People have given up thinking the politicians will do anything about it after the tories promised to reduce it at three elections now and it actually went up during their time in office. Which is very limited now I would guess.
Mr. rkrkrk, Hammond's stock fell a lot after his stand-up routine at the Budget. He might get it, and I'd prefer him to Boris, but not enthusiastic.
Osborne really is a muppet. He'd be PM by lunchtime if he hadn't decided he wanted six jobs rather than five (I wonder if he regrets his vendetta agenda as a cause of the dire result, or feels vindicated by May's meltdown).
The budget is old news now I hope? And perhaps can be blamed on TM?
Osborne looked vindicated on TV. He was also I have to say very good at explaining results and pulling out key pieces of information. Put quite a few journalists to shame and didn't pull his ounches about the impact of the result.
Osborne looked incredibly glum when the seats were all falling to Labour and we were wobbling badly and underperforming the exit poll. He still wants the party to succeed. He needs to come back.
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
If the DUP won't countenance special status for Northern Ireland in the EU, and they won't countenance a hard border with Ireland, then the cost of a deal will have to be that we forget any idea of leaving the single market and customs union.
You could still win your bet with Sean if I've understood it correctly.
Slept for a couple of hours and it is still a disaster for the UK albeit a good result for Scotland. May's total vote and share of the vote is actually quite impressive, it's Labour's surge and collection of the opposing votes that has undone her. I don't see how she survives in anything other than a caretaker role and surely only months even then.
I've just heard John McDonnell on the BBC, basically saying Labour can form a minority government without making any formal deals with other parties, an option he firmly ruled out.
He said they'd write a Queen's speech enacting the Labour manifesto, which he thought would get majority support in the Commons. He asked who'd dare vote against abolishing tuition fees.
If Labour do try that approach, it will be a fiasco, and another election will look likely. The question then will be who voters blame for the mess.
Who will the voters blame for the mess?
I think the voters have a pretty good idea who to blame for the current mess, Robert, don't you? And if you don't you'll get a pretty good idea who when they go to the polls again, which may in fact be fairly soon.
Ask them today, and the voters would probably blame the Tories, but in aix months?
If we have six months of Labour politicians talking about their grand ideas on TV, and complaining that none of the other parties will vote for them while showing absolutely no willingness to compromise the public mood might well change.
You are playing Party Politics. The situation is serious. Six months? We've got to get through the next six days first and nobody has a clue where we go from here, least of all the hapless bunch that got us into this f*cking mess.
Let's see who stands up tall, and talks some sense, and we'll leave the speculation about 'the public mood' until the dust has settled a bit.
Agreed I was slightly surprised that the "voice of reason" this morning on Today was IDS. He more or less said what you did-although i dont recall the F***ing mess bit !!
Although privately he is probably screaming the place down
I think there can be no question about the PB 'post of the year': David Herdson's post on Wednesday evening.
It was a shocking wake up moment for a lot of us.
He should be awarded both Poster and Tipster Of The Year on the spot.
I've known David through these pages for many years, and met him, and when he was downbeat, I took it more seriously than any of Survation's polls. Saved me a few quid, I can tell you.
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
I think there can be no question about the PB 'post of the year': David Herdson's post on Wednesday evening.
It was a shocking wake up moment for a lot of us.
He should be awarded both Poster and Tipster Of The Year on the spot.
I've known David through these pages for many years, and met him, and when he was downbeat, I took it more seriously than any of Survation's polls. Saved me a few quid, I can tell you.
Hope the lad is OK. He's got a lot on.
He's a diamond.
Absolutely, I'm hopeful he'll do a thread tomorrow morning.
I voted Tory through gritted teeth yesterday but only to support Ruth Davidson and not in anyway to support May. May's hope of a hard Brexit is dead. The Scottish Tories were not elected on a mandate for a hard Brexit and Ruth has clearly stated she does not support one.
My son who is at Edinburgh Uni went back to Edinburgh to vote Labour for the first time in his life and despite thinking their whole manifesto was rubbish. In addition almost all his friends did the same. This was about the youth vote showing it wanted to be noticed.
It is not too far to go that almost single handed Ruth Davidson has saved the union. She had the temerity to stand up to the SNP and her success has finally woken up Labour in Scotland.
So an ultra soft Brexit and no independence appears the route forward. The only question is who will lead the country. I am thinking Hammond. He has been very quiet.
I have to say the more I think about it the more I feel this is an almost ideal result for me. I think exactly 326 seats would have been ideal as it would have meant Theresa still being knifed but there would be literally no danger of Corbyn coming in or having to ask for S&C from any other party.
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
Amen brother!
Especially if Farage becomes leader again.
Leader of what? Does UKIP still exist after last night?
I think there can be no question about the PB 'post of the year': David Herdson's post on Wednesday evening.
Never been so worried after reading a single post.
Perhaps Tories need to send people undercover is strong labour wards to find the strength of the opposition vote. You can hit your own target voters but it's no use if every single potential labour voter turns out.
Just been listening to George O. Must be in line for the best Tory leader they never had
Ken Clarke says otherwise.
Does he blame him for this mess? If so unfair in my opinion. Cameron is the villain. History will judge him as the worst PM ever.
Nah, the people spoke.
Brexit would have been even messier if we had no referendum and say in 2020 Dave's replacement put in the Tory manifesto to pull us out of the EU and they won a majority on 35% of the vote
Apparently Davies pushed hardest for an election and isn't popular with his cabinet colleagues. Big takeaway from this result is that the Conservative tack to UKIP has failed tactically. I am as surprised as anyone by that. Too many Kippers went Labour. UKIP are dead as a party, so there's no point pandering to them anymore. The centre ground is where the Tories need to be.
Roll on Brexit for the 60%. It's where we should have been from the beginning, not trying to get hard Brexit through on the back of 20% of voters and Tory voters who had nowhere else to go.
Your dry as dust libertarianism is dead.
That's always been dead, I've never believed otherwise. I was on here (and telling irl Tories) saying that the government should have run on meeting the Labour Leave campaign pledges like £350m per week for the NHS.
I still don't understand why they didn't.
That was a real open goal.
I was calling for the same. I think I may have been one of the infamous "bedwetters" for doing so...
Holy shit. I've just seen Zac's result. Squeakier than a barrel full of mice.
Have you not seen the Fife result?
And can I congratulate you on your long-standing and perspicacious assessment of May's qualities (or lack thereof).
Hey, I believe I started hating on her first. It was the ill thought out grammar schools plan/announcement. That was the day I decided she was crap, selective education can be a good thing, but it needs to be selective at all levels, not just one. That was when the veil lifted for me.
Mr. rkrkrk, Hammond's stock fell a lot after his stand-up routine at the Budget. He might get it, and I'd prefer him to Boris, but not enthusiastic.
Osborne really is a muppet. He'd be PM by lunchtime if he hadn't decided he wanted six jobs rather than five (I wonder if he regrets his vendetta agenda as a cause of the dire result, or feels vindicated by May's meltdown).
The budget is old news now I hope? And perhaps can be blamed on TM?
Osborne looked vindicated on TV. He was also I have to say very good at explaining results and pulling out key pieces of information. Put quite a few journalists to shame and didn't pull his ounches about the impact of the result.
Osborne looked incredibly glum when the seats were all falling to Labour and we were wobbling badly and underperforming the exit poll. He still wants the party to succeed. He needs to come back.
God yes. May made a host of mistakes but that is right up there.
I think there can be no question about the PB 'post of the year': David Herdson's post on Wednesday evening.
Agreed.
Absolutely - and it had the essential quality of being widely derided at the time.
I dont think it was derided-there was a question as to whether it was genuine as it was so out of character but i think most people listened to what he said-some bet accordingly -most were more concerned for him as an individual as he was obviously very tired as he later said himself.
Just been listening to George O. Must be in line for the best Tory leader they never had
Ken Clarke says otherwise.
Does he blame him for this mess? If so unfair in my opinion. Cameron is the villain. History will judge him as the worst PM ever.
Nah, the people spoke.
Brexit would have been even messier if we had no referendum and say in 2020 Dave's replacement put in the Tory manifesto to pull us out of the EU and they won a majority on 35% of the vote
There really was no need for him to resign though, it made an uncertain situation more chaotic than need be.
Clocking in bloodied and humiliated after three hours in the Hersham stocks being lashed 100 times at one end by monks from the Order of the Psephologians and on the other pelted with the yolks of 319 rotten eggs.
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
I have to say the more I think about it the more I feel this is an almost ideal result for me. I think exactly 326 seats would have been ideal as it would have meant Theresa still being knifed but there would be literally no danger of Corbyn coming in or having to ask for S&C from any other party.
I'm looking at the same silver lining. It's a very thin one, though.
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
She's resigning today.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
Wonder how many people voted Labour thinking it was "safe" to do so, given that they were apparently so far behind in the polls there was no way they would ever come anywhere near actually winning?
Clocking in bloodied and humiliated after three hours in the Hersham stocks being lashed 100 times at one end by monks from the Order of the Psephologians and on the other pelted with the yolks of 319 rotten eggs.
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
Totally agree, the more and more I think about it, this feels like a worse result than 1997.
To be only ahead of Corbyn by 1.4% means an epic failure on so many levels.
Holy shit. I've just seen Zac's result. Squeakier than a barrel full of mice.
Have you not seen the Fife result?
And can I congratulate you on your long-standing and perspicacious assessment of May's qualities (or lack thereof).
Hey, I believe I started hating on her first. It was the ill thought out grammar schools plan/announcement. That was the day I decided she was crap, selective education can be a good thing, but it needs to be selective at all levels, not just one. That was when the veil lifted for me.
Ok, you can have a cookie too. London house prices look set to fall, that must cheer you up a bit...
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
She's resigning today.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
Not according to the BBC just now, she isn't. She thinks she can hang on.
Wonder how many people voted Labour thinking it was "safe" to do so, given that they were apparently so far behind in the polls there was no way they would ever come anywhere near actually winning?
Not sure, but it proves that you should never ever assume that an election is in the bag for anyone as you go to vote !
Clocking in bloodied and humiliated after three hours in the Hersham stocks being lashed 100 times at one end by monks from the Order of the Psephologians and on the other pelted with the yolks of 319 rotten eggs.
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
Commisserations John. You deserved better even if the Government didn't.
Would Ken Clarke do as an interim replacement until the Party sorts itself out a bit? It really can't afford another f*ck up and he is totally dependable and trusted.
Clocking in bloodied and humiliated after three hours in the Hersham stocks being lashed 100 times at one end by monks from the Order of the Psephologians and on the other pelted with the yolks of 319 rotten eggs.
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
Totally agree, the more and more I think about it, this feels like a worse result than 1997.
To be only ahead of Corbyn by 1.4% means an epic failure on so many levels.
Wonder how many people voted Labour thinking it was "safe" to do so, given that they were apparently so far behind in the polls there was no way they would ever come anywhere near actually winning?
Agree. Many voted Tory in 2015 for similar reasons.
Clocking in bloodied and humiliated after three hours in the Hersham stocks being lashed 100 times at one end by monks from the Order of the Psephologians and on the other pelted with the yolks of 319 rotten eggs.
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
Totally agree, the more and more I think about it, this feels like a worse result than 1997.
To be only ahead of Corbyn by 1.4% means an epic failure on so many levels.
Yes, at least with Blair he was essentially running a fairly Tory spending plan, this feels like "one more mistake and we're handing over the keys of No 10 to a lunatic". There is literally no room for error and we don't have the respite of opposition to regroup and find the kind of talent needed for the next few years.
Wonder how many people voted Labour thinking it was "safe" to do so, given that they were apparently so far behind in the polls there was no way they would ever come anywhere near actually winning?
Perhaps the same number who voted for Brexit thinking it wouldn't win?
Just been listening to George O. Must be in line for the best Tory leader they never had
Ken Clarke says otherwise.
Does he blame him for this mess? If so unfair in my opinion. Cameron is the villain. History will judge him as the worst PM ever.
Nah, the people spoke.
Brexit would have been even messier if we had no referendum and say in 2020 Dave's replacement put in the Tory manifesto to pull us out of the EU and they won a majority on 35% of the vote
There really was no need for him to resign though, it made an uncertain situation more chaotic than need be.
Cameron told us he would not resign if we voted to Leave. We voted to Leave. He resigned.
Cameron bears a significant amount of responsibility for last night. If he hadn't resigned, we would not have had May and then she wouldn't have felt the need to go to the country to get her own mandate from the voters. (Although, I concede that he would have been in a very difficult situation fronting Brexit. So he should have said he would resign if he lost - would probably have been enough to win it for Remain.)
The other day I wondered on here whether we could be sure that Corbyn in power would ever voluntarily relinquish it. I cited his approval of Maoist regimes and his disregard of things like no confidence votes in support.
The responses were along the lines that existing constitutional constraints would prevent any such thing; oddly nobody suggested that Corbyn himself would never contemplate any such thing.
Here we are this morning and we have Corbyn 55 seats begin declaring victory.
I voted Tory through gritted teeth yesterday but only to support Ruth Davidson and not in anyway to support May. May's hope of a hard Brexit is dead. The Scottish Tories were not elected on a mandate for a hard Brexit and Ruth has clearly stated she does not support one.
My son who is at Edinburgh Uni went back to Edinburgh to vote Labour for the first time in his life and despite thinking their whole manifesto was rubbish. In addition almost all his friends did the same. This was about the youth vote showing it wanted to be noticed.
It is not too far to go that almost single handed Ruth Davidson has saved the union. She had the temerity to stand up to the SNP and her success has finally woken up Labour in Scotland.
So an ultra soft Brexit and no independence appears the route forward. The only question is who will lead the country. I am thinking Hammond. He has been very quiet.
This talk of hard and soft Brexit is nonsense. If we leave the EU we leave the Single Market (inc free movement).
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
She's resigning today.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
Not according to the BBC just now, she isn't. She thinks she can hang on.
Theresa May will not fight the next election. The Prime Minister can resign soon, or be forced out later. Those are her only choices.
May will get all the blame and carry the can, but the hubris of the Tory back office operation is worth reflecting on too. Both Messina and Crosby have had their reputations destroyed by this result. It was them sending May to those constituencies and putting her in warehouses and security-swept factories.
To what extend did differential age turnout, compared to predictions, screw up the Tory seat targeting? Or was that screwed up by other factors? Certainly it seems the Tory effort was directed to seats in a sub-optimal way...
Clocking in bloodied and humiliated after three hours in the Hersham stocks being lashed 100 times at one end by monks from the Order of the Psephologians and on the other pelted with the yolks of 319 rotten eggs.
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
Totally agree, the more and more I think about it, this feels like a worse result than 1997.
To be only ahead of Corbyn by 1.4% means an epic failure on so many levels.
Yes, at least with Blair he was essentially running a fairly Tory spending plan, this feels like "one more mistake and we're handing over the keys of No 10 to a lunatic". There is literally no room for error and we don't have the respite of opposition to regroup and find the kind of talent needed for the next few years.
For me it was as exciting as 1997....after all the disappointments of recent years.
Well done to Nick Palmer and BigNight for sticking with Corbyn through thick and thin
The other day I wondered on here whether we could be sure that Corbyn in power would ever voluntarily relinquish it. I cited his approval of Maoist regimes and his disregard of things like no confidence votes in support.
The responses were along the lines that existing constitutional constraints would prevent any such thing; oddly nobody suggested that Corbyn himself would never contemplate any such thing.
Here we are this morning and we have Corbyn 55 seats begin declaring victory.
I wasn't wrong about him.
Indeed. He would still be a rubbish PM. The problem is, the current PM does not exactly sparkle.
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
She's resigning today.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
Well she should. The difficult bit is working out how to manage the transition or whether the Conservatives go straight to a unity candidate (they don't seem in the mood for that).
The strangest election since the 1920's. May's strategy almost paid off. The Tories did gain strongly in many working class areas, but mostly not by enough. And, they alienated middle class Remainers.
The government, even though weak, may last a long time, as only a Conservative government is viable on these numbers.
I am looking forward to hearing some stories from tissue price. Such a shame he couldn't pull it off this time, though maybe he will have to stay quiet in case he has another try soon.
Surely she has to resign today, her authority, in Parlt, in the country and vs the EU, is not just diminished, in my view it is irredemiably broken. She must announce she she is standing down
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
She's resigning today.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
Not according to the BBC just now, she isn't. She thinks she can hang on.
Theresa May will not fight the next election. The Prime Minister can resign soon, or be forced out later. Those are her only choices.
This. She'll go when another leading Tory decides they want to take over.
The other day I wondered on here whether we could be sure that Corbyn in power would ever voluntarily relinquish it. I cited his approval of Maoist regimes and his disregard of things like no confidence votes in support.
The responses were along the lines that existing constitutional constraints would prevent any such thing; oddly nobody suggested that Corbyn himself would never contemplate any such thing.
Here we are this morning and we have Corbyn 55 seats begin declaring victory.
I wasn't wrong about him.
Oh yes you were. You under-estimated him. Now May is in coalition with terrorist apologists and young Earth creationists.
I think there can be no question about the PB 'post of the year': David Herdson's post on Wednesday evening.
Agreed.
Absolutely - and it had the essential quality of being widely derided at the time.
I dont think it was derided-there was a question as to whether it was genuine as it was so out of character but i think most people listened to what he said-some bet accordingly -most were more concerned for him as an individual as he was obviously very tired as he later said himself.
I'd have to check, but my memory is that it was, while not universally by any means, widely rejected as a prediction, despite the clear respect and affection he's held in. A lot of comments about how a 'bad street' can happen to anyone while canvassing.
Just been listening to George O. Must be in line for the best Tory leader they never had
Ken Clarke says otherwise.
Does he blame him for this mess? If so unfair in my opinion. Cameron is the villain. History will judge him as the worst PM ever.
Nah, the people spoke.
Brexit would have been even messier if we had no referendum and say in 2020 Dave's replacement put in the Tory manifesto to pull us out of the EU and they won a majority on 35% of the vote
There really was no need for him to resign though, it made an uncertain situation more chaotic than need be.
Cameron told us he would not resign if we voted to Leave. We voted to Leave. He resigned.
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
She's resigning today.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
Well she should. The difficult bit is working out how to manage the transition or whether the Conservatives go straight to a unity candidate (they don't seem in the mood for that).
The Conservatives should stop worrying about their own mood and start thinking about the mood of the country. This could get ugly.
Clocking in bloodied and humiliated after three hours in the Hersham stocks being lashed 100 times at one end by monks from the Order of the Psephologians and on the other pelted with the yolks of 319 rotten eggs.
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
I'm spending some time in my own dungeons with Mrs JackW in charge of the my wallet. Cruel and unusual punishment I tell you .... but deserved ....
Could Paul Nuttall hurry up and resign after his lamentable performance? Some of us have bets riding on him doing so and I don't want it spoiled by the Prime Minister succumbing to a bout of integrity.
She's resigning today.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
Well she should. The difficult bit is working out how to manage the transition or whether the Conservatives go straight to a unity candidate (they don't seem in the mood for that).
Hard to see who that Unity candidate would be though.
Comments
SNP win by 2
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000049
Or Perth and North Pertshire
SNP win by 21
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/politics/constituencies/S14000054
47 other Scottish MPs can't vote
8 other NI MPs can't vote
I don't see how she survives in anything other than a caretaker role and surely only months even then.
Yep
I was slightly surprised that the "voice of reason" this morning on Today was IDS.
He more or less said what you did-although i dont recall the F***ing mess bit !!
Although privately he is probably screaming the place down
I've known David through these pages for many years, and met him, and when he was downbeat, I took it more seriously than any of Survation's polls. Saved me a few quid, I can tell you.
Hope the lad is OK. He's got a lot on.
He's a diamond.
Especially if Farage becomes leader again.
https://twitter.com/rbrharrison/status/873076871616839680
My son who is at Edinburgh Uni went back to Edinburgh to vote Labour for the first time in his life and despite thinking their whole manifesto was rubbish. In addition almost all his friends did the same. This was about the youth vote showing it wanted to be noticed.
It is not too far to go that almost single handed Ruth Davidson has saved the union. She had the temerity to stand up to the SNP and her success has finally woken up Labour in Scotland.
So an ultra soft Brexit and no independence appears the route forward. The only question is who will lead the country. I am thinking Hammond. He has been very quiet.
Perhaps Tories need to send people undercover is strong labour wards to find the strength of the opposition vote. You can hit your own target voters but it's no use if every single potential labour voter turns out.
She's shafted so many good Tories.
Con + DUP 328
Opposition 315
Total 643 (exc SF)
Majority 13
Brexit would have been even messier if we had no referendum and say in 2020 Dave's replacement put in the Tory manifesto to pull us out of the EU and they won a majority on 35% of the vote
But if my reputation as a sage is er, well and truly f**ked, that's nothing compared to Mrs M and the zombie administration she will soon be leading. Of course, she should go...but to be replaced by whom and when?? Almost all the putative successors are not much less crap than she is. Please not David Davis, please no.
So we're condemned to 'governing' (sic) until it likely all falls apart sometime in the not too distant future. If there's a way out that ends well for the party from this self inflicted imbroglio I can't see it. At least not today.
Which is why BBC count Speaker as Con.
I suppose it is just possible Nuttall beats her to it but otherwise go directly to Betfair, now.
To be only ahead of Corbyn by 1.4% means an epic failure on so many levels.
The tories need to hold on until someone at least liveable with is in charge of the labour party.
Fife NE was not won by a whisker, it was won by a panda.
Would Ken Clarke do as an interim replacement until the Party sorts itself out a bit? It really can't afford another f*ck up and he is totally dependable and trusted.
Thankfully May's deficiencies were exposed now before she could do long term damage in the Brexit divorce proceedings.
Cameron bears a significant amount of responsibility for last night. If he hadn't resigned, we would not have had May and then she wouldn't have felt the need to go to the country to get her own mandate from the voters. (Although, I concede that he would have been in a very difficult situation fronting Brexit. So he should have said he would resign if he lost - would probably have been enough to win it for Remain.)
The other day I wondered on here whether we could be sure that Corbyn in power would ever voluntarily relinquish it. I cited his approval of Maoist regimes and his disregard of things like no confidence votes in support.
The responses were along the lines that existing constitutional constraints would prevent any such thing; oddly nobody suggested that Corbyn himself would never contemplate any such thing.
Here we are this morning and we have Corbyn 55 seats begin declaring victory.
I wasn't wrong about him.
Unless Theresa, this was not an election she called.
But hey, life goes on
For me it was as exciting as 1997....after all the disappointments of recent years.
Well done to Nick Palmer and BigNight for sticking with Corbyn through thick and thin
The government, even though weak, may last a long time, as only a Conservative government is viable on these numbers.
We trully live in interesting times and as a nation we are going to catch hell come the next recession
A lot of comments about how a 'bad street' can happen to anyone while canvassing.
Whilst I expecting the SCon surge, and a good performance from the Lib Dems, was not expecting the SLAB surge.
A little contrition wouldn't go amiss.
Keeping corbyn out of No10 has to be the priority, Even if it means allowing labour to win in the future with a more reasonable leader.
Rory, your time is now!
Pete Wishart?