UK General Election - 6th May

[Tables]

I'm surprised a topic about this hasn't been made already. Maybe it's due to the low number of UK 18+ year olds here?

As you may be aware, there's a General Election coming up in a few weeks, meaning Gordon Brown might be losing his place as Prime Minister. Of course, even if that doesn't happen, there's still a fair bit of change that can occur, such as Conservatives/Lib Dems gaining some seats.

Now, I'm not an avid follower of politics, but I am planning to watch the TV debates (I heard Nick Clegg, Lib Dems, did well in the first one), but I know enough about local policies to make a decision. My consituency is considered 'very safe', meaning I likely can't make a dent in the results anyway, but I'm in two minds as for who to vote anyway: Alan Haselhurst (Conservatives) is anti-Christian, which makes him an instant no from me (being a born-again Christian), but he's almost certain to get in any way. Lib Dems (I can't even remember their candidates name) have policies I agree with more, and are the main opposition, but there are plans for a new Supermarket our town desperately needs, which the Lib Dems are opposed to. Labour, Green, and other smaller parties have no chance of getting in, so really the question on my mind is: Vote Lib Dems who are better than Conservatives for me, but are against a good development, or vote a smaller party for no real benefit at all.

So my question from here really is, do any UK residents here have plans for how they're voting, is it based on local or national policies, and (for everyone) how would you recommend I vote?

Note: I didn't see any rules about political discussion, but if it's banned, I'd understand.

[Raven]

Conservatives can stay the hell away. I was too young to remember them in power, but I heard from many people that they caused nothing but shit. I don't want to experience what others did back when they in power.

Since Labour came into power, they have done alot to fight crime, antisocialism, etc. and done it successfully. Granted crime is something which will never be abolished, they have, and still are, improving the system.

I don't care if the Conservatives are anti-Christian, since I am agnostic and care nothing for religion, their history alone is enough for me to say "no" to them. When my Great-Grandfather was alive, I remember him telling me what the country went through, particularly in the towns of Wales. I was only 8 at the time, but he seemed so relieved and happy that Labour came into power. He's not the only one to have told me such things about the Conservatives, and so my choice to vote for Labour is justified.

[Tables]

I presume you're talking about Thatcher? She's often criticised as a bad PM, particularly in mining communities such as those common in Wales, so I'm not surprised. But don't go thinking their policies now are the same as the ones back then, so maybe they're not so bad any more.

And it's not Conservatives that are anti-Christian, it's just our local MP. IIRC, Nick Clegg is an Atheist, but at least he doesn't go 'lol no' to anything you ask him to do.

[Mikethfc]

or vote a smaller party for no real benefit at all.

The Monster Raving Looney party summed up half a sentence.

I'm going to miss out on the election by 3 months but I'm supporting Labour although I wouldn't mind lib dems

[Parrhesia]

I'm an outsider, but still interested in the result. Saw the closing statements of the first debate. It gladdened me to see you didn't use The Worm.

Anyway, personally? I'm backing Lib Dems.

Edited April 16, 2010 by Furetchen

[NinjaMonkey]

I'm voting Conservative, because I don't want Labour ruining Britain for another 5 years (The Lib Dems don't have a snowballs' chance in hell of winning, besides I'm not too keen on some of their policies).

Besides, Labour has been in power for 13 years and I think that a change of government is needed.

[Phoenix Wright]

It's interesting to me that an atheist can run for PM and for the most part not receive harsh insults while in the US if you don't "wear" the title "Christian" you're evil.

Anyway, I'm surprised there's no topic about Poland.

I'm not 18 and I don't live in the UK.

[Defeatist Elitist]

Conservatives can stay the hell away. I was too young to remember them in power, but I heard from many people that they caused nothing but shit. I don't want to experience what others did back when they in power.

Since Labour came into power, they have done alot to fight crime, antisocialism, etc. and done it successfully. Granted crime is something which will never be abolished, they have, and still are, improving the system.

I don't care if the Conservatives are anti-Christian, since I am agnostic and care nothing for religion, their history alone is enough for me to say "no" to them. When my Great-Grandfather was alive, I remember him telling me what the country went through, particularly in the towns of Wales. I was only 8 at the time, but he seemed so relieved and happy that Labour came into power. He's not the only one to have told me such things about the Conservatives, and so my choice to vote for Labour is justified.

Elvis Costello would be proud!

And uh, I don't know a great deal about UK politics, but hey "Conservative" always sounds suspect to me! :P

[Raven]

[Defeatist Elitist]

Oh my god that is amazing. Especially the "vote Tory we go broke" one.

That's hilarious.

Although I've heard that recently the Labor party has become more Right wing and somewhat Authoritarian...

[Parrhesia]

I wish Australian graffitists were that awesome.

Although there were a lot of STOP signs where someone had written 'Bush' underneath. Speaking of politics, Australia's conservative just lost the entire under-30 vote.

[El Rey León]

Wow, there's not much difference between US and UK voters is there?

[Anouleth]

I'll vote Labour if they promise to wire Gordon Brown's lips shut to stop him smiling.

[Raven]

Click here for the live shitz.

[Tables]

Exit polls are suggesting a hung parliament, 307 Conservative, 255 Labour, 59 Lib Dem, 29 others. That's... more Conservatives than I was expecting.

I like the idea of a hung parliament, though. I think all MPs should be hung.

[Raven]

I like the idea of LibDems and Labour working together. But it's still too early to call anyone a winner yet.

[Snike]

I like the idea of LibDems and Labour working together. But it's still too early to call anyone a winner yet.

Doing the maths based on the exit poll, they'd have to get a few Indies to govern, as well. I'm an outsider, though, so, really, I'm not too worried about who wins.

[Tables]

Yes. But they need 326 for a majority, and Labour + Lib Dem = 314. So it's close.

[Snike]

Yes. On a side note, if they DO ally, Brown's done. That was one of Clegg's demands, I believe, if he were to ally with Labour.

[Raven]

BBC News website:

"The BBC/Sky/ITV News exit poll has been revised. The outcome remains the same - hung parliament, Tories the largest party - but the figures are now: Conservatives 305, Labour 255, Lib Dems 61 and others 29."

[Snike]

Makes it slightly easier for a Labour-Lib Dem alliance.

[Tables]

Ooh, first two seats have a massive swing towards Conservative. This worries me.

[Raven]

Ooh, first two seats have a massive swing towards Conservative. This worries me.

Indeed. I think it is however because Labour already had such a huge hold over these areas. Labour have two seats, but lets hope this swing doesn't keep going throughout all the seats.

[NinjaMonkey]

Labour have two seats, but lets hope this swing doesn't keep going throughout all the seats.

I'm actually hoping it does.... :P

Edited May 6, 2010 by NinjaMonkey

[Raven]

I'm actually hoping it does.... :P

Each to their own.

But just take a look at all the Tory hate groups on Facebook (which I've taken the privilege to join); the Tories are the most hated - maybe not in quantity, but in quality - of the three highest Parties.

Edited May 6, 2010 by Raven