General Election - Who do we vote for

Agree with this. UKIPs policies are fairly close to the Tories on most things it's less of a jump, easier to switch between. to move from Labour or even further away the Lib Dems, requires a complete change in ideals which is harder to reverse.

I predict youl'll see a big bounce back to Tory from UKIP next year.

 

It would have made me laugh as well, except your headline gives a false impression of what the UKIP person said. If you want to hear what she really said, see the recording on here.

https://audioboo.fm/boos/2189867-ukip-has-taken-votes-from-all-parties

 

About 70 I think. UKIP have 9 at the moment I think.

 

Come on Dorothy

 

In general people who vote go along and vote for the same party on all their ballots. So if UKIP are averaging a certain percentage of the council vote I imagine that will be mirrored in the European elections. I don't think any poll is suggesting UKIP will get the majority of MEP seats. They might get the most though.

The UK has 73 of which England gets 60.

 

The conservatives will simply up their rhetoric and 'promise' on a referendum, and 'promise' to reduce immigration, and UKIP success will be limited at the GE. People don't like to believe it, but this growth of UKIP could be a good thing potentially, as it ensures the major parties will have to act on immigration and EU to win back voters.

 

But that's the thrust and UKIP are always saying it 'Media savvy educated young more likely to believe what they read about UKIP'.

Educated and in possession of thumbs. Also have less hair in their ears than average UKIP candidate.

 

Eric Pickles has just claimed on the radio that his grocery bill is £102. I'm going to guess he lives alone.

 

I guess he may mean per meal ?

 

Greasy Takeaways aren't in the groceries category.

 

I can only really speak for London but I am sure that this will be the case.

People vote on the economy over all other things, so I do think the Tories will be re-elected.

Although I do know plenty of people who are unhappy with the Conservatives (albeit an unrepresentative sample of mostly politics and economics students) who say they might do the unthinkable and not vote for the Tories if continue to become more closely aligned with UKIP.

 

And in addition, immigration is much more successfully integrated in London, as it has been a gradual process over many years. This has meant that immigration is far less of a threat to the 'white British' professional group, many of them working side by side successfully with highly skilled Europeans as successful colleagues.

Those working in the tertiary/ quaternary sector are far less likely to vote UKIP than those in the primary and secondary sectors, who feel lower levels of job security.

 

Did anyone on here see that Joey Barton is going to appear on next weeks Question Time?!?

 

I only had one ballot paper when I went to vote. It was only later that I wondered whether that was for European or local elections.

 

European as that was universal unlike council elections which weren't.

 

OK. That's fine. I voted for the "Independence from Bucks Party" instead of the "Out Of Europe and Shut the Borders" party by mistake.

 

Considering this forum is likely to have a slightly higher proportion of enlightened people than the general public, being London ish based, the poll as pretty accurately mirrored the election results.

Now for all that is sensible, please do not vote UKIP at the general election. This is the kick the other parties needed to treat Europe as a proper issue and listen to the general public.

 

I'm naturally a labour supporter in so much as I share their left wing ideals rather than any specific policies. After the recent elections however, I'm left astounded and dismayed that the Labour party are interpreting the UKIP success as something other than an anti-Europe vote! How on earth can I possibly vote for a party that are so incompetent that such simple political analysis is beyond them? I also find their refusal to offer a simple no-strings in/out referendum on Europe because the y say it would be economically damaging ( in other words, they know they wouldn't get the result they want) incredibly arrogant. if the people don't wish to be part of he E.U, (and they quite obviously don't) then surely their views on such an important issue should be respected by all parties?

 

Much as it pains you to do so you're probably going to have to vote Tory at the General election, if you want a choice on Europe.

To be fair Labour are just Tory light these days anyway but it staggers me how arogant they are regarding the economy they still refuse to take even part of the blame and they ignore a clear sign from the population that they want a choice on Europe.

The current batch of Labour MPS need completely clearing out before a fresh take on things. They're still in the Blair era and unelectable imho.

 

Coalitions force left and right to work together, and we end up with something resembling centre ground, whilst limiting the damage d**b heads like Blair, Brown, Cameron, Millaband... can do. I'd like to see coalition options added to ballot papers.

 

My two year old would like a clear choice on her dinner every night, but she's not getting it. Same should apply with the British electorate and Europe.

 

Ah! ... proportional representation, now wouldn't that be novel?

Only a Liberal led government would ever seek to install a fair voting system.
You want it? ... then Vote Lib Dem.

 

I think this article is quite interesting. (note ZZ i'm not saying I agree with all of it). http://www.theguardian.com/politics...-alan-sked-party-become-frankensteins-monster

I think this bit is the most interesting, and I think he does have a point.

 

I'm not having a go at you Forza, in particular, as I think we all do this, to a degree. But it is very easy to pick each article to bits, quoting the parts you like to hear as "interesting", whilst disclaiming, or "not agreeing " with the bits that you don't like to hear, even though the information comes from the same source.

But, back to the article, do you not think that there is ample scope to suggest that Sked may be a bit bitter?

Maybe just a little....?

Just as an aside. I know that there are many politicians that start off at the very extreme of the Left/Right spectrum. But I also think that the vast majority of them mellow somewhat as they get older, become more realistic and more mature. I cringe when I think back to how certain matters were discussed and joked about when I was a teenager, and into my early adulthood. In my junior school (Chater, Harwoods Rd, Watford) I distinctly remember the West Indians, Asians and British kids pretty much staying in their own groups and only really started to mix when it was apparent that the West Indian lads seemed to be pretty fast and we all wanted them on our teams, leaving the Asians even more isolated. I honestly can't recall real hardened racism treatment at the school, although I am pretty sure that we all often used racist names and terms. They just didn't seem to be so serious in those days - something that, as I travelled the world, I realised was a ridiculous and potentially nasty situation. There were also at least two, very popular comedy programs, Til Death o Us Part on BBC and Love Thy Neighbour, on ITV that wouldn't get near the TV screen these days, due to it's racist content. Yet they won all sorts of TV awards.

All I am saying, is that I we are all capable of changing. Even, perhaps, our politicians.

 

Yeah, that's why I said I don't agree with all of it as it's obvious he has a personal agenda. But I think he has a point about the European MEP's, personal agenda or not.

 

No don't give a damn about proportional representation, I want a coalition so no party has enough control to screw the country up

 

This has been one of the most interesting and enlightening debates this forum has had for many years. Nice to see well reasoned arguments for all sides that have been in the main well presented without malice and nastiness.

Ive enjoyed having a good read at sensible posts for a change without having to scroll through numerous ridiculous statements and pathetic jokes

Well done to all, and long may it continue

Gary

 

Agreed. A very good thread.

 

Worrying if true