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  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Tom Clarke had been MP for Coatbridge since 24th June 1982. That's a few days after the Falklands War ended.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coatbridge_and_Airdrie_by-election,_1982
  • currystarcurrystar Posts: 1,171

    I really don't get the whole Farage/UKIP resignation. Why didn't he just do what he said and spend the summer on holiday and then be "persuaded" back in the autumn? Nothing much will happen now for months apart from an emergency budget in June.

    He is addicted to fame. In some ways he is the male equivalent of Jordan
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,320
    I was thinking along those lines, except I felt that both Ukip and Farage would have been better having a Leadership contest with Farage putting himself forward along with some fresh faces. The idea that his party executive 'begged him' to reconsider looks terrible and further indicates the party remains a one man bandwagon rather than a serious political party aiming at expanding its base.

    I really don't get the whole Farage/UKIP resignation. Why didn't he just do what he said and spend the summer on holiday and then be "persuaded" back in the autumn? Nothing much will happen now for months apart from an emergency budget in June.

  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800

    isam said:

    TGOHF said:

    isam said:

    isam said:

    Haha love it!

    Robin Brant (@robindbrant)
    12/05/2015 12:03
    He's going to go for it again... @Nigel_Farage on 5live: 'I would look forward to a by-election in a Labour seat very much indeed.'

    Yep... UKIP sure aren't a one-man band...
    The lack of hostility to Ukip over the weekend was noticeable... 'Without Farage they will be irrelevant etc'... 'We have taken their king!'

    But no! He's back!

    He is risen

    And the hate returns...

    Good old Nige!
    Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 6m6 minutes ago
    bbc to alan milburn: are you relieved its (new @ukip leader) not @paulnuttallukip ? milburn to bbc: who?
    TGOHF said:

    isam said:

    isam said:

    Haha love it!

    Robin Brant (@robindbrant)
    12/05/2015 12:03
    He's going to go for it again... @Nigel_Farage on 5live: 'I would look forward to a by-election in a Labour seat very much indeed.'

    Yep... UKIP sure aren't a one-man band...
    The lack of hostility to Ukip over the weekend was noticeable... 'Without Farage they will be irrelevant etc'... 'We have taken their king!'

    But no! He's back!

    He is risen

    And the hate returns...

    Good old Nige!
    Robin Brant ‏@robindbrant 6m6 minutes ago
    bbc to alan milburn: are you relieved its (new @ukip leader) not @paulnuttallukip ? milburn to bbc: who?
    Alan Milburn
    Who ;-)

    The one who left the Cabinet for 'family' reasons
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 63,137
    Pulpstar said:

    I've just had a thought

    Dan Hodges REALLY was privy to Conservative private polling wasn't he ?

    No, I think he was just loudly reflecting what Blairites were thinking, i.e. we have tried this before and we get beaten. There was no move by the British public to the left after the Great Recession.
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932

    I really don't get the whole Farage/UKIP resignation. Why didn't he just do what he said and spend the summer on holiday and then be "persuaded" back in the autumn? Nothing much will happen now for months apart from an emergency budget in June.

    Other Kippers could have declared their candidature and started their leadership campaigns. He could have looked even sillier than he does.
  • JohnOJohnO Posts: 4,291

    Dave if you're reading this.

    This presents you with the perfect opportunity to ennoble JohnO.

    Dave, You might wish to know I've patiently sitting by the phone for hours.... I'm quite happy to do reverse charges if you call.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978
    currystar said:

    I really don't get the whole Farage/UKIP resignation. Why didn't he just do what he said and spend the summer on holiday and then be "persuaded" back in the autumn? Nothing much will happen now for months apart from an emergency budget in June.

    He is addicted to fame. In some ways he is the male equivalent of Jordan
    Yeah she too stood for parliament and lost.

    I believe she might have been the popular front candidate in 2001 in Stretford and Urmston
  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800

    Pulpstar said:

    I've just had a thought

    Dan Hodges REALLY was privy to Conservative private polling wasn't he ?

    No.
    How do you know?
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,509
    AndyJS said:

    Tom Clarke had been MP for Coatbridge since 24th June 1982. That's a few days after the Falklands War ended.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coatbridge_and_Airdrie_by-election,_1982

    33 years wasted for constituents
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978

    Pulpstar said:

    I've just had a thought

    Dan Hodges REALLY was privy to Conservative private polling wasn't he ?

    No.
    How do you know?
    Can you imagine CCHQ sharing private polling with a Labour supporter?
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    edited May 2015
    Plato said:


    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.


    Under the reforms, Tory Governments will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of voters who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a Tory Government to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow Opinion Pollsters to hire Competent Staff.

    :lol:
  • AndyJS said:

    I didn't expect a swing to the Tories in Vauxhall.

    Changes:

    Lab +4.0%
    Con +5.7%
    Green +6.0%
    LD -18.2%
    UKIP +2.9%

    The area is becoming fairly well to do. Kate Hoey has a very strong personal vote, but if house prices continue to rise, it is difficult to see the area not becoming marginal within a generation.
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932

    Scott_P said:

    @smashmorePH: One betting firm emails me to say @DouglasCarswell is now 2/1 to re-join the Conservative party by the end of the year.

    Even if he wanted to, he should be politely told to eff off. He tried to help sink the party.
    Tactically, robbing UKIP of a voice in the House of Commons - and therefore of any Short Money - might be a wise thing to do. It would make it all the more amusing as Farage stands at each and every by-election trying to get that one seat.

    Carswell I would take back. The TPD? Not in a month of Sundays.
    Carswell is in the wrong party. He seems a decent sort and disagrees with much that Farage says. He's wrong about the EU, but that goes for quite a few in the Tory party.
  • nigel4englandnigel4england Posts: 4,800

    Pulpstar said:

    I've just had a thought

    Dan Hodges REALLY was privy to Conservative private polling wasn't he ?

    No.
    How do you know?
    Can you imagine CCHQ sharing private polling with a Labour supporter?
    Yes, if it means that Labour supporter is going to consistently undermine him.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150

    Scott_P said:

    @smashmorePH: One betting firm emails me to say @DouglasCarswell is now 2/1 to re-join the Conservative party by the end of the year.

    Even if he wanted to, he should be politely told to eff off. He tried to help sink the party.
    Tactically, robbing UKIP of a voice in the House of Commons - and therefore of any Short Money - might be a wise thing to do. It would make it all the more amusing as Farage stands at each and every by-election trying to get that one seat.

    Carswell I would take back. The TPD? Not in a month of Sundays.
    Carswell is in the wrong party. He seems a decent sort and disagrees with much that Farage says. He's wrong about the EU, but that goes for quite a few in the Tory party.
    Is Carswell the loneliest man on the Opposition benches?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/
  • fitalassfitalass Posts: 4,320
    Be hilarious if the news that Farage was begged to reconsider his resignation as Ukip Leader then leads Carswell to resort to begging the Conservatives to let him return on the back into the fold. Not that I would particularly happy to see him return!
    Scott_P said:

    @smashmorePH: One betting firm emails me to say @DouglasCarswell is now 2/1 to re-join the Conservative party by the end of the year.

  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932

    We need electoral reform.

    Multi member STV for the Commons.

    And a fully elected Senate on 10 year terms.

    There will be a 10 year ban from leaving the Commons and standing for election to the Senate

    Much too sensible to ever have a chance of being implemented.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    She looks OK too :)
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
  • MikeSmithsonMikeSmithson Posts: 7,382

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    I've never understood why employees don't vote in strike ballots. I have a lot of criticisms of the FBU, but one thing they are good at is making it easy to vote in ballots. You get a ballot paper sent to your home, with a prepaid return addressed envelope. If you can't be arsed to vote in a situation like that, on a matter that is as important as striking, where you stand to lose a lot of wages, then, frankly, you deserve all you get.

    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.

  • FrancisUrquhartFrancisUrquhart Posts: 82,533
    edited May 2015

    Pulpstar said:

    I've just had a thought

    Dan Hodges REALLY was privy to Conservative private polling wasn't he ?

    No.
    How do you know?
    Can you imagine CCHQ sharing private polling with a Labour supporter?
    Yes, if it means that Labour supporter is going to consistently undermine him.
    I very much doubt anybody but a very select number of people knew the ins and outs. It was reported that a very small team of people reported directly to Cameron and Osborne. Bits and pieces did leak though, by whom and why, we will never know.
  • Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039
    edited May 2015
    Excellent inquest piece on the LD-Con battle, enhanced massively by the commentator who calls for the LD's to go forward with a message of "opportunism and unity", only to correct himself to "optimism and unity". You had it right the first time, pal...

    http://www.libdemvoice.org/lib-demtory-waverers-wanted-continuity-but-they-voted-conservative-to-achieve-it-45857.html

  • PlatoPlato Posts: 15,724
    Ed Miliband lost the election in part because left-wing voters failed to turn out to vote, according to an analysis by Ipsos MORI, the pollsters.It contradicts earlier theories that the Tories won because of “shy Tories” swung towards the Conservative party at the last minute, having previously declared an intention to vote Labour.

    Instead, the Tories won because they were able to mobilise a greater proportion of their base vote, with Labour’s younger supporters failing to vote.

    An election result implied by polling would give the Tories 12.5 million votes, and Labour 12.2 million. However, in the event, the Tories secured 11.3 million votes, and Labour 9.3 million.

    Overall, turnout was six percentage points lower than pollsters expected. Usually, turnout is around 10 points lower than the number of people saying they are "certain to vote" declare, but this year it was sixteen points lower.
    AndyJS said:
  • Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039

    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    She looks OK too :)
    Sunil, I don't want to be the guy who picks on you, but it's rather unbecoming of you to post something along these lines every time someone mentions an up-and-coming female MP! Just friendly advice...
  • JonathanJonathan Posts: 21,706

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    I've never understood why employees don't vote in strike ballots. I have a lot of criticisms of the FBU, but one thing they are good at is making it easy to vote in ballots. You get a ballot paper sent to your home, with a prepaid return addressed envelope. If you can't be arsed to vote in a situation like that, on a matter that is as important as striking, where you stand to lose a lot of wages, then, frankly, you deserve all you get.
    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.



    Indeed. Moreover 36.9% of the 66% who bothered to turnout. IE 24% of the electorate.

    And that's before you look at councils.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    Plato said:


    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.


    Under the reforms, Tory Governments will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of voters who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a Tory Government to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow Opinion Pollsters to hire Competent Staff.

    :lol:

  • watford30watford30 Posts: 3,474

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    I've never understood why employees don't vote in strike ballots. I have a lot of criticisms of the FBU, but one thing they are good at is making it easy to vote in ballots. You get a ballot paper sent to your home, with a prepaid return addressed envelope. If you can't be arsed to vote in a situation like that, on a matter that is as important as striking, where you stand to lose a lot of wages, then, frankly, you deserve all you get.
    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.



    We all get a vote at the GE.

    Where's my chance to have a say in whether train drivers go on strike for more money?
  • john_zimsjohn_zims Posts: 3,399
    edited May 2015
    @Plato

    'Dave Can't Win Here Part 94'

    If the Lib Dems or any other party wants to play silly buggers and block the policies of a democratically elected government,then Cameron will just flood the place with Tory life peers.

    I can't imagine that the public will have any time for a bunch of unelected, geriatric, reject politicians blocking a democratically elected government.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150

    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    She looks OK too :)
    Sunil, I don't want to be the guy who picks on you, but it's rather unbecoming of you to post something along these lines every time someone mentions an up-and-coming female MP! Just friendly advice...
    Ooops, I must have pressed "send" accidentally! :)
  • AndyJS said:
    But wasn't turnout up? It seemed to be. I've not crunched the figures but generally seemed higher when being announced.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited May 2015

    AndyJS said:
    But wasn't turnout up? It seemed to be. I've not crunched the figures but generally seemed higher when being announced.
    Only up by 1 point from 65% to 66%. The electorate was up a fair bit which accounted for most of the increase in number of votes.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    Sorry, but didn't Labour's vote actually go UP this election? 30.4% v. 29.0% in 2010?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395

    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    She looks OK too :)
    Sunil, I don't want to be the guy who picks on you, but it's rather unbecoming of you to post something along these lines every time someone mentions an up-and-coming female MP! Just friendly advice...
    I think Sunil's only joking!
  • DanielDaniel Posts: 160
    If Labour fail to oppose anti-strike laws strongly (especially in the lords) then UNITE might stop writing those cheques.
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,175
    edited May 2015
    JEO said:

    On topic: Non-issue. If the Labour and LibDem lords play silly games with the constitutional conventions (which I don't think they will), Cameron can simply shrug his shoulders, and appoint however many Tory peers are necessary to fix the problem. It's not an ideal solution, but it would work. Therefore, it won't be necessary to do it.

    You seem to be advocating the complete elimination of any power for the House of Lords. This is exactly the reason why we need the Lords not to be appointed by the Prime Minister.
    No he is not. It is you who appear to misunderstood its constitutional role.

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    I've never understood why employees don't vote in strike ballots. I have a lot of criticisms of the FBU, but one thing they are good at is making it easy to vote in ballots. You get a ballot paper sent to your home, with a prepaid return addressed envelope. If you can't be arsed to vote in a situation like that, on a matter that is as important as striking, where you stand to lose a lot of wages, then, frankly, you deserve all you get.
    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.



    Oh dear. It was in the manifesto.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    She looks OK too :)
    Sunil, I don't want to be the guy who picks on you, but it's rather unbecoming of you to post something along these lines every time someone mentions an up-and-coming female MP! Just friendly advice...
    I think Sunil's only joking!
    Of course I am! I'm more of a Rachel man myself :lol:
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:
    But wasn't turnout up? It seemed to be. I've not crunched the figures but generally seemed higher when being announced.
    Only up by 1 point from 65% to 66%. The electorate was up a fair bit which accounted for most of the increase in number of votes.
    Electorate wasn't affected by individual voter registration?
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118

    isam said:

    Haha love it!

    Robin Brant (@robindbrant)
    12/05/2015 12:03
    He's going to go for it again... @Nigel_Farage on 5live: 'I would look forward to a by-election in a Labour seat very much indeed.'

    Would Nigel stand up and support Tory reforms of strike laws during a by-election in a Labour held seat? Should go down well with Old Labour voters.

    Wouldn't know but the fact that so many people don't bother voting in strike ballots indicates to me that they're not that bothered
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932
    john_zims said:

    @Plato

    'Dave Can't Win Here Part 94'

    If the Lib Dems or any other party wants to play silly buggers and block the policies of a democratically elected government,then Cameron will just flood the place with Tory life peers.

    I can't imagine that the public will have any time for a bunch of unelected, geriatric, reject politicians blocking a democratically elected government.

    The House of Lords has always been " a bunch of unelected, geriatric, reject politicians" and in fact is less so since the hereditories (misspelling deliberate) were culled.
    They know the situation and so will pick their fights carefully, as they have under all shades of Government. I'd prefer to have an elected HoL, but will admit that they have done some good in the past.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited May 2015

    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:
    But wasn't turnout up? It seemed to be. I've not crunched the figures but generally seemed higher when being announced.
    Only up by 1 point from 65% to 66%. The electorate was up a fair bit which accounted for most of the increase in number of votes.
    Electorate wasn't affected by individual voter registration?
    Yes, it should have risen by much more given the fact that the population of the country has gone from 60 million to 65 million over the last 10 years. The adult population of the UK is about 75% of the total so the electorate should be something like 48.75 million. It's actually 46.4 million (see bottom of this page): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2015/results
  • john_zimsjohn_zims Posts: 3,399
    @MikeSmithson

    'Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.'

    You can say that about any law that gets passed.

    Maybe we should have a referendum on issues like this & I would bet a lot of money that it would be much more than 37% of voters being in favour of this change.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    Haven't been through all of the previous thread, but during the week prior to election week, Ashcroft had Con 36, Lab 30; and Ipsos MORI had Con 35, Lab 30.
  • Life_ina_market_townLife_ina_market_town Posts: 2,319
    edited May 2015

    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.

    Parliament has given trades unions a series of immunities in tort which apply to no one else, and have the potential to cause irrecoverable economic losses to third parties who cannot vote in a strike ballot. Strikes therefore affect the interests of those who cannot vote against them, and it is perfectly reasonable to make those immunities subject to such formalities as Parliament sees fits. There is no analogy with parliamentary elections where those of age and of sound mind directly affected by Parliament's decisions all have the opportunity to vote.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,672
    Daniel said:

    If Labour fail to oppose anti-strike laws strongly (especially in the lords) then UNITE might stop writing those cheques.

    The more draconian they are the easier it will be for Labour to oppose them. The fact that the Tories got 25% of votes from those eligible to vote may be raised a few times. Ironically, it may actually make Unite less of a thorn in the new Labour leader's flesh.

    The Tories really need to beware of hubris. They were not swept into government on a wave of popular enthusiasm. They beat Ed.

  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978
    @wallaceme: Breitbart reports Farage sat in on the NEC vote on his fate to see how people voted! http://t.co/BiQvWB92ne
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,175
    Daniel said:

    If Labour fail to oppose anti-strike laws strongly (especially in the lords) then UNITE might stop writing those cheques.

    Liz Kendall is a Unite MP and has already condemned the proposal - she would indeed be a breath of fresh air for New Labour :)
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150

    @wallaceme: Breitbart reports Farage sat in on the NEC vote on his fate to see how people voted! http://t.co/BiQvWB92ne

    I thought Farage IS the UKIP NEC!!!
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    In Scotland Labour only lost 328,000 votes and yet it cost them 40 seats....

    Scottish Labour's famed efficiency of the vote became an utter disaster of wasted votes this time round.
  • currystarcurrystar Posts: 1,171

    Haven't been through all of the previous thread, but during the week prior to election week, Ashcroft had Con 36, Lab 30; and Ipsos MORI had Con 35, Lab 30.

    Our OGH confirmed at the time that these were rogue polls and did another thread on how the tories could not win.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670
    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    Will they be introducing a lAw like this for general elections?
  • Bob__SykesBob__Sykes Posts: 1,179

    On topic: Non-issue. If the Labour and LibDem lords play silly games with the constitutional conventions (which I don't think they will), Cameron can simply shrug his shoulders, and appoint however many Tory peers are necessary to fix the problem. It's not an ideal solution, but it would work. Therefore, it won't be necessary to do it.

    Surely he'd just use the Parliament Act to railroad the blocked legislation through?

    It does explain why the manifesto was so detailed, not just for prospective Coalition negotiations but for Salisbury Convention purposes.
    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    Though on the downside, she appears to be sat next to Soubry!

    Best view in the Cabinet room would be the one opposite the aptly named Priti methinks....
  • Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039
    felix said:

    Daniel said:

    If Labour fail to oppose anti-strike laws strongly (especially in the lords) then UNITE might stop writing those cheques.

    Liz Kendall is a Unite MP and has already condemned the proposal - she would indeed be a breath of fresh air for New Labour :)
    Smart long-term politics from the Tories to get this issue aired whilst Labour candidates are scrabbling around for nominations.
  • JonathanDJonathanD Posts: 2,400
    "During Monday’s meeting Farage painted a bleak picture of life without him, and sat in the room as the NEC discussed whether he should stay on. ....

    One source even claimed he insisted on sitting through the vote itself so he could see which way NEC members voted."

    @wallaceme: Breitbart reports Farage sat in on the NEC vote on his fate to see how people voted! http://t.co/BiQvWB92ne

  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,672

    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.

    Parliament has given trades unions a series of immunities in tort which apply to no one else, and have the potential to cause irrecoverable economic losses to third parties who cannot vote in a strike ballot. Strikes therefore affect the interests of those who cannot vote against them, and it is perfectly reasonable to make those immunities subject to such formalities as Parliament sees fits. There is no analogy with parliamentary elections where those of age and of sound mind directly affected by Parliament's decisions all have the opportunity to vote.

    Yep, that'll work on the doorstep.

  • woody662woody662 Posts: 255
    currystar said:

    Haven't been through all of the previous thread, but during the week prior to election week, Ashcroft had Con 36, Lab 30; and Ipsos MORI had Con 35, Lab 30.

    Our OGH confirmed at the time that these were rogue polls and did another thread on how the tories could not win.
    We'e all made bad betting calls. Unfortuately for OGH, his have been magnified via the site.

    On a positive note, I've found a few hundred quid in a closed account for my bets on winning Pudsey, Thanet and the Greens winning Brighton so its not such a bad day.
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395

    Sorry, but didn't Labour's vote actually go UP this election? 30.4% v. 29.0% in 2010?

    It went up but almost all of the increase was concentrated in Labour's safest seats in places like inner London and Merseyside.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    edited May 2015


    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    Though on the downside, she appears to be sat next to Soubry!

    Best view in the Cabinet room would be the one opposite the aptly named Priti methinks....
    Careful! @Tissue_Price is around!
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    Alistair said:

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    Will they be introducing a lAw like this for general elections?

    Will this law be applying to Scotland ?
  • Tissue_PriceTissue_Price Posts: 9,039


    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    Though on the downside, she appears to be sat next to Soubry!

    Best view in the Cabinet room would be the one opposite the aptly named Priti methinks....
    Careful! @Tissue_Price is around!
    LOL :D
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978

    felix said:

    Daniel said:

    If Labour fail to oppose anti-strike laws strongly (especially in the lords) then UNITE might stop writing those cheques.

    Liz Kendall is a Unite MP and has already condemned the proposal - she would indeed be a breath of fresh air for New Labour :)
    Smart long-term politics from the Tories to get this issue aired whilst Labour candidates are scrabbling around for nominations.
    A masterful strategy from the Tories
  • Bob__SykesBob__Sykes Posts: 1,179
    Delighted Chuka is standing.

    Burnham worries me - he's "proper Labour", and a "real person", and would have northerners and working class voters flocking back to Labour.

    Chuka won't. He'll have them flocking to UKIP, or staying with Dave if they're already there.
  • watford30watford30 Posts: 3,474

    @wallaceme: Breitbart reports Farage sat in on the NEC vote on his fate to see how people voted! http://t.co/BiQvWB92ne

    A joke party lead by a Joker.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417
    woody662 said:

    closed account

    Could be a few of those upcoming....
  • SlackbladderSlackbladder Posts: 9,780
    Michael Crick ‏@MichaelLCrick 3 mins3 minutes ago

    Together Labour's 14 affiliated trades unions have 4m members. Nobody seems to know how many will be registered to vote in leadership ballot

    Labour election turning into a bit of a clusterf**k.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    Pulpstar said:

    Alistair said:

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    Will they be introducing a lAw like this for general elections?
    Will this law be applying to Scotland ?

    No, you see, FPTP is fine for Scotland, because it was the SNP and not the Tories wot won 56 seats of 59 on 50% of the vote!
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,672
    isam said:

    isam said:

    Haha love it!

    Robin Brant (@robindbrant)
    12/05/2015 12:03
    He's going to go for it again... @Nigel_Farage on 5live: 'I would look forward to a by-election in a Labour seat very much indeed.'

    Would Nigel stand up and support Tory reforms of strike laws during a by-election in a Labour held seat? Should go down well with Old Labour voters.

    Wouldn't know but the fact that so many people don't bother voting in strike ballots indicates to me that they're not that bothered

    Maybe. But taking something away is never that popular, even if it is not that used. And if UKIP is to challenge Labour it may not want to be seen supporting Tory legislation. After all, how does that make them different to the Tories? Old Labour was deeply rooted in trade unionism.

  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978
    JonathanD said:

    "During Monday’s meeting Farage painted a bleak picture of life without him, and sat in the room as the NEC discussed whether he should stay on. ....

    One source even claimed he insisted on sitting through the vote itself so he could see which way NEC members voted."

    @wallaceme: Breitbart reports Farage sat in on the NEC vote on his fate to see how people voted! http://t.co/BiQvWB92ne

    A mixture of farce and tragedy.

    Has echoes of Stalin and Ken Livingstone when he stopped being Mayor.
  • Richard_NabaviRichard_Nabavi Posts: 30,822

    Burnham worries me - he's "proper Labour", and a "real person", and would have northerners and working class voters flocking back to Labour.

    Maybe, in safe Northern Labour seats. He certainly won't have anyone flocking back to Labour in those southern seats that Labour needs to win back, nor I suspect in the Midlands.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    Pulpstar said:

    woody662 said:

    closed account

    Could be a few of those upcoming....
    Yes, I'm a bit worried on that front.
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932

    I really don't get the whole Farage/UKIP resignation. Why didn't he just do what he said and spend the summer on holiday and then be "persuaded" back in the autumn? Nothing much will happen now for months apart from an emergency budget in June.

    Other Kippers could have declared their candidature and started their leadership campaigns. He could have looked even sillier than he does.
    That was a good guess.
    http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/05/12/farage-forced-through-leadership-confirmation/
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978
    @rcolvile: I knew this Farage 'resignation' seemed familiar (from Robert Service's history of Russia) http://t.co/f72YoVvodR
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 61,968
    Mr. Slackbladder, can't go much worse for them than the last one.

    Unless there's a third Miliband brother.
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978

    Mr. Slackbladder, can't go much worse for them than the last one.

    Unless there's a third Miliband brother.

    There's a third brother. Steve.

    He's a joker, a space cowboy
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 78,417

    Pulpstar said:

    Alistair said:

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    Will they be introducing a lAw like this for general elections?
    Will this law be applying to Scotland ?
    No, you see, FPTP is fine for Scotland, because it was the SNP and not the Tories wot won 56 seats of 59 on 50% of the vote!

    I'd have been up sh*t creek if th Tories had won 56 seats in Scotland :D
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118

    isam said:

    isam said:

    Haha love it!

    Robin Brant (@robindbrant)
    12/05/2015 12:03
    He's going to go for it again... @Nigel_Farage on 5live: 'I would look forward to a by-election in a Labour seat very much indeed.'

    Would Nigel stand up and support Tory reforms of strike laws during a by-election in a Labour held seat? Should go down well with Old Labour voters.

    Wouldn't know but the fact that so many people don't bother voting in strike ballots indicates to me that they're not that bothered

    Maybe. But taking something away is never that popular, even if it is not that used. And if UKIP is to challenge Labour it may not want to be seen supporting Tory legislation. After all, how does that make them different to the Tories? Old Labour was deeply rooted in trade unionism.

    Yes it was. My dad is a teacher and I have mentioned the aggro he had from PC types, so much so that he nearly lost his reputation and his job through no fault if his own. His trade union helped enormously to right the wrongs and get him justice... He still voted ukip though!
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @davidjhgardiner: Ruth Davidson on Nicola Sturgeon "If I had a pound for every time she said 'Tories' today I'd be on her wages". #FMQs
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,175

    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.

    Parliament has given trades unions a series of immunities in tort which apply to no one else, and have the potential to cause irrecoverable economic losses to third parties who cannot vote in a strike ballot. Strikes therefore affect the interests of those who cannot vote against them, and it is perfectly reasonable to make those immunities subject to such formalities as Parliament sees fits. There is no analogy with parliamentary elections where those of age and of sound mind directly affected by Parliament's decisions all have the opportunity to vote.

    Yep, that'll work on the doorstep.

    Not as well as - let us close your school/hospital/fire service etc on a 10% ballot?
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978
    Pulpstar said:

    Pulpstar said:

    Alistair said:

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    Will they be introducing a lAw like this for general elections?
    Will this law be applying to Scotland ?
    No, you see, FPTP is fine for Scotland, because it was the SNP and not the Tories wot won 56 seats of 59 on 50% of the vote!
    I'd have been up sh*t creek if th Tories had won 56 seats in Scotland :D

    But we'd have won the pandas bet.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,672

    Burnham worries me - he's "proper Labour", and a "real person", and would have northerners and working class voters flocking back to Labour.

    Maybe, in safe Northern Labour seats. He certainly won't have anyone flocking back to Labour in those southern seats that Labour needs to win back, nor I suspect in the Midlands.

    Very true.
  • woody662woody662 Posts: 255
    Pulpstar said:

    woody662 said:

    closed account

    Could be a few of those upcoming....
    Had dozens, it is a long running nightmare.
  • Pulpstar said:

    Will this law be applying to Scotland ?

    Employment rights and duties, and industrial relations, including the subject matter of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 are reserved matters (see Head H1 of Schedule 5 to the Scotland Act 1998). So any reforms to the law will apply in Scotland.
  • john_zimsjohn_zims Posts: 3,399
    @Bob_Sykes

    'Burnham worries me - he's "proper Labour", and a "real person", and would have northerners and working class voters flocking back to Labour.'

    He's never had a job in the real world and has the shame of Mid Staffs.
  • logical_songlogical_song Posts: 9,932

    @rcolvile: I knew this Farage 'resignation' seemed familiar (from Robert Service's history of Russia) http://t.co/f72YoVvodR

    Yes, but Farage is definitely more 'Mr Bean' than 'Stalin'.
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    edited May 2015
    antifrank said:

    Pulpstar said:

    woody662 said:

    closed account

    Could be a few of those upcoming....
    Yes, I'm a bit worried on that front.
    Might start to get a bit aggravating when everyone on here is banging on about massive value bets available to those w accounts w all firms across the oddschecker page eh?

    Welcome to my world
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    felix said:

    For reference, this is what was in the Conservative Manifesto on the House of Lords:

    "We will ensure that the House of Lords fulfils its valuable role as a chamber of legislative scrutiny and revision.

    While we still see a strong case for introducing an elected element into our second chamber, this is not a priority in the next Parliament. We have already allowed for expulsion of members for poor conduct and will ensure the House of Lords continues to work well by addressing issues such as the size of the chamber and the retirement of peers."

    "expulsion of members for poor conduct" - Would that get rid of Pants down?
    Has Paddy eaten his hat yet?

    :lol:
  • SimonStClareSimonStClare Posts: 7,976
    "During Monday’s meeting Farage painted a bleak picture of life without him, and sat in the room as the NEC discussed whether he should stay on. ....


    Do what - I thought all the begging to stay came from the NEC ?
  • Bond_James_BondBond_James_Bond Posts: 1,939

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    I've never understood why employees don't vote in strike ballots. I have a lot of criticisms of the FBU, but one thing they are good at is making it easy to vote in ballots. You get a ballot paper sent to your home, with a prepaid return addressed envelope. If you can't be arsed to vote in a situation like that, on a matter that is as important as striking, where you stand to lose a lot of wages, then, frankly, you deserve all you get.
    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.



    Oh Gawd, not you too.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    isam said:

    isam said:

    Haha love it!

    Robin Brant (@robindbrant)
    12/05/2015 12:03
    He's going to go for it again... @Nigel_Farage on 5live: 'I would look forward to a by-election in a Labour seat very much indeed.'

    Yep... UKIP sure aren't a one-man band...
    The lack of hostility to Ukip over the weekend was noticeable... 'Without Farage they will be irrelevant etc'... 'We have taken their king!'

    But no! He's back!

    He is risen

    And the hate returns...

    Good old Nige!
    Will it be eight election defeats on the trot?
  • currystarcurrystar Posts: 1,171
    JonathanD said:

    "During Monday’s meeting Farage painted a bleak picture of life without him, and sat in the room as the NEC discussed whether he should stay on. ....

    One source even claimed he insisted on sitting through the vote itself so he could see which way NEC members voted."

    @wallaceme: Breitbart reports Farage sat in on the NEC vote on his fate to see how people voted! http://t.co/BiQvWB92ne

    As I have said he thought he was a certainty to win as he thinks he is JFK reborn, thats why he made the promise to resign. He never thought that he would have to do it. As soon as he had resigned he set out trying to stop his own resignation. Its his party and no one elses.
  • Bob__SykesBob__Sykes Posts: 1,179
    Short of introducing a new poll tax, I can't think of much the Tories could do that would blot their copybook at the first opportunity more than introducing legislation to clamp down on strikes.

    Left outraged, ordinary workers (some who voted Tory) might be nonplussed, and it would be a red rag (or a yellow one) to the Scots, to whom it would apply.

    Hm. Interesting choice.
  • malcolmgmalcolmg Posts: 43,509
    AndyJS said:

    AndyJS said:

    Priti Patel gets the seat with the best view in the cabinet room:

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

    She looks OK too :)
    Sunil, I don't want to be the guy who picks on you, but it's rather unbecoming of you to post something along these lines every time someone mentions an up-and-coming female MP! Just friendly advice...
    I think Sunil's only joking!
    Even if he isn't it is not crime of the century,
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    isam said:

    antifrank said:

    Pulpstar said:

    woody662 said:

    closed account

    Could be a few of those upcoming....
    Yes, I'm a bit worried on that front.
    Might start to get a bit aggravating when everyone on here is banging on about massive value bets available to those w accounts w all firms across the oddschecker page eh?

    Welcome to my world
    I think my other half is soon going to develop a keen interest in political betting.
  • AlistairAlistair Posts: 23,670

    Pulpstar said:

    Alistair said:

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    Will they be introducing a lAw like this for general elections?
    Will this law be applying to Scotland ?
    No, you see, FPTP is fine for Scotland, because it was the SNP and not the Tories wot won 56 seats of 59 on 50% of the vote!

    That wAs a 1979 referendum reference.
  • Sunil_PrasannanSunil_Prasannan Posts: 52,150
    watford30 said:

    @wallaceme: Breitbart reports Farage sat in on the NEC vote on his fate to see how people voted! http://t.co/BiQvWB92ne

    A joke party lead by a Joker.
    "See, madness, as you know, is like gravity. All it takes is a little push!"
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,175

    Plato said:

    Re strikes reform http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/conservative/11599020/Tories-to-bring-in-tough-anti-strike-laws.html

    The Conservatives will push ahead with plans to ban strikes unless 40 per cent of people vote in favour of industrial action in government's first Queen's Speech, the new business secretary has said.

    Sajid Javid said that the Tories will not "hide away from the changes we want to make" as the party prepares to introduce a raft of new anti-strike laws.

    Under the reforms, public sector strikes will not be able to go ahead unless they are supported by 40 per cent of workers who are eligible to vote.

    The government will also require turnout to reach at least 50 per cent of those entitled to vote for a strike to go ahead, and prioritise proposals to allow employers to hire agency staff.

    Under the 102 strike ballots under the Coalition, nearly two thirds failed to attract the support of even half of the workforce. In some cases, strikes have gone ahead with the support of as few as one in 10 workers.
    I've never understood why employees don't vote in strike ballots. I have a lot of criticisms of the FBU, but one thing they are good at is making it easy to vote in ballots. You get a ballot paper sent to your home, with a prepaid return addressed envelope. If you can't be arsed to vote in a situation like that, on a matter that is as important as striking, where you stand to lose a lot of wages, then, frankly, you deserve all you get.
    Odd that a party with 36.9% of the popular vote should be seeking to do this.

    Oh Gawd, not you too.

    Just wait till Whittingdale gets to work on the beloved BBC :)
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    @BethRigby: positioning his chosen successor? PM spokesman confirms Osborne will take PMQs when Cameron away
  • isamisam Posts: 41,118
    antifrank said:

    isam said:

    antifrank said:

    Pulpstar said:

    woody662 said:

    closed account

    Could be a few of those upcoming....
    Yes, I'm a bit worried on that front.
    Might start to get a bit aggravating when everyone on here is banging on about massive value bets available to those w accounts w all firms across the oddschecker page eh?

    Welcome to my world
    I think my other half is soon going to develop a keen interest in political betting.
    Don't use the same postal or IP address...
  • TheScreamingEaglesTheScreamingEagles Posts: 119,978
    edited May 2015

    @rcolvile: I knew this Farage 'resignation' seemed familiar (from Robert Service's history of Russia) http://t.co/f72YoVvodR

    Yes, but Farage is definitely more 'Mr Bean' than 'Stalin'.
    He's like Hannibal after Zama.

    But I had the better tactics but we still got shellacked.

    Leader of UKIP = Governor of Carthage
This discussion has been closed.