the troubadour

I'm not London has always been a tolerant out looking city, with a general social democratic vibe. (even with the invasion of banksters) Perhaps more surprising with the rest of the country? Although decades of conservative austerity politics has likely run its course.

OzTennis

Theresa May - wooden, unconvincing, U-turns on policy, against Brexit then leading the negotiations, police cuts but talking tough on terrorism at the same time, increase in terrorist incidents on the Tory watch ...... most of all calling an election to suit her and her party at a time when the focus should have been on Brexit negotiations etc. 'Strong and stable' will go down in political terminology like 'iron lady'!

They've just said Jeremy Corbyn (at 40.1%) got a higher % of the vote than Blair did in 2001 and 2005 and this was Labour's first net gain since 1997.

In Scotland the SNP have gone from 56 to 35 seats losing 12 to the Tories, 6 to Labour and 3 to the Lib Dems. Salmond was beaten and their leader in the Commons, Alistair Robertson, was beaten. Clearly a message to Sturgeon that IndyRef 2 is not wanted. Interesting to note that despite the 12 Tory gains in Scotland they are 12 down for the UK on the last election so there's a clear message what the people of the UK exc Scotland think of the Tories on issues other than IndyRef 2.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd wins seat after 2 recounts by a few hundred votes. (School report, 'could do better'?)

A commentator just said May was trying to get into Pub Quiz questions on British PM's in last century or so who have served less than a year (currently 2, possibly about to be 3). But wait, no, she's not going to resign, Britain needs her stability with Brexit negotiations due to start in 11 days, we don't want a hung parliament or uncertainty about who the EU are dealing with. The DUP (10 seats) can draw up a lengthy wish list.

Voters in the UK, France and the Netherlands , the most recent elections, seem to have taken a decided move towards the centre ground.

Beoz

Its pretty unimpressive, gaining seats in student areas such as Canterbury and Plymouth, promising free university, something the country cannot afford.

Its a bit like buying votes through Mediscare.

The same students dragged out of the wood work voting for free tuition will be the same people voting for lower corporate tax rates in 10 years time.

Very weak in my opinion. But hey, that's the weakness of left wing politics.

OzTennis

Your comment reminds me of the newspaper which reported that a local man was injured on the Titanic. FFS student fees, students getting out voting and 'left wing' politics is all you can come up with? It was a shocking result for the Tories who had a 24 point lead in the polls 2 months ago and a good working majority and thought they'd waltz to a bigger majority but now we have a hung parliament and a lame duck PM just before the Brexit negotiations.

The Tories lost seats all over Britain excluding Scotland and in seats which voted Remain and seats which voted Leave. General turnout 68%, youth turnout 69%. Student fees the cause in - Reading East, Battersea, Bath, Plymouth South, Canterbury, Bristol North, Twickenham, Warwick and Leamington, High Peak, Cardiff North, Kingston and Surbiton, Stockton South, Croydon Central, Bury North, Weaver Vale, Ipswich, Stroud, Warrington South, gower, Vale of Clwyd, Lincoln, Peterborough, Derby North, Eastbourne and Bedford? (the Tory seats lost) It could have been far, far worse without the protest vote against IndyRef in Scotland and UKIP supporters defecting.

mrken30

I always thought there was something between May and Trump. Does this sound familiar?
Anti gay
Anti abortion
Denies climate change
Anti immigrants
Protectionists

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...uld-know-about

LouisB

Well the snap election was a disaster for the tories. Although see how quick and keen they are to jump in bed with the DUP 🙄

What an own goal. At this rate they will kill themselves and brexit off in no time.

For now they must be very nervous of their position, everything to lose. No mandate. Dwindling support.

Weak and wobbly.

ozzieeagle

Two own goals in a row, plus the youth of Britain are now galvanised. There will be far more of them at the next election, and less older people tory types as they slowly drop of the perch.

GarryP

The sight of someone so nakedly trying to claw onto power when they have so convincingly lost is deeply unedifying.

Cameron might have been a dick, but at least he had the good grace to go when he lost.

LouisB

Totally agree. This already went past a tipping point some time ago, now the momentum is growing...

ozzieeagle

The Scottish Conservatives aren't too keen on sharing power with the DUP

Ruth Davidson planning Scottish Tory breakaway as she challenges Theresa May's Brexit plan

The Cumbrian

As someone who believes in community and fairness I am overjoyed at the election result. We need to be compassionate society and offer assistance to the vulnerable and needy. If people ask where is the money going to come from- how about offshore tax havens the rich enjoy, whilst not contributing anything back like honest working people?

BadgeIsBack

What did I say about the UK yoof : they came out in droves and I bet a few Leavers had buyer's remorse.

As for Sinn Fein **** them off if they don't want to play.. The DuP make me laugh...very amusing...pro Nationalism, Euro sceptic ..anti-abortion....still!

Interesting times IMHO.

OzTennis

See above - the youth turnout was much the same as the turnout as a whole. No doubt Tories will try to explain away what happened with stuff like the young people turned out in droves. The cruel fact is that UKIP lost about 11% of the vote which you would think would go straight to the Tories but it turns out over half the UKIP voters switched to Labour and Lib Dems. It's up to the Tories to try and understand why the right wingers deserted them.

The irony with the DUP is that Scottish Tories won 12 seats for the party whilst they were losing them elsewhere and their leader is in a same sex relationship which the DUP is strongly against. There's even talk of Ruth Davidson forming a new party as a counter to what's likely to happen once the DUP get in May's ear. One of the papers described it as an alliance between a lame duck PM and a hard line right wing party. There will be NOOOOO surrender from the DUP on some issues.

Beoz

Sadly, May assumed a large majority of people out there have half a brain in their head. Unfortunately for Britain, its just a majority of people who understand the challenge for all, rather than the me me me.

Onwards and upwards, we have seen in the past common sense bills get through parliament regardless of the seating arrangements. Idiot bills fail.

Most of Labours policies are suicide, but they do have one which is rather appealing. Allowing staff and customers to take ownership. Like John Lewis and Nationwide. This gives the me me me the opportunity to take some ownership, learn a bit of risk and reward, help them understand its not all about the take take take.

scrubbedexpat098

May has lost all credibility out of this, how she had the balls to ask to form a government is beyond me. The DUP thing has put her in the negative. Corbyn has been called a terrorist sympathiser throughout, and she's now a laughing stock. Strong and stable my arse.