I'm beginning to think that Burnham is the only real choice when looked at in terms of popularity and public awareness but I'm struggling to convince myself any of the candidates will make any impression on the electorate in the short to medium term.

Labour will only get back in when the country gets bored with the Tories.

I honestly don't think it's about boredom but more about credibility and trust.

Yup, and Labour have done poorly ever since Brown became PM, then Milliband Jr. took over. I hope that the main party hierarchy have taken note of two things:

1. Don't abuse your electorate by taking them for granted, assuming they will always vote for you no matter what - see Scotland.

2. Listen to what the electorate is trying to say to you - see the rise of UKIP in the North of England.

Ultimately, Labour is torn between two conflicting ideas of society. That which their support in the North of England, Scotland and Wales believes in (traditional left, communitarian, small "c" social conservative), and that which they need to curry to in order to win constituencies in the Southern part of the England (right wing, individualist, entrepreneurial, big "C" Conservatism) which gets them enough seats to form a government.

Blairism squared the circle for them, but I can't see Labour managing that again, at least in the short term.

If I were to make a recommendation to Labour's leadership, it would be this: You've lost Scotland, the SNP have stolen your clothes, so don't try to get back. If you want to win again, concentrate on England and Wales, that's where the seats you need to win are.

Mike.:hmmm:

Indeed, Blair did a lot of damage to Labours credibility thanks to Iraq, and Brown was in the wrong place at the wrong time, as well as being as about as likeable as a dead pigeon. The after-effects of both has given the Tories enough ammunition for a decade, I think that the concensus someone came to earlier in this thread is probably accurate, Labour won't get a look in again until the election after next. :/\\!!

Protests in London on Saturday, probably going to be a big one.

So we can can look forward to a news ban again. :hmmm:

Too me it comes back to what I said, Labour will only get back in when the country gets bored with the Tories. That or they make everyone's life even more a living hell.

BTW: I agree about 2020 a write off for Labour as it stands, best chance a Hung Parliament and that depends on the grass root level. Keep a eye on the council/county council election results 2016/19.

Interesting essay by Professor John Curtice on IPPR.org:

http://www.ippr.org/juncture/a-defea...labours-losses

Mike.

Fir Kin SNP and their supporters getting their knickers in a twist on the voting down of the amendment to 1A of the Scotland bill...They accuse the rest of spin but hell SNP are up there with them..

Also could someone please do something about the Rev. Stuart Campbell.

RussiaToday will probably do a live streaming report on it.

http://www.greatmining.com/mining_im...n-ore_Mine.jpg

Would that be the bit that Cameron promised? You know, the permanence of the parliament?

Ah, yes, the "Wings Over Scotland" website impresario.

I wonder if any of his neighbours in Somerset realise what he's up to?:hmmm:

Anyone want to tell them?:arrgh!:

As an aside, I haven't seen much evidence of the Pro-SNP crowd in General Topics since the referendum?

Mike.

Had it with uk
 

I had it with uk politics and uk and moved to France.You will never change the system.

VOTE WITH YOUR FEET

And it is. The amendment the SNP wanted was to require a referendum should Westminster want to dissolve it. However the amendment in legal terms is pointless because should any Westminster government want to dissolve it, they'd just royal the referendum amendment and them dissolve the Scottish parliament. Not that any would as it would be political suicide and there would be rioting. I'm afraid this is just another stick for the SNP to breast the other parties over the head with, especially the Tories. To do what the SNP proposed would require a new constitution where Holyrood isn't subordinate to Westminster which it currently is. Also about full fiscal autonomy. The SNP and their friends won't admit it to your have but as things stand they have got their cake and eaten it. Significant tax raising powers but still a safety net. Under FFA they would not have it.

Ah, so it was related to the one that Cameron promised to put into law, then. I guessed it would end up as "SNP BAD!" rather then "Cameron fails to follow through".

The same 'not binding' also applies to the proposed law to ensure fiscal responsibility but that isn't stopping it being put in place. Strange that.

Boris Tells Taxi Driver: '******* Off And Die' :nope:


http://news.sky.com/story/1504125/bo...-f-off-and-die


Not just a nasty Tory bastard, but foul mouthed nasty evil Tory bastard :yep:


And this thing wants to PM one day god help ii that ever happened :nope::nope:

I didn't say it wasn't related.
The permanency of the Scottish Parliament is in the Scotland Bill, just because an amendment requiring a referendum should a Westminster government ever decided to dissolve it does not stop that.

Do you really think that it will be dissolved? Before now it could have been done but it hasn't? Ever thought why? Because it would cause absolute havoc. I'm afraid the SNP are trying to have their cake and eat it. They are in the position where they can paint anything where they don't get what they want as the evil Tories being obstructive. Do they really think that they will just get whatever they want. I'm no friend of the Tories, what Maggie did in Scotland with the poll tax was despicable, however that was repealed and replaced. Unlike the miners whose pits were closed, (I apologise for Bossmark too, I didn't get around to replying to his explanation and how he was personally affected), but the SNP were not too long ago know as Tartan Tories. I wonder why that is? Just that they have been politically astute to occupy the middle ground vacated by Labour. They make a big fuss about this amendment but don't see too much complaining really how FFA didn't go through. I bet Swinney is breathing a sigh of relief. Though I am also sure that if FFA had been granted the SNP would have found some way to twist it to show how the Tories were screwing Scotland by hanging the potential £7.6 billion deficit around Holyrood's neck.

Ha ha, yes not too clever. Saying that I think any MP being foul mouthed is a disgrace. Suppose it could have been worse. He could have done a two jags and lamped him.

I agree and yes if it had been two jags he probably would have let have right hook or two....:haha::haha:

I wouldn't want a right hook from him.