Ah but ..............Labour always got the majority for three terms. Even after 13 years Conservatives couldn't get a majority and had to kiss and cuddle up. Now having got that power they're changing the rules in order to cling on...............I can't remember the last time we went five years - and as for raising the percentage to 55% that really is a desperate move to skew things in their favour isn't it?

We shall toast the Lib Dems next May and The Tories..

Ah. but they are not in government alone...... and with the Lib Dems  they do have a majority..... both in votes and seats.....

if anyones interested http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/see...iament_dissolut.html

It's a ping pong game, we've moaned and waited for 18 years, you (and I mean that in the sense of political persuvasion) waited for 13 years. Nobody actualy won this election and if Cameron was true to himself, he would have gone it alone and called another election in a few months time. The fact that he didn't and the Lib/Dems got together with him makes me feel quite convinced that the only thing these two parties have in common is to get power. I'm sort glad that Labour didn't sell themselves out for that.

I would gladly have done so if they had got a majority and I will gladly do so if the coalition stay together. But not if they end up a minority government, powerless to win a vote on new laws but protected against a vote for dissolution. That's the situation that worries me......and should worry all those who want a stable government.

Don't worry the House of Commons has 647 MPs.
I doubt that all 647 will vote the same way.
Some parties even have rebels within the party.

But it's not wrong to strive for it surely? And this is a step in the opposite direction imo.

Yep I agree totally with this, Power hungry, i will sell my soul now give me the keys to no 10, losers.......I mean losers literally

And you really believe that Labour isn't exactly the same Cologne..... Call me cynical, but I truly believe that ALL political  parties are driven by wanting power.... not much point in being in politics if all you want to do is sit on the sidelines..... cos you can't get much done from there....

I realise that ...........I would try and explain myself again but maybe you misunderstood my post. That's what's so crooked IMO. Labour had the majority for thirteen years ....three terms in fact ....never tried to pull a stunt like that though.

I am not arguing for or against it Ducky...... I just think that, given the way things are,  we should at least be giving them a chance...... But then perhaps I am being naive.

This is coalition.
It is different.

No, I understood your post Soozy..... But, at the risk of getting jumped at from a great height, in my book it was far more *crooked* taking us into a war based on a pack of untruths......

I'll call you on that one then Baz! (Evenin' all btw.)

If that is the case, why do any of us espouse any political beliefs? Surprisingly, I think many people who enter politics do it to make a change for the public good. And this particular discussion shows that politics is a subject that many are quite passionate about.

And for what it's worth, I think this constitutional change is quite sinister... and, if not abused by this coalition arrangement, leaves it open to abuse by others in the future.

I agree with that Baz, honestly I do......but I think it's just as dangerous to ignore it for the sake of stability. Not everyone is blinded by party politics, and I would hate you to think that's what drives me on this.   I feel very strongly that this is wrong and I would whichever party was advocating it.  

I think people can give the coalition a chance and at the same time stand up and say this is wrong. The two things shouldn't be mutually exclusive.

Ahh but I was very careful to say Political parties Xochi..... not some politicians... or voters   And I stand by my assertion that those who run the political parties are driven by a desire for power......Evening Xochi by the way

(said in terms of striving for a more democratic, fairer, more fitting with the times political system)

This is where I am...  a desire to strive for reform...   it leaves me kinda partyless!

 But I haven't actually said which side I am on

 You gave me an idea..check the Cameron and Clegg..the future thread.

That is a given Baz! And that is why this constitutional amendment is self-serving in that respect.

I have a friend in the Welsh borders who is very active in the LibDems. He said the local party reaction to this coalition is extremely angry and people are already resigning their memberships.

And evening to you too!

Yeah I did notice that!   I just didn't want this to be accused of being another "us and them" thread ...... we should be allowed to rise above party allegiance and judge each issue as it comes.

Ditty will tell us off otherwise. She won't be happy till we're all sat around singing kumbaya

I am sure there are lots of people out there from both parties who are unhappy and who feel let down.....this was never going to be easy......but if other countries manage to live with coalitions, why can't we.......

I agree with Nick Baz  Labour were more than duplicitous when it suited them. They thought the boundary changes would suit them better, pah! The War in Iraq was one great big stinking lie from begining to end, and that cost lives not votes.

*breaks away from True Blood to deal with that statement*




Tis tribalism for its own sake I am against!  

It detracts from the here & now issues

I'm sure we will be able to given time. Now if only the Conservatives would give us PR then we can have the rest of eternity to get used to it.

We may have to convince the press though

There be the source of all evil!

WOOOO HOOOOO!

Ducky 1.....Vampires 0.

No, I agree Baz that they are all driven by wanting to be the Government, but surely there has got to come a time when they understand that it's not about their power. We (and I wish I could include myself) have given them a hung parliament and sent out the message that we are not amused by any of them. What I don't like is the scrambling for power. The Lib/Dems would never have got there without the Conservatives, but I still maintain that the Tories should have had the guts to form a minority Government and see how the Country liked it. That to me is Democracy rather than wanting to be the top dogs.

 That's what I feel we should all be doing Ducky.... sadly, as a country we are far too tribal in our political beliefs IMO... and it will be that, that could bring the coalition down, rather than  the policies....

Eric was on screen as well!!

 Exactly Suzy.......

LOL... snap Ditty

But Baz... this thread is about the concept of a fixed term parliament and this proposition of a 55% majority in the event of a vote of confidence in Parliament. I am not arguing the toss about the pros or cons of a coalition here. All I'm saying, like Ducky, is that irrespective of which ever party or coalition is proposing it, it is dangerous if it makes any party in power more able to stay in power despite the wishes of the electorate, or indeed the very MPs we vote to represent us!

Woah

I have the power!

I'm not supposed to be here, but I am with you in spirit Baz  Fed up to the back teeth of neigh sayers and doom mongers....it's only been a few bloody days

I had to read back to double check then Baz....

I knew you were either agreeing about the tribalism in politics...

or you too were drooling over Eric in True Blood...  

I am not that surprised its the former!

*sits & waits for Ducky to become corrupt*

You see I really should look at the Gaga Thread list more often... this is where you all are... a tad shouty for a friday night mind 

Have you all run out of vodka and hobnobs?


I'll get me coat.. 


Z.

....and I agree.