This setup will last no more than a few months so prepare for a re-run in the autumn.

But the barmier system that's being proposed would lead to this more often.

That sounds like a plan.

In the 12 months that you talk about people will be able to see if the Conservatives can be trusted or not rather than being judged on and the Labour and LibNuts always scaremongering on the theme that they're the same as they were in the 1980s which could therefore encourage or discourage some waverers who weren't convinced this time around.

The Tories could always ditch Cameron & get someone who is man enough for the job


Christ, he couldn't even get over 300 seats

That is just about spot on, but Cameron is daft enough to try and piss into the wind. The country accelerates rapidly downhill from the minute he gets the keys to number ten.
I said weeks ago that I wasn't sure about Cameron and apparently neither are the country.
Gordon Brown will fade away now, which can only help the Labour party. Therefore, even from that front, more misery will be poured onto Cameron.

Whilst I agree with some of the sentiments in the last couple of posts, especially about the unpopularity of whoever has to make the first round of big cuts, the fact that whoever does it (Conservative or Labour) will be doing it from a minority position could actually help their cause in a new election in 6-18 months time as they can claim that they're not solely responsible and that if they had overall control then things would be a bit different.

Time will tell, all I know is that the next few months aint gonna be pretty.

It doesn't suggest anything of the sort. The only thing it suggests is that like all parties, the top bods are gifted the safest seats. Example a: Mandelson in Hartlepool.

The problem is that when a party starts dealing with minority parties in order to form a government then those dealings inevitably will mean watering down its own policies to accomodate minority demands.
Isn't that actually letting their supporters down???? After all those supporters voted for something that they are now going to be denied.
That is the problem with doing deals in smoke filled rooms.

Breaking news is telling us that a sizeable number of Tory MPs are very critical of the manner in which their Party's campaign was conducted and that no way would they consider electoral reform.
Potential trouble for Cameron is also coming from his own party. Those men in grey suits are gathering !!!!!!!!!!!!

If I were he I would go straight back to the electorate and risk all on getting a mandate. If he dithers about wheeling and dealing it could do him untold damage.

I've said this several times today and over the past few weeks



But my name ain't chip


And Ripper owes me a drink

hth

According to the Tories being interviewed on BBC1 right now, they believe they have a working majority and do need support from other parties


Glue sniffing is still the order of the day for some

I believe that you may be correct.

I'll stand the bet in the Mill before or after a Pools game next season (whichever division we happen to be playing in).

Labour have the chance to form a co-alition 1st.

If not the Tories can try.

If neither happens then the Tories can try and run with a tiny majority and risk losing big votes meaning an election will be needed within 12 months.

Once (If) Brown steps down as Prime Minister and formally tells the Queen, she and only she can invite another leader to be Prime Minister. So technically Labour could form a partnership with the Lib Dems and we could still get shot of winky.

There's no chance at all of getting a drink out of Mr Ripper. He promised me one a couple of years back, as a peace offering, but I haven't had it yet.
Also, by next season he'll have lost his job because of the Tories, so will have no money at all.

Ms G, I've never met you. If I ever do I'll be more than pleased to get you a drink.

I know you haven't. The offer was via this message board.

Damn...wish I'd taken a photocopy now...

Mrs G I offered you a drink on here once, when are we going to meet up for it

I knew you'd renew the promise just when you're off to the States.

Obviously he can't call an election, but what he can do is to say as we have not got a mandate we don't want to form a government until we get one. That would leave the only option left to be an unholy alliance with a whole bunch of others led by Brown, which possibly wouldn't last five minutes. That would give Cameron the chance to get a mandate. That for me is his only chance of avoiding meltdown in twelve months time, which I think will happen if he tries to govern.

There was a very good essay in the last London of Review of Books predicting predicting something like this if Cameron didn't win big.

Cameron needed to win big given the state of the public finances. He didn't, and is therefore in trouble. Remember, Thatcher only really managed freezes in public spending (and therefore real cuts); Cameron needs to go much, much further. He either fails to issue the cuts and the markets force us into recession again or he does, and becomes incredibly unpopular. Either way, whoever is propping up the government will then probably pull the plug, another election results and the Tories lose. If I were a Tory supporter, I'd want a Lib/Lab deal so the same could happen to them.

Constitutional conventions suggest that if he failed to form a government and went to the Queen to ask to dissolve parliament (formally, she makes the decision), the Queen would in all likelihood refuse and ask the leader of Labour to try and form a government (whoever that is).

I agree.
From a Tory point of view it would be potentially disastrous for them if Cameron tries to form a government without an overall majority.
I would be extremely surprised if there wasn't a backlash within his own party against being silly just to get power.
Cameron is so desperate for power that he seemingly can't see past his nose end.

Well I'll repeat the offer anyhow Ms G- if or when I ever meet you I'd be more than happy to get you a drink. Dunno who you are though so somebody would need to introduce us!

She is the sexy one that goes to the match so that should narrow it down

You have never bought me a pint

Are you a laydee?

Grabec is gorgeous.

I think we need a pic

Why does it matter what Ms G looks like? Surely, given this is a message board, all that matters is what she posts (and it's usually worthwhile Reading)?

its a joke fat man, we all know mrs g talks a lot of sence, sometimes I dont agree with her and have had a few discussions in the past however she is a valued member of the board (more than me), she cant help it is she is a looker

Amen.

Just behind Ripper on the right edge of the picture?

But Ripper is only half on that picture Mr Billog, is Mrs G the one with half a face as well

I think so, if I remember correctly, from when it was taken at the outdoor Passion Killers performance.

Well it's a piss poor one. I'm prepared for the 'pinko leftie' jibes, but the implication in your 'joke' is extremely sexist.