The effective majority required is actually 322, as you need to remove the Sinn Fein empty seats (currently 7) from the total number of seats (650).
Either way, a failure for May and ridiculously tight considering she was sitting in charge of a majority government 36 hours ago.
I heard Corbyn's on the phone to his old mate Gerry Adams trying to make a deal............
Hah, you joke - but the DUP spokeswoman (not entirely sure who it was) being interviewed earlier was very clear about her views on Corbyn, and why she would be open to doing as much as oppose him.
I remember thinking at the time, it would be very ironic if Sinn Fein refusing to take their seats allowed the DUP to prop up a Tory government. Gerry Adams made it clear that they would treat this election as any other, and leave their seats empty. An incredibly strange time!
On a personal level, disappointed to see Naomi Long fail in East Belfast, not my constituency, but always happy to see the sectarian headcount undermined.
Also, really fecking hacked off at missing the coverage - I'd booked today off specially, but stuff came up at work, and I'm on the commute now, I don't think an all-nighter would have been advisable.
On a personal level, disappointed to see Naomi Long fail in East Belfast, not my constituency, but always happy to see the sectarian headcount undermined.
Also, really fecking hacked off at missing the coverage - I'd booked today off specially, but stuff came up at work, and I'm on the commute now, I don't think an all-nighter would have been advisable.
I meant to ask, Norn - how common is it that a SF seat falls to UUP, or vice-versa? I'm sure I saw that pop up earlier (South Tyrone), and thought that seemed like an absurd switch for an area?
The effective majority required is actually 322, as you need to remove the Sinn Fein empty seats (currently 7) from the total number of seats (650).
Either way, a failure for May and ridiculously tight considering she was sitting in charge of a majority government 36 hours ago.
I heard Corbyn's on the phone to his old mate Gerry Adams trying to make a deal............
Hah, you joke - but the DUP spokeswoman (not entirely sure who it was) being interviewed earlier was very clear about her views on Corbyn, and why she would be open to doing as much as oppose him.
I remember thinking at the time, it would be very ironic if Sinn Fein refusing to take their seats allowed the DUP to prop up a Tory government. Gerry Adams made it clear that they would treat this election as any other, and leave their seats empty. An incredibly strange time!
Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they take their seats in Parliament after a general election or by-election and after the death of the monarch
The effective majority required is actually 322, as you need to remove the Sinn Fein empty seats (currently 7) from the total number of seats (650).
Either way, a failure for May and ridiculously tight considering she was sitting in charge of a majority government 36 hours ago.
I heard Corbyn's on the phone to his old mate Gerry Adams trying to make a deal............
Hah, you joke - but the DUP spokeswoman (not entirely sure who it was) being interviewed earlier was very clear about her views on Corbyn, and why she would be open to doing as much as oppose him.
I remember thinking at the time, it would be very ironic if Sinn Fein refusing to take their seats allowed the DUP to prop up a Tory government. Gerry Adams made it clear that they would treat this election as any other, and leave their seats empty. An incredibly strange time!
Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they take their seats in Parliament after a general election or by-election and after the death of the monarch
I understand that*, and I understand their reluctance (given their position) to do so. I haven't made a faux pas or caused unintended offence by simplifying it by stating that they "leave their seats empty", have I? If so, there was no intention - other than it seemed like the easiest way of saying that they abstain from taking the seats that they gain via election.
*Well I say I understand it, it had never actually occurred to me that this was the reason. I always assumed it was an ideological one, but not specifically relating to the obvious oath to the Crown!
The effective majority required is actually 322, as you need to remove the Sinn Fein empty seats (currently 7) from the total number of seats (650).
Either way, a failure for May and ridiculously tight considering she was sitting in charge of a majority government 36 hours ago.
I heard Corbyn's on the phone to his old mate Gerry Adams trying to make a deal............
Hah, you joke - but the DUP spokeswoman (not entirely sure who it was) being interviewed earlier was very clear about her views on Corbyn, and why she would be open to doing as much as oppose him.
I remember thinking at the time, it would be very ironic if Sinn Fein refusing to take their seats allowed the DUP to prop up a Tory government. Gerry Adams made it clear that they would treat this election as any other, and leave their seats empty. An incredibly strange time!
Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they take their seats in Parliament after a general election or by-election and after the death of the monarch
Quite, and SF won't take that oath so they leave their seats empty - as Lucky Reds said.
On a personal level, disappointed to see Naomi Long fail in East Belfast, not my constituency, but always happy to see the sectarian headcount undermined.
Also, really fecking hacked off at missing the coverage - I'd booked today off specially, but stuff came up at work, and I'm on the commute now, I don't think an all-nighter would have been advisable.
I meant to ask, Norn - how common is it that a SF seat falls to UUP, or vice-versa? I'm sure I saw that pop up earlier (South Tyrone), and thought that seemed like an absurd switch for an area?
Fermanagh South Tyrone is a classic knife edge constituency. In recent times, barring UUP/DUP pacts (not the "pants" that my phone wants to allege), it's been Sinn Fein, but never by that much. There are not many, but you will have others, like South Belfast, which can move between Nationalist and Unionist.
In fairness to Michelle Gildernew, she is effective as an MP (if you discount the non-voting thing), and has been successful in that SF sounding reasonable media training way.
But, in general, you would be fairly certain of electing a donkey (and in many constituencies we have), provided they're in the "right" party.
It looks worryingly as if the FPTP electoral system will wipe out more centrist NI parties from Westminster representation for a generation or so, or worse; even with PR in the Assembly, they are far behind.
It is interesting to note that Sinn Fein won all the border constituencies.
The effective majority required is actually 322, as you need to remove the Sinn Fein empty seats (currently 7) from the total number of seats (650).
Either way, a failure for May and ridiculously tight considering she was sitting in charge of a majority government 36 hours ago.
I heard Corbyn's on the phone to his old mate Gerry Adams trying to make a deal............
Hah, you joke - but the DUP spokeswoman (not entirely sure who it was) being interviewed earlier was very clear about her views on Corbyn, and why she would be open to doing as much as oppose him.
I remember thinking at the time, it would be very ironic if Sinn Fein refusing to take their seats allowed the DUP to prop up a Tory government. Gerry Adams made it clear that they would treat this election as any other, and leave their seats empty. An incredibly strange time!
Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they take their seats in Parliament after a general election or by-election and after the death of the monarch
I understand that*, and I understand their reluctance (given their position) to do so. I haven't made a faux pas or caused unintended offence by simplifying it by stating that they "leave their seats empty", have I? If so, there was no intention - other than it seemed like the easiest way of saying that they abstain from taking the seats that they gain via election.
*Well I say I understand it, it had never actually occurred to me that this was the reason. I always assumed it was an ideological one, but not specifically relating to the obvious oath to the Crown!
Eamonn de Valera had the same scruples about sitting in the Free State Dail (because, until 1948 the Irish Free State was part of the Commonwealth), until he changed his mind in the 1930s.
He got around it by taking the oath in an off hand way (I always picture him speaking like a pissed-off teenager).
Sinn Fein could, if they wanted, do something similar, only for the purpose of a Brexit vote (leaving the Commons again after), and I think their supporters would accept that.
I almost suggested that they should use silly voices, but I'm not sure if anyone would notice.
The effective majority required is actually 322, as you need to remove the Sinn Fein empty seats (currently 7) from the total number of seats (650).
Either way, a failure for May and ridiculously tight considering she was sitting in charge of a majority government 36 hours ago.
I heard Corbyn's on the phone to his old mate Gerry Adams trying to make a deal............
Hah, you joke - but the DUP spokeswoman (not entirely sure who it was) being interviewed earlier was very clear about her views on Corbyn, and why she would be open to doing as much as oppose him.
I remember thinking at the time, it would be very ironic if Sinn Fein refusing to take their seats allowed the DUP to prop up a Tory government. Gerry Adams made it clear that they would treat this election as any other, and leave their seats empty. An incredibly strange time!
Members of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords are required to take an oath of allegiance to the Crown before they take their seats in Parliament after a general election or by-election and after the death of the monarch
I understand that*, and I understand their reluctance (given their position) to do so. I haven't made a faux pas or caused unintended offence by simplifying it by stating that they "leave their seats empty", have I? If so, there was no intention - other than it seemed like the easiest way of saying that they abstain from taking the seats that they gain via election.
*Well I say I understand it, it had never actually occurred to me that this was the reason. I always assumed it was an ideological one, but not specifically relating to the obvious oath to the Crown!
Eamonn de Valera had the same scruples about sitting in the Free State Dail (because, until 1948 the Irish Free State was part of the Commonwealth), until he changed his mind in the 1930s.
He got around it by taking the oath in an off hand way (I always picture him speaking like a pissed-off teenager).
Sinn Fein could, if they wanted, do something similar, only for the purpose of a Brexit vote (leaving the Commons again after), and I think their supporters would accept that.
I almost suggested that they should use silly voices, but I'm not sure if anyone would notice.
They could get those out of work voice over actors that they used to use.
I hold Clegg in contempt, for he propped up the Tories when they were in need of assistance. Clegg's hand of help led to Cameron gaining a very significant foothold...and, when he [Cameron] saw fit to kick against Clegg's hand in that alliance, the Tory government was assured. Clegg was saviour in Tory Boy's hour of need: Collaborator-in-Chief. May he [Clegg] be gone. The hurt that he has inflicted on the poor and the weak, albeit via the Tories, tells daily. It endures. Those who oppose(d) Clegg will not worry about his being ousted. 'Duty'? Up the pole! And down the pole!
The sun is up. In it, rejoice in Green Socialism... and salute the demise of Clegg, Tory collaborator.
Can older people now slag off young voters in a reversal of post brexit vote?
And can I blame "irresponsible and idiotic" Labour voters for the fact a pint of beer will cost me a few extra pence when I go to France next month?
Also, just to check, with the Conservatives being the larger party but not having a majority, will the familiar protests at democracy be taking place in Parliament Square/Westminster today?
Well that's interesting. Some comments without reading the last 30 pages so apologies if already covered.
The death (which is what it is) of UKIP could be for more than one reason - it could be that their reason for being is over post the referendum, or it could be a backlash against Brexit now that some of the consequences (hidden or unforeseen during the referendum campaign) are becoming clearer. I'm not saying which it is but it's more complicated than they were a one single issue party. The fact that the tories backing a hard Brexit couldn't win against what is a pretty weak Labour line-up could give support to the latter argument.
The demise of May is, for me, the biggest win of the night - having her in charge of the government with an increased majority for Brexit negotiations would have been a disaster - as I've said all along a nasty, dim-witted opportunist.
Hard Brexit (whatever that means) is dead.
Corbyn has shown that left-wing policies still have a place in our society - and I give praise for that as a life-long Labour man. But I still don't believe he's the right man for the job and the next move for Labour if it is to have a decent shelf-life and win the next (very soon) election is to move back to centre-left.
Overall a bad night for Strong and Stable but a good night for democracy.
Can older people now slag off young voters in a reversal of post brexit vote?
And can I blame "irresponsible and idiotic" Labour voters for the fact a pint of beer will cost me a few extra pence when I go to France next month?
Also, just to check, with the Conservatives being the larger party but not having a majority, will the familiar protests at democracy be taking place in Parliament Square/Westminster today?
If one can afford to go to France then I'm sure one can afford a couple of extra pence on a pint. Alternatively, one could, of course, stay here and spend that money in one of the many family run micro pubs in this country instead!
Comments
I remember thinking at the time, it would be very ironic if Sinn Fein refusing to take their seats allowed the DUP to prop up a Tory government. Gerry Adams made it clear that they would treat this election as any other, and leave their seats empty. An incredibly strange time!
Also, really fecking hacked off at missing the coverage - I'd booked today off specially, but stuff came up at work, and I'm on the commute now, I don't think an all-nighter would have been advisable.
Strong and stable, not.
*Well I say I understand it, it had never actually occurred to me that this was the reason. I always assumed it was an ideological one, but not specifically relating to the obvious oath to the Crown!
In fairness to Michelle Gildernew, she is effective as an MP (if you discount the non-voting thing), and has been successful in that SF sounding reasonable media training way.
But, in general, you would be fairly certain of electing a donkey (and in many constituencies we have), provided they're in the "right" party.
It looks worryingly as if the FPTP electoral system will wipe out more centrist NI parties from Westminster representation for a generation or so, or worse; even with PR in the Assembly, they are far behind.
It is interesting to note that Sinn Fein won all the border constituencies.
He got around it by taking the oath in an off hand way (I always picture him speaking like a pissed-off teenager).
Sinn Fein could, if they wanted, do something similar, only for the purpose of a Brexit vote (leaving the Commons again after), and I think their supporters would accept that.
I almost suggested that they should use silly voices, but I'm not sure if anyone would notice.
Clegg's hand of help led to Cameron gaining a very significant foothold...and, when he [Cameron] saw fit to kick against Clegg's hand in that alliance, the Tory government was assured.
Clegg was saviour in Tory Boy's hour of need: Collaborator-in-Chief.
May he [Clegg] be gone. The hurt that he has inflicted on the poor and the weak, albeit via the Tories, tells daily. It endures. Those who oppose(d) Clegg will not worry about his being ousted.
'Duty'? Up the pole! And down the pole!
The sun is up. In it, rejoice in Green Socialism... and salute the demise of Clegg, Tory collaborator.
Also, just to check, with the Conservatives being the larger party but not having a majority, will the familiar protests at democracy be taking place in Parliament Square/Westminster today?
The death (which is what it is) of UKIP could be for more than one reason - it could be that their reason for being is over post the referendum, or it could be a backlash against Brexit now that some of the consequences (hidden or unforeseen during the referendum campaign) are becoming clearer. I'm not saying which it is but it's more complicated than they were a one single issue party. The fact that the tories backing a hard Brexit couldn't win against what is a pretty weak Labour line-up could give support to the latter argument.
The demise of May is, for me, the biggest win of the night - having her in charge of the government with an increased majority for Brexit negotiations would have been a disaster - as I've said all along a nasty, dim-witted opportunist.
Hard Brexit (whatever that means) is dead.
Corbyn has shown that left-wing policies still have a place in our society - and I give praise for that as a life-long Labour man. But I still don't believe he's the right man for the job and the next move for Labour if it is to have a decent shelf-life and win the next (very soon) election is to move back to centre-left.
Overall a bad night for Strong and Stable but a good night for democracy.
Have to applaud Labour and Corbyn on a great campaign, I actually predicted they would do better so not surprised at all with the result
Where do we go from here eh?
A hung parliament is bad news for the country, think i'd rather Labour had won outright.
Hold your noses on the markets this morning it's going to be a bumpy ride........
See you all in about 9 months at the next election