dunroaming

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Very difficult to call this one. I just hope we don't get another hung parliament. Too awful to contemplate.

 

I fear a hung parliament is a real possibility but let's see as we get nearer the day.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

Well, Such public spirited volunteering is very much a feature of community politics in some areas of the country. A bit like going round after the postman to collect all the postal ballots, to "take care of them for people who may not understand them"!

Yes quite, although at the last election it was only the Lib Dems that offered that service around here.  They offered to take the elderly no matter who they were voting for. I am sure they will be doing the same again this time.

34 minutes ago, beautifulthailand99 said:

In my constituency the Tories have 65% of the vote - so mine is a wasted vote. That said me and missus will have postal votes for the second place Labour as we will be sunning it in Thailand come election day. If I was in a marginal I would certainly be tactically voting anti-Tory. 

It isn't a wasted vote, even if it is just a protest vote.  I think you will find in this election safe seats will no longer be safe, such is the strength of feeling on all sides.

There has already been a call by the Tory party where I live for volunteers with cars to make themselves available on polling day to collect the elderly voters from their homes and take them to vote.  Only if they are going to vote Conservative though.  Clearly the Tories need to rely on those frail, elderly voters more than ever now.

It's all very depressing listening to these people trying to talk up their campaigns as they hit the election trail.  Does anyone buy all this garbage and empty promises?  Next will come all the polls! And no doubt we will all be quoting those as we join the bickering sideliners trying to talk up our favoured party.

On the other hand it will be a refreshing change as everyone will keep insisting this is not about Brexit ???? when in fact it is all about Brexit. As we approach the finishing line, let's see how many people change horses. I can see both the Tories and Labour losing votes to the Brexit Party but will Farage help Boris out by not standing against him in vulnerable areas?  Will there be more protest votes than usual?

At this stage it really is hard to call but I am sure we will all be nailing our colours to one flag or the other before long.

Let the bickering begin! 

12 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Good luck to all the Brits and their British workers, families and colleagues.

 

Unfortunately, I bet one year from now we will still be talking about this.

 

God bless all of you Brits.

One year?  This will run for many years I am afraid.

1 hour ago, transam said:

Another spin post to stop Brexit.....Gawd...????........................????

It was a post in response to Danny's and just my opinion.  No spin on anything. There is an awful lot of paranoia about.

Anyway moving on.  Inevitably  people will vote in the GE for the party that they believe will get them the Brexit result they want.  People will be tempted to vote for the Lib Dems because that would stop Brexit even though normally they wouldn't dream of voting for them for their policies.  In the same way Labour Brexit supporters would vote for the Tories because they believe they are the only party who will push Brexit through.  So much for there socialist principles.

In other words I think this General election will not and cannot be driven by party policies as it should be.

What will also be interesting is who will the constituents of the Tory MP's who are pro-remain vote for?  I mean the one's who voted leave and now feel that their Tory MP has betrayed them.  Surely they must vote for the Brexit Party?  Cat amongst pigeons there and obviously costly for Conservative seats.

6 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

I don’t think any of them deserve our votes.

 

But I guess I will have to choose the party least likely to screw up in the future. Also, I don’t wish to see a repetition of a minority government - or one that can be held to ransom by a handful MPs with whom you have little affinity.

 

In fairness, my local MP has voted consistently with the government, and in line with the mandate from her constituents. Looks like I will vote Conservative. As a Brexiteer I have only one other choice but as I have a preference for leaving the EU with a deal then the Brexit Party loses out. The Brexit Party is also untested on non-Brexit matters and whilst I am not 100% confident in the Tories, I do believe that they have the best chance of sorting themselves out.

 

Brexit apart, I could never vote for a Corbyn led Labour Party and the Lib Dems offer me nothing, absolutely nothing, they are as exciting as dish water.

It will be interesting to see the turnout.  In theory it should very high given the depth of feeling in the country but apparently quite a few people just can't bring themselves to vote for any of this lot and are likely to just stay home in the warm.  It's an easy call for me as my local MP is Raab and I would sooner die in a ditch than vote for him (????).  But I live in Tory heartland so it is likely he will get re-elected albeit with a reduced majority.  Mind you in the European elections in May the Conservatives were beaten into third place with the Lib Dems winning and getting three times the Conservative vote, so there is so hope.

I also couldn't vote for a Corbyn's Labour Party.  I probably will vote Lib Dem because locally they just might have a chance.  In the past I wouldn't have but whoever I vote for now it will be through gritted teeth.  I couldn't vote for Johnson in a million years.  I do think it's hard to call at the moment

43 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

We have discussed a 'turn of phrase' previously.

 

Now, let's hope we can have a more mature period leading up to the election.........  ????

And let's direct that at the current shower in government as well.  I suspect each side will promise the world and deliver nothing.

December election it is then!  Labour have agreed to back an election in December now that Downing Street has agreed to the SNP/Lib Dem amendment.

Who would have thought the Lib Dems and the SNP would be calling the shots????

41 minutes ago, dunroaming said:

The Lib Dems and the SNP are offering to help Boris get his December election.  Because Johnson is forever on the backfoot he may well go with that.  Probably know later today.  With their plan he would just need a majority and they would give him that.

 

Everybody wants an election as soon as possible but nobody trusts Boris an inch.

No10 just confirmed that they would accept a Lib Dem/SNP amendment to get their election in December.

8 hours ago, kingdong said:

The government has offered a general election and the remainer s keep bottling it,how many more times

The Lib Dems and the SNP are offering to help Boris get his December election.  Because Johnson is forever on the backfoot he may well go with that.  Probably know later today.  With their plan he would just need a majority and they would give him that.

Everybody wants an election as soon as possible but nobody trusts Boris an inch.

4 hours ago, Billthekiwi said:

It is the dread of every father of a daughter. I really feel for these parents as I know that they face a lifetime of "what ifs" and "maybe we should have done that".

 

It is a very bad future for those left behind. The punishment should allow for this. If they catch them that is.

Fathers of son's have similar fears, especially fathers who did stupid things at that age.  I know it is coming for my son to want to have his gap year adventure.  My only stipulation is that he does it with someone he knows, be it boy or girl.  It is so important to have somebody to watch your back. 

41 minutes ago, evadgib said:

If UK fails to leave again the Tories will be annihilated at the next election.

Not sure given the other options.  If the Tories kicked out Johnson and purged the dreadful cabinet they might just survive.  On the other hand if Labour dumped Corbyn and the Tories kept Boris then yes they would be annihilated.

32 minutes ago, stephenterry said:

I think it should be obvious to any thoughtful person, that Britain - at this point in time - is better off in the EU, as brexit is like swallowing junk food. Appears tasty, but not beneficial.

 

However, staying in the EU without seeking to overhaul a creaking political system - which it is becoming - would be an abrogation of duty by the next UK government. I would hope that brexit has focused both the UK and EU that radical changes must be put in place if the Union is to move forward in today's global environment. 

 Or in a few decades there won't be a sustainable human environment - owing to global warming, and the USA's declination to change anything in their country to better the world. Republicans, including Trump, are ostriches.    

 

profoundly sensible post.  Thank you!

1 hour ago, steve187 said:

add no deal to the list, as it was never 'we only leave with a deal' vote

That was a given.  No problem having that on the list. Only the profoundly stupid would vote for no deal when there are deals to be had.

Maybe we should approach this from a different angle.  Another referendum with remain not an option.  List a number of options for leaving deals.  Norway style, Canadian style, Boris Style etc.  That way the Brexiteers feel they have won and the remainers put in the safeguards against the Brexit worries they have.

That is not a second referendum because the questions are completely different.

The first time round it was simply in or out and the details were left to both sides to make up as they went along.  Result being nobody knew what leaving entailed.  This way everyone would know exactly what each option represented.

8 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

Johnson needs to go back to the EU and get a deal which keeps the whole UK in the single market. Its the only deal that will get through Westminster.

"Just like Norway" as Farage said.

No need to go back. Just put in appropriate amendments to Boris's deal and then pass that.  At the moment it is weak and full of ambiguity but that can be rectified. 

3 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

You are kidding yourself. The only reason Labour and others do not want an election is that the Tories are going to win it. Grow up and get real.

 

Labour and "others".  That would be Labour, the SNP, DUP, Liberals and the Greens then.  In other words every other party in parliament.  Oh and apparently quite a few Tory MPs are against it too. 

But like I said and Labour has said as well.  If Boris takes no-deal off of the table the GE would get the green light.  Now why wouldn't he do that?

4 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

Bad idea Tusk, get the phone Boris and tell other EU members not to back a delay, let's end this TM MP's disease and get out.

Like your optimism that anyone in the EU would listen to what Boris has to say.

Unlikely that Johnson will get the snap election agreed even with all his threats.  Now claiming that if parliament doesn't go along with him he will have the government go on strike! Pathetic beyond belief.  He had Javid admit today that they wouldn't be leaving by the end of October, clearly he is too cowardly to face the press himself.

The only thing stopping the other parties from agreeing to an election is having the threat of no-deal still on the table.  I totally understand the need for having that when negotiating the deal with the EU but that is done now.  That was always Boris's argument for having it there at all.  Now he is using it as a threat to parliament if they don't go along with him.  Another pathetic attempt at bullying.

I am often accused of criticising Johnson unfairly.  Well I stand by everything I have said about him.  The lovable rogue persona has worn much too thin now.

4 hours ago, keith101 said:

As the Thai baht gains more strength exports and tourism will fall even further and dropping the its rate by just 25 basis points will do nothing for the economy .

 

It seems destined for the Aussie dollar to drop below todays rate of 20.6 to into the 19s by next year making it impossible for me at least to continue living here and will probably lead to my divorcing my wife and returning to Aus forever , at least back home a dollar is worth a dollar and wont change .

Bit unfair on your wife, don't you think?  Why wouldn't you do the decent thing and simply take her with you?  Not her fault the baht is where it is.

1 hour ago, timendres said:

Tased and zip-tied. Face in the asphalt. Straight to a holding cell.

At a major international airport - federal charges.

Daddy would be coughing up serious money to lawyers.

Tempting and I think he should have been restrained pretty quickly.  But two or three cops could have restrained him without resorting to Tasing.  He wasn't armed or in fact particularly dangerous.  Just a sad, fat, drunk.  

Surely must be a worse fear for many, being burned alive!