The United Kingdom Elections 2010

[Gregoshi]

I haven't been following this election. So, do you or do you not have a new King/Queen?

[KukriKhan]

Do you leave Afghanistan? If so, when?

[Louis VI the Fat]

I haven't been following this election. So, do you or do you not have a new King/Queen?

No, no new queen yet.

These people never have to work a day in their life, they don't know stress, nor want, nor sweat. So they all live to well within their nineties.

[Furunculus]

No, no new queen yet.

These people never have to work a day in their life, they don't know stress, nor want, nor sweat. So they all live to well within their nineties.

lol, the queen and phil work harder, every single day, for more days of the year, than you or I ever will.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

True, I pulled the Godwin, but it was in response to you bandying "Stalinist" around with the same level of consideration as the usual lesser-spotted Godwin, often seen grazing in these forums.

To be fair, I think the "Stalinist" comment was more to do with the Labour method of centralised numbers-led organisation. I'm afraid that form of planning is correct;ly labelised "Stalinist" in a technical sense, irrc, Labour even goes so far as to have, "five year plans".

I don't think Rory actually intended to go as far as to suggest that Labour is the Politburo of Communist Russia.

Except for the post-war Labour government. They turned the country round from being utterly bankrupt, to fuelling the 1950's boom in just 6 years.

And what did they use for that? massive loans from America, that we only paid off a few years ago.

[Furunculus]

the full text of the coalition agreement:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...agreement.html

[therother]

Do you leave Afghanistan? If so, when?

Good question. Both parties supported intervention in Afghanistan and the new PM previously said that he won't "cut and run". Clegg had strategy concerns but appears to back the mission if it's done "right". So the troops are probably there to stay for a while longer.

[Furunculus]

How does the new coalition EU policy stack up against cameron's six pledges:

Good
We agree that the British Government will be a positive participant in the European Union, playing a strong and positive role with our partners, with the goal of ensuring that all the nations of Europe are equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century: global competitiveness, global warming and global poverty.

6) Repatriation of control over social and employment legislation
We agree that there should be no further transfer of sovereignty or powers over the course of the next Parliament. We will examine the balance of the EU’s existing competences and will, in particular, work to limit the application of the Working Time Directive in the United Kingdom.

1) The referendum lock
3) A guaranteed say for MP’s if Ministers want the EU to extend its powers
We agree that we will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that any proposed future Treaty that transferred areas of power, or competences, would be subject to a referendum on that Treaty – a ‘referendum lock’. We will amend the 1972 European Communities Act so that the use of any passerelle would require primary legislation.

2) A United Kingdom sovereignty bill
We will examine the case for a United Kingdom Sovereignty Bill to make it clear that ultimate authority remains with Parliament.

Good
We agree that Britain will not join or prepare to join the Euro in this Parliament.

Nice waffle
We agree that we will strongly defend the UK’s national interests in the forthcoming EU budget negotiations and that the EU budget should only focus on those areas where the EU can add value.

Who cares, feel good stuff
We agree that we will press for the European Parliament only to have one seat, in Brussels.

5) Return of powers over criminal justice
We agree that we will approach forthcoming legislation in the area of criminal justice on a case by case basis, with a view to maximising our country’s security, protecting Britain’s civil liberties and preserving the integrity of our criminal justice system. Britain will not participate in the establishment of any European Public Prosecutor.
-----------------------------------------------------
4) Opt out from the charter of fundamental rights
Only one casualty that i can see.

conclusion
I'm reasonably happy

[al Roumi]

No, no new queen yet.

These people never have to work a day in their life, they don't know stress, nor want, nor sweat. So they all live to well within their nineties.

lol, the queen and phil work harder, every single day, for more days of the year, than you or I ever will.

Especially as we spend the days typing away on t'internet...

[Furunculus]

Especially as we spend the days typing away on t'internet...

quite. :p

[KukriKhan]

Good question. Both parties supported intervention in Afghanistan and the new PM previously said that he won't "cut and run". Clegg had strategy concerns but appears to back the mission if it's done "right". So the troops are probably there to stay for a while longer.

That's good news. That'll give my guys breathing room to find some other-than-humiliating way out of there.

On behalf of the US public: thanks for your continued support, above and beyond The Call. The rest of you guys (nations) too.

[al Roumi]

That's good news. That'll give my guys breathing room to find some other-than-humiliating way out of there.

On behalf of the US public: thanks for your continued support, above and beyond The Call. The rest of you guys (nations) too.

That's very kind, lets hope y'all don't drag us off anywhere else...

[KukriKhan]

That's very kind, lets hope y'all don't drag us off anywhere else...

From your lips (or... typewriting fingertips) to God's ear.

[Furunculus]

anyone know who got europe minister?

[Subotan]

I'm crossing my fingers it's a Lib-Dem.

[tibilicus]

Things which annoyed me today:

Lib Dems complaining that they have seats in government. Most people would be ecstatic. As for the argument that they should of formed a "rainbow alliance" (lol, Alex Salmond) it wasn't really plausible and plus this way, shouldn't the lib dems see it as a chance to dilute some of the more right-wing Conservative policies? I may never understand how certain liberals and left thinkers can allow tribalistic political views and their hate for the "nasty party" to obscure the fact that the lib dems have got a strong deal and their leadership knows it. I'm not saying it's just a symptom of progressives, but any lib Dem which turns in their membership over such a deal is a hypocrite. It means they don't really want consensus government, just consensus government where the centre-right parties are excluded.

[Idaho]

anyone know who got europe minister?

My guess would be that they would give that to a moderately pro-EU Tory.

[Idaho]

I don't get this bit:

Following this motion, legislation will be brought forward to make provision for fixed term parliaments of five years. This legislation will also provide for dissolution if 55% or more of the House votes in favour.

Either the parliaments are fixed term or they aren't. A majority party could just get the whip behind a government led motion to dissolve the house and have an election

[Louis VI the Fat]

I don't get this bit:



Either the parliaments are fixed term or they aren't. A majority party could just get the whip behind a government led motion to dissolve the house and have an election

It would make sense with a coalition (sytem).


Imagine, for example, the current parliament but LibDem having 100 seats. Con + LibDem and Lab + LibDem would each have over 55%.

[Furunculus]

anyone know who got europe minister?

is it not announced yet?

[Vladimir]

That's very kind, lets hope y'all don't drag us off anywhere else...

Maybe we could return the favor. I've always wanted to visit South America.

[Beskar]

is it not announced yet?

There is a full list here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...10/8675705.stm

No European Minister on it.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Things which annoyed me today:

Lib Dems complaining that they have seats in government. Most people would be ecstatic. As for the argument that they should of formed a "rainbow alliance" (lol, Alex Salmond) it wasn't really plausible and plus this way, shouldn't the lib dems see it as a chance to dilute some of the more right-wing Conservative policies? I may never understand how certain liberals and left thinkers can allow tribalistic political views and their hate for the "nasty party" to obscure the fact that the lib dems have got a strong deal and their leadership knows it. I'm not saying it's just a symptom of progressives, but any lib Dem which turns in their membership over such a deal is a hypocrite. It means they don't really want consensus government, just consensus government where the centre-right parties are excluded.

Quite, reading over the financial part of the agreement, it looks like a plan to cut hard whilst protecting the most vulnerable. Generally speaking, both parties have taken the best and most sensible parts of their manifesto's and merged them, rather than just bolting bits together.

The Liberals have got a good deal, so have the Conservatives, and (I hope) has the country.

At least thus far things look very promising.

[Furunculus]

There is a full list here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...10/8675705.stm

No European Minister on it.

hmmm, not announced yet, suspicious, i sense a lib-dem in the force.................

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

hmmm, not announced yet, suspicious, i sense a lib-dem in the force.................

Or just no minister, Cameron said he was going to significantly reduce the size of the cabinet. Europe is a good candidate to be axed, because it will be devisive either way.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Interesting coalition.


If everything works well, you'll end up with a more conservative slate of economic policies and a sober foreign policy with an emphasis on the UK and not the EU, but all of this will be tempered by an integrated "conscience" that pushes for individual liberties and restrains economic reform etc. that is too sweeping in its effect.

If everything doesn't work out, you'll end up with a wishy-washy essay in paralysis that does everything it can to perpetuate itself with only tangential regard for the UK voter.

I hope you folks end up with the former.

[gaelic cowboy]

Owen Paterson got the North ha ha ha poor fella he must have annoyed someone

[Furunculus]

Or just no minister, Cameron said he was going to significantly reduce the size of the cabinet. Europe is a good candidate to be axed, because it will be devisive either way.

that would be an awesome result, really hadn't seriously considered that, put europe back where it belongs; under the aegis of the FCO.

Interesting coalition.


If everything works well, you'll end up with a more conservative slate of economic policies and a sober foreign policy with an emphasis on the UK and not the EU, but all of this will be tempered by an integrated "conscience" that pushes for individual liberties and restrains economic reform etc. that is too sweeping in its effect.

If everything doesn't work out, you'll end up with a wishy-washy essay in paralysis that does everything it can to perpetuate itself with only tangential regard for the UK voter.

I hope you folks end up with the former.

it could be quite cool, and given that the Guv'nor reckons the coming cuts will be so nasty as to keep the instigating party out of power for a generation, why not share that pain with the 'nice' party and show them what realpolitik is all about.

[Philippus Flavius Homovallumus]

Interesting coalition.


If everything works well, you'll end up with a more conservative slate of economic policies and a sober foreign policy with an emphasis on the UK and not the EU, but all of this will be tempered by an integrated "conscience" that pushes for individual liberties and restrains economic reform etc. that is too sweeping in its effect.

If everything doesn't work out, you'll end up with a wishy-washy essay in paralysis that does everything it can to perpetuate itself with only tangential regard for the UK voter.

I hope you folks end up with the former.

More than that... if this comes off New Labour will look like the darkest and most incompetant government of the 20th Century, in Brtiatian at least.

[Beskar]

More than that... if this comes off New Labour will look like the darkest and most incompetant government of the 20th Century, in Brtiatian at least.

Good news for them, New Labour was only the worse. They should have experienced Thatcher.