2 qustions actually.
I see the Lib Dems are within 8% of Lab on some (though not all) polls.
So Q1) Any idea what sort of numbers would result in a hung parliment?
and Q2) How exactly does one work? These guys (and girls) can't agree on squat now, what's gonna change when they are "all" in power?
As an aside, there is actually a chance that this could be the best thing that has ever happened to us! All the parties have made such fantastic promises of the great things they will do if elected - we can just take the best of each and we'll be living in the land of milk and honey . . .
🙂
All the parties have made such fantastic promises of the great things they will do if elected - we can just take the best of each and we'll be living in the land of milk and honey . . .
Alternatively as no party has a majority they will claim they cant deliver any!
Basically any MP with less than 9" of wood is banned from entering.
Living in the land of milk and honey is not so good when you're vegan. 👿
2 options - one is that two or more of the parties enter a formal coalition. Then they agree on a legislative programme and govern as a coalition government.
Or one party decides it can attempt to form a minority government. It then has to put up a legislative programme that others will vote for to get a majority in parliament.
so - its a coalition with an agreed programme or a minority governmnet seeking allies on a issue by issue basis
someone has to get a vote on a queens speech passed.
At the moment it looks like the tories will be just short of a majority. They would probably be able to bribe the various nationalists und ulster unionists ( legally) to support a queens speech and then go for a minority government.
Its doubtfull that the tories could create a stable coalition with anyone. There is precedent for a Labour / Liberal coalition in the past - but even that is unlikely to be enough seats for a majority
so who's prime minister in a hung parliment? The one with the most votes even if its not a majority?
The leader of the party that can get a queens speech passed. Its up for negotiation. for example it could be that the lib dems make not haveing brown as prime minister the price for supporting them.
Most likely tho its the leader of the biggest party - but not always
But not always?
You make it sound like this happens every few years!
Minority government in Scotland at the moment - Previous was a coalition.
Its pretty rare in the UK parliament but has happened in the past
In a perfect world, with the choice we're faced with at the moment, I'd like a hung parliament to look something like this
[img] 
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😀
+1 Binners
It has always p!ssed me off that we are alone (as it seems to me) in using the phrase "hung parliament". Our collective political mentality is as outdated as our first past the post voting system.
Everywhere else (in Europe - can't count the US as a Democracy) seems to do pretty well with coalition governments working together to deliver consensus based policies for the good of everyone. Far more mature and grown up way of doing business.
(All IIRC)
As we're a parliamentary democracy, the Queen 'chooses' who is the PM. Whatever the result of the election, she could decide to have that nice Mr Brown again.
Did I hear something on the news saying that the outgoing PM will be given the first chance to form a government if there's no outright winner?
I think they should settle the matter of who gets to be PM by gladatorial combat. It would put Wembley to some good use. They could beat each other senseless with all manner of heavy and pointy things, while we the nation watch on, baying like dogs
Last man standing is PM. Simple.
It'd be considerably more interesting than tonights debate
I heard that too - the incumbent has first chance to form a coalition. This is one issue which nationalists (SNP and Plaid) are campaigning on, if they have enough seats they could agree to vote with a minority government on some issues as long as they get their way with issues specific to them - like devolution.
I'm liking binners' suggestion.
Not sure there will be a hung parliament, judging by all the 'vote Tory' posters 'round here....
I still reckon the Tories will get a clear majority. I can't remember a general election where the polls got it right- the Tories always do better in the election itself, for a couple of reasons...
Are there any singletrackers on here living in countires with coalitions?
Not sure there will be a hung parliament, judging by all the 'vote Tory' posters 'round here....
I haven't seen a single Vote Tory poster round here, other than ones paid for by Ashcroft.
I still reckon the Tories will get a clear majority. I can't remember a general election where the polls got it right- the Tories always do better in the election itself, for a couple of reasons...
They have to have an unprecedented, huge swing their way to get a clear majority.
I'm with Binners on this one - hang the lot of 'em!!!
BillyWhizz - MemberAre there any singletrackers on here living in countires with coalitions?
Scotland has a minority government now - used to have a coalition
