Hung parliament and the TV debates...
Discussion
I wonder. There has been a significant rise in interest in the election thanks to the TV debates... and it appears that many, many people are making their decision on whom to vote based on how well someone came across or whether they were likeable or whether they worked the camera well, rather than actual policies. So... are many voters under the impression that a hung parliament means MPs will be hanged (or hung, given the lower literacy levels)?
With my serious head on, if we get a hung parliament, will we really get electoral reform (as someone insisted when I spoke to them during a social event over the weekend) or just a fiscally painful few months before another election?
With my serious head on, if we get a hung parliament, will we really get electoral reform (as someone insisted when I spoke to them during a social event over the weekend) or just a fiscally painful few months before another election?
Thanks. Thought as much. When people speak with such conviction about politics, I find it hard to argue against them as I know I don't know that much. Typically, thanks to PH, I've found they know just as little as me. Next time, I'll simply reply, "I bet you £10 you don't really know what you're talking about."
Seems to me that if television turns out to be instrumental in bringing on a hung parliament, the only fair way to decide overall power is to send the three of them over to the Total Wipeout course and fight it out. I can't be the only one who'd like to see that smug winky numbnuts bouncing off those giant red balls. Not Ed Balls, you understand, although that would also be quite amusing.
ShadownINja said:
With my serious head on, if we get a hung parliament, will we really get electoral reform (as someone insisted when I spoke to them during a social event over the weekend) or just a fiscally painful few months before another election?
No, we won't get electoral reform with a hung parliament because no party will be strong enough to make any changes which are fundamental to anything in the country. I don't think that there would be an election after a few months either, which parties have "power", because they won't want to risk it.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
(No, it wasn't a jibe at you. I was referring to the person with whom I got dragged into a discussion about the election. It isn't the first time I've spoken to someone who was very vocal about their views and since discovered to be not as informed as they sounded.)The election... it seems like it's like trying to have a conversation with someone about cars in your local...
Edited by ShadownINja on Wednesday 5th May 19:00
When Richard Nixon went head to head in a TV debate with John Kennedy TV audiences thought Kennedy won the debate, radio audiences thought Nixon won the debate. Don't underestimate the power of looking good on TV.
Meanwhile at McDonald's on Friday.
"Do you want [jaw drop, breath] fries with that? You will get more fries with a Labour ownership, under a Conservative ownership [jaw drop, breath] they will cut courgettes and sauce"
"BROWN!!!...........I've warned you before. You're fired"
Meanwhile at McDonald's on Friday.
"Do you want [jaw drop, breath] fries with that? You will get more fries with a Labour ownership, under a Conservative ownership [jaw drop, breath] they will cut courgettes and sauce"
"BROWN!!!...........I've warned you before. You're fired"
No; ConLib coalition by lunchtime. Clegg as Home Secretary, and Cable as Chancellor if a big LibDem share is needed. Just about workable for 12 months to stave off the IMF wolves at the door (barely six if Cable is Chancellor).
New election in 12 months, with a clear Tory majority, but possibly not before a bloodless and possibly uncontested Coup d'état in the party with Boris, Hague and Clarke divvying up the spoils of war.
New election in 12 months, with a clear Tory majority, but possibly not before a bloodless and possibly uncontested Coup d'état in the party with Boris, Hague and Clarke divvying up the spoils of war.
bobthemonkey said:
No; ConLib coalition by lunchtime. Clegg as Home Secretary, and Cable as Chancellor if a big LibDem share is needed. Just about workable for 12 months to stave off the IMF wolves at the door (barely six if Cable is Chancellor).
New election in 12 months, with a clear Tory majority, but possibly not before a bloodless and possibly uncontested Coup d'état in the party with Boris, Hague and Clarke divvying up the spoils of war.
If there is a coalition this is spot on I think, as long as the bulk of the painful cuts have been put off. But I have a feeling the Tories may just sneak a majority this time round.New election in 12 months, with a clear Tory majority, but possibly not before a bloodless and possibly uncontested Coup d'état in the party with Boris, Hague and Clarke divvying up the spoils of war.
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