The Lib Dems,do they face Wipeout ?

[Gwylan]

Brighton Pavilion could easily become a 4 way marginal if the Green vote collapses and Labour voters stay at home , it could well be the UKIP vote that allows the Conservatives to sneak in.

No chance. I personally think Caroline Lucas will win again - I know a few people who thinks she's done a good job as an MP and will vote for her but won't support the Greens in the local election. But if she doesn't, Pavilion will go to Labour, there's no way that the Tories will pick up enough votes

As for the idea that UKIP are in with any chance of winning in Brighton ... more chance of Messi signing for the Albion. I think UKIP will struggle to win any seats but if there's one place that's really not natural territory for them, it's Brighton

 

[Don Quixote]

Brighton Pavilion could easily become a 4 way marginal if the Green vote collapses and Labour voters stay at home , it could well be the UKIP vote that allows the Conservatives to sneak in.

It seems like this is something you want to happen, not something that is likely to happen.

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

Do you not think that the Lib Dems deserve some credit for being willing to co-exist with the Tories and simply getting on with forming policy decisions based on common sense and need, rather than ideology?

I think I must be living in a parallel universe. I don't think I have ever read anything I have disagreed with so much.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

No chance. I personally think Caroline Lucas will win again - I know a few people who thinks she's done a good job as an MP and will vote for her but won't support the Greens in the local election. But if she doesn't, Pavilion will go to Labour, there's no way that the Tories will pick up enough votes

As for the idea that UKIP are in with any chance of winning in Brighton ... more chance of Messi signing for the Albion. I think UKIP will struggle to win any seats but if there's one place that's really not natural territory for them, it's Brighton

UKIP wont win any seats but they could come second in a few constituencies up and down the country , my prediction for Brighton Pavilion is 1st Conservatives 2nd Labour 3rd Greens 4th UKIP 5th LibDem

 

[Tubby Mondays]

Do you not think that the Lib Dems deserve some credit for being willing to co-exist with the Tories and simply getting on with forming policy decisions based on common sense and need, rather than ideology?

Had we just had a Tory government the cuts would have been deeper and hurt the less well-off even more so. Had Labour been in we'd basically be Greece by now. I think credit is due to the Lib Dems for helping to steer the ship to the point we've arrived at now, which is falling unemployment low interest rates, low inflation and increasing growth.

I also think David Cameron deserves a lot of credit for striking a balance with his own party too.

This country wouldnt be anything like Greece and anybody that suggests it would or beleives that it would is talking rubbish!

In Greece tax avoidance is/was a national sport. In this country save for a few notable exceptions it isnt.
In Greece people retire very early and thus the economy loses what little (if any) tax those people did pay, and the state has to support them. In this country most people who work up to their retirement age are tax payers and those that retire early have arrangements in place to support that.

The Lib dems have supported Tory policy decsions that were nothing but ideologically driven; the unnecessary, expensive and totally shambolic reorganisation of the NHS to name but one.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

It seems like this is something you want to happen, not something that is likely to happen.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what the result is next May. If it was something I wanted to happen I would be plugging the Labour candidate to win by a 6,000 plus majority.

 

[jimhigham]

Politics is never that simple. There will always be people that will vote for the LibDems out of necessity. My own consitutency (Woking) as a good case study. Let us say that a voter in Woking really does not want a Conservative MP. If that is their main concern then the only means they have of achieving this is to vote LibDem. This conundrum is repeated in many constituencies across the country. For this reason alone they will remain viable.

 

[sten_super]

I think I must be living in a parallel universe. I don't think I have ever read anything I have disagreed with so much.

I actually kind of agree with him. The Lib Dems could have refused to co-operate with the Tories, and left us with a minority government unable to enable any substantial policy. Despite what some seem to think, that would not have helped our political system nor our economy. I don't agree with everything that they've done, but they've acted as a reasonable coalition partner, in questioning and arguing with the Tories where they've had disagreements but carefully picking the battlegrounds that are most important to them.

This country wouldnt be anything like Greece and anybody that suggests it would or beleives that it would is talking rubbish!

But I also agree with this.

 

[worthingseagull123]

Trouble is I cannot vote. I cant stand any of the political parties, so wont bother. Each have their merits, but have equal flaws.

 

[blue2]

Will never trust them again

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

I actually kind of agree with him. The Lib Dems could have refused to co-operate with the Tories, and left us with a minority government unable to enable any substantial policy. Despite what some seem to think, that would not have helped our political system nor our economy. I don't agree with everything that they've done, but they've acted as a reasonable coalition partner, in questioning and arguing with the Tories where they've had disagreements but carefully picking the battlegrounds that are most important to them.



But I also agree with this.

Sorry - can't make the quote thing work properly....

I agree with the point about working in coalition. The bit that I disagree with (enormously strongly is the "common sense policies with no whiff of ideology".

Most of what they are doing seems to me to be either blatant vote-catching (benefits cap, immigration etc) or driven by rabid ideology (particularly education, but also benefits reform type stuff.) The way our education is going at the moment is as far removed from common-sense as I can imagine and is based on Michael Gove's warped ideologies.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

It's funny. People very much bought into Obama's pitch on political cooperation, and there's always been an underlying annoyance that politicians can't work together. Yet, when the Lib Dems do exactly that they get slated for it.

Yes they've had to concede on some pretty major points (student debt being the main one), but they are the junior partner in government so it was bound to happen.

I feel sorry for them to be honest. They did the right thing but it's hurting them. I am switching my vote from Labour to Lib Dems in the next election

 

[ALBION28]

The thing is, as much as I dislike how the Lib Dems have caved in to the Tories I'm struggling to decide who to vote for in the next election. Labour have got absolutely NOTHING going for them and Ed as Prime Minister is laughable, the Tories have done some good things but they are still the same old Tories. My vote is going to be largely based on trying to stop the Greens keeping Brighton Pavilion, so who on Earth do I vote for? I just can't bring myself to vote Labour at the moment.

DANGER! Tory propaganda machine is working hard to discredit an extremely talented leader of the Labour party. They are worried about that talent and will bombard you constantly into thinking he is weak, he is a loony, he is ...well you fill it in. I hope he gets the chance to become PM better than the current used car salesman we have currently. Watch out for the repetitive brainwashing technique of ' Labour put us in this mess' FORGETTING TO MENTION THE BANKS. Remember this country never had a wonderful tory admin before apparently!!! Took us into europe I believe (opened up the door), sold the family silver i.e privatised the hell out of everything. Rolling back the land fit for heroes we, our fathers and our grandfathers fought for . In my numerous communications with him I have found him to be spot on..he is my M.P

 

[Leekbrookgull]

Trouble is I cannot vote. I cant stand any of the political parties, so wont bother. Each have their merits, but have equal flaws.

Then spoil the ballot paper,therefore your arguement holds water.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

Yes, they are. I reckon they'll only win 20 more seats than UKIP, the Greens, BNP and the various socialist groups between them.

I predict a feeble 21 seats for the Lib Dems.

UKIP will wipe the floor with them this Euro May election....will be closer in the General Election

 

[drew]

The Lib dems have been well and truly done over by the Tories. The Tories needed them to get into power but what did the Lib Dems get out of it. They were made to look like liars when one of the first things the coalition did was raise tuition fees. They then looked like mugs when one of the key elements of the coalition agreement, the PR vote, came and went and now looks dead in the water for several generations. What about another Lib Dem manifesto item, House of Lords reform, well that has sunk without trace as well. The Tories are the only winners out of the coalition with all their policies being ideology lead. Gove thinking that learning kings and queens makes you educated, Hunt selling off the NHS with a top down reorganisation in everything but name. The vilification of everyone on benefits due to the attitude of a a small minority of them. The removal of Vince Cable from the Sky debate and replacing him with a known supporter of Sky. Had it not been for the hacking scandal, the sky deal would have gone through smoothly and I'm sure Murdoch would have 'rewarded' those that helped in one way or another. Talking of Sky, I'm sure that deal on the horizon had no influence in the appointment of Coulson who, despite mud dripping off him Cameron stood by him!!! And of course, Cameron's 'Lots of Love' text message exchanges with Brooks, whom we now know had an affair with Coulson.

And let's not forget that we are all in it together, except of course those at the top. Reported in November last year, directors at the top companies saw their pay rise by 14% on average.

Labour aren't free from any sleaze but they never seem to stoop as low as the Tories!!!

 

[The Modfather]

For the first time ever I do not think I will vote. I can not see one single politician from any of the parties with any redeeming features what so ever.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

DANGER! Tory propaganda machine is working hard to discredit an extremely talented leader of the Labour party. They are worried about that talent and will bombard you constantly into thinking he is weak, he is a loony, he is ...well you fill it in. I hope he gets the chance to become PM better than the current used car salesman we have currently. Watch out for the repetitive brainwashing technique of ' Labour put us in this mess' FORGETTING TO MENTION THE BANKS. Remember this country never had a wonderful tory admin before apparently!!! Took us into europe I believe (opened up the door), sold the family silver i.e privatised the hell out of everything. Rolling back the land fit for heroes we, our fathers and our grandfathers fought for . In my numerous communications with him I have found him to be spot on..he is my M.P

Ed Milliband for PM....? Do you know anymore jokes...the Labour Party DID put us in this mess...with their spend and borrow policies,with selling our Gold Reserves when Gold was at it's lowest price ever. Leaving joke notes like 'There is no money left'. Labour who took us to an illegal war in Iraq.
You want me to mention the Banks...ok,they caused a crisis but they are the highest earning industry in the country.
Sold the family silver ? So you think that this country should be run by the union barons...who sit on their millions and try to manipulate this country...vote Ed Milliband get McCluskey.
You want to mention 'Family Silver being sold (Forgetting about our Gold Reserves which Brown sold.
You wanted us to build ships and cars...when run by Unions they were losing money...every ship and car cost more than we could
sell them for,foreign manufacters were undercutting us...so your bright idea is that we should carry on regardless of losing millions...good thinking...NOT!
Yes Edward Heath did take us into Europe...but then it was a trade agreement that we would'nt tax their imports,they didn't tax ours.
We were lied to by Blair by saying we don't need a referendum on the Portugal agreement which was closer political ties.
We were lied to at the election before Brown took over when Labour realised that a referendum was a vote winner,then renege on the promise...and before you say it...yes the Tories promised a referendum too and we didn't get it.
As for Ed Balls as Chancellor...the guy who messed up last time,now accusing the Tories of 'flatling' the ecomony...only to be prove wrong,unemployment is going down.
We have the fastest growing ecomony in Europe and most of the world
And I always put this to the Labour party supporters...How many of you and your families bought their council houses...I know lots of them did,but few admit it because it was the Wicked Witch that gave them the chance.
Land fit for heroes...I lost my Grandfather at the Somme,my father was seriously wounded at Dunkirk...and I served 12 Royal Navy. After the war,who won the first election...LABOUR...so where was the land fit for heroes.
If it was a choice between Ed Milliband or an Gibraltran Ape...the Ape would win it hands down for me.

PS,Just what are Ed Millibands talents...stabbing his brother in the back?

 

[beorhthelm]

DANGER! Tory propaganda machine is working hard to discredit an extremely talented leader of the Labour party. They are worried about that talent and will bombard you constantly into thinking he is weak, he is a loony, he is ...well you fill it in.

you cant seriously be suggesting Miliband is just being painted badly and really he's political lion ready to maul his way through the commons? there is no machine needed to discredit him, he's the meekest leader since IDS and has demonstrated he's not trustworthy - ask his brother or the unions. he gone against his own people twice. he tips up every few months with the bones of a policy idea that even the 5th formers can see is flawed. what was the latest, reform the banks? zero points for originality and minus several hundred for ideas that have already been discarded or tried and failed in the past couple of years. and his wing man Balls, i dont think ive heard of since the conference season.

The Lib dems have been well and truly done over by the Tories. ...They then looked like mugs when one of the key elements of the coalition agreement, the PR vote, came and went and now looks dead in the water for several generations. What about another Lib Dem manifesto item, House of Lords reform, well that has sunk without trace as well.

not sure how you can put the PR fiasco at the door of the Tories, AV was a poor version, poor campaign. they started a tight race with many expecting yes to PR. House of Lord was partially down to the Tory back benches, but only because Labour refused to back a policy they backed in principle just to score a few scalps.

 

[Seagull on the wing]

The Lib dems have been well and truly done over by the Tories. The Tories needed them to get into power but what did the Lib Dems get out of it. They were made to look like liars when one of the first things the coalition did was raise tuition fees. They then looked like mugs when one of the key elements of the coalition agreement, the PR vote, came and went and now looks dead in the water for several generations. What about another Lib Dem manifesto item, House of Lords reform, well that has sunk without trace as well. The Tories are the only winners out of the coalition with all their policies being ideology lead. Gove thinking that learning kings and queens makes you educated, Hunt selling off the NHS with a top down reorganisation in everything but name. The vilification of everyone on benefits due to the attitude of a a small minority of them. The removal of Vince Cable from the Sky debate and replacing him with a known supporter of Sky. Had it not been for the hacking scandal, the sky deal would have gone through smoothly and I'm sure Murdoch would have 'rewarded' those that helped in one way or another. Talking of Sky, I'm sure that deal on the horizon had no influence in the appointment of Coulson who, despite mud dripping off him Cameron stood by him!!! And of course, Cameron's 'Lots of Love' text message exchanges with Brooks, whom we now know had an affair with Coulson.

And let's not forget that we are all in it together, except of course those at the top. Reported in November last year, directors at the top companies saw their pay rise by 14% on average.

Labour aren't free from any sleaze but they never seem to stoop as low as the Tories!!!

Won't answer the question about Labour would never stoop so low as the Tories....seeing that Lord Rennard and the Hancock affairs are still in the public domain.
Lib Dems....what did they get out of the coalition ?...apart from a referendum on the AV vote WHICH they got... on the promise they would support the Tories boundary changes...which they reneged on.
Apart from stopping the countrys terrorism laws allowing terrorist to roam the streets and we can't deport them.
Apart from them knowing they would never get into Parliament and power with out a coalition...
Apart from them looking at a coalition with Labour next election...
Every party has it's bad apples...but when it's a Tory there is uproar...any other party it's quitely hidden.