Pick the Bones Out of This!

[Churchill]

Hmm, did anyone tick a box saying they wanted a new voting system for the HoC or for the election of the HoL?

This is the kind of analysis I was waiting for...

[Sysman]

In addition to the economic priorities, in my view, only such a progressive government could meet the demand for political and electoral change which the British people made last Thursday.

...

Our commitments on a new voting system for the House of Commons and for the election of the House of Lords, are clearly part of this.

Hmm, did anyone tick a box saying they wanted a new voting system for the HoC or for the election of the HoL?

[HairyArsedBloke]

Has this man gone completely mad ?

Not recently - he has always been completely

[Churchill]

I therefore intend to ask the Labour Party to set in train the processes needed for its own leadership election.

I would hope that it would be completed in time for the new leader to be in post by the time of the Labour Party conference. I will play no part in that contest, I will back no individual candidate.

But if it isn't then I'll carry on...

[fullyautomatix]

I have no desire to stay in my position longer than is needed to ensure the path to economic growth is assured, and the process to political reform we have agreed moves forward quickly

WTF does he think he can do in a few months to clean up the deficit mess he has created in the last 4 years ? It is almost as if he thinks he can wave his magic wand and in the few months he has at this disposal he can ensure economic growth. Has this man gone completely mad ?

[HairyArsedBloke]

Translation:

Wibble

[Churchill]

That's more like it.

[Gonzo]

Only he isn't, is he?

How about this:

I therefore intend to ask the Labour Party to set in train the processes needed for its own leadership election.

I would hope that it would be completed in time for the new leader to be in post by the time of the Labour Party conference. I will play no part in that contest, I will back no individual candidate.

Translation

The country is so screwed that noone will want to stand against me and I can go on and on.

[Churchill]

Translation

You're all ****ed. I'm off.

hth

Only he isn't, is he?

[Gonzo]

Translation

You're all ****ed. I'm off.

hth

[shaunbhoy]

In short, what he has said is "Peter Mandelson and others have made me aware that my position is now completely untenable, and that for their sakes I should leave the building. For my part, like the big spoilt child I am, I have stamped my feet and gone "La la la la la" very loudly so that I could not hear them, but still they kept on. So, very reluctantly, I have cobbled together some more of my vague snivelly speechy stuff, and decided to drag the whole process out as long as humanly possible as I like being Head Honcho. Eventually I will be dragged out of the door kicking and screaming, but for now, from where I am sitting, it is very much Toot Toot!, let's keep this Gravy train rolling comrades. Scorched Earth Policy it is! There is still some tax money to squander!!!"

HTH

[Churchill]

i do hope people now realise, after reading the above, that he didn't say anything like he was going to resign. He said he is going to stay on for as long as possible.

Hth

wtfbs!

[threaded]

I do hope people now realise, after reading the above, that he didn't say anything like he was going to resign. He said he is going to stay on for as long as possible.

HTH

[Churchill]

Gordons Speech in full, can we have some analysis please?

We have a parliamentary, and not presidential, system in this country.
As I said on Friday, with no party able to command a parliamentary majority, arising from the general election, my constitutional duty as prime minister is to ensure that government continues, while parties explore options for forming a new administration, with majority support in the House of Commons.

The business of government has continued, including concerted action in Europe today, to avert the financial crisis in the euro-area.

Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, spent much of his time yesterday in the European finance ministers' meeting in Brussels.

This morning I have had conversations with the president of the European Council, the managing director of the International Monetary Fund, and the president of the European Central Bank.

I have said I would do all I could to ensure that a stable, strong and principled government is formed, able to tackle Britain's economic challenges effectively.

As we know, the Liberal Democrats felt they should first talk to the Conservative party. Mr Clegg has just informed me that, while he intends to continue the dialogue he has begun with the Conservatives, he wishes now to take forward formal discussions with the Labour party.

I believe it is sensible, and it is in the national interest, to respond positively.

I believe it could be in the interests of the whole country to form a progressive coalition government

The cabinet will meet soon. A formal policy negotiating process is being established under the arrangements made by the cabinet secretary, similar to the negotiations between other parties.

The first priority should be an agreement deficit reduction plan, to support economic growth and a return to full employment.

I know that both parties recognise the importance of ensuring economic stability in the markets and protecting Britain's standing, and both are agreed on the need for a strong and full deficit reduction plan over the coming years.

There is also a progressive majority in Britain, and I believe it could be in the interests of the whole country to form a progressive coalition government.

In addition to the economic priorities, in my view, only such a progressive government could meet the demand for political and electoral change which the British people made last Thursday.

I have no desire to stay in my position longer than is needed to ensure the path to economic growth is assured, and the process to political reform we have agreed moves forward quickly

Our commitments on a new voting system for the House of Commons and for the election of the House of Lords, are clearly part of this.

I would, however, like to say something also about my own position.

If it becomes clear that the national interest, which is stable and principled government, can be best served by forming a coalition between the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats, then I believe I should discharge that duty to form that government, which would, in my view, command a majority in the House of Commons, in the Queen's Speech, and any other confidence votes.

But I have no desire to stay in my position longer than is needed to ensure the path to economic growth is assured, and the process to political reform we have agreed moves forward quickly.

The reason we have a hung parliament is no single party or leader was able to win the full support of the country. As leader of my party, I must accept that is a judgment on me.

I therefore intend to ask the Labour Party to set in train the processes needed for its own leadership election.

I would hope that it would be completed in time for the new leader to be in post by the time of the Labour Party conference. I will play no part in that contest, I will back no individual candidate.

I believe that the British people now want us to focus on the economy, the continuing fight against terrorism, the terrorist threat to our country.

They want us to continue to pursue the economic recovery and I will do so with my usual vigour and determination.

I will do all in my power to support the British troops, whose service and sacrifice create a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay.

I believe on Thursday the country was also telling us they want a new politics, and the political reforms we seek will help deliver that change.

I now intend to facilitate the discussions that the Liberal Democrat party has asked for.

Thank you very much. As you will understand I will take no questions this evening.