Most likely result of the general election in 2015?

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Looking at the current state of UK politics what do you all think is the most likely outcome of the next General Election?
 
Personally I think Labour will win but not with a out right majority (as it currently stands at least).
 
I had a quick look and couldn't see another thread like this but if there is my apologies.

Yes, you're right - I do mean Farron - he seemed to be a contender for leader of the LibDems and rather more palatable to those of us on the left of the political spectrum.

If Clegg loses his seat, maybe the LibDems might seem like a different party

We can only hope then boatlady, in case there is a hung parliament, but even better let us hope for an outright labour victory.

cybercheshired wrote:Bobby, I hope you won't tear your Labour card up. That would be to abdicate responsibility if there's a hung parliament which is a perfectly legitimate (if awkward) outcome of our first past the post system. It is convenient for bigger parties if they get an overall majority but to call necessary coalition building if not  "musical chairs" is surely denigrating our parliamentary system, not to say short sighted. The Lib Dems didn't wash their hands in 2010 even though this has cost them dearly in the polls. I therefore suggest you give a little thought to what you feel Ed should do if he emerges in May with most seats but needs smaller party support to form a government (the polls consistently suggest this outcome, which is the question we are debating here). Which parties/policies are acceptable? Would you prefer to be a semi-lame duck confidence and supply minority government with a fragile economic recovery, on-going deficit and debt, terrorist and hacking threats, pressing civil liberties issues? This may be ideologically more comfortable but is it in the national interest? Or would you advocate a moral rejection of coalition building so hand over to the Tories to have a go with Ukip et al? I get your visceral dislike of the Lib Dems - well expressed by the way - good diatribe! - but those who dismiss coalition building as mere duplicity as you seem to do may be in for a shock in May. Better to be prepared.

I think the problem is CC is that a supposed left leaning party jumping into bed with the Tories has tainted them in the eyes of the general public mostly L/D members & voters, do not worry there is a another party that Labour could go into coalition with that will be free from taint and it is not the bloody SNP they are in for a shock come 8th May.

Oh Redflag, the one thing that does get me down whilst discussing the outcome of the election, is the thought of a coalition government, I mean really who would Labour side with ?
The best thing overall is it not is an outright victory for Labour.

Your spot on stuart but who can tell how the voters will vote ?? What is worrying me that the SNP will take seats from Labour in Scotland which will stop them from been able to form a majority gov't.

You are spot on there Redflag, and i'm afraid they will!!
SNP, will take a lot of votes from Labour, by the hardened nationalists, who wish free Scotland.

With a hundred days to go until the Election, those nice people at The Guardian have spelt out the possible results:

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/election-2015-the-four-likely-outcomes-will-put-deal-making-in-limelight-again/ar-AA8Ahv9

ah well OW cannot win them all.

I have always been aware of the very fact that the majority of the media/press have been pro Tory and anti Labour. However the BBC has recently been a little more impartial than in the past. Last night though on BBC2 Newsnight Kirsty hammered Andy Burnham to the enth degree without giving him time to explain his position by interupting him. Later we had "The Papers", again with panelists anti Labour in their comments and selection of anti Labour headlines. Turning to "The papers" on Sky News, exactly the same, all anti Milband and Labour.

It seems to me to have to sadly say that if this continues, which I suspect it will, then it will not be the electorate to blame for a Labour defeat, it will be the bias Media/press that will have assited the bloody tyrant Tories back into power.

I was disgusted with the Guardian who also have seemed to have joined the anti Labour bandwagon.

Exactly Mel, I thought they were one that were unbiased aswell. tut tut

The Guardian seems to have gained a number of very right-wing readers - I have been shocked by some of the comments appended to articles.

The right-wing is marshalled to oppose Socialists wherever they are to be found. Even Cutting Edge recently received a visit!

That's true - I wonder why the right wing have opinions that are so uniformly nasty and usually involve some sort of name calling and scapegoating?

Or is it just that, being leftish myself I can't see the same traits in the people whose opinions I tend to agree with?

Boatlady most Tory MPs & Tory voters are born that way, then they join the Tory party and they finish off there Tory training, I myself would rather cut off both hands without Anisthetic than put my X next to the name of a Tory.

There is nothing wrong with yourself boatlady all your traits are in the correct place, its the Tory traits the "ME ME ME SYNDROME"

You forgot the MINE MINE MINE SYNDROME too Redflag?

boatlady wrote:-
I wonder why the right wing have opinions that are so uniformly nasty and usually involve some sort of name calling and scapegoating?

Left-wing political views focus on society and the community, with the implication being that we care for others and believe that those with the broadest shoulders should make the biggest contribution. Some would argue that such a philosophy comes straight out of the New Testament (“Love your neighbour as you love yourself”, Mark 12:31). I do wonder how Tories like Iain Duncan Smith, who claim to be devout Christians, square that with their treatment of the poor, the sick and the disabled?  

Right-wing political views emphasise personal responsibility and individuality, as Thatcher so starkly put it with her “no such thing as society” remark. The argument is that you should be allowed to keep as much of what you earn for yourself and not have to support others, who are often portrayed as feckless. Boris Johnson claimed that “the growing gulf between rich and poor is inevitable because millions of people are too stupid to get on in life”. This philosophy legitimises the “I’m all right, Jack” attitude, making selfishness and greed respectable, at least in the eyes of those who subscribe to it.

This isn’t meant to sound sanctimonious. I’m not saying that everyone ‘left’ is good and kind (they’re not) and everyone on the ‘right’ is wicked and selfish. Some wealthy individuals are also very generous and make substantial contributions to charities. However, supporting measures to increase higher taxes for the wealthy might be a more convincing way of showing altruism. As Clement Attlee once said: "If a rich man wants to help the poor, he should pay his taxes gladly, not dole out money at a whim”.

If your primary concern is to ‘conserve’ your wealth, you are likely to oppose measures which might undermine your privileged position. You will probably be hostile to immigrants coming to your country if it’s one of the richest in the world (unless you’re in a position to exploit them), as you don’t want the nation’s wealth shared with too many others. You will want the poor kept in their place, which is to help you to accumulate more wealth. Basically it’s a philosophy based on fear, and this is demonstrated by the need to find scapegoats to deflect attention from themselves, and why the mega wealthy often live on gated estates.

Right-wingers usually oppose ‘political correctness’ and are more likely to think it’s okay to use racist, sexist or homophobic language. So maybe it’s their philosophy which so often makes them more unpleasant in discussions on internet forums? I’m just surprised there are enough of them in the UK, after the last five years of lies, incompetence and corruption from the Tories, to put the result of May’s general election in doubt. But then I guess that those who hold right-wing views may well be pleased with the destruction of the social fabric of this country that has been taking place. I gather that Iain Duncan Smith is the most popular minister as far as Tory Party members are concerned; maybe that says it all.

Nicely laid out, Ivan

I remember some years ago having an on-line conversation with people I hadn't seen for some time, making a comment that seemed to me self-evident (something about how being poor doesn't mean you are scum) - the entire group it seemed rose up against me and accused me of being a 'lefty' and trying to impose my opinions on others - like many of us I am an unashamed 'lefty' - but I don't think I've ever tried to impose my opinions - we all have a different journey and all believe different things - that's why it is often so rewarding to talk to each other - the other person does have to be listening though

There may be psychological differences that persuade some people to be more or less indifferent to the misfortunes of others.  In warfare, the individual usually thinks that someone else will take the bullet first.  Recruiting presumably becomes more difficult if everybody expects to die.

In my own experience of negotiating with the Company as  representative of a Trade Union, there were always some of our members who were much more concerned with actual take-home pay NOW, than the increased pension benefits under discussion.  They could not empathise with "the elderly", so could not see the point.

Now, I guess, many of them are elderly and may begin to see the point.

Mel wrote:I have always been aware of the very fact that the majority of the media/press have been pro Tory and anti Labour. However the BBC has recently been a little more impartial than in the past. Last night though on BBC2 Newsnight Kirsty hammered Andy Burnham to the enth degree without giving him time to explain his position by interupting him. Later we had "The Papers", again with panelists anti Labour in their comments and selection of anti Labour headlines. Turning to "The papers" on Sky News, exactly the same, all anti Milband and Labour.

It seems to me to have to sadly say that if this continues, which I suspect it will, then it will not be the electorate to blame for a Labour defeat, it will be the bias Media/press that will have assited the bloody tyrant Tories back into power.

I was disgusted with the Guardian who also have seemed to have joined the anti Labour bandwagon.

Mel have you heard about the NHA party its a new political party ran by "GUESS WHO" DOCTORS. At the head of this new political party is Dr Clive Peedell consultant Oncoligist who is standing against Davy boy in Cambs, with the state of our NHS and doctors going against the Tories who will the voters believe I would think the doctors will win that argument hands down.

I think people need to switch to the RT channel at least they are telling the truth and telling the people of the UK about the march which is been held in London regarding the lack of social housing, also the truth about the Tories not building the housing they love to brag about, in fact Labour built more in the first 3 years of there term 1997-2001 than the Tories have built in 5 years.

Hello Red Quote "I think people need to switch to the RT channel "
Indeed Red, my point is, unfortunately there is no way of getting folk to view this channel is there?

If we do not give it a try Mel there is no chance of people switching over from Sky & BBC who are so anti Labour and Ed Miliband I also think that Ed needs to take the kid gloves off when dealing with the Tories and the right wing media TRIPE.

Yes Red I do agree. However, again I ask how do we get people to "give it a try" who is goung to advise them?

The BBC. ITV. CHANNRL4 AND SKY hold the manopoly, so how is the RT Channel going to attract enough viewers in time before the election?

Here we go yet again, bloody MSN NEWS at the anti Miliband club,
joining all the anti Labour media/press.

"A Labour government under Ed Miliband would be a "catastrophe" for Britain, the head of one of the UK's biggest businesses warns.


In a significant blow to Labour's general election campaign, Stefano Pessina, the boss of Boots, says Mr Miliband's plan for power is "not helpful for business, not helpful for the country and in the end it probably won't be helpful for them".

Of course big business would be against Miliband, he could stop this contract employment/ part time
slave driving, where no NIS has to be paid and if employees are lucky, they might just get the min wage
out of the greedy bastards.

Any snippet of anti Labour propaganda is pounced upon by these Tory loving media and yet when Milliband pledges to reduce tuition fees and Mervyn King (ex BOE Manager) anounces that the global crunch was not Brown's or Labour's fault, it is not covered. Some democracy this is!!!!!

Boots is now registered in Switzerland. It's controlled from the USA.

Surprised?

Reckon Ed has got the Tories rattled

More than likely boatlady but it seems he has also rattled big businesses that do not want to pay there correct amount of tax.

Miliband told an audience of young voters:

I don't think people in Britain are going to take kindly to being lectured by someone who's avoiding his taxes on how they should be voting at the UK General Election. You've now got this unholy alliance between the Conservative party and people like him who are saying the country can't change.

Last night, Alliance Boots was keen to stress that Pessina's comments had been "taken out of context" and that he was speaking in a purely personal capacity. Miliband's comments add to a flurry of Labour voices that have attacked the Italian businessman.
MSN NEWS

"Taken out of context" Pha!!!!!!!

Good for you ED. About time your defence has been printed for once.

What the head of Boots did not mention Mel is quite a lot of there staff are on "Zero Hour Contracts"

Well of course Red, that's the reason his kind are running scared of Ed as I mentioned in my post 1611 above.

Media Greenslade "Ed Miliband suffers ferocious press onslaught - and it will get worse"
Roy Greenslade
Todays Guardian.

He exposes all the press nasties that are about Miliband.
It is utterly disgusting what he reveals.

I think it will only get worse Mel.

Mel wrote:Media Greenslade "Ed Miliband suffers ferocious press onslaught - and it will get worse"
Roy Greenslade
Todays Guardian.

He exposes all the press nasties that are about Miliband.
It is utterly disgusting what he reveals.

I think what is worrying them Mel is the fact they know that Ed and the Labour party WILL WIN the general election, and by fair means or FOUL they will sling the dirt at Ed & the Labour party in the hope they can change peoples minds so they vote for the SCUMBAG Cameron. Maybe what they do not see they could turn there own voters off voting Tory which would get them a right drubbing on the 7th May

I admire your positive approach Red, although I fear the fickle readers and listeners will be taken in by it all.
Even when Ed makes a promising political statement, it is hidden by the majority of press/media, therefore, a double whammy is manufactured for Ed and the Labour Party. On top of this the minor parties are taking the opportunity to make Labour their target every tine.

The way I think about that Mel is if Tories get back into power in May "There Will be a Revelution" in the UK that will make the 2011 riots look like childs play, 99% of the people will take to the streets of the UK hoping to get there hands on a Tory SCUMBAG.

Before the election loomed the poor little tories were weeping and wailing because they would need to have 5% more votes than Labour for the same result:   they are now crapping on about the total incompetence of the Labour fuhrer and how he can't win, so there must have been a high-level conference of scumbags who decided they can pull the Kinnock character-assassination off again.   Since much of their one-hand-fingered calculation seems to depend on the SNP's winning seats in Scotland, and since the SNP can hardly support them, their whole effort seems contemptibly silly.   Surprise, surprise!

Just the SNP votes taking labours votes directly if not in a co-alition Penderyn is that right?

Penderyn wrote:Before the election loomed the poor little tories were weeping and wailing because they would need to have 5% more votes than Labour for the same result:   they are now crapping on about the total incompetence of the Labour fuhrer and how he can't win, so there must have been a high-level conference of scumbags who decided they can pull the Kinnock character-assassination off again.   Since much of their one-hand-fingered calculation seems to depend on the SNP's winning seats in Scotland, and since the SNP can hardly support them, their whole effort seems contemptibly silly.   Surprise, surprise!

You are spot on Penderyn, but the problem is some of the people in the UK believe the LIES & SMEAR the Tories and the Lib-Dems keep repeating just like a Parrot about Ed & the Labour party. IMHO Ed will be letting the Genie out of the lamp once the HOC is closed until after the general election in May, that is I think Ed will unleash his wrath on the Tories & the Lib-Dems. To let you all know I am going down to Sheffield to help Oliver Coppard win the seat in Hallam Cleggs seat and I will relish it and heaven help Clegg if I happen to bump into him he will get the sharp end of my tongue because it is not worth getting a criminal record for a SLUG like him. I would love to hang him and the SCUMBAG Davy boy by the B****cks and watch the life drain out of them, the one thing that keeps me going is to be able to see there faces on the 8th May knowing all there dirty tricks & smear of Ed Miliband and the Labour party has come to nothing except the SCORN of there own voters.

stuart torr wrote:Just the SNP votes taking labours votes directly if not in a co-alition Penderyn is that right?

If they supported the tories Scotland would rise against them, I think.

You do not know the SNP Penderyn they are very sneaky as I found out on the run up to the Independence referendum, Salmond is not trying to get a seat in Westminster for nothing he has something up his sleeve more than likely something that will get him another referendum or in the hope that Davy boy tells him and Scotland to EFF OFF.

True indeed Redflag IMHO.