# UK General Election May 2015 (Population Share Version) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 2, 2015, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612 "2015-04-02T10:29:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/61 "2015-04-09T21:06:29Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > There’s a month to go. It’s early days yet - we haven’t even seen the manifestos. God, I envy you. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2015, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/62 "2015-04-09T21:15:16Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > That is just \*so \*cute! 😉 > [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > God, I envy you. Even with our new fixed term parliaments it’s a mere whisper compared to the torrents of noise you poor sods have to put up with. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/63 "2015-04-09T22:19:53Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Unless a major war breaks out, that ain’t happening. Which is a shame, that both major parties would rather ally with extremists than each other. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/64 "2015-04-09T22:21:30Z")
The DUP ( Paisley’s old mob ) have demanded the abolition of the Bedroom Tax from whomever they coalesce with, which means probably not the Tories who for some reason are too stupid to ditch that tax. Sinn Féin, the Ulster equivalent of the SNP, supports austerity up north and anti-austerity down south. This is popularly supposed to be shiftiness, but more likely reflects that some of them were happier when the only deep problem was how to clean one’s armalite. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2015, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/65 "2015-04-09T22:48:38Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Which is a shame, that both major parties would rather ally with extremists than each other. For your definition of extremist anyway. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2015, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/66 "2015-04-09T22:53:11Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > Sinn Féin, the Ulster equivalent of the SNP That’s quite the statement! It’s not them who are the Ulster equivalent of the SNP. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/67 "2015-04-09T23:11:23Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > For your definition of extremist anyway. I’m wondering which of UKIP or the SNP you don’t consider to be extremist… Both want to harm the country based on misguided idealism, which is a pretty good definition of extremism as far as I’m concerned. ---
**Author:** ![Claverhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/13edae/32.png) [@Claverhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claverhouse)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/68 "2015-04-09T23:16:17Z")
[QUOTE=Baron Greenback] That’s quite the statement! It’s not them who are the Ulster equivalent of the SNP. [/QUOTE] They both want independence, as is their right. Separately of course, although a number of demented old romantics, fueled by anti-English hatred still dream of the — loony — idea of a federation of ‘Celtic’ nations, starting in Scotland, which was only slightly ‘Celtic’ and running down the left-hand path to include Wales, Ireland, Cornwall and Brittany. South of the border Sinn Féin look themselves to join a coalition, and similarly to the Lib-Dems, are wholly complaisant as to whom it shall be with so long as they get some of that dear power, ‘_not ruling out Fianna Fail or Fine Gael_’\* which leaves a wide choice outside those two. And remember, Sinn Féin is a wholly peace-loving democratic party that never supported the men of violence. - **[Are Sinn Fein a genuine left alternative?](http://socialistparty.ie/2014/09/are-sinn-fein-a-genuine-left-alternative/)** ---
**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:** [April 10, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/69 "2015-04-10T00:19:49Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > They both want independence, as is their right. Ah, no, that’s not a fair comparison. Whatever their faults are, the SNP have never been the political wing of an armed group. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/70 "2015-04-10T07:07:01Z")
According to the latest ComRes poll, the people understand the constitutional position better than many Tory and Labour politicians. A majority 50% to 34% believe that the SNP should be able to support a government led by the smaller of the two main parties. > **[Lib Dems move level with UKIP for first time since 2013](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3032693/Lib-Dems-level-UKIP-time-2013-New-poll-shows-parties-equal-12-cent-Conservatives-lead-36-cent.html)** > > A new ComRes survey has revealed that the Lib Dems are now equal in the polls with UKIP, for the first time since late 2013, while the Conservatives still have the edge over Labour with 34 per cent to 33 per cent. ---
**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:** [April 10, 2015, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/71 "2015-04-10T09:15:31Z")
It’s Freebie Friday! The day when the political parties promise the voters unicorns and rainbows and that the sun will shine every day if only you vote for them! Or, for the more jaded of us, the day in which the political parties offer the voters lollipops to entice them into the back of their unmarked white van. “Paid volunteer leave”? Are you freaking serious, Pickles? ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/72 "2015-04-10T10:22:09Z")
Today’s latest Scottish poll shows further swing from Labour to SNP with 49% support. > **[Five graphs that show Labour faces obliteration in Scotland at the hands of...](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-election-2015/11526859/Five-graphs-that-show-Labour-faces-decimation-in-Scotland-at-the-hands-of-the-SNP.html)** > > Ed Miliband should be very worried as he visits Edinburgh today, while Nicola Sturgeon will be thrilled by the latest polls ---
**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:** [April 10, 2015, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/73 "2015-04-10T22:50:11Z")
Latest data suggests unprecedented levels of tactical voting in Scotland: [If this YouGov polling is correct stopping the SNP in Scotland could lead to tactical voting on a scale never seen before – politicalbetting.com](http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2015/04/10/if-yougov-polling-is-correct-stopping-the-snp-in-scotland-could-lead-to-tactical-voting-on-a-scale-never-seen-before/) ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2015, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/74 "2015-04-10T23:33:13Z")
We’re also overlooking the possibility of minority government, with confidence and supply offered by other parties, or at least, dissuaded from actively unseating them for the time being. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/75 "2015-04-11T05:51:03Z")
> [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](#): > > Latest data suggests unprecedented levels of tactical voting in Scotland: [If this YouGov polling is correct stopping the SNP in Scotland could lead to tactical voting on a scale never seen before – politicalbetting.com](http://www2.politicalbetting.com/index.php/archives/2015/04/10/if-yougov-polling-is-correct-stopping-the-snp-in-scotland-could-lead-to-tactical-voting-on-a-scale-never-seen-before/) That poll was commissioned by Channel 4 who gave a full report last night. Their take was that such tactical voting could reduce the predicted number of SNP MPs from fifty plus to forty plus. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2015, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/76 "2015-04-11T05:59:47Z")
> [@Malden\_Capell](#): > > We’re also overlooking the possibility of minority government, with confidence and supply offered by other parties, or at least, dissuaded from actively unseating them for the time being. That is becoming more of a certainty each day. Unless their is a major swing with an advantage of some six percent to either Labour or Conservatives, no two party combination is likely on either side to leas to a stable government. Given the fall of seats because of one past the post, the SNP will be massively over represented getting dozens of seats on two percent of the national vote, with greens and UKIP being under represented, and Labour, Conservative and LibDem having about proportionate representation. To form a left coalition will be easier than a right coalition because of the loss of potential conservative votes to UKIP with no extra seats, yet a left coalition does not lose votes because of the massive over representation of the SNP. I can see a generally leftist government supported by SNP, Greens and LibDems, with maintenance of Trident achieved by temporary support from the Conservatives. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/77 "2015-04-11T09:21:22Z")
Anyone going to be up all night to watch the results? I tried to organise a party up here but everyone else is at work on Friday. ---
**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:** [April 11, 2015, 10:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/78 "2015-04-11T10:02:44Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Anyone going to be up all night to watch the results? I tried to organise a party up here but everyone else is at work on Friday. Yep, I am. Get the beers in and shout at the TV all night 😃 ---
**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:** [April 11, 2015, 10:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/79 "2015-04-11T10:10:51Z")
Here is a list of the predicted declaration times: [http://election.pressassociation.com/Declaration\_times/general\_2015\_by\_time.php](http://election.pressassociation.com/Declaration_times/general_2015_by_time.php) ---
**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:** [April 11, 2015, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612/80 "2015-04-11T11:22:58Z")
> [@Baron\_Greenback](#): > > Yep, I am. Get the beers in and shout at the TV all night 😃 Good man! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/uk-general-election-may-2015-population-share-version/716612.md?page=5)