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UK Prime Minister Theresa May announces intention to hold general election

theguardian.com

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

#131

Post by timrichard »

Slamchunk wrote: post #27

Worst possible timing, who do I vote for? I live in a tory safe seat currently.

I guess you're referring to a viable opposition contender where you live, but I'm planning on supporting the most agreeable independent candidate I can find.

No practical chance of them getting in, but it's an option when you think it's important to vote anyway for philosophical or historical reasons.

Especially in constituencies where you could pin a red or blue rosette on a donkey, and it would still get elected.

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

#132

Post by ue_ »

NetStrikeForce wrote: post #98
TheOtherHobbes wrote: post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is the last chance the UK has to avoid fascism. I wish that was hyperbole. But I really don't think it is.

I hear you. You even see people openly embracing Enoch Powell's ideas again. Brexit and Trump removed the taboo on fascism and those long time closeted fascists are now very openly pushing their propaganda. The rest of us are too busy defending their right to destroy our society and our values.

>The rest of us are too busy defending their right to destroy our society and our values.

Which values are those? Unfortunately, I would argue that England has never had values I'd agree with. What about values of privacy and civil liberties? You can't even have certain drawings (yes, even their possession is illegal) and ISP have to keep your Internet usage for a year.

Bourgeois democracy cannot protect the values of the people.

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

#133

Post by irb »

clearly wrote: post #39
talktime wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The majority of the English like strong, essentially unopposed governance. They like be to be able to choose the g'vner occasionally, but they don't want multiple powerful factions.

Do we?

I think that the majority of the country is generally less comfortable with the idea of coalitions/minority governments/power sharing than many other parliamentary democracies where those things happen more regularly.

Consider the run-up to the 2015 GE when it looked like Labour/Lib Dems/SNP might be able to form a majority coalition even though the Conservatives were likely to be the largest party - there was a lot of sneering at the idea of a "coalition of the losers". That circumstance arises quite frequently and is largely accepted in many other countries, as can be seen from the results of Denmark's recent elections.

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

#134

Post by johnlbevan2 »

A useful article to those who think "aside from saying 'Brexit means brexit' a lot, what has Theresa May done since taking power?":

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/theresa-may-brexit-first...

NB: The article's from October 2016 so slightly dated, but still useful

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

#135

Post by nthcolumn »

louisswiss wrote: post #32
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…

It also negates the 'Theresa doesn't have a mandate, no one voted for her' argument.

It is also a move to counter the very real threat from SNP.

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

#136

Post by sideshowb »

MerreM wrote: post #90
caoilte wrote: post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No thanks. It was your austerity cuts that created the favourable climate for Brexit in the first place.

Haven't seen a party opposed to austerity in a long, long time. I'll probably be voting short term "stop this madness"

Erm, Labour under Jezza?

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

#137

Post by EliRivers »

bogle wrote: post #53
tehwalrus wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Vote Lib Dem. Seriously. I am a candidate in very north london, we're all organised for this possibility.

Yeah, 'cause you did such a sterling job last time?

Zing!

That was a pun about currency value, yes? :)

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

#138

Post by vixen99 »

hazza1 wrote: post #97
wsc981 wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the UK will be fine, post Brexit, as the UK is a very important trading partner for The Netherlands, Denmark & Ireland. These countries don't want harsh punishments for the UK (as Brussels seems intent on) and they want little trade barriers: http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/792782/EU-rebellion-Bloc...

You can't use the Express as a source, it's not a creditable newspaper and has it's own agenda here.

its own agenda.

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

#139

Post by gpvos »

So... how big is the chance that the LibDems will promise to try to reverse Brexit, or at least go for the softest possible Brexit, and everyone who wants to remain votes for them, and they would get 51%, or at least enough to force a coalition government?

Probably zero, especially given the weirdo FPTP system, but I'm curious anyway.

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

#140

Post by hacker_9 »

Nursie wrote: post #126
hacker_9 wrote: post #115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not with Brexit overshadowing everything.

Perhaps they could oppose that too... Would be an interesting legal position, now article 50 has been notified.

This is effectively what Lib Dems would do, call another EU Referendum. Perhaps the only reason I am considering voting for them, after we've seen at how inept the current govt are at dealing with Brexit.
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