Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11640718)

Ah George, not the SW part of Scotland where we live. :rofl: Our seat was one of 40 which the SNP took from Labour. The nationalist fervour not only swept across Scotland but frightened Labour voters in England and Wales ('if the SNP get all those seats in Scotland and go into a coalition with Labour then we'll be held to ransom').

The 2 biggest factors in the election result were Scottish nationalism and the way Ed Milliband was perceived by most.

The other thing which all the analysts have been saying today in the UK is that the opinion polls got it stunningly wrong this time. They and the main parties did not expect the loss of Labour and gain of Conservative seats. The decimation of the Lib Dems and the rise of the SNP were both expected; the demise of UKIP was unexpected and a lot of their supposed supporters changed to blue after indicating to pollsters they'd vote for Nige.

It's going to be very interesting now to see how the 56 SNP members are going to operate in Westminster. Try to be disruptive; try to act as one powerful block to help push legislation through or what?

My guess is that Sturgeon will now press for another referendum even though Salmond the previous leader said not in another generation after the No vote. The SNP will take 56 out of 59 seats in Scotland as an endorsement to push hard.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11641166)

Got some Londoner friends staying with us at the mo. Voted Cons. They are amazed London is still red. Though the tide is turning. Scotland first, London next

Originally Posted by GarryP (Post 11641176)

Err, scotland turned to the actually-still-left-wing SNP. So if London went the same way, they would be more likely to vote left of labour.

The lesson that labour may well learn (besides not having a charisma free zone as leader) is they need a real finance/economy plan. My guess is they will filch the green's economic plan - which were the best worked out of all parties.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11641040)

On Tony's watch mate. If it was on Dave's watch you'd be crying foul. But as always, conservative governments are there to clean up the mess and as Bally is trying to sell it. "Oh look at the debt rise". Yeah well we all know where that legacy came from. How someone could even leave a penny of debt during Tony's prosperous time as PM is extraordinary.

Originally Posted by Gibbo (Post 11641158)

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I think that they will push hard for greater autonomy and if Cameron refuses all he will do is convince more Scots that independence is the only option, thus hastening the demise of the Union. Which I will add, would make me very happy.
Can I ask which part of the south west you live in? I am Edinburgh born and bred , my OH was born in Dumfries and had family all over Kirkcudbright.

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11641230)

What the hell has my comment about the law got to do with Tony, Dave and Bally and the National Debt?? I am not referring to politics at all. I'm talking about laws in general. They do not punish white collar crime sufficiently is all I said. The punishment for stealing by someone from outside a business is disproportionately heavier than the punishment for stealing by someone from inside a business is all I am saying.

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11641243)

Remind me. What was the actual crime commited by bankers and during the credit crunch?

Tony and team should have had laws in place to prevent it happening

Originally Posted by Beoz (Post 11641243)

Remind me. What was the actual crime commited by bankers and during the credit crunch?

Tony and team should have had laws in place to prevent it happening

Originally Posted by stevenglish1 (Post 11641246)

Yeah I agree, it's only a crime if you do it a knife/gun point

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11641264)

You do have a one track mind. Laws in general!!!!!

Let's start with over 200 years ago when you could be transported to Australia for stealing a loaf of bread or didn't pay your rent to your landlord. What would happen if the Lord raped his maid? Nothing usually. This is my point, for time evermore laws have been framed by those in power (understandably) so they are relatively soft on those in power is all I'm saying.

The Nick Leeson's of this world did nothing?

It wasn't a 'credit crunch', it was a global financial crisis. Right wingers are opposed to businesses being regulated so how can you complain about a lack of regulation when not in power? 'Tony' did not cause the GFC - see The Economist analysis for causes. Next you'll be arguing Tony could have prevented the collapse of Lehmann Brothers or controlled the excessive risk taking and greed by those only interested in their 7 figure bonuses?

Originally Posted by OzTennis (Post 11641266)

So breaking and entering without a weapon is not a crime?