Westministenders: EARRRTHHHHHQQQUUUAAKKKKEEEE

[RedToothBrush]

Well.

Thats a surprise!

I'm completely against compulsory voting

I'd rather that people who realise they don't understand the issues stay home, rather than voting blindly

Also, in a democracy, we should have the freedom to abstain - if we don't mind others choosing for us

A 2nd ref would still be a disaster - I've been anti one right from the start because it would still be toxic and divisive. And, the relatively low turnout would be replicated. I've no idea what the way forward is. A GE with parties standing down in some seats to ensure a single anti-Brexit vote? But the just ensures Brexit dominates all elections forever. Plus, no Tory PM will call a GE now. Only demographics will change this. More people will start voting Green.

I think the first Referendum had a high turnout, which is why we get all the 'country voted to leave' stuff, because it was certainly much higher than local or EU elections.

The other option is a brave and honest leader. Clearly, that's never going to happen. The country will need a Truth and Reconciliation investigation to ever have any chance of coming together. We are nowhere near the Truth stage.

And no way to compulsory voting. Voters can't be arsed to investigate who they vote for now (Warrington voting CLaire Fox, the NE voting the Scottish Tory "expat" in France).

I still think we are heading for a General Election.

I think the first Referendum had a high turnout

But a 2nd wouldn't. Anyway, I'll keep repeating that 30% isn't 52% and 5 million isn't 17.4 million. Leave has a declining mandate.

Pmk

First Count NI.

1.SF
2.DUP

1. ALLIANCE

next, count with transfers

twitter.com/eoni_official/status/1132986066368192514

Was just about to post that Cailleach1

It's a great result for the Alliance Party and good to see that Sinn Fein came in first.

I think the first Referendum had a high turnout

But a 2nd wouldn't.

And you know this how?

I think a GE would expose some of Farage's views on other issues like the NHS which could lose him some support. If Labour had campaigned properly in these elections they could have hammered this home.

I'm completely against compulsory voting

I'm a bit more relaxed if it came with a "none" option, and a requirement that the winning candidate gets over 50% to win, otherwise no candidate is returned.

If nothing else, Brexit has show us that we don't really need MPs for 80% of the time anyway.

I think a GE would expose some of Farage's views on other issues like the NHS which could lose him some support. If Labour had campaigned properly in these elections they could have hammered this home.

Brexit is like a cult to some. They won't care about his other policies, if they even bother to read them. He won't get as many votes as he did here- but I would be surprised if BP didn't get at least a few MPs in strong remain areas.

strong leave areas, obviously!

The evidence is there for the toxic aspects or Faragism but nothing will make the penny drop about his views on other issues like the NHS.

He speaks in superficial sound nostalgic bites about warm beer , democracy and Union Jack bunting. Not even roasting Ann Widdecombe's cats will lose him his core support.

The evidence is all there, his shifting policy on Norway, his lies about Turkey, his lies about EU membership costs, his taking EU salaries for no work, taking 1/2 million bonus from Banks, saying he wants to live in the US. The facts don't matter.

For the 30% + he has harnessed their feels. It's impossible to expose that unless and until he is actually a cabinet minister. Once he brings in an unpopular policy then and only then will the Union Jack tinted spectacles fade.

The likes of the north east do not seem particularly bothered about the threats to the car industry after Brexit.

What does 'the likes of' mean? . I don't think we're the only area with a car industry (which is up shit creek because Labour pushed diesels then changed its mind).

Nissan cut hundreds of jobs in Sunderland factory last year as output fell by 11 percent, hit by levies and crackdowns on diesel vehicles.

The fact the EP elections was talked up as a pseudo referendum will have probably led to those most impassioned Brexiters ensuring they voted. If we had another general election relatively imminently, this may not be bigged up in the same way / voter fatigue may kick in. Then it's the 'always tend to vote' category you're looking at for the results. The BP may not do anywhere near so well in a GE.

Has anyone started to dig into what difference - if any - the votes of the denied would have made ?

I am fed up with the news and listening to politicians on both sides spinning the results as a massive victory for Remain or Leave. Neither is true, it all seems to be gloating about which side is 'winning' rather than having any clear plan on how to resolve the crisis.

I am fed up with the news and listening to politicians on both sides spinning the results as a massive victory for Remain or Leave. Neither is true, it all seems to be gloating about which side is 'winning' rather than having any clear plan on how to resolve the crisis.

Hardly a great advertisement to those currently too young to vote, is it ? In fact I can't really think of a better way to disincentivise our kids than to tie our political system up in a juvenile spat for decades.

Although thinking about it the new Tory leader and MP's are not going to want to risk being pushed into a General Election which would happen if moderate Tory MP's defected (& risk losing seats to BP) so they may spin last minute into 2nd referendum.

The latest Private Eye (pre-vote) on the chances of Farridge’s merry band staying the course....

In NI, nobody reached quota with the distributions from the 5 lowest eliminations. UUP's (Danny Kennedy) votes to be distributed next. May put DUP over quota.

Pilcrow

..but unfortunately, the clusterfuck is going to play out in less than 5 years

Faragit just needs to maintain his cult for a minimum of 5 months and at most 3 more years (worst case scenario: assuming that Parliament limps on for its full term)

Please, please, please where are people finding out the results of an area inside an MEPs constituency? Eg people talking about Islington result, Maidenhead and Uxbridge?