Reference: katty
Oh look where I dumped your pic.
I'm inclined to agree Baz 
But then 'change' is a strange beast - it can be welcome and exciting (as I think this is)
or it can bring out the reactionary side of some people. Clearly some people are angry and need time. But I want this particular change to be given a fair chance and judge on its merits as it unfolds.
But then 'change' is a strange beast - it can be welcome and exciting (as I think this is)
or it can bring out the reactionary side of some people. Clearly some people are angry and need time. But I want this particular change to be given a fair chance and judge on its merits as it unfolds.
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I have to say that all this negativity so early, is starting to smack just a little of sour grapes
Not at all! My whole life has been dedicated to attacking the Tories. These particular results though offer us a specific task of throwing 'em out of South Durhamshire and Redcar.
Ducky, just saw your post... I`ll get back to you. My dinner`s burning! 
It`s the Con/Dems fault! 
Must go...brb. 
It`s the Con/Dems fault! Must go...brb. 
All the ConDem Nation stuff...and the other puns...I still think my favourite is Alistair Campbell's "Dick Clameron"
I know that's dead childish, btw.
I know that's dead childish, btw.
Reference: Leccy
I know that's dead childish, btw.
That's why we missed you so! 
Aww fanks 
Reference: Leccy
Aww fanks
You're welcome. 
*** thinks she got away with that one ***
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It was the Lib Dems who insisted upon it
I'm sure they insisted on a lot of things, but didn't actually get very much at all. If it didn't suit the Tories, they would have denied them. It's not democratic, it's clinging on to power by whatever means possible.
Some people don't like change, or are afraid of change. Can't blame them for that. Politicians over the years have done very little to earn our trust. So it's not suprising that many on this forum, and in other places, are stuck in their ways.
C4 News Just said Cameron is being pressurised to clarify the situation, before a rebellion starts. They have only been in power 3 days
. They have only been in power 3 daysReference:
Some people don't like change, or are afraid of change. Can't blame them for that. Politicians over the years have done very little to earn our trust.
In a General Election, everyone promises change, it's a prerequisite. I'd like one good reason why I should trust the tories after 18 years of total muck up. It wont take the country 13 years to remember how the 'unwashed' were treated in the 80s and 90s.
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Some people don't like change, or are afraid of change. Can't blame them for that. Politicians over the years have done very little to earn our trust. So it's not suprising that many on this forum, and in other places, are stuck in their ways.
I'm not afraid of change and I'm not stuck in my ways, but I find this appalling. I would be appalled whether it be Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dem or the Monster Raving Loonys. No party should be able to change the rules to suit themselves. If someone could tell me one good reason for the change I would be happier. But it's not good enough to just say it protects a minority government, in the interest of a stable government. That's not to the benefit of the country in the long run. A minority government is not somehing any of us wants, and this change means we could be stuck in this situation for five years if the coalition fails. If we had a PR system and coalitions were a common thing then there would be an argument to change it, but we don't.
Theoretically the Conservatives could lose a vote of no confidence but there would be no viable way to dissolve the government. How can that be right?
Funny its headline news on the BBc...............sky news nothing
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Funny its headline news on the BBc...............sky news nothing
Now on AOL too, Senior Conservatives very unhappy bunnies!
Are we heading toward dictatorship!..legs it.
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Are we heading toward dictatorship!
I bagsy the position of forum dictator
(before Baz snaffles it )
I found myself a hat..... 
It's going to take 55% of you to take it off me.
It's going to take 55% of you to take it off me.
I think 51% is right, anything else is undemocratic.....end of!
I think so too KT. It's just good maths. I'm very upset about the maths. 
It's just good maths. I'm very upset about the maths.
It comes to something when even Senior Conservatives can't justify it, it's so wrong for any party to try to do. 
Reference: Ducky
I think it's absolutely disgusting! I read this in the Lib Dem/Conservative agreement a few days ago and thought it was crafty..... but that's before I saw the figures. There are not enough rival MP's (even if you count the Lib Dems) to vote to dissolve parliament. It's a bleeding coup is what it is! David Cameron is apparently defending it by saying the Scottish parliament have a higher threshold. But (and correct me if I'm wrong Scotty) they have PR.....and this kind of thing is designed to protect coalitions under a PR system! Fine.... if DC wants to change the voting system them by all means raise the threshold ....but until then..... it's just a dirty trick to ensure they stay in power. I'm seriously angry about this! I freely admit I'm a Labour supporter (with tendancies towards the LDs) and wasn't actually swinging from the light fittings about the thought of a Tory government ..... but I'm a reasonable (and generally optimistic) person, and I was looking forward to seeing how this coalition panned out. I didn't expect to be angry enough to protest in the streets on day three!
Ducky I`m seriously angry too. It`s an outrage..a con..duplicity at it`s finest. You`re correct on the voting system in Scotland and what it`s designed for. I almost laughed at DC using the Scottish system as his defence. It`s ridiculous and incomparable.They`re banging on about the fixed term being good for a stable and secure government. Yes, I appreciate the reasoning, but why should they be able to say...we will govern for 5 years whether you like it or not? It will happen unless there`s a revolt. Even then, they`ve secured their reign so tight with their sneaky 55% requirement...it would have to be a major revolt. I can`t see that happening.
This is a sample of their "new politics" Demcocracy my
I`ll join you on your street protest Ducky!
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But then 'change' is a strange beast - it can be welcome and exciting (as I think this is) or it can bring out the reactionary side of some people. Clearly some people are angry and need time. But I want this particular change to be given a fair chance and judge on its merits as it unfolds.
I totally agree Brisket.. I am find it fascinating.
From Dad's Army..."we're all doomed,doomed I tell ye!" Capt Mainwaring(Cameron) to Clegg "You stupid boy!"
To the barricades comrades! Fetches lipstick,just in case.
With all the current talk of reform and progressive politics surely the coalition should be making the system of government more flexible... Fixed terms sounds like the complete opposite; by definition.
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i thought the five year fixed term as a lib dem policy which clegg had to convince cameron about?
Well it's taken them that long to get a foot in the door they're not gonna give up without a fight are the?. Personally I see no need for a fixed term ......surely to God if it's all going pear shaped we need to be given an option to vote again - akternatively if everythings rosy we chug along.....don't really see this as democrativ TBH ......did anyone vote for this?Reference:
I`ll join you on your street protest Ducky!
Wooo hooooo 
Ohh Ducky!
I've been listening to Roy Hattersley on Radio 4s Any Questions.
He was angry.
But he also seemed completely unable to grasp the concept of coalition government.
He could only relate to the political system as he has known it for many years.
He appeared to be unable to get his head round coalition politics. Clearly he did not want change, but also he seemed unable to understand. He was blinkered and not even open to considering change. I quite like him normally, so I was surprised by his attitude.
He was angry.
But he also seemed completely unable to grasp the concept of coalition government.
He could only relate to the political system as he has known it for many years.
He appeared to be unable to get his head round coalition politics. Clearly he did not want change, but also he seemed unable to understand. He was blinkered and not even open to considering change. I quite like him normally, so I was surprised by his attitude.
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I think 51% is right, anything else is undemocratic.....end of!
You know I love you KT, so keep that in mind please. To decree a 5 year term is wrong on it's own, but to make it a first past the post when they know they have the majority makes it totally undemocratic. I know a lot of people will say I am a foreigner and should shut up, but my response would be that after living in this country for 31 years, I should be able to vote, rather than just spout my stuff. Apparantly I am allowed to vote in local elections, nobody ever wrote to me to tell me, so I never have, but I will now. My point is, if they haven't understood yet that we, the electorate are the ones who drive the trend, then when will anything ever change?Reference:
I've been listening to Roy Hattersley on Radio 4s Any Questions. He was angry. But he also seemed completely unable to grasp the concept of coalition government. He could only relate to the political system as he has known it for many years. He appeared to be unable to get his head round coalition politics. Clearly he did not want change, but also he seemed unable to understand. He was blinkered and not even open to considering change. I quite like him normally, so I was surprised by his attitude.
I listen to it on Saturday.. will comment then
I believe the 55% to bring about dissolution will yet have to be voted on in the house.
But don't forget Scotland and Wales have 66%, and I haven't heard them moaning.
We come like babies to coalition - a lot to learn.
But don't forget Scotland and Wales have 66%, and I haven't heard them moaning.
We come like babies to coalition - a lot to learn.
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We come like babies to coalition - a lot to learn.
Indeed we do .......i somehow think though that Cameron has it well and truly sussed .......................FGS - when was the last time we had a government for five years? He's got his foot in the door and is quite adamant that it aint gonna be shifted ....if it's going well - that's great - if it's not .................do the public then have to demonstrate for a vote of no confidence? What about all those who didn't vote Con/Dem?Reference:
But don't forget Scotland and Wales have 66%, and I haven't heard them moaning.
But Brisket.....Wales and Scotland vote using a PR system so they have the higher limit to protect coalition governments under that system as PR leads to frequent coalitions. I think it's the epitome of cheek (and that's putting it nicely) for the Conservatives, who don't want PR, to use this to their benefit. They shouldn't be able to pick and choose just to suit themselves. I only hope this will be voted against in time.
For me...this is not about fixed terms, coalitions, and "new" politics. It's about fairness.