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Re: Well. snoopcester Send a noteboard - 14/05/2010 02:58:57 PM
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:P

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"
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How to live with the Tories - 13/05/2010 12:33:49 PM 959 Views
Her 101 reasons to love our Tory government was even better. - 13/05/2010 12:42:39 PM 622 Views
That was excellent - 13/05/2010 12:48:34 PM 565 Views
That has been used a few times now - 13/05/2010 01:27:50 PM 520 Views
Oh, well, it was new to me. - 13/05/2010 01:36:13 PM 553 Views
I do like one of the comments especially - 13/05/2010 07:03:15 PM 517 Views
I agree. - 13/05/2010 07:11:40 PM 587 Views
What an even-handed, stereotype-free, and balanced piece of journalism. *NM* - 13/05/2010 02:07:35 PM 294 Views
Yup. *NM* - 13/05/2010 02:09:35 PM 274 Views
Oh, come on. It's a humourous column. - 13/05/2010 02:23:16 PM 604 Views
Re: Oh, come on. It's a humourous column. - 13/05/2010 02:30:41 PM 645 Views
Just politely ask them to leave. - 13/05/2010 02:16:53 PM 511 Views
You'll survive - 13/05/2010 02:54:20 PM 571 Views
Your partisanship is getting annoying, actually. - 13/05/2010 06:55:28 PM 694 Views
I'm Rebekah and I endorse this comment. - 13/05/2010 08:10:03 PM 588 Views
While everyone is entitled to their opinion - 13/05/2010 08:28:59 PM 649 Views
Re: While everyone is entitled to their opinion - 13/05/2010 09:28:36 PM 582 Views
I'm sorry I care about politics. - 13/05/2010 08:45:26 PM 635 Views
It's easy to complain. Actually doing something is rather more difficult. *NM* - 13/05/2010 10:17:47 PM 260 Views
What do you suggest I do, pray tell? *NM* - 13/05/2010 10:19:30 PM 244 Views
Learn how to live with people who disagree with you. - 13/05/2010 10:21:08 PM 537 Views
Oh, come on. - 13/05/2010 10:29:38 PM 654 Views
Do you really spell it "superiour" in Britain? That's wonderful. - 13/05/2010 10:37:21 PM 680 Views
Pretty please with sugar on top - 13/05/2010 10:50:48 PM 607 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 583 Views
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 569 Views
Re: Yeah, um, that wasn't me. - 13/05/2010 11:11:04 PM 574 Views
I don't mind transference of anger, but let's keep my quotes accurate at least. - 13/05/2010 11:15:37 PM 573 Views
See, this is what I find offensive - 13/05/2010 11:21:28 PM 566 Views
Fair enough. It was unfair of me to use "learn." - 13/05/2010 11:30:34 PM 561 Views
Re: Fair enough. It was unfair of me to use "learn." - 13/05/2010 11:32:29 PM 553 Views
That's kind of my point, though. - 13/05/2010 11:33:51 PM 520 Views
Two posts in three days about a new Government in the country? - 13/05/2010 11:18:06 PM 576 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 559 Views
I could be Tory enough for both of us, if you like. - 13/05/2010 11:45:41 PM 567 Views
Sorry. But I can't bring myself to vote for 'that bloody party' - 13/05/2010 11:48:26 PM 541 Views
Re: Sorry. But I can't bring myself to vote for 'that bloody party' - 13/05/2010 11:54:10 PM 565 Views
I hereby invite myself to the said discussion. *NM* - 14/05/2010 12:13:34 PM 234 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
On the comparison. - 14/05/2010 01:08:17 PM 595 Views
Re: On the comparison. - 14/05/2010 01:56:00 PM 566 Views
Not for a good few centuries. *NM* - 14/05/2010 12:19:36 PM 290 Views
They were not delivered condescendingly. I am sorry you took it as such. - 13/05/2010 11:50:23 PM 522 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 591 Views
Re: Eh, another time then. - 14/05/2010 12:04:12 AM 580 Views
Oh well. - 14/05/2010 02:48:51 AM 609 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 515 Views
If both, theoretically, will abuse power, then - 13/05/2010 11:54:53 PM 583 Views
Re: If both, theoretically, will abuse power, then - 13/05/2010 11:58:17 PM 571 Views
If not a fan of Labour and not a fan of Tory, then - 14/05/2010 12:01:37 AM 604 Views
Re: If not a fan of Labour and not a fan of Tory, then - 14/05/2010 12:06:56 AM 602 Views
Thing is, - 13/05/2010 11:55:17 PM 561 Views
Re: Thing is, - 13/05/2010 11:59:58 PM 664 Views
- 14/05/2010 12:01:42 AM 606 Views
Re: - 14/05/2010 12:05:15 AM 607 Views
Lets be honest - 14/05/2010 12:11:44 AM 600 Views
True fact. *NM* - 14/05/2010 12:12:36 AM 282 Views
Very true, however - 14/05/2010 03:54:21 PM 633 Views
Surely a good part of that is just humour, though? - 14/05/2010 12:25:21 AM 508 Views
Part of it, yes. - 14/05/2010 08:43:12 AM 593 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 626 Views
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 565 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 677 Views
Well. - 14/05/2010 01:47:29 PM 1013 Views
Re: Well. - 14/05/2010 02:58:57 PM 948 Views
It's the only way to judge a political party - 14/05/2010 04:10:26 PM 519 Views

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