TopGun

Of course, the counterpoint is a Yougov poll (prior to today's Brown events) that says Con 33%, Lab 29% and LD 28% which would leave Labour as the largest party but short of a majority by about 40. It will be interesting to see the effect of Bigotgate... I'm sure as many people agree with Brown privately as those like Dune trying to play it up as a scandal. I had forecast a rise in Lab at the expense of the LDs as Clegg has overplayed his hand among Lab/LD switchers but if Andrew Marr can't tell what might happen, who am I to say now?

Very unlikely. Denham and Whitehead are good MPs.

More likely paid off her back rent.

Get over it you old woman!

You really don't understand this at all. That study demonstrates exactly what would have happened under various PR forms in 1997.

Too much of an assumption. However, after the Labour landslide of 1997 a commission was set up headed by Roy Jenkins to analyse how the election would have been won under various different systems of PR. It is the last definitive study. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/slideshow/proportional_representation/default.stm It highlights the differing forms of PR and subsequent outcomes, something Dune has not even thought about.

Another very stupid comment. Sinn Fein is now working as part of a coalition government with the DUP in Northern Ireland. However, that does not withstand the fact that the SNP, Plaid and SF are all left wing parties so would not join the Tories in a coalition unless they were given significantly more devolved powers of administration.

I'm afraid Dune is talking nonsense again. STV or other PR systems such as AMD can give political representation to more extreme parties as a by-product but actually give more influence to the centre ground overall as most people will vote for their preference followed by a second choice that gravitates towards the centre. The few that choose a more extreme second choice (BNP, Socialist Worker etc) ensure that those parties gain a smattering of representation. The make up of the European Parliament demonstrates the effects of PR well. Of the 736 MEPs, the centre right has 265 MEPs, the centre left 185 MEPs and the centre parties about 140 - a total of about 590. That leaves the more extreme right with about 85 and more extreme left with about 35 MEPs. My university dissertation was on different PR systems and their potential effects if introduced in the UK. Although that was 20 years ago the theories have not altered.

I think Clegg is overplaying his hand. I expect the LD vote to start to fall between now and next Thursday as voters start to make hard choices.

Working in the energy field I am baffled how the LDs will square their "no new nukes" policy with either Lab or Con. I think there are a number of other incompatibilities that will be difficult to horse trade also.

I suspect as much as some of your lunatic diatribe Dune. Debate is a very loose word with you anyway as you just parrot your prejudices and ignore everyone else.

7-0 win in my first outing back in VI against the third best team. This will be a walk in the park!

Spot on. I had one that did just that.

Dune, you seem to be under the impression that your propaganda is believed by others. Anyone who suggests a VAT rise to 25% is clearly barking anyway (see what I did there Stanley?)

The tide is turning.

No Tax = No Navy

Robertson it is then

Top notch.

Excellent. If the Mail has it right.

BNP - unqualified and unemployed in destitute areas UKIP - retired middle/upper class

Not correct under law, no matter what you might think. The Good Friday Agreement offered amnesty to convictionists on both sides at that time and wiped their slates clean in many cases. The Tories would have done the same eventually as Major was leading up to it. Although if TDD means petty criminals, then fine.

Duke of Edinburgh??

I don't think Dune was Stanley/Flashman etc. Dune is a right wing nut but can spell and make words into sentences and also doesn't flip out (more than normal). Stanley/Flashman/blah/blah was far different IMO.

I missed that along with the rest of the nation. No doubt the LDs are happy that occurred before their ridiculous populist rise on a non realpolitik agenda...