Elections in GB - Labour flushed down the toilet

[DJofSD]

http://www.bbc.com/news/live/election-2015-32594267

This started hitting Twitter some hours ago, and, it seems to be cascading - liberals have lost big especially in Scotland. Maybe the Scots did not leave the empire but they soundly address the source of some of their grievances. I'm sure William Wallace is smiling at least a little.

[NJ Stinks]

http://www.bbc.com/news/live/election-2015-32594267

This started hitting Twitter some hours ago, and, it seems to be cascading - liberals have lost big especially in Scotland. Maybe the Scots did not leave the empire but they soundly address the source of some of their grievances. I'm sure William Wallace is smiling at least a little.

Here's a quote from the Daily Telegraph tonight:

Labour’s cautious messaging led to an uninspiring manifesto offering. Rather than presenting a reason to change, the Labour party sought to regain economic credibility and in doing so watered down their proposals. Whereas in Scotland the SNP have coasted to victory on a much more left-wing platform....

Hate to break the news, DJ, but Labour wasn't liberal enough for the Scots.

Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/politics-blog/11591187/Hats-off-to-Lynton-Crosby-its-all-over-for-Ed-Miliband.html

[horses4courses]

Let's play role reversal here.

Let's pretend and say that Labour was an overwhelming winner.
I'm DJofSD and tooting my horn about it - 'cept I'm a liberal.
Here's a sample of a reply I might expect:

BFD

and

"We don't give a ratz about those limey fruits, anyway"

Just sayin'............ :lol:

[tucker6]

I don't give a rats azz about those limey fruits, anyway!! ;)

[ArlJim78]

I followed this last night on twitter and BBC world news, pretty dramatic and also depressing to realize how unhealthy our version of democracy is compared to Great Britain's.

[fast4522]

Not my monkeys and not my jungle, we decided long ago that we did not want to be a part of them rightly so.

[Robert Goren]

I followed this last night on twitter and BBC world news, pretty dramatic and also depressing to realize how unhealthy our version of democracy is compared to Great Britain's.Remember that a member of the Conservative party in Great Britain is slightly to left of Bernie Sanders.

[Rookies]

Labour got bested here in part, because the SNP took all their Scottish seats, by being more radical. THAT is a problem, a big one for Cameron and the U.K. There is little doubt that there will be a reprise Scottish vote on separation- soon and during the electoral term of these newly elected SNP members.

Unlike Canada and its democracy, the rules of the game for separation have neither been promulgated, let alone discussed. In fact, there is no formal methodology to do so under the British form of democracy. This is a big problem, for one of the foremost partners of America (and Canada).

You should know that the SNP has been in discussions for years on next steps, with Quebec's Parti Quebecois, the one desiring separation from Canada.

[DJofSD]

You should know that the SNP has been in discussions for years on next steps, with Quebec's Parti Quebecois, the one desiring separation from Canada.
I thought the attempt a few years back had put that issue to bed for the time being.

Is it still alive?

[Clocker]

I thought the attempt a few years back had put that issue to bed for the time being.

Is it still alive?

There was a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014, and something like 45% voted for independence. This election certainly points to growing support for that idea.

[DJofSD]

There was a referendum on Scottish independence in 2014, and something like 45% voted for independence. This election certainly points to growing support for that idea.
Sorry, I did not make my reply clear, I was attempting to ask about the Quebec separation not the Scottish.

[Greyfox]

I thought the attempt a few years back had put that issue to bed for the time being.

Is it still alive?

It will always be alive in Quebec.
The separatists use it as a ploy for the Federal Government to give them more than any other province.
The other provinces are tired of Quebec's eternal whining.
If you've ever been to Quebec you'd realize that they are almost a separate country anyways.
They collect their own Income tax and have their own pensions.
Except in Montreal (West) the language is some type of French patois, quite distinct from France.
All signs on store fronts are subject to the French language laws.
Even Chinese restaurants have to put up Chop Suey house in French.
Of course they all speak English if and when they want to.
After all they watch as many American TV shows as any place in Canada.
Of course separation would be economically disastrous to Quebec, but the separation referendum is always fluttering in the background.

[DJofSD]

It will always be alive in Quebec.
The separatists use it as a ploy for the Federal Government to give them more than any other province.
The other provinces are tired of Quebec's eternal whining.
If you've ever been to Quebec you'd realize that they are almost a separate country anyways.
They collect their own Income tax and have their own pensions.
Except in Montreal (West) the language is some type of French patois, quite distinct from France.
All signs on store fronts are subject to the French language laws.
Even Chinese restaurants have to put up Chop Suey house in French.
Of course they all speak English if and when they want to.
After all they watch as many American TV shows as any place in Canada.
Of course separation would be economically disastrous to Quebec, but the separation referendum is always fluttering in the background.
Thanks. Sounds similar to the Basques but without the bombings and violence from years ago.

I had been to Quebec, once, a long time ago. And well before I had heard or was aware there was a separatist movement. Being able to only speak an absolute minimum amount of French, I was pleasantly surprised at the willingness of all to engage me in English.

It was in and around Montreal when I was visiting and was not aware there was a different dialect. How close are the cajun and non-Montreal use of the language?

[JustRalph]

"It was a night of political drama that changed the course of British politics. Labour and the Lib Dems have been left leaderless, the SNP are overjoyed and David Cameron must manage a slim majority many thought unobtainable"

from the Observer

[Clocker]

"It was a night of political drama that changed the course of British politics. Labour and the Lib Dems have been left leaderless, the SNP are overjoyed and David Cameron must manage a slim majority many thought unobtainable"

from the Observer

The SNP victory in Scotland was the only bright light for the liberals, who were otherwise routed. That is a big deal in Scotland, but of little consequence in the big picture for the UK for now. The SNP has 56 seats in the House of Commons, out of a total of 650.

[JustRalph]

And now the socialists start a riot

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-10/riots-erupt-in-london-against-re-election-of-david-cameron/6458098

The left goes haywire in London

[horses4courses]

And now the socialists start a riot

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-10/riots-erupt-in-london-against-re-election-of-david-cameron/6458098

The left goes haywire in London

Not to rain on your parade, or anything,
but looking at two of the best news sources
for all things UK, yields nothing about riots.
Appreciate your concern, though.

http://www.bbc.com/

http://www.theguardian.com/us

[Greyfox]

How close are the cajun and non-Montreal use of the language?

About as close as sand paper and satin.

[Clocker]

From the UK Guardian:

Anti-austerity campaigners launched impromptu protests across Britain, less than 48 hours after David Cameron was returned to power with a parliamentary majority.

Hundreds of people joined demonstrations in Wales and central London following the surprise Conservative election victory. About 200 people were involved in clashes with police outside Downing Street, throwing green smoke bombs and tomato ketchup at officers in riot gear.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/may/09/anti-austerity-protesters-take-to-uk-streets-after-tory-election-victory

[JustRalph]

Not to rain on your parade, or anything,
but looking at two of the best news sources
for all things UK, yields nothing about riots.
Appreciate your concern, though.

http://www.bbc.com/

http://www.theguardian.com/us

I suppose these are fake

https://vine.co/v/em5M2IW1t9I

https://vine.co/v/em5jOmD9leY

I'd say the 2nd fits the bill

When police are getting hurt, it's a riot

[horses4courses]

I suppose these are fake

https://vine.co/v/em5M2IW1t9I

https://vine.co/v/em5jOmD9leY

I never said it didn't happen.
It's just not a major news story over there anymore.
London is not burning to the ground. Never was.
They've had bigger soccer riots.

[reckless]

I could understand the liberal left wing media here and in the UK being clueless in their assessment of the Tory landslide -- not to additionally mention their totally wrong pre-election analysis, which was laughable in its bias and lack of balance.

But we've come to know all this and expect it, as we have come to read and hear the usual pooh-poohing dismissal by liberals when election results don't go their way.

The good people on Bloomberg Radio last week were belly aching all day in their naive and unbalanced analysis. Even an old pro like Tom Keene was 'shocked' at the Cameron romp, asking 'how could this be?', when the official results of the Tory (and SNP, Scottish National Party) landslides were announced.

To remind all our friends here on PA and world-wide, I, as your faithful correspondent, of course, has repeatedly posted that these elections are not one-off nor are they a 'shock' or a 'surprise'. This is a conservative tidal wave that's gaining momentum and is nowhere near fruition. It's just the beginning if you ask me (it still is, even if you don't ask me :) ).

The liberals can continue to pout and say: big eff'en deal all day long.

But the reality is simple and verifiable with each election, here and abroad: we are fed up with liberals, progressives, left wingers, communists, socialist, big labor, Democrats .... call it what you may.

[Clocker]

But the reality is simple and verifiable with each election, here and abroad: we are fed up with liberals, progressives, left wingers, communists, socialist, big labor, Democrats .... call it what you may.

The Europeans were ahead of us on the road to progressive utopia, and starting to realize, also ahead of us, that it is a dead end.

[horses4courses]

I could understand the liberal left wing media here and in the UK being clueless in their assessment of the Tory landslide -- not to additionally mention their totally wrong pre-election analysis, which was laughable in its bias and lack of balance.

But we've come to know all this and expect it, as we have come to read and hear the usual pooh-poohing dismissal by liberals when election results don't go their way.

The good people on Bloomberg Radio last week were belly aching all day in their naive and unbalanced analysis. Even an old pro like Tom Keene was 'shocked' at the Cameron romp, asking 'how could this be?', when the official results of the Tory (and SNP, Scottish National Party) landslides were announced.

To remind all our friends here on PA and world-wide, I, as your faithful correspondent, of course, has repeatedly posted that these elections are not one-off nor are they a 'shock' or a 'surprise'. This is a conservative tidal wave that's gaining momentum and is nowhere near fruition. It's just the beginning if you ask me (it still is, even if you don't ask me :) ).

The liberals can continue to pout and say: big eff'en deal all day long.

But the reality is simple and verifiable with each election, here and abroad: we are fed up with liberals, progressives, left wingers, communists, socialist, big labor, Democrats .... call it what you may.

Hogwash.
Refer to post #3.

As far as liberals "pooh-poohing" election results,
conservatives are the very ones to lament liberal gains or, more commonly,
to completely ignore such events as if they never happened.

In case you haven't noticed, voters are a fickle bunch.
They regularly react to their current disillusionment by voting out
the incumbent. Not the case this time in the UK, nor in Israel recently,
but there were different factors in play in both cases.

Here's what I suggest.
Enjoy it while you can.
Celebrate.
Visit these countries, and go shake the hands of their "savvy" electorates.
No? Oh well.......no one can force you to have a little fun.

Let's see how things play out in the US in 2016.
Should conservatism continue to make widespread gains,
I will concede that you might be on to something.
At the moment, it's just a blip on the radar.

[DJofSD]

The Europeans were ahead of us on the road to progressive utopia, and starting to realize, also ahead of us, that it is a dead end.
Ya, the last time around ended 70 years ago.

[PaceAdvantage]

All I know is, the Republican party was declared dead and buried for something like 50-100 years back in 2008. Now they have Congress again, right? :lol:

I remember back in the 80s when the word liberal was literally a four-letter word...and any politician labeled a liberal might as well have also been labeled a sex-offender....nowadays, the liberal moniker is worn with pride.

But, the more things change, the more they stay the same. The ebb and flow of politics guarantees that neither party will stay dead for long, no matter what the opposition likes to claim.

[TJDave]

Labor and Conservative voting percentages remained almost unchanged from the last election. It was the drubbing labor got from the Scottish nationalists that was the key, losing 41 seats.

[Tom]

Lib, dem, repub.....call them what they all are.
Scoundrels.

[_______]

Nobody is right 100% of the time. The fact is that most predictions you see (here or in the media) lack the most important metric which is a confidence level.

Making a prediction without stating your confidence in it (70%, 85%, etc.) means you have no way of re-calibrating when you are inevitably wrong. Anytime someone makes a prediction of a future event, the immediate follow up question should be, "how confident are you in that prediction"?

If someone predicted a close election in Britain with no party holding a majority (as most did) without a confidence level, they were wrong and can learn nothing from it. If they made that prediction with 80% confidence, they can group that prediction with ones at a similar level and see if they are actually hitting at 80%.

if yes, fantastic. if no, they can adjust their confidence level down in similar circumstances. If this was the only one they missed out of 20, they should adjust their confidence level up despite the miss.

This, and the lack of a time element on a prediction (Ex: "I predict a market crash") are the two signs that the person making a prediction is afraid of being usefully measured.

[horses4courses]

Labor and Conservative voting percentages remained almost unchanged from the last election. It was the drubbing labor got from the Scottish nationalists that was the key, losing 41 seats.

The most interesting aspect of the Scottish nationalist feeling to me
is that, while they are not quite prepared to cut the cord from the UK,
they don't trust the major parties to represent them in Parliament.

The SNP is their way of getting what's best for Scotland.

[TJDave]

The SNP is their way of getting what's best for Scotland.

With an outright conservative majority they'll be getting less of it. There was a bit of a spanking for labor's last coalition. Sometimes you can get too cute.

[Rookies]

With an outright conservative majority they'll be getting less of it. There was a bit of a spanking for labor's last coalition. Sometimes you can get too cute.

Don't be too sure! You'd be amazed the havoc a tight, yet significant, minority Separatist Party can emit! In this situation, Britain wants them to stay, as does the U.S.

Keep following along. Trouble is coming in the form of a highly united opposition and most critically- country!

[JustRalph]

The most interesting aspect of the Scottish nationalist feeling to me
is that, while they are not quite prepared to cut the cord from the UK,
they don't trust the major parties to represent them in Parliament.

Kind of reminds me of some red states......

[Rookies]

As I mentioned... sticky wicket jpcoming for Cameron (from today's National Post):

And that may be the easier file for Cameron. He could have even more headaches with Scotland.

Although Scottish nationalism re-emerged as a potent force a couple of years ago there is still disbelief in England about the SNP’s plan to quit the union. I would liken it to how Russians felt when it suddenly dawned on them as the Soviet Union crumbled that Ukraine was headed out the door. It was one thing for the disloyal Central Asians and Balts to hate the Kremlin, but so close were the ties with Ukraine that Russians were shocked when the country said bye, which explains why Russia is so determined to take some of it back.

In the same way, the English, long ago weary of Northern Ireland’s marching season and the IRA, always expect some sort of revolt by the Irish. But not by their dear Scottish cousins.

Their storied Highland Regiments have served alongside English regiments for centuries, while their politicians, businessmen, explorers, farmers and bankers have played a central role in British life. And the moors around Balmoral Castle were the second home of Queen Victoria and are now the second home of Queen Elizabeth, who has always been proud to wear a tartan.

It may seem counter-intuitive, but Cameron’s bid to placate the Scots and keep them within the realm began Thursday with a political move in England. His chancellor, George Osborne, who is effectively the prime minister’s new chief deputy, declared in Manchester that Britain’s “old model (was) broken.” He announced that Downing Street intended in the Queen’s Speech (or throne speech in Canadian parlance) to devolve powers over housing, transport, planning and policing to cities, powers that Canadian provinces and municipalities have had for decades. Greater Manchester will finally get to elect a mayor in two years."

[DJofSD]

Greater Manchester has more on the political horizon than electing a mayor.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/could-the-north-of-england-break-away-and-become-part-of-a-new-scotland-10252821.html