Labour/SNP coalition

[Tangled up in Blue]

Desperately, or indeed justifiably. Both apply I guess.

Salmond really isn't liked in England and the more people realise a vote for Labour could see him in govt (as he's a cert to be an MP come May 8th) the more people will think twice about voting for them.

It is remarkable really that Labour have even found themselves in this position. An unpopular incumbent government with an alien creature as its Chancellor, the Lib Dems set to lose a bundle of seats as well and yet they are almost certainly going to have to forge a deal with the SNP.

It seems to me that the SNP are fully entitled to ensure that whichever party is in power in Westminster honours the "vow" that was made to Scotland during the referendum campaign.

While Salmond will most certainly be at Westminster come May 8th, he won't be the leader of the SNP group in Parliament (at least not initially).

Personally,I think it's to the PLP's credit that they have turned themselves around within five years to become a viable electoral force again.

(Students of history will know that the struggle for Irish independence had a huge influence on mainstream British politics in the years between the 1880's and 1920's.I suspect we're in for something similar, with regard to the struggle for Scottish independence).

 

[Uncle Leo]

Personally,I think it's to the PLP's credit that they have turned themselves around within five years to become a viable electoral force again.

Seriously? This election should be a free-kick for them yet they'll be nowhere near parliamentary majority.

If I was a Labour member I would be pretty unimpressed with the position my party is currently in.

 

[Uncle Leo]

It seems to me that the SNP are fully entitled to ensure that whichever party is in power in Westminster honours the "vow" that was made to Scotland during the referendum campaign.

While Salmond will most certainly be at Westminster come May 8th, he won't be the leader of the SNP group in Parliament (at least not initially).



(Students of history will know that the struggle for Irish independence had a huge influence on mainstream British politics in the years between the 1880's and 1920's.I suspect we're in for something similar, with regard to the struggle for Scottish independence).

Yes, that will most likely be Angus Robertson again. To which the vast majority of the general public will go - "who the ****?". If it is a Labour/SNP coalition, Salmond will certainly be the most prominent SNP player.

Agree re Scotland - whatever happens on May 7th, it'll remain a huge factor for years to come. I hope A Level history students of the 2090s have as much fun studying this as I did studying Gladstone and home rule in the 1990s :stunned:

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Seriously? This election should be a free-kick for them yet they'll be nowhere near parliamentary majority.

If I was a Labour member I would be pretty unimpressed with the position my party is currently in.

Yes.Given the situation the PLP was in after 1979 and 1992.

BTW,I haven't been a member of the Labour party for over 40 years now.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Yes.Given the situation the PLP was in after 1979 and 1992.

BTW,I haven't been a member of the Labour party for over 40 years now.

Maybe if you were a member you would be unimpressed! The phrase 'poverty of ambition' comes to mind. 1979 and 1992 are essentially irrelevant now though - given what has happened since 2010, Labour ought to be in a far stronger position.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

Maybe if you were a member you would be unimpressed! The phrase 'poverty of ambition' comes to mind. 1979 and 1992 are essentially irrelevant now though - given what has happened since 2010, Labour ought to be in a far stronger position.

I think Blair's legacy,both in terms of Iraq, (which is still toxic) and the creation of New Labour, (which I never signed up to), are still very much relevant to Labour, post 2010.

Given that legacy, it's a minor miracle that the PLP didn't indulge in much more serious infighting after the 2010 defeat.

I'd agree with you about their "povery of ambition," however.

 

[shrimpled]

I've seen polling today which suggests Mr Salmon may not make it to Westminster in May.

 

[Tangled up in Blue]

I've seen polling today which suggests Mr Salmon may not make it to Westminster in May.

That would be amazing.Private polling?

 

[Uncle Leo]

I've seen polling today which suggests Mr Salmon may not make it to Westminster in May.

Really? He's currently a best price of 1/7 to win the seat he's contesting (Gordon).

It's actually one that, under normal circumstances, the Lib Dems might have fancied their chances of holding (the outgoing MP had a majority of nearly 7,000 in 2010) but it's difficult to see Salmond not turning that around.

 

[shrimpled]

Yeah, it's a private poll which had it basically too close to call.. Gordon voted against Independence and it's been consistently Lib Dem in national elections. If Bruce was re-standing I would suggest he would win, but with the new candidate the Libs are fielding I'd fancy Salmon to win, but its not a certainty.

 

[Pubey]

Drove through Cleggs side of Sheffield on Friday. Loads of boards up already. Is it squeaky bum time? Clegg is 2/5 at the moment...

 

[Uncle Leo]

Drove through Cleggs side of Sheffield on Friday. Loads of boards up already. Is it squeaky bum time? Clegg is 2/5 at the moment...

A chap from Sheffield Uni was on the radio this morning - reckons Clegg should stay in, but only just. He has got a big cushion...

 

[Cricko]

A chap from Sheffield Uni was on the radio this morning - reckons Clegg should stay in, but only just. He has got a big cushion...

Clegg is a nothing knob who betrayed his party and his voters by becoming a sock puppet for DC..he lost all credibility when he sold his soul.. Never have I seen such capitulation from another party just because he could hold the title of deputy prime minister.

 

[londonblue]

A chap from Sheffield Uni was on the radio this morning - reckons Clegg should stay in, but only just. He has got a big cushion...

There's loads of posters up round our way now too. All blue. That's good, I now know who I need to avoid!

 

[Uncle Leo]

Latest Lord Ashcroft poll: CON 36%, LAB 34%, LDEM 6%, UKIP 10%, GRN 7%

With some England only numbers:

CON 40% LAB 34 % LD 7% UKIP 11% GN 7%

 

[RHB]

Latest Lord Ashcroft poll: CON 36%, LAB 34%, LDEM 6%, UKIP 10%, GRN 7%

With some England only numbers:

CON 40% LAB 34 % LD 7% UKIP 11% GN 7%

There's a long way to go yet in this race. Normally the polls are there or there abouts, but this time there an awful lot of undecided people and it depends how the leading players perform between now and May.

 

[Uncle Leo]

There's a long way to go yet in this race. Normally the polls are there or there abouts, but this time there an awful lot of undecided people and it depends how the leading players perform between now and May.

Absolutely. Just posting for info - this possibly isn't the right thread, but we've been talking about polls quite a bit in the last few pages.

Labour price for most seats has actually come in slightly over the last day or two. Not a huge change, but they are moving gradually in the right direction.

 

[Benfleet A1]

A chap from Sheffield Uni was on the radio this morning - reckons Clegg should stay in, but only just. He has got a big cushion...

Has a party leader ever lost his seat at an general election? Genuine question.

 

[Uncle Leo]

Has a party leader ever lost his seat at an general election? Genuine question.

Don't know...Five Live said this morning that if he lost he would be the most high profile casualty in living memory but they didn't expand upon that.

 

[Benfleet A1]

Don't know...Five Live said this morning that if he lost he would be the most high profile casualty in living memory but they didn't expand upon that.

Arthur Balfour apparently. Lost his seat in Manchester in 1906.