# BritDopers (and nosy foreigners) - The general election 2010 **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 6, 2010, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133 "2010-04-06T11:13:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/401 "2010-05-06T08:36:27Z")
UKIP supremo Nigel Farage has apparently been injured in a light aircraft crash - after it got tangled in a UKIP banner!? This election’s got everything. ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/402 "2010-05-06T08:41:52Z")
> [@Ximenean](#): > > Fantastic alliteration, there. I hear that Brown is also a joker, a smoker, and a midnight toker. I had something similar for Cameron, but decided it was offensive to women’s vaginas. > [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > UKIP supremo Nigel Farage has apparently been injured in a light aircraft crash - after it got tangled in a UKIP banner!? This election’s got everything. Some people will do anything to get their head on telly. ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/403 "2010-05-06T08:53:59Z")
I’m voting Lib. Dem. on civil liberties and vote reform lines, plus they’re the only chance of unseating the current Labour ‘yes’ man in my borough. Really I’ll just be happy to see the back of New Bloodly Labour. What a bunch of incompetant authoritarian weasels they are! I got given a leaflet from Labour this morning likening Clegg to Thatcher. I took that as a positive frankly, we needed Thatcher after the last time Labour fucked the country up. ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/404 "2010-05-06T08:56:48Z")
I am in Moscow so will not be voting at all…myself. I have however arranged a Proxy for my wife and I have asked her to vote Labour on my behalf. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/405 "2010-05-06T08:56:56Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > UKIP supremo Nigel Farage has apparently been injured in a light aircraft crash - after it got tangled in a UKIP banner!? This election’s got everything. He’s walking wounded according to the radio. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/406 "2010-05-06T09:05:22Z")
Voted first thing - for Labour. I think this is my third GE at the same polling place, and it seems that they are still working through the same pencils as my first time there. The thing I used was a manky little stub. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 9:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/407 "2010-05-06T09:16:03Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > UKIP supremo Nigel Farage has apparently been injured in a light aircraft crash - after it got tangled in a UKIP banner!? This election’s got everything. Boy, if _that_ isn’t a metaphor for UKIP… ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/408 "2010-05-06T09:30:55Z")
It’s unlikely to happen, but I really hope Farage defeats Bercow. Because Bercow’s a tosser. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 9:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/409 "2010-05-06T09:54:46Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > It’s unlikely to happen, but I really hope Farage defeats Bercow. Because Bercow’s a tosser. I’ve heard this, but don’t really know why he’s such a tosser. Can you explain? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/410 "2010-05-06T10:35:38Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > I’ve heard this, but don’t really know why he’s such a tosser. Can you explain? I wrote to him after an interview he’d had on TV in his capacity as Speaker complimenting him on what he’d said and got the snootiest of snooty replies. Labour supporters call Cameron a toff, but Bercow clearly thought he was too good to deign to correspond with a pleb like me - and remember that I was complimenting him! ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/411 "2010-05-06T10:43:45Z")
Voted Lib Dem this morning. There’s a chance the Liberal Democrats can take all three wards in Edinburgh. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/412 "2010-05-06T10:54:26Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > I wrote to him after an interview he’d had on TV in his capacity as Speaker complimenting him on what he’d said and got the snootiest of snooty replies. Labour supporters call Cameron a toff, but Bercow clearly thought he was too good to deign to correspond with a pleb like me - and remember that I was complimenting him! Damn, what’d he write back? Not exactly the best practice for our servants. Just got back from voting Lib Dem. They have an outside chance here against the Tories, Labour here don’t have a hope in hell. ---
**Author:** ![Baboonanza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f475e1/32.png) [@Baboonanza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baboonanza)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/413 "2010-05-06T11:15:37Z")
Could I please an honest question to those who are voting Labour: Why? I don’t mean this is in rude way, I am legitimately curious. I’d consider myself a true floating voter, I feel no loyalty to any party and tend to make my mind up at election time. However, I cannot imagine why anyone would actually want Labour to continue in majority government. Policy aside, 13 years is too long for a single party to remain in power. So I’m honestly asking to be informed, why Labour this election? Party loyalty? Gut hatred of the Tories? Something else? ---
**Author:** ![One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/838e76/32.png) [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 11:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/414 "2010-05-06T11:19:37Z")
> [@Baboonanza](#): > > why Labour this election? Party loyalty? Gut hatred of the Tories? Something else? A + B plus I am on board with their policies. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/415 "2010-05-06T11:50:33Z")
> [@Baboonanza](#): > > Could I please an honest question to those who are voting Labour: Why? > > I don’t mean this is in rude way, I am legitimately curious. I’d consider myself a true floating voter, I feel no loyalty to any party and tend to make my mind up at election time. I’ve got a good sitting Labour constituency MP here, Labour haven’t been all that bad (particularly in social policy), opposition here is the loathsome SNP. Plus Tories are irredeemable cunts. Kidding! ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/416 "2010-05-06T13:11:01Z")
Alas, no one took my bets (posts 390, 399). Now that polling has begun, I withdraw them. Be sure to vote today, BritDopers, and may you vote wisely! I’m wearing my Union Jack pin today in your honor. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/417 "2010-05-06T13:15:42Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Alas, no one took my bets (posts 390, 399). Not on evens, no. If you had offered $200 against my $20, I’d have said yes. ---
**Author:** ![big\_alex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e56c9b/32.png) [@big\_alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/big_alex)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/418 "2010-05-06T13:38:12Z")
Just voted. I am in a safe Labour seat, so I was able to follow my heart and voted Lib Dem. Really don’t want to see Cameron’s big waxy face any more, but I have a feeling I’ll be disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![MJinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@MJinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MJinks)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/419 "2010-05-06T13:52:19Z")
I’m in a Conservative seat that would need a ~4.5% swing to go Labour (extremely unlikely). I voted Labour because I want a hung parliament. I want voting reform so that in the future, if I vote Liberal Democrats, my vote will actually mean something. I’m going to order some Chinese and stay up to watch the results come in. I don’t want to wake up to a Conservative government. The only up-side would be the hope that they fuck things up so badly they’re out of power for another decade. EDIT: Erm, that sounded wrong. I don’t want them to fuck up the country, just made to look like complete incompetents who only care about the top-end of society. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133/420 "2010-05-06T14:12:02Z")
> [@Baboonanza](#): > > Could I please an honest question to those who are voting Labour: Why? > > I don’t mean this is in rude way, I am legitimately curious. I’d consider myself a true floating voter, I feel no loyalty to any party and tend to make my mind up at election time. > > However, I cannot imagine why anyone would actually want Labour to continue in majority government. Policy aside, 13 years is too long for a single party to remain in power. > > So I’m honestly asking to be informed, why Labour this election? Party loyalty? Gut hatred of the Tories? Something else? For me, it’s a mixture of Labour fitting most closely with my ideology and finding the Tories repulsive, particularly in reference to gay equality legislation (they are basically homophobic, read their voting records - this affects me personally), workers’ rights (they opposed the minimum wage) and lack of investment in public services (the NHS has improved dramatically in the last 13 years). Oh, and bloody fox hunting. I agree with _some_ LibDem policies and have voted for them in the past, but I can’t stomach the idea of gifting the election to the Tories. I loathe the Tories, and think less of people who support them, to be honest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/britdopers-and-nosy-foreigners-the-general-election-2010/535133.md?page=22)