UK General Election thread

[kentonio]

I thought that only worked to maintain a government though? You need a majority/coalition to begin one don't you?

[Dauphin]

Wilson didn't. But it collapsed the same year.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

After a general election, the party that holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons forms the government. When no party gains more than half the seats, our “unwritten” constitution allows for negotiations, coalitions and minority governments.

Forming a government

The constitutional position in a situation of no overall control is clear. When no party holds the majority of seats, the incumbent Prime Minister has the first call on forming a government, either as a minority administration or by building a coalition with another party or parties. The first parliamentary test of a minority or coalition government is the vote on an amendment to the Queen’s Speech. If the Queen’s Speech is amended, the Prime Minister must resign. The Conservative party lost their majority in the December 1923 election. They put their programme to the House in January 1924 as a minority administration and lost a vote on the King’s Speech. Ramsay MacDonald was called to form a Labour administration.

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/research/key-issues-for-the-new-parliament/the-new-parliament/a-hung-parliament/

[C0ckney]

Going back to the PR thing. It struck me last night (although I knew, I "forgot") that the SNP support PR.

Compare to this to:
They could get 100% of Scottish seats with only around 50% of the vote in Scotland.
They could get 9.1% of seats at Westminster despite Scotland representing 8.3% of the population.
They could get 9.1% of seats at Westminster despite only getting 4.2% of the total UK vote.

Things are really shaping up for a "Scotland broke it" moment.

yes, although of course in previous elections they've been short changed by the first past the post system. they also may have other reasons for supporting PR, such as the fact it's a far superior system...

[C0ckney]

talking of russell brand, apparently he's endorsed labour, as we must get the blues out and put the reds, who are committed to the selfsame goals and ideology, in power because this will change things by...well, i'm ****ed if i know. it's all very 1997; new labour had a tonne of celebrity endorsements then too.

although brand is fairly inconsequential in terms of the election, this meek surrender to the logic of the two party system may yet do some damage to those seeking real alternatives.

[kentonio]

Well, its election day back home. I know this because my FB feed is full of ****ers posting the latest 'I've voted!' spam message.

[lightblue]

For a bit of fun have a look at what the FPTP system causes: http://m.voterpower.org.uk/cambridgeshire-north-west

A vote in my consistency is worth 0.056 votes nationally because it's so safe.

[Sava]

For a bit of fun have a look at what the FPTP system causes: http://m.voterpower.org.uk/cambridgeshire-north-west

A vote in my consistency is worth 0.056 votes nationally because it's so safe.

You wouldn't like voting in America.

[Lorizael]

So what's this thread about? Are you guys like electing a new queen or something?

[N35t0r]

Or something.

In my Uncle's village (Hertfordshire), there was around 4% vote for SNP apparently.

[C0ckney]

So what's this thread about? Are you guys like electing a new queen or something?

yes. mrfun is currently in the lead.

[N35t0r]

Oh, wait, no. He posted national predicted results and insinuated they were local.

[Dauphin]

For a bit of fun have a look at what the FPTP system causes: http://m.voterpower.org.uk/cambridgeshire-north-west

A vote in my consistency is worth 0.056 votes nationally because it's so safe.

Well, you get more of a vote than me.....

http://m.voterpower.org.uk/orpington

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

BBC's exit poll indicates the Tories taking 316 seats, only just short of a majority. And SNP taking all but one of the Scottish seats.

If that's the case, it'll be a Tory government (I'd guess plus DUP), and both Labour and LibDems looking for new leaders.

[Hauldren Collider]

Would Lib Dems coalition with the Tories again if the Tories are just 1 or 2 votes short of the majority, or are will some of the other miniscule parties like from Ireland or Wales coalition with them?