Lib dems beaten in to 6th in Barnsley

[2cats2many]

The independent candidate even polled more votes than them.

Is this the beginning of the end for the Lib Dems, or do you think they will win back support over the next 4 years?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12643639

well, the Sun has a lot of readers who arent interested in politics; but they cant ignore the drip drip of headlines day after day; they probably did damage Labour in the Kinnock era. But whether they won it or not is an open question .

There is a bandwaggon effect in general elections and some people vote for the likely winner.

That apart...how good is our democracy? It is often praised as the best; but I am not so sure.

cheers "Gabby"

I know you know how extensive his empire is edam but you said your dissertation was on the Sun's role.

It's become fashionable recently to deny Murdoch's influence on politics. (Usually something espoused by his own media). But it's like saying the Pope's not a Catholic. Look a the States and how his Fox TV brainwashes (sorry, informs) people.

Who praises it as the best Gabby? I live abroad and I can assure you that the view from here is somewhat different.

Cheers. "Glas".

I am not at all surprised by this result. I was born and brought near Barnsley. I am least surprised about the UKIP coming second.

I saw an analysis of the votng patterns and a substantial number of LABOUR voters switched to UKIP, not just Tory ones.

The phenomenon is similar to when Margaret Thatcher came to power. UKIP stands for the kind of traditional values that many working class people agree with and they dont like Europe.

The Coalition just have not delivered and LibDems have been punished. I have long thought we would ultimately end up with a two party political system in the UK with each country in the union having a nationalist party making up the third place (ie UKIP, SNP, Plaid, and Sinn Fein). It seems to be coming true and can see LibDem MPs splitting and being subsumed into the two main parties within the lifetime of this parliament shortly after the AV vote.

In the end AV may result in the death of LibDems rather than strengthening them as many thought. It will though promote the rise of nationalist and other minority parties and independents as in Ireland.

Ireland does not have AV but any system other than FPTP tends to promote the rise of a larger number of small parties.

'It's become fashionable recently to deny Murdoch's influence on politics'

glasnost, where do you get this stuff?

From the media.

glasnost - yes but in order to write a whole dissertation on the topic, you obviously have to get into the role of the whole Murdoch empire. It would be a bit odd to just write about The Sun and ignore the rest of it. But I assume MN really doesn't want the full 15,000 words or however many it was.

Oh no I'd lke to read all of it. But I'm weird like that.

I agree with Paul (ooh sorry, that expression 'I agree with' sends shivers down my spine.)

Nick Clegg MUST have betrayed his party when he agreed to stitch up the students - otherwise, how come most of the LibDems voted NOT to send tuition fees through the roof?

That one issue was the killer, wasn't it, and the outcome is nonsensical as well as really, really shitty for next year's school leavers. No money will be saved under the bad new system - if it goes through it's for ideological purposes only.

Sorry - I posted thinking Paul88 at 11.18 on page 1 was the post I'd be following - didn't mean to cut up the thread like that, I see you're all talking about the Murdoch empire now.

I think the Libdems are finished. Cameron's is lining himself up and his party to 'go it alone' at the next election. Cameron made a good speech on business this week, said to DH he looks like he will ditch Cleggers at nearest opportunity.
WE think Cameron sees Clegg as this! http:jeffreyhill.

I have a day off work and I promised myself I would not spend it all on here but I am pleased to say;

Clegg you two faced scumbag your lies and deceits have come back to bite you, your snivelling capitulation to the Tory filth has won you what exactly.

As your candidate in Barnsley said "people think, vote yellow get blue" but then again your a poxy Tory anyway Clegg.

Some advice;

Clegg leave MY party and join the Tories, you will feel more at home, and take Laws and Alexander with you.

Cable, grow a backbone you wretch and just maybe you will get a little respect back.

LD'MPs vote against the Tory cuts at the next conference and in Parliment, if you dont the voters will destroy you.

AV, your probably going to lose, I want it and I will vote against it, I dont want Clegg to be able to say he made a good decision to get into bed with Cameron and his ilk.

Local elections, your screwed, just learn the lesson, if you lay down with dogs you get fleas.