Should we have a General Election 2010 Megathread?

Titanic99 · 04-01-2010, 16:23

From watching the news it seems that the campaigning for the forthcoming election has started today, with the Tories and Labour announcing policy initiatives.

Just wondered what people thought about a Megathread to cover everything for all those interested, or would people prefer the option to debate the issues separately.

If it is the former can I ask Mods to change the title of this to reflect people’s wishes?

Thanks

Number Six · 04-01-2010, 16:24

There will be an election this year. There has to be as it's been 5 years since the last one.

Number Six · 04-01-2010, 16:26

Just to add, it has to be on or before 3rd June, but most 'observers' reckon it'll be in May.

Womerry2 · 04-01-2010, 16:27

Naa. Let's, just this once, simply read what the parties are planning to do and decide, all by and for ourselves, for whom we will cast our secret ballot. And then let's all make sure we vote on the day. No fuss, no song and dance, no mindless braying. Just democracy in action.

callippo · 05-01-2010, 02:12

in the old days general election campaigns were supposed to start about a month before the poll. When there's no doubt about the outcome, or when there isn't the slighest possibility of a switch, they still do. I don't remember the gloves coming off the day after New Years day like they have now in 2001 and 2005, but they did in 1992 and 1997.

HeadingNorth · 05-01-2010, 02:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by callippo

I don't remember the gloves coming off the day after New Years day like they have now in 2001 and 2005, but they did in 1992 and 1997.

In both '92 and '97, an Election in the first six months of the year was a certainty; in '01 and '05 it was not, since the five years would not be up that year.

That may not be the sole reason for the phenomenon you note, but it surely will be at least part of it. It's probably also true that when an Election figures to be close, parties start campaigning for it earlier.

callippo · 05-01-2010, 02:39

only governments on their last legs and in serious danger of losing power let Parliaments run for the whole five years. Think 1997 and 1979, but also 1992, when that one was up for grabs.

you might think 1970, when that Parliament only lasted 4 years, as being an exception, when the governing Labour party managed to lose despite having a massive majority - but they went into that campaign thinking they were going to win.

HeadingNorth · 05-01-2010, 03:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by callippo

only governments on their last legs and in serious danger of losing power let Parliaments run for the whole five years. Think 1997 and 1979, but also 1992, when that one was up for grabs.

Also true, of course. It's a bit of a chicken-and-egg argument; parties can start their campaigning early because they know the election will definitely take place, which in turn is (almost always) because the Government is in a bad way. (About the only exception I can think of is 1945, when the election had been held up for a few years by World War Two.)

Stoatwobbler · 05-01-2010, 06:47

Wouldn't a whole sub-forum be more appropriate?

But even then only once Gordon Brown's been to the palace and declared the date.

HeadingNorth · 05-01-2010, 06:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoatwobbler

Wouldn't a whole sub-forum be more appropriate?

But even then only once Gordon Brown's been to the palace and declared the date.

Once Parliament is dissolved, forums run into a very tricky scenario; there's a whole raft of law about what you can, and cannot, do to advertise political parties, MPs etc. during an election campaign. How any forum can ensure that it is not being used by someone to conduct illegal electioneering, I can't imagine; unless they lock out political debate completely.

Stoatwobbler · 05-01-2010, 06:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadingNorth

Once Parliament is dissolved, forums run into a very tricky scenario; there's a whole raft of law about what you can, and cannot, do to advertise political parties, MPs etc. during an election campaign. How any forum can ensure that it is not being used by someone to conduct illegal electioneering, I can't imagine; unless they lock out political debate completely.

Won't SheffieldForum have this problem regardless of whether or not it has a sub-forum or a MegaThread?

Either way, a whole sub-forum would at the very least allow for more discussion about local constituencies, policies etc.

matsalleh · 05-01-2010, 07:01

I agree,it's bad enough having to listen to all the lies and garbage that will be coming from the politicians without having to read it all on here.
When manifestos are published I will then read and decide which party I think might make the least mess of it.
Have a megathread.

HeadingNorth · 05-01-2010, 07:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stoatwobbler

Won't SheffieldForum have this problem regardless of whether or not it has a sub-forum or a MegaThread?

It will - or it will if I'm right that the problem exists.

I was spurred to mention it mostly by your point about the date. Although the discussion is more useful after the election date has been set, that's exactly when we might not be able to have it.

Stoatwobbler · 07-01-2010, 06:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeadingNorth

It will - or it will if I'm right that the problem exists.

Well people should at least be able to post their MP's parliamentary voting record or even declare their voting intentions if they so wish.

Judging by comments on other threads I also reckon a thread at election time explaining the British electoral system may be in order.