Quote: EllieJP @ May 12 2010, 10:20 AM BST100% yes. I can't wait to marry him.
Can I be bridesmaid?
General Election 2010 Page 128
Quote: Godot Taxis @ May 11 2010, 6:34 PM BSTThe Lib Dems have always helped keep the Tories in power. Nothing has changed. They're just getting some payback.
I hope all you left-leaning types who voted Lib Dem because they 'were truly socialist' are f**king happy.
VAT will be 20% before the year is out.
There's a lot of them along with many seats they won because of tactical Labour voters.
This is why the Lib Dems must be mad to enter into a formal coalition as they now faced being wiped out at the next election.
I know we're only human but how myopic and desperate must you be to enter this formal coalition of the sake of being made Minister of Paper Clips.
Quote: youngian @ May 12 2010, 1:21 PM BSTThere's a lot of them along with many seats they won because of tactical Labour voters.
This is why the Lib Dems must be mad to enter into a formal coalition as they now faced being wiped out at the next election.
I know we're only human but how myopic and desperate must you be to enter this formal coalition of the sake of being made Minister of Paper Clips.
Maybe they're doing it sacrificially, in belief that their influence will be for the long-term good of the country, rather than their own short-term gain (or loss).
Quote: youngian @ May 12 2010, 1:21 PM BSTThere's a lot of them along with many seats they won because of tactical Labour voters.
This is why the Lib Dems must be mad to enter into a formal coalition as they now faced being wiped out at the next election.
I know we're only human but how myopic and desperate must you be to enter this formal coalition of the sake of being made Minister of Paper Clips.
There were as many LibDem voters who voted tactically for Labour, possibly more.
To persuade the British public to sign up to proportional representation and therefore ensure their continued ability to influence policy, the LibDems need to demonstrate to the electorate that coalition government can work, and can deliver benefits, both in terms of getting items on their agenda onto the table, and items on the Tory agenda off of the table. No to enter into Government when the chance came would have been to settle for permanent political castration; they would be an irrelevance and there would be no reason why anyone should have ever voted for them again.
I am feeling mildly chuffed that Clegg has near enough held out for the deal that I said on this thread should be the basis of a coalition.
Quote: Aaron @ May 12 2010, 1:37 PM BSTMaybe they're doing it sacrificially, in belief that their influence will be for the long-term good of the country, rather than their own short-term gain (or loss).
The puff wasn't about the long term good it was about the short term good to save the current financial crisis we are all in. I must have missed that. I thought it was eighteen months or so ago. The idea was to bluff that with a stable govt that would avert a 'potential' financial crisis. I know how to make it stable says Dave let's lock the Libs in with us for a fixed term parliament. Four years you say, no says Dave let's fix it in for the absolute maximum of five years. Right ho says Clegg, polish your shoes sir? National Interest my arse. 
Aw. David and Nick are cute together.
I hope they will be BFF.
I can see Dave and George in the study smoking cigars and roasting him in front of the fire! He'll probably bleat like billyo and write a book about it. Nick Clegg's Parliamentdays. Goodness knows what old man Doctor Arnold would make of it all.
You've ruined it now.
Quote: zooo @ May 12 2010, 2:47 PM BST
You've ruined it now.
Don't be sad, zooo. He's just being a poohead.
Quote: zooo @ May 12 2010, 2:47 PM BST
You've ruined it now.
I believe a Doctors producer said that very same thing to Marc once.
Quote: Timbo @ May 12 2010, 2:09 PM BSTThere were as many LibDem voters who voted tactically for Labour, possibly more.
To persuade the British public to sign up to proportional representation and therefore ensure their continued ability to influence policy, the LibDems need to demonstrate to the electorate that coalition government can work, and can deliver benefits, both in terms of getting items on their agenda onto the table, and items on the Tory agenda off of the table. No to enter into Government when the chance came would have been to settle for permanent political castration; they would be an irrelevance and there would be no reason why anyone should have ever voted for them again.
I am feeling mildly chuffed that Clegg has near enough held out for the deal that I said on this thread should be the basis of a coalition.
They could of still looked statesman-like by making way for a minority Tory government, abstaining on the Queen's speech and support the government on an ad-hoc basis.
Now they are locked into a coalition they stand to gain nothing and forced to support Troy measures Lib Dems don't believe in. Their only other option would be to walk out of a collapsing coalition and letting the Tories go to the country claiming they were right and coalition government and PR is unstable.
As for PR the decision to go into a formal coalition with the Tories means the next election will return to a straight two party fight as there will be no more Lib Dem tactical voting (I assume they will be defending their partnership with the Tories). They look like they would settle for AV which is not PR and benefits no small party apart from the Lib Dems.
All very cynical indeed.
Quote: chipolata @ May 12 2010, 2:55 PM BSTI believe a Doctors producer said that very same thing to Marc once.
I only asked her to keep the stethoscope on!
Quote: Marc P @ May 12 2010, 2:58 PM BSTI only asked her to keep the stethoscope on!
You're like a white Hardeep Singh Kohli!
Oooh that's a bit hars isn't he a solicitor?