British 2015 general election poll

[Valaran]

Not sure what Boris is on.

I'd just leave it at that^; classics does crazy things to you (I should know)

[Val Halla]

I'm finding satisfactory amusement of how many blind UKIP supporters exist on the BBC News comment section.

[Lunas Legion]

I'm finding satisfactory amusement of how many blind UKIP supporters exist on the BBC News comment section.

That's because UKIP appeal to the politically-idiotic masses very well.

[Valaran]

I'm finding satisfactory amusement of how many blind UKIP supporters exist on the BBC News comment section.

lol

Whenever I think NSG gets bad, I then remember those comments.

[Dejanic]

I'm finding satisfactory amusement of how many blind UKIP supporters exist on the BBC News comment section.

That's because UKIP appeal to the politically-idiotic masses very well.

Shamelessly calling the masses "idiotic" no matter what adjective comes before it is what drives people to populist parties like UKIP. People like UKIP because they're a party that actually attempts to connect with common, non politically minded citizens and make them feel important, regardless of their unsavoury policies. Elitist bullshit like what you just spouted represents everything that is wrong with British politics nowadays.

[Val Halla]

I'm finding satisfactory amusement of how many blind UKIP supporters exist on the BBC News comment section.

That's because UKIP appeal to the politically-idiotic masses very well.

"You require on getting your news from the telly", uses UKIP site as a source of unbiased news

[Lunas Legion]

That's because UKIP appeal to the politically-idiotic masses very well.

Shamelessly calling the masses "idiotic" no matter what adjective comes before it is what drives people to populist parties like UKIP. People like UKIP because they're a party that actually attempts to connect with common, non politically minded citizens and make them feel important, regardless of their unsavoury policies. Elitist bullshit like what you just spouted represents everything that is wrong with British politics nowadays.

Which is because it's kind of true. The entire reason for that, however, is due to the electoral system making everyone in safe seats effectively politically ignorant due to not needing to be politically aware because either Labour or the Conservatives have held that seat for however long and that even in the marginal seats, especally since New Labout, Labour and the Conservatives run off the same broad policies with some differences in specific aspects, and thus they don't need to be aware because there's little major difference.

UKIP has given said unaware masses a viable and different alternative to Labour and the Conservatives. It's gotten them interested in politics again, which considering the drop in voting numbers and party membership since the 1980s, is a good thing. Politics is becoming interesting because of UKIP and it's sudden rise, so people will get involved with it, and then... Well, we'll see.

[Britanno]

Shamelessly calling the masses "idiotic" no matter what adjective comes before it is what drives people to populist parties like UKIP. People like UKIP because they're a party that actually attempts to connect with common, non politically minded citizens and make them feel important, regardless of their unsavoury policies. Elitist bullshit like what you just spouted represents everything that is wrong with British politics nowadays.

Ah of course, the masses being the 15% of the voting population?

[Bandwagon]

Northern Irish people do not live on the island of Britain (Which isn't that great lol.) they are on the island of Ireland. They are Northern Irish not British politically and Irish geographically.

where are you from and do you actually know why it's called great britain (that's a really old joke)

I'm Irish.

[Pesda]

The DUP should be in the debates only when Labour have a good chance of winning seats in Northern Ireland.

Explain the logic in this if you can.

Since the DUP isn't fighting the same seats as the Three Amigos then it isn't really important to debate against them.

On the other hand,

They're all Westminster parties competing in a Westminster election.

It could also be argued that all polls are predicting a hung parliament which means these smaller, regionalist parties will have a hand in propping up or being a partner of the next government. In which case, I suppose it's better we hear from them and what they want/stand for rather than exclude them and face unexpected, nasty surprises once they're through the front door of No. 10.

This guy has a good point.

[Pesda]

The Greens are regional parties.

regional parties all of the same cause, which is pretty much the ethos of their movement. they would definetly sit together if they had more electoral success.

That same logic could be used to rule out everyone but the Conservatives and Labour, as only those two parties – under the current system – will ever form a majority government or leading partner in a coalition.

That said, I'm happy to see a debate between only those with a realistic chance of becoming PM, i.e. Cameron vs Miliband.

note I said more importantly they never have any ambition too, the greens, lib dems and UKIP all make policy for a national level, the SNP, Plaid and northern Irish parties are focused solely on their regions

I think you mean to say that the SNP, Plaid and northern Irish parties are focused solely on their nations, though you have little evidence to support this claim.

[Frazers]

That leans the whole debate system towards the presidential debates of the US. Fuck that. We're British not Americans. We're not voting for PM, we're voting for policies.

Northern Irish people do not live on the island of Britain (Which isn't that great lol.) they are on the island of Ireland. They are Northern Irish not British politically and Irish geographically.

Aye mate carry on. I prefer to live in reality and use the terms as accepted by all other countries including my own. I'm British by nationality and your republican wanking can't change that.

[Syndicapolis]

I'm finding satisfactory amusement of how many blind UKIP supporters exist on the BBC News comment section.

That's because UKIP appeal to the politically-idiotic masses very well.

It's not political idiocy. People have realised firstly that the EU is not helping them in the slightest despite talk of "internationalism" (ha!) and the myth that is "trickle-down" and secondly, that there is a desperate need for change in the political system. Their disconnect with mainstream politics is a tiny bit of class consciousness, in a way. But because the actual left has been shattered and we are in a period of reaction with barely any class struggle, this disconnect isn't being channelled into a fight against capital, into things that are going to actually help workers, but into anti-immigrant sentiment, nationalism and voting for a hate-mongering bourgeois party with the same empty promises as anyone else.

[Adurnak]

99 days to go #GetHype

[The Nihilistic view]

That's because UKIP appeal to the politically-idiotic masses very well.

It's not political idiocy. People have realised firstly that the EU is not helping them in the slightest despite talk of "internationalism" (ha!) and the myth that is "trickle-down" and secondly, that there is a desperate need for change in the political system. Their disconnect with mainstream politics is a tiny bit of class consciousness, in a way. But because the actual left has been shattered and we are in a period of reaction with barely any class struggle, this disconnect isn't being channelled into a fight against capital, into things that are going to actually help workers, but into anti-immigrant sentiment, nationalism and voting for a hate-mongering bourgeois party with the same empty promises as anyone else.

Who knows if they are empty promises? We will only find out if they ever achieve a majority.

[The Nihilistic view]

Shamelessly calling the masses "idiotic" no matter what adjective comes before it is what drives people to populist parties like UKIP. People like UKIP because they're a party that actually attempts to connect with common, non politically minded citizens and make them feel important, regardless of their unsavoury policies. Elitist bullshit like what you just spouted represents everything that is wrong with British politics nowadays.

Ah of course, the masses being the 15% of the voting population?

Well on a 100% turnout that would be over 7 million people. That is a lot of people. It also does not take into account the enormous number of people who still vote Tory or Red Tory despite not being satisfied with then as the best of a bad bunch. How many people in this thread say they will vote for X party only to stop Y party and that really they are dissatisfied with X party? Just because you vote for Tory, Red Tory or that other party with nick clegg does not mean you are all happy and carefree about the state of British politics.

[Alyakia]

. How many people in this thread say they will vote for X party only to stop Y party and that really they are dissatisfied with X party?

it's almost like FPTP is really shit

[Lunas Legion]

. How many people in this thread say they will vote for X party only to stop Y party and that really they are dissatisfied with X party?

it's almost like FPTP is really shit

Which is because it is. It's only selling point was giving non-coalition governments, and it can't even do that anymore.

[The Nihilistic view]

it's almost like FPTP is really shit

Which is because it is. It's only selling point was giving non-coalition governments, and it can't even do that anymore.

No, it's main selling point is local accountability and representation.

[Conscentia]

Which is because it is. It's only selling point was giving non-coalition governments, and it can't even do that anymore.

No, it's main selling point is local accountability and representation.

IIRC, STV does that better.

[Conscentia]

Ah of course, the masses being the 15% of the voting population?

Well on a 100% turnout that would be over 7 million people. That is a lot of people. It also does not take into account the enormous number of people who still vote Tory or Red Tory despite not being satisfied with then as the best of a bad bunch. How many people in this thread say they will vote for X party only to stop Y party and that really they are dissatisfied with X party? Just because you vote for Tory, Red Tory or that other party with nick clegg does not mean you are all happy and carefree about the state of British politics.

Red Tory?
That's a Canadian thing, not a British thing.

[The Nihilistic view]

Well on a 100% turnout that would be over 7 million people. That is a lot of people. It also does not take into account the enormous number of people who still vote Tory or Red Tory despite not being satisfied with then as the best of a bad bunch. How many people in this thread say they will vote for X party only to stop Y party and that really they are dissatisfied with X party? Just because you vote for Tory, Red Tory or that other party with nick clegg does not mean you are all happy and carefree about the state of British politics.

Red Tory?
That's a Canadian thing, not a British thing.

Only if you are talking about political ideology and not dealing in insults for new Labour.

[United Kingdom of Kent]

Still not entirely certain who I will vote for yet, rather excited about it all really as its the first general election I will be old enough to vote in. Torn currently between either the Conservatives or UKIP, I voted UKIP during the European Parliament elections but had no intention at that time to vote for them during the general election. However I'am starting to seriously consider it as I see more of their 2015 policies coming out of the party, but will most likely only fully decide when I see both parties full manifesto.

Statistically speaking I'm not what is considered a 'traditional' UKIP voter as I'am at University, and I'am younger than their average voter. although in my course in particular and friends there are a sizeable majority who might or are going to vote for UKIP, and to call it a party for the "politically-idiotic masses" is just plain idiocy.

Just curious if anyone saw the UKIP 100 reason list that was circulating when it was first released?
http://www.ukip.org/100_days_till_the_e ... _vote_ukip

[Olivaero]

Still not entirely certain who I will vote for yet, rather excited about it all really as its the first general election I will be old enough to vote in. Torn currently between either the Conservatives or UKIP, I voted UKIP during the European Parliament elections but had no intention at that time to vote for them during the general election. However I'am starting to seriously consider it as I see more of their 2015 policies coming out of the party, but will most likely only fully decide when I see both parties full manifesto.

Statistically speaking I'm not what is considered a 'traditional' UKIP voter as I'am at University, and I'am younger than their average voter. although in my course in particular and friends there are a sizeable majority who might or are going to vote for UKIP, and to call it a party for the "politically-idiotic masses" is just plain idiocy.

Just curious if anyone saw the UKIP 100 reason list that was circulating when it was first released?
http://www.ukip.org/100_days_till_the_e ... _vote_ukip

Some of their policies seem to be stolen right out of the american Republican play book. Not as anti-government maybe but after their complete policy change on the NHS I'm not sure why anyone would trust what they say outside of leaving the EU and being tough on immigrants.

[L Ron Cupboard]

First Greece, then Spain, we could do with an anti-austerity party. Come on Clegg it's your only chance...