Politics

[tubeguru]

The Lib Dems are only in government because Cameron needed them to form a coalition and be PM. Without them, he'd be screwed. The Lib Dems won 57 seats at the last general election. That's hardly a platform for a mandate is it? Nick Clegg only won the Eastleigh by-election because the Tory voters went UKIP in protest. Why else would they suddenly switch to what is essentially a far-right joke party for no perceptible reason?

Farage can claim that people voted for him because they believe his policies, but he has turned into a magnet for protest votes. Nobody actually WANTS him. The voters can vote for him in a by-election, safe in the knowledge that he won't actually get anywhere near power in a general election.

I should also point out that referring to Miliband as "Sillyband" is not exactly grown up behaviour is it? But then a glance at the house of commons shortly after 12pm on a Wednesday should tell you all you need to know about the maturity of modern politicians.

I suspect that you're trying to make the best of a bad situation, given that your beloved Tories have been forced to join forces with the Guardian readers so that Dave can have his five years in charge.

[hopeful traveller]

We have to provide a stable government in difficult economic times, and a coalition in these circumstances is better than a Conservative minority. If the economy was booming, it may be different, but it hasn't been, so it's not.

I agree with Nick Neil - UKIP are no more than unelectable vote splitters in a seat we should have won.

[tubeguru]

I think Miliband won today's contest ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-21771340

[hopeful traveller]

Let me watch the entire thing rather than a shortened, BBC-edited clip. Usually Miliband starts off strong then rips himself apart.

Results to follow...

[hopeful traveller]

OK. Too close to call this week.

Miliband started strong but faded away when he made it look very obvious that he was reading off a script. After his point about the OBR he had no evidence and just resorted to shouting about the cabinet (default setting one).

DC has a great comeback with Miliband's first question (but thanks to obvious BBC bias in the title Neil thinks Miliband won hands down). His answers after that were OK, but he was always one question behind as he answered when Miliband re-mentioned it. He answered the questions, though, like every week. Miliband's trade union dinners was a brilliant point, as well as the fact that Miliband couldn't get the joke about the party leadership (camera cut to his face and Miliband's expression was one of: "Huh?").

Too close to call.

[hopeful traveller]

http://rhysbenjamin.blogspot.co.uk/2013 ... otion.html

[hopeful traveller]

Rest in peace, Baroness Thatcher.

Anyone who is cynical about her now is a repulsive human being.

[tubeguru]

Stop right there.

It is perfectly allowable for ANYONE to be cynical about her based on her past actions. I agree that people shouldn't be gloating over her death, but you can't criticise anyone who disagrees with her policies when she was alive. Let's not go down the path of treating her like a saint.

As with all famous people, her life and decisions will be picked over endlessly in the coming months, and I'm sure she'll be found wanting in many areas, as with everyone.

[hopeful traveller]

No, no, of course, I was struggling for words.

[Sam]

No, no, of course, I was struggling for words.

Struggle through the tears

[tractakid]

Anyone simply insulting her is being disrespectful to her as a human, and to her family. As is the case with anyone that has recently died. Her death, however, is no reason not to provide a reasoned criticism of her politics.

[tubeguru]

The BBC have been sycophantic enough so far.

[tractakid]

I decided not to mention the obvious counterexamples to save virtual breath

[Iain]

"The lady's not returning"

[Iain]

Spot on!