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I don't know about anybody else, but I'm done with this election. I'm bored of debates, the waffle in the newspapers, and leaflets getting pushed through the door. They only end up in the wastepaper anyway!

I've said this before, but roll on Thursday and let us be done with this.

Yep, ready to vote now.

Conservatives please.

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
I don't know about anybody else, but I'm done with this election. I'm bored of debates, the waffle in the newspapers, and leaflets getting pushed through the door. They only end up in the wastepaper anyway!

I've said this before, but roll on Thursday and let us be done with this.

I agree. While I've known which way I'd be voting from the start just because I have strong leanings at any time, election or otherwise, this whole campaign so far has just lacked any kind of flair, and it's not surprising that people are finding it hard to care about the outcome. Watch one speech per party and you've seen them all, and the debates continue to be useless unless the two people who have a mathematical chance to be become PM don't go head to head.

And then there's the almost certain fact we're getting some kind of coalition; in other words, your vote may not even decide who gets in in the end. Coalitions really should be a last resort, but despite all the rhetoric it seems every party is gunning for one from the start, perhaps due to the rise of coalition-enabling parties like UKIP and SNP that mean you don't need a majority if you have the right friends.

I almost worry that coalitions will become the norm in future elections, which is an alarming thought as far as I'm concerned.

I wonder if on Friday morning the two big parties may have to consider working together or there is a total vacuum?

UKIP: don't really see them taking enough seats to have any impact. Lets be generous and say they win 10. Not much
SNP: depends if the press are right. A Scottish friend of mine seems to think that SNP aren't as strong as the press make out
LibDems: they could get a drubbing so not be in a position to help.
Labour: have ruled out forming a coalition with SNP. LibDems could be too weak to help
Tories: don't think they have ruled out UKIP, but I can't see UKIP having enough seats to swing it. If they did it would only be enough to put those two parties just ahead.

I so think Friday morning is going to be so interesting / a mess. Hopefully if this is the case it will cause the main parties to sort themselves properly for the next election.

 Paradigm wrote:

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:
I don't know about anybody else, but I'm done with this election. I'm bored of debates, the waffle in the newspapers, and leaflets getting pushed through the door. They only end up in the wastepaper anyway!

I've said this before, but roll on Thursday and let us be done with this.

I agree. While I've known which way I'd be voting from the start just because I have strong leanings at any time, election or otherwise, this whole campaign so far has just lacked any kind of flair, and it's not surprising that people are finding it hard to care about the outcome. Watch one speech per party and you've seen them all, and the debates continue to be useless unless the two people who have a mathematical chance to be become PM don't go head to head.

And then there's the almost certain fact we're getting some kind of coalition; in other words, your vote may not even decide who gets in in the end. Coalitions really should be a last resort, but despite all the rhetoric it seems every party is gunning for one from the start, perhaps due to the rise of coalition-enabling parties like UKIP and SNP that mean you don't need a majority if you have the right friends.

I almost worry that coalitions will become the norm in future elections, which is an alarming thought as far as I'm concerned.

I've been saying it from the beginning - none of the main leaders have a vision for the country, and it's why the polls are neck and neck. If labour or the conservatives had a decent leader, all this talk of hung parliaments would vanish. In many ways, and not that I'm complaining, you could argue that it's only the weaknesses of the main parties that has allowed the SNP a chance of being part of the new government.


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 obsidianaura wrote:
Yep, ready to vote now.

Conservatives please.

I bet, like me, you made your mind up months ago.


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 Wolfstan wrote:
I wonder if on Friday morning the two big parties may have to consider working together or there is a total vacuum?

UKIP: don't really see them taking enough seats to have any impact. Lets be generous and say they win 10. Not much
SNP: depends if the press are right. A Scottish friend of mine seems to think that SNP aren't as strong as the press make out
LibDems: they could get a drubbing so not be in a position to help.
Labour: have ruled out forming a coalition with SNP. LibDems could be too weak to help
Tories: don't think they have ruled out UKIP, but I can't see UKIP having enough seats to swing it. If they did it would only be enough to put those two parties just ahead.

I so think Friday morning is going to be so interesting / a mess. Hopefully if this is the case it will cause the main parties to sort themselves properly for the next election.

Well, I'm up in Scotland, and I can honestly say, the SNP are everywhere. People on the ground, leaflets through the door, hubs set up in former retail property, you name it, the SNP are there. In contrast, labour are non-existent. I've yet to see any of the other candidates, be they LAB/LIB/CON

The SNP candidate, on the other hand, has been everywhere. I've seen him in the street, on the bus, and in the supermarket. He was talking to normal people. Normal people!! Even non- SNP voters respect the work this person is putting in, and that could be the difference.

I do like candidates working for their votes

Anybody else seen their candidates, or are you getting bombarded by leaflets through the letterbox.

We had four Labour leaflets through our letterbox all at once. One addressed to each of the four registered voters here, myself my parents and my brother.

Ironically I'm the only one currently at home this next week with my brother at uni for his final year exams and my parents on holiday in Rome so I'm the only one who will be voting/can vote.

But I'd rather drop dead than vote Labour.

It'll be UKIP for me, or I might just not bother. I live in a safe Labour seat (Sedgefield, former constituency of Tony Blair) so it's not like my vote counts.

Nobodies come to canvass me yet, unsurprisingly.


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My local polling station is a 2 min walk down the road from me. Not sure it's worth the effort tbh.

Not seen any of my candidates around, just assorted leaflets through the door (most of which got a cursory glance then binned). Then again, I'm (sadly) in a pretty safe Conservative area.

On a sort of related note, is anyone here planning on vote-swapping? For those not in the know, this is a new phenomenon where people online are swapping votes (eg agreeing to vote for each other's choice) across constituencies with the idea of 'their' vote being cast somewhere it's more likely to make the difference.

For some reason it seems like it's trying to cheat the system, but on the basis it's still one vote per voter, there isn't really a logical argument against it that I can see. According to some sources, this could end up tipping the balance in up to 100 seats, which is pretty strange.

 Paradigm wrote:
Not seen any of my candidates around, just assorted leaflets through the door (most of which got a cursory glance then binned). Then again, I'm (sadly) in a pretty safe Conservative area.

On a sort of related note, is anyone here planning on vote-swapping? For those not in the know, this is a new phenomenon where people online are swapping votes (eg agreeing to vote for each other's choice) across constituencies with the idea of 'their' vote being cast somewhere it's more likely to make the difference.

For some reason it seems like it's trying to cheat the system, but on the basis it's still one vote per voter, there isn't really a logical argument against it that I can see. According to some sources, this could end up tipping the balance in up to 100 seats, which is pretty strange.

I've not heard of this vote swapping, but up here, people are trying to organise tactical voting to keep the SNP out. Don't know if it'll work though.

I hadn't heard of the vote swapping idea. It makes a kind of sense but can you trust the person you swap with?

I don't consider it cheating the system, just a new form of tactical voting.

If the government wants people to vote for the people/parties they want to get into power they need to bring in proportional representation. It would be a good solution to the House of Lords problem.

 Shadow Captain Edithae wrote:
We had four Labour leaflets through our letterbox all at once. One addressed to each of the four registered voters here, myself my parents and my brother.

Ironically I'm the only one currently at home this next week with my brother at uni for his final year exams and my parents on holiday in Rome so I'm the only one who will be voting/can vote.

But I'd rather drop dead than vote Labour.

It'll be UKIP for me, or I might just not bother. I live in a safe Labour seat (Sedgefield, former constituency of Tony Blair) so it's not like my vote counts.

Nobodies come to canvass me yet, unsurprisingly.


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My local polling station is a 2 min walk down the road from me. Not sure it's worth the effort tbh.

I would vote.

I'm no fan of UKIP but you have to start somewhere. It took the SNP years to get to this point.


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 Kilkrazy wrote:
I hadn't heard of the vote swapping idea. It makes a kind of sense but can you trust the person you swap with?

I don't consider it cheating the system, just a new form of tactical voting.

If the government wants people to vote for the people/parties they want to get into power they need to bring in proportional representation. It would be a good solution to the House of Lords problem.

The best solution would be to scrap it and replace it with an elected senate.

I'd love to have £300 a day just for turning up to a place. Bloody pirates!!

The idea of a body in government that does not have to worry about short term politics but can instead concentrate on the long term (which sadly seems to mean "anything after next week" far too much of the time) is a good one.

To be honest I would be happier with a significant reduction in the number of MP's and central government, with a regional MP representing a more powerful local collection of councils covering several counties/cities.

The House of Lords could be replaced with a senate on the US model with each region or county having representatives (this would go some way to addressing the London-centric nature of UK politics) or it could be replaced with election by PR.

 SilverMK2 wrote:
The idea of a body in government that does not have to worry about short term politics but can instead concentrate on the long term (which sadly seems to mean "anything after next week" far too much of the time) is a good one.

To be honest I would be happier with a significant reduction in the number of MP's and central government, with a regional MP representing a more powerful local collection of councils covering several counties/cities.

Good idea in principal, but in reality, it could lead to cronyism. The Labour party in Glasgow has been bad for this over the years. The amount of family members some Labour MPs were 'employing' in key positions brought a whole new meaning to Nepotism.


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 Kilkrazy wrote:
The House of Lords could be replaced with a senate on the US model with each region or county having representatives (this would go some way to addressing the London-centric nature of UK politics) or it could be replaced with election by PR.

This is Westminster we're talking about. They don't like giving away anything. It would be easier to get blood from a stone.

It took about 5 years in the Scottish Parliament for laws promised by the Calman commission to be handed over from Westminster.

 Shadow Captain Edithae wrote:
We had four Labour leaflets through our letterbox all at once.

We got two personalised Labour leaflets too. I got two UKIPs leaflets. One of them was for my constituency.

I don't think the English Democrats or the BNP love me any more. They didn't write this time round.

 George Spiggott wrote:

 Shadow Captain Edithae wrote:
We had four Labour leaflets through our letterbox all at once.

We got two personalised Labour leaflets too. I got two UKIPs leaflets. One of them was for my constituency.

I don't think the English Democrats or the BNP love me any more. They didn't write this time round.

Word of warning to you and everybody else: the leaflets are fighting back!

I went to tear one up today, and ended up getting a paper cut!!

I love elections, so I'm nerding out over this one. But I gotta say, even I am flagging a bit with the tedious stuff the parties are putting out. The SNP is the most exciting thing to come out of the election, and that too is a fairly straightforward situation.

I do find it interesting that the coalition with the DUP/other Unionist groups in the North STILL isn't part of the narrative when people discuss this. I mean, I'd rather a forward thinking Nationalist to a stone age Unionist bigot any day. I know it seems that I'm banging on this drum a lot, but I just remain pretty amazed at the disconnect between Norn Iron and the rest of the UK when it comes to this election, at least in the media. Seen a couple of Guardian articles, and that's it.

Looking more likely to be a Tory government again, I reckon, or if not, a very unstable Labour/EveryonenotaTory coalition. I find the fear of coalition government quite amusing though, as it's the norm in plenty of places across the world. There's nothing too much to fear from it, I just think both the politicians and the electorate in the UK are a bit unfamiliar with it. The Lib Dems are definitely going to suffer for that, I'd say.

 Da Boss wrote:

I do find it interesting that the coalition with the DUP/other Unionist groups in the North STILL isn't part of the narrative when people discuss this. I mean, I'd rather a forward thinking Nationalist to a stone age Unionist bigot any day. I know it seems that I'm banging on this drum a lot, but I just remain pretty amazed at the disconnect between Norn Iron and the rest of the UK when it comes to this election, at least in the media. Seen a couple of Guardian articles, and that's it.

Its old news though and the SNP's meteoric rise are more noticeable. Its not as if the majority of the British press are especially good at going beyond surface detail.

Yeah I guess so. Probably just my own perspective on it colouring my impressions.

In case anyone was in danger of taking this whole thing too seriously, Sky News to the rescue!



There are a couple of similar ones, but I can't find them right now.

The parodies are more interesting than the actual election...

The reason why NI gets mainly ignored is that their population and political influence is negligible compared to the whole of the country. When situations arise in which the Conservatives are kept in power by Ulster Unionist votes, which happens rarely, there are headlines. If the Sinn Fein members would take their seats the influence of the Ulster Unionist party would be even less that it actually is.

A phrase book for Electionland, with handy translations to help you understand what on earth
they’re talking about.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/15ND4l7J3chZ6Vh7NYyjNkp/alistair-beatons-parlez-vous-politics
We have no plans
A popular phrase, heard almost every day, e.g. ‘We have no plans to increase VAT.’ Translation: ‘We’re going to
increase VAT.’ Sometimes this will be heard with the word ‘absolutely’, as in ‘we have absolutely no plans to
increase VAT’. Translation: ‘We are definitely going to increase VAT.’ May also be heard in the context of possible
post-election scenarios: ‘We have no plans to go into coalition with any other party.’ Translation: ‘We’d shack up with
a bunch of rabid left-wing/right-wing meatheads if it got us through the door of Number 10.’

Let me make this crystal clear
Let me repeatedly avoid answering the question. Sometimes takes the form of 'let me be absolutely clear.'

What I want to say is this
I’m going to answer, but not the question I’ve been asked.

It’s the right thing to do
It’s the wrong thing to do, but we’re going to do it anyway. In some contexts, can also mean ‘we haven’t a clue why
we’re proposing this, but we want you to feel we have a conscience.’

Hardworking families
Almost everyone except beggars, scroungers, spongers and people who look a bit foreign.

Taking tough decisions
Breaking promises. Can also mean cutting benefits to the disabled.

We will balance the books
We might balance the books but it’s highly unlikely.

There are no easy answers
There are easy answers but they all involve putting up taxes and we’re scared to tell people that.

We’ll crack down on tax avoidance
We’ll ask Starbucks to give us a couple of hundred quid.

Supporting small businesses
Supporting large businesses.

A Northern powerhouse
Refurbishing a former department store in Manchester and calling it ‘a business incubator’.

A business incubator
A former department store in Manchester, now filled with hipsters drinking flat whites.

 Kilkrazy wrote:
The reason why NI gets mainly ignored is that their population and political influence is negligible compared to the whole of the country. When situations arise in which the Conservatives are kept in power by Ulster Unionist votes, which happens rarely, there are headlines. If the Sinn Fein members would take their seats the influence of the Ulster Unionist party would be even less that it actually is.

Fair enough. It would be interesting if Sinn Féin would take their seats alright, though it's unlikely to happen since it involves an oath to the Queen, right?

The parody videos of this election have been my favourite part

I know it wasn't technically an election video but the Cameron Rap one was gold.

Sinn Fein MPs abstention from the UK parliament is because they do not feel it is the legitimate government of Northern Ireland.

However there is an idea they may take their seats after this election, presumably the government will depend on minority party support and this could provide an opportunity for Sinn Fein to press for independence.

Ed Miliband has just been pictured next to a tombstone

and with that, Labour's campaign has just died. He has handed the Conservatives their greatest PR triumph since the 1980s...

Oh dear. Milliband has set down commandments on a stone tablet...

If Labour lose, is he now going to lead all Britain's Lefties in a great Exodus, parting the Channel and taking them to Europe?

I'm sorry, Ed, but this is quite possibly the campaign cockup we have all been waiting for...

 Paradigm wrote:
Oh dear. Milliband has set down commandments on a stone tablet...

If Labour lose, is he now going to lead all Britain's Lefties in a great Exodus, parting the Channel and taking them to Europe?

I'm sorry, Ed, but this is quite possibly the campaign cockup we have all been waiting for...

Have you seen the photoshop parodies that have predictably sprung up? I cannot believe that a politician would do something so stupid as being photographed near a tombstone, 4 days out from the election .The symbolism is clear for all to see. What a gift for the Tories...

It really shouldn't matter, should it?

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

 Paradigm wrote:
Oh dear. Milliband has set down commandments on a stone tablet...

If Labour lose, is he now going to lead all Britain's Lefties in a great Exodus, parting the Channel and taking them to Europe?

I'm sorry, Ed, but this is quite possibly the campaign cockup we have all been waiting for...

Have you seen the photoshop parodies that have predictably sprung up? I cannot believe that a politician would do something so stupid as being photographed near a tombstone, 4 days out from the election .The symbolism is clear for all to see. What a gift for the Tories...

Seen a few (tombstone, shopping list, Moses, My Rushmore), but quite honestly the original is still the funniest; if you'd told me without a picture, I would struggle to believe it!


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 Da Boss wrote:
It really shouldn't matter, should it?

It shouldn't, and won't to those who have already made up their mind, but handing the opposition media pretty much perfect headline ammunition 4 days before an election is still not genius!

Wonder what the Mail will make of this tomorrow!

 Da Boss wrote:
It really shouldn't matter, should it?

Short of digging up Margaret Thatcher's corpse and posing alongside it for a photograph, I cannot think of anything that could have done more damage to Miliband than this. Utter stupidity.

If you've spent months trying to convince people you're not weird, then building an 8f foot high tombstone for your back garden will not win over those doubters!!


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 Paradigm wrote:

 Do_I_Not_Like_That wrote:

 Paradigm wrote:
Oh dear. Milliband has set down commandments on a stone tablet...

If Labour lose, is he now going to lead all Britain's Lefties in a great Exodus, parting the Channel and taking them to Europe?

I'm sorry, Ed, but this is quite possibly the campaign cockup we have all been waiting for...

Have you seen the photoshop parodies that have predictably sprung up? I cannot believe that a politician would do something so stupid as being photographed near a tombstone, 4 days out from the election .The symbolism is clear for all to see. What a gift for the Tories...

Seen a few (tombstone, shopping list, Moses, My Rushmore), but quite honestly the original is still the funniest; if you'd told me without a picture, I would struggle to believe it!


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 Da Boss wrote:
It really shouldn't matter, should it?

It shouldn't, and won't to those who have already made up their mind, but handing the opposition media pretty much perfect headline ammunition 4 days before an election is still not genius!

Wonder what the Mail will make of this tomorrow!

When I first heard it, I thought it was April fools day...then I realised it was the month of May.