UK General Election 2017

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

What I'd like to see figures for, if possible, from the past, if not, then from a limited reintroduction for the purpose of producing stats, is how successful these hunts are. Poisoning, hidden shooting and other non-discriminatory methods take both unhealthy and healthy foxes alike. If hunting with dogs weeds out the diseased and only the least athletic of the other foxes, then it might be the most natural method. If it has an extremely high success rate, then it's not much more useful than other non-discriminatory methods in keeping the general population healthy. Most hunts in nature end in failure.

I can't give you figures, but I can tell you anecdotally that many hunts would end in failure.

Is it somehow symbolic that the discussion of British elections came down to discussing foxes?

Yes, it's seen as a class issue. The Labour party banned fox hunting - ostensibly because it's cruel but really because about two centuries ago an alliance of Tories and Liberals caused baiting of Dogs, Bears and Badgers to be banned.

Hunting is a "Field Sport" in British parlance because you go out into "the field" and hunt, and properly fail. However, the League Against Cruel Sports classifies it as a "Blood Sport" alongside the aforementioned baitings.

[Gilrandir]

Yes, it's seen as a class issue. The Labour party banned fox hunting - ostensibly because it's cruel but really because about two centuries ago an alliance of Tories and Liberals caused baiting of Dogs, Bears and Badgers to be banned.

Hunting is a "Field Sport" in British parlance because you go out into "the field" and hunt, and properly fail. However, the League Against Cruel Sports classifies it as a "Blood Sport" alongside the aforementioned baitings.

Then just hold a poll on the attitude to fox hunting and skip the elections altogether. Will save much money anyway.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

So, I actually couldn't actually bring myself to vote yesterday, but crikey.

Labour battered, UKIP wiped out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39810488

[Montmorency]

Net gains and losses in the hundreds, and apparently the majority of results have not even been declared yet.

[Elmetiacos]

So, I actually couldn't actually bring myself to vote yesterday, but crikey.

Labour battered, UKIP wiped out.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39810488

The people's verdict: BAA-AA-AA-AH!

[Beskar]

We knew UKIP died, but it seems their decline is the Conservatives net-gain.

[Greyblades]

It was inevitable; a one issue party dies the second it wins and it can only be resurrected by having that victory reversed post fact.

[Beskar]

[Pannonian]

And Labour decide that the right response to the local election disasters is to promote John McDonnell to a more prominent role. Yup, that's the guy who said he'd been waiting for decades for the opportunity that is the economic crisis. The guy who recently (less than a week ago) spoke at a rally, directly under Communist and Baathist flags. As in look at McDonnell on the podium, then look up to see the hammer and sickle a few feet above him. I guess he's replacing Diane Abbott, who not only has a tenuous grasp of geography, but has no concept of numbers either.