Wombat7

Uk has first past the post system - get over it.

"In a fair and clean fight they would certainly have done much better" - I disagree with your premise. As UK politics go, it was a fair and clean fight.

Garbatellamike

I agree and let's look at things we can all celebrate regardless of political allegiance like Ed Balls losing his seat another "Portillo Moment" to savour.

Wombat7

Nick Robinson had an interesting comment on Ed Balls - said that Portillo is now a much liked individual and predicted the same thing would happen with Ed Balls. He commented that the public did not see the real Ed Balls. Also said that he was one of the best (or brightest, I forget) economists that he had met. Interesting comment, I thought.

Garbatellamike

Yes academically bright but practically useless. moreover, his overbearing pompous arrogance made him unbearable.

You may well be right, if he stops being an annoying prat he could well do a Portillo-like reinvention as a politcal commentator (if his ego will allow it).

As a politician he is without doubt "a knave of whom all men delight in thinking ill" - time for a career change - Bye Bye Mr Balls-up.

PS: Portillo was also a lying, slimey, egotistical toad when in front line politics so your hypothesis is entirely valid methinks

stevenglish1

PR would keep the MP's honest, and the voters true to their selected party. Better system entirely, the only truly democratic one.

I generally don't bother voting anyhow, none of them have my best interests at heart, and it would appear that this isn't important to a lot of people. FPTP and Europe both need referendums devoid of the usual smear campaigns, which is why they'll never happen. It's all bollocks really, Bolitics it should be called

Bipat

Preferential voting also leads to a two party system. Only proportional representation gives minority parties an equal chance. But that makes the 'local constituency MP' system difficult unless extra MPs are elected just to sit in Parliament.

mikelincs

UKIP are now headless, Nigel has gone, as he said he would.

Lion in Winter

Indeed.

The system we have has allowed the UK to be a very stable and relatively prosperous country for a very long yime. That's why all those migrants want to go there.....

This election was mostly marked by Labour's total failure to produce a coherent platform. Their defeat is what put the Tories in, more than anything. I just hope they don't kill the NHS and double university fees.

Now, can this thread stop, since UKIP is clearly not making friends?

mfh

Given that the party you despise increased its share of the vote by some 12% (since the 2010 election) I would suggest that they have indeed made some new friends

Personally I could not give a damm about UKIP I'm just really glad that the LD's can now return to be a party of protest rather than living under the illusion they are a big player in UK politics.

IMO Labour's defeat is mainly because they tried to play the class card and I honestly think the UK electorate is past such things now but there again its just my opinion and as such not a fact

mfh

Oops my mistake the increase is currently 9.5% not 12 % which is currently their share of the vote

mfh

The worst thing about these results IMO is that the SNP gets approx 1.5 million votes which translates to 56 seats and the Greens (my party) with 1.1 Million votes gets just 1

I would definitely like a revision of the electoral system so that it reflects a bit more honestly the wishes of the people, however having said that I'm not in favour of the system they have here in Spain where you only get to vote for a List.

I think First, Second and Third preference etc. would be a better system

EMR

Get over it UKip failed despite the forcasts of their supporters.

You just want to change the rules because they coild not even win seats in their so called heartland of Essex man.

mfh

@EMR Forget your political position for the moment and tell me if you think the following is fair to electors

The SNP gets approx 1.5 million votes which translates to 56 seats and the Greens (my party) with 1.1 Million votes gets just 1

paulry

Yep, the only honest leader amongst the lot of them. Britain's missed opportunity.

I'm long ago over it. I voted with my feet, remember.

paulry

You're a greenie?