Lefties 7: Simples

[Ewe]

Hope this is ok, I was getting withdrawal symptoms!

I am happy with this result, a lib/con coalition is the fairest way forward and hopefully the lib dems will be a positive impact on a conservative government.

As much as it pains me to say, as I do love GB, I think a party being in power for longer than a decade or so is unhealthy. It will hopefully give Labour a chance to take a look at itself and change a little.

I think this coalition

Next thread - reflective lefties...

I'm off to get hammered. I'm so depressed. Have people no memory.

When I said I agreed with MrJusta I didn't mean the bad-tempered bit

Cherie didn't want No 10 either - is too small for a family apparently. The Blairs used the accomodation in No 11 instead (ironically)

mmelindt how do you do tweetdeck (armando iannucci's tweets were fabulous thro the election btw) and any recommendations to follow?

Of course, in theory, you're right BeenBeta but as you know, deep down, the real reason people are 'trapped on benefits' is because they are single parents and in a poverty trap. This simple equation seems to bypass most Tories who think they can somehow force errant husbands/partners to stay with their wives by moralising at single mothers.

Nonsense...

But what if in the next election it is the same again? Wether in a few months or 5 years. Tories win, but with no majority, electoral reform hasn't been implemented (very frigging likely) labour second, lib dems third.

I realise that this is a new situation and what was done, had to be done. Surely though if the precedent for a coalition government has been set, then what would happen in this situation? There would be no good reason as far as I can see for the first and third parties to form again in a coalition? To be fair, unless there was an option on the ballot form for condem, a con/lab coalition would have to happen?.

Now we are here, there probably wasn't any less-bad way out of this situation.

But I think I should still be allowed to be cross about how we got here. Lots of people think that's entirely Gordon Brown's own fault, and Blair's before him, but I don't agree. It's not an entirely unreasonable position, so MrJusta, if you are talking to me, I think you are being rather unfair. Or at least, not terribly understanding of the anger which lots of Labour voters feel.I don't take ideological is an insult though - to me, it means that I vote on fundamental principles.

Of course not EVERY libdem is a closet Tory, and I'm sure that no-one here is. But there are those,partic from the lib tradition, who are ideologically closer to the Conservatives in some important respects, particularly in their emphasis on the individual and in not being very enthusiastic about the State.

We'll have to wait and see what the deal is, but I'm not particularly impressed with the rumoured 'concessions'.

PR should've been a deal breaker.

I agree about the 10K thing (said so to DH earlier and he chanted "£700 in your pocket" - I am thinking about suing Nick Clegg for brainwashing my DH)

very fair article [http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/11/david-cameron-toughest-hand here]]

Goodness. I'm not happy.

Sounds as though silly marriage pocket-money and inheritance tax stuff has gone, though.

Do you think Gove has had to give up Education? Surely he'll have to be found a position somewhere else, though?

here even

Yes: Laws not happy because resignation took away any negotiating power they had left...

Hassled - totally know what you mean! The first time I could vote was 1983 and it was DREADFUL. My political youth was about not being heard. Actually I think that was a big part in making me really radical. I've got flabby over the years, like the labour party itself I fear

Is Cameron's smug face still being shown? I want to turn on my television to watch something else but I can't bear to catch even a glimpse him at the moment.

Well. It had to be didn't it.
I am actually reasonably optimistic. I think Clegg has played a blinder. If we have to have a Tory govnt (and let's face it, it's only logical in a democracy that sometimes the other lot get in), then I'd far rather one that is restrained by Libs than with a landslide.

I am sorry that Labour weren't a bit mroe together over the coalition talks. But in the end it was never going to work out - just not enough numbers.

I feel like we've been reprimanded - we need to take a long hard look at ourselves? Really? Have we let ourselves down somehow? Or have we just been having an extended chat about the things that interest us?

ABD, I quite like that policy (and will personally benefit from it considerably), but it's not hugely redistributive, in that it does nothing for those with the lowest incomes who are already outside the income tax bracket. But it's incomparably better than the stoooooooopid marriage tax allowance.

Lefties 8 : Recharging and regrouping