The 2015 General Election Megathread

[Cast No Shadow]

 

:rofl: :rofl:

[Boris]

Why does socialist-nationalist-humanitarian Boris keep using the offensive term "Scotch"?

Hahahaha...because I can?

[Boris]

Curran wouldn't be a great loss, Brian...you're right, she is a fool.

As for the other two, I just can't see East Ren voting in an SNP candidate regardless of Murphy's flaws.

Alexander is my MP and, again, the polls say different but from what I'm hearing, a lot of people will not take a risk with a young lassie over the shadow defence secretary.

No offence to her personally but instinct tells me it would be a big mistake.

 

Now, guys, instead of harping on about Indy and 2016, why don't you share your MP's pros and cons ?

My Mp shat it and decided to retire. Darling, as it happens.

[freddiemac]

In the papers today that the fbu are saying that snp are going to cut firefighters salaries and conditions and cut the workforce drastically to save millions ?. Think this news might have been leaked a fortnight early

[freddiemac]

Fergus ewing snp energy minister asking for an all british debate on fracking. will this make it easy to blame westminster if fracking in scotland goes tits up? The minute they get more power they sensibly want advice from ruk. imo scotland will get fracking but it will cause lots of arguments.

[Craig Gordons Gloves]

Every Scot should have been eligible to vote.

 

I disagree, while i would have loved a vote in the referendum, i'm also aware that it would be unfair of me to have voted while it would have no direct impact on me unless we decided to move back at some point.  Same with this upcoming GE - i can vote if i want, but i won't - mainly as i pay tax, benefit from services etc in another country and not the UK. 

[TheMaganator]

In the papers today that the fbu are saying that snp are going to cut firefighters salaries and conditions and cut the workforce drastically to save millions ?. Think this news might have been leaked a fortnight early

It has been reported that the plans of the 'anti-austerity' SNP would see deeper and longer cuts for Scotland. 

 

All ignored by the Nats - apart from Salmond who came out with some nonsense about the IFS not mattering. 

 

Still, 59 seats though. Scotland is a nation of cut-seekers. 

[TheMaganator]

I disagree, while i would have loved a vote in the referendum, i'm also aware that it would be unfair of me to have voted while it would have no direct impact on me unless we decided to move back at some point.  Same with this upcoming GE - i can vote if i want, but i won't - mainly as i pay tax, benefit from services etc in another country and not the UK. 

The voting franchise was shite. My fiancee, a US citizen who has lived here for 7 years and has a visa for another 5, wasn't allowed a vote in the referendum. Yet someone from the EU could have moved here last march and got a vote. All a bit shitey. 

 

Not that this really matters of course. Just an observation. 

[aussieh]

Which by extension could go to great grandparents.

 

Grandparent still alive and one of their parents (GGParent) was Scotch.

 

So Parent can say they are Scotch by virtue of their Parent, even although born and bred elsewhere.

 

Child of parent can also vote as Scotch as their parent is by virtue of their parent by virtue of their parent etc etc etc

Naw, Whisky no allowed to vote, cider,lager and vodka wanting a vote cause there resident here.

Ok then Born here.

[Nookie Bear]

Born here or Scottish Maw or Da.

Just Scots, or non Scots who live in Scotland?

[aussieh]

Just Scots, or non Scots who live in Scotland?

ALL, Residents and expats.

Does anyone think The Scots Tories will split from the Tories, I think the Tories have missed a trick by not making a case for votes, instead of giving up on Scotland, and the Scots Tories are sick of it.

[Nookie Bear]

ALL, Residents and expats.

Does anyone think The Scots Tories will split from the Tories, I think the Tories have missed a trick by not making a case for votes, instead of giving up on Scotland, and the Scots Tories are sick of it.

Edit: bored Edited April 29, 2015 by Nookie Bear

[aussieh]

Even elderly expats and their pesky NO votes?

Of course.

Gordon Brown calls Davey boy anti Scottish.

[ToadKiller Dog]

ALL, Residents and expats.

Does anyone think The Scots Tories will split from the Tories, I think the Tories have missed a trick by not making a case for votes, instead of giving up on Scotland, and the Scots Tories are sick of it.

Wasn't that what Murdo Fraser planned when he stood for Scots Tory leader .

I don't think they would split under Mystic Ruth's leadership she is close to Dave .

I wonder what her spirit guide is saying about the postal vote results for next week ?

[Rand Paul's Ray Bans]

Using decent wages to reduce the defecit and the size of the state whats wrong with that. Trade Unions used to help with that but these days are gone.

 

Or the state could start taking less money from people.

[JamboX2]

My Mp shat it and decided to retire. Darling, as it happens.

I've heard he wanted to resign in 2010, but the fear that would be used to topple the leadership and cause a civil war in the party was too much for him and he stayed on in hope they'd win and he could serve another year as chancellor before retiring.

 

As it was they lost and despite Miliband offering him Shadow Chancellor and Shadow Foreign Secretary he resigned to the back benches. He even initially refused to be the face of BT saying it should be Brown, who the Tories refused to allow in as he'd marginalise Cameron.

 

After the referendum, his stint as Chancellor and holding numerous cabinet posts since 1997, shadow cabinet ones before that and being an MP for 30 plus years, I reckon the man is entitled to say "I'm done", time to have a little bit of family time before I go.

Edited April 29, 2015 by JamboX2

[JamboX2]

Wasn't that what Murdo Fraser planned when he stood for Scots Tory leader .

I don't think they would split under Mystic Ruth's leadership she is close to Dave .

I wonder what her spirit guide is saying about the postal vote results for next week ?

She's apparently furious at Cameron over the GE and his listening to Lynton Crosby on these issues.

 

As is Forsyth, a close supporter of hers. Wouldn't surprise me if this happens within the next year, especially if Mundell looses his seat and the Tories aren't in power.

[JamboX2]

Or the state could start taking less money from people.

Or the state could regulate the economy, bring the cost of living under control (ie tighter regulations on energy prices and travel costs) and raise the minimum wage.

 

A majority of non-pension related welfare spending is on supporting working families with housing benefit, income support and child tax credits. They could all be cut if the UK economy supported peoples lives properly.

[Boris]

She's apparently furious at Cameron over the GE and his listening to Lynton Crosby on these issues.

 

As is Forsyth, a close supporter of hers. Wouldn't surprise me if this happens within the next year, especially if Mundell looses his seat and the Tories aren't in power.

If Forsyth is a close supporter of her then be wary of her. Forsyth is a rabid Thatcherite so despite the gloss we can take it that Davidson is too.

[Pans Jambo]

Why does socialist-nationalist-humanitarian Boris keep using the offensive term "Scotch"?

Hes on it half the time????

[Boab]

Or the state could regulate the economy, bring the cost of living under control (ie tighter regulations on energy prices and travel costs) and raise the minimum wage.

 

A majority of non-pension related welfare spending is on supporting working families with housing benefit, income support and child tax credits. They could all be cut if the UK economy supported peoples lives properly.

The last paragraph of the above post sums up the entire Election for me.

Creating proper employment would cut the welfare budget big time.

The most depressing phrase of modern time must be "working poor".....a disgrace to even use it actually.

[Pans Jambo]

Or the state could regulate the economy, bring the cost of living under control (ie tighter regulations on energy prices and travel costs) and raise the minimum wage.

 

A majority of non-pension related welfare spending is on supporting working families with housing benefit, income support and child tax credits. They could all be cut if the UK economy supported peoples lives properly.

Tru dat

[JamboX2]

If Forsyth is a close supporter of her then be wary of her. Forsyth is a rabid Thatcherite so despite the gloss we can take it that Davidson is too.

I he viewed her as the one unlikely to do deals with the SNP like her predecessor did and like Murdo would likely do.

 

I don't think she's a rabid Thatcherite. She's shown a discomfort over what Osbourne and IDS have planned on welfare and over Human Rights and Europe.

[JamboX2]

The last paragraph of the above post sums up the entire Election for me.

Creating proper employment would cut the welfare budget big time.

The most depressing phrase of modern time must be "working poor".....a disgrace to even use it actually.

A disgrace but a truthful way to describe it. That needs to change.

[Rand Paul's Ray Bans]

Or the state could regulate the economy, bring the cost of living under control (ie tighter regulations on energy prices and travel costs) and raise the minimum wage.

 

A majority of non-pension related welfare spending is on supporting working families with housing benefit, income support and child tax credits. They could all be cut if the UK economy supported peoples lives properly.

 

Both stated positions aren't mutually exclusive.

 

I think Labour should cap the price of a pint of milk and raise the payout from winning a scratch card too. That'll solve everything.

[Boab]

A disgrace but a truthful way to describe it. That needs to change.

Agreed.

[JamboX2]

Both stated positions aren't mutually exclusive.

 

I think Labour should cap the price of a pint of milk and raise the payout from winning a scratch card too. That'll solve everything.

If you cap rents, you cut the housing benefit. If you build housing, state owned housing, and increase supply you cut housing prices.

 

If you regulate the energy market and regulate the structure of how energy markets can price their product then you can keep energy costs down and cut fuel poverty. If you start a scheme to insulate homes run by the state, you likewise could save on energy benefits in winter for the old.

 

If you limit the increase in train fairies you make public transport more affordable and can save people money there.

 

The state should actively engage in the market and help maintain an affordable cost of living.

[luckydug]

No worries.   I think the plan is for him and his mates to rent flats individually once the tax (which isnt actually a tax) is abolished, thereby qualifying for housing benefits with no reduction for the spare rooms.  They will then sub-let the spare rooms for cash anyway, i don't know to who.    I am not familiar with the ins and outs, but these guys are pretty savvy, and there are more like them. so I expect they know how the scam will work. 

 

Either way, that was the reason given for voting Yes, which, as you can tell, irritates me.  I have no problem with people voting Yes for legitimate reasons, but to get going on a scam is not one of them.

 

I think your son is spinning you a line.

If he rents in social housing after the tax is abolished he would only be given a house big enough for his needs.That is if he is lucky enough to get a house at all. The housing authorities are not going to be renting out houses to new tenants which are larger than meets their needs.

As far as i know Housing Benefit for private tenants has always been subject to an over occupation deduction. I would think this would be unlikely to change because of the likelihood of fraud.

Unless of course he just tells lies and invents children and disabled family etc. As someone else said its then up to an honest citizen to report him.

[jambo1185]

Wonderful SNP record on education continues. Reading performance falling on their watch.

 

This is what they should be being hammered on, lack of substance behind the rhetoric not indyref2.

[Gorgiewave]

Wonderful SNP record on education continues. Reading performance falling on their watch.

 

This is what they should be being hammered on, lack of substance behind the rhetoric not indyref2.

 

See the 2016 election thread. It'll be opened again after this UK election.

[deesidejambo]

I think your son is spinning you a line.

If he rents in social housing after the tax is abolished he would only be given a house big enough for his needs.That is if he is lucky enough to get a house at all. The housing authorities are not going to be renting out houses to new tenants which are larger than meets their needs.

As far as i know Housing Benefit for private tenants has always been subject to an over occupation deduction. I would think this would be unlikely to change because of the likelihood of fraud.

Unless of course he just tells lies and invents children and disabled family etc. As someone else said its then up to an honest citizen to report him.

I wish I knew what he is up to.  Wee scumbag, from his mothers side obviously.    Although I understand many folk in Garthdee where he lives can get their grass cut for a tenner, cash-in hand.

[Victorian]

One side bonus the SNP stand to benefit from is that, in the event of sending 45+ candidates to Westminster, there appears a chance to 'blood' new and potentially long term politicians and to identify the best among them as future leading figures in the party and government ministers for the Holyrood government. If this army of MPs is only to last for perhaps 5 or 10 years, some of them will migrate to Holyrood to continue political careers. It stands to allow the SNP to build up a very good talent pool for the future.

[JamboX2]

One side bonus the SNP stand to benefit from is that, in the event of sending 45+ candidates to Westminster, there appears a chance to 'blood' new and potentially long term politicians and to identify the best among them as future leading figures in the party and government ministers for the Holyrood government. If this army of MPs is only to last for perhaps 5 or 10 years, some of them will migrate to Holyrood to continue political careers. It stands to allow the SNP to build up a very good talent pool for the future.

As it does Labour. A chance to recruit new and younger people to stand in 2020. But giving them their big guns for the list selection in 2016. Imagine a Scottish Labour Party at Holyrood with the likes of Anne Begg, Tom Harris, Cathy Jamieson, Douglas Alexander, Tom Greartrex and others in their shadow Cabinet against Alex Neil, Swinney and the like. It'd give the SNP are harder job in Holyrood.

[freddiemac]

I'm not Spanish, I was born and grew up in Scotland with two Scottish parents and four Scottish grandparents. I should have been included in the electorate.

I know a couple of poles ,not long in a strange country with no idea of our culture ,but were allowed to vote?

[jambo1185]

Has anyone mentioned that in this latest Scottish poll ybr Tories are up 5(!) points and now only 3 behind Labour, 20-17.

 

Imagine tje Tories being the legitimate opposition party in Scotland. Wow.

 

Not been keeping track of the thread so sorry if ita been covered today.

Edited April 29, 2015 by jambo1185

[Victorian]

As it does Labour. A chance to recruit new and younger people to stand in 2020. But giving them their big guns for the list selection in 2016. Imagine a Scottish Labour Party at Holyrood with the likes of Anne Begg, Tom Harris, Cathy Jamieson, Douglas Alexander, Tom Greartrex and others in their shadow Cabinet against Alex Neil, Swinney and the like. It'd give the SNP are harder job in Holyrood.

Only Labour might not get a sniff of being in a Holyrood government for some time. The Labour party simply does not represent and capture the imagination of the people it used to and traditional inherited Labour support is draining away. As it stand for this election, the Scottish polls seem to suggest that Labour lead the Tories by as little as 3 points. Quite incredible. They should be ashamed of themselves for neglecting their core support in favour of trying to steal quick votes in the dead centre ground. This current version of the Labour Party is quick to disown New Labour. The next version will be quick to disown shite Labour.

[JamboX2]

Only Labour might not get a sniff of being in a Holyrood government for some time. The Labour party simply does not represent and capture the imagination of the people it used to and traditional inherited Labour support is draining away. As it stand for this election, the Scottish polls seem to suggest that Labour lead the Tories by as little as 3 points. Quite incredible. They should be ashamed of themselves for neglecting their core support in favour of trying to steal quick votes in the dead centre ground. This current version of the Labour Party is quick to disown New Labour. The next version will be quick to disown shite Labour.

All parties chase the centre ground. The SNP is no different in that regard. And the Scottish centre is not really much different from the wider UK one. Low tax, high spend, small c conservative thinking on change and especially on crime. People in the UK and Scotland especially don't like radical change. It's why the independence blue print was offering us Little Britain, not New Scotland.

 

It doesn't matter at Holyrood to be in power, if you pull the SNP back to minority, or a combination of parties do, then you make real gains. And with a more astute leadership than Iain Gray and Johanne Lamont in that situation then gains could be made for Labour to champion beyond that.

 

I don't and haven't doubted Labour are in a mess, they have been for years. But I'm not jumping ship to the SNP. I've been tempted to (and have voted) Green however as an alternative.

[TheMaganator]

Has anyone mentioned that in this latest Scottish poll ybr Tories are up 5(!) points and now only 3 behind Labour, 20-17.

 

Imagine tje Tories being the legitimate opposition party in Scotland. Wow.

 

Not been keeping track of the thread so sorry if ita been covered today.

 

Don't tell Pans Jambo though - he'll be

[TheMaganator]

JKB has always enjoyed an open letter. Here's one from one of Salmond's old school chums

 

http://www.scotlandinunion.co.uk/dear_alex_an_open_letter_to_the_former_first_minister_from_an_old_schoolmate

[Gorgiewave]

All parties chase the centre ground. The SNP is no different in that regard. And the Scottish centre is not really much different from the wider UK one. Low tax, high spend, small c conservative thinking on change and especially on crime. People in the UK and Scotland especially don't like radical change. It's why the independence blue print was offering us Little Britain, not New Scotland.

 

It doesn't matter at Holyrood to be in power, if you pull the SNP back to minority, or a combination of parties do, then you make real gains. And with a more astute leadership than Iain Gray and Johanne Lamont in that situation then gains could be made for Labour to champion beyond that.

 

I don't and haven't doubted Labour are in a mess, they have been for years. But I'm not jumping ship to the SNP. I've been tempted to (and have voted) Green however as an alternative.

 

Who is there in Labour of a similar talent to Brown, or to Salmond?

[deesidejambo]

I know a couple of poles ,not long in a strange country with no idea of our culture ,but were allowed to vote?

I can't believe this!   They will all be up here canvassing pretty soon.    Ooops replied to wrong post.  Was meant to be the one about Labour getting overtaken by the Tories.

Edited April 29, 2015 by deesidejambo

[deesidejambo]

JKB has always enjoyed an open letter. Here's one from one of Salmond's old school chums

 

http://www.scotlandinunion.co.uk/dear_alex_an_open_letter_to_the_former_first_minister_from_an_old_schoolmate

Told you! Serious tactical voting being pushed in Gordon.  Ecks gonna get it in the pus.

[deesidejambo]

Who is there in Labour of a similar talent to Brown, or to Salmond?

Anne Begg.  Honest.  tbh I'm surprised she isn't an LD.

[Rab87]

Edited April 29, 2015 by Rab HMFC

[deesidejambo]

Good old Sun.  I wonder if Katie Hopkins will support this.

[Geoff Kilpatrick]

Sturgeon as Princess Leia

 

[deesidejambo]

Sturgeon as Princess Leia

 

with Gordon Brown as Darth Vader?

[Rab87]

English edition

[deesidejambo]

with Gordon Brown as Darth Vader?

And Alex Salmond as Jabba

[deesidejambo]

English edition

Fcks sake.