Theresa May calls General Election on 8th June.

[Jordeh]

I don't believe a word of what the current Government says either, the Prime Minister has said one thing and done the other on more than one occasion. I also strongly disagree with anyone becoming Prime Minister "by default", and before anyone asks, I also strongly disagreed with Gordon Brown becoming Prime Minister without a vote from his party.

No wonder so many people are so disillusioned with politics and don't bother registering to vote.

On which other occasions has Theresa May said one thing and done the other?

 

[Dave1987]

Well well well. So Mrs May said repeatedly that she will not call a snap election, yet now she has u-turned again and now wants a general election. It's blatantly obvious this is opportunistic while Labour is in disarray to try and get her parliamentary majority higher. Thing is now people see her vision of Brexit we will see how many seats she does actually gain. The Tories will try and keep the focus on Brexit but the dire state the NHS is currently in is bound to play a part. Also a lot of young people who weren't old enough to vote in the referendum last year are now eligible. I foresee big gains for the Lib Dems.

 

[NoMorePacers]

Jonathan Pie sums it up perfectly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTDWd9-zqzc

 

[northwichcat]

I foresee big gains for the Lib Dems.

While the Lib Dems weren't expected to perform well in 2015 they lost a few seats that they had been expected to retain e.g. Twickenham, which they could easily take back this time.

 

[507021]

On which other occasions has Theresa May said one thing and done the other?

She backed the campaign to remain in the European Union, she is now adamant we are leaving the European Union and assuming everyone who voted to leave (as well as those who voted to remain) want a "hard" Brexit. Yes, the country voted to leave the EU and that's fair enough, but the Government has not given us an option about how we want to leave the EU. I think we should be given that option, i.e. "These are our options, which one do you want the most?" and not let someone else decide that for us.

She has said there should not be and will not be a General Election before 2020, and she has now said she wants one this year. There is of course the important matter of getting 66% of MPs to agree to it tomorrow, which isn't as easy as it sounds.

She's said her government will provide leadership and an economy that work for all, and it clearly doesn't. Why else would they perform a u-turn on raising National Insurance Contributions in the most recent budget if it didn't annoy so many people? There's also the case of the proposed creation of new grammar schools, which are not "for all" in the slightest.

 

[Jordeh]

She backed the campaign to remain in the European Union, she is now adamant we are leaving the European Union and assuming everyone who voted to leave (as well as those who voted to remain) want a "hard" Brexit. Yes, the country voted to leave the EU and that's fair enough, but the Government has not given us an option about how we want to leave the EU. I think we should be given that option, i.e. "These are our options, which one do you want the most?" and not let someone else decide that for us.

She has said there should not be and will not be a General Election before 2020, and she has now said she wants one this year. There is of course the important matter of getting 66% of MPs to agree to it tomorrow, which isn't as easy as it sounds.

She's said her government will provide leadership and an economy that work for all, and it clearly doesn't. Why else would they perform a u-turn on raising National Insurance Contributions in the most recent budget if it didn't annoy so many people? There's also the case of the proposed creation of new grammar schools, which are not "for all" in the slightest.

They're your criticisms of Theresa May but they're not evidence of her saying one thing and doing another. It's all too often said that politicians lie but I think most people would be surprised by how often the likes of David Cameron and Theresa May keep their manifesto promises and very rarely lie.

One of the reasons for calling this referendum is to give legitimacy to her views and install a manifesto of her own, instead of having to abide by David Cameron's.

 

[47802]

She backed the campaign to remain in the European Union, she is now adamant we are leaving the European Union and assuming everyone who voted to leave (as well as those who voted to remain) want a "hard" Brexit. Yes, the country voted to leave the EU and that's fair enough, but the Government has not given us an option about how we want to leave the EU. I think we should be given that option, i.e. "These are our options, which one do you want the most?" and not let someone else decide that for us.

.

Do they need to? I think was pretty clear to me that if you voted to leave it would unlikely to be a Single Market solution as that would like being in the EU in many respects including accepting freedom of movement, it seemed clear to me that if you voted to leave then would be a case of looking for a bespoke trade deal with the EU and if that fails which hopefully it wont it will be hard Brexit which seems to me to be exactly the government's position.

 

[Morgsie]

Lib Dem Big anti-Brexiteer so LD Gains I would assume

Brexit Election this will be known as where May will get a Majority, Corbyn's labour will lose and Lib Dem gains

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

It seems most posters are expecting the focus of the election campaign to be on Brexit. But the problems in the NHS and schools are actually more significant, not just from a party political point of view but because they are almost inevitable outcomes from the rate of population growth that we are currently experiencing. The anti-immigration lobby would argue that closing our borders is necessary but it's already too late, we are heading for considerable rises in population for many years to come. At the moment it seems politicians are in denial over this issue but the longer it gets ignored the worse the pressure on public services will become. No easy answers of course but somewhere along the way if public services are to continue then tax rises will be absolutely necessary. The big debate ought, IMO, to be about long-term reforms to taxation affecting both individuals and businesses. The Brexit effect on this is only a small part of the picture. I do hope that this issue makes it into the discussions during the campaign.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Do they need to? I think was pretty clear to me that if you voted to leave it would unlikely to be a Single Market solution

Tell that to Daniel Hannan, Owen Paterson MP, Matthew Elliot, Arron Banks and hell even Farage himself (amongst other leave supporters and campaigners). All of whom either made claims that specifically said they were not talking about leaving the single market, or made statements implying the same.

 

[me123]

What on earth is she playing at? She does pretty much nothing for almost year, and then triggers article 50 - which gives us a very tight deadline for renegotiating a settlement with the EU and pretty much rewriting our constitution. As soon as she does that, she thinks that this is an ideal time to call a General Election! If she was going to do it, she should have done it months ago. She must be very confident of winning (and rightly so from what we've seen), but as much as I despise the current government it would actually be a bad time to change it. Whilst the overall result probably won't change very much, she could well lose a few individuals. And what happens if Corbyn wins? (OK, no real chance, but entertain the thought for a moment). The new government would be stuck negotiating Article 50.

The whole thing is a sham. It's being done to strengthen the Government's power at a time when they are strong, and delay the next election which would otherwise fall shortly after the axe that severs us from Europe.

Interestingly, I'm in a swing seat (Vale of Clwyd) only recently won by the Tories and held by a margin of a few hundred votes. I may find myself tactfully voting for Labour as an anti-Tory vote, even though my heart would probably either be with Plaid or Lib Dem. (I hadn't thought too much about it as I wasn't expecting a GE whilst I was here...).

Hopefully a candidate dressed as Spongebob registers and makes my life much easier.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Snap General election as she has a massive lead in the poles...

I am unaware of the number of people from the "Land of my father" give support to the Conservative Party...

 

[Howardh]

What on earth is she playing at? She does pretty much nothing for almost year, and then triggers article 50 - which gives us a very tight deadline for renegotiating a settlement with the EU and pretty much rewriting our constitution. As soon as she does that, she thinks that this is an ideal time to call a General Election! If she was going to do it, she should have done it months ago. She must be very confident of winning (and rightly so from what we've seen), but as much as I despise the current government it would actually be a bad time to change it. Whilst the overall result probably won't change very much, she could well lose a few individuals. And what happens if Corbyn wins? (OK, no real chance, but entertain the thought for a moment). The new government would be stuck negotiating Article 50.

The whole thing is a sham. It's being done to strengthen the Government's power at a time when they are strong, and delay the next election which would otherwise fall shortly after the axe that severs us from Europe.

Interestingly, I'm in a swing seat (Vale of Clwyd) only recently won by the Tories and held by a margin of a few hundred votes. I may find myself tactfully voting for Labour as an anti-Tory vote, even though my heart would probably either be with Plaid or Lib Dem. (I hadn't thought too much about it as I wasn't expecting a GE whilst I was here...).

Hopefully a candidate dressed as Spongebob registers and makes my life much easier.

In my area I will probably have to vote Labour to kick the tory out; but if there is a surge in the polls towards the Libdems then that's the obvious place for my vote.

 

[Morgsie]

Ever since Theresa got the keys to Number 10 there was a threat of a General Election and last year I was involved in LD machinery where it was decided to get Candidates in place if there was one and plans for a General Election. Point of this comment is Liberal Democrats are prepared for this.

I don't like this Government at all and Labour are in a right state at the moment where Jeremy is not Prime Minister material

 

[Geezertronic]

One assumes that this is also a ploy to see how the Scots vote which may determine whether Sturgeon gets her 2nd IndyRef or not

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I don't like this Government at all and Labour are in a right state at the moment where Jeremy is not Prime Minister material

What sort of material do you feel applies to him..:roll:

 

[507021]

They're your criticisms of Theresa May but they're not evidence of her saying one thing and doing another. It's all too often said that politicians lie but I think most people would be surprised by how often the likes of David Cameron and Theresa May keep their manifesto promises and very rarely lie.

One of the reasons for calling this referendum is to give legitimacy to her views and install a manifesto of her own, instead of having to abide by David Cameron's.

She has said "we will not be doing (whatever)" and then later down the line she says "we are doing (whatever) after all", which to me is saying one thing and then doing another. I'll give May credit though, she actually wants to hold an election to try and give herself a mandate, which is more than what Brown did.

Do they need to? I think was pretty clear to me that if you voted to leave it would unlikely to be a Single Market solution as that would like being in the EU in many respects including accepting freedom of movement, it seemed clear to me that if you voted to leave then would be a case of looking for a bespoke trade deal with the EU and if that fails which hopefully it wont it will be hard Brexit which seems to me to be exactly the government's position.

Yes, because I don't think it was very clear in the run up to the referendum last year what "leave" options were actually available, because it isn't as simple as the "leave" or "remain" options suggested.

 

[Butts]

Anyone up for a sweepstake on how many centuries the Tories are going to be in power for?

According to the Labour Membership and Momentum Jeremy Corbyn is a dynamic and progressive leader.

I fully expect them to regain swathes of seats in Scotland, The South of England and the Midlands. Wales could be a problem.

Or have I got it the wrong way round

One good aspect for the labourites on here at least they will be getting rid of Corbyn earlier than anticipated. Surely he can't stay on if they lose the Election.

That would be madness.....but then we are talking about todays Labour

 

[southern442]

Will it be 600 or 650 seats?

 

[507021]

Will it be 600 or 650 seats?

650 seats this time.

 

[Morgsie]

It will be 650 Seats on Existing Boundaries and you need 434 votes for a Motion under the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act 2011

As for Jezza he is not PM material in my view as he is not charismatic etc, he is a campaigner not a Leader

 

[Domh245]

What on earth is she playing at? She does pretty much nothing for almost year, and then triggers article 50 - which gives us a very tight deadline for renegotiating a settlement with the EU and pretty much rewriting our constitution. As soon as she does that, she thinks that this is an ideal time to call a General Election! If she was going to do it, she should have done it months ago. She must be very confident of winning (and rightly so from what we've seen), but as much as I despise the current government it would actually be a bad time to change it. Whilst the overall result probably won't change very much, she could well lose a few individuals. And what happens if Corbyn wins? (OK, no real chance, but entertain the thought for a moment). The new government would be stuck negotiating Article 50.

The whole thing is a sham. It's being done to strengthen the Government's power at a time when they are strong, and delay the next election which would otherwise fall shortly after the axe that severs us from Europe.

I detest May and her merry band of brexiteers as much as anyone, but now is as good a time as any to call an election. The EU aren't doing anything with regards to Brexit for a few months whilst they get their house in order, and whilst the French and German elections play out, meaning that we do have this lull in Brexit business in which she can strengthen her hand, and confirm that a "majority" of voters want her vision of Brexit.

As for the unlikely scenario of the winning party deciding to stop Brexit entirely (Lib Dems seem fixed on their second referendum, whilst I think that Corbyn is still well in favour of a hard Brexit) then I'm sure that the EU would welcome us back.

 

[northwichcat]

As for Jezza he is not PM material in my view as he is not charismatic etc, he is a campaigner not a Leader

Really the best chance Labour have is the Conservatives getting under 50% of the seats and the chance to form a coalition with the Lib Dems. However, I think Mr Farron will say they are willing to form a coalition with Labour as long as Mr Corbyn stands down as leader.

 

[northwichcat]

I'm sure that the EU would welcome us back.

We've not actually left. We've just officially told them we plan to leave.

 

[Morgsie]

Apparently we can reverse Brexit though I am not sure on the process and legalities

There is small talk of a Progressive Alliance that would introduce PR. I am a Vice-Chair of a Local Party who differs to LD Policy of STV as I favour AV+

 

[southern442]

It would be quite funny if the Tories lose a lot of their 'remain seats' to the Lib Dems, forcing another coalition and then the Lib Dems don't let them do anything.

 

[HSTEd]

Apparently we can reverse Brexit though I am not sure on the process and legalities

There is small talk of a Progressive Alliance that would introduce PR. I am a Vice-Chair of a Local Party who differs to LD Policy of STV as I favour AV+

Honestly I would prefer the Hansard AMS system from 1979.
No seperate 'party' list but instead made up on the night from the party's highest scoring losers.

But we will never get that.

 

[Busaholic]

Ahem!

I've never revisited my previous posts, and have no intention of doing so now, but I do recollect engaging in debate on this forum after the 2015 General Election, making the following points, for which I don't remember any support. Some of those with whom I crossed swords (ever so politely, of course!) are still posting on here. My main points were:-

1) Regardless of the Referendum vote, there would be enough opposition from the losing side to ensure that a General Election would have to be called within a few months of the result. I do remember saying that it could just be in 2018 but much more likely in 2017. At the time I happily admit that I thought it would be the Tory leavers and UKIP whingeing about the 'Yes' majority that swung it!

2) I decried the Fixed Term Parliaments Act that was rushed through after the Election as cynical and unconstitutional, and also pointed out (to unanimous opposition here) that it would NOT prevent a government calling a General Election just when it fancied. The government would just treat the FTPA as an irritant to be swatted away when necessary. QED.

To the here and now. I got round to reading my local (Cornish) weekly paper this p.m. five days after publication. An article was headlined about why May wouldn't call a snap election, and referred to the resurgence of the LibDems in the South West based on polls conducted by Tory research. There followed a series of reasons given by a Plymouth Tory MP as to why there wouldn't and couldn't be a snap election, so that any 'temporary' resurgence of the LibDems would have disappeared by the time of the actual election!

So what happens if we get a re-run (apart from Scotland) of the 2010 election result? The LibDems obviously can't go into coalition again, and Labour without those Scottish seats will be in no position to take office. It could be chaos. Hard Brexit might just then be off the agenda though, for which I for one would be eternally grateful.

Oh, has Nigel Farage announced his position yet? I take it he'll be UKIP leader again by the end of the week. and standing as a candidate somewhere again. Arron Banks can get his wish to fight Carswell in Clacton, and might just get his deposit back.

 

[northwichcat]

It would be quite funny if the Tories lose a lot of their 'remain seats' to the Lib Dems, forcing another coalition and then the Lib Dems don't let them do anything.

Two parties have to come to an agreement to form a coalition. In theory if the Conservatives get 45% of the seats, the other parties could form anti-Tory coalition and force the Conservatives on to the opposition benches.

 

[Busaholic]

I am unaware of the number of people from the "Land of my father" give support to the Conservative Party...

Nah, the poles that support the dancers! Tory voters to a plank.