2024 General Election

[marinello59]

Marinello59? 😃

(Sorry J)

:greengrin

[marinello59]

Lord Binface launched his manifesto yesterday and it includes inviting EU member states to join the UK and Grade 1 listing for Claudia Winkleman’s fringe. Something to think about for those of you who are still undecided. :greengrin

[J-C]

Marinello59? 😃

(Sorry J)

😂

[marinello59]

They are coming thick and fast now, Anas Sarwar launched Scottish Labour’s manifesto today.
Don’t ask me why, I have no idea. :greengrin

[Bostonhibby]

Lord Binface launched his manifesto yesterday and it includes inviting EU member states to join the UK and Grade 1 listing for Claudia Winkleman’s fringe. Something to think about for those of you who are still undecided. :greengrinDefinitely gets my vote, think it's a great idea to increase the real world experience of the Waiter's New Model Army. Especially if there's absolutely no exceptions for ex politicians children, current politicians children and those of non-doms who just happen to be in the UK all the time.

Binface is the future, the thinking man's Nigel Farage.

https://x.com/LondonEconomic/status/1802707816211267760?t=-bMV5rL403nWG-OQy2XSIA&s=08

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[grunt]

:greengrin

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQWtF8UXYAAxgC7?format=jpg&name=large

[Bostonhibby]

:greengrin

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQWtF8UXYAAxgC7?format=jpg&name=largeGrifters getting grifted, Glorious [emoji23] they are trying to outdo the nasties in the keystone cops race to oblivion.

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[degenerated]

They are coming thick and fast now, Anas Sarwar launched Scottish Labour’s manifesto today.
Don’t ask me why, I have no idea. :greengrin

Without bothering to waste my time reading what the disingenuous time wasting tit is promising i can guess with a fair degree of confidence that he will be promising to do lots of things that no doubt contradict the promises contained within an alternate manifesto already published by exactly the same party. All this whilst being little more than a convener of a regional branch office operating out of a lock up in East Kilbride. :hilarious

[Bostonhibby]

Without bothering to waste my time reading what the disingenuous time wasting tit is promising i can guess with a fair degree of confidence that he will be promising to do lots of things that no doubt contradict the promises contained within an alternate manifesto already published by exactly the same party. All this whilst being little more than a convener of a regional branch office operating out of a lock up in East Kilbride. :hilarious[emoji23][emoji23] genuine LOL here!

If I had a straight choice between a lock up in East Kilbride or a very nice motor home of no easily identifiable address somewhere in suburban Scotland I'd go for Del Boy's lock up in Peckham every time.

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[marinello59]

:greengrin

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQWtF8UXYAAxgC7?format=jpg&name=large

Best of luck to them with that one. :greengrin

M’lud, my client wishes to claim damages from this so called reputable company for allowing several right wing nutters to stand for them.

And your client is?

The Reform Party M’lud

Case dismissed.

[Northernhibee]

:greengrin

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQWtF8UXYAAxgC7?format=jpg&name=large

From the vetting.com website’s FAQ page:

Are you an outsourced background screening company?

No, we provide you with the ability to complete your own background screening in house – cutting out the middle man and speeding up your processes.

[Keith_M]

Hr chose it well. It’s the one I think they may win which will be sickening.


Yeah, it's quite depressing that we have areas like that, TBH

[Keith_M]

Without bothering to waste my time reading what the disingenuous time wasting tit is promising i can guess with a fair degree of confidence that he will be promising to do lots of things that no doubt contradict the promises contained within an alternate manifesto already published by exactly the same party. All this whilst being little more than a convener of a regional branch office operating out of a lock up in East Kilbride. :hilarious


If anybody's interested, the lock is at the back of this local takeaway (https://www.google.com/maps/@55.7702984,-4.1742134,19z?entry=ttu).

[degenerated]

Who said the side of busses were just for lies :greengrin27984

[Bostonhibby]

From the vetting.com website’s FAQ page:

Are you an outsourced background screening company?

No, we provide you with the ability to complete your own background screening in house – cutting out the middle man and speeding up your processes.Got to wonder how many reformers (Nigellas?) Will swallow his spin on this one.

https://x.com/ChrisStoneTV/status/1803077157293363558?t=jidIEAVGk1dxxsi81igQlw&s=08

Sounding a bit like there's only one party to blame for the er.........lack of input.

Litigation will be entertaining.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240618/851b793908bf8a68bc1447433fc4ca27.jpg

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[cabbageandribs1875]

https://scontent.fman1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/448562253_432173046398393_7070938307435081680_n.jp g?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=pi3NwPH7cDgQ7kNvgE94uJD&_nc_ht=scontent.fman1-2.fna&oh=00_AYBZXqrD4QN3kUimTgSwE130Q2xyhM6J7KLd-29wY1a3yw&oe=6678957E

no idea if factual but quite impressive if so

[marinello59]

A big one today , the SNP manifesto. No real surprises in there unfortunately. I hoped we would be promised jet packs. Unravelling* for me.

*Other (better) Indie band puns are available.

[wookie70]

A big one today , the SNP manifesto. No real surprises in there unfortunately. I hoped we would be promised jet packs. Unravelling* for me.

*Other (better) Indie band puns are available. A party that has ran out of ideas on how to get their entire reason for being implemented. Asking for a majority of MPs to be elected so they can discuss independence with Westminster is hardly going to bring about Independence. I think the Independence movement, unfortunately, is pretty much finished and we will be condemned to be a "region" of the UK for all time.

[lapsedhibee]

A party that has ran out of ideas on how to get their entire reason for being implemented. Asking for a majority of MPs to be elected so they can discuss independence with Westminster is hardly going to bring about Independence. I think the Independence movement, unfortunately, is pretty much finished and we will be condemned to be a "region" of the UK for all time.

SNP is doing poorly in the polls for the first time in a couple of decades and you reckon the future of Scotland is settled for all time? Jeezo.

[Northernhibee]

Polling suggesting Farage is absolutely walking Clacton, quite depressingly.

[Bostonhibby]

Polling suggesting Farage is absolutely walking Clacton, quite depressingly.We know what Nasty Nige is and might be about to find out what a lot of Clacton voters are, or at least what they'll buy into?

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[Jack]

Polling suggesting Farage is absolutely walking Clacton, quite depressingly.

Jez! It must be a really horrible place to live.

[Jones28]

A big one today , the SNP manifesto. No real surprises in there unfortunately. I hoped we would be promised jet packs. Unravelling* for me.

*Other (better) Indie band puns are available.

Blink 182 and you’ll miss it.

[stokesmessiah]

Tories betting on the general election date really shows them up for what they are, all for the sake of a few hundred quid. Greedy to the core.

[DaveF]

Tories betting on the general election date really shows them up for what they are, all for the sake of a few hundred quid. Greedy to the core.

Woman in the spotlight just happens to be married to the Tory director of campaigning. All just an unfortunate coincidence I'm sure.

[Bostonhibby]

Woman in the spotlight just happens to be married to the Tory director of campaigning. All just an unfortunate coincidence I'm sure.I'm sure she's in her local Betfred every lunchtime with her daily selections. Nothing to see here, pure coincidence.

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[marinello59]

I'm sure she's in her local Betfred every lunchtime with her daily selections. Nothing to see here, pure coincidence.

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That’s what we thought, she had never been in a bookies in her life before this. :greengrin

At least Truss really went for it when she bet the entire economy on Black. No big ambition from them anymore.

[Hiber-nation]

Woman in the spotlight just happens to be married to the Tory director of campaigning. All just an unfortunate coincidence I'm sure.

Deliberate mismanagement of Sunak's campaign maybe given how awful it's been, with a few bob stuck on the size of a Labour majority? Anything is possible with the Tories.

[Andy Bee]

One of the latest polls have the Tories on 53 seats, this is going to be horrendous.

[Hiber-nation]

One of the latest polls have the Tories on 53 seats, this is going to be horrendous.

I'm only opening the special occasion malt if they win none in Scotland :greengrin

[DaveF]

I'm only opening the special occasion malt if they win none in Scotland :greengrin

I hope that's the case but the borders and Aberdeenshire usually vote these Muppets in time and time again.

[Northernhibee]

One of the latest polls have the Tories on 53 seats, this is going to be horrendous.

No chance they get under 100 IMO.

[Callum_62]

One of the latest polls have the Tories on 53 seats, this is going to be horrendous.Your definition of horrendous is my definition of marvelous

[emoji1]

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[Bostonhibby]

That’s what we thought, she had never been in a bookies in her life before this. :greengrin

At least Truss really went for it when she bet the entire economy on Black. No big ambition from them anymore.It's a shame about Saunders & Lee (is that a 70's style duet?)

They really do seem to be just honest, salt of the earth types who just fancy a wee flutter now and again, you know, grand national, FA cup final, Eurovision, that sort of thing. I wonder if they've got any tips for Ascot to share around? I suspect we will never know now.

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[Andy Bee]

It's a shame about Saunders & Lee (is that a 70's style duet?)

They really do seem to be just honest, salt of the earth types who just fancy a wee flutter now and again, you know, grand national, FA cup final, Eurovision, that sort of thing. I wonder if they've got any tips for Ascot to share around? I suspect we will never know now.

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If I recall my mum and dads record collection correctly it's Peters and Lee, one of them may have had a decent defence if it was them. :greengrin

[marinello59]

The turn of the Scottish Greens to launch their blueprint… green print? for the future in their manifesto. Slater wasn’t nearly shouty enough today, she can do better. I’m not so sure mentioning their time in Government is going to be a vote winner for them. Though the voters look more likely to punish the SNP for that than the Greens. Sometimes it just isn’t fair. :greengrin

[Bostonhibby]

If I recall my mum and dads record collection correctly it's Peters and Lee, one of them may have had a decent defence if it was them. :greengrin[emoji23][emoji23] and a very nice velvet jacket

Here they are, with Harry Van Hoof.

Wait a minute, should this be on the Transfer target thread?

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[grunt]

Tories betting on the general election date really shows them up for what they are, all for the sake of a few hundred quid. Greedy to the core.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQhhc2BXUAAtFhk?format=png&name=900x900

[Bostonhibby]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQhhc2BXUAAtFhk?format=png&name=900x900Not many visits to the trough left for them, they'll just have to console themselves with never being prosecuted

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[lapsedhibee]

Not many visits to the trough left for them, they'll just have to console themselves with never being prosecuted


Probably be a token prosecution - perhaps a woman, perhaps not English - and the rest will go scot free.

[Bostonhibby]

Probably be a token prosecution - perhaps a woman, perhaps not English - and the rest will go scot free.If you were shooting fish in a barrel, Bozo, Mone and Hancock are fishy barrel dwellers, never going to happen even if our next PM just happened to be an ex Director of public prosecutions.

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[Sylar]

The defacto referendum/start to negotiations spiel is complete and utter nonsense.

SNP win 90% of Scottish MP seats.
SNP go to Westminster saying: "we have a majority, we demand a second indepdendence referendum".
Wesminster: "**** off" (regardless of the colour of incumbent Government).
SNP: "..."
SNP in the media: "Those *******s in Westminster are denying us our democratic right to a second referendum!".

Repeat ad-nauseum for every election henceforth...

[Hibbyradge]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GQhhc2BXUAAtFhk?format=png&name=900x900

Have you got a link to that graph?

Please.

[Northernhibee]

Reports out that the Tories are pulling funding out of a lot of previously reasonably safe Tory seats and now focusing entirely on their ultra safe ones. The Times thinking they may have given up on one unnamed seat that had a majority of 20,000.

[Andy Bee]

**** I knew I shouldn't have done it, ******* Fiona Bruce ****, 2 secs in and she interrupts Swinney to sum up the parties problems. Let's see if she does the same with Sunak and Starmar ****.

[grunt]

Have you got a link to that graph?

Please.
Needs an FT subscription I think. https://www.ft.com/content/1cc50124-e19c-481d-bd91-fdecb3d64528

[Hibbyradge]

Needs an FT subscription I think. https://www.ft.com/content/1cc50124-e19c-481d-bd91-fdecb3d64528

Thanks 👍

[Stairway 2 7]

The defacto referendum/start to negotiations spiel is complete and utter nonsense.

SNP win 90% of Scottish MP seats.
SNP go to Westminster saying: "we have a majority, we demand a second indepdendence referendum".
Wesminster: "**** off" (regardless of the colour of incumbent Government).
SNP: "..."
SNP in the media: "Those *******s in Westminster are denying us our democratic right to a second referendum!".

Repeat ad-nauseum for every election henceforth...

Snp pushed defacto referendum and seem to be still going for it although all polls say Labour being biggest party in Scotland, bizarre

[jamie_1875]

Snp pushed defacto referendum and seem to be still going for it although all polls say Labour being biggest party in Scotland, bizarre

They aren't anymore, they are saying if they win the majority of seats they will ask for another referendum. A de facto referendum is what it says, another referendum, so why would you need/ask for another referendum?

Here is Stephen Flynn saying just that, it's not the SNP policy.

https://x.com/PhantomPower14/status/1799746123927900289?t=z4sRl7PP3haVWNIq84zPUA&s=19

[Stairway 2 7]

They aren't anymore, they are saying if they win the majority of seats they will ask for another referendum. A de facto referendum is what it says, another referendum so why would you need another referendum?

Here is Stephen Flynn saying just that, it's not the SNP policy.

https://x.com/PhantomPower14/status/1799746123927900289?t=z4sRl7PP3haVWNIq84zPUA&s=19

They won't win the majority so what's next, wait 5 years?

[Andy Bee]

The defacto referendum/start to negotiations spiel is complete and utter nonsense.

SNP win 90% of Scottish MP seats.
SNP go to Westminster saying: "we have a majority, we demand a second indepdendence referendum".
Wesminster: "**** off" (regardless of the colour of incumbent Government).
SNP: "..."
SNP in the media: "Those *******s in Westminster are denying us our democratic right to a second referendum!".

Repeat ad-nauseum for every election henceforth...


A bit out the blue that post naw but I'll bite, the cynic in me says "wow that was posted just after the crap England result" but I aint no cynic nope no way :greengrin

I'm struggling to work out what's nonsense about that and btw it's not a defacto referendum. Half the people of Scotland are continually voting for parties that want a referendum or in your scenario 90% of seats won, it's also worth noting that's in a voting system (SG Government) which is designed to stop majorities, literally for nearly two decades they've voted for them and you think it's their fault because Westminster doesn't allow the question to be asked even although mandate after mandate has been established? You're condoning the denial of Scottish voters wishes?

In all seriousness if the SNP fall because of the perception of constitutional inactivity then eventually Independence supporting people will realign with another Independence party, I'd be very careful in where that support realigns.

Just for the record... Suspicions have recently been raised around Ozzy being Sir Keir Starmar so may I suggest Hibs.net instigating a thorough investigation around anyone actually seeing Andrew Bowie and Sylar in the same room for transparency reasons only? :greengrin

[marinello59]

They won't win the majority so what's next, wait 5 years?

We keep lending them our vote for one last push towards independence.
Although a 15 year loan and counting is pushing it.. I asked my neighbour for my lawnmower back after a week.

[Andy Bee]

We keep lending them our vote for one last push towards independence.
Although a 15 year loan and counting is pushing it.. I asked my neighbour for my lawnmower back after a week.

Big Tommy revoked your cheap membership?

[marinello59]

Just for the record... Suspicions have recently been raised around Ozzy being Sir Keir Starmar so may I suggest Hibs.net instigating a thorough investigation around anyone actually seeing Andrew Bowie and Sylar in the same room for transparency reasons only? :greengrin

I’m regretting starting that witch hunt now. I am confident that nobody will say they have seen me in a swingers club in Manchester at the same time as Tommy Sheridan. :greengrin

[marinello59]

Big Tommy revoked your cheap membership?

Our posts crossed 😂😂😂😂

[Andy Bee]

Fck me, we've got Sir Keef, Andrew Bowie and Tommy Sheridan on hibs.net, I've been wasting my time with Question Time. :greengrin

[Andy Bee]

Our posts crossed 😂😂😂😂

:hilarious

[Ozyhibby]

https://x.com/andrewsparrow/status/1803441417043296758?s=46&t=3pb_w_qndxJXScFNwz8V4A

Only party with a plan for increasing NHS funding.


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[grunt]

https://youtu.be/cttZHofdWAk?si=iepl9Vog1nFRDwC8

[sleeping giant]

Our posts crossed 😂😂😂😂

😂

[JimBHibees]

If you were shooting fish in a barrel, Bozo, Mone and Hancock are fishy barrel dwellers, never going to happen even if our next PM just happened to be an ex Director of public prosecutions.

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Very good point

[Ozyhibby]

https://x.com/stephenflynnsnp/status/1804256760871465363?s=46&t=3pb_w_qndxJXScFNwz8V4A


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[J-C]

D.ross being interviewed on the Sunday Show and all he's banged on about is the SNP, he's obsessed by them, never answered one question about Tory manifesto and continued on about Independence and SNP, chronic little man politician.

[Ozyhibby]

D.ross being interviewed on the Sunday Show and all he's banged on about is the SNP, he's obsessed by them, never answered one question about Tory manifesto and continued on about Independence and SNP, chronic little man politician.

He could have saved his breath. Independence is no longer democratically possible.


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[marinello59]

He could have saved his breath. Independence is no longer democratically possible.


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Not since Sturgeon crashed the most likely vehicle to deliver it, no. It’s not a complete write off though , Category N at worst. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to fix it but it will start driving forwards again.

[Ozyhibby]

Not since Sturgeon crashed the most likely vehicle to deliver it, no. It’s not a complete write off though , Category N at worst. It’s going to take a lot of hard work to fix it but it will start driving forwards again.

There is no fixing it. It’s forbidden. You would need a majority at Westminster to want it and that can never happen.


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[marinello59]

There is no fixing it. It’s forbidden. You would need a majority at Westminster to want it and that can never happen.


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Let’s give Westminster its due, over the course of the past decade they have done more to advance the cause than anyone else. Brexit, Johnson, Truss and then Sunak. What more could they have done to have the polls swinging heavily towards Independence.Apart from voting Farage in as the next PM there is not much more they can do. :greengrin

[marinello59]

A fourth Tory being investigated for betting on the election date.

https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/23/fourth-tory-official-subject-to-investigation-in-election-date-betting-scandal

I wonder if we are going to see the biggest match fixing scandal ever as a Tory conspiracy to bet heavily on defeat before throwing the election is revealed. :greengrin

[Ozyhibby]

Let’s give Westminster its due, over the course of the past decade they have done more to advance the cause than anyone else. Brexit, Johnson, Truss and then Sunak. What more could they have done to have the polls swinging heavily towards Independence.Apart from voting Farage in as the next PM there is not much more they can do. :greengrin

It’s irrelevant what happens in polls. It’s not allowed to happen.


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[Keith_M]

Let’s give Westminster its due, over the course of the past decade they have done more to advance the cause than anyone else. Brexit, Johnson, Truss and then Sunak. What more could they have done to have the polls swinging heavily towards Independence.Apart from voting Farage in as the next PM there is not much more they can do. :greengrin


That would actually be quite funny.

[marinello59]

That would actually be quite funny.

Farage will eventually declare himself King of Scotland a la Idi Amin. :greengrin

[overdrive]

Anyone know how the mailing of candidate election material works? I live close to the boundary of my constituency and I’ve been getting the guff through the door not only for my own constituency but the neighbouring one too. This is the stuff that comes through the mail not from volunteers putting stuff through the door (which has just been for the candidates in this constituency).

Seems very wasteful that I’m getting leaflets for 2x each party and even one for an independent in the next constituency where I can’t actually vote for over half of them!

[Jack]

Anyone know how the mailing of candidate election material works? I live close to the boundary of my constituency and I’ve been getting the guff through the door not only for my own constituency but the neighbouring one too. This is the stuff that comes through the mail not from volunteers putting stuff through the door (which has just been for the candidates in this constituency).

Seems very wasteful that I’m getting leaflets for 2x each party and even one for an independent in the next constituency where I can’t actually vote for over half of them!

Has your constituency boundary changed recently? Could be that databases used don't reflect the recent changes.

[overdrive]

Has your constituency boundary changed recently? Could be that databases used don't reflect the recent changes.

That's what I initially thought as I didn't live here at the last GE but according a tool online to show boundary changes by postcode, my house was in Edinburgh South West before and after the recent boundary changes.

[marinello59]

Ten days left until we vote and I'm not so sure there is anything new left to be said. I love a General Election but I've probably seen more than enough leaders debates, they've jumped the shark now for me. Even watching the ritual humiliation of whoever is representing the Tories is getting boring now.:greengrin

So has anybody here changed their mind at all about who they are going to vote for during the campaign? (I'm not asking for a blow by blow rundown of the merits of your own particular choice, plenty of other threads for us to bicker about that on. :greengrin)

I have flirted with the idea of voting tactically to get my present MP out but can't get past the idea of voting for what I believe in even though I know they have zero chance of winning.

[Bostonhibby]

Ten days left until we vote and I'm not so sure there is anything new left to be said. I love a General Election but I've probably seen more than enough leaders debates, they've jumped the shark now for me. Even watching the ritual humiliation of whoever is representing the Tories is getting boring now.:greengrin

So has anybody here changed their mind at all about who they are going to vote for during the campaign? (I'm not asking for a blow by blow rundown of the merits of your own particular choice, plenty of other threads for us to bicker about that on. :greengrin)

I have flirted with the idea of voting tactically to get my present MP out but can't get past the idea of voting for what I believe in even though I know they have zero chance of winning.Similar position here, if the nasty party put up a coffee table as a candidate it would win with a huge majority, after all we continue to have Sir John Hayes[emoji2957]

Gets interesting now since Reform seem to be making inroads which I'd love to see open the door for labour however listening to the generally aged and right wing voters who underpin Sir John there's a lot who see Farage as their new Bozo.

This opens the door for a decent independent candidate. Independents would actually have taken our local council for first time in living memory if they got the minority labour vote.

I could end up going tactical to get rid of the nasty party MP and end up with nastier Nigel's front man instead.

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[grunt]

An oldie but a goodie. Specially given yesterday was 8 years since the stupid voted to shoot themselves and us in the foot.


https://youtu.be/ZRc0by2vZ7k?si=g598QsQJ7InLN-yq

[JimBHibees]

An oldie but a goodie. Specially given yesterday was 8 years since the stupid voted to shoot themselves and us in the foot.


https://youtu.be/ZRc0by2vZ7k?si=g598QsQJ7InLN-yq

That is brilliant 😄

[Kato]

Ten days left until we vote and I'm not so sure there is anything new left to be said. I love a General Election but I've probably seen more than enough leaders debates, they've jumped the shark now for me. Even watching the ritual humiliation of whoever is representing the Tories is getting boring now.:greengrin

So has anybody here changed their mind at all about who they are going to vote for during the campaign? (I'm not asking for a blow by blow rundown of the merits of your own particular choice, plenty of other threads for us to bicker about that on. :greengrin)

I have flirted with the idea of voting tactically to get my present MP out but can't get past the idea of voting for what I believe in even though I know they have zero chance of winning.Still time for a Zinoviev Letter gambit or a 'Corbyn would gas Jewish people' flurry.

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[DaveF]

Ten days left until we vote and I'm not so sure there is anything new left to be said. I love a General Election but I've probably seen more than enough leaders debates, they've jumped the shark now for me. Even watching the ritual humiliation of whoever is representing the Tories is getting boring now.:greengrin

So has anybody here changed their mind at all about who they are going to vote for during the campaign? (I'm not asking for a blow by blow rundown of the merits of your own particular choice, plenty of other threads for us to bicker about that on. :greengrin)

I have flirted with the idea of voting tactically to get my present MP out but can't get past the idea of voting for what I believe in even though I know they have zero chance of winning.

To answer your question, no. I'll hope that the SNP will keep out Labour in my West Lothian area but I don't think that will happen.

[Hibbyradge]

Ten days left until we vote and I'm not so sure there is anything new left to be said. I love a General Election but I've probably seen more than enough leaders debates, they've jumped the shark now for me. Even watching the ritual humiliation of whoever is representing the Tories is getting boring now.:greengrin

So has anybody here changed their mind at all about who they are going to vote for during the campaign? (I'm not asking for a blow by blow rundown of the merits of your own particular choice, plenty of other threads for us to bicker about that on. :greengrin)

I have flirted with the idea of voting tactically to get my present MP out but can't get past the idea of voting for what I believe in even though I know they have zero chance of winning.

You believe your current MP is hopeless. Vote on that basis.

[sleeping giant]

Not much choice at all for me if I'm being honest.
Have voted SNP in the past but won't be this time. Labour are an embarrassment. Greens are a joke party.
Might have to be Lib Dems although they are a joke as well 😄
Civil war it is then.

[Hibs4185]

Not much choice at all for me if I'm being honest.
Have voted SNP in the past but won't be this time. Labour are an embarrassment. Greens are a joke party.
Might have to be Lib Dems although they are a joke as well 😄
Civil war it is then.

I was more or less the same and I’ve posted many times saying I was beginning to hate the SNP but I will vote for the SNP.

Two reasons, firstly, JS and KF I feel have turned the tide and secondly, and most importantly, I feel a vote for anyone else is a vote against independence

[Andy Bee]

SNP for me now. The thought of a Labour majority in Scotland and the ensuing MSM onslaught on a future referendum is making me feel physically sick.

[grunt]

SNP for me now. The thought of a Labour majority in Scotland and the ensuing MSM onslaught on a future referendum is making me feel physically sick.
There won't be any hope of a future referendum if Labour win in Scotland. End of the road time.

[grunt]

Not much choice at all for me if I'm being honest.
Have voted SNP in the past but won't be this time. Labour are an embarrassment. Greens are a joke party.
Might have to be Lib Dems although they are a joke as well 😄
Civil war it is then.
Sorry to hear this. Hope that you vote for what you believe in.

[Ozyhibby]

I was more or less the same and I’ve posted many times saying I was beginning to hate the SNP but I will vote for the SNP.

Two reasons, firstly, JS and KF I feel have turned the tide and secondly, and most importantly, I feel a vote for anyone else is a vote against independence

JS and KF have a bit to go yet before it can be said they have been successful in turning things around but a half decent start. Not helped by immediately being in an election campaign which has meant they can’t really do much policy work. Hopefully they get things right for 2026.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[silverhibee]

SNP for me, did get a leaflet through the door from reform party, some dude called, George Grant Gordon Otto Inglis, no picture of him on leaflet just Tice & Farage, googled the name, Director of Ingliston Cattery& Kennels ltd at Newbridge, apart from that nothing about the person.

[grunt]

SNP for me, did get a leaflet through the door from reform party, some dude called, George Grant Gordon Otto Inglis, no picture of him on leaflet just Tice & Farage, googled the name, Director of Ingliston Cattery& Kennels ltd at Newbridge, apart from that nothing about the person.
Stood as UKIP candidate in 2010 in Dunfermline and West Fife. Got 633 votes and came last. 1.2% of the votes cast.

[Paul1642]

Not much choice at all for me if I'm being honest.
Have voted SNP in the past but won't be this time. Labour are an embarrassment. Greens are a joke party.
Might have to be Lib Dems although they are a joke as well 😄
Civil war it is then.

This is where I’m at. Almost tempted to spoil the paper but not a fan of a the concept either. I’ll be turning up the the ballot box regardless but not quite sure what to do as none come close to deserving a vote.

[Hibbyradge]

SNP for me, did get a leaflet through the door from reform party, some dude called, George Grant Gordon Otto Inglis, no picture of him on leaflet just Tice & Farage, googled the name, Director of Ingliston Cattery& Kennels ltd at Newbridge, apart from that nothing about the person.

By any chance is he any relation to Tarquin Fin-Tim-Lin-Bin-Whin-Bim-Lin-Bus-Stop-F'Tang-F'Tang-Olé-Biscuitbarrel?

[J-C]

I'll be SNP again like always, watched Swinney getting interviewed last night and was highly impressed, strong leadership and a thoroughly nice bloke. I want independence and the SNP are the only vote that'll give us that chance.

[Bostonhibby]

By any chance is he any relation to Tarquin Fin-Tim-Lin-Bin-Whin-Bim-Lin-Bus-Stop-F'Tang-F'Tang-Olé-Biscuitbarrel?[emoji23][emoji23]

Opposite ends of the political spectrum I fear, and Tarquin was only pretending to be a swivel eyed loon

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[Pretty Boy]

Ten days left until we vote and I'm not so sure there is anything new left to be said. I love a General Election but I've probably seen more than enough leaders debates, they've jumped the shark now for me. Even watching the ritual humiliation of whoever is representing the Tories is getting boring now.:greengrin

So has anybody here changed their mind at all about who they are going to vote for during the campaign? (I'm not asking for a blow by blow rundown of the merits of your own particular choice, plenty of other threads for us to bicker about that on. :greengrin)

I have flirted with the idea of voting tactically to get my present MP out but can't get past the idea of voting for what I believe in even though I know they have zero chance of winning.

I was hoping the SSP would stand in my constituency but alas they are not. Them or a good locally focused independent would have got my vote. There is one independent for the 'Edinburgh People' alliance but they seem a bit all over the place. Reversing privatisation of the NHS = good, rambling about 5G masts and the Net Zero con not so much.

So I have the usual selection to choose from plus a Reform candidate thrown into the mix. Only the SNP and Labour have a realistic chance of winning so my original intention to simply spoil my paper remains my inclination. I have no desire to vote for any of the parties standing and don't need to vote tactically to get the Tories out.

[ACLeith]

I came home late afternoon, having been out most of the day, to find a Reform leaflet had been delivered. I assume through general mailing and not hand delivered. If it has been via the latter though I am very disappointed that I missed the opportunity to indulge in "polite" discussion with a racist about a private limited company that isn't a proper political party.

No idea who the candidate is in Edinburgh East, as I didn't waste a moment of my life reading it.

[marinello59]

I was hoping the SSP would stand in my constituency but alas they are not. Them or a good locally focused independent would have got my vote. There is one independent for the 'Edinburgh People' alliance but they seem a bit all over the place. Reversing privatisation of the NHS = good, rambling about 5G masts and the Net Zero con not so much.

So I have the usual selection to choose from plus a Reform candidate thrown into the mix. Only the SNP and Labour have a realistic chance of winning so my original intention to simply spoil my paper remains my inclination. I have no desire to vote for any of the parties standing and don't need to vote tactically to get the Tories out.

No TUSC candidate in your constituency? Some of the SSP candidates will be standing under that banner.

[Pretty Boy]

No TUSC candidate in your constituency? Some of the SSP candidates will be standing under that banner.

Unfortunately not.

[Keith_M]

Ten days left until we vote and I'm not so sure there is anything new left to be said. I love a General Election but I've probably seen more than enough leaders debates, they've jumped the shark now for me. Even watching the ritual humiliation of whoever is representing the Tories is getting boring now.:greengrin

So has anybody here changed their mind at all about who they are going to vote for during the campaign? (I'm not asking for a blow by blow rundown of the merits of your own particular choice, plenty of other threads for us to bicker about that on. :greengrin)

I have flirted with the idea of voting tactically to get my present MP out but can't get past the idea of voting for what I believe in even though I know they have zero chance of winning.


The only one that actually had any appeal was that guy with the bin on his head.

[JimBHibees]

I'll be SNP again like always, watched Swinney getting interviewed last night and was highly impressed, strong leadership and a thoroughly nice bloke. I want independence and the SNP are the only vote that'll give us that chance.

Kind of where I am

[Andy Bee]

A wee break from the normal debate style TV shows hosted by Andy Mcivor, Geoff Aberdein and Callum Macdonald. The panel includes Kate Forbes, Michael Mara, Willie Rennie and of all people, Murdo Frazer who actually comes across quite well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxcvBTlH2jY

[marinello59]

A wee break from the normal debate style TV shows hosted by Andy Mcivor, Geoff Aberdein and Callum Macdonald. The panel includes Kate Forbes, Michael Mara, Willie Rennie and of all people, Murdo Frazer who actually comes across quite well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxcvBTlH2jY

Thanks for the pointer to that. :thumbsup:

That’s the type of thing that gives politics a good name, all four politicians giving each other space to make their arguments and a lot more consensus between parties revealed than is normal. How refreshing to see nuance allowed and good humour on display.

[Bristolhibby]

Posted my postal vote yesterday. Lib Dems in the Chippenham constituency. Good bit of tactical voting.

My tuppence worth on the apathy. If you are scunnered with the SNP but still support independence (which I assume you would, as why would someone go pro Indy to Anti Indy?) then you have to hold your nose and vote SNP.

The thought of Labour simply ignoring a consistent 50% minimum of the people is a nonsense. Labour will win regardless of what Scotland votes. Always has, always will, unless there’s something different won’t matter a jot who you vote for in Scotland re Labour.

J

[Stairway 2 7]

Posted my postal vote yesterday. Lib Dems in the Chippenham constituency. Good bit of tactical voting.

My tuppence worth on the apathy. If you are scunnered with the SNP but still support independence (which I assume you would, as why would someone go pro Indy to Anti Indy?) then you have to hold your nose and vote SNP.

The thought of Labour simply ignoring a consistent 50% minimum of the people is a nonsense. Labour will win regardless of what Scotland votes. Always has, always will, unless there’s something different won’t matter a jot who you vote for in Scotland re Labour.

J
Snp also aren't about independence. They will get my vote but they don't deserve it. Culture wars pish from Sturgeon has destroyed independence for a decade. Yousaf said we need a sustained and clear lead in the polls before we could ever expect an independence referendum. I agree, he then followed the same suicidal nonsense as his predecessor. Swinney is another continuity candidate with a token Forbes. Hopefully Flynn becomes leader soon because it's draining someone lending your vote for a decade.

[grunt]

Snp also aren't about independence.
Righto.

[Stairway 2 7]

Righto.

It's been a side project for too long. Why go down so many unpopular policy routes that only focused on the staunch Yes's. If they were focused on gaining independence they have done a deplorable job of winning No's or undecided voters. Poll of polls had no ahead for almost all of the last two years. Too much gravy in the trough. A serious independence party focuses on winning No voters

[J-C]

It's been a side project for too long. Why go down so many unpopular policy routes that only focused on the staunch Yes's. If they were focused on gaining independence they have done a deplorable job of winning No's or undecided voters. Poll of polls had no ahead for almost all of the last two years. Too much gravy in the trough. A serious independence party focuses on winning No voters

It's never been just a side project, they're in Government and at the moment that takes precedence, independence has always been the main aim, the party was set up to get it.

[grunt]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRAz6YwWkAAAYLl?format=jpg&name=medium

[Kato]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRAz6YwWkAAAYLl?format=jpg&name=mediumNot fascisty at all.

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[degenerated]

There won't be any hope of a future referendum if Labour win in Scotland. End of the road time.There won't be any hope if they win in England either.

[Hibbyradge]

There won't be any hope if they win in England either.

Sadly, that's true.

The SNP, ably assisted by Alex Salmond, did their best to stop it happening too.

[marinello59]

Another head to head between Sunak and Starmer tonight. Sunak must surely be having a punt on himself to lose.
My prediction, there will be nothing new said at all.

[Hibbyradge]

Sunak must surely be having a punt on himself to lose.


:hilarious

Football for me but I've recorded the debate.

I doubt it will sway me though. I've posted my vote already. 🌹

[grunt]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c800e2jzxgpo?at_link_id=F5780CB4-33B6-11EF-9D00-BD92CE12AC57&at_medium=social&at_bbc_team=editorial&at_ptr_name=twitter&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_origin=BBCScotlandNews&at_link_type=web_link&at_format=link


The leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats said he had placed bets on who would be elected in some constituencies in Scotland at next week's general election.

:greengrin

[Andy Bee]

Another head to head between Sunak and Starmer tonight. Sunak must surely be having a punt on himself to lose.
My prediction, there will be nothing new said at all.

I'd rather have my prostate checked by Edward Scissorhands than watch that guff. It's out of order how these two have had their own VIP room throughout these TV debates.

[grunt]

https://x.com/PippaCrerar/status/1806037385215701162


Tory candidate Philip Davies - Esther McVey's husband - is latest politician to have bet against himself at election placing an £8,000 bet on losing marginal seat of Shipley.

[Moulin Yarns]

I'd rather have my prostate checked by Edward Scissorhands than watch that guff. It's out of order how these two have had their own VIP room throughout these TV debates.

The cry from rishi Sunk was no surrender. Honestly!!

[marinello59]

I'd rather have my prostate checked by Edward Scissorhands than watch that guff. It's out of order how these two have had their own VIP room throughout these TV debates.

Rather than providing any advantage I’d say they have become pretty irrevelant to the outcome of the election. Both men were dreadful
The question of the night came from a guy in the audience who asked if either of them really thought that they were the best we had to offer as candidates for Prime Minister. Brutal but fair and summed up what most of us must be thinking.

[Bostonhibby]

Rather than providing any advantage I’d say they have become pretty irrevelant to the outcome of the election. Both men were dreadful
The question of the night came from a guy in the audience who asked if either of them really thought that they were the best we had to offer as candidates for Prime Minister. Brutal but fair and summed up what most of us must be thinking.Pretty much how I seen it, Sunak did have the style of the sort of game show host that used to be around in the lower budget efforts of the late 70's early 80's.

Painted on smile and OTT waving about and gesturing, maybe it's just because there isn't really any substance to what he makes up as he goes.

It's not a great look from Starmer but our media's loyalties are such that doing what he did keeps him in relatively safe territory and the clock's ticking for Sunak.

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[Andy Bee]

Rather than providing any advantage I’d say they have become pretty irrevelant to the outcome of the election. Both men were dreadful
The question of the night came from a guy in the audience who asked if either of them really thought that they were the best we had to offer as candidates for Prime Minister. Brutal but fair and summed up what most of us must be thinking.

I think that was my point bud. They've both been shielded from serious scrutiny aided by the MSM and Starmars refusal to share a stage with other parties. They haven't gained an advantage but they've saved themselves from getting a kicking.

[SHODAN]

I don't think I've ever felt so disenfranchised before as a voter. This election is making me genuinely angry.

[McSwanky]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRAz6YwWkAAAYLl?format=jpg&name=mediumMeanwhile.....

I wonder why [emoji848]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240626/b6c9064fac83799accfd58db123a5c02.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

[Andy Bee]

Anyone watch Debate Night, I'm sayin nowt.

[Andy Bee]

Thanks for the pointer to that. :thumbsup:

That’s the type of thing that gives politics a good name, all four politicians giving each other space to make their arguments and a lot more consensus between parties revealed than is normal. How refreshing to see nuance allowed and good humour on display.

There's a few videos they've put out now, probably one of the standouts is 25 years of devolution and I always come to the same conclusion. When they're all put in a non confrontational situation they wont obviously say it but it's plain as day that Independence could give the solutions to solving a lot of the problems for Scotland. I find it hard to believe that no Labour or even Conservative MSPs believe that Westminster is the best way forward.

[Stairway 2 7]

Meanwhile.....

I wonder why [emoji848]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240626/b6c9064fac83799accfd58db123a5c02.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

In vlad they trust 🇷🇺

Notice after consistent rises reform has taken a sharp decline in most polls after Farage's insane Ukraine comments. People are all asking what was he thinking UK is pretty much united in support of Ukraine in every poll across the political spectrum. I don't think it was shocking he's been funded by Russian interests for 20 years. Ukraine is too much of a red line to go off script, even in it effects the party he just can't slam Putin on TV.

I was listening to the radio and the analyst was saying it shows why Farage will never lead the tories he's trapped through funding in Trump Putin politics. The Trumpian politics tactics won't work in the UK even though a lot of the bots and reform candidates are spewing the same subjects. Ukraine as we know has dropped them 3 points in the polls. Vaccines the UK had close to the highest uptake in the world. NHS even Conservative voters are in the 90%s when polled for retaining free at the point of use. Religion UK is universal in its wanting Religion out of politics. The only thing he has is immigration but he'd get destroyed in the debates when other subjects come up.

[Hibrandenburg]

Meanwhile.....

I wonder why [emoji848]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20240626/b6c9064fac83799accfd58db123a5c02.jpg

Sent from my Pixel 8a using Tapatalk

It's the way with fascism, once it gets a foothold it's a downward spiral into the abyss.

[Stairway 2 7]

It's the way with fascism, once it gets a foothold it's a downward spiral into the abyss.

Surely every country in the world would be fully fascist now then. This isn't human interactions. Everyone on twitter is commenting on the ridiculousness of the amount of pro reform bots that clog up every political post. Fake people with zero followers on snp posts saying wouldn't the country be better with Farage in charge it's been wild recently.

Despite the Russian money getting thrown at them I doubt reform will get a handful of seats.

[Pretty Boy]

Surely every country in the world would be fully fascist now then. This isn't human interactions. Everyone on twitter is commenting on the ridiculousness of the amount of pro reform bots that clog up every political post. Fake people with zero followers on snp posts saying wouldn't the country be better with Farage in charge it's been wild recently.

Despite the Russian money getting thrown at them I doubt reform will get a handful of seats.

Much of the limited human interaction they do get on social media is people mocking them as well.

You go on to any of their tweets, posts etc, indeed the rambling of any of the paid right wing shills, and 90% of the responses are people slagging them. Of course they don't care because any interaction keeps them relevant and at the forefront of what people see. My Twitter 'for you' section is loaded up with these types. Darren Grimes, Laurence Fox, 'Father' Calvin Robonson, Dan Wootton etc etc. The whole algorithm is set to push them to the fore now and even if people know they are better off ignored it's still likely to see them gather a huge amount of reaction because they dominate what people see on these platforms.

[Jones28]

Much of the limited human interaction they do get on social media is people mocking them as well.

You go on to any of their tweets, posts etc, indeed the rambling of any of the paid right wing shills, and 90% of the responses are people slagging them. Of course they don't care because any interaction keeps them relevant and at the forefront of what people see. My Twitter 'for you' section is loaded up with these types. Darren Grimes, Laurence Fox, 'Father' Calvin Robonson, Dan Wootton etc etc. The whole algorithm is set to push them to the fore now and even if people know they are better off ignored it's still likely to see them gather a huge amount of reaction because they dominate what people see on these platforms.

These deplorable ***** are the main reason I chucked social media.

I was sick of seeing their faces appearing on Facebook and Twitter, despite me never once having so much as thought about their names while on social media.

Bots are forcing people in to watching them, and they're making a fortune off of it too.

[Hibrandenburg]

Surely every country in the world would be fully fascist now then. This isn't human interactions. Everyone on twitter is commenting on the ridiculousness of the amount of pro reform bots that clog up every political post. Fake people with zero followers on snp posts saying wouldn't the country be better with Farage in charge it's been wild recently.

Despite the Russian money getting thrown at them I doubt reform will get a handful of seats.

And yet the allocation of votes the far right is receiving continues to grow, here and elsewhere. The knock-on effect of that is that centre right parties losing votes to the far right shift right meaning the centre shifts right and the far right then shifts further right and drags everyone with them. We're seeing that in a Labour party that more resembles a traditional centre right party than a socialist one.

We're talking about a slow process here that spirals downwards and ends with an extreme government, either right or left as a consequence of failed populism.

I know you'll counter with "the youth of today are not turning to the right as they age", but with the left having moved right already, the effect is the same.

[grunt]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRETvQPWoAA9sPN?format=jpg&name=900x900

[Stairway 2 7]

And yet the allocation of votes the far right is receiving continues to grow, here and elsewhere. The knock-on effect of that is that centre right parties losing votes to the far right shift right meaning the centre shifts right and the far right then shifts further right and drags everyone with them. We're seeing that in a Labour party that more resembles a traditional centre right party than a socialist one.

We're talking about a slow process here that spirals downwards and ends with an extreme government, either right or left as a consequence of failed populism.

I know you'll counter with "the youth of today are not turning to the right as they age", but with the left having moved right already, the effect is the same.
We've had far right parties for 100 years why hasn't the doom spiral you always post about happened in every nation in the world.

Blair took over Labour 30 years ago the Labour party hasn't moved much left or right of that bar Corbyns stint. Labour haven't been a left wing party really in my lifetime. The effect really isn't the same we don't know what's going to happen we've never before had such a left wing educated under 40s, just need some cold winters.

Fact is the UK is one of the few nations going to move more left and in thumping fashion. France could vote in the far right, the far right in Germany had a great European election, Holland, Finland, Italy. Sometimes you take the small victories instead of sitting telling of the apocalypse

[Hibbyradge]

https://x.com/edwinhayward/status/1805567776779534547?s=19

This is excellent. It's incredible to see (some of) the political hooliganism of the last 14 years laid out so starkly in front of you.

We desperately to get rid of this government. The badger analogy is funny, but is bang on the money.

That's why I think spoiling your ballot or voting for a party you know can't win, is irresponsible.

Hold your nose if you have to, but use your vote to get rid of the Tories.

This is how the clip actually ended...

https://x.com/edwinhayward/status/1805663485520658730?s=19

[Pretty Boy]

https://x.com/edwinhayward/status/1805567776779534547?s=19

This is excellent. It's incredible to see (some of) the political hooliganism of the last 14 years laid out so starkly in front of you.

We desperately to get rid of this government. The badger analogy is funny, but is bang on the money.

That's why I think spoiling your ballot or voting for a party you know can't win, is irresponsible.

Hold your nose if you have to, but use your vote to get rid of the Tories.

This is how the clip actually ended...

https://x.com/edwinhayward/status/1805663485520658730?s=19

I think if you live in a marginal constituency then voting as a point of principle or spoiling a paper to make a point is potentially irresponsible.

Since 2000 the results in my constituency have been:

2005:
Labour - 15899
Lib Dem - 9697
SNP - 6760
Tory - 4093

2010:
Labour - 17314
SNP - 7133
Lib Dem - 7751
Tory - 4358

2015:
SNP - 23188
Labour - 14082
Tory - 4670
Green - 2809

2017:
SNP - 18509
Labour - 15804
Tory - 8081
Lib Dem - 1849

2019:
SNP - 23165
Labour - 12748
Tory - 6549
Lib Dem - 3289

The current polling has it as a straight fight between Labour and the SNP. Reform are a distant 3rd with the Tories sitting 5th behind the Greens and just holding off the Lib Dems.

I'd much rather vote, or rather not vote, on a point of principle than give tacit approval to any of the candidates, all of whom I have far too many fundamental disagreements with. If I felt there was even a remote chance of the Tories or Reform getting in I might reconsider but there is more chance of Hearts winning the League Cup. That tacit approval is the reason we continue to see this lurch to the right, if people vote for it then the parties and those financially backing them can say 'well it's what people want because they keep voting for it'. I don't want it so I won't vote for it, I'm not naive enough to think my one man protest will make any difference obviously. I accept in tighter races there may be a need to hold your nose and vote whoever can keep the Tories out.

[grunt]

Despite confirming on Tuesday that the statistics would be released today, this morning the Ministry of Justice has postponed their release. Political influence, withholding more probable bad news for the lying Tories? You decide.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GREiMs3XMAAf5jv?format=jpg&name=large

[grunt]

I don't want it so I won't vote for it, I'm not naive enough to think my one man protest will make any difference obviously. I accept in tighter races there may be a need to hold your nose and vote whoever can keep the Tories out.
If everybody said this ...

[jamie_1875]

And yet the allocation of votes the far right is receiving continues to grow, here and elsewhere. The knock-on effect of that is that centre right parties losing votes to the far right shift right meaning the centre shifts right and the far right then shifts further right and drags everyone with them. We're seeing that in a Labour party that more resembles a traditional centre right party than a socialist one.

We're talking about a slow process here that spirals downwards and ends with an extreme government, either right or left as a consequence of failed populism.

I know you'll counter with "the youth of today are not turning to the right as they age", but with the left having moved right already, the effect is the same.

But aren't we about to see people in England basically reject the Tories and their "far right" policies? They are about to get one of the biggest ever defeats at a General Election, that doesn't stack up with people moving to the far right. If the Tories were a stick on to win big you maybe have a point, but the opposite is happening.

You say the allocation of votes to the far right is growing, but if you class the Tories as far right then that vote is falling.

[Moulin Yarns]

But aren't we about to see people in England basically reject the Tories and their "far right" policies? They are about to get one of the biggest ever defeats at a General Election, that doesn't stack up with people moving to the far right. If the Tories were a stick on to win big you maybe have a point, but the opposite is happening.

You say the allocation of votes to the far right is growing, but if you class the Tories as far right then that vote is falling.

Is it not going farther to the right with reform/UKIP/BNP (delete as appropriate)

[jamie_1875]

Is it not going farther to the right with reform/UKIP/BNP (delete as appropriate)

Yes with those parties but with the exception of Reform who may win a single seat due to Farage those parties are not gaining any significant votes to give them a seat in the HoC.

It depends on your definition of "far right" if that includes the Tories then that vote is going down and is about to suffer it's biggest loss likely in history. That's not a sign of moving to the far right, it's the opposite.

The Tories got nearly 14,000,000 votes last time around, if the polls are correct they are looking at around less than half that amount of votes this time. That's not an endorsement of far right, that's the rejection of it and in a big way.

[Stairway 2 7]

Is it not going farther to the right with reform/UKIP/BNP (delete as appropriate)

No there votes with the Tories will be much smaller than the last election, UK is undeniably one of the few western European nations taking a shift to the left. I also think like the byelections reforms votes will be smaller than polling most won't vote, they will get a couple of seats. The press they get is shocking when Lib dems even will get 20x their seats

[Pretty Boy]

Yes with those parties but with the exception of Reform who may win a single seat due to Farage those parties are not gaining any significant votes to give them a seat in the HoC.

It depends on your definition of "far right" if that includes the Tories then that vote is going down and is about to suffer it's biggest loss likely in history. That's not a sign of moving to the far right, it's the opposite.

The Tories got nearly 14,000,000 votes last time around, if the polls are correct they are looking at around less than half that amount of votes this time. That's not an endorsement of far right, that's the rejection of it and in a big way.

It's also worth remembering that in the popular vote in both 2017 and 2019 Corbyn's 'radical far left commie' Labour got 12.8M and 10.2M votes respectively. The best Cameron managed was 11.3M and Blair's 97 landslide was only slightly higher than Corbyn in 2017 with 13.5M.

By contrast Major got over 14M votes in 1992 and Thatcher pulled 13.6, 13.1 and 13.7M votes respectively at each of the elections she won.

Of course the Corbyn vote didn't translate into enough seats for a few reasons. Firstly he spooked his opposition into voting in big numbers, secondly the vote was concentrated among younger voters and in urban areas but the former certainly suggests this shift to the right isn't inevitable.

[jamie_1875]

It's also worth remembering that in the popular vote in both 2017 and 2019 Corbyn's 'radical far left commie' Labour got 12.8M and 10.2M votes respectively. The best Cameron managed was 11.3M and Blair's 97 landslide was only slightly higher than Corbyn in 2017 with 13.5M.

By contrast Major got over 14M votes in 1992 and Thatcher pulled 13.6, 13.1 and 13.7M votes respectively at each of the elections she won.

Of course the Corbyn vote didn't translate into enough seats for a few reasons. Firstly he spooked his opposition into voting in big numbers, secondly the vote was concentrated among younger voters and in urban areas but the former certainly suggests this shift to the right isn't inevitable.

Exactly, not exactly the voting behaviors and patterns of a country lurching to the far right.

[marinello59]

No there votes with the Tories will be much smaller than the last election, UK is undeniably one of the few western European nations taking a shift to the left. I also think like the byelections reforms votes will be smaller than polling most won't vote, they will get a couple of seats. The press they get is shocking when Lib dems even will get 20x their seats

There is an argument that Brexit lanced the boil when it comes to the far right by removing their main rallying point. For whatever reason we are bucking the trend in the UK.

[Jack]

I'm not sure the UK hasn't moved to the right.

The torys are further right than I suspect they've ever been in their history.

There are councils with parties represented that wouldn't have got double figures on the ballot papers in the past.

Labour are almost where the torys were when they were a 'reasonable' party, centre at best. Not even left centre.

There is no left leaning political party in the UK.

[jamie_1875]

I'm not sure the UK hasn't moved to the right.

The torys are further right than I suspect they've ever been in their history.

There are councils with parties represented that wouldn't have got double figures on the ballot papers in the past.

Labour are almost where the torys were when they were a 'reasonable' party, centre at best. Not even left centre.

There is no left leaning political party in the UK.

Labour are looking to ban zero hour contracts, ban fire and rehire practices and strengthen the Trade Unions. They want to bring the railways back into public ownership. None of these things would be done by the Tories.

Yes they are not in Jeremy Corbyn left wing space but the actions listed above are not traditional right wing policies and far more left wing.

[marinello59]

Labour are looking to ban zero hour contracts, ban fire and rehire practices and strengthen the Trade Unions. They want to bring the railways back into public ownership. None of these things would be done by the Tories.

Yes they are not in Jeremy Corbyn left wing space but the actions listed above are not traditional right wing policies and far more left wing.

I’d put Labour, the SNP and the Lib Dem’s in the Centre ground. Take the constitution out and you would be hard pressed to get a credit card between any differences they have.

[DaveF]

Labour are looking to ban zero hour contracts, ban fire and rehire practices and strengthen the Trade Unions. They want to bring the railways back into public ownership. None of these things would be done by the Tories.

Yes they are not in Jeremy Corbyn left wing space but the actions listed above are not traditional right wing policies and far more left wing.

Did the unions who refused to back the manifesto cave in and back it? I thought their demands around workers rights were not satisfied, hence the refusal?

[jamie_1875]

Did the unions who refused to back the manifesto cave in and back it? I thought their demands around workers rights were not satisfied, hence the refusal?

No idea, it's in their manifesto though.

[Jack]

Labour are looking to ban zero hour contracts, ban fire and rehire practices and strengthen the Trade Unions. They want to bring the railways back into public ownership. None of these things would be done by the Tories.

Yes they are not in Jeremy Corbyn left wing space but the actions listed above are not traditional right wing policies and far more left wing.

Labour has spoken about so many things since SKS became leader only for them to be dropped or watered down. We'll see how many of the policies you mention make it to the statute book. And let's see how many of the odious and less odious tory party policies are overturned.

[DaveF]

No idea, it's in their manifesto though.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/07/labour-signs-off-election-manifesto-unite-refuses-endorse

There you go. According to that, Unite refused to back it due to concerns that Labour promises on fire and rehire don't go far enough.

[grunt]

This is a genuine Tory election poster. Nice, isn't it?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GREm_hfW0AAg2-u?format=jpg&name=medium

[grunt]

Surprise surprise; Reform members are racist.

https://www.channel4.com/news/exclusive-undercover-inside-reforms-campaign-evidence-of-homophobia-and-canvassers-racism

[Bostonhibby]

Surprise surprise; Reform members are racist.

https://www.channel4.com/news/exclusive-undercover-inside-reforms-campaign-evidence-of-homophobia-and-canvassers-racismNasty Nige wouldn't have it any other way, there's a lot of untapped membership "fees" to be had from that group.

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[Hibrandenburg]

But aren't we about to see people in England basically reject the Tories and their "far right" policies? They are about to get one of the biggest ever defeats at a General Election, that doesn't stack up with people moving to the far right. If the Tories were a stick on to win big you maybe have a point, but the opposite is happening.

You say the allocation of votes to the far right is growing, but if you class the Tories as far right then that vote is falling.

Yes and no. They now have a foothold and are not going away anytime soon. Fascism doesn't just appear overnight, it arrives and offers simple solutions to complicated problems. They'll bide their time and when the next government fails (and it will eventually fail), they'll be there offering to pick up the pieces.

In a world where Donald Trump tried to destroy American democracy and is now likely to be reelected, then it's not too far fetched to claim fascism already has a foothold and is likely to come back stronger and even more extreme.

[Andy Bee]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/07/labour-signs-off-election-manifesto-unite-refuses-endorse

There you go. According to that, Unite refused to back it due to concerns that Labour promises on fire and rehire don't go far enough.

They've also got big concerns on the banning of new oil licenses and agree on the loss of 100k jobs in the industry which is a kind of weird policy considering they need the windfall tax to pay for GB Energy.

[McSwanky]

Surprise surprise; Reform members are racist.

https://www.channel4.com/news/exclusive-undercover-inside-reforms-campaign-evidence-of-homophobia-and-canvassers-racismAnd no doubt they will claim the Trumpian 'argument' that the mainstream media are desperately trying to discredit them. Whilst anyone with an ounce of sense on their bodies sees the whole thing for what it is.

I see electoral calculus is now predicting 19 seats for Reform. Sadly it seems there are a lot of gullible people in the UK.

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[Stairway 2 7]

Yes and no. They now have a foothold and are not going away anytime soon. Fascism doesn't just appear overnight, it arrives and offers simple solutions to complicated problems. They'll bide their time and when the next government fails (and it will eventually fail), they'll be there offering to pick up the pieces.

In a world where Donald Trump tried to destroy American democracy and is now likely to be reelected, then it's not too far fetched to claim fascism already has a foothold and is likely to come back stronger and even more extreme.
The far right have far more power in Germany do you think they will inevitably fall to fascism too. Far right get votes in every country in Europe is the brown flag going to fall over every nation or is it just the Uk, one of the few about to massively vote to the left of the current government?

[lapsedhibee]

Yes and no. They now have a foothold and are not going away anytime soon. Fascism doesn't just appear overnight, it arrives and offers simple solutions to complicated problems. They'll bide their time and when the next government fails (and it will eventually fail), they'll be there offering to pick up the pieces.

In a world where Donald Trump tried to destroy American democracy and is now likely to be reelected, then it's not too far fetched to claim fascism already has a foothold and is likely to come back stronger and even more extreme.

Extraordinary that people are so comfortable with the rise of Reform.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/jun/27/reform-uk-activist-filmed-making-racist-comments-about-rishi-sunak

[Hibrandenburg]

The far right have far more power in Germany do you think they will inevitably fall to fascism too. Far right get votes in every country in Europe is the brown flag going to fall over every nation or is it just the Uk, one of the few about to massively vote to the left of the current government?

The far right in Germany is basically regionalised, that doesn't mean that under the right (wrong) circumstances it won't spread.

I'm not sure what you want me to say but it's pretty obvious that the far right is gaining influence worldwide. Putin, Le Penn, the AfD, Orbàn, Meloni and Trump to name a few far right success stories. Believe that the UK is immune to the far right at your peril.

[Ozyhibby]

Yes and no. They now have a foothold and are not going away anytime soon. Fascism doesn't just appear overnight, it arrives and offers simple solutions to complicated problems. They'll bide their time and when the next government fails (and it will eventually fail), they'll be there offering to pick up the pieces.

In a world where Donald Trump tried to destroy American democracy and is now likely to be reelected, then it's not too far fetched to claim fascism already has a foothold and is likely to come back stronger and even more extreme.

I think Trump will lose in a landslide.


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[Hibrandenburg]

I think Trump will lose in a landslide.


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I think his chances are 50/50 and opinion polls have him with his nose in front.

[Stairway 2 7]

The far right in Germany is basically regionalised, that doesn't mean that under the right (wrong) circumstances it won't spread.

I'm not sure what you want me to say but it's pretty obvious that the far right is gaining influence worldwide. Putin, Le Penn, the AfD, Orbàn, Meloni and Trump to name a few far right success stories. Believe that the UK is immune to the far right at your peril.

It's not immune but fptp whilst brutal, means the extremes have no chance, they can move the parties a bit left or right. Labour has been in the centre my whole life bar Corbyn. I don't see much difference from Starmer to Blair 30 years ago. At least for the next 5 years the UK will have a centrist party, it'll take a massive swing for tories to win next time. In that time imf has Uk with growth over 1% every one of those years and low inflation, it'll be easy for it to seem rosey compared to the last 10. I'll be betting on Labour reelection when I can next Friday

[Stairway 2 7]

Funnily enough the only place reform haven't fallen is Scotland now clear ahead of the greens and pushing 3rd, thankfully miniscule compared to Labour and the SNP

@SkyNews
NEW SCOTTISH POLL 🗳️

👀Westminster Voting Intention 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

LAB: 35%
SNP: 29%
LDM: 11%
CON: 11%
RFM: 8%
GRN: 5%

[Bostonhibby]

Reform have said they is no room in the party for racists. They have enough and any more will have to join a waiting list.

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[marinello59]

Reform have said they is no room in the party for racists. They have enough and any more will have to join a waiting list.

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:greengrin

[CropleyWasGod]

LibDems doing their usual.

Just received their leaflet, promising to change this and that, that the SNP have ruined.

I'm sure they're trolling me now, as I moan about it every time we have a WM election.

[Ozyhibby]

LibDems doing their usual.

Just received their leaflet, promising to change this and that, that the SNP have ruined.

I'm sure they're trolling me now, as I moan about it every time we have a WM election.

It’s weird that the SNP are having to run as incumbents in a Westminster election. We do it with council elections as well.
The centralised nature of funding all our different levels of govt in the uk means that there is never any real discussion about how we can do things better.


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[CropleyWasGod]

It’s weird that the SNP are having to run as incumbents in a Westminster election. We do it with council elections as well.
The centralised nature of funding all our different levels of govt in the uk means that there is never any real discussion about how we can do things better.


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It's all very well blaming the other guy..... they all do it..... but there's no indication from them as to how they would do things better. Wherever they think they're standing for. :rolleyes:

[Ozyhibby]

It's all very well blaming the other guy..... they all do it..... but there's no indication from them as to how they would do things better. Wherever they think they're standing for. :rolleyes:

I agree. I wasn’t really blaming one party. Just the system as a whole.


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[grunt]

Where do they find these people????

https://x.com/i/status/1806719577843286077

[grunt]

Scottish Lib Dems, on the ball here

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRJYptlWEAAgteV?format=jpg&name=large

[Just Alf]

Scottish Lib Dems, on the ball here

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRJYptlWEAAgteV?format=jpg&name=largeI thought I'd read that the measurement process showed Scottish waterways were immeasurably better than elsewhere (measurement of water quality ) but because there were few "fixed" measurement points that they have down south it allowed folks to add a spin on it.

I remember it's was on the radio (BBCs good morning scotland) and amazingly everyone from the politicians and scot water were in agreement.

Was about a year ago I'm sure, tried to find it but nae luck .

Tried to find it

[Moulin Yarns]

https://x.com/tradasro/status/1806439932921053227?t=czx27do7GlelvWG15cWSkw&s=19


My tory candidate at a hustings yesterday.

[grunt]

I thought I'd read that the measurement process showed Scottish waterways were immeasurably better than elsewhere (measurement of water quality ) but because there were few "fixed" measurement points that they have down south it allowed folks to add a spin on it.
The point I was trying to make was that the Lib Dems on their election material were talking about Scottish "water companies" when we have a nationalised water system up here. They've simply taken English election material and changed it without thinking. Shows their commitment to Scotland?

[blackpoolhibs]

Apart from the tv and a labour leaflet through the door, you wouldnt know there was a general election in Blackpool.

Then sitting in the pub tonight, something like the Hibs trolley we had for showing the Drybourgh cup around easter rd went past draped in reform posters, and a guy on top with with a loud hailer shouting something i couldnt hear.:greengrin

[J-C]

LibDems doing their usual.

Just received their leaflet, promising to change this and that, that the SNP have ruined.

I'm sure they're trolling me now, as I moan about it every time we have a WM election.

Funny how the Lib Dems and Tories only have 1 aim and that's get rid of SNP, what is their actual policies for Scotland.

[Hibrandenburg]

Funny how the Lib Dems and Tories only have 1 aim and that's get rid of SNP, what is their actual policies for Scotland.

Follow that what head office dictates.

[overdrive]

Just a bit of an intellectual argument with my wife. We are both “centrist” - my wife is a member of the Lib Dems. I’m a former member of the Labour Party probably leaning more towards Blair than Corbyn.

I genuinely believe the country needs a left wing version of Reform. The current Tory party is way more to the right than when Cameron came into power. It’s Reform that’s pulled them to the right. We need an “extreme” left wing party (and it can’t be Labour) that will pull Labour back to the left and therefore the centre of British politics back to the centre - even if wouldn’t necessarily vote for them. We aren’t going to see any degree of wealth redistribution under Starmer’s Labour. We might under a Labour government put under pressure by a left wing populist party akin to how Reform are on the right!

I’ll add that such a party needs to be led by someone with charisma like Farage does

[Northernhibee]

Just a bit of an intellectual argument with my wife. We are both “centrist” - my wife is a member of the Lib Dems. I’m a former member of the Labour Party probably leaning more towards Blair than Corbyn.

I genuinely believe the country needs a left wing version of Reform. The current Tory party is way more to the right than when Cameron came into power. It’s Reform that’s pulled them to the right. We need an “extreme” left wing party (and it can’t be Labour) that will pull Labour back to the left and therefore the centre of British politics back to the centre - even if wouldn’t necessarily vote for them. We aren’t going to see any degree of wealth redistribution under Starmer’s Labour. We might under a Labour government put under pressure by a left wing populist party akin to how Reform are on the right!

I’ll add that such a party needs to be led by someone with charisma like Farage does

We were having a discussion that I actually think it’s not a good thing if the Tories end up with 50-100 seats and Reform do well. If Reform become the new face and voice of the right in this country and the Tories are too weakened to combat them, we could be in really dark times.

Of course if Reform end up with 3-5 seats max that’s not as big of an issue, but I am concerned.

[Stairway 2 7]

We were having a discussion that I actually think it’s not a good thing if the Tories end up with 50-100 seats and Reform do well. If Reform become the new face and voice of the right in this country and the Tories are too weakened to combat them, we could be in really dark times.

Of course if Reform end up with 3-5 seats max that’s not as big of an issue, but I am concerned.

Reform won't even get 3 imo, vote share will be less than the polls too. That's what's happened in every byelection, most that say they will vote for them don't vote

[grunt]

I’ll add that such a party needs to be led by someone with charisma like Farage
People keep saying this but I don't see it. Farage has no charisma whatsoever. He's a frog-faced fascist. He's a slime ball.

[Stairway 2 7]

People keep saying this but I don't see it. Farage has no charisma whatsoever. He's a frog-faced fascist. He's a slime ball.

He's unfortunately clearly a confident talker. Fascism and politics have no bearing on charisma, Hitler was a fantastic orator. You don't see it because your politically opposed to him those that aren't lap up his patter as vile as it is

[Just Alf]

The point I was trying to make was that the Lib Dems on their election material were talking about Scottish "water companies" when we have a nationalised water system up here. They've simply taken English election material and changed it without thinking. Shows their commitment to Scotland?Sorry, see that now! . And agreed :greengrin


(Payday and the pub clearly not a good influence on my cognitive abilities yesterday :rofl: )

[Colr]

Scottish Lib Dems, on the ball here

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GRJYptlWEAAgteV?format=jpg&name=large

Correct me if I’m wrong but, although Scottish water is still nationalised (well done, Scotland). Thames Water (utter ****s) have been fined for pumping sewage into the Forth. I don’t know how that works so maybe someone can correct me or enlighten me.

[Colr]

People keep saying this but I don't see it. Farage has no charisma whatsoever. He's a frog-faced fascist. He's a slime ball.

Agreed. I don’t understand why people keep saying him and Bodger are blokes they could have a pint with. They’re a pair of privileged, bloviating windbags and I would leave a pub rather than overhear their attention seeking braying.

Men of the people my arse. Some people will believe any old spin.

[Ozyhibby]

The point I was trying to make was that the Lib Dems on their election material were talking about Scottish "water companies" when we have a nationalised water system up here. They've simply taken English election material and changed it without thinking. Shows their commitment to Scotland?

They know what they are doing. There are enough people out there willing to back up that type of nonsense. We had it on here when the problems in England were getting talked about. People claiming Scotland was just as bad simply to suit their anti-SNP agenda. Evidence doesn’t matter.


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[jamie_1875]

They know what they are doing. There are enough people out there willing to back up that type of nonsense. We had it on here when the problems in England were getting talked about. People claiming Scotland was just as bad simply to suit their anti-SNP agenda. Evidence doesn’t matter.


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The Ferret fact check did a good investigation into this a few years ago.

"Pollution warnings were put in place at more than 40 beaches across England and Wales last week as untreated sewage was released into the sea.

This led to renewed criticism of MPs for voting down an amendment aimed to stop sewage overflows dumping into waterways and seas.

The issue was contrasted by many people with the situation in Scotland, where drinking water and sewerage is publicly owned.

A number of posts on social media claimed that sewage pollution was only in England, with Scottish water not suffering similar issues.

Ferret Fact Service looked into these claims and found them False."

https://theferret.scot/claim-sewage-overflows-not-issue-scotland-false/

[Ozyhibby]

The Ferret fact check did a good investigation into this a few years ago.

"Pollution warnings were put in place at more than 40 beaches across England and Wales last week as untreated sewage was released into the sea.

This led to renewed criticism of MPs for voting down an amendment aimed to stop sewage overflows dumping into waterways and seas.

The issue was contrasted by many people with the situation in Scotland, where drinking water and sewerage is publicly owned.

A number of posts on social media claimed that sewage pollution was only in England, with Scottish water not suffering similar issues.

Ferret Fact Service looked into these claims and found them False."

https://theferret.scot/claim-sewage-overflows-not-issue-scotland-false/

The article says water quality is better in Scotland.[emoji23]


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[jamie_1875]

The article says water quality is better in Scotland.[emoji23]


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It does but the leaflet you were referring to was about sewage in rivers, not drinking water quality. Evidence suggests that's still a problem in Scotland. The heading on the leaflet was literally "Stopping sewage dumping in our rivers". Maybe it's 2 different things, but the leaflet was definitely about sewage in rivers.

I suspect very few people are using it to decide what way they vote next week, especially in Scotland.

[jamie_1875]

Correct me if I’m wrong but, although Scottish water is still nationalised (well done, Scotland). Thames Water (utter ****s) have been fined for pumping sewage into the Forth. I don’t know how that works so maybe someone can correct me or enlighten me.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7258988.stm


You have a good memory.

[Ozyhibby]

It does but the leaflet you were referring to was about sewage in rivers, not drinking water quality. Evidence suggests that's still a problem in Scotland. The heading on the leaflet was literally "Stopping sewage dumping in our rivers". Maybe it's 2 different things, but the leaflet was definitely about sewage in rivers.

I suspect very few people are using it to decide what way they vote next week, especially in Scotland.

The article says the quality of our water in rivers was higher.


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[Stairway 2 7]

Some interesting polling from you gov behind the headline figures, NHS, the cost of living and the economy far ahead in the most important issues, immigration and independence after that. 24% of 2019 SNP voters now say they will vote Labour

https://x.com/YouGov/status/1806970400212979725

[jamie_1875]

Some interesting polling from you gov behind the headline figures, NHS, the cost of living and the economy far ahead in the most important issues, immigration and independence after that. 24% of 2019 SNP voters now say they will vote Labour

https://x.com/YouGov/status/1806970400212979725

Immigration above Independence in Scotland?

[Stairway 2 7]

Immigration above Independence in Scotland?

8% for reform 😵

[grunt]

Some interesting polling from you gov behind the headline figures, NHS, the cost of living and the economy far ahead in the most important issues, immigration and independence after that. 24% of 2019 SNP voters now say they will vote Labour

https://x.com/YouGov/status/1806970400212979725


Immigration above Independence in Scotland?Typical YouGov twisted question. Independence is not a separate issue to immigration / cost of living / the economy / NHS. We need independence to address all these issues. It's a deliberate ploy to reduce the importance of independence in the polls.

Still, looks like the SNP and independence more widely is lost, if those polls are to be believed. Depressing as hell.

[Moulin Yarns]

Correct me if I’m wrong but, although Scottish water is still nationalised (well done, Scotland). Thames Water (utter ****s) have been fined for pumping sewage into the Forth. I don’t know how that works so maybe someone can correct me or enlighten me.

There are a few private water utility companies who supply commercial properties. Castle water for example.

[Bostonhibby]

The article says the quality of our water in rivers was higher.


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkFamily member works in the environmental pollution clean up and testing industry. Area of massive growth and he says standards in UK have slipped some way in recent years but Scotland definitely isn't the worst part.

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[Stairway 2 7]

Yet another reason the early election was insane, the IMF says the economy is about to turn and we should see years of growth. I just can't understand it other than he gave up and wants to be a billionaire in the US and not have his private aeroplane use scrutinised

https://amp.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/28/next-pm-likely-to-inherit-improved-economic-backdrop-after-uk-growth-revised-up

Next PM likely to inherit improved economy after UK growth revised up
Updated quarterly GDP confirms UK was fastest-growing economy in G7 with consumer confidence returning

[McD]

Typical YouGov twisted question. Independence is not a separate issue to immigration / cost of living / the economy / NHS. We need independence to address all these issues. It's a deliberate ploy to reduce the importance of independence in the polls.

Still, looks like the SNP and independence more widely is lost, if those polls are to be believed. Depressing as hell.



Perhaps for you, but for others, cost of living, nhs, etc may be more important.


And without being dismissive of the independence question, this election will affect those things quicker than independence will, at least for now.

Someone may be pro-independence, but also financially struggling and waiting for nhs treatment. Even if we had a referendum on independence tomorrow, it still wouldn’t happen instantly, the reality is that people’s financial situations, nhs treatment, cost of living etc are all happening now and will be uppermost in their minds. Independence may ultimately lead to a better situation for all of those things down the road, but right now, this election will have a greater bearing.

[Stairway 2 7]

Brilliant led by donkeys interrupt Farage's speech and the keystone fascists can't rip the banner down

https://x.com/ByDonkeys/status/1807141707571454290

[Bostonhibby]

Brilliant led by donkeys interrupt Farage's speech and the keystone fascists can't rip the banner down

https://x.com/ByDonkeys/status/1807141707571454290Just watched that, glorious, their whole set up is a bit Alan Partridge organised but with hate and bigotry thrown in.

And when I see Nasty Nige in that trendy get up I just keep seeing Nicholas Parsons and Man at C & A.

I'm guessing most of the audience look and dress like him as well.

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[Stairway 2 7]

Just watched that, glorious, their whole set up is a bit Alan Partridge organised but with hate and bigotry thrown in.

And when I see Nasty Nige in that trendy get up I just keep seeing Nicholas Parsons and Man at C & A.

I'm guessing most of the audience look and dress like him as well.

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Yeah his outfit was better than the poster and not a parody apparently.. Total Partridge just needs driving gloves and the Rover. Hideous man

[Bostonhibby]

Yeah his outfit was better than the poster and not a parody apparently.. Total Partridge just needs driving gloves and the Rover. Hideous manWhen he's done grifting this lot for membership fees maybe he will set up the Beige Trouser party and charge the same audience all over again for the same undeliverable bile?

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[marinello59]

There are a few private water utility companies who supply commercial properties. Castle water for example.

I think all their customers are down South.

[Moulin Yarns]

I think all their customers are down South.

If you are meaning Castle Water, based in Blairgowrie with an office in oban then I'm sure they have customers in Scotland. I know someone who works for them. On the other hand, if you mean Thames water then I haven't got a clue.

[marinello59]

If you are meaning Castle Water, based in Blairgowrie with an office in oban then I'm sure they have customers in Scotland. I know someone who works for them. On the other hand, if you mean Thames water then I haven't got a clue.

I meant Castle.
And you are right.

[grunt]

Perhaps for you, but for others, cost of living, nhs, etc may be more important.I think you're missing my point. It's not an either/or; independence will help to sort all these issues, and furthermore they won't be sorted without independence because the UK parties have different priorities to us in Scotland.


And without being dismissive of the independence question, this election will affect those things quicker than independence will, at least for now.Nothing will change. Starmer has similar plans to Sunak, hopefully without the corruption. No change to Brexit for example, and without that we are ****ed.


Someone may be pro-independence, but also financially struggling and waiting for nhs treatment. Even if we had a referendum on independence tomorrow, it still wouldn’t happen instantly, the reality is that people’s financial situations, nhs treatment, cost of living etc are all happening now and will be uppermost in their minds. Independence may ultimately lead to a better situation for all of those things down the road, but right now, this election will have a greater bearing.If Labour win this election in Scotland, independence won't happen in my lifetime.

[Stairway 2 7]

I think you're missing my point. It's not an either/or; independence will help to sort all these issues, and furthermore they won't be sorted without independence because the UK parties have different priorities to us in Scotland.

Nothing will change. Starmer has similar plans to Sunak, hopefully without the corruption. No change to Brexit for example, and without that we are ****ed.

If Labour win this election in Scotland, independence won't happen in my lifetime.
The question was what is the most important factor in you voting at the GE, independence was one of the choice to choose. It's just it was 6th choice way behind other things that people are saying they vote for at a GE ie NHS, Cost of living

Brexit is one of the poorest financial decisions we've made. We're not fd with it though I think last estimate I saw was it will cause a loss of 0.4% growth in the next years, but imf has us at above 1% in the next 4 years. It's idiotic but not fatal. Hopefully we start having closer alignment year on year. Then again if Le Pen wins the next presidential they say they are out too and it's really ******.

I think independence is miles away just now, Flynn saying yesterday the polls are to close to call independence. I think a poor labour government could help though. A lot of people are wanting to give labour a chance if it fails then independence could really grow, although probably a decade away

[Jack]

The question was what is the most important factor in you voting at the GE, independence was one of the choice to choose. It's just it was 6th choice way behind other things that people are saying they vote for at a GE ie NHS, Cost of living

Brexit is one of the poorest financial decisions we've made. We're not fd with it though I think last estimate I saw was it will cause a loss of 0.4% growth in the next years, but imf has us at above 1% in the next 4 years. It's idiotic but not fatal. Hopefully we start having closer alignment year on year. Then again if Le Pen wins the next presidential they say they are out too and it's really ******.

I think independence is miles away just now, Flynn saying yesterday the polls are to close to call independence. I think a poor labour government could help though. A lot of people are wanting to give labour a chance if it fails then independence could really grow, although probably a decade away

That's the problem with single or graded polling options for things like this. Most people won't vote in a GE on a single issue.

They'll have a basket of issues that affect them and what they think is important and decide to vote on a package.

Many will look in the basket of options available from their chosen political party and align themselves with their party's choices.

[Stairway 2 7]

That's the problem with single or graded polling options for things like this. Most people won't vote in a GE on a single issue.

They'll have a basket of issues that affect them and what they think is important and decide to vote on a package.

Many will look in the basket of options available from their chosen political party and align themselves with their party's choices.

You didn't vote for you put important not important to each one, hence 70% or something said NHS and say 60% said cost of living. Yougov has asked the same question the last 10 years and independence is usually much higher, I think a lot of people's priority at this point is removing the tories

[grunt]

The question was what is the most important factor in you voting at the GE, independence was one of the choice to choose. It's just it was 6th choice way behind other things that people are saying they vote for at a GE ie NHS, Cost of living Which was my point in the beginning of this discussion.


Brexit is one of the poorest financial decisions we've made. We're not fd with it though I think last estimate I saw was it will cause a loss of 0.4% growth in the next years, but imf has us at above 1% in the next 4 years. It's idiotic but not fatal. Hopefully we start having closer alignment year on year. Then again if Le Pen wins the next presidential they say they are out too and it's really ******.
Think you'll find it's 4%.


I think independence is miles away just now, Flynn saying yesterday the polls are to close to call independence. I think a poor labour government could help though. A lot of people are wanting to give labour a chance if it fails then independence could really grow, although probably a decade awayOh great. Let's all hope for a poor Labour Government. :confused:

[Stairway 2 7]

I'd vote for this if it wasn't devolved. Labour is saying they will build build build if elected. I've no skin in the game I'm luckily a home owner but it's the biggest issue that will effect under 30s going forward. Home ownership is plummeting and adults living with parents rocketing. So much income is getting spent on astronomical rent it's so sad, even if I'm alright Jack NIMBYs don't care as it doesn't effect them

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/keir-starmer-rachel-reeves-interview-general-election-mzrkjd5rz

[Stairway 2 7]

Which was my point in the beginning of this discussion.

Think you'll find it's 4%.

Oh great. Let's all hope for a poor Labour Government. :confused:

4% per year ha no that's combined and past. Before brexit we were bumbling at 2% growth for a decade, we'll not be far off the next 4 years but we would be 0.4 better, which is still a massive amount of money.

[Ozyhibby]

I'd vote for this if it wasn't devolved. Labour is saying they will build build build if elected. I've no skin in the game I'm luckily a home owner but it's the biggest issue that will effect under 30s going forward. Home ownership is plummeting and adults living with parents rocketing. So much income is getting spent on astronomical rent it's so sad, even if I'm alright Jack NIMBYs don't care as it doesn't effect them

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/keir-starmer-rachel-reeves-interview-general-election-mzrkjd5rz

It would be transformational if they follow through. If we want growth in the UK there is no easier way to do it.
I wish the SNP had been concentrating on stuff like this rather than all the gender stuff. Hopefully lessons learnt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stairway 2 7]

It would be transformational if they follow through. If we want growth in the UK there is no easier way to do it.
I wish the SNP had been concentrating on stuff like this rather than all the gender stuff. Hopefully lessons learnt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm completely doubtful they will, it's easy to slap targets, tories had enough of them from immigration to hospitals built

[grunt]

4% per year ha no that's combined and past. Before brexit we were bumbling at 2% growth for a decade, we'll not be far off the next 4 years but we would be 0.4 better, which is still a massive amount of money.
That's not what you said.

[Stairway 2 7]

That's not what you said.

I really did I said it'll cost us 0.4% growth in the next years, it will at today estimates. The 4% your talking about is the combined cost and it's in the years gone so not in the years to come. So we are 4% smaller but it's a smaller amount year on year. It's still one of the biggest own goals a country has chosen to do to itself. Despite it imf expect above 1% growth each year. It'll hamstring us but not kill us

[grunt]

I really did I said it'll cost us 0.4% growth in the next years, it will at today estimates. The 4% you're talking about is the combined cost and it's in the years gone so not in the years to come. So we are 4% smaller but it's a smaller amount year on year. It's still one of the biggest own goals a country has chosen to do to itself. Despite it imf expect above 1% growth each year. It'll hamstring us but not kill us
Spectacularly, comprehensively unclear.

[Moulin Yarns]

I meant Castle.
And you are right.

Cheers 👍

[Hibbyradge]

Spectacularly, comprehensively unclear.

It's clear to me. :confused:

[marinello59]

It's clear to me. :confused:

And me. Which is saying something. :greengrin

[grunt]

It's clear to me. :confused:Ok, maybe you can help out.


And me. Which is saying something. :greengrinOk, maybe you can help out.


I really did I said it'll cost us 0.4% growth in the next yearsWhat are "the next years"? The next 2 years? 5 years? 10 years? 25 years? 50 years? 100 years? Not in the least bit clear.


The 4% your talking about is the combined cost and it's in the years gone so not in the years to come. So we are 4% smaller but it's a smaller amount year on year. What is "the combined cost"? Combined with what?

So what I think you're saying is that Brexit has *already* cost us 4% of our GDP and it's only been 4 years. 4% of our GDP is about, what, £90bn? And that is not just a one off loss, that's £90bn lower than it would have been every year going forward. And so you are saying that on top of that 4%, it's going to cost us a further 0.4% GDP every year from now on?


It's still one of the biggest own goals a country has chosen to do to itself. Despite it imf expect above 1% growth each year. It'll hamstring us but not kill usI'm not getting at you here, but I hate it when people say "the country voted for it". I didn't vote for it. I knew it was bloody stupid, anyone with half a brain could see it was bloody stupid. So please don't say "we" voted for it. I didn't.

It won't kill us? Well that's a relief.

And now the IMF is saying we'll have 1% growth going forward? Break out the champagne.

Back on topic, I'll be interested to see how Starmer "makes Brexit work".

[Stairway 2 7]

Ok, maybe you can help out.

Ok, maybe you can help out.

What are "the next years"? The next 2 years? 5 years? 10 years? 25 years? 50 years? 100 years? Not in the least bit clear.

What is "the combined cost"? Combined with what?

So what I think you're saying is that Brexit has *already* cost us 4% of our GDP and it's only been 4 years. 4% of our GDP is about, what, £90bn? And that is not just a one off loss, that's £90bn lower than it would have been every year going forward. And so you are saying that on top of that 4%, it's going to cost us a further 0.4% GDP every year from now on?

I'm not getting at you here, but I hate it when people say "the country voted for it". I didn't vote for it. I knew it was bloody stupid, anyone with half a brain could see it was bloody stupid. So please don't say "we" voted for it. I didn't.

It won't kill us? Well that's a relief.

And now the IMF is saying we'll have 1% growth going forward? Break out the champagne.

Back on topic, I'll be interested to see how Starmer "makes Brexit work".

The country did vote for it, wrongly imo, I'm not going to frame all my posts to you personally. No one is going to estimate 100 years away, the current estimate is 0.4% which is a horrific loss. Higher immigration could help but the dolts in labour are attacking that to hold power

[Stairway 2 7]

Pretty funny I've seen a few hacks mention this. So Labour noticed the betting markets changing for 4th July election so they bought the ad space for the sun, mail and other papers this week. So the mail announced today that it's supporting tories but as you can see the website is covered with Labour adverts, shambles of a tory campaign

https://x.com/edwinhayward/status/1807171198742315082

[McD]

I think you're missing my point. It's not an either/or; independence will help to sort all these issues, and furthermore they won't be sorted without independence because the UK parties have different priorities to us in Scotland.

Nothing will change. Starmer has similar plans to Sunak, hopefully without the corruption. No change to Brexit for example, and without that we are ****ed.

If Labour win this election in Scotland, independence won't happen in my lifetime.


You’ve missed my point.


That's the problem with single or graded polling options for things like this. Most people won't vote in a GE on a single issue.

They'll have a basket of issues that affect them and what they think is important and decide to vote on a package.

Many will look in the basket of options available from their chosen political party and align themselves with their party's choices.


This is what I was saying. People will look at what’s important to them. For some, that’s independence, for others, not so much.


The question was what is the most important factor in you voting at the GE, independence was one of the choice to choose. It's just it was 6th choice way behind other things that people are saying they vote for at a GE ie NHS, Cost of living

Brexit is one of the poorest financial decisions we've made. We're not fd with it though I think last estimate I saw was it will cause a loss of 0.4% growth in the next years, but imf has us at above 1% in the next 4 years. It's idiotic but not fatal. Hopefully we start having closer alignment year on year. Then again if Le Pen wins the next presidential they say they are out too and it's really ******.

I think independence is miles away just now, Flynn saying yesterday the polls are to close to call independence. I think a poor labour government could help though. A lot of people are wanting to give labour a chance if it fails then independence could really grow, although probably a decade away


Which was my point in the beginning of this discussion.

Think you'll find it's 4%.

Oh great. Let's all hope for a poor Labour Government. :confused:


Your post I originally replied to, you were complaining about independence being grouped with those choices. Your original post on this topic was you saying independence shouldn’t be one of the choices when (in your opinion) it is the solution. That may be true for you (and is a perfectly valid opinion), for other people who may be worrying about paying bills or increasing cost of living, independence may not be a priority in their voting preference.

[McD]

Ok, maybe you can help out.

Ok, maybe you can help out.

What are "the next years"? The next 2 years? 5 years? 10 years? 25 years? 50 years? 100 years? Not in the least bit clear.

What is "the combined cost"? Combined with what?

So what I think you're saying is that Brexit has *already* cost us 4% of our GDP and it's only been 4 years. 4% of our GDP is about, what, £90bn? And that is not just a one off loss, that's £90bn lower than it would have been every year going forward. And so you are saying that on top of that 4%, it's going to cost us a further 0.4% GDP every year from now on?

I'm not getting at you here, but I hate it when people say "the country voted for it". I didn't for it. I knew it was bloody stupid, anyone with half a brain could see it was bloody stupid. So please don't say "we" voted for it. I didn't.

It won't kill us? Well that's a relief.

And now the IMF is saying we'll have 1% growth going forward? Break out the champagne.

Back on topic, I'll be interested to see how Starmer "makes Brexit work".



We, the electorate, did vote for it, collectively. I completely agree with you that it was clearly a disaster in the making, and voted the same way you did. But ‘we’ as a collective did vote for it. Just as ‘we’ (sadly, stupidly) voted for successive Tory governments, and SNP led Scottish governments, and to vote no in 2014. ‘We’ voted for all of those. Some are happy with each of those results, some are not.

[Pagan Hibernia]

So what are we looking at here, a wipeout for the tories or what?

[grunt]

Thanks for all the sensible replies to my posts today. Been pretty angry about something and this affects my posting style. So apologies for that.

#WhiskyTime

[Stairway 2 7]

Thanks for all the sensible replies to my posts today. Been pretty angry about something and this affects my posting style. So apologies for that.

#WhiskyTime

England can't have ******g helped grr. Don't need to apologise it was all broad strokes around the fact that Brexit is one of the worst decisions bar war that a country has ever done to itself. 😭 Think I'll join you with a whisky

[Stairway 2 7]

So what are we looking at here, a wipeout for the tories or what?

I'm thinking just over 100 seats for the tories, which would still be the biggest swing in a century I think. Think reform will only get a couple, SNP mid to high 20s?

Think turn out will be low but it's certainly going to be memorable

[marinello59]

So what are we looking at here, a wipeout for the tories or what?

Don’t think it will be as bad for the Tories as some polls have shown, I will guess about a hundred and fifty seats.
I don’t think the polls have got to grips with the situation in Scotland at all, there are too many tight contests. I think Labour might end up with the largest vote share but the SNP will still have the most seats.

[grunt]

Don’t think it will be as bad for the Tories as some polls have shown, I will guess about a hundred and fifty seats.
I don’t think the polls have got to grips with the situation in Scotland at all, there are too many tight contests. I think Labour might end up with the largest vote share but the SNP will still have the most seats.
Agree with you on the polls. At least, my heart agrees with you. Hope you're right about the outcome.

[jamie_1875]

Don’t think it will be as bad for the Tories as some polls have shown, I will guess about a hundred and fifty seats.
I don’t think the polls have got to grips with the situation in Scotland at all, there are too many tight contests. I think Labour might end up with the largest vote share but the SNP will still have the most seats.

There was a poll that suggested around 25% of 2019 SNP voters will vote Labour, similar numbers for 2019 Tory voters. That's going to get Labour over the line especially in the tight central belt constituencys. I can't see anything other than a Labour victory in Scotland.

[Ozyhibby]

Agree with you on the polls. At least, my heart agrees with you. Hope you're right about the outcome.

I’m not so sure. This feels like a Westminster election of old. The SNP have struggled for oxygen this campaign. The media have focussed solely on Starmer v Sunak with a bit of Reform thrown in. The SNP have had a quiet campaign as well that has had to play it safe as the new leadership has had zero time to prepare.
I expect Labour will win in Scotland and that the SNP will need a big reset after Friday. It’s needed anyway but this will focus minds. Hopefully Flynn survives. The party need to formulate a new plan based on delivering services and economic growth. Stay away from social issues altogether. Forbes has previously talked about reform of planning. She needs to get on with it.
Friday morning will be a kick in the teeth but it doesn’t have to be fatal medium term. If they don’t learn from it then they won’t deserve to win in 2026.


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[JimBHibees]

I’m not so sure. This feels like a Westminster election of old. The SNP have struggled for oxygen this campaign. The media have focussed solely on Starmer v Sunak with a bit of Reform thrown in. The SNP have had a quiet campaign as well that has had to play it safe as the new leadership has had zero time to prepare.
I expect Labour will win in Scotland and that the SNP will need a big reset after Friday. It’s needed anyway but this will focus minds. Hopefully Flynn survives. The party need to formulate a new plan based on delivering services and economic growth. Stay away from social issues altogether. Forbes has previously talked about reform of planning. She needs to get on with it.
Friday morning will be a kick in the teeth but it doesn’t have to be fatal medium term. If they don’t learn from it then they won’t deserve to win in 2026.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes couldn’t agree more the two party narrative has really squeezed out the smaller parties deliberately imo. Depressing as hell imo

[marinello59]

I’m not so sure. This feels like a Westminster election of old. The SNP have struggled for oxygen this campaign. The media have focussed solely on Starmer v Sunak with a bit of Reform thrown in. The SNP have had a quiet campaign as well that has had to play it safe as the new leadership has had zero time to prepare.
I expect Labour will win in Scotland and that the SNP will need a big reset after Friday. It’s needed anyway but this will focus minds. Hopefully Flynn survives. The party need to formulate a new plan based on delivering services and economic growth. Stay away from social issues altogether. Forbes has previously talked about reform of planning. She needs to get on with it.
Friday morning will be a kick in the teeth but it doesn’t have to be fatal medium term. If they don’t learn from it then they won’t deserve to win in 2026.


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Yes couldn’t agree more the two party narrative has really squeezed out the smaller parties deliberately imo. Depressing as hell imo


If, and it's still an if, the SNP do that badly I hope the leadership gives us much more creative excuses than blaming the media. Again. Given they have had landslide victories in Scotland under exactly the same perceived bias it's going to be a hard sell. They have been included in the much more impressive debates we have seen held in Scotland as well.
I'm liking the Scottish school holidays being thrown in to the mix from day one but they can do better. I'd be going with the dog ate our manifesto and all we had left was a list of our greatest hits from ten years ago. :greengrin

[SHODAN]

I’m not so sure. This feels like a Westminster election of old. The SNP have struggled for oxygen this campaign. The media have focussed solely on Starmer v Sunak with a bit of Reform thrown in. The SNP have had a quiet campaign as well that has had to play it safe as the new leadership has had zero time to prepare.
I expect Labour will win in Scotland and that the SNP will need a big reset after Friday. It’s needed anyway but this will focus minds. Hopefully Flynn survives. The party need to formulate a new plan based on delivering services and economic growth. Stay away from social issues altogether. Forbes has previously talked about reform of planning. She needs to get on with it.
Friday morning will be a kick in the teeth but it doesn’t have to be fatal medium term. If they don’t learn from it then they won’t deserve to win in 2026.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Forbes will be First Minister after this election, followed by Sarwar in 2026 in an unofficial unionist coalition. No doubt in my mind about that tbh.

[grunt]

If, and it's still an if, the SNP do that badly I hope the leadership gives us much more creative excuses than blaming the media. Again. Do you think the media in Scotland - in particular the BBC - treats the SNP fairly?


IGiven they have had landslide victories in Scotland under exactly the same perceived bias it's going to be a hard sell.You dont think the anti-SNP bias has been ramped up significantly in recent years?


They have been included in the much more impressive debates we have seen held in Scotland as well.Not sure why you think this is a positive. The more impressive the debate the easier it is to kick lumps out of the SNP by ranging the unionist parties against them in concert.

[Moulin Yarns]

If, and it's still an if, the SNP do that badly I hope the leadership gives us much more creative excuses than blaming the media. Again. Given they have had landslide victories in Scotland under exactly the same perceived bias it's going to be a hard sell. They have been included in the much more impressive debates we have seen held in Scotland as well.
I'm liking the Scottish school holidays being thrown in to the mix from day one but they can do better. I'd be going with the dog ate our manifesto and all we had left was a list of our greatest hits from ten years ago. :greengrin

To be fair, he has been proven right about the school holidays with the postal vote debacle although it will affect every party. I've not heard of people elsewhere in the UK not getting their postal vote pack.

[Stairway 2 7]

To be fair, he has been proven right about the school holidays with the postal vote debacle although it will affect every party. I've not heard of people elsewhere in the UK not getting their postal vote pack.

It'll help SNP. Postal voters in general are further to the right and older. It's the Scottish election authority who seem to be behind the mess up

[Moulin Yarns]

It'll help SNP. Postal voters in general are further to the right and older. It's the Scottish election authority who seem to be behind the mess up

Or people who have gone on holiday at the start of the school holidays

[Keith_M]

Do you think the media in Scotland - in particular the BBC - treats the SNP fairly?

You dont think the anti-SNP bias has been ramped up significantly in recent years?
...


I was reading through the mass pages of Labour supporting articles in the Daily Record yesterday and wondered when I might encounter something about the SNP.

Lo and behold, he next page had an article about an SNP MSP misusing official postage stamps.

[Colr]

To be fair, he has been proven right about the school holidays with the postal vote debacle although it will affect every party. I've not heard of people elsewhere in the UK not getting their postal vote pack.

Been some stories of people in London not getting them. I’m voting by post for the first time. Applied on 22nd May, got my pack 11th June.

[jamie_1875]

I was reading through the mass pages of Labour supporting articles in the Daily Record yesterday and wondered when I might encounter something about the SNP.

Lo and behold, he next page had an article about an SNP MSP misusing official postage stamps.

Stephen Flynn has a weekly column in the Daily Record, he used his column today to say how the Daily Record was wrong in its support for Labour.

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/think-daily-record-wrong-endorse-33138753

[Stairway 2 7]

Or people who have gone on holiday at the start of the school holidays

I think the number is absolutely miniscule anyways and is being used to knock Scottish agencies as there was no problem in the other nations

[marinello59]

Do you think the media in Scotland - in particular the BBC - treats the SNP fairly?

Tory supporters despise the BBC more then the SNP supporters , they reckon it’s a hotbed of loony lefties. And Labour supporters know it’s biased against them. They just know. The LibDems don’t seem to have an opinion one way or the other, par for the course for them. I’m rambling… what was the question again. :greengrin

You dont think the anti-SNP bias has been ramped up significantly in recent years?

No. Next question. :greengrin

Not sure why you think this is a positive. The more impressive the debate the easier it is to kick lumps out of the SNP by ranging the unionist parties against them in concert.

I’m struggling with this one. It is bad to have debates without the SNP leader involved but also bad to have them involved as the other parties would just pick on them? Sturgeon and Salmond were more then capable of holding their own and I can’t see a Rottweiler like Flynn failing to get his point across in any company. The answer may be to have Swinney holding a one man debate with himself but I’m still not sure he would win. :greengrin

Just to clarify by more impressive I meant all the participants have been respectful and less prone to talking over each other. Still combative yet more informative than what we have seen down South maybe?

[grunt]

It'll help SNP. Postal voters in general are further to the right and older.
I know two couples who haven't received their postal vote and are away. I don't know for certain of course, but I strongly suspect all four would be SNP voters. Neither couple is older or politically to the right.

But they may be outliers.

[grunt]

Just to clarify by more impressive I meant all the participants have been respectful and less prone to talking over each other. Still combative yet more informative than what we have seen down South maybe?
Well that IS impressive.

[Pretty Boy]

Probably an unpopular opinion but I'd tighten the criteria for getting a postal vote.

Fair enough for people away, the infirm or those who live rurally and can't travel easily to a polling station but I know people who are here and fit and well but have applied for a postal vote because they can't be arsed to go out and vote.

Able bodied people who are present in the country shouldn't be putting unnecessary additional strain on a system that should be a protected resource for those who need it.

[Colr]

So what are we looking at here, a wipeout for the tories or what?

I think there are LOTS of undecideds this time. I think the polling companies are calling the split of that group wrong thing they will mirror the rest of the electorate. It’s likely to be a more unpredictable split than many are suggesting.

[Colr]

I know two couples who haven't received their postal vote and are away. I don't know for certain of course, but I strongly suspect all four would be SNP voters. Neither couple is older or politically to the right.

But they may be outliers.

Is there a deadline for nominating a proxy instead?