It looks like I forgot to mention here that I have confirmation that I can vote on Thursday.
10 Likes
Excellent! So pleased to read that. 
4 Likes
do you know why they took away your vote in the first place?
3 Likes
If scrapping human rights as a manifesto pledge to the applause of a room full of tory supporters doesn’t send chills through your spine then i can’t help ya. Is it the tories or the terrorists that wish to destroy human rights? I forget which.
Get her OUT.
7 Likes
“They hate us for our democracy. So let’s cut back on the democracy, and maybe they’ll stop attacking us.” Tories+GOP.
I’ve been following the election this week on Sky News. Here’s my summary, as an ignorant Yank, of the messages of the three main parties.
Lib-Dems: "Just like Labour, except we oppose Brexit. Oh, and homosexuals shouldn’t be allowed to marry."
Tories: "Just like UKIP, except we don’t hate Jews."
Labour: “Just like Labour, except we support Brexit.”
3 Likes
You were right about the ignorant yank bit. It would probably help if you didn’t get your news from Sky.
The Lib Dems are by far the best party when it comes to civil liberties, and their leader, despite being an evangelical Christian, doesn’t have the slightest problem with gay people and fully supports their right to marry.
Thankfully, they’re not “just like Labour” in many other regards either.
1 Like
I have a slight issue with this statement because it’s not quite that simple, is it? He has been less than forthcoming on his beliefs conflicting with gay marriage in the past and he did abstain from voting on a third reading of the bill. I’m glad he’s now clarified that he does not believe it a sin and wouldn’t oppose equality going forward regardless of this beliefs, which is what you hope for from a politician really. But to say he never had the slightest issue with gay marriage is just not entirely accurate. Though of course they should be applauded when they come to their senses for the better of everyone. I’m reminded of nigel adams though the video appears to have vanished from youtube…
1 Like
He says he abstained because he was unhappy with certain amendments to and shortcomings of the bill, including not doing enough in terms of protecting Trans rights. He was clearly in full support of the general outline (having voted for the first two readings), and in hindsight probably should have voted for the final reading anyway, which he says himself in the article you linked.
I didn’t say he ‘never had the slightest issue with gay marriage’ in my original post, I said he ‘doesn’t have the slightest problem with gay people’, we can only speculate on his views prior to being an MP, but the first time he had a chance to vote to in favour of marriage equality he did.
1 Like
Yeah, that’s fair enough. I guess i’m projecting because to me if anyone has a problem with gay marriage then they have a problem with gay people, the two are entwined in my view. I think the issue many have had with farron over this is the aforementioned third reading thing and his evasive answers two years ago which interviewers only focused on because of his beliefs anyway. But then this election has dredged up a lot of dodgy views from MP’s pasts it seems.
1 Like
I would agree with that, but there’s no evidence that Farron has, or ever had, a problem with gay marriage in principle, so there’s no reason to draw that conclusion, he just had some technical issues with amendments to a specific bill.
Well sure, no evidence of his personal beliefs because he categorically failed to answer the question in the most straight forward way when directly asked. If he had then the issue most likely would have ended there so all we have left to judge him on are his actions and the third reading abstention doesn’t look good, regardless of the supposed reasons.
I think he’s alright actually, he has been quite refreshingly honest this election, probably because his party has nothing left to lose but anyway…
Which is of course what politicians always say when confronted with their bigoted decisions.
Until a few weeks ago my source was the BBC, but my source for the stream disappeared. I also watch DW every day, Rai 1 on occasion, and read the the Aftenposten (in addition to my local US newspaper, the Wapo, and the NYT). But you’re right, perhaps my sources for news are still not sufficiently complete or diverse. Any suggestions?
(I also used to listen to the Today Programme every day, but stopped after the Tim Hunt affair.)
1 Like
Just voted. After the Labour comeback in the last few weeks I don’t think the Green Party have a chance of winning in Oxford East, but I voted for Larry anyway.
I went past several polling stations coming back from a doctors appointment and there were queues, including my polling station. Maybe a high turnout in the Oxford seats? Also, the after work traffic jams started before 4:30. Usually they start at 5-5:30.
4 Likes
The ITV exit poll predicts a Conservative coalition/minority government. They’re also saying it’s too close to call.
ITV tend to be conservative leaning.
I’m still expecting the worse and hoping for the best, and I’m probably going to be awake all night.
1 Like
3 Likes
BBC are also saying the tories will be the largest party but no majority.
I feel like the turnout is gonna be high this year but will it be the year the young 'uns stop us heading into a future of more austerity, dismantling the welfare state, increased surveillance… or will it be like last year and the old 'uns stealing our children’s futures.
4 Likes
I could live with this result if it’s true. To call a snap election after repeatedly repeatedly saying she wouldn’t just so she could consolidate her power, her polling numbers pointing to a thumping majority and now she might lose seats? What a colossal own goal. Still early but if it’s true there’ll be calls for her resignation after this and the faint echo of sharpening knives in westminster.
2 Likes
Who would want to go into a coalition with the Tories? The Lib Dems will (hopefully) demand freedom of movement in the Brexit negotiations, if they want anything to do with it at all. SNP will want another independence referendum and are more likely to tell them to fuck off, as will Labour. The DUP and UUP MPs won’t be enough for a majority.
A conservative minority government, with rebelling europhile MPs and a housing market crash probably going to happen in the next few years. How could it get better?
1 Like
UKIP?
ETA: But seriously… thatcher may seems absolutely intent on making as many enemies as she can, she’s an authoritarian through and through. So nope, nobody would want to form a coalition with them when she classifies all opposition as enemies of the will of the bloody people.
6 Likes
And it begins.
Newcastle Upon Tyne Central is a Labour hold. A 2% gain from the Tories. Ukip’s share of vote down 11%.
