London Mayor Elections & UK Local Elections (Warning: May Contain Britishness)

[anti-net]

So Yesterday voting began for UK Local elections, which typically aren't really that important, but since Labour and Gordon Brown have been struggling in the polls after 10 years in power. So this vote, that won't see any change of power on a national level is just really an indicator of how people feel about the current parties

Its been a bad night for Labour, there losing, badly to the Conservative's, Additionally the Liberal Democrats have lost quite a few votes to the Conservatives, but gained over Labour. So its been good if your a tory.

The results have yet to be anncoced for London Mayor, but early reports say its properly going to be Boris Johnson for...yes you guessed it....The Conservatives.

So, what everyone else's opinion on this? Personally I'd rather not have a conservative goverment, but it's got to be better than Labour. As for the Liberal Democrats for them to get into power they would have to have quite a epic landslide, which is a pity because I support them on a few issues, specially civil liberties.

[avanti]

I have no opinion other than that I like Boris Johnson's column in GQ, so go conservatives!!

[anti-net]

Originally Posted by avanti

I have no opinion other than that I like Boris Johnson's column in GQ, so go conservatives!!

He's very eccentric is Boris. a lot of people question if he is fit to manage the w/hole of London. In all debates he's seemed unable to answer questions, He's very funny but I don't trust him.

[Susurrate]

I've always thought the congestion charge and its new fees for larger vehicles was ridiculous, a 250 pound a day charge on a delivery truck is only gonna serve to jack up prices for Londoners and put smaller guys out of business in the area. I think the fact that this will not be enacted now do to Boris' election is a good thing for London. Other than that I don't know enough about British politics to pass judgment on the whole, but I think one could speculate that this has been a big step forward for funny hair.

[Peter3hg]

Bad day for Labour. They are now in 3rd place on votes with 24% with the Tories on 44%.
Also it appears that Boris has convincingly won the Mayoral contest, although the official announcement won't be made for another 15-20 minutes.

[Labcoatguy]

Boris is a hilarious guy on HIGNFY, but in that Question Time debate with Livingstone and the other guy, he seemed pretty together as a speaker, even with his true Borisness coming through a few times. Considering how new the position is, does the mayor of London have any real power to make big changes? Either way, he's going to be entertaining, like he's always been.

[anti-net]

Originally Posted by Labcoatguy

Boris is a hilarious guy on HIGNFY, but in that Question Time debate with Livingstone and the other guy, he seemed pretty together as a speaker, even with his true Borisness coming through a few times. Considering how new the position is, does the mayor of London have any real power to make big changes? Either way, he's going to be entertaining, like he's always been.

Yes, stuff like Congestion charge, other taxes, also as its the capital it sets an example to other cities in the UK.

[jayhawk]

I think that your country is going to to tilt to the right. Hey, like you said, Labour was given ten years, people did not like the results, so the citizens will express themselves as such.

[Speedtouch]

What do I do if I want to get rid of Ken Livingstone at all costs?

( HIGNFY)

And i'm pretty much fine with anyone except for Boris or Ken. I don't care much for politics (yet) even though my dad is a councilor.

[jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Speedtouch

I don't care much for politics (yet) even though my dad is a councilor.

At your age, you should be worried about getting laid and passing your A levels. Wait until you are an adult to shoulder the burden of politics.

[anti-net]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

I think that your country is going to to tilt to the right. Hey, like you said, Labour was given ten years, people did not like the results, so the citizens will express themselves as such.

All be it Centre-Right, There still pretty liberal, don't expect us to start banning abortion, teaching creationism, that sort of BS. But yeah Labour were good between 1997 and about 2002. They did a lot to help the poor and those who are less well off, improved Cancer care in the UK, but then in 2003 Iraq happened and the fall out after, recently there has been this issue around the "10p tax band" which means working-class people will be taxed more, where as the middle and upper classes will be taxed less, That's not very Labour.

I still question if the conservatives can win an election, Labour still have quite a big majority that they built up in 1997. Previous Conservative government's have been the same as Labour, Good in the beginning, but come the end of the term and the people are calling for blood. Its just how British politics work, we vote them in, then moan about them.

[jayhawk]

Originally Posted by anti-net

I still question if the conservatives can win an election, Labour still have quite a big majority that they built up in 1997.

Well, look at Germany, France...they elected right wing leaders. It all goes in cycles.

Previous Conservative government's have been the same as Labour, Good in the beginning, but come the end of the term and the people are calling for blood. Its just how British politics work, we vote them in, then moan about them.

Same here, brother...same here. Or with the Bush presidency, some people on the left have gone insane, from the way the express their dislike.

[Speedtouch]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

At your age, you should be worried about getting laid and passing your A levels. Wait until you are an adult to shoulder the burden of politics.

Gee thanks. And close enough, but My GCSEs start on the 16th May.

[phuckingduck]

Combine the two, a quicky before a test will really help you with your stress levels!

[anti-net]

Back on topic: Its official Boris has won: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7380947.stm

[Cobol74]

Ken livingstone was a political arse in the 1980's when Mrs Thatcher got rid of the GLC and he is an even bigger political arse now. I lived in London under the GLC when controlled by this person so I know whereof I speak.

London specific Point:
BTW Bendy Busses are rubbish (a quick fire anyone, how about a quick death if you are a cyclist or motor cyclist?) but I remember RTs and RMs with some sort of real affection - before owning a car. I also remember who got shot of them and replaced them with standard double decker busses, these again were not fit for London conditions. ...


/EDIT
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/02/k...-more/#comment

"Labourers"

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?...LQv_3UAQ&hl=en

Go Boris - excellent rugby tackle, shame that you are playing football (Soccer).

[Scooby5]

Originally Posted by anti-net

He's very eccentric is Boris. a lot of people question if he is fit to manage the hole of London.

Funny, even if you didn't mean it that way



Red Ken to Boris Yeltsin....... there's a symmetry about it anyway.

Local Elections are never good for the government. The Tories suffered big defeats in local elections a few times as well albeit not as big as this one.

There was interesting thing i read on the BBC. I can't remember the figures exactly but when asking people who they thought would run the economy better let's say around 46% said the could trust Labour, down from like 52% but only about 35-36% said they could trust the Tories. When it then comes to Parlimentary elections this is the kind of thing people concentrate on, not which one is going to spend a little more on school books or going to keep the sports hall open till 11pm instead of 10pm.

[MacGuffin]

Originally Posted by jayhawk