Maggie Thatcher 2.0 wants general election on June 8th

[bobjimwilly]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39629603

going to commons vote tomorrow - should get passed, with Labour saying they want it too

[The Red Baron]

Strikes me as a high risk strategy. Even though Labour are weak I think she may be overestimating how popular the current Government is.

[rtid88]

I think it will be a complete whitewash unfortunately and will probably see the end of Corbyn as Labour leader.

[RedJ]

Wouldn't be a massive shame as he may as he's hardly been a heavyweight. I like him but he just hasn't got what it takes to lead one of the big two parties, evidently.

Massive Tory majority I think - or at least, an increased one.

[Hounslowrover]

It's the arrogance - how dare the opposition question me over my plan for Brexit (whatever it is), only the Tories know what's good for the UK and Labour go on about protecting environmental issues and workers' rights!!

[MachoMadness]

See this as an all-or-nothing gamble to strengthen her mandate for her vision of Brexit.

It will be interesting to see how the Lib Dems do as the only pro-EU party left, really.

[bobjimwilly]

she'll also be banking on previous UKIP voters to go back to the tories. Really hope Labour can get their shit together quickly but preparing for another 5 years of shit

[MachoMadness]

It will be interesting to see how the Lib Dems do as the only pro-EU party left, really.

Right on cue, Tony Blair has said he'll campaign for whoever wants to stay in the EU, so that's the Lib Dems f**ked then. Absolute banter.

[Filo]

It could end up being a kick in the teeth to the SNP up North

[Akinfenwa]

The SNP are still riding high in the polls. I don't see any reason why they should be worried. In fact, a stronger Tory hard-Brexit government will only strengthen their cause in the coming years.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

The SNP are still riding high in the polls. I don't see any reason why they should be worried. In fact, a stronger Tory hard-Brexit government will only strengthen their cause in the coming years.

Scottish Tories doing well though. Wouldn't be surprised if they Nick a few seats.

[Sprotyrover]

It's the arrogance - how dare the opposition question me over my plan for Brexit (whatever it is), only the Tories know what's good for the UK and Labour go on about protecting environmental issues and workers' rights!!


I think it's more to do with getting an increased magority to reign in the Tory rebel back benchers,Lib dems, Scots Nats and every body else trying to undermine the Governments ability to negotiate a good brexit deal.

[The Red Baron]

I don't get Labour's enthusiasm for this election, especially given that they could block it. Of course Corbyn thinks he can win (he reminds me of the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail) but how many Labour MPs and supporters think they can do so? They don't really have a coherent position on what May expects/ wants to be the main issue - how the Government manages Brexit.

I can only think that some of the MPs in particular see it as a way of getting out of politics without causing a by-election.

I can see why the Lib Dems might be more enthusiastic as almost any result would be an improvement on last time and might give them a decent base to start from in 2022.

[Yargo]

https://www.drfc-vsc.co.uk/index.php?topic=261462.msg688656#msg688656

[ballysbackin]

Continuity through all the Brexit challenges, that is my opinion BUT if ie Labour did win there would be a second referendum for sure, as they would form the Government and any New Government could change the goal posts. if the Tories did win it is a five year plan.

[RedJ]

b*llocks. Corbyn told his MPs to vote through the Brexit Bill or whatever it was called, why would he do an about turn on that kind of scale and call a second referendum?

[Glyn_Wigley]

I don't get Labour's enthusiasm for this election, especially given that they could block it.

Because Corbyn has repeatedly challenged May to go to the country and he'd look a complete prat if he did as big a U-turn on the issue as she has.

[i_ateallthepies]

This might be the very best thing for anyone wanting rid of the Tories.  Whatever happens they'll get re-elected, probably with an increased majority just the same as they would in 2020 if Corbyn remains leader.  So, simple choice... five more years of Tory rule and be rid of Corbyn or eight more years of Tory rule with no realistic chance to be rid of them.


Apologies Glyn, just seen you posted a similar thought on the other thread earlier.

[Sprotyrover]

I don't like May,or Corbyn but her speach today was top notch.

[Glyn_Wigley]

I don't like May,or Corbyn but her speach today was top notch.

Don't tell me you swallowed all that 'stability' crap she spouted as the reaso for calling the election..?

[Mr1Croft]

I don't get Labour's enthusiasm for this election, especially given that they could block it. Of course Corbyn thinks he can win (he reminds me of the Black Knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail) but how many Labour MPs and supporters think they can do so? They don't really have a coherent position on what May expects/ wants to be the main issue - how the Government manages Brexit.

I can only think that some of the MPs in particular see it as a way of getting out of politics without causing a by-election.

I can see why the Lib Dems might be more enthusiastic as almost any result would be an improvement on last time and might give them a decent base to start from in 2022.

If the resurgence of the Lib Dems equates to winning back votes in marginal seats the Tories won from Labour and Lib Dem in 2015 (particularly in the South West) - there is at least 20 of those seats where Labour/Lib-Dems benefit from a Tory-Lib Dem swing which eliminates May's Majority and opens the door for a potential Lib-Dem Labour coalition with a supply and demand pact with the SNP.

Should Sinn Fein capitalise on their snap election results in Northern Ireland and take 5 or so seats from the DUP or the Ulster Unionists then suddenly 315-319  becomes the magic number for a working majority as they don't attend Westminster.

Personally I think Corbyn and Labour have every right to be enthusiastic about their prospects, whilst slim it is definitely within the realms of possibility - the media's character assassination on Trump didn't really go to plan in the US - perhaps it will have the same effect here reference Corbyn.

[GazLaz]

Think you are in dreamworld there Lee.

[MachoMadness]

The front pages are quite something. The Daily Mail running with the headline CRUSH THE SABOTEURS is a highlight. Despite, erm, the Brexit bill being passed through the Commons and "unelected" Lords comfortably.

Why do Brexiteers have such a problem with the Lords anyway?

[Glyn_Wigley]

She's a bloody coward too, refusing to go on any televised debates. Presumably because she knows she's got nothing to say other than waffle anyway!

Can you picture the scene in the tv studio....party leader after party leader explains what deal they want to get out of Brexit...then they go to Teresa, who can only go 'Well..I...er...um', because she won't even tell Parliament what her targets so she certainly doesn't want to tell the British Public. And she's the one calling it the 'Brexit Election'!

[MachoMadness]

Had a morbid laugh at the Sun's BLUE MURDER headline too.

That would be just awful if there were any recent cases of Remain supporters being murdered by right-wing lunatics, wouldn't it?

[RedJ]

She's a bloody coward too, refusing to go on any televised debates. Presumably because she knows she's got nothing to say other than waffle anyway!

Can you picture the scene in the tv studio....party leader after party leader explains what deal they want to get out of Brexit...then they go to Teresa, who can only go 'Well..I...er...um', because she won't even tell Parliament what her targets so she certainly doesn't want to tell the British Public. And she's the one calling it the 'Brexit Election'!

Brexit means Brexit. Whatever that means.

[wilts rover]

I don't like May,or Corbyn but her speach today was top notch.

Of course it was if you are easily lead and like fairy stories. I mean when has Theresa May been known to say one thing and then do the exact opposite eh?

Of course those are the reasons why she has gone to the country and not all the risk of a large number of her MP's being at risk of prosecution, being forced to stand down, and loosing by-elections thus ending her majority.

No of course not, top notch speech as you say.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/apr/19/theresa-may-backs-mps-investigated-over-2015-election-spending

[tommy toes]

Glad to see the female equivalent of (not very) nice but dim Tim, ie Anna Soubrey is caught up in this alleged dishonesty. What a twonk she is.
Tip of the iceberg this too amongst Tory MP's and their 'expenses'.

[Yargo]

Current PM, Mrs T Mark 2? What an absolute pile of garbage.

Mrs T,stuck to the letter of reducing subsidies to state industry (coal,steel,railways).A requirement of the then EEC on its way to becoming the EU.

Mrs T,called the European Single Market one of her greatest achievements.

Mrs T,took Britain into the ERM of the European Monetary System to prepare Britain to join the EU single currency

Sounds very much a pro EU'er to me.

Indeed with her pro EU ness and love of foreign wars Mrs T had more in common with Blair and Cameron

[bobjimwilly]

Your probably right; May, and this cabinet that she picked, has the potential to be far worse for the majority of us.