It seems to me that the magazine likes to throw tanties when people are not doing what it likes. It's difficult to take them seriously.
I've not noticed it but I am not exactly a regular reader, I just see the odd article and opinion piece linked elsewhere which usually seem okay, if clearly written from a different bias to my own.
Also: being reform minded and Eurosceptical are hardly characteristics belonging only to Maggie Thatcher. It's rather infantile to suggest that they are, and that comment you quoted reeks of hyperbole.
Not as stand alone features but it is a definite leaning that way within the British political landscape to the Thatcherite "way" and being reformed minded (in the conservative sense) and Eurosceptical are probably two of the most obvious Thatcherite indicators.
I really don't think it is infantile, partly hyperbolic possibly though as he was trying to justify why his view of the party was right.
I've been reading a little more, and I don't think it's as bad as it seemed at first.
The first point against the hysteria is that it isn't about votes of no confidence, which Labour etc are saying it is. The no confidence set up stays at 50% +1.
The 55% is for dissolving the parliament and calling a new election. Seems a tolerable move if you want fixed terms. However, I agree that it certainly seems to be a somewhat desperate grab to retain power should the coalition crumble. Curious, though, that the Lib Dems are so happy to support it when really it would be about keeping power in the Conservatives' hands.
I think the Lib Dems are for it because it makes it really hard for the Tories to screw them on this and call a new election if their numbers look good - without Tory votes it is impossible to force an election but without Labout or Lib Dem votes it is impossible for the Tories to call one as well.
It should make it almost impossible for one party to pull a fast one.
The problem, which is a really big one for me, is that it seems to make sure of a Tory government for the next five years, come what may - if the Lib Dems want out, the Tories can battle on as a minority government and there is nothing that can be done to actually force the issue even if a majority want to. I'm really not a fan of that
Re fixed terms: 5 years is definitely too long. Maybe 4 or 4.5 would be better.
I agree on that, I would guess it is the trade off for agreeing to fixed terms - if Cameron was going to give up the power to call elections when it best suited the party, it does make sense to stay in for as long as possible. It is something that should be properly reviewed by an independent (/corss party) body and set that way.
*MySmiley*
Robert Graves "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either."
Henning Mankell "We must defend the open society, because if we start locking our doors, if we let fear decide, the person who committed the act of terror will win"
Robert Graves "There is no money in poetry, but then there is no poetry in money, either."
Henning Mankell "We must defend the open society, because if we start locking our doors, if we let fear decide, the person who committed the act of terror will win"
How to live with the Tories
13/05/2010 12:33:49 PM
- 960 Views
Her 101 reasons to love our Tory government was even better.
13/05/2010 12:42:39 PM
- 625 Views
What an even-handed, stereotype-free, and balanced piece of journalism. *NM*
13/05/2010 02:07:35 PM
- 294 Views
Your partisanship is getting annoying, actually.
13/05/2010 06:55:28 PM
- 695 Views
I'm sorry I care about politics.
13/05/2010 08:45:26 PM
- 636 Views
It's easy to complain. Actually doing something is rather more difficult. *NM*
13/05/2010 10:17:47 PM
- 261 Views
What do you suggest I do, pray tell? *NM*
13/05/2010 10:19:30 PM
- 245 Views
Learn how to live with people who disagree with you.
13/05/2010 10:21:08 PM
- 538 Views
Oh, come on.
13/05/2010 10:29:38 PM
- 655 Views
Do you really spell it "superiour" in Britain? That's wonderful.
13/05/2010 10:37:21 PM
- 682 Views
Pretty please with sugar on top
13/05/2010 10:50:48 PM
- 608 Views
Meh. That wasn't meant to be condescending. I never expected the ou to enter that word, is all.
13/05/2010 11:02:11 PM
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Re: Meh. That wasn't meant to be condescending. I never expected the ou to enter that word, is all.
13/05/2010 11:03:42 PM
- 535 Views
Yeah, um, that wasn't me.
13/05/2010 11:08:48 PM
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Re: Yeah, um, that wasn't me.
13/05/2010 11:11:04 PM
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I don't mind transference of anger, but let's keep my quotes accurate at least.
13/05/2010 11:15:37 PM
- 576 Views
See, this is what I find offensive
13/05/2010 11:21:28 PM
- 567 Views
Fair enough. It was unfair of me to use "learn."
13/05/2010 11:30:34 PM
- 561 Views
Two posts in three days about a new Government in the country?
13/05/2010 11:18:06 PM
- 578 Views
This is so true
13/05/2010 11:29:30 PM
- 556 Views
Re: This is so true
13/05/2010 11:36:44 PM
- 561 Views
Sorry. But I can't bring myself to vote for 'that bloody party'
13/05/2010 11:48:26 PM
- 543 Views
Re: Sorry. But I can't bring myself to vote for 'that bloody party'
13/05/2010 11:54:10 PM
- 566 Views
I certainly wouldn't go that far. Nowhere near. *NM*
13/05/2010 11:43:20 PM
- 287 Views
On the comparison or on you people's spelling? *NM*
14/05/2010 12:13:42 AM
- 259 Views
They were not delivered condescendingly. I am sorry you took it as such.
13/05/2010 11:50:23 PM
- 523 Views
Re: They were not delivered condescendingly. I am sorry you took it as such.
13/05/2010 11:53:08 PM
- 566 Views
Eh, another time then.
13/05/2010 11:56:21 PM
- 593 Views
I was gonna make a post with precisely the same title as Camilla's. So: Oh, come on.
13/05/2010 10:43:12 PM
- 678 Views
Re: I was gonna make a post with precisely the same title as Camilla's. So: Oh, come on.
13/05/2010 10:59:28 PM
- 574 Views
Re: I was gonna make a post with precisely the same title as Camilla's. So: Oh, come on.
13/05/2010 11:16:07 PM
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I dunno. It looks to me that's what Balwer was saying with his flogged horse comment.
13/05/2010 11:18:30 PM
- 522 Views
I'm sorry you care more about your own political agenda than about trying to see a party in power
13/05/2010 11:44:32 PM
- 495 Views
You think Tories won't go proto-Orwellian on you?
13/05/2010 11:46:45 PM
- 517 Views
If both, theoretically, will abuse power, then
13/05/2010 11:54:53 PM
- 586 Views
Re: If both, theoretically, will abuse power, then
13/05/2010 11:58:17 PM
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Thing is,
13/05/2010 11:55:17 PM
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Re: Thing is,
13/05/2010 11:59:58 PM
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A date "in a year's time" will be easy to remember. We have Scottish elections on 5 May 2011.
14/05/2010 12:12:26 PM
- 489 Views
People are saying it because those with a good knowledge of the party are telling them that.
14/05/2010 11:40:25 AM
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Re: People are saying it because those with a good knowledge of the party are telling them that.
14/05/2010 01:05:44 PM
- 567 Views
Re: People are saying it because those with a good knowledge of the party are telling them that.
14/05/2010 01:28:38 PM
- 678 Views