General Election - June 8th

This is a gift for the Lib Dems and anti-Brexiters.

May needs a two-thirds majority in favour of a snap General Election in order to overcome the provisions of the Fixed-Term Parliaments Act and I understand that there is to be a vote in the House of Commons on Wednesday. If that vote doesn't go her way, then she will be considerably weakened in the eyes of the Brussels negotiators and she might as well give up there and then because she won't achieve much if anything.

It's a high risk strategy and there is the real possibility that her majority will not be increased by much, if at all. Although Labour will be all-but wiped-out (except possibly in Scotland where they might make some gains), those who would wish to thwart Brexit - of all parties - will likely coalesce around the Lib Dems and SNP and the Lib Dems might become Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in the next Parliament. This will be an election regarding Brexit and will be fought as "the last chance to save Britain" by both sides.

i enjoy general elections. i dont bother to vote though----simply a waste of energy where i live. ( the isle of wight ).

the reason ? it will be a tory landslide--as usual. whereas i'm a labour type working class brummie oik. sometimes not even a labour candidate here. i think the last one was a rather ugly disabled lesbian. i think she lost her deposit.

That leader will be Jeremy Corbyn: it is the Blairites who stand to lose in this election.

The only way I could see a strong Liberal presence in Parliament on June 9th is if the turnout nationwide is formed of those who oppose Brexit. But, May will have a mandate to push forward her views for a hard Brexit on June 9th.

I sincerely hope that May has a mandate to push forward with Brexit on June 9th, the Liberal opposition to Brexit is a hindrance to a successful outcome.

The Liberals are just using Brexit as a way of securing more votes for their dwindling party, nothing else.

the labour party got it soo right when they chose Blair as leader. his TV image was youthful--a bit like a UK version of JFK. its all about TV image with the electorate. mostly they havent a clue about policies.
previously--labour had chosen to ignore the tv image--take michael foot for example. the wurzle gummage look was a disaster. also--neil kinnock. a ginger welshman ? finally--gorrodon broon. scottish thug . look what happenned.

That's what May is doing too. Remember, she was a Remoaner. She also said there'd be no early election. And there'd be control of the borders (but not for at least 7 years). If there was a decent opposition, she'd struggle. But, as it is, she'll win comfortably.

Lets face it, at the end of the day there is only the Tories who can make a decent job of Brexit.

Do you think the country would trust little Timmy or JC with Brexit?

I agree. But there is an elephant in the room which few seem to have noticed - the SNP are also anti-Brexiters and they might be tempted to put up candidates in strong Remain-voting constituencies such as London and the affluent southeast. This would strengthen their hand regarding Independence as well as making May's job more difficult with regard to the Brexit negotiations.

One of whom - Tom Blenkinsop - has just announced that he will not be standing for re-election.

I think that would be seen as going to far, at the end of day we voted by a majority to leave the EU so any politician seen as going to extremes to avoid it would be seen as going against the will of the people.

I am personally expecting some surprises though

That's more or less what I have been saying this entire thread. The main issue is Brexit, therefore only the Tories can win. I haven't got a clue what Labour's plan for Brexit is - they appear to be too scared to lose votes. The Tories are full of soundbites but, at least, we know they want to press ahead with Brexit (even if we don't know their long term plan). They seem to be courting all sorts of leaders with the hopes of many small trade deals replacing the big massive one we're willing to chuck away.

The Lib Dems want a second referendum based on the negotiations. I don't see a problem with that statement, because we all voted for different things last June and maybe the negotiations will convince remoaners that Brexit is the right decision, or convince Brexshi*ters that remaining is the better choice.

At the moment, May is struggling to control her own party much less the entire nation. So, she needs some people in her corner to help her along. It's the correct decision to make, it's a no-brainer. It's going to be a boring contest, and it's already feeling like it's too long (or maybe that's just the effect of conversing with Timmers).

A Corbynless opposition is the best that I can hope for come June 9th.

I really cannot see that happening, but maybe an alliance with the Liberals and the Greens. The Liberals should take the fight to Labour in London. This election seems to be more about the shape/colour of the opposition than that of the victors. I think the SNP will lose seats by the way.

But, the calling of an election (a major constitutional decision) should strengthen the arguments against May's argument that Scotland should wait - but I doubt there is more of an appetite for another referendum in Scotland.

As well you might; I think we will get some.

Don't forget that there is a sizeable number of otherwise perfectly reasonable people for whom staying in the EU is an imperative. They are highly motivated and will vote for whichever party will deliver their goal - and that's not the Tories or Labour, even though they may be natural Tory or Labour voters. If the Lib Dems can get the anti-Brexit vote out and voting for their candidates, then they will see a massive resurgence and, if they join forces with the SNP in Parliament, Brexit might well be not assured leading to Britain being eventually punished for daring to try to leave.

Maybe this was the (Remain-supporting) May plan all along.

Elections are, mostly, won by protest. Labour's landslide in 1997 was because people were fed up of the dirty (in a few senses) Tories. The coalition victory was because people were fed up of the two main parties. The Lib Dems will see a resurgence (especially in Student areas) but they are too far behind to make a huge impact surely? The Tory victory in '79 was because of the incompetence of the Labour administration at the time.

It really is all about the shape of the Opposition, and the best that a united Bremain Opposition can hope for is a huge Lib Dem resurgence, a narrow Tory majority and a second referendum. I can't see any of this happening but, then, I couldn't see Trump winning, Brexit winning, nor Leicester winning!

This election is going to be like no other, a real once in a lifetime mish mash.

There are too many variables, May will win the election of course but I believe a lot of people will be voting for parties for the wrong reasons.

Leader of the Opposition (taken from the BBC)

Mr Corbyn said in a statement: "Labour will be offering the country an effective alternative to a government that has failed to rebuild the economy, delivered falling living standards and damaging cuts to our schools and NHS.

"In the last couple of weeks, Labour has set out policies that offer a clear and credible choice for the country.

"We look forward to showing how Labour will stand up for the people of Britain."

He didn't mention Brexit once. Whilst I agree with all he is standing for above, it's not answering any of my questions.

Why are you questioning the intelligence of the electorate? It could be equally argued that this variable is actually a constant that affects all elections. The main "wrong" reason being people voting for a party because they always vote for that party.

I reckon it will be a dull election by and large.

I watched JC on the news and was disappointed with his statement in reply to the election news, he appeared like a rabbit caught in the headlights, that's how he came across to me anyway.

From what I have seen on the news, people being interviewed on the street are not up for another election, in NI it will be their fourth in two years.

Poor turnout maybe?