I actually think Labour are going to win this

[ClaretMoffitt]

The endless promises of free stuff for everyone seems to have really got the public into a frenzy. They have managed to get a lot of momentum (not the Stalinist type) and now look to have a real chance of getting into no 10. They will probably be propped up by the SNP too by the looks of things should that happen, so what does everyone think about it?

What affects will it have on Brexit? How will DA cope as home Secretary? Do you think JC will implement all he has promised? Do you think we will bring in more "refugees" than Germany did? Will the deficit grow?

So many questions. The chaotic neutral inside me is quite excited to watch it all unfold.

[SammyBoy]

As much as I want Labour to win I really can't see it, I don't think you need to worry.

[Steve1956]

Personally I think they will get Blitzed.

[claretdom]

Well the brexit talks will be done within an hour so that is one positive.

Although when Jez walks in and says there is no such thing as no deal, name your price and I will pay it not sure how we will be able to afford everyone else to live for free and pay nothing into anything but it will all be better.

[Barry_Chuckle]

If JC becomes prime minister, I may look at going to live in Qatar........ It would be safer there!

[Lancasterclaret]

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I expect a bigger Con majority, but only a small one.

Which is a big blow to the Cons to be honest

[NottsClaret]

One thing you notice in recent years is that people on social media shout very loudly that they're going to vote Labour. And then the people who actually turn up to vote, vote Conservative.

[evensteadiereddie]

Here's hoping, Barry....
I'd love Labour to win but I can't see it happening. I'm afraid we're stuck with the knackered old hag for at least a few months of blundering and bullcrapping.

[Wile E Coyote]

not a chance in hell of winning it , none of the pollsters or political journalists say they can, unfortunate, but its too little too late.

[Lancasterclaret]

Saying that, IDS is on the Radio now, and he can't defend the police number cuts. Going on about anything else.

If they had known what was going to happen, they is no way they would have called this election.

[Imploding Turtle]

Aside from free education what is this "endless" supply of free stuff that's been promised?

[nil_desperandum]

not a chance in hell of winning it , none of the pollsters or political journalists say they can, unfortunate, but its too little too late.

I agree that they won't win it, but that's not how some of the most recent polls or pollsters see it.
Quite a few now predicting that May will lose her majority.
I still expect a reasonably large Tory majority, but probably not the 100 / 150 majority that TM expected or many predicted when she called it.

[ClaretMoffitt]

Aside from free education what is this "endless" supply of free stuff that's been promised?

- £10 min wage
- Wipe all student debt
- NHS pay rises
- More funding literally everywhere but business
- Million new homes
- Cheaper energy/rail via government buyout
- Free childcare
- Free hospital parking for all (even though hospitals charge this themselves)

Thats off the top of my head anyway. Theres probably more I've missed.

[jurek]

As much as I would like the Tory party to lose I just can't see it.

A bigger majority (hopefully only slightly bigger) than currently is probably the most likely result
as I believe there are too many UKIP voters who will see this general election
as Brexit dominated and will vote for the Tories rather than Labour or any other party.

Whatever, if a sllghty bigger majority is the result then the Tory party. and in particular Teresa May.
will, in my eyes, have been discredited to a large degree and if anything will be on the back foot.

Even if on the back foot there will be even more austerity measures over the next 5 years in addition to an
unknown Brexit negotiating outcome although most folk will not be anticipating a good Brexit deal.
I don't think even the Tories believe they will be able to get a good deal but will no doubt
sell it as a good deal even if it isn't. That's assuming they manage to get any deal at all.

I think the Tory party will probably have to replace May before the next election
and the Labour Party will have to replace Corbyn too even though he's performed much better
during the campaign than many, if not all, would have anticipated.

[Blackrod]

That lot will take some funding.

[Greenmile]

- £10 min wage

- wages aren't free. You have to work for them.

- Wipe all student debt

- mentioned by IT

- NHS pay rises

- see above

- More funding literally everywhere but business

- far too vague for me to even address

- Million new homes

- to be given away for free? I'd vote for that!

- Cheaper energy/rail via government buyout

- cheap =/= free, and this is just a means of taking money from private companies making massive profits from public infrastructure, and giving it back to the public purse

- Free childcare

- fair enough, but this will get more people into work and at least partly pay for itself via increased tax receipts / reduced unemployment benefits

- Free hospital parking for all (even though hospitals charge this themselves)

- fair point, although a tax on the sick and their families seems a little unfair to me

Thats off the top of my head anyway. Theres probably more I've missed.

- I hope so, because the ones you've come up with are mostly b*ll***s

[Imploding Turtle]

- £10 min wage
- Wipe all student debt
- NHS pay rises
- More funding literally everywhere but business
- Million new homes
- Cheaper energy/rail via government buyout
- Free childcare
- Free hospital parking for all (even though hospitals charge this themselves)

Thats off the top of my head anyway. Theres probably more I've missed.

Only 2 of those are free things. I think if you're including a promise to raise the minimum wage and give nurses a pay rise they more than deserve as "free" stuff then I think it's pretty clear you're just exaggerating.

And hospitals don't charge it themselves by choice. They do so because of crippling cuts elsewhere.

Also, not all student debt will be cleared. Only some of it.

[Juan Tanamera]

That lot will take some funding.

Maybe Facebook and Google etc paying a decent wedge in tax might help a little.

[Holtyclaret]

- wages aren't free. You have to work for them.
- mentioned by IT
- see above
- far too vague for me to even address
- to be given away for free? I'd vote for that!
- cheap =/= free, and this is just a means of taking money from private companies making massive profits from public infrastructure, and giving it back to the public purse
- fair enough, but this will get more people into work and at least partly pay for itself via increased tax receipts / reduced unemployment benefits
- fair point, although a tax on the sick and their families seems a little unfair to me

- I hope so, because the ones you've come up with are mostly b*ll***s

Moffit didn't come up with them , JC and his bunch of oddballs and weirdos did. Diane Abbot really? Buying votes and uber aggressive yobbos on social media, really.

[Greenmile]

Moffit didn't come up with them , JC and his bunch of oddballs and weirdos did. Diane Abbot really? Buying votes and uber aggressive yobbos on social media, really.

Moffit labelled them as examples of "endless promises of free stuff". That's the bit that's b*ll**ks, not the Labour manifesto, which is anything but, imo.

Sorry if this wasn't clear enough from my post.

[RingoMcCartney]

Labour's vote is concentrated . Particularly in London. So they'll win WELL in a lot of seats.

The Tories is thinner over the country. But with the 1st past the post they'll gain more seats, to win, well ENOUGH.

The SNP will win WELL. But only obviously only in Scotland,

Ukip will get a similar number of votes across the UK. But so thinly spread, with 1st past the post. Its unlikely they'll win any.

I reckon a 65 seat majority -/+ 10

[Juan Tanamera]

Speaking of oddballs, is Boris doing his zipwire stunt when he goes to vote on Thursday?

[ClaretMoffitt]

Only 2 of those are free things. I think if you're including a promise to raise the minimum wage and give nurses a pay rise they more than deserve as "free" stuff then I think it's pretty clear you're just exaggerating.

And hospitals don't charge it themselves by choice. They do so because of crippling cuts elsewhere.

Also, not all student debt will be cleared. Only some of it.

Okay. Free **** was just a generic over-simplified blanket term for popular **** that will cost a fuckton of money but likely wont be implementable without major ramifications elsewhere.

[Greenmile]

Okay. Free **** was just a generic over-simplified blanket term for popular **** that will cost a fuckton of money but likely wont be implementable without major ramifications elsewhere.

You mean it was the kind of hysterical hyperbole you like to accuse "liberals" of?

[ClaretMoffitt]

You mean it was the kind of hysterical hyperbole you like to accuse "liberals" of?

If that was the limit to how hysterical liberals get I would hardly ever have a bad word to say about them.

[nil_desperandum]

I reckon a 65 seat majority -/+ 10

Crikey, that twice in a couple of days that I've agreed with one of your posts / points.
I'm going for a lie down!

[Holtyclaret]

Very clever chap is Boris, oddball and 'quirky' agreed. I'd hope his zip wiring is a thing of the past.

[Imploding Turtle]

Okay. Free **** was just a generic over-simplified blanket term for popular **** that will cost a fuckton of money but likely wont be implementable without major ramifications elsewhere.

I think it's about time that the typical voter got something. For nearly ten years it has been on the backs of poor people and lower incomes that the Tories have been reducing the deficit. Corporate tax revenues are down compared to before the crash while VAT revenue, which disproportionately affects the poor, is something like 50bn more. All while the richest have received yet more tax breaks with even more to come.

We're the ones paying for this recovery, it's about time we got something for it.

[hampsteadclaret]

I wanna see this bloke back in the Foreign Office - he's a winner all the way, and my sort of politician - Go Boris..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hRwnXmdRCo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Burnley Ace]

They have played the best hand they can - free sweets to all the kids, no tax or NI increase for for anyone earning less than 85k, reducing VAT after Brexit, nationalising rail, reduce utility bills, nationalise Water, pay increase to nurses, increase funding to NHS, schools, public sector, armed forces, police, infrastructure, keep free movement, limit pay increases for fat cats and bankers, reduce inheritance tax thresholds, keep us in the single market and it will be paid for by big business, the rich and the banks.

[ClaretMoffitt]

I think it's about time that the typical voter got something. For nearly ten years it has been on the backs of poor people and lower incomes that the Tories have been reducing the deficit. Corporate tax revenues are down compared to before the crash while VAT revenue, which disproportionately affects the poor, is something like 50bn more. All while the richest have received yet more tax breaks with even more to come.

We're the ones paying for this recovery, it's about time we got something for it.

Don't disagree with that at all.

But if to get those things we have to risk putting JC, DA and JM if three of the most powerful seats in this country. That sir ain't a risk I'm prepared to take, certainly not in such precarious times as these.

Once Brexit is done with and we have come up with a harder solution to tackle this extremism problem, then maybe we can add a pinch of socialism.

[HatfieldClaret]

At least he found it funny too.

Imagine what Emily's face would have been be like ?

maybe better not to have done it though. Dignity does count for a lot.

[50 shades of Grey]

I don't want to get into a 'big' debate regarding Labour & the Tories. I consider myself pretty much in the 'centre' where politics are concerned (and have voted for both at different times in my life), and can see both positives and negatives in the current parties, BUT, the thought of Corbyn and Abbott inside number 10 really scares the sh ite out of me. Seriously, they should not be allowed anywhere near, not even on a guided tour.

[taio]

Corporate tax revenues are down compared to before the crash

Where are you getting your figures from?

[Imploding Turtle]

Where are you getting your figures from?

Wikipedia. 2016 budget versus 2007.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Un ... dom_budget" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Un ... dom_budget" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[taio]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.ft.c ... 8383da43b7

[Firthy]

I can't see it but I couldn't see Brexit or Trump winning either.

[Spijed]

Labour's vote is concentrated . Particularly in London. So they'll win WELL in a lot of seats.

The Tories is thinner over the country. But with the 1st past the post they'll gain more seats, to win, well ENOUGH.

The SNP will win WELL. But only obviously only in Scotland,

Ukip will get a similar number of votes across the UK. But so thinly spread, with 1st past the post. Its unlikely they'll win any.

I reckon a 65 seat majority -/+ 10

#AshcroftModel
LordAshcroftPolls.com
“central estimate is Con majority of 64 – but 78 if turnout matches 2015”

[Imploding Turtle]

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.ft.c ... 8383da43b7

I can't view that article.

[Caballo]

I think it's about time that the typical voter got something. For nearly ten years it has been on the backs of poor people and lower incomes that the Tories have been reducing the deficit. Corporate tax revenues are down compared to before the crash while VAT revenue, which disproportionately affects the poor, is something like 50bn more. All while the richest have received yet more tax breaks with even more to come.

We're the ones paying for this recovery, it's about time we got something for it.

Quite fast a loose with your stats there Turtle. Corporate tax take for instance, technically 1999 was before the crash. Using your crash dateline again Vat receipts are up 8bn, someway short of you figure. Does the raising of the tax threshold not qualify as a tax break?

[bobinho]

God forbid the OP is right. In answer to your questions tho, here's what I think.

Disastrous. He will just take what he's offered at the negotiating table. In fact, I don't believe there will BE a negotiation.

She won't. I dread to think what this silly woman will do as home sec. She's befuddled and struggles to communicate. Sincerely hope she's not ill.

He may well try to, but he will have to borrow like mad to pay for it all. We can't go back there yet. There's not enough in the coffers. They left it empty thanks to their extravagance last time, dishing it out to those who shouldn't have got it.

Yes undoubtedly. He believes in multiculturalism to the point of choking the nation. He doesn't get that we are full. Blasting the PM for cutting police numbers, and he will make it worse by simply opening up the borders to every bloody terrorist in Europe.

Yes it will. All those years of "new labour" which was basically a second Tory party ballsed it up so what chance the marxists of JC's shadow cabinet?

I don't know who will win, but surely to God it can't be this lot???

[RingoMcCartney]

Crikey, that twice in a couple of days that I've agreed with one of your posts / points.
I'm going for a lie down!

Today - "Up the clarets message board"

Tomorrow - The World!

[Imploding Turtle]

Quite fast a loose with your stats there Turtle. Corporate tax take for instance, technically 1999 was before the crash. Using your crash dateline again Vat receipts are up 8bn, someway short of you figure. Does the raising of the tax threshold not qualify as a tax break?

There is nothing wrong with the figures I quoted unless the source is wrong.

Why is 1999 a better point for comparison than 2007,the year immediately prior to the 2008 crash from which were recovering?

[TonbridgeClaret]

I have already posted the following comments on another thread but they seem more relevant here.

I am, sadly, old enough to remember what happened on 3 separate occasions when the Labour government was running this country. 1964 to 1970 Harold Wilson government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke; 1974 to 1979 Harold Wilson/James Callaghan government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke; 1997 to 2010 Tony Blair/Gordon Brown government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke.
I fully understand how plausible Corbyn and co sound with their promises of money for every government department but take a look at history.

[Imploding Turtle]

I have already posted the following comments on another thread but they seem more relevant here.

I am, sadly, old enough to remember what happened on 3 separate occasions when the Labour government was running this country. 1964 to 1970 Harold Wilson government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke; 1974 to 1979 Harold Wilson/James Callaghan government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke; 1997 to 2010 Tony Blair/Gordon Brown government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke.
I fully understand how plausible Corbyn and co sound with their promises of money for every government department but take a look at history.

Because it's been all flowers and rainbows in the non-labour years?

[RingoMcCartney]

#AshcroftModel
LordAshcroftPolls.com
“central estimate is Con majority of 64 – but 78 if turnout matches 2015”

I genuinely haven't seen that. Just a gut feeling watching Tele , seeing poll figures, newspapers these last couple of weeks.Due to their stance on brexit, I think the illiberal antidemocrats will be possibly down to counting MPs on one hand. . Seeing that were all supposed to be inbred Dingles, that could be 6!

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

[quote="TonbridgeClaret"]I have already posted the following comments on another thread but they seem more relevant here.

I am, sadly, old enough to remember what happened on 3 separate occasions when the Labour government was running this country. 1964 to 1970 Harold Wilson government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke; 1974 to 1979 Harold Wilson/James Callaghan government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke; 1997 to 2010 Tony Blair/Gordon Brown government - ended with the economy in tatters and the country broke.
I fully understand how plausible Corbyn and co sound with their promises of money for every government department but take a look at history.[/quote

Nothing like a balanced viewpoint.

Anyway my current Conservative has just emailed telling me to make sure I vote for him as it's going to be a close thing!

[If it be your will]

.

[MrTopTier]

I agree with Nottsclaret post 7

One thing you notice in recent years is that people on social media shout very loudly that they're going to vote Labour. And then the people who actually turn up to vote, vote Conservative.

The fact that it is forecast to rain all day Thursday, won't help the Labour vote either.

[aggi]

Why do people think May would be better than Corbyn at negotiating Brexit? I'm genuinely curious why people think this is the case and when I've asked people I've struggled to get an answer beyond "Well, Jeremy Corbyn". What has been shown in policies and statements to suggest that the conservatives would be better than labour?

Other than "No deal is better than a bad deal" which I'm fairly sure May is aware is a ludicrous statement how has she shown herself to be a political heavyweight re: Brexit during this campaign? She's said Corbyn would be disastrous a number of times but why specifically would May be better?

I'd have thought that people would have wanted the Euro-sceptic negotiating, not the one who wanted to remain.