should have put a bet on this, we were never going to leave Europe. Which ever parties manifesto says stay in Europe will win - end of story.

Well the LibDems are going to say that but they are not going to win. The other two parties aren't - Labour is going split in half. The Tories might see defections, but will stay together and press ahead with Brexit in the hope of a massive majority.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#16

Post by headmelted »

Actually this is just good business for the Tories, and I've long expected it.

The opposition is in disarray under Corbyn, and our prime minister has never won an election. This is as easy a victory as Theresa May will ever be able to bank on, and legitimises her leadership in the eyes of a large section of the public. She can also claim (maybe rightly so) that she has the undisputed majority support of the public for whatever terms she gets for a hard Brexit from the EU.

In short; we're screwed.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#17

Post by headmelted »

bogle wrote: post #12
chrisseaton wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the point is to resolve some of the turmoil and get a new government in place with a new mandate.

I'll lay odds that Scotland at least will not be giving that mandate. Currently the Conservaties have 1 out of 59 MPs in Westminster from north of the border. Of course, that's irrelevant as the Tories can simply continue to completely ignore Scotland.

And Northern Ireland. We're still here too.

.. Not that you'd know as you never call or write anymore. :'-(

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#18

Post by rb1 »

headmelted wrote: post #16

Actually this is just good business for the Tories, and I've long expected it. The opposition is in disarray under Corbyn, and our prime minister has never won an election. This is as easy a victory as Theresa May will ever be able to bank on, and legitimises her leadership in the eyes of a large section of the public. She can also claim (maybe rightly so) that she has the undisputed majority support of the public fo…

^^ this. There's not too much more to it than just this.

Re: UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

#20

Post by louisswiss »

PM Theresa May on her reasoning for the snap election:

"In recent weeks Labour have threatened to vote against the final agreement we reach with the European Union.

"The Liberal Democrats said they want to grind the business of government to a standstill.

"The Scottish National Party say they will vote against the legislation that formally repeals Britain's membership of the European Union.

"And un-elected members of the House of Lords have vowed to fight us every step of the way.

"If we do not hold a general election now, their political game playing will continue."

--------

I for one hope their 'political game playing' will only intensify in the future. After all, it's their job to provide opposition.

Dark and scary times indeed.

Post reply on HN