UK Election 2010

[k-onmmunist]

1992-1997 was the longest, IIRC, simply because Major knew he'd lost by that point.

[Yamor]

How long before the automatic expiry did Major dissolve parliament? And why is it not possible this time to go longer? Is it because of public holidays then made it possible for the election to be later?

[afleitch]

1992-1997 was the longest, IIRC, simply because Major knew he'd lost by that point.

Unfortunately his party didn't listen to him.

One of the most intersting clips of the 1992 campaign was Major wryly smiling when telling journos that 'ive had quite a good feeling for some time.' He knew what was happening on the round (as did Bryan Gould on the other side...but no one listened to him)

Despite all the talk of a hung parliament and a narrowing of the polls (which has happened) there is very little coming from those in the 'know; in both parties that suggests that any substantial has happened.

We are now getting marginal polling which shows a larger swing to the Tories. A great analysis on PB suggests that the Tories could get a majority with less than a 6% lead. Not only is a straight swing unrealiable, so to are the voting patterns as much of the tactical voting shows evidence of unwinding.

[You kip if you want to...]

Since the introduction of the five year maximum, and not including the world wars, what have been the longest time periods between general elections?

1945-50
1987-92
1992-97
2005-10

I realised there'd be a few 5 year parliaments. I meant more precisely. Basically I want to know the closest parliament has got to expiring automatically (which I know has never actually happened).

I think that was 1992-1997.

Rumours of a March election due to Chilcott and due to Darling not giving us his expected pre-budget 'prep' (with Parliament about to recess for two weeks)

And a possibly negative growth in GDP for Q1.

[Phony Moderate]

Since the introduction of the five year maximum, and not including the world wars, what have been the longest time periods between general elections?

1945-50
1987-92
1992-97
2005-10

I realised there'd be a few 5 year parliaments. I meant more precisely. Basically I want to know the closest parliament has got to expiring automatically (which I know has never actually happened).

I think that was 1992-1997.

That's right. Even if Brown waits until the last moment it still won't beat it in terms of days.

Rumours of a March election due to Chilcott and due to Darling not giving us his expected pre-budget 'prep' (with Parliament about to recess for two weeks)

All in all a March election means that Brown would be going to the country any week now

If it turns out to be March 25th, it could be called any day now, especially if he wants a longer than usual campaign, like Major did in 1997.

[Yamor]

What's the easiest way to check the new boundaries of each constituency by electoral wards?

[minionofmidas]

The Atlas:

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7032/7032_iii.asp

plus

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm70/7032/7032_iv.asp

Oh, and:

http://www.boundarycommissionforengland.org.uk/interim-reviews/index.shtml

for some minor changes to the maps at the above links.

[RodPresident]

With the prospects of a hung parliament, how a Tory-LibDem cabinet can be? Cable as Chancellor? What cabinet portfolio that Clegg can choice?

[afleitch]

With the prospects of a hung parliament, how a Tory-LibDem cabinet can be? Cable as Chancellor? What cabinet portfolio that Clegg can choice?

Cable would never get a position in Tory-Lib Dem cabinet.

[Hash]

With the prospects of a hung parliament, how a Tory-LibDem cabinet can be? Cable as Chancellor? What cabinet portfolio that Clegg can choice?

There will be no official 'coalition'.

[k-onmmunist]

With the prospects of a hung parliament, how a Tory-LibDem cabinet can be? Cable as Chancellor? What cabinet portfolio that Clegg can choice?

There will be no official 'coalition'.

This. In Britain, we only have minority governments (we had coalitions in the American War of Independence, WW1, the Great Depression and WW2, but only then). In effect, the Tories would be in charge but the Lib Dems would obviously have alot of power over what was passed.

[You kip if you want to...]

Anyone planning to watch the PM on Piers Morgan tomorrow?

[k-onmmunist]

Anyone planning to watch the PM on Piers Morgan tomorrow?

I'll put it on record.

[Yamor]

Is this the right thread to discuss the local elections happening this year?

[You kip if you want to...]

Is this the right thread to discuss the local elections happening this year?

You may as well.

I guess that Labour will make gains in the locals no matter how the general turns out...

[afleitch]

Is this the right thread to discuss the local elections happening this year?

You may as well.

I guess that Labour will make gains in the locals no matter how the general turns out...

Depends on where they are held. Should they be held on the same day then they will probably mirror (to a point) GE results.

Doing the rounds on PB is Andy Cookes projections based on lead



The UNS makes no allowance for tactical voting, tactical rewind or any other electoral foible as it takes a 'swing' from the voting patterns as well as figures for 2005. In short it attempts to demonstrate that the Tories dont need a lead of 10% to get a majority. It needs to be between 6 and 8%

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Is this the right thread to discuss the local elections happening this year?

For now, yes. Though I will do a proper thread (with an attempt at predictions and information on seats up) at some point.

[You kip if you want to...]

The new Tory billboards are funny. I love mydavidcameron.com

[Silent Hunter]

My rather weak effort.

[afleitch]

And mine

http://www.andybarefoot.com/politics/tory.php?poster=229750

[You kip if you want to...]

And mine

http://www.andybarefoot.com/politics/tory.php?poster=229750

Haha, that made me laugh.

[afleitch]

And mine

http://www.andybarefoot.com/politics/tory.php?poster=229750

Haha, that made me laugh.

Thanks

I did this one in response to your sig

[Yamor]

Can anyone point me to any good forums dedicated to British politics, both for general elections and local elections?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Can anyone point me to any good forums dedicated to British politics, both for general elections and local elections?

Probably others here could point to more, but I know of three; politicalbetting (which is very popular but also not exactly to everyone's taste), ukpollingreport and vote-2007. I can't remember whether they're .coms or .co.uks or whatever, so its better just to google them.

[afleitch]

Can anyone point me to any good forums dedicated to British politics, both for general elections and local elections?

Probably others here could point to more, but I know of three; politicalbetting (which is very popular but also not exactly to everyone's taste), ukpollingreport and vote-2007. I can't remember whether they're .coms or .co.uks or whatever, so its better just to google them.

Political Betting is good, but more of a long narrative rather than a forum.