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Topic:
2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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KnightWriter
Title:
Administrator Emeritus
Registered:
Nov '01
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Date Posted:
2/17 9:56am
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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So, [link=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23210466/]Northern Rock[/i] will finally be nationalized. What do Brits here think of that?
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
2/17 12:10pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
- Date Edited:
2/17 12:12pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
G-FETT
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Well, as far as the economic side of it goes, I can't really say whether its good idea or not. I generally tend to take the Conservative point of view that when a buisness gets into trouble its not the state's place to intervene. However, NR has larger inplications for the overall economy, so perhaps the government didn't have a choice. Someone else will have to discuss the economic side of this?
As far as the politics goes, I would say that this is nothing short of catastrophic for Labour. By ditering and delaying and ultimately coming to the decision of nationalization anyway, Brown has ensured the worst of both worlds. Everyone know's the main reason he didn't want to nationalize NR is because of the terrible signal it would send, of a government no longer able to control events. By waiting this long and then nationalizing anyway, the terrible signal will now be magnified. This could be THE pivitol moment and ensure Gorodn Brown's fate forever!
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
2/29 3:31pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
- Date Edited:
2/29 3:39pm (2 edits total)
Edited By:
G-FETT
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Check out the Conservative's new campaign here
What do we think? I can imagine this kind of thing will fill poor Darth)Karde with complete horror and revulsion, but I've got to say, I quite like it. I think using media such as facebook and myspace to campaign is the way forward for politics over the next 5-10 years.
I quite like the slogan; "You can get it of you really want" and I think it creates a positive image/idea in the publics mind (no doubt it may also conjure up memories of Things can only get better, mind  )
The Friends Of The Conservative's idea is interesting as well. It kind of makes the Tories sound more like a charity than a political party? I can't quite remember such a concept in British politics before? Of course, the danger will be if relatively few people actually want to become a "friend of the conseravtives"
Oh yeah, and in the opening speech, how many times does Cameron use the words "change" and "changing"????? I think someone's been watching video's of Barrack Obama's speeches. 
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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DarthKarde
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
3/1 10:33am
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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G-FETT posted:
Check out the Conservative's new campaign here
What do we think? I can imagine this kind of thing will fill poor Darth)Karde with complete horror and revulsion, but I've got to say, I quite like it. I think using media such as facebook and myspace to campaign is the way forward for politics over the next 5-10 years.
I have no problem with innovative ways of campaigning (I am not a dinosaur who refuses to move with the times). It's the parties utter lack of principle that I have a problem with.
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
3/2 1:50am
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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Karde, I'm hearing on other forums that Ken Livingstone is in trouble in the London Mayoral election? Have you heard that? I remember saying when the Conservatives announced Boris Johnson would be their candidate, that they were crazy, and you said Boris would stand a good chance of defeating Red Ken. Seems you were right in your assesment.
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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DarthKarde
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
3/2 3:18am
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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G-FETT posted:
Karde, I'm hearing on other forums that Ken Livingstone is in trouble in the London Mayoral election? Have you heard that? I remember saying when the Conservatives announced Boris Johnson would be their candidate, that they were crazy, and you said Boris would stand a good chance of defeating Red Ken. Seems you were right in your assesment.
A recent Mori poll gave Livingstone a lead of just 2 points and all indications are that this will be a close contest. That being said my money is still on Ken. He is a fantastic campaigner who retains broad appeal (in 2004 one sixth of those who voted tory in the assembly election voted for Ken in the mayoral contest) and is widely seen as having done a good job.
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
3/2 3:12pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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He has had like 8 years at the job, though. You don't think the "Time For A Change" message might win out?
I suppose, in a way, the London election will be kind of like a pre-run of the general election, which I note Gordon Brown has now pretty much ruled out until 2010!
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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DarthKarde
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
3/3 4:03am
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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G-FETT posted:
He has had like 8 years at the job, though. You don't think the "Time For A Change" message might win out?
I suppose, in a way, the London election will be kind of like a pre-run of the general election, which I note Gordon Brown has now pretty much ruled out until 2010!
1. The "Time for a change" message will be a powerful one for Boris but not enough by itself. Ken's appeal is often misunderstood outside of London. He has very carefully cultivated an image that plays well with those Londoners who regard London as a great and unique city. He is seen as "one of us" in a way that very few politicians are.
2. It is ironic that the mayoral contest is seen as so vital for both parties when you consider that party labels are far less important than usual in this election. It is very much a Ken v Boris fight, not a Lab v Con fight.
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
3/3 1:30pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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Yes, I agree. Whatever the outcome of the mayoral election, it'll be difficult to draw too many conclussions, as they are both such large characters. Perhaps more important will be to see how the seats in the London assembley are divided up?
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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DarthKarde
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
3/3 1:47pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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G-FETT posted:
Yes, I agree. Whatever the outcome of the mayoral election, it'll be difficult to draw too many conclussions, as they are both such large characters. Perhaps more important will be to see how the seats in the London assembley are divided up?
Chances are that there will be little change amongst the major parties. In 2004 the tories won 9 of the 14 constituencies, Labour took the other 5 constituencies and 2 top up seats, the Lib Dems took 5 top up seats and the Greens and UKIP took two top up seats each.
This year the tories should hold all 9 of their seats and gain Enfield & Haringey. Labours other 4 constituencies should be safe and they may gain an extra top up seat if they lose Enfield and Haringey. The Lib Dems will probably keep their 5 seats (they could lose one), the greens may drop 1 and UKIP will lose one and probably both seats. The BNP seem certain to get 1 seat and might even get 2.
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
3/3 1:52pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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So again, it'll be very difficult to draw any longterm conlussion's from this election?
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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DarthKarde
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
3/3 2:04pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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G-FETT posted:
So again, it'll be very difficult to draw any longterm conlussion's from this election?
The short answer is yes.
The long answer. If Boris wins it is a huge boost for the tory party in terms of morale and perception and the Enfield & Haringey seat is also well worth watching. I was probably going a bit too far in my last post when I said it should be a tory gain. It will likely be a very close fight. We also have the local elections on that day where we can see how the tories are doing in some key battlegrounds like West Yorkshire.
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
3/3 2:32pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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Up until now, theres been very little sign of Conservative movement in the north? It'll be interesting to see what happens. Personally, I'm expecting a contiuation of what we've seen since Cameron took over, which is Midlands southwards, Conservatives do really well, but north of the Midland the Tories only show limited signs of revival.
I reakon this will go right up to the general election, to be honest and it will stop Cameron getting a majority. Hung Parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party?
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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DarthKarde
Registered:
Jun '02
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Date Posted:
3/3 2:41pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
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G-FETT posted:
Up until now, theres been very little sign of Conservative movement in the north? It'll be interesting to see what happens. Personally, I'm expecting a contiuation of what we've seen since Cameron took over, which is Midlands southwards, Conservatives do really well, but north of the Midland the Tories only show limited signs of revival.
I reakon this will go right up to the general election, to be honest and it will stop Cameron getting a majority. Hung Parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party?
I think that's about right. Councils to watch this May include Bury, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds & Bradford. If the tories make gains on all of these councils (including taking outright control of Bury) then we can talk of serious tory progress in the North.
PS Your spelling and grammar is awful tonight. Are you drunk?
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G-FETT
Registered:
Aug '01
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Date Posted:
3/3 2:46pm
Subject:
RE: 2008 - A Big Year for British Politics
- Date Edited:
3/3 2:46pm (1 edits total)
Edited By:
G-FETT
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DarthKarde posted:
G-FETT posted:
Up until now, theres been very little sign of Conservative movement in the north? It'll be interesting to see what happens. Personally, I'm expecting a contiuation of what we've seen since Cameron took over, which is Midlands southwards, Conservatives do really well, but north of the Midland the Tories only show limited signs of revival.
I reakon this will go right up to the general election, to be honest and it will stop Cameron getting a majority. Hung Parliament with the Conservatives as the largest party?
I think that's about right. Councils to watch this May include Bury, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds & Bradford. If the tories make gains on all of these councils (including taking outright control of Bury) then we can talk of serious tory progress in the North.
PS Your spelling and grammar is awful tonight. Are you drunk?
I wish. 
Extremely tired - Been a very, very long day at work. 
Infact, I'm heading off to bed right now.
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I felt a great disturbance in the force. As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror. Then were suddenly silenced.
The Saga returns; August 15th 2008.
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