The enmity between Clegg and Miliband is palpable, TSE. There's no way you'd see Ed and Nick on the doorstep of No 10. Labout would demand his resignation as a price if he holds his seat.
Its far more likely that Ed and Wee 'Eck will cosy up together. One thing the last 5 years has done is purge the Lib Dems of their most left-leaning members. I suspect the majority would prefer opposition to another coalition unless we get near 40 MPs and the Tories are the largest party again.
Vote to get rid of Brown. Well voting Tory in Sheffield Central certainly achieved that, and my Pudsey goodasrelatives voting Lib Dem achieved that too.
Recent opinion polls are suggesting a result heading towards Lab 300 Con 250 SNP 50 LD 25. Although I'd be pleased with that, I'm highly sceptical. It's a lot easier holding seats than winning them, 1997 notwithstanding. The damage that Ukip will do to the Tories' chances seems to be lessening every day. And you can never be confident that Labour will GOTV.
FPT @Josias - No, I did not say the BBC report was about politics, I said I did not understand your claim that religion, immigration and Europe were not political. Sadly, it is you that has the basic problem with the English language. You also have a distinct problem with self-awareness. Your willingness to consistently call out every terrible thing you believe Labour does is only matched by your total inability to do the same for the Tories. The Fallon story was all over the press and the TV for several days. I am afraid I just do not believe you missed it. As you consistently - and somewhat obsessively observe - I am a vile, venal, hypocrite. I admit it; which, at least, makes me honest.
Mr. Pulpstar, not if there's no viable coalition and another (swift) election is in the offing. Can't have a leadership election during a General Election campaign.
Mr. Pulpstar, not if there's no viable coalition and another (swift) election is in the offing. Can't have a leadership election during a General Election campaign.
The comment of the campaign so far is from Clegg offering 'to give Conservatives heart and give Labour head'. I'm not really sure I want to think of Clegg giving Miliband head.
All the polls have done so far this time around is remind me why we have elections.
It's another poll where the Tories show no sign of turning the tide, if anything the tide is probably rising over Cameron and Osborne's head's right around now...
Vote to get rid of Brown. Well voting Tory in Sheffield Central certainly achieved that, and my Pudsey goodasrelatives voting Lib Dem achieved that too.
It's all so complicated now !
Your vote for Clegg strategy is very risky IMO
I think you may end up regretting it as indeed many left of centre voters did in 2010.
''It's another poll where the Tories show no sign of turning the tide, if anything the tide is probably rising over Cameron and Osborne's head's right around now....''
The enmity between Clegg and Miliband is palpable, TSE. There's no way you'd see Ed and Nick on the doorstep of No 10. Labout would demand his resignation as a price if he holds his seat.
Its far more likely that Ed and Wee 'Eck will cosy up together. One thing the last 5 years has done is purge the Lib Dems of their most left-leaning members. I suspect the majority would prefer opposition to another coalition unless we get near 40 MPs and the Tories are the largest party again.
Is it too late for me to register myself back in Manchester Central?
I can vote Tory there, and know my vote is worth a pitcher of warm piss.
But in Sheffield Hallam my vote could determine who becomes PM after the election.
To quote Uncle Ben, with great power, comes great responsibility .
''It's another poll where the Tories show no sign of turning the tide, if anything the tide is probably rising over Cameron and Osborne's head's right around now....''
Bet on labour then mate. There's plenty of value.
There is indeed.
But there is also value on the Tories in the seat markets.
Vote to get rid of Brown. Well voting Tory in Sheffield Central certainly achieved that, and my Pudsey goodasrelatives voting Lib Dem achieved that too.
It's all so complicated now !
Your vote for Clegg strategy is very risky IMO
I think you may end up regretting it as indeed many left of centre voters did in 2010.
Only the emotional ones regretted it, a coalition was better for them policy-wise that a Con majority, and as far as political strategy went it worked out great because they got half the LibDem voters.
Vote to get rid of Brown. Well voting Tory in Sheffield Central certainly achieved that, and my Pudsey goodasrelatives voting Lib Dem achieved that too.
It's all so complicated now !
Your vote for Clegg strategy is very risky IMO
I think you may end up regretting it as indeed many left of centre voters did in 2010.
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
But is a leader a pre-requisite for negoations. Who would enter the cabinet?
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
But is a leader a pre-requisite for negoations. Who would enter the cabinet?
Lord Clegg?
That's why I'm suggesting the MPs would stitch something up themselves. They could do the whole thing in an hour or two.
37% satisfied with the government - top end of Tory expectations? Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to JNN that all ARSE projections through to the SUPER ARSE projection on the eve of poll will now include a turnout projection.
Note - The last ARSE projection in the Scottish Independence Referendum was accurate to within under half a point and given over a month before polling day.
Vote to get rid of Brown. Well voting Tory in Sheffield Central certainly achieved that, and my Pudsey goodasrelatives voting Lib Dem achieved that too.
It's all so complicated now !
Your vote for Clegg strategy is very risky IMO
I think you may end up regretting it as indeed many left of centre voters did in 2010.
37% satisfied with the government - top end of Tory expectations? Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
Depends how many orange bookers survive
Clegg - Maybe Alexander - No Laws - Yes Lamb - Yes Davey - Maybe
@Bond: Miliband is indeed an atrocious leader. But you have to ask what is it that the Tories are doing to lose to this man? Cameron's turned out to be a decent PM, the economy could be in worse shape, and he's had the LibDems in coalition to prevent it being a "nasty government" (and he's virtually killed them off in the process). And yet..!
I know plenty of people who are convinced, for the reasons stated above, that the Tories will get in with a majority, and that the polls must be wrong. As I say, I am skeptical - I think the poll weightings will turn out to be a little off - but only inasmuch as I think the Tories will scrape the gold medal for largest party. They really are failing to get back into power when the Labour Party are virtually holding open the door to Number 10 for them. Some reasons...
1. They lost the battle for hearts and minds. They were too quick after May 2010 to put into practice many of the ideological changes wanted by Conservative thinktanks, against a background of austerity. This made them look like they were in power for the sake of their friends. Robbing the poor to give to the rich, if you will.
2. The NHS. This was always going to be a killer issue for the Tories. They needed a few Nick Winterton types in charge to start to negate this issue.
3. Immigration. Not really their fault but they've continually blustered and floundered.
4. The ground war. They were already behind, but they've lost lots of activists to Ukip and the task is just too big for the remaining troops.
5. The air war. The national campaign has been fairly disappointing. It started quite assertively but by this stage you can hardly tell they're the party of government, what with all the jousting over promises. Cameron is clearly no Thatcher.
The IPSOS leader ratings and the difference between Cameron and Miliband are the killer for the Tories.
Tim, once of this parish, said that this relative difference between the two leaders could sway the election towards Labour if they were close.
It also shows the negative Tory 'get Miliband' strategy has been an utter disaster.
No wonder the Tory campaign has pivoted 180. Problem is, the pivot was not subtle - it was in full gaze of the public.
Why would only a third of the public seeing Milliband as a good leader and only a quarter as good in a crisis sway votes towards Labour? Wouldn't people be voting Labour in spite of him?
37% satisfied with the government - top end of Tory expectations? Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
How does that square with the FTPA?
If its permissible and a second election is as indecisive, I can see Le Grand Coalition coming to fruition.
FPT @Josias - No, I did not say the BBC report was about politics, I said I did not understand your claim that religion, immigration and Europe were not political. Sadly, it is you that has the basic problem with the English language. You also have a distinct problem with self-awareness. Your willingness to consistently call out every terrible thing you believe Labour does is only matched by your total inability to do the same for the Tories. The Fallon story was all over the press and the TV for several days. I am afraid I just do not believe you missed it. As you consistently - and somewhat obsessively observe - I am a vile, venal, hypocrite. I admit it; which, at least, makes me honest.
Did we really need to pollute another thread with this?
Where did I claim that they were 'not political'? AFAICR I said directly the opposite. But that is not what you were trying to prove.
To recap: you provided a link to that report as a sign that the BBC did studies into their political bias, in the context of political parties. Which it does not. Agree? If you read the report that is fairly easy to see, from the terms of reference, yet alone the contents.
Feel free not to believe me re. Fallon. It happens to be the truth. I do have other rather pleasant things to occupy my time. ;-)
As for not criticising the Tories: are you serious? Just last night I bashed them (and to be fair, Labour) for having splash screens on their website - but note my first post was just about the Conservatives, as they were the first party's site I looked at (and that was because conservatives.com is easier to remember than labour.org.uk). I also congratulated the Lib Dems and Greens for having various disabled-access versions of their manifestos.
As for your final sentence: that's just a rather silly attempt at putting words into my mouth that I do not believe.
37% satisfied with the government - top end of Tory expectations? Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
How many 37% satisfied are remaining Lib Dems?
Quite. Although satisfaction would suggest prepared to keep the status quo. I'm just musing really, nothing in this MORI poll suggests the 39 in ICM could be accurate. If you take the range of leads and lacks you come out with something like a dead heat on 34/35 which, to be honest, feels about right as things stand. All down to whether the country (and by that I mean of course the waverers) decides to gamble on change or stick with the devil they know.
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
Depends how many orange bookers survive
Clegg - Maybe Alexander - No Laws - Yes Lamb - Yes Davey - Maybe
Technically speaking, Cable and Webb are OBers, but most wouldn't categorise them as such.
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to JNN that all ARSE projections through to the SUPER ARSE projection on the eve of poll will now include a turnout projection.
Note - The last ARSE projection in the Scottish Independence Referendum was accurate to within under half a point and given over a month before polling day.
Best Unbiased Turnout Total: Official Count Knowledgeably Supplied
37% satisfied with the government - top end of Tory expectations? Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
How does that square with the FTPA?
If its permissible and a second election is as indecisive, I can see Le Grand Coalition coming to fruition.
FTPA will be irrelevant if no coalition is agreed, the country will be borderline ungovernable and pressure will be brought to bear to either amend or vote the 2/3 for dissolution. The PM need only need bring forward a vote of no confidence in his own government, and if the opposition vote it down, he has tacit approval for his programme, with the associated collapse in support for the opposition for playing politics at the expense of strong/efficient government.
Of course. The government of in coalition could probably arrange to fail no confidence and if the 2/3 is not achieved, go to the Queen and say 'no confidence in the house, over to the other guy' who will then either have to govern in minority or arrange for the 2/3 to pass as he or she won't get a QS through. ACTIVATE HMQ!
37% satisfied with the government - top end of Tory expectations? Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
How many 37% satisfied are remaining Lib Dems?
Quite. Although satisfaction would suggest prepared to keep the status quo. I'm just musing really, nothing in this MORI poll suggests the 39 in ICM could be accurate. If you take the range of leads and lacks you come out with something like a dead heat on 34/35 which, to be honest, feels about right as things stand. All down to whether the country (and by that I mean of course the waverers) decides to gamble on change or stick with the devil they know.
Conservatives on 35% in Scotland was a fair contributor to the overall 39%, and an obvious subsample outlier.
The E&W score was 41, which if you adjust back to a normal Scottish part gives 38 methinks so very good, but not 39 good.
The IPSOS leader ratings and the difference between Cameron and Miliband are the killer for the Tories.
Tim, once of this parish, said that this relative difference between the two leaders could sway the election towards Labour if they were close.
It also shows the negative Tory 'get Miliband' strategy has been an utter disaster.
No wonder the Tory campaign has pivoted 180. Problem is, the pivot was not subtle - it was in full gaze of the public.
Why would only a third of the public seeing Milliband as a good leader and only a quarter as good in a crisis sway votes towards Labour? Wouldn't people be voting Labour in spite of him?
Because Cameron is now not much of a draw and Labour's brand is stronger than the Tory one.
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
Depends how many orange bookers survive
Clegg - Maybe Alexander - No Laws - Yes Lamb - Yes Davey - Maybe
Technically speaking, Cable and Webb are OBers, but most wouldn't categorise them as such.
37% satisfied with the government - top end of Tory expectations? Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
How many 37% satisfied are remaining Lib Dems?
Quite. Although satisfaction would suggest prepared to keep the status quo. I'm just musing really, nothing in this MORI poll suggests the 39 in ICM could be accurate. If you take the range of leads and lacks you come out with something like a dead heat on 34/35 which, to be honest, feels about right as things stand. All down to whether the country (and by that I mean of course the waverers) decides to gamble on change or stick with the devil they know.
Conservatives on 35% in Scotland was a fair contributor to the overall 39%, and an obvious subsample outlier.
The E&W score was 41, which if you adjust back to a normal Scottish part gives 38 methinks so very good, but not 39 good.
Modelling the kippers seems to be somewhat divisive too. ICM is more like what will probably happen to the purple vote and MORI and the rest more what it actually is being stated as now,
The IPSOS leader ratings and the difference between Cameron and Miliband are the killer for the Tories.
Tim, once of this parish, said that this relative difference between the two leaders could sway the election towards Labour if they were close.
It also shows the negative Tory 'get Miliband' strategy has been an utter disaster.
No wonder the Tory campaign has pivoted 180. Problem is, the pivot was not subtle - it was in full gaze of the public.
Why would only a third of the public seeing Milliband as a good leader and only a quarter as good in a crisis sway votes towards Labour? Wouldn't people be voting Labour in spite of him?
Because Cameron is now not much of a draw and Labour's brand is stronger than the Tory one.
Perhaps the country now is so in love with austerity that they don't want £8Bn pa spunked on the NHS and want to stick with Ed's more fiscally constipated £2.5Bn increase ?
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
Depends how many orange bookers survive
Clegg - Maybe Alexander - No Laws - Yes Lamb - Yes Davey - Maybe
Technically speaking, Cable and Webb are OBers, but most wouldn't categorise them as such.
Jack - I'm not that plugged in to what's happening on the ground, being a bit of an armchair general these days, but I'll take it that your ARSE is speaking the truth loudly
Despite this morning's disappointing Ipsos-MORI poll from the Tories' viewpoint, Sporting's GE Seats spread is unchanged for major both parties with the Tories still 15 seats ahead on 286 (mid) and Labour on 271
Miliband's ratings going up are not a surprise - it seems to be chiefly driven by solid Labour voters rallying round. When we get the full charts it will be interesting to see what non-Labourites think.
Plus this looks like a left-leaning sample which will help.
It seems the scope for the Tories here is to get the 6% of voters who are currently satisfied with Cameron (39% in total), but aren't actually planning to vote Tory (only 33%), to actually vote Tory. I except most of them are blue liberals and UKIP supporters, with perhaps a handful of Labour swingers.
Everyone who seems to be satisfied with Miliband is voting for him, and some. Looks like the age old toxic Tory brand problem again.
I've just read up on Fallon's comments. I don't agree with the 'stabbed in the back' meme: as I've said passim, although it could be painted that way, it was first and foremost a family problem (tragedy?) for the Miliband family.
As for the comments on Syria (not sure if this is the same interview): Miliband behaved disgracefully at the time, and has recently compounded that by trying to take credit for something that did not happen. I can see why a defence secretary would be pi**ed off at that. Not that I expect many Labourites to agree ...
Linking the Syria comments with Putin is both right and wrong. It is right in the fact that Putin must have been pleased with the way things turned out, at least immediately, but wrong to make any further connection. (Note I have been unable to quickly find what Farron did say about it; only second-hand reports).
As for the comments on Trident: I'm biased on that as I believe, at least at the moment, that a four-ship system is the way forward. And if it did come to a Lab-SNP coalition, it is very likely to be something the SNP demand not to happen (or more realistically, killed by being kicked into the long grass for another five years). *If* (and it is a big conditional) it came to a Lab-SNP coalition, I think Miliband would have little problem with dropping Trident.
Despite this morning's disappointing Ipsos-MORI poll from the Tories' viewpoint, Sporting's GE Seats spread is unchanged for major both parties with the Tories still 15 seats ahead on 286 (mid) and Labour on 271
The IPSOS leader ratings and the difference between Cameron and Miliband are the killer for the Tories.
Tim, once of this parish, said that this relative difference between the two leaders could sway the election towards Labour if they were close.
It also shows the negative Tory 'get Miliband' strategy has been an utter disaster.
No wonder the Tory campaign has pivoted 180. Problem is, the pivot was not subtle - it was in full gaze of the public.
Why would only a third of the public seeing Milliband as a good leader and only a quarter as good in a crisis sway votes towards Labour? Wouldn't people be voting Labour in spite of him?
Because Cameron is now not much of a draw and Labour's brand is stronger than the Tory one.
Thanks. I would say that it means that people are voting Labour in spite of him not because of him. That will, if Labour do form the government, lead to interesting times. A government cannot IMO anyway be really effective if the person in charge is not seen as an effective and credible leader. Being elected is the start of the process not the end.
Wondering what happens in the circumstance that Clegg loses in Sheffield, but the LDs have numbers that are critical to the formation of a govt.
Farron smiles
Presumably MPs would do a coronation, which the members would be likely to ratify when they got the chance to vote on it. Maybe the members would pick Farron if it was up to them, but would the MPs?
Depends how many orange bookers survive
Clegg - Maybe Alexander - No Laws - Yes Lamb - Yes Davey - Maybe
Technically speaking, Cable and Webb are OBers, but most wouldn't categorise them as such.
Jack - I'm not that plugged in to what's happening on the ground, being a bit of an armchair general these days, but I'll take it that your ARSE is speaking the truth loudly
I'm profoundly disappointed to hear you're not pounding the streets of the Highlands in support of your yellow perilist of choice.
On the other hand ... Comres poll on SW where voters really have to think (and are well outside 'the Westminster bubble') shows - CON 44%, LAB 13%, LD 26%, UKIP 10%. (13 point Tory swing) As UKPR say - 'Given these are all seats that the Liberal Democrats won in 2010 this is a huge turnaround' UKPR also point out 'The results that ComRes got in their constituency question are actually extremely similar to the ones that Ashcroft got in his initial, national question.'
On Mori - is it strange that Labour go up 1 (and Greens go up 2 !!) but UKIP go down 3! Do those movements make sense? Big movements for the minor parties. Greens increase their vote share by a third and UKIP lose something like a quarter of their share?
Comments
Two more MORI polls until EICIPM?
Its far more likely that Ed and Wee 'Eck will cosy up together. One thing the last 5 years has done is purge the Lib Dems of their most left-leaning members. I suspect the majority would prefer opposition to another coalition unless we get near 40 MPs and the Tories are the largest party again.
Vote to get rid of Brown. Well voting Tory in Sheffield Central certainly achieved that, and my Pudsey goodasrelatives voting Lib Dem achieved that too.
It's all so complicated now !
https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3552/Conservatives-and-Labour-still-close-in-the-polls.aspx
The biggest gain for the Tories in 1987 was that Kinnock survived to lose 1992 as well, so in effect their 1987 campaign won them two GEs.
Miliband is probably my favorite Labour leader since Kinnock. Both of them actually shrank in the job.
Presumably carried out mainly before Tory giveaway via Magic Money Tree?
A debate between two politicians is being held on the roof of the Empire State Building
One of the politicians has a well known fear of heights and refuses to debate
The other says he is scared of coming here and debating
Personal attack.
Situation B
A debate between two politicians is being held in a TV studio
One politician refuses to debate
The other lists his policy failures and says he is scared of coming here and debating
Not a personal attack
No it isn;t. Its just another poll.
All the polls have done so far this time around is remind me why we have elections.
One of Cameron or Miliband will be off.
Graham Brady probably sharpening the knife right about now...
I'm on my mobile, can someone have a look at the Scottish sub-sample and post it.
Thanks
https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/3552/Conservatives-and-Labour-still-close-in-the-polls.aspx
EICIPM - 2.08 Betfair
LAB most seats 2.84 Betfair
Look good to me even though I am already on at GT 2.5 and 3.2
SDLP-Con; PC-Con; SNP-Con; UUP-Labour; UKIP-Labour
They'll all start talking to each other after the Election and we'll get some sort of Gov't.
SNP/PC on 6% which seems higher than normal, I think.
Green (+2) - And this after truly awful TV outings by Natalie Bennett, and the wackiest manifesto seen in years? - the world's gone mad etc, etc!
Check Scottish polling IMMEDIATELY post Indy-Ref to see what I mean.
I think you may end up regretting it as indeed many left of centre voters did in 2010.
Bet on labour then mate. There's plenty of value.
I can vote Tory there, and know my vote is worth a pitcher of warm piss.
But in Sheffield Hallam my vote could determine who becomes PM after the election.
To quote Uncle Ben, with great power, comes great responsibility .
But there is also value on the Tories in the seat markets.
"To quote Uncle Ben, with great power, comes great responsibility . "
You are a lawyer, you can find a loophole I am sure.
Disagree. Farage has the capacity to really hurt ed with the WWC, in my opinion. Enough to make up the reported 7% in hull east??? LOL
Page 20.
Are they having a laugh?
"LAB lead up and Ed ratings boost in latest Ipsos-MORI phone poll"
blimey I thought, Labour must have had a big move..... damn and blast, my heart sank
Then the actual numbers below the heading weren't anywhere near as game-over as I feared.
Phew
Tim, once of this parish, said that this relative difference between the two leaders could sway the election towards Labour if they were close.
It also shows the negative Tory 'get Miliband' strategy has been an utter disaster.
No wonder the Tory campaign has pivoted 180. Problem is, the pivot was not subtle - it was in full gaze of the public.
Is that the page on 'definitely decided to vote?'
Lord Clegg?
Apathy party definitely winning the day there, turnout will be lower than Scotland at any rate.
I wonder why the Alliance aren't able to hoover up the "Religion be damned" vote there though ?
Should be ripe - surely ?!
But at least he's there.
"Is it the Roman Catholic God you don't believe in, or the Protestant God you don't believe in?"
Hard to see this as anything other than 33-36 for each of the big two and depending on which way the last minute pencil hoverers go, a PM with approx 280 seats and the prospect of another election inside 12 months
It shows that 38% remain undecided....a slightly lower per centage that last time...is that particularly unexpected?
The breaking news is that WIND is reporting to JNN that all ARSE projections through to the SUPER ARSE projection on the eve of poll will now include a turnout projection.
Note - The last ARSE projection in the Scottish Independence Referendum was accurate to within under half a point and given over a month before polling day.
Alexander - No
Laws - Yes
Lamb - Yes
Davey - Maybe
I know plenty of people who are convinced, for the reasons stated above, that the Tories will get in with a majority, and that the polls must be wrong. As I say, I am skeptical - I think the poll weightings will turn out to be a little off - but only inasmuch as I think the Tories will scrape the gold medal for largest party. They really are failing to get back into power when the Labour Party are virtually holding open the door to Number 10 for them. Some reasons...
1. They lost the battle for hearts and minds. They were too quick after May 2010 to put into practice many of the ideological changes wanted by Conservative thinktanks, against a background of austerity. This made them look like they were in power for the sake of their friends. Robbing the poor to give to the rich, if you will.
2. The NHS. This was always going to be a killer issue for the Tories. They needed a few Nick Winterton types in charge to start to negate this issue.
3. Immigration. Not really their fault but they've continually blustered and floundered.
4. The ground war. They were already behind, but they've lost lots of activists to Ukip and the task is just too big for the remaining troops.
5. The air war. The national campaign has been fairly disappointing. It started quite assertively but by this stage you can hardly tell they're the party of government, what with all the jousting over promises. Cameron is clearly no Thatcher.
I haven't checked how everyone is settling, so it might not be a true arb, but there should be value regardless.
http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/british-politics/challengers-debate/winner
If its permissible and a second election is as indecisive, I can see Le Grand Coalition coming to fruition.
Where did I claim that they were 'not political'? AFAICR I said directly the opposite. But that is not what you were trying to prove.
To recap: you provided a link to that report as a sign that the BBC did studies into their political bias, in the context of political parties. Which it does not. Agree? If you read the report that is fairly easy to see, from the terms of reference, yet alone the contents.
Feel free not to believe me re. Fallon. It happens to be the truth. I do have other rather pleasant things to occupy my time. ;-)
As for not criticising the Tories: are you serious? Just last night I bashed them (and to be fair, Labour) for having splash screens on their website - but note my first post was just about the Conservatives, as they were the first party's site I looked at (and that was because conservatives.com is easier to remember than labour.org.uk). I also congratulated the Lib Dems and Greens for having various disabled-access versions of their manifestos.
As for your final sentence: that's just a rather silly attempt at putting words into my mouth that I do not believe.
Challengers debate - not leaders.
And Dave/Nick get their own time later to make up.
ACTIVATE HMQ!
Pro Patria Ipsos MORI
The E&W score was 41, which if you adjust back to a normal Scottish part gives 38 methinks so very good, but not 39 good.
Alexander - No
Laws - Yes
Lamb - Yes
Davey - Yes
Cable - Yes
Webb - Yes
"Challengers debate - not leaders."
But however you cut it it makes Ed look brave and Dave look chicken. There's no other way for the public to read it.
Simple average INCLUDING Ipsos MORI = Lab now 0.1% ahead.
"On what date will the first VI opinion poll by published that indicates Labour support of 15% or less"
I'll get an early entry in - 12th Jan 2017
Plus this looks like a left-leaning sample which will help.
Everyone who seems to be satisfied with Miliband is voting for him, and some. Looks like the age old toxic Tory brand problem again.
In the case of Jack's ARSE, "trumpet" is more apt?
As for the comments on Syria (not sure if this is the same interview): Miliband behaved disgracefully at the time, and has recently compounded that by trying to take credit for something that did not happen. I can see why a defence secretary would be pi**ed off at that. Not that I expect many Labourites to agree ...
Linking the Syria comments with Putin is both right and wrong. It is right in the fact that Putin must have been pleased with the way things turned out, at least immediately, but wrong to make any further connection. (Note I have been unable to quickly find what Farron did say about it; only second-hand reports).
As for the comments on Trident: I'm biased on that as I believe, at least at the moment, that a four-ship system is the way forward. And if it did come to a Lab-SNP coalition, it is very likely to be something the SNP demand not to happen (or more realistically, killed by being kicked into the long grass for another five years). *If* (and it is a big conditional) it came to a Lab-SNP coalition, I think Miliband would have little problem with dropping Trident.
SO: happy now?
Conservative 278.5 - not sure this should be > 2-1 on unders.
Listing seats by odds reveals roughly Even money here. http://newstonoone.blogspot.co.uk/
For shame Tabbers, for shame.
It's Ipsos MORI, not Ipsos-MORI or Ipsos-Mori or even Ipsos Mori.
Comres poll on SW where voters really have to think (and are well outside 'the Westminster bubble') shows - CON 44%, LAB 13%, LD 26%, UKIP 10%. (13 point Tory swing)
As UKPR say - 'Given these are all seats that the Liberal Democrats won in 2010 this is a huge turnaround'
UKPR also point out 'The results that ComRes got in their constituency question are actually extremely similar to the ones that Ashcroft got in his initial, national question.'
On Mori - is it strange that Labour go up 1 (and Greens go up 2 !!) but UKIP go down 3!
Do those movements make sense? Big movements for the minor parties.
Greens increase their vote share by a third and UKIP lose something like a quarter of their share?