Someone must have pointed out that a political movement *entirely* predicated on aversion to radical politics and turning societies upside down had debased itself to the point where it did precisely that to resolve a long simmering conflict amongst themselves.

Why should I be discussing the privacy and freedom of the press? When did that come into the discussion? (In your head is not an acceptable answer)

However, thanks for your concern but there really is no need to be sorry for me. I am fine.

A bit annoyed to see you back around all the same, after you going off in the huff 'cos you got told off, but I am sure there will be some who are happy to see the prodigal son returning.

Anyway, the topic of discuss was the General Election, not "the privacy and freedom of the press". As you were.

Highlander is not Adeybull.

Just thought I'd clear that up.

Anyway. Anyone bored of politics yet?

Anyone reckon Labour might have leaked that manifesto themselves?
It's been headline news for the past few days. Labour are all anyone is talking about right now because the Tory manifesto is nowhere in sight.
Labour can deny it's the real thing while also gauge public reaction to the policies at the same time. Anything that misses the mark with the majority can then be amended in the real version.

Or maybe I just love a conspiracy

Well he is cut from the same cloth then. Maybe they share each others' Cornflakes or something.



Now this is a very pertinent question. I think that we up here certainly are. Since November 2014 we have had Indyref, a General Election, The Brexit vote, Council elections, the spectre of Indyref2 and another upcoming General Election. It is complete overkill and it is only serving to divide people more IMO.

I am all for democracy and for the people to decide but when the people DO decide then the losing teams seem to be incapable of accepting the result and so it all comes round again.

Scotland has 45% of its electorate incapable of accepting a NO vote, the UK has 48% incapable of accepting a Brexit vote. The SNP blame Westminster for some reason for "taking Scotland out of Europe against the will of the Scottish people" whilst conveniently ignoring the will of the Scottish people to want to remain part of the UK!

It is all getting a bit too much.

When you quoted me for your post about North Korea & UK being different places...



And I don't own, and have never owned Bradford Bulls either, just to clear that up as well.



As you were also.

"Strong and Stable" was being lampooned. When you realise you are becoming a joke, I suspect even May could see where it was leading.

I too, am for democracy. The leavers complained incessantly about us joining the EU in the 1970's, they couldn't accept they lost and it took them 40 yrs to get a 2nd vote which they then won. It would be hypocritical to not allow the remainers to complain incessantly, based on the leavers example, until a 3rd vote is allowed....

Best of 3

It won't be just our decision though - the other 27 (currently) members would have to agree to our request. If I were them, I'd be thinking long and hard before allowing a state, which doesn't know when it's well off, back in again. If it goes through, I fear we'll be out for a generation, at least.

Undoubtedly.

We'll probably have joined the USA by then, as the 51st-55th states

Unless Trump takes the USA into the Russian Federation....

Hope so.

Cheers Vladimir.

I don't think they're gonna win but, at least on the grounds that I was not a fan, I was dead wrong.

I guess you're making that assumption based on the poll forecasts. The one thing I've learned about polls over the years is that they are even more unreliable (and unstable) than governments. Which is a tremendous achievement when you think about it. Though that said, and given the way the press seems to drive public opinion, I tend to agree.

They are unreliable. They're unreliable in broadly predictable (though always changing) ways though. There are two main trends that make them particularly unreliable in this country. The biggest is the shy tory vote. I'm sure everyone's heard of that by this point. Lots of that going on right now.

The other main one is the effect of narrative. The side taking a battering from the prevailing narrative, and that's been the Tories since the manifestos came out, under performs in polls. Probably the best example is when Trump took a huge hit in the polls when the tape of him admitting to sexual assault came out. The actual share of the vote was roughly as the polls predicted prior to that. That's a pretty common theme.

My actual prediction is that there is a Labour surge, it will mostly happen in the bigger cities and it won't be enough.

Which is why May is keen for the election to go ahead in spite of Manchester & London. Another month would be the death of the Tories in this election. Which maybe shows you cannot polish a turd after all.
My experience of polls is they are bloody hard workers.

Think it will be a Conservative victory, no doubt about it. With an increased majority.

I would rather live the next 3 days in deluded optimism, followed by 5 years of misery, than 5 years & 3 days of misery, if that's alright with you.

I can see your point tigs. Unfortunately I got a look outside my usual bubble/echo chamber the other day and it wasn't nice. Be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

The best I think you can hope for is a Tory majority much the same as it is now.

I think you are right. When submarine may announced the election I was fearing a 200 seat majority. If I had been told less than 50 seats I would have been elated. As it’s gone on I have allowed myself a hint of optimism. Either way I think May is toast. The election has galvanised opposition to the Tories. I have no doubt things will get worse under the Tories. They have already leaked no tax increases for the top earners, which means increases for low/middle earners, or further cuts. Either will consolidate opposition which will make May too unpopular to continue as they lose bye-election after bye-election. A minority government will be the end for her also.

The Tories are safe while Corbin, McDonal and Abbott are there.
We desperately need the Labour party to find a group of highly respectable people who will impress more than just a group of Corbin supporters. Maybe David Milliband may fit the bill when he gets a little older. Labour have a habit of having people like Foot, Kinnock, Milliband and now Corbin which lets them down. I voted for Blair and Brown but that didn't turn out great. They need to stay away from trade unionist type people who are great at demonstrations and find a set of boring steady headed business types as that is what the majority of voters look for in a politician. I have no doubt that Corbin is a good man and some of his ideas are good but he doesn't appeal to enough voters and that is what it is all about when trying to win an election. I think labour will do better than expected but it will end with a pat on the head and a "well done Jeremy, you gave it a good go" - but they now need to find a statesman / stateswoman type figure that has a real presence in world politics. I don't like Merkel much but she has a presence and leadership quality that Labour need to find for the next time around. We desperately need a strong Labour but they need to change their ways quickly if we are to ever get one.

Maybe wait and see how CORBYN (note the spelling) does in this election before writing him off?
I think the tories called this election fully expecting to gain a shedload more seats, but the way things have gone I'm not convinced that's going to be the outcome.
If Labour can come out of this without too much damage being done then I can't see Corbyn being under too much pressure to quit.

I still can't wrap my head around the arrogance of the tories in releasing a completely uncosted manifesto. They aren't getting anywhere near enough flak from the press as they should be for this imo. How can anyone vote for a party who have given you no indication of how your money will be spent? It's madness.

The press is 90% Conservative supporting so you won't see them get any flak from that quarter.

Labour's cause wasn't helped by Abbott and Corbyn not having their figures to hand when announcing flagship policies. If you're going to have a costed manifesto at least know the figures of the policies you're announcing. Whoever is briefing them is hopeless and they should know better than to turn up on radio unprepared.

Labour's policies are fine with me. I'm not convinced about many of the leadership as to their competence. But you could definitely apply that thinking to the Conservative front bench too. The likes of Johnson, Hunt and Fox to name three are arrogant and completely lacking in competence.