May is off to Buckingham Palace according to reports.

Should we all chip in (I reckon we could cobble together 6.8p) to buy her some breakfast?

Labour did way better then I expected them to. Labour last the election but gained the most seats and Scotland kinda a saved the Conservatives in this election.

(09 Jun 2017, 8:38 am)MrFozz wrote Everything pointed to a massive Tory win about 6-8 weeks ago, they were 20+ points ahead.

As said on the BBC, Mays gamble has backfired in spectacular fashion.

I reckon May will be Prime Minister for the meantime, Arlene Foster is probably vital to Mays plans.

My opinion is Theresa May will form a Government with the DUP backing her, having the DUP onside gives her the magical 326, how long that can last I do not know, 6 months, maybe a year. Things like not doing the debates has jumped up and bit her.

I wonder how Northern Irelands Republicans will react to the Unionists having so much power right now.

As for the SNP, still the largest party North of the Border, but had a bad night, was surprised to see so many Tory gains in Scotland, Alex Salmond and Angus Robertson losing there seats is massive.

For Labour, Corbyn needs the support of every other party whereas May only needs the DUP.

The Tories managed to wipe out a majority of over 3000 down to about 500 in constituency

I dont fully understand it enough, I will leave the politics to people like Adrian to explain

https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/44770/...f+violence

More on the DUP.

The less said about Arlene Foster, the better.
I would recommend reading about the Green Energy fiasco.

Wouldn't be happy with the DUP to be honest, very, very controversial. They have insisted on blocking equal marriage rights consistently for the last five years in Northern Ireland.

Lisabela Zxywhiddm Marschild's "Space Navies Party" received 81 votes in Blaydon.




...what

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(09 Jun 2017, 9:44 am)Andreos1 wrote https://socialistworker.co.uk/art/44770/...f+violence

More on the DUP.

The less said about Arlene Foster, the better.
I would recommend reading about the Green Energy fiasco.

Isn't that what brought Stormont to it's knees earlier this with the Shinners walking out of Government.

How will Sinn Fein react to the DUP being able to seemingly hold May to Ransom? They cant be any kind of excitement from them at that prospect.

So when do people think the next Election will be? 6 months, 1 year, cant see this Parliament going till 2020 or 2022

When will Tory Backbenchers declare no confidence in Mrs May?

I think Jeremy Corbyn is now in a position if he holds on, he could win an election in the next 6-12 months, or at least become the largest party in a hung parliament

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(09 Jun 2017, 10:46 am)Jamie M wrote Lisabela Zxywhiddm Marschild's "Space Navies Party" received 81 votes in Blaydon.




...what

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I forgot about that.

Here's her election literature....

(09 Jun 2017, 10:54 am)Andreos1 wrote I forgot about that.

Here's her election literature....

I thought it was an invitation to a kid's party or something when it came through the door.

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(09 Jun 2017, 10:50 am)MrFozz wrote Isn't that what brought Stormont to it's knees earlier this with the Shinners walking out of Government.

How will Sinn Fein react to the DUP being able to seemingly hold May to Ransom? They cant be any kind of excitement from them at that prospect.

So when do people think the next Election will be? 6 months, 1 year, cant see this Parliament going till 2020 or 2022

When will Tory Backbenchers declare no confidence in Mrs May?

I think Jeremy Corbyn is now in a position if he holds on, he could win an election in the next 6-12 months, or at least become the largest party in a hung parliament

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A few MP's have said they think May should stand down. I think Anna Soubry was one.


We will find out what Sinn Fein think in a moment. They're about to hold a press conference.

And yes, Arlene Foster's energy scheme is the reason they gave for standin down earlier in the year.

(09 Jun 2017, 11:22 am)Jamie M wrote I thought it was an invitation to a kid's party or something when it came through the door.

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In the area I live the local looney, sorry - independent candidate, was Barbara Fielding. I nearly choked on my cornflakes when her campaign leaflet landed on my door mat last week. 'Vote Barbara Fielding to regain our white European supremacy'.

It's fantastic we live in a society where we are all free to express our views through democracy, but where do you draw the line? By dictating what people can say during an election you'll be damaging the principles of democracy? Do we just have to trust people won't vote for a bona-fide fruit loop? Perhaps not, as 210 people voted for Babs - up from 131 since February (the by-election caused by Tristram Hunt's resignation). 

Her 'manifesto' is good for a laugh - and potentially a cry:

https://abolishmcrm.com/party-constituti...manifesto/

I'm surprised she hasn't been picked up by the media more - not that we should ever let her think her views have any legitimacy.

In my opinion this was a fantastic night for Labour, and more importantly, a huge rejection of austerity and cuts from the electorate. They're sick of it, and a man that everyone had ruled down and out, has managed to engage a nation. His policies reached far and wide, they reached what people really felt, and for the first time, they got young adults amongst us to get involved in politics and vote. Turnout was high across the board.

Theresa May is finished. She has had to scrape the barrel and work with the DUP, as not even the Liberals would work with her now. She will be humiliated a couple of times in the Commons, and then confirm what we've known all along - she is no more "strong and stable" than a wet paper bag.

Labour need to keep building this momentum, because I don't think we will even have to wait 12 months to do this all over again.

(09 Jun 2017, 8:39 pm)Adrian wrote In my opinion this was a fantastic night for Labour, and more importantly, a huge rejection of austerity and cuts from the electorate. They're sick of it, and a man that everyone had ruled down and out, has managed to engage a nation. His policies reached far and wide, they reached what people really felt, and for the first time, they got young adults amongst us to get involved in politics and vote. Turnout was high across the board.

Theresa May is finished. She has had to scrape the barrel and work with the DUP, as not even the Liberals would work with her now. She will be humiliated a couple of times in the Commons, and then confirm what we've known all along - she is no more "strong and stable" than a wet paper bag.

Labour need to keep building this momentum, because I don't think we will even have to wait 12 months to do this all over again.

Quoting my mate here Theresa May Strong and Stable actually weak and wobbly

It didn't take people long - spotted this on Twitter earlier: https://twitter.com/Jfarrers/status/873261514144272384

(09 Jun 2017, 9:02 pm)Adrian wrote It didn't take people long - spotted this on Twitter earlier: https://twitter.com/Jfarrers/status/873261514144272384

They're a scary bunch and I won't be surprised if the Tories us them to punish us for voting all wrong.

I saw someone describe their manifesto as the Bible with added bin collections. I'll not be best pleased if they start trying to stick their evil beaks into our relationships and reproductive rights.

(10 Jun 2017, 9:48 am)BusLoverMum wrote They're a scary bunch and I won't be surprised if the Tories us them to punish us for voting all wrong.

I saw someone describe their manifesto as the Bible with added bin collections. I'll not be best pleased if they start trying to stick their evil beaks into our relationships and reproductive rights.

Yeah they are. They're a real dangerous bunch.

Sinn Fein are claiming that the Tory/DUP deal is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, so that one should be interesting to follow!

(10 Jun 2017, 10:51 am)Adrian wrote Yeah they are. They're a real dangerous bunch.

Sinn Fein are claiming that the Tory/DUP deal is in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, so that one should be interesting to follow!

It is. Part of the GFA is that the UK government remains impartial and does nothing to appear to favour either side in NI.

(10 Jun 2017, 1:52 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It is. Part of the GFA is that the UK government remains impartial and does nothing to appear to favour either side in NI.

Was that Impartiality not meant for Stormont only???

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(10 Jun 2017, 2:20 pm)MrFozz wrote Was that Impartiality not meant for Stormont only???

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Well... It's all a bit delicate, already
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/pol...19106.html

This is an excellent post about how delicate the situation in NI is and how inflammatory the DUP's alliance with the Tories could be
http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/06/09/will...sinn-fein/

(10 Jun 2017, 7:44 pm)BusLoverMum wrote This is an excellent post about how delicate the situation in NI is and how inflammatory the DUP's alliance with the Tories could be
http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/06/09/will...sinn-fein/

The problem as I understand it is this...

To get Stormont back on track, the British and Irish Governments were to mediate between Sinn Fein and the DUP. The problem now being tje DUP are effectively in bed with the Government, so how can they remain impartial.

Could the answer not be, simply send somebody else to mediate, maybe her majesties opposition or have another outside government come in and mediate with the Irish to get Stormont.

Just makes it harder with the DUP now working with the Tories.

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(10 Jun 2017, 8:10 pm)MrFozz wrote The problem as I understand it is this...

To get Stormont back on track, the British and Irish Governments were to mediate between Sinn Fein and the DUP. The problem now being tje DUP are effectively in bed with the Government, so how can they remain impartial.

Could the answer not be, simply send somebody else to mediate, maybe her majesties opposition or have another outside government come in and mediate with the Irish to get Stormont.

Just makes it harder with the DUP now working with the Tories.

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The real problem comes if Stormont don't get back on track. If that happens, then all the devolved NI assembly responsibilities go back to Westminster. DUP would love that outcome, anyhow, but it wouldn't be in any way satisfactory for Sinn Fein. So that situation could end up with everyone back at square one, anyhow, but now DUP hold the balance of power at Westminster and the Conservatives will be doing everything they can to keep them onside.

The fact that such a high proportion of the NI population still votes along sectarian lines, regardless of the various regressive policies both the main parties have (Sinn Fein are actually socially more moderate than DUP as Ireland is socially more liberal than NI) and regardless of the push for more progressive party politics from some small groups (eg the Alliance party, who are affiliated with the lib dems) illustrates how so many people simply are not ready to let go and move on. There is still too much pain and there are probably still people alive who were born before the original, 1920, Bloody Sunday any many many others will be steeped in that history via their own parents and grandparents who will have been there, at the time.

(09 Jun 2017, 10:05 am)LeeCalder wrote Wouldn't be happy with the DUP to be honest, very, very controversial. They have insisted on blocking equal marriage rights consistently for the last five years in Northern Ireland.

There's a few Question Time clips online of various DUP represtatives getting eaten alive on this issue.

DUP are now saying a deal has not been done yet and talks are ongoing...

Sounds like a clusterf**k coming out of No.10 atm

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Deals are done...then there not, seems like Theresa Mays position is becoming more untenable by the hour...

Seems clear to me, I would not trust her to take care of a dog right now, never mind a country.

It pains me to say so and I am in mo way a supporter of the Labour Party, I am warming more to Jeremy Corbyn, and I believe right now, he is the only man capable of running the country

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(10 Jun 2017, 11:37 pm)MrFozz wrote DUP are now saying a deal has not been done yet and talks are ongoing...

Sounds like a clusterf**k coming out of No.10 atm

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Deals are done...then there not, seems like Theresa Mays position is becoming more untenable by the hour...

Seems clear to me, I would not trust her to take care of a dog right now, never mind a country.

It pains me to say so and I am in mo way a supporter of the Labour Party, I am warming more to Jeremy Corbyn, and I believe right now, he is the only man capable of running the country

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I agree with everything you say, entirely.

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(10 Jun 2017, 11:37 pm)MrFozz wrote DUP are now saying a deal has not been done yet and talks are ongoing...

Sounds like a clusterf**k coming out of No.10 atm

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---

Deals are done...then there not, seems like Theresa Mays position is becoming more untenable by the hour...

Seems clear to me, I would not trust her to take care of a dog right now, never mind a country.

It pains me to say so and I am in mo way a supporter of the Labour Party, I am warming more to Jeremy Corbyn, and I believe right now, he is the only man capable of running the country

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Yes, I've never quite been sure of him and I certainly don't agree with everything he says, but there is something rather zen and steadfast about him.

And he can eat food without looking awkward!

I'd always thought that Guy Opperman was a bit of a git, but this sums him up for me - http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/sh...r-10744548

Robbed blindly by the Government in broad daylight, then having an Apprenticeship suggested to you, in order to go someway to filling that gap left behind.

https://twitter.com/Redlabour2016/status...6457942021

Poor Phil! 

(30 Jul 2017, 7:59 pm)Adrian wrote https://twitter.com/Redlabour2016/status...6457942021

Poor Phil! 

The comments are ace. I couldn't bring myself to vote for him. He burnt his bridges with me a while back.

So, we have a local council election coming up.

We've heard from the first candidate - Maurice Brown. Lives in the ward and stand for "local jobs, for local people". He clearly believes strongly in this principle because it's stated in bold type on the glossy leaflet he had printed in Southend-on-sea.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/jere...31961.html

An interesting read.