UK election. by fantasticlaughingfairy

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

UK election.

POSTED BY: FANTASTICLAUGHINGFAIRY
UPDATED: Saturday, May 7, 2005 18:46
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Wednesday, May 4, 2005 4:18 AM

As some Flans may know, the UK general election is tomorrow and I'd like to ask... why do we insist on electing Tony Blair. He followed Bush like a sheep and declared war on Iraq and he's messed up everything except the economy. And since Michael Howard seems to think it's possible to cut taxes and increase spending...yeah whatever. But Lib Dem basically want to keep the economy the same, but were against the war. thay also haven't been in power for over 100 years and should be given the chance if anyone should. Plus all Labour's statistics etc are a load of rubbish. Just so you know, I'm not a Lib Dem party member or anything, it just makes sense if you think about it.

...and we will call it...this land...

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Wednesday, May 4, 2005 7:45 AM

SIGMANUNKI

I for one hope that you guys don't re-elect Blair. Perhaps someone that'll listen to the people this time?

----
"Canada being mad at you is like Mr. Rogers throwing a brick through your window." -Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

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Wednesday, May 4, 2005 12:23 PM

GROUNDED

If Labour stays in power I doubt Blair will continue as PM. If his blood pressure rises any higher he'll spontaneously combust.

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 5:39 AM

FANTASTICLAUGHINGFAIRY

Unfortunately it seems damn likely Blair'll get back in. Damnit! Another five years with that arrogant ponce! Sheesh! When will people learn?

...and we will call it...this land...

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 5:42 AM

MANTICHORUS

If you want my opinion on the election, check my last blog - however, I'm gonna vote for Charlie Kennedy. Why? He seems sane, unlike the others...
Of course, the fact that I'm a student and he's promising to get rid of tuition and top-up fees didn't sway me at all...

OK, maybe a little.

Select to view spoiler:

Wash:"This is going to get pretty interesting."
Mal:"Define 'interesting'."
Wash:"'Oh God, oh God, we're all gonna die.'"

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 5:47 AM

FRAY101

With no enthusiasm for any of them, the temptation to spoil my vote by scrawling "You Can't Stop The Signal" or somesuch was pretty tempting...!

Our fate is inevitable...

"Why would I want to leave Serenity?"
"Can't think of a reason."

Over 100 Serenity screencaps now available at http://disneypix.tripod.com/destiny

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 7:31 AM

SIGNYM

I believe in solving problems, not sharing them.

Supposedly Bush&Bliar decided to invade Iraq in summer of 2002... so much for Hans Blix being allowed to finish the weapons inspection! So while Blair is spending oodles on an entirely unecessary war, the UK health care system is funded at a level that makes it non-functional.

I didn't realize that there was a leftward alternative. If I were a Brit, I'd vote to the left of Blair. Good luck!

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 8:19 AM

HERO

Quote:
Originally posted by fantasticlaughingfairy:
Damnit! Another five years with that arrogant ponce!

That describes every British leader since...hmmm...nope...huh. Guess they all come across as arrogant. Must be the accent.

H

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 4:07 PM

ANARKO

From what I've heard of his domestic policies, as an American conservative I really wouldn't want someone like him running America, but his foreign policy is absolutely perfect.

So as the British PM, I like him and I'm happy he's staying in office!

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 10:25 PM

FANTASTICLAUGHINGFAIRY

Ah, yes, his 'policies'.
One of the policies at the last election was that they wouldn't introduce tuition fees. And what do they do? TUITION FEES! AARGH!

...and we will call it...this land...

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Thursday, May 5, 2005 11:16 PM

MANTICHORUS

Quote:
Originally posted by Anarko:
From what I've heard of his domestic policies, as an American conservative I really wouldn't want someone like him running America, but his foreign policy is absolutely perfect.

So as the British PM, I like him and I'm happy he's staying in office!

The reason you like his foreign policies is because they're whatever Bush tells him they are...

Seriously, though, are we that surprised the smarmy

is still in charge?
Elections - putting the 'mock' into 'democracy'...

Select to view spoiler:

Wash:"This is going to get pretty interesting."
Mal:"Define 'interesting'."
Wash:"'Oh God, oh God, we're all gonna die.'"

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Friday, May 6, 2005 4:31 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

As I understand it, the Labour Party is set to dump his behind as leader.

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Saturday, May 7, 2005 1:08 AM

PHOEBE

To be honest, I don't have issues with Blair when comparing him to the other leaders.

HOWEVER, I honestly beleive that if everyone who WANTED to vote Liberal had voted Liberal, they would've DOUBLED the amount of seats they actually took. EVERY SINGLE PERSON I asked wanted to vote Liberal, but instead they voted Labour because they were afraid that the lovely racist ponces that are the Conservatives would get in. Seriously. What's up with the people who vote Conservative? They're like milder versions of the BNP. Their aims seem to be to "keep the poor poor, keep the rich rich, and keep the non-whites OUT." PATHETIC. And their campaign was even MORE pathetic. They couldn't campaign FOR themselves, they just had to put up sad little anti-Blair posters. That puts people off more than it convinces people to vote for them. And Howard has a one track mind. I can just imagine it.

"Mr Howard, what's your favourite food?" "Immigration is bad, because..."
"Mr Howard, what're your policies?" "Immigration is bad, because..."
"Mr Howard, how are you today?" "Immigration is bad, because..."

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Saturday, May 7, 2005 1:43 AM

BECSTHEBEAST

well now the results are in - Blair is back but much weakened he will have to listen to his backbench rebels and negotiatie with them

i however was lucky enough to be involved in the campaign to get our first RESPECT MP George Galloway elected, clearly anti-war, anti-bush and blair, overturning a 10,000 Labour majority. We are new - been around a year and our average vote in the seats where we stood was around 6.5%, twice the Greens who have been around much longer
We hope this is the start of a new political entity in British politics that will see a return to putting people before profit.
(see www.respectcoalition.org)

'forgive my rudeness. i cannot abide useless people'

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Saturday, May 7, 2005 6:46 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

The NYTimes had the most REMARKABLE headline about Britain's election - no mention of Blair! Britain's Defeated Tory Leader Says He's Ready to Resign

World headlines - the AFP was harshest, saying Blair won 'on his knees'. The International Herald Tribune focused on whether Blair will retain Labour Party leadership (most recent rumors are that Blair is history). UPI did not yet have a publicly available story about the results.

British headlines - all mentioned the victory but also that it was weak.

US online news - aside from the strange NYTimes head, 3 mentioned the 'historic victory' but NOTHING else, and 3 the win but loss of clout (though no mention Blair might lose leadership).

Yodee yodee yodee. Yup, yup, yup. Free. Unbiased. Press.

Quote:

INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE

UPI
http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20050505-060232-7294r

Blair set for victory as Brits go to polls
By Hannah K. Strange
As British voters begin going to the polls Thursday morning, Prime Minister Tony Blair looks set for a historic third term. Despite widespread disillusionment and distrust of Blair, all the signs are that come Friday morning, he will be addressing the public from the steps of Number 10 Downing Street as he embarks on the first third term the Labor Party has ever won.

International Herald Tribune
http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/05/06/news/britain.php

Blair's new battle: Labour leadership
By GRAHAM BOWLEY / IHT
The drastic loss of support for Labour, which saw its majority reduced by more than half, could increase pressure on Blair to relinquish his leadership early in favor of Gordon Brown, chancellor of the Exchequer.

AFP
http://www.afp.com/english/news/stories/050506142040.2bgkucqz.html

Papers say Blair won 'on his knees'
06/05/2005 14h20
Prime Minister Tony Blair secured an historic election triumph but a backlash over the Iraq war brought him to his knees, and may mark the beginning of the end for his rule, the world's press said

BRITISH NEWS SERVICE

BBC
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/vote_2005/frontpage/452162
7.stm

Blair: I've listened and learned
Tony Blair says he will focus on voters' views after securing a historic third term - but with a reduced majority.

Guardian UK
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/election/story/0,15803,1477676,00.html

Labour wins historic third term - Blair returned to No 10 but with a sharply reduced majority.

UK Independent
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/story.jsp?story=635995

Blair secures his third term but how long will he last at No 10?

AMERICAN NEWS SERVICE

Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/ 2005/05/06/AR2005050600210.html?sub=AR

Blair Wins Historic Third Term

CNN
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/05/06/ british.election.main/index.html

Blair elected to 3rd term, makes history

AP
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050506/ap_on_re_eu/ britain_election;_ylt=AkavINT7fi9KCbs8OHiHS8Gs 0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2MTQ3MTFjBHNlYwN0cw--

Blair Wins Historic Third Term in Britain

USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2005-05-06-blair_x.htm

Blair wins, but loses clout Iraq cuts Labor's margin.

LATimes
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/ la-fg-britelect6may06,0,7710621.story? coll=la-home-headlines

Blair Wins, but His Party Suffers
By John Daniszewski
Labor Party's grip on Parliament is weakened. Joining the Iraq war may be a factor. ('ya think?)

Boston Globe
http://www.boston.com/news/world/europe/ articles/2005/05/06/blair_reelected_but_party_loses_ground/

Blair reelected, but party loses ground
(By Charles M. Sennott and Sarah Liebowitz, Globe Staff And Globe Correspondent)
Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain won a historic third term in yesterday's election, but his ruling Labor Party saw its majority in Parliament shrink significantly as voters expressed their impassioned opposition to Blair's support for the war in Iraq and to his failure to deliver public service reforms.

NYTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/06/ international/europe/06cnd-britain.html?hp&ex=1115438400&en=b476ffc34ea2b00d&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Britain's Defeated Tory Leader Says He's Ready to Resign
By ALAN COWELL 8:53 AM ET
Michael Howard, the leader of Britain's opposition Conservatives, said that he would step down "sooner rather than later."

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