General Election Thread 2015

[Zero Liability]

Could happen but they're also seen as the main contender against Labour in several seats in which the Tories are seen as 'toxic'. Plus losing a referendum hasn't done the SNP any harm...

Depends on whether the UK will get a better deal in the face of EU intransigence by the likes of Juncker and also the EU's own future at that point in time.

[SimonMac]

[malvolio]

What happens to UKIP if the country votes overwhelmingly in favour of staying in the EU in 2017 (as I expect we will do if we get a better deal)? Does that not make their entire reason for existence irrelevant?

I think they'll suffer from not having Farraago at the head. After all, apart from the mendacious Carswell and the now ex-Reckless, name another UKIP politician where 99% of the population won't go "Who?"

[EternalOptimist]

ok, that's enough blue bananas for now

[MarillionFan]

Steve Coogan, John Cleese, Russell Brand, David Tennant, Ronnie O Sullivan, Tine Tempah, Martin Freeman, Eddie Izzard, Ed Milliband, Ed Milliband can you hear me? JK Rowling, Alan Davies, Frank Skinner, Delia Smith, Jo Brand, Lily Allen, Paul O Grady (oh Yes, leave the country Paul), Ben Elton, Ed Balls, your team took a helluva of a beating!!!

ftfy

[SimonMac]

ok, that's enough blue bananas for now

Shall I do the labour results now?



Although UKIP's will be easier

[MarillionFan]

Shall I do the labour results now?



Although UKIP's will be easier

I'll do the Liberals.

[MarillionFan]

I'll do the Liberals.

SNP

[Zero Liability]

I think they'll suffer from not having Farraago at the head. After all, apart from the mendacious Carswell and the now ex-Reckless, name another UKIP politician where 99% of the population won't go "Who?"

They will, but we'll see how permanent his resignation is. Suzanne Evans is his likeliest successor.

That said, provided the referendum goes ahead and Cameron is replaced by a relatively laissez faire Eurosceptic type, I'm not awfully bothered.

[DodgyAgent]

What happens to UKIP if the country votes overwhelmingly in favour of staying in the EU in 2017 (as I expect we will do if we get a better deal)? Does that not make their entire reason for existence irrelevant?

Quite the opposite. The Tories would not have committed to a referendum had it not been for UKIP. What has since happened has played into their hands. They will now hold a referendum on the back of which they will be able to push for reforms. The electorate will vote to stay in the EU (particularly if the economy is still working well) and the Tory anti EU backbenchers will have to shut up and get on with being Tories.

Net result - a much more powerful and united Tory party