Westminstenders: The Undecideds

[RedToothBrush]

Apparently the pollsters are nervous.

There are far more undecided than there have been at this stage in recent general election.

This makes it a hugely fine line between a hung parliament and a massive tory majority.

The weather on Thursday isn't expected to be nice and this could affect turnout. The blue corner are particularly nervous about this, but don't forget those postal votes.

Whatever happens on Thursday at least this election campaign is nearly over. And that can't be a bad thing.

And Christmas is in a fortnight so we can all drown our sorrows or celebrate in style.

You always have time to restock the drinks if you end up resort to them on Thursday

(New election special thread on Thursday rather than bunging up Westminstenders BTW)

Fridgegate even has Piers Morgan and the Daily Mail contemptuous!

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7780913/Twitter-users-react-fridgegate-Boris-Johnson-hid-walk-chiller.html#comments

I'm not particularly gloomy, perhaps because I'm a pessimist by nature, or perhaps because I hadn't seen any recent data to cause optimism. I'm more sort of bracing for impact, having seen the massive tree we're being deliberately steered towards.

And on the subject of trees, AIBU to feel deeply irritated by people (even on Instagram etc) and shops/public displays decorating their Christmas trees, but leaving the hideous bottoms (nasty spindly legs for fake trees, clunky plastic reservoirs for real ones) completely visible?

I wonder if Boris personally would like a slim majority/hung parliament ? It's the perfect way to get out of "getting Brexit done" without making it obvious. Because no matter how this election turns out I think the last thing that will happen is "Brexit done".

Elements I am with you in solidarity on tree bases. Their naked ugliness must always be covered with a basket or tree skirt. I'm less fussy about the skirt pattern though, as you can see from my beloved skating sausage dog!

The fridge thing is hilarious, who does BJ think he is, Indiana Jones hiding from a nuclear bomb?

My constituency is down as a tossup between Tory (current MP) and SNP. I went to the local Hustings, and the Tory MP had a very uncomfortable time of it. He threatened people with the separation of families if the SNP got independence. And was laughed at. He really was trying to get people to believe in a Berlin Wall scenario.

Private Eye cover absolutely spot on for me - my constituency has gone from safe Tory to lean LDs (labour were second place 2 years ago but I guess local tories more likely to defect to LDs than labour) so I will be holding my nose and doing the tactical vote tomorrow.

Onto the important issue of the day: we have a real tree, but we have a green square wooden box thing with a water reservoir in it. Now THERE'S posh for you!! (although filling it up with a turkey baster while lying flat on my stomach getting covered in pine needles is perhaps not so posh.... may I also add my genius strategy for getting rid of a real tree? denude the baubles, open the windows, cut the branches off and chuck out the window, then put the whole tree out the window too. Maybe not so good if you are on a higher floor...)

Thank fuck this campaign is almost over. I am veering between hung Parlt/tiny Cons maj good, in order to limit their worst excesses, or if Cons have to win then let them win and fucking own the disaster (think option 2 is a worse strategy tbh). Dare not dream of a Labour win.

However, the idea that we might topple a true blu safeTory seat (South Cambs) is a huge positive

DW and I gave up Christmas decs in 2013. It's just us two, and with DS now on his own, it's a blessed relief. No tree. No decs. Just a few cards (and less each year) for the mantelpiece.

Last tree we had, 2012, we dubbed our "ironic" Christmas tree. It was a pre-decorated, pre-lit one that could not have been more tacky (and therefore strangely appropriate). I guess 2011 was peak-Xmas for us, when I put lights in the windows, along the guttering, and 3 sets of lights on the tree which could be seen from space.

Now we're more aware of the solstice, and look forward to the sun returning. Fuck it, if we are going to be dragged away from Europe culturally, then let's go the whole (roast ) hog, and kick out these Nazarene interlopers and go back to our pagan roots. What's not to like about honeyed cakes and mead ? Also, it would be final closure to hear Farages screams as he's shoved into a wicker man as we take back control ...

Is that the time

Also, it would be final closure to hear Farages screams as he's shoved into a wicker man as we take back control ...

ooh, that's a plan!!

Private Eye cover absolutely spot on for me

I found it a tad ... muted ? Maybe it's the zeitgeist ?

I also predict next issue of the Eye will have at least one letter in "Lookalikes" :

Sir, has anyone else commented on the inspired similarity between the cover of "Private Eye" no.1511, and BBC1 flagship comedy current affairs programmed "Have I Got News For You". Are they by any chance related ? I think we should be told.

If for no other reason than I intend to write one

(My cv already has one letter to Pedants Corner, to support my claim about "attention to detail" )

I agree with so much that is written in this column - can you advise me?

I'm in wokingham. I want labour to get in, and they came second last time (though not a very close second). But now it looks from the yougov poll like lib dems are a close second. I should vote tactically, right? But if yougov likely to get this right?

@badger have you looked at the best for Britain site?

Isn't Philip Lee standing against John Redwood in Wokingham? That will be why the LibDems are now 2nd.

Just saw a video on Twitter in which Laura Kuenssberg says that sources from both parties have already had a peak at postal votes and things were 'looking grim' for Labour (well, duh, I would imagine postal votes massively favour the Tories?!). WTAF? If this is real, then surely she has broken eloctoral law and BBC guidelines by reporting on this? I hope she gets sacked (not going to happen, I know).

twitter.com/i/status/1204748359963234304

It looks like Johnson was in my constituency last night, I don't know how I've missed that all day.

Apparently he was here because he thought he was in the marginal next door. Admittedly it's right on the border, but still the wrong constituency.

Just saw a video on Twitter in which Laura Kuenssberg says that sources from both parties have already had a peak at postal votes and things were 'looking grim' for Labour (well, duh, I would imagine postal votes massively favour the Tories?!). WTAF? If this is real, then surely she has broken eloctoral law and BBC guidelines by reporting on this? I hope she gets sacked

At a guess:

1. "I mis-spoke" (cf Sajid Javid and homelessness)
2. I was "reporting" what I was told.
3. Look ! A squirrel.
4. Yeah, but whatabout ...

There's a reason I've not looked at BBC news for a week now. Sadly we're up to date till June for our licence. But they can whistle after that.

Badger - going by the compare the tactical site I’d say lend your vote to the Lib Dems

I've just seen that video too Purbeck.

Even if it is just people noting how many have returned votes in strong Labour areas, this still must contravene their guidelines?

@badger2005 I would look at a few other sites as Yougov is owned and run by a Tory and I wouldn't put it past them that they would give the wrong results for tactical voting.

tacticalvote.co.uk/

www.tactical.vote/

www.electionpolling.co.uk/tactical-voting

.

After my grumbling/astonishment that Bedford and Kempston have been overlooked apparently Corbyn is coming tonight!

And on the tree front. my cats have not molested them yet. The top third of the more tasteful white set have blown. I feel this is an omen.

My vulgar non LED multi-coloured retro set is so far in full 'glow'

Yolo - snap - although by commando crawling under the tree, I can usually get the top 200ml of my litre plastic measuring jug into the reservoir

This is dh's technique for getting the tree out the house

We've just been to get our tree - we're fussy and like a nice bushy Nordman - we've got a "smaller" one this year, only about 8-9 feet tall