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Original poster

news just in...definitely hung parliament...no chance of conservative majority

196 replies

Heathcliffscathy · 07/05/2010 09:54

according to the bbc

OP posts:
MintHumbug · 07/05/2010 11:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TDiddy · 07/05/2010 11:27

Clegg has to be shrewd about this. Yes, he will offer the Tories first shot BUT if they don't meet his demands (and Labour's offer !) then he will turn to the Labour party for coalition.

Simply, behind the scenes, he has to play them off against each other. It is the only rational thing for him to do for his supporters. Whatever he says in public, he MUST secure the best deal for his party/supporters

MyCatIsABastard · 07/05/2010 11:28

THis is very intersting times isn't it. I wonder what NC agenda is here really. I always understood it that Lib Dem and Tory policies were poles apart. Does NC see this as his opportunity to tone down/up some of their policies?

MintHumbug - thanks for the breakdown of the process. I wondered how it worked. It does seem wrong to me that the electorate has clearly voted against the incumbent party but they could still potentially stay in.

IMoveTheStars · 07/05/2010 11:30

This is all rather fascinating, I can't stop watching the updates on BBC news.

TDiddy · 07/05/2010 11:31

Looking at the share of the vote we can't say that the electorate is in favour of anyone of the parties but GB will have to go but he will not do so until it is constitutionally convenient for the Labour Party to do. For example, his exit could be part of deal with LibDems so he will use this as part of leveareg for any deal making.

What we hear in public will mask the back-room deal making.

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:33

Minthumbug, I voted! I was just commenting because of an earlier post about people missing out.

I think Clegg will go with whoever has the best chance of forming a coalition - I'd prefer a Lib/Lab coalition but Gordon's going to need to get all the Scottish and Welsh parties onside.

Dave will only get a majority if the Lib Dems side with him - so he needs them.

Clegg's suddenly in a very powerful position.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 07/05/2010 11:34

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JetSetWilly · 07/05/2010 11:34

OK this is all fascinating stuff but do you mind if I just butt in to ask: how long will it usually take to form any coalition (if that is what is going to happen)? I guess what I'm asking is when will we know who will be leading the country - say even if GB resigns - are we talking days?

luciemule · 07/05/2010 11:36

why is it the lib dems who will agree to support him and not the tories? I just don't get it.
Surely it should be whoever gets the most votes (none of this majority business).

TDiddy · 07/05/2010 11:36

yes days...but who needs a PM anyway? The trains still work, and the sun is still shining.

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:37

Oh brilliant, Boris is now on the beeb... I've to to hear his views....

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 07/05/2010 11:39

This reply has been deleted

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nearlytoolate · 07/05/2010 11:40

Oh despite myself I am pmsl at Boris! The warm sausage of coalition govnt...

MyCatIsABastard · 07/05/2010 11:41

JetSetWilly, I think I heard on the BBC that it all has to be settled within 12 days when the Queen opens parliament again but is likely to be sorted by the end of next week. If not, the Queen can (I think) declare another election be held (could well have that wrong though).

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:41

Luciemule, the problem is that although tories got the most votes, they haven't got enough seats in the house of commons to ensure that they have a majority in a vote - which means they won't actually be able to do anything!

Whoever rules has to have a large enough majority (which is basically half the seats) whether this comes from a coalition or a landslide win (such as 1997).

TDiddy · 07/05/2010 11:44

VivianDarkbloom - definitely dont rule out LibLab- he will give Conservatives first shot, providing that they match Labour's offer on key issue(s) e.g. PR.

He has to trade their offers behind the scene. He will be mad if he doesn't play them off. he can do that and keep the public face of talking first to the Tories! He is a bright man so he will figure that out. Otherwise Paddy will whisper it in his ears.

MyCatIsABastard · 07/05/2010 11:44

I did notice NC, during the run up, start to distance himself and his party from Labour but without pitching in with the Tories. As you said Vivian, he did say he would side with the electorate, which seems to be saying Tory.

luciemule · 07/05/2010 11:47

Aha- thanks Giddy - I get it now.
However, my friday has been ruined with the thoughts of Gordon the gofer Brown still being PM.

luciemule · 07/05/2010 11:47

why do my strike outs never work?!

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:47

With 29 seats still to declare and Tories only 40 ahead of Lab, it could be even closer!

KickArseQueen · 07/05/2010 11:48

iklboo!! fantastic, You've got my vote!!!

giddywithglee · 07/05/2010 11:49

Tories have just said that they will not countenance electoral reform as part of a deal with the Lib Dems.... interesting!

IMoveTheStars · 07/05/2010 11:51

lucioemule - you have to put the -- on both sides of each word you want to strike out. .

Iklboo · 07/05/2010 11:51

Oh - and they'll both be side-lining NC and asking him to be their bessie mate with promises of dead cats on a string, catapults, bulls-eye sweets and a go on Call of Duty 4 on the X-Box

TDiddy · 07/05/2010 11:53

Don't necessarily go by what is being said in public. In negotiating, I guess people will spin and laydown positions from which they intend to bargain.