[Politics] General Election 2024 - 4th July

[US Seagull]

So a question on mail-in ballots while I'm still waiting for mine. Do they have to be back by election day? Or just postmarked by/before election day?

It's not real clear from here:

How to vote

An overview of voting in the UK, including voting in person, postal and proxy voting, and voting if you're abroad.

www.gov.uk

Although the heading: "If you’re too late to post your ballot paper", makes me think it's supposed to be received by election day?

 

[medwayseagull reborn]

So a question on mail-in ballots while I'm still waiting for mine. Do they have to be back by election day? Or just postmarked by/before election day?

It's not real clear from here:

How to vote

An overview of voting in the UK, including voting in person, postal and proxy voting, and voting if you're abroad.

www.gov.uk

Although the heading: "If you’re too late to post your ballot paper", makes me think it's supposed to be received by election day?

Back by election day at close of poll 10pm.

 

[US Seagull]

Back by election day at close of poll 10pm.

Oof. That's gonna be tight, possibly.

 

[Marty McFly]

Oof. That's gonna be tight, possibly.

I understand it’s not an option for everyone, but I’ve gone down the proxy route.

 

[Vankleek Hill Seagull]

I got my voting papers in the post yesterday and will be sending the completed forms back today. They should arrive at the council offices before E-Day.

 

[A1X]

 

[Machiavelli]

And it succeeded.

If he didn't believe in Corbyn's take on things / didn't like his policies / thought he was a racist grandpa why did he not stand AGAINST Corbyn for the party leadership rather than campaigning on his behalf and telling the world what a "great PM" he would make?

That's a rhetorical question of course. I'm not expecting you to know the answer. Hell, even Starmer couldn't come up with an answer. Is it an issue with Starmer's judgement or his honesty and integrity? It has to be one. It could be both.

It's a non-issue. No idea why people are making so much of it. Shadow/Cabinet member says during an election campaign that their leader would make/is a great PM -- and this becomes a theme in a forthcoming election?! Says more about the media and the public/electorate than it does the Cabinet member/next leader of their party.

 

[Machiavelli]

On this whole betting thing, I'm struggling to keep up to date. I understand it's currently 4 people involved. Is it now 2 sitting MPs that are under investigation, together with the Director of the Election campaign husband of one, none of whom have been suspended by Rishi, whilst the Policeman from Downing Street that has also placed a bet has been suspended immediately. Is that right ?

Yes, tis.

 

[pb21]

 

[Weststander]

I watched a bit of Starmer yesterday and didn't think he was prepared for the question about his having said Corbyn would make a 'great prime minister'. He said he didn't think Starmer would win, and would nevertheless have been better than Johnson.

That said.....it would be more honest if the questioner had asked whether it is ever acceptable to change one's mind in politics (obviously it is), and whether it is a requirement to stand down as an MP if you don't like your leader, and make a massive noise about it in the media (obviously not - stay in the tent and fight for change when the opportunity arises - which is what Starmer did).

Obviously the question is designed to make Starmer look hypocritical or a dick and, to be honest, it isn't an easy question to answer. But I thought he could have done better. Perhaps the fact he didn't answer it well is paradoxically a good thing. Stark contrast to the slick lying bullshit from Sunk.

That was the stirring form of the event. A media discussion last night reckoned Davey, Sunak and Starmer had all been given an uncomfortable time, Davey a similar raking up of tuition fees and the PO. The winner Swinney apparently. The presenter could’ve gone to town on huge SNP failures, but allowed the unchallenged always blame everything on Westminster propaganda.

KS might’ve said “I wanted to influence from the front, being a backbencher would’ve prevented that. It was a painful time for me to see what had happened to the party I love, good people facing racism, policies that didn’t add up. Sometimes in politics you have to compromise, fight your corner and take the long view. The British people gave their overwhelming verdict on that form of Labour Party. We were entrusted to return the party to its historic values, we’ve done that, we’re ready to govern for all”.

 

[drew]

And it succeeded.

If he didn't believe in Corbyn's take on things / didn't like his policies / thought he was a racist grandpa why did he not stand AGAINST Corbyn for the party leadership rather than campaigning on his behalf and telling the world what a "great PM" he would make?

That's a rhetorical question of course. I'm not expecting you to know the answer. Hell, even Starmer couldn't come up with an answer. Is it an issue with Starmer's judgement or his honesty and integrity? It has to be one. It could be both.

Possibly because he only got elected as an MP in 2015!!

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

That was the stirring form of the event. A media discussion last night reckoned Davey, Sunak and Starmer had all been given an uncomfortable time, Davey a similar raking up of tuition fees and the PO. The winner Swinney apparently. The presenter could’ve gone to town on huge SNP failures, but allowed the unchallenged always blame everything on Westminster propaganda.

KS might’ve said “I wanted to influence from the front, being a backbencher would’ve prevented that. It was a painful time for me to see what had happened to the party I love, good people facing racism, policies that didn’t add up. Sometimes in politics you have to compromise, fight your corner and take the long view. The British people gave their overwhelming verdict on that form of Labour Party. We were entrusted to return the party to its historic values, we’ve done that, we’re ready to govern for all”.

You are Alastair Campbell and I claim my £5 worth of Premium Bonds

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

And it succeeded.

If he didn't believe in Corbyn's take on things / didn't like his policies / thought he was a racist grandpa why did he not stand AGAINST Corbyn for the party leadership rather than campaigning on his behalf and telling the world what a "great PM" he would make?

That's a rhetorical question of course. I'm not expecting you to know the answer. Hell, even Starmer couldn't come up with an answer. Is it an issue with Starmer's judgement or his honesty and integrity? It has to be one. It could be both.

It is what it is.

I won't be rushing off to vote for Rishi as a consequence.

The only leader (and this is by a country mile) who had compelling, humorous and convincing* answers to difficult questions in the history of it all is......Johnson. A master.

*And it was all lies. Fancy that.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Local you say?

 

[A1X]

 

[Bodian]

Tories still going down, Labour no change.

 

[Bodian]

Oh - and another one. Labour up, Tories down.

Not looking at all bad!

And, from that - bloody marvellous if this happens....

 

[oldboyroy]

Oh - and another one. Labour up, Tories down.

Not looking at all bad!

And, from that - bloody marvellous if this happens....

Although I would love those results I can't see the tories doing that badly! My gut says they'll get around 150+ and labour's majority will be far less than predicted

 

[nwgull]

Although I would love those results I can't see the tories doing that badly! My gut says they'll get around 150+ and labour's majority will be far less than predicted

8-1 is available on them winning 150-200 seats if you fancy backing your gut.

The favourite range is 50-99 at 11/10, and even 0-49 is only 5/2. Basically, they’re odds on to get fewer than 100 seats.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Although I would love those results I can't see the tories doing that badly! My gut says they'll get around 150+ and labour's majority will be far less than predicted

I'm starting to think that might be preferable. They're still a rump, did worse than in 1997, but it keeps Farage a long way from the levers of power.