Snap General Election Called

[BacktoDemocracy]

48 minutes ago, BritChickx said:

I liked old cleggy but I along with other young people felt betrayed by the tuition fee thing i voted for them in 2010. In hindsight that isnt fair cos i realised they did more than I thought and didnt get any credit for it. I hope their reputation recovers now. I felt bad for clegg losing his sheffield seat.

The students did for him.

[newjez]

2 hours ago, BacktoDemocracy said:

Why do so many Brits villify students, does everyone think that being a student is just some sinecure, so many of them are so stressed they just drop out and still have debt and nothing to show for it, many are having to produce assignments every 2 weeks on top of lectures, they have to get a 1:2 as a minum and now if they want to get into a GOOD job they need a Masters and then they get a good job they start paying off 50,000 worth of debt and if they get a job like teaching they don't earn enough to have to pay but that debt is always there which affects their ability to borrow, so with all of those pressures is it any wonder that they haven't bothered to vote, who were they going to vote for that made any difference for them.

It will only affect their ability to borrow by it's impact on their income. It is a tax, not a debt in the true sense of the word.

[amibovered]

The Tories had a bad result, the undeniable fact is Labour did worse, 5 years of Conservative government, for better or worse.  

[ScottieGirl]

12 hours ago, Slean Wolfhead said:

So what is the process now? 

Just seen on the news that the Good Friday agreement specifically states that the UK Government shall be impartial (and the wording is absolutely crystal clear).  This would mean that the DUP deal, which they now say they haven't agreed to, should be legitimately binned by Parliament upon reading of the Queen's speech, and then Corbyn should be given a chance to form a Government (and it is either agreed to or not...)  or we go for another election?

Corbyn can't get the numbers, unless the DUP and SF side with him which seems u likely so it will have to be another election. 

[ScottieGirl]

23 hours ago, newjez said:

I have this image in my head that won't go away. Theresa May in a straight jacket in a rubber room, mumbling like a parrot, strong and stable, strong and stable, strong and stable....

I believe you can take medication for that.

[ScottieGirl]

On Saturday, June 10, 2017 at 03:17, Parley said:

How come you have all these novelty candidates in the UK like Elmo, Mr Fish Finger, and other joke candidates ?

It was a bit weird seeing Theresa May give her acceptance speech standing alongside Elmo from Sesame Street.

 

We don't have that in Australia.

Oh yes you do. Last time I voted there were over 20 candidates.  The shooters and lifestyle party caught my eye, no idea what the manifesto was probably the right to bear arms whilst drunk as a skunk.

[Parley]

36 minutes ago, ScottieGirl said:

Oh yes you do. Last time I voted there were over 20 candidates.  The shooters and lifestyle party caught my eye, no idea what the manifesto was probably the right to bear arms whilst drunk as a skunk.

They are legitimate parties though.

Not like Elmo or Fish Finger Man.

[Gbye grey sky]

13 hours ago, Slean Wolfhead said:

So what is the process now? 

Just seen on the news that the Good Friday agreement specifically states that the UK Government shall be impartial (and the wording is absolutely crystal clear).  This would mean that the DUP deal, which they now say they haven't agreed to, should be legitimately binned by Parliament upon reading of the Queen's speech, and then Corbyn should be given a chance to form a Government (and it is either agreed to or not...)  or we go for another election?

May, or her successor, can still lead a minority government. So long as she can get the Queens speach voted through.  All opposition would have to gang up to defeat it.  The problem for minority governments is that small factions within the ruling party gain disproportionate influence over policy.

And there cannot be a worse time for a weak minority government than now.

It looks like an election re-run is inevitable really.  The Tories will know they are facing defeat with May or without so will try to hang on and brazen it out.

One thing for sure is that they will need a different strategy to the "Corbyn is a supporter of terrorism" tactic that they rallied behind last time.  Strong and stable isn't going to cut it either.

[ScottieGirl]

5 minutes ago, Parley said:

They are legitimate parties though.

Not like Elmo or Fish Finger Man.

Depends on your definition of legitimate  I guess.

[BacktoDemocracy]

2 hours ago, newjez said:

It will only affect their ability to borrow by it's impact on their income. It is a tax, not a debt in the true sense of the word.

According to the FCA in 2014 student loan debt is considered when applying for a mortgage

[Parley]

29 minutes ago, ScottieGirl said:

Depends on your definition of legitimate  I guess.

There are lots of parties around single issues like The Shooters party.

Or UKIP for that matter.

Hardly the same thing though.

[newjez]

2 hours ago, BacktoDemocracy said:

According to the FCA in 2014 student loan debt is considered when applying for a mortgage

It is considered as an effect on income, but the size of debt is not considered. Obviously the size of debt is relevant if the debt is to be fully paid, as this will have a variable effect on income. But for student debts which will never be repaid because they go beyond 30 years, the size of debt becomes irrelevant. If you are never going to repay your student debt, it is not in your interest to reduce it.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes#creditfile

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-2646007/Student-loan-debt-IS-considered-applying-mortgage.html

http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/finance/could-a-student-loan-block-your-mortgage-application.html

[simmo]

[simmo]

http://www.irishnews.com/news/2015/09/02/news/hillary-clinton-emails-labour-sought-dup-election-pact-248668/?param=ds441rif44T

LABOUR sought support from the DUP in a bid to form a government following the Westminster election in 2010.

Newly released emails to Hillary Clinton when she was US secretary of state show the Labour Party tried to win support from the Democratic Unionists.

In a previously confidential briefing paper, US officials said then Labour leader Gordon Brown "is doing whatever he can to hold on to power".

[Collie]

Ok folks - a bit of FYI below.

I know NI politics don't get much of an airing in the UK media or that people in Britain are that interested.  First of all Britain is Scotland, Wales and England.  The UK is Britain & NI.

Per the terms of the Good Friday agreement, the British government (& the NI secretary of the day) are meant to act as an independent broker between the two communities in Northern Ireland.  A position that took a lot for the the nationalists in the North to accept given the history of the security forces in the north and history of collusion with loyalist paramilitaries etc.

The NI secretary cannot possibly act in an independent manner if the British government is reliant on one party for survival.  That party would have leverage on the arbitraitor - either real or perceived.  The nationalist community in the north would not accept it and possibly neither would the ROI government, both key contributors to the peace and agreement.  The Tories are potentially risking a fragile peace in Northern Ireland for their own selfish needs.

A solution may be the replacement of the NI secretary as the independent arbitraitor either by somebody in Dublin (DUP would love that :)) or potentially an international figure.  This is a change to the Good Friday agreement.

By the way, - The DUP favour a soft Brexit and remaining in the cusoms union.  they want an open border with the south to perserve the extensive trade between north and south  The DUP have a lot of farmers who rely on the EU CAP for their income.  There are a lot of people who live in one jurisdiction and work in the other.  Many businesses serve customers on both sides of the border and could have people who cross the border several times per day.

Also Arlene Foster is the subject of a public inquiry in the North and is the reason the power sharing arrangements collapsed earlier this year.  All the others parties in the North (UUP, Alliance, SDLP and SF) have called for her to go.  SF have refused to go back in as long as she remains their leader.

Edited June 12, 2017 by Collie

[BacktoDemocracy]

2 hours ago, Collie said:

Ok folks - a bit of FYI below.

I know NI politics don't get much of an airing in the UK media or that people in Britain are that interested.  First of all Britain is Scotland, Wales and England.  The UK is Britain & NI.

Per the terms of the Good Friday agreement, the British government (& the NI secretary of the day) are meant to act as an independent broker between the two communities in Northern Ireland.  A position that took a lot for the the nationalists in the North to accept given the history of the security forces in the north and history of collusion with loyalist paramilitaries etc.

The NI secretary cannot possibly act in an independent manner if the British government is reliant on one party for survival.  That party would have leverage on the arbitraitor - either real or perceived.  The nationalist community in the north would not accept it and possibly neither would the ROI government, both key contributors to the peace and agreement.  The Tories are potentially risking a fragile peace in Northern Ireland for their own selfish needs.

A solution may be the replacement of the NI secretary as the independent arbitraitor either by somebody in Dublin (DUP would love that :)) or potentially an international figure.  This is a change to the Good Friday agreement.

By the way, - The DUP favour a soft Brexit and remaining in the cusoms union.  they want an open border with the south to perserve the extensive trade between north and south  The DUP have a lot of farmers who rely on the EU CAP for their income.  There are a lot of people who live in one jurisdiction and work in the other.  Many businesses serve customers on both sides of the border and could have people who cross the border several times per day.

Also Arlene Foster is the subject of a public inquiry in the North and is the reason the power sharing arrangements collapsed earlier this year.  All the others parties in the North (UUP, Alliance, SDLP and SF) have called for her to go.  SF have refused to go back in as long as she remains their leader.

And how long before that becomes public knowledge and becomes a  major problem/barrier to this charade continuing.

Will SF start to kick up a fuss or will it be a couple of bombs before the realisation dawns.

[VERYSTORMY]

2 hours ago, Collie said:

Ok folks - a bit of FYI below.

I know NI politics don't get much of an airing in the UK media or that people in Britain are that interested.  First of all Britain is Scotland, Wales and England.  The UK is Britain & NI.

Per the terms of the Good Friday agreement, the British government (& the NI secretary of the day) are meant to act as an independent broker between the two communities in Northern Ireland.  A position that took a lot for the the nationalists in the North to accept given the history of the security forces in the north and history of collusion with loyalist paramilitaries etc.

The NI secretary cannot possibly act in an independent manner if the British government is reliant on one party for survival.  That party would have leverage on the arbitraitor - either real or perceived.  The nationalist community in the north would not accept it and possibly neither would the ROI government, both key contributors to the peace and agreement.  The Tories are potentially risking a fragile peace in Northern Ireland for their own selfish needs.

A solution may be the replacement of the NI secretary as the independent arbitraitor either by somebody in Dublin (DUP would love that :)) or potentially an international figure.  This is a change to the Good Friday agreement.

By the way, - The DUP favour a soft Brexit and remaining in the cusoms union.  they want an open border with the south to perserve the extensive trade between north and south  The DUP have a lot of farmers who rely on the EU CAP for their income.  There are a lot of people who live in one jurisdiction and work in the other.  Many businesses serve customers on both sides of the border and could have people who cross the border several times per day.

Also Arlene Foster is the subject of a public inquiry in the North and is the reason the power sharing arrangements collapsed earlier this year.  All the others parties in the North (UUP, Alliance, SDLP and SF) have called for her to go.  SF have refused to go back in as long as she remains their leader.

I would not say they want a soft Brexit. They have stated what they want is to leave the single market - regarded as a hard Brexit, but to maintain an open border with Ireland. A bit of a conundrum as to how that would work and they haven't offered any idea on how that would work. The manifesto states it wants and end to the supremacy of the EU court and the right for the UK to make its own trade deals. That would require leaving the single market.

[Gbye grey sky]

17 minutes ago, VERYSTORMY said:

I would not say they want a soft Brexit. They have stated what they want is to leave the single market - regarded as a hard Brexit, but to maintain an open border with Ireland. A bit of a conundrum as to how that would work and they haven't offered any idea on how that would work. The manifesto states it wants and end to the supremacy of the EU court and the right for the UK to make its own trade deals. That would require leaving the single market.

Sounds similar to Boris's comment about Britain having it's cake and eat it.

[Phenol]

12 minutes ago, Gbye grey sky said:

Sounds similar to Boris's comment about Britain having it's cake and eat it.

 

32 minutes ago, VERYSTORMY said:

I would not say they want a soft Brexit. They have stated what they want is to leave the single market - regarded as a hard Brexit, but to maintain an open border with Ireland. A bit of a conundrum as to how that would work and they haven't offered any idea on how that would work. The manifesto states it wants and end to the supremacy of the EU court and the right for the UK to make its own trade deals. That would require leaving the single market.

This comment is dripping with irony. 

[kungfustu]

19 hours ago, BacktoDemocracy said:

Why do so many Brits villify students, does everyone think that being a student is just some sinecure, so many of them are so stressed they just drop out and still have debt and nothing to show for it, many are having to produce assignments every 2 weeks on top of lectures, they have to get a 1:2 as a minum and now if they want to get into a GOOD job they need a Masters and then they get a good job they start paying off 50,000 worth of debt and if they get a job like teaching they don't earn enough to have to pay but that debt is always there which affects their ability to borrow, so with all of those pressures is it any wonder that they haven't bothered to vote, who were they going to vote for that made any difference for them.

The loan is wiped out after 30 years......doesn't matter how much they have or have not paid back......they only start paying when they start earning and it has to be over 21k before they start paying......the loans do not show on their "credit file" so unless asked on application forms they do not have to reveal their student loans......it also only affects their ability to pay back when making mortgage applications, not how much they can borrow. Hope this helps.

[Collie]

1 hour ago, VERYSTORMY said:

I would not say they want a soft Brexit. They have stated what they want is to leave the single market - regarded as a hard Brexit, but to maintain an open border with Ireland. A bit of a conundrum as to how that would work and they haven't offered any idea on how that would work. The manifesto states it wants and end to the supremacy of the EU court and the right for the UK to make its own trade deals. That would require leaving the single market.

Your comment is inaccurate, although they do have a history of contradicting themselves.

 

Who are the DUP and will they demand a soft Brexit to prop up the Tories?:24

 

•  Laura Hughes, political correspondent 

12 JUNE 2017 • 12:43PM

Theresa May is understood to be in talks with the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland about forming a minority Government in a move that makes a "hard Brexit" significantly less likely.

The Prime Minister is expected to make a statement on the steps of Downing Street later today as she seeks to reach an agreement which would seen the DUP prop up the Conservatives.

Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, is keen to avoid a hard border with Ireland and has spoken against a "hard Brexit." 

She has said: “No-one wants to see a ‘hard’ Brexit, what we want to see is a workable plan to leave the European Union, and that’s what the national vote was about – therefore we need to get on with that.

“However, we need to do it in a way that respects the specific circumstances of Northern Ireland, and, of course, our shared history and geography with the Republic of Ireland.

"No-one wants to see a hard border, Sinn Fein talk about it a lot, but nobody wants a hard border.

“Certainly that’s not what the Dublin government want to see, not what the London government wants to see and not what Stormont want to see.”

The DUP could also force the Conservatives to abandon two of their most controversial manifesto pledges - scrapping the "triple lock" rise in the state pension and means testing winter fuel payments.

Northern Ireland voted Remain by a majority of 56 per cent to 44 per cent on June 23 last year, although some large mainly unionist areas did vote for Brexit. 

It has been warned that a hardening of the border, which has become virtually invisible as a result of Ireland's peace process, could threaten peace and prosperity on the island.

The DUP is the largest unionist political party in Northern Ireland but one of the smaller parties in the House of Commons.

They have now become very important in a scenario where no one party has an overall majority.

Founded by Ian Paisley and now led by Ms Foster, it is the largest party in the Northern Ireland Assembly and the fifth-largest party in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.

Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP's chief whip, said this morning that the the DUP was willing to talk with the Conservatives in the event of a hung parliament.

He told the BBC: "This is perfect territory for the DUP because obviously if the Conservatives are just short of an overall majority it puts us in a very strong negotiating position.

"Certainly that is one we would take up with relish", he said.

He also pledged to continue to lend his party's support to the Conservatives on issues such as Brexit. 

Edited June 12, 2017 by Collie

[newjez]

2 hours ago, VERYSTORMY said:

I would not say they want a soft Brexit. They have stated what they want is to leave the single market - regarded as a hard Brexit, but to maintain an open border with Ireland. A bit of a conundrum as to how that would work and they haven't offered any idea on how that would work. The manifesto states it wants and end to the supremacy of the EU court and the right for the UK to make its own trade deals. That would require leaving the single market.

No, customs union would be sufficient.

It would be nice if we had generic definitions for all these things.

[Collie]

 

REVEALED: The List Of DUP Demands In Exchange For Helping Tories

June 12, 2017 - BREAKING NEWS, Uplifting Viral Content, WORLD NEWS

 Share

 

 

2.6KSHARES

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AS TALKS on forming a minority government continue between the DUP and Tory parties, WWN has obtained an exclusive look at the demands the DUP are making in order to keep Theresa May and her party in power.

While negotiations are ongoing, this leaked memo has given British voters and political anoraks around the world a look at some of the possible concessions the Tories will have to make in order to have the desired support for their shambolic and panicked Brexit plans.

Science

Divert all climate change research funding into building a time machine so the DUP can travel back to 1690 to witness the Battle of the Boyne, with a quick pit-stop in the 1950s along the way.

“No gay”

The brief line in the memo doesn’t go into any further detail but one could be open to speculating on its meaning. DUP, a strong opponent of frivolity and joy of any kind may be seeking to ban gaiety from all aspects of Northern Irish society.

Save Ulster from Sodomy

Ah, okay, the last point is starting to make sense after reading the subsequent 79 paragraphs. The DUP has requested abolition of all formal education in the North, replacing it instead with 12 years of training children to save Ulster from sodomy, reigniting a campaign the then Ian Paisley-led party ran in the 70s and 80s.

The Weather

Additionally, the DUP would like to install a large speaker system on the streets of Northern Ireland that plays the message ‘this is the gays’ fault’ every time it rains.

Make Protestant corruption legal

Seemingly a non-negotiable demand from the DUP, who would like to see the right kind of corruption, Protestant corruption, to be legalised so party members wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of setting up offshore bank accounts to hide money they may or may not have received as part of normal, every day, political work.

Flags/Flegs

Each newborn child would be issued with a Union Jack onesie and made to wear it throughout the first year of its life, regardless of political or religious affiliation.

Women

According to the DUP and their leader Arlene Foster, women shouldn’t be trusted as highlighted in the memo’s section entitled ‘Hmmm…women’. Improving upon current laws operating in Northern Ireland, abortion would remain illegal with the additional crimes of saying the word ‘abortion’ and thinking about abortion also outlawed.

Brexit

The key issue at the centre of the election in the first place. The issue that will define Britain for generations to come. An issue so huge, the world watches on with bated breath for even the faintest glimmer of hope that it won’t be as cataclysmic as feared. The DUP have been clear on the issue in the wake of the election, stressing that they’re not all that bothered as long as the gays aren’t happy.

The Queen

The DUP have demanded a monthly phone call from the Queen in which she says the words ‘One loves you’ at least 5 times.

Extending the July 12th parade route

The DUP are seeking to extend the parade route so it includes a stroll through Gerry Adams’s sitting room. They would also like to extend the duration of the parade from July 12th until July 11th the following year.

[newjez]

4 hours ago, Collie said:

 

REVEALED: The List Of DUP Demands In Exchange For Helping Tories

June 12, 2017 - BREAKING NEWS, Uplifting Viral Content, WORLD NEWS

 Share

 

 

2.6KSHARES

15View Comments

AS TALKS on forming a minority government continue between the DUP and Tory parties, WWN has obtained an exclusive look at the demands the DUP are making in order to keep Theresa May and her party in power.

While negotiations are ongoing, this leaked memo has given British voters and political anoraks around the world a look at some of the possible concessions the Tories will have to make in order to have the desired support for their shambolic and panicked Brexit plans.

Science

Divert all climate change research funding into building a time machine so the DUP can travel back to 1690 to witness the Battle of the Boyne, with a quick pit-stop in the 1950s along the way.

“No gay”

The brief line in the memo doesn’t go into any further detail but one could be open to speculating on its meaning. DUP, a strong opponent of frivolity and joy of any kind may be seeking to ban gaiety from all aspects of Northern Irish society.

Save Ulster from Sodomy

Ah, okay, the last point is starting to make sense after reading the subsequent 79 paragraphs. The DUP has requested abolition of all formal education in the North, replacing it instead with 12 years of training children to save Ulster from sodomy, reigniting a campaign the then Ian Paisley-led party ran in the 70s and 80s.

The Weather

Additionally, the DUP would like to install a large speaker system on the streets of Northern Ireland that plays the message ‘this is the gays’ fault’ every time it rains.

Make Protestant corruption legal

Seemingly a non-negotiable demand from the DUP, who would like to see the right kind of corruption, Protestant corruption, to be legalised so party members wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of setting up offshore bank accounts to hide money they may or may not have received as part of normal, every day, political work.

Flags/Flegs

Each newborn child would be issued with a Union Jack onesie and made to wear it throughout the first year of its life, regardless of political or religious affiliation.

Women

According to the DUP and their leader Arlene Foster, women shouldn’t be trusted as highlighted in the memo’s section entitled ‘Hmmm…women’. Improving upon current laws operating in Northern Ireland, abortion would remain illegal with the additional crimes of saying the word ‘abortion’ and thinking about abortion also outlawed.

Brexit

The key issue at the centre of the election in the first place. The issue that will define Britain for generations to come. An issue so huge, the world watches on with bated breath for even the faintest glimmer of hope that it won’t be as cataclysmic as feared. The DUP have been clear on the issue in the wake of the election, stressing that they’re not all that bothered as long as the gays aren’t happy.

The Queen

The DUP have demanded a monthly phone call from the Queen in which she says the words ‘One loves you’ at least 5 times.

Extending the July 12th parade route

The DUP are seeking to extend the parade route so it includes a stroll through Gerry Adams’s sitting room. They would also like to extend the duration of the parade from July 12th until July 11th the following year.

Does sectarian humour not come under the same umbrella as racist humour?

[simmo]

4 hours ago, Collie said:

 

REVEALED: The List Of DUP Demands In Exchange For Helping Tories

June 12, 2017 - BREAKING NEWS, Uplifting Viral Content, WORLD NEWS

 Share

 

 

2.6KSHARES

15View Comments

AS TALKS on forming a minority government continue between the DUP and Tory parties, WWN has obtained an exclusive look at the demands the DUP are making in order to keep Theresa May and her party in power.

While negotiations are ongoing, this leaked memo has given British voters and political anoraks around the world a look at some of the possible concessions the Tories will have to make in order to have the desired support for their shambolic and panicked Brexit plans.

Science

Divert all climate change research funding into building a time machine so the DUP can travel back to 1690 to witness the Battle of the Boyne, with a quick pit-stop in the 1950s along the way.

“No gay”

The brief line in the memo doesn’t go into any further detail but one could be open to speculating on its meaning. DUP, a strong opponent of frivolity and joy of any kind may be seeking to ban gaiety from all aspects of Northern Irish society.

Save Ulster from Sodomy

Ah, okay, the last point is starting to make sense after reading the subsequent 79 paragraphs. The DUP has requested abolition of all formal education in the North, replacing it instead with 12 years of training children to save Ulster from sodomy, reigniting a campaign the then Ian Paisley-led party ran in the 70s and 80s.

The Weather

Additionally, the DUP would like to install a large speaker system on the streets of Northern Ireland that plays the message ‘this is the gays’ fault’ every time it rains.

Make Protestant corruption legal

Seemingly a non-negotiable demand from the DUP, who would like to see the right kind of corruption, Protestant corruption, to be legalised so party members wouldn’t have to go to the trouble of setting up offshore bank accounts to hide money they may or may not have received as part of normal, every day, political work.

Flags/Flegs

Each newborn child would be issued with a Union Jack onesie and made to wear it throughout the first year of its life, regardless of political or religious affiliation.

Women

According to the DUP and their leader Arlene Foster, women shouldn’t be trusted as highlighted in the memo’s section entitled ‘Hmmm…women’. Improving upon current laws operating in Northern Ireland, abortion would remain illegal with the additional crimes of saying the word ‘abortion’ and thinking about abortion also outlawed.

Brexit

The key issue at the centre of the election in the first place. The issue that will define Britain for generations to come. An issue so huge, the world watches on with bated breath for even the faintest glimmer of hope that it won’t be as cataclysmic as feared. The DUP have been clear on the issue in the wake of the election, stressing that they’re not all that bothered as long as the gays aren’t happy.

The Queen

The DUP have demanded a monthly phone call from the Queen in which she says the words ‘One loves you’ at least 5 times.

Extending the July 12th parade route

The DUP are seeking to extend the parade route so it includes a stroll through Gerry Adams’s sitting room. They would also like to extend the duration of the parade from July 12th until July 11th the following year.

so you're a republican.  Who'd of guessed it.