# UK General Election {2024-07-04} **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 22, 2024, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932 "2024-05-22T23:15:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 17
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/321 "2024-07-01T15:12:06Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > BBC Parliament is showing the Scottish Parliament every time I tune in Why not? The Parliament at Westminster has been dissolved, so they would just show a blank title screen. Is the Welsh Assembly sitting? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/322 "2024-07-01T15:30:18Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Why not? The Parliament at Westminster has been dissolved, so they would just show a blank title screen I figure they’d show other programmes and campaign rallies. Just like C-Span in the USA ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/323 "2024-07-01T15:45:22Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Or did people think they were doing a good job as the UK fell behind the US & EU? I think this is just how conservative movements work. Instead of losing support gradually as they fail, people escalate their commitment over and over again. Eventually it gets untenable and then support collapses all at once and everyone “always” knew it was a shit show. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/324 "2024-07-01T16:00:40Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > > [@What\_Exit](#): > > > > Is it the lack of a charismatic Labour Leader? > > That helped. The previous 2 were fairly uninspiring\*. Which is not to say that Starmer is any kind of firecracker. He’s basically a block of wood in a suit. But he appears to have perfected the art of being calm and confident while saying nothing of consequence and projecting no recognizable personality, thus avoiding anything that might frighten the livestock, and this is apparently enough right now. What follows _after_ he assumes power is the great unknown. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/325 "2024-07-01T17:35:51Z")
I would vote for a block of wood over a Tory each and every time, so they’ve got my vote! ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/326 "2024-07-01T22:48:37Z")
Starmer could have fitted into any of the three principal political parties without much trouble. The fact that he was willing to accept a Sir-hood in the first place tells you volumes. Leave those sort of ridiculous baubles to the Tories. ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2024, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/327 "2024-07-01T22:50:20Z")
That’s not what the Parliament channel is for. (Vanishingly few people view it anyway) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/328 "2024-07-02T00:43:49Z")
Yes, campaign rallies are not Parliament. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 7:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/329 "2024-07-02T07:13:43Z")
The broadcast news coverage is affected by the fact that the polls aren’t shifting (so the likely result isn’t much in doubt), the parties’ main themes are nothing new and clearly each with their own elephant in the room, and although there have been more than enough debate-based programmes across the different channels, there’s huge scepticism and lack of enthusiasm. Any new event seems to play in to the established picture/narrative. So there’s a lot that isn’t all that “newsworthy”, by comparison with what’s happening across the Channel and the Atlantic. PS: Broadcasting of Parliament is governed by strict rules, so BBC Parliament is just that, and not a news channel. ---
**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:** [July 2, 2024, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/330 "2024-07-02T08:09:27Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > So how have the Conservatives held power for 14 years at this point? Is it the lack of a charismatic Labour Leader? Or did people think they were doing a good job as the UK fell behind the US & EU? The Conservative Party appeals to people’s aspirations (/greed) with a message that people want to hear, even if they’ll never achieve the success the Tories tempt us with. It’s been a winning strategy for decades - they are By Far the most successful political force this country has ever seen, despite the turkeys effectively voting for Christmas. Labour, on the other hand, with it’s focus more on public services and supporting those harder up just struggle to inspire people with positive messaging. That’s pretty broad brush, obviously but suffice to say… Tories are great at PR (and have the press in their pockets) and Labour are pretty bad at it. On another note, I find it absurd that Starmer gets criticised for being boring. I WANT my politicians to be boring. Steady, sensible, intelligent, unlikely to wreck everyone’s lives or humiliate us on the world stage, yes please. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 8:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/331 "2024-07-02T08:23:47Z")
I could not agree more with this post. ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/332 "2024-07-02T08:31:52Z")
A straw poll of sorts: I’m on holiday, and we drove to Dorset stopping to see a relative in Stroud which entailed driving through the Cotswolds. Which latter means rural, prosperous, high proportion of retirees - natural Tory country. Of the various posters and lawn signs we saw as we meandered through pretty villages, past Norman churches and village cricket grounds there were Lib Dem and Labour… But none for the Conservatives. This is very high levels of Dog Not Barking. And I suspect it means an equally high level of Can’t Be Arsed among traditional Tory voters, which may well be reflected in the turnout. ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/333 "2024-07-02T08:39:16Z")
Do the posters and lawn signs (in rural areas) in the UK get put up by party activists/sympathisers on their own initiative, or by the constituency party organisation? ---
**Author:** ![Stanislaus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stanislaus/32/3391_2.png) [@Stanislaus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stanislaus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 8:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/334 "2024-07-02T08:44:37Z")
You would get them from the local org, and if you are a member they will encourage you to do it, but it’s up to the individual to decide whether they want to. Part of the problem is the local orgs are in low spirits and funds after the May election, and quite probably aren’t making the same effort as in previous elections. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/335 "2024-07-02T09:23:20Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > So how have the Conservatives held power for 14 years at this point? Is it the lack of a charismatic Labour Leader? Or did people think they were doing a good job as the UK fell behind the US & EU? The labour party in 2011 decided to follow the Tories strategy for 13 years out of power, by making sure they chose the ugliest candidates for leader. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/336 "2024-07-02T09:38:04Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Which is not to say that Starmer is any kind of firecracker. He’s basically a block of wood in a suit. I don’t understand this criticism. Every elected PM since Major, except the hot wet fart of Johnson, was pretty much a block of wood. None were of much real character, the most interesting being the animated ventriloquist dummy of Blair. Major, Brown, Cameron, May and Sunak, none of have been inspiring examples of human beings. ---
**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:** [July 2, 2024, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/337 "2024-07-02T09:40:01Z")
> [@Mops](#): > > Do the posters and lawn signs (in rural areas) in the UK get put up by party activists/sympathisers on their own initiative, or by the constituency party organisation? I have the answer! I have just moved to a rural (read: traditional Tory heartland) area and last night, after messaging my support for the local Labour candidate on twitter, I was asked if I wanted a sign, was sent to an online form, and here’s a local activist putting it up at the end of my front garden this morning, a mere 12 hours later. Amazing service! [![](https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/0/Kbd0hZ.jpg) ](https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/0/Kbd0hZ.jpg) Now we await the pitchforks ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/338 "2024-07-02T10:18:46Z")
So a second Reform candidate has moved to the Tories. I gather this is in general a Good Thing insofar as the Reform party are far-right? And there’s an issue with postal ballots not getting delivered, which to an American sounds unpleasantly plausible. > **[General election latest: Second Reform candidate defects to Tories as Sunak...](https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c7204p2r0dkt)** > > Pressed on the Conseratives' chances, Sunak claims "people are waking up to the dangers of what a Labour government would mean for them". ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/339 "2024-07-02T10:26:51Z")
> [@SanVito](#): > > On another note, I find it absurd that Starmer gets criticised for being boring. I WANT my politicians to be boring. Steady, sensible, intelligent, unlikely to wreck everyone’s lives or humiliate us on the world stage, yes please. Me too. Attlee never set the world alight with his personality, but he had the team to deliver the welfare state (interesting that AFAIK the 1945 election campaign didn’t bother much with the kind of retail politics obsessing over tax rates that we focus on today, but I suppose everyone just assumed there’d be enough of a “peace dividend”). ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2024, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932/340 "2024-07-02T10:34:19Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > So a second Reform candidate has moved to the Tories. I gather this is in general a Good Thing insofar as the Reform party are far-right? In the unlikely event that this might chasten Farage and cause some revision of his opinions and attitudes, possibly (in some other universe). In the more likely event that someone espousing the manifesto Reform have already published will believe they’ll be at home with the Tories - well, it might make the Tories even less electable for a while, but might not bode well for the medium to long term. Depends how influential such people might become. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932.md?page=16) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-2024-07-04/1001932.md?page=18)