Downing St Press Conference

SalisburyClaret · Post by **SalisburyClaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:15 pm

We've already voted on Brexit.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:15 pm

She has denied having an election thrice.

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:16 pm

she's called it because there was a chance she'd lose her majority due to prosecutions in the election expenses scandal.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:21 pm

If it results in an independant Scotland then fine.

We've been in a Union since 1707.

Three hundred and ten years of history thrown away just like that?

Its not "fine"

Zugunruhe · Post by **Zugunruhe** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:24 pm

This stinks of opportunism of the lowest kind. The fixed-term Parliament act was supposed to do away with this sort of thing and to rip it up makes her look cheap.

Roosterbooster · Post by **Roosterbooster** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:27 pm

Zugunruhe wrote:This stinks of opportunism of the lowest kind. The fixed-term Parliament act was supposed to do away with this sort of thing and to rip it up makes her look cheap.

Came into law in 2011, to begin in 2015. Backtracked in 2017. What's the point?

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:29 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:We've been in a Union since 1707.

Three hundred and ten years of history thrown away just like that?

Its not "fine"

If it's the will of the majority in Scotland, then yes it is fine.

Unions don't have to last forever.

Walton · Post by **Walton** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:30 pm

Theresa May: more flip flops than Lanzarote

Chobulous · Post by **Chobulous** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:33 pm

I hate the Tories. I have never voted anything other than Labour but I support this decision. I have felt disenfranchised ever since the death of John Smith. First of all we had metromen leading what was left of the Labour Party, and now we have the Saturday night dinner party debating society that epitomises the sneering Islington set. I think I hate them even more than the Tories. In the end I think this election could be good for the working man in as much as it will finally see off the diseased wreck that the Labour Party has become. Hopefully Corbyn and his supporters will be consigned to the dustbin of history and either the Labour Party will find a new direction or a new party will come into being that has at its heart the interests of the working man. If that happens anyone with a political science degree need not apply.

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:35 pm

The thing that is getting me is how much it will cost to put on this non event show of strength.

hampsteadclaret · Post by **hampsteadclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:37 pm

100..fair point to be honest.

This is certainly opportunistic, whatever else it is.

Fixed Term Act doesn't mean that does it..?[ah...but that was in the small print..]

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:41 pm

General Election Summary:

APRIL
May: "June"

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:41 pm

Does the fixed term act still apply if the then PM resigns?

JohnMcGreal · Post by **JohnMcGreal** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:42 pm

Just like the EU referendum, this is simply another case of the Conservative party putting their own interests ahead of the nation's.

They're nothing but vandals.

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:45 pm

No point Remainers voting against the Tories - most parties now agree there will be a Brexit. The key is, how.

I suspect the Tory manifesto will be softer than the earlier Brexit rhetoric and it will aim to gather up as many Remain votes as possible, not hard or soft but "May". The manifesto will be socially conscious by Tory standards and will aim to gather up the disenchanted Labour vote too.

For example, I expect migration to be fairly high afterwards, I expect us to still pay a Brexit fee, I expect some relaxation on austerity, and I expect a fixed percentage of poorer families to be guarenteed grammar school access in those areas.

It will be fun watching this for 7 weeks. My prediction is a majority of 120 for the Tories.

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:47 pm

Yawn.....Tories v Labour bigger mismatch than Barcelona v Accrington Stanley,think I'll hibernate till June the 9th.

CrosspoolClarets · Post by **CrosspoolClarets** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:49 pm

I don't really get the arguments against an election though, it seems a unique situation that warrants moving outside the fixed term.

People who felt betrayed by the Tories now have a perfect chance to kick them out ahead of the negotiations. Surely that is fairer than leaving it until 2020?

Zugunruhe · Post by **Zugunruhe** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:50 pm

My prediction is a majority of 120 for the Tories

I'll go for 80.

lakesclaret · Post by **lakesclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:50 pm

While it's great to see the lefties seething , surely getting rid of Corbyn in 2017 and totally rebuilding is way better than waiting till 2020 for the same outcome ?

While I don't have a lot of time for TM ,to be really fair Brexit is upon us and it has to be given the smoothest ride it can be in what are gonna be difficult negotiations .Holding things up and bitching like Farron and the Scots Nats just isn't gonna benefit anyone

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:51 pm

Accy would give them a game ATM ... Barca 0 Stanley 1 ( McCartan )

JohnMcGreal · Post by **JohnMcGreal** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:53 pm

CrosspoolClarets wrote:No point Remainers voting against the Tories - most parties now agree there will be a Brexit. The key is, how.

Most remain voters wouldn't vote for the Tories anyway.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:54 pm

JohnMcGreal wrote:Just like the EU referendum, this is simply another case of the Conservative party putting their own interests ahead of the nation's.

They're nothing but vandals.

Exactly my view. They had a mandate for Brexit (not necessarily of the flavour they are delivering, but a mandate for Brexit nonetheless) and they had a mandate to govern for the next three years. There is no reason for calling this election beyond that it is an opportune moment for the Tories to strengthen their hand. They'll ride the Brexit bandwagon to shore up votes from people who would normally oppose everything the Tories stand for and who will then be stuck with their regressive policies for the next 5 years.

We're constantly being told that two years is no time at all to negotiate Brexit and that all of the energies of the government / Parliament should be focused on that. There is no possible way that shoehorning a general election onto the agenda is consistent with that. It isn't consistent with May's repeated assertion that there will be no general election until 2020. It isn't consistent with the supposed intention of the Fixed Term Parliament Act introduced by a Tory led government just 6 years ago.

This is opportunistic, cynical party politics no matter how people might try to dress it up. The sad thing is it will absolutely work out the way May intends it to.

lucs86 · Post by **lucs86** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 12:55 pm

martin_p wrote:
Ok I'll be charitable, two massive 'changes of mind' I less than 12 months, one on Brexit, one on the election. How is it possible to believe a word she says when she 'changes her mind' so fundamentally so frequently?

LoveCurryPies wrote:Rubbish.

Demonstrably not rubbish

BennyD · Post by **BennyD** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:00 pm

At least Corbyn and his nut jobs will, hopefully, get smashed. I know we need a strong opposition but that bunch of fuckw!ts are not it so let's hope a more viable Labour party will rise from the slurry.

Darthlaw · Post by **Darthlaw** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:11 pm

Bacchus wrote:This is opportunistic, cynical party politics no matter how people might try to dress it up. The sad thing is it will absolutely work out the way May intends it to.

Whilst I agree, the opportunity would not have presented itself had Corbyn not still been at the helm of the 'opposition'.

The country now faces a decision of the specific mandate of the Conservatives vs a hash up of the SNP, Labour and the Lib Dems mandates in a coalition.

Nice one.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:12 pm

CrosspoolClarets wrote: It will be fun watching this for 7 weeks. My prediction is a majority of 120 for the Tories.

This isn't a political point, but do you really think that the Tories will gain 60+ seats from Labour in England, and not lose any themselves?
I really can't see any Tory gains in Scotland or Wales and NI is not really part of the equation.
Quite possible that Liberals will win back a few seats that they lost in 2015 (like Richmond) due to a strong pro-EU electorate in some of those seats, especially if some Labour voters defect to them.
Will Ken Clarke stand as a pro-EU Tory? I bet they won't de-select him (Interesting).
Where will this leave the likes of Anna Soubry?

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:14 pm

Have to agree with some others that this is just opportunism rearing
its ugly head again.
May's comments that the country is coming together but Westminster isn't
suggests she hasn't a clue or is talking twaddle. Probably both.

The country isn't coming together.
From what I can see and hear the divisions have hardened, If anything.

Possibly a few Brexiteers have gone a little quite given the fall of the pound,
rising prices and potential rise in interest rates around the corner.
Not to mention comments from some prominent EU countries as to the actual cost
of leaving and insisting the UK honour its' commitments - some say to the tune of 50-60bn
Alongside the hope of a decent deal looking as if could be evaporating.

As many commentators have said this is the best time for her to call an election
given the lead the Tories currently have.
Having previously stated that she wouldn't call an election she now
feels she had little option and is even reluctantly doing so.

The lady is for turning and will do so at every opportunity.

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:17 pm

Apparently there's an outsider for the top job!

jurek · Post by **jurek** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:22 pm

I'd support Dyche for Prime Minister
Think he could do a good job.

Holtyclaret · Post by **Holtyclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:22 pm

Me too!

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:24 pm

jurek wrote:
Possibly a few Brexiteers have gone a little quite given the fall of the pound,

Speaking of which the pound dropped and rose again during her speech I think, that's how fickle the currencies can be.

AndrewJB · Post by **AndrewJB** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:24 pm

BennyD - what has Corbyn not opposed that you think he should have?

Damo · Post by **Damo** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:48 pm

The usual suspects moaning about democracy I see

Caballo · Post by **Caballo** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:49 pm

JohnMcGreal wrote:Most remain voters wouldn't vote for the Tories anyway.

Around 85 Tory constituencies voted remain.

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:50 pm

And the strongest Brexit votes were in Labour heartlands like Burnley.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 1:59 pm

Farron on 5 Live thinks there should be another referendum at the end of Brexit negotiations before it's completed to make sure the country agrees with the deal.
He's also pushing hard to say that the Lib Dems are the best choice to be the opposition party, or to win the election.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:02 pm

Damo wrote:The usual suspects moaning about democracy I see

Very interesting post point.
Am I the only one who sees the irony of the situation?
17.5 million or 51% voted to leave on a high turnout.
The chances are Mrs May will get a comfortable majority with about 40% of the vote, and several million less votes than voted leave, (probably about 12 /13 million), and yet it will be hailed as a massive vote for Brexit because she increases her Parliamentary majority.
Democracy - don't you just love it!

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:06 pm

Sidney1st wrote:Farron on 5 Live thinks there should be another referendum at the end of Brexit negotiations before it's completed to make sure the country agrees with the deal.
He's also pushing hard to say that the Lib Dems are the best choice to be the opposition party, or to win the election.

And then if the country rejects the deal, does he want another referendum on the deal for re-joining? I suspect if we went back cap in hand and grovelled to be let back in, it would be on terms that many of the people who voted remain would reject. The EU doesn't strike me as likely to be magnanimous.

Anyone want to join the Euro?

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:08 pm

quoonbeatz wrote:she's called it because there was a chance she'd lose her majority due to prosecutions in the election expenses scandal.

Can of worms that one, they're all at it.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:10 pm

Ah, selective democracy

Don't you just love it.

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:10 pm

Caballo wrote:Around 85 Tory constituencies voted remain.

Tories vote with their pockets first, won't vote for the loony left or Tiny Tim.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:21 pm

In the very unlikely event of the Lib Dems winning, then he's have a mandate to rejoin the EU (well, he wouldn't have to, he'd just cancel the Article 50 withdrawal)

That is very, very unlikely though.

JohnMcGreal · Post by **JohnMcGreal** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:23 pm

Caballo wrote:Around 85 Tory constituencies voted remain.

That doesn't mean that my original point is incorrect.

SammyBoy · Post by **SammyBoy** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:24 pm

Chobulous wrote:I hate the Tories. I have never voted anything other than Labour but I support this decision. I have felt disenfranchised ever since the death of John Smith. First of all we had metromen leading what was left of the Labour Party, and now we have the Saturday night dinner party debating society that epitomises the sneering Islington set. I think I hate them even more than the Tories. In the end I think this election could be good for the working man in as much as it will finally see off the diseased wreck that the Labour Party has become. Hopefully Corbyn and his supporters will be consigned to the dustbin of history and either the Labour Party will find a new direction or a new party will come into being that has at its heart the interests of the working man. If that happens anyone with a political science degree need not apply.

Are you sure you're not just getting more right wing/conservative as you get older? That's apparently a thing.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:30 pm

I'm going the other way!

I'll be parachuting into Bolivia to lead a communist uprising before I'm fifty the way I'm going....

FCBurnley · Post by **FCBurnley** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:32 pm

Cant understand all the whinging. If you all hate the Tories so much then do what The Republicans did to The Democrats. Rally round your party and vote

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:35 pm

Most interesting point I've read so far is....would Labour get rid of Corbyn if the May local elections were a total disaster. Could they find a replacement in time?

UpTheBeehole · Post by **UpTheBeehole** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:37 pm

Perfect opportunity for Theresa May to tear up the election pledges Cameron made and set a truly post-brexit manifesto.

Dismantling of the NHS and selling it off to private interests
Removal of the triple lock on pensions
Expedite gerrymandering of constituency boundaries to favour the Tories
Continue underfunding state schools with fund redirection to grammar schools, and 'free' schools set up by corporate sponsors
VAT Rise
NI Rise
Forced deportation of foreigners
Blue passports (like that ******* matters)

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:37 pm

FCBurnley wrote:Cant understand all the whinging. If you all hate the Tories so much then do what The Republicans did to The Democrats. Rally round your party and vote

Not that simple though is it? Under our FPTP system Labour, Lib Dem and other opposition parties can get 65% of the popular vote in any constituency and still be beaten by the Tories.
This is why Marine le Pen could quite easily get elected under our system but has no chance in France where she would have to get 50%+

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Tue Apr 18, 2017 2:38 pm

Well, according to all the left wing rags I read, most of the brexit voters had no idea what they were doing when they cast their vote and are having massive regrets now over it. So i'm guessing this will be a lib dem or labour landslide victory. After all they will have all of remain on their side and half of the poor, tricked brexit voters who so foolishly played themselves.