# Well the British General Election campaign has started - It's a long way to May! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 14, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013 "2005-02-14T15:50:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/1 "2005-02-14T15:50:21Z")
Well we’re off. The campaign has started with labours six pledges and the Tories’ ten words. We are going to be stuck with this until May. Is there any way that this isn’t a foregone conclusion? I have read some articles in the right wing press that try to make out that it won’t be a cakewalk for labour, but I think that’s just whistling in the dark. The idea is that labour’s core voters are so pissed off with Blair (over the war, PFI, and so on) that they won’t bother voting at all or may even vote Lib Dem, which would allow the Tories to sneak in. Not very likely to me. I think that there will be a big dip in the labour vote – but they are starting from such a strong position that they will still comfortably win (my prediction? A majority of around 60) I looks like the Tories are going to try to get crime as the major issue of the campaign as it’s the one area in which they (we) have a clear lead on the Government. I can also see immigration as a hot topic but both parties are promising to “get tough” on immigration so they cancel each other out. I must say that I have no idea what the Lib Dems are promising (I actually dislike these more than even the labour party) So is there any way that Blair can lose this one and when will we all be heartily sick of it? (I live in a very marginal Labour/Tory marginal seat and as such get the lot – posters and leaflets, doorstep visits from cabinet ministers, endless opinion pollsters etc. I was once roused from my, very hungover, bed to find David Mellor at my door (he was the MP). That didn’t help my hangover one bit. ---
**Author:** ![Neurotik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/91b2a8/32.png) [@Neurotik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neurotik)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/2 "2005-02-14T16:08:04Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > I looks like the Tories are going to try to get crime as the major issue of the campaign as it’s the one area in which they (we) have a clear lead on the Government. Are they going to run the ad with the children running loose on the streets, setting fire to cars and such again? We enjoyed that one at Lib Dem HQ back in 2001. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/3 "2005-02-14T16:10:34Z")
No idea what they’re planning - but it will be better than the flying pigs that caused such a stir. ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/4 "2005-02-14T16:26:35Z")
This is an election in which no party save perhaps the Lib Dems will dare mention arguably the most important issue of the times: Europe. Blair is setting up Broon for a narrow defeat in 4 years time, allowing Labour back in in 8-9 years time. Note also, **owl** , that disaffected Labour voters are very canny at tactical voting, and would far rather vote yellow than blue. I’d suggest it’s a little naive to look to them as a way for the Nasties to win: they might end up being the ones who cause your lot more _harm_. Me, I’ll probably vote Green if I can be bothered. Who’ll be the new Tory leader afterwards, do you think? ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/5 "2005-02-14T16:31:46Z")
The Lib Dems have a “Top Ten reasons to vote Lib Dem” list out…no government meddling with NHS, free personal medical care, free university, help children, more cops, bigger pensions, free off-peak local transport for pensioners, no more Council tax, UK out of Iraq, and care about the environment. They also want a new tax on the “wealthiest 1%” to pay for everything listed above. It also looks like they’re going to be hammering the government on personal liberties and the whole ID card thing. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/6 "2005-02-14T16:39:39Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > This is an election in which no party save perhaps the Lib Dems will dare mention arguably the most important issue of the times: Europe. Blair is setting up Broon for a narrow defeat in 4 years time, allowing Labour back in in 8-9 years time. > > Note also, **owl** , that disaffected Labour voters are very canny at tactical voting, and would far rather vote yellow than blue. I’d suggest it’s a little naive to look to them as a way for the Nasties to win: they might end up being the ones who cause your lot more _harm_. > > Me, I’ll probably vote Green if I can be bothered. > > Who’ll be the new Tory leader afterwards, do you think? We’ll be mentioning Europe - quite a lot. It’s just that its perceived as an issue that turns people off. We are promising to leave the Common Fisheries Policy and also the immigration and asylum proposals we put forward would put us on a collision course with Brussels (and not before time IMHO). We will certainly make enough euro-sceptic noises to try to mop up any UKIP votes that might be about. Also, shortly after the election we have the referendum which I expect the government to lose, which is all part of Tony’s poison pill to Gordon. As for the next leader - I’m not sure. I would like Letwin. He’s bright and people seem not to actively loathe him. Howard was a mistake - he’s too associated with the Major government and there is the whole “somthing of the night” thing. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/7 "2005-02-14T16:43:13Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > The Lib Dems have a “Top Ten reasons to vote Lib Dem” list out…no government meddling with NHS, free personal medical care, free university, help children, more cops, bigger pensions, free off-peak local transport for pensioners, no more Council tax, UK out of Iraq, and care about the environment. They also want a new tax on the “wealthiest 1%” to pay for everything listed above. > > It also looks like they’re going to be hammering the government on personal liberties and the whole ID card thing. Hmmm… THis is all a bit odd. It has always seemed to me that the lib dems put forward quite reasonable policies in the seats where they are trying to take tory votes and barking mad ones like these when they are trying to attract disaffected trots. Is this a national campaign pledge from them? It reads more like one of George Galloways. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/8 "2005-02-14T17:13:12Z")
It’s from their pre-manifesto, which apparently was released in September. [http://www.libdems.org.uk/index.cfm/page.premanifesto/section.policy](http://www.libdems.org.uk/index.cfm/page.premanifesto/section.policy) They might tone it down a bit. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/9 "2005-02-14T17:37:53Z")
> [@SentientMeat](#): > > This is an election in which no party save perhaps the Lib Dems will dare mention arguably the most important issue of the times: Europe. Perhaps somebody will provide some background to help foreigners follow this thread. What about Europe? What are the three main parties’ respective policies regarding the EU? > [@SentientMeat](#): > > Blair is setting up Broon for a narrow defeat in 4 years time, allowing Labour back in in 8-9 years time. Who’s Broon? > [@SentientMeat](#): > > Note also, **owl** , that disaffected Labour voters are very canny at tactical voting, and would far rather vote yellow than blue. I’d suggest it’s a little naive to look to them as a way for the Nasties to win: they might end up being the ones who cause your lot more _harm_. What do the colors “yellow” and “blue” signify in British politics? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/10 "2005-02-14T17:42:08Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > The Lib Dems have a “Top Ten reasons to vote Lib Dem” list out…no government meddling with NHS, free personal medical care, free university, help children, more cops, bigger pensions, free off-peak local transport for pensioners, no more Council tax, UK out of Iraq, and care about the environment. They also want a new tax on the “wealthiest 1%” to pay for everything listed above. I wish we had a party like that over here! ☹ > [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > Hmmm… THis is all a bit odd. It has always seemed to me that the lib dems put forward quite reasonable policies in the seats where they are trying to take tory votes and barking mad ones like these when they are trying to attract disaffected trots. But there is nothing “barking mad” about those policies, **owl.** They might be extreme in America – but by UK standards, aren’t they mostly talking about just hanging on to stuff you’ve got already? > [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > Is this a national campaign pledge from them? It reads more like one of George Galloways. Who’s George Galloway? ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/11 "2005-02-14T17:49:28Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > But there is nothing “barking mad” about those policies, **owl.** They might be extreme in America – but by UK standards, aren’t they mostly talking about just hanging on to stuff you’ve got already? It’s all relative. **Owl** is a Tory (a member of the party IIRC) he’d be considered quite right wing by a lot of Brits. [/quote] > [@](#): > > Who’s George Galloway? A very right wing, very controversial MP > **[Politics | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/politics)** > > Latest Politics news, comment and analysis from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/12 "2005-02-14T17:52:53Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Perhaps somebody will provide some background to help foreigners follow this thread. What about Europe? What are the three main parties’ respective policies regarding the EU? > Who’s Broon? > > What do the colors “yellow” and “blue” signify in British politics? Europe- Labour moderately pro-Europe but half the party against joining the Euro. Tories- almost all against both joining the Euro and maintaining the current/proposed relationship with europe. Liberal Democrats- generally pro europe and pro the Euro. Blue = Tory/Conservative Red = Labour Yellow/Gold = Liberal Democrat. Broon is Gordon Brown (Broob being a scottish vocalisation of Brown) He is Chancellor of the Exchequer and keen to be PM. Rumor has it that Blair promised to step down in his favor before this election but has reneged on this promise. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/13 "2005-02-14T17:53:37Z")
Doh! > [@](#): > > A very right wing, very controversial MP He’s a very **left** wing MP. ---
**Author:** ![Pjen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Pjen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pjen)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/14 "2005-02-14T17:55:58Z")
For Broob read Broon! George Galloway is a leftist and publicity seeking MP from Scotland. The Telegraph smeared him with an article saying he was in the pay of Saddam but he recently took them for six figures in a libel suit where he proved that they were wrong. ---
**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:** [February 14, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/15 "2005-02-14T20:14:51Z")
Absent something astonishing, I really don’t see how the Conservatives can possibly win outright. That said, starting the campaign so soon is a mistake by Labour - 4 months is a _very_ long time in British politics. The Tories best chance may well be a tacit alliance with the Liberals. A Tory/LD coalition government would be fascinating. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/16 "2005-02-14T20:21:35Z")
“4 months is a very long time in British politics” … please excuse me while I lower my head and softly sob. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/17 "2005-02-14T20:26:39Z")
BTW – the OP didn’t make clear – **why** is the UK having a general election in May? Did Blair simply decide to call for an election? The papers here didn’t mention anything about that and neither has CNN. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/18 "2005-02-14T20:29:40Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > The Tories best chance may well be a tacit alliance with the Liberals. A Tory/LD coalition government would be fascinating. By “fascinating” you mean “preposterous,” right? I mean, that’s like a Libertarian-Communist coalition! ---
**Author:** ![sinical\_brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/48db29/32.png) [@sinical\_brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinical_brit)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/19 "2005-02-14T20:40:20Z")
Feels like we have already been going through it for months ! Just have to say, Blairs magical transformation from: ’ fuck you electorate - we is going to war. I seen the truth - you just gonna have to trust me ', to ’ oooh, we are just like a sweet, old married couple, sorry if you you werent listening to me properly, you understand now, yes? That nasty media tried to destroy our marrage. Remember being unhappy is STILL better than being alone…’ etc,etc, made me want to puke. I think the Guardian pointed out: Labour are more worried by the Lib Dems than the Conservatives, which is why Labour will harp on about the Tories non-stop for the next 3 months. They will try to tell you that a vote for LIbDem is a vote for the Torys. I think that is caca. The best thing for this country would be a Labour gov with a new leader ( dont really care who ), a slim majority and Lib Dem as the Opposition. Fuk the Tories - they still havnt sorted themselves out, - Howard is tainted by his stint as Foriegn Sec under Major and the Newsnight interview. Hes also a c\*nt but thats by the by. Blairs speech in full is diplayed here: ( [http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,9061,1412458,00.html](http://politics.guardian.co.uk/labour/story/0,9061,1412458,00.html) ) ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2005, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013/20 "2005-02-14T20:44:51Z")
Wow - I am glad the George Galloway thing got sorted out. I nearly choked with surprise. :eek: Well, if eating Polo mints is that dangerous, I’m better off smoking, then. 🙂 Yes, I suppose the Blair party will win, although with a decreased majority. No, I won’t be voting either Labour or Tory. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/well-the-british-general-election-campaign-has-started-its-a-long-way-to-may/290013.md?page=2)