Print Page - UK General Election 2012 - Campaign Thread (FULL RESULTS)

Turn One: Of Leaders and Manifestos

January 5th to January 12th, 2012

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Dimbleby: Good evening, and welcome to our coverage of the 2012 General Election.

Politics has turned unpredictable and exciting at its most after the surprise election of John McDonnell as Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, starting the chain of events that leads us to this election. With the Government defeated in a vote of no confidence by Theresa May and Nick Clegg, a five-week campaign has been set before the British public goes to the polls on February 9th. Let’s go to Nick Robinson for some analysis of the current situation:

Robinson: Yes, David, truly an exciting situation is before us. With the fall of the short-lived Labour minority government the British public goes to the polls on our first election under proportional representation, which should significantly change the make-up of the next parliament. So let see the latest polling averages on this first day of campaign:

Average Polls:

Conservative Party: 35%
Labour Party: 26%
Liberal Democrats: 22%
UKIP: 5%
Green Party: 3%
SNP: 3%
Others: 6%

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Robinson: There it is, Theresa May’s Conservatives continue to lead in the polls despite having taken a few losses in the past months, leading in the range of 35%. Labour and the Lib Dems are behind and rather close to each other, Labour hurt by the party infighting after their latest leadership election and the Lib Dems facing a few losses after being part of the defunct coalition. Far behind you have UKIP, the Green Party and the SNP, all posing a credible threat to the major parties in certain regions but still far from winning too many MP’s.

What we can see is that Nick Clegg’s dramatic decision to pull the plug on the coalition has halted further bleeding of votes, again placing the Lib Dems on a strong position. With Prime Minister McDonnell as an underdog due to his unorthodox views, it seems the Conservatives haven’t yet consolidated as the clear alternative as Theresa May remains relatively unknown to the public due to little exposure. While anything other than a hung parliament looks virtually impossible, the campaign will be decisive.

Info from the GM:

1.- Turn: This turn lasts for 72 hours, ending on the afternoon of July 7th (Friday).

2.- Manifestos: During this turn each party must deliver its manifesto. I'll open a thread for your to post them (as explained in the rules, your six key proposals and nothing more). Manifestos will be scrutinized by the press and other parties, so be careful with what your promise.

3.- Random Events: Starting from next turn a random number generator for each party may determine good news or bad news, as has been the norm in other campaign games. If something particularly newsworthy happens a special news edition, reaction or newspaper editorial might appear.

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BELIEVE IN BRITAIN TOUR

January 5, 2012:
Leader Nuttall, began the 'Believe in Britiain Tour', with a manifesto launch in Hartlepool, County Durham. The manifesto includes six major points including a referendum on exiting the EU and protection for British jobs. He was joined by Mr. Farage and the North East UKIP List.

Nuttall then toured Darlington Market and met with small business owners in a roundtable meeting and discussed how UKIP's plan for the economy and how a Brexit will help British businesses.

Nuttall then had a campaign rally in Eston where he joined a crowd of roughly one thousand and spoke about how UKIP is the only party that will allow a referendum, better jobs for the NorthEast and reforming the NHS.

Leader Nuttall then had a town hall at a pub in Middlesbrough where he answered questions on the EU, the economy, better paying jobs, the death penalty and a sound foreign policy suited on Britain. He joined the local Football League to play a game and they had a few pints afterwards.

January 6, 2012
Leader Nuttall, began the morning with a rally at a local miners union in Bishop Auckland where he spoke of how Labour has forgotten its roots and abandoned the working class for the posh educated urbanites.

Nuttall then toured the old mills and mines in Cockfield Fell, where he spoke of how UKIP will get British out of the EU and bring back good jobs to the Northeast. He also met with former miners and citizen who live in poverty.

Nuttall then held a rally in Consett at a closed steel mill where he spoke about how Labour has forgotten the working class and how UKIP is the only party who supports the working class. He also spoke of how UKIP's Economic Manifesto will help Consett.

Nuttall then went to a former iron ore mine in Sedgefield and spoke of how we must protect our industries and Buy British and Hire British. He also spoke to former iron workers and told them about how UKIP will help the working class.

January 7, 2012
Paul Nuttall, held a town hall meeting at a local market in Castle, Newcastle upon Tyne where he answered questions about education, foreign aid, Islam, immigration control and a Brexit.

Nuttall held a rally in North Shields where he spoke of the fishing industry being crushed by the entrance into the EU and how UKIP, the party of fishermen, plans to fix it. He also spoke of how UKIP is the only party that supports a Brexit to fix our fishing industry.

Nuttall held a rally in Jarrow, where he spoke of a free Britain out of the EU and how UKIP has replaced Labour as the working class party.

Nuttall then met with former Labour supporters and other citizens at a rally in Blyth where he spoke of the economic agenda of UKIP and how they support a referendum on leaving the EU.

January 8, 2012
Paul Nuttall attended an Anglican service at Saint Mary-At-Finchley Parish in Finchley, London.

Nuttall then held a town hall with local Jewish leaders in Finchley and spoke about how UKIP is the only party that fully supports Israel.

Nuttall held a rally in Prestwich with Jewish supporters of both UKIP and the Conservatives. He stated how he would instruct his Ambassador to UN to veto any anti-Israeli resolution and would move the Embassy to Jerusalem.

Nuttall then flew to Ramsgate where he met with fishermen and held a 'Believe in Britain' rally with the local fishermen and promised to unleash the floodgates of fish and deregulate the fishing industry. He also promised to introduce a bill to withdraw from the Common Fisheries Policy and regain British national waters.

January 9, 2012
Nuttall held a rally in Luton where he spoke of a referendum regarding exiting the European Union, expanding grammar schools, lowering taxes and a better immigration system.

He then held a rally in Braintree where he spoke of a Brexit deal, the Hire and Buy British plan, cutting foreign aid and expanding the military.

Nuttall then toured a local fishery in Clacton with Aaron Wolfe where he spoke of expanding fisheries, leaving the EU and cutting back regulation for businesses to grow.

Nuttall held a rally in Basildon where he invited the East of England UKIP List. The candidates spoke of the plan to exit the European Union, the Buy/Hire British plan, cutting foreign aid and reforming the NHS.

January 10, 2012
Leader Nuttall held a town hall in Amber Valley where he answered questions on bringing back jobs, globalization, trade, Brexit and unemployment.

He then had a rally in Burton where he discussed the economic plans of UKIP, how Labour has left behind the working class, the Buy/Hire British plan and the referendum on EU membership.

Nuttall went to a rally in Wolverhampton where he spoke about a Brexit, foreign aid and strengthening the military and arming the police.

He went to Wellingborough where he spoke about Brexit, schools and the NHS.

January 11, 2012
Nuttall spent his morning visiting shops and small businesses in downtown Aspatria. He spoke with business owners about how UKIP is the only party that supports a Brexit and how Labour has left the working class behind.

Mr. Nuttall then held a rally in St. Helens, where he spoke about a need for a referendum on Brexit, lower taxes for the working class, strict immigration control and how Labour has abandoned the working class.

He then held a rally at a former shipbuilding factory in Birkenhead where he spoke of how manufacturing and fishing has been decimated by the entrance into the EU and how only UKIP will solve this.

Nuttall held a late night rally in Downtown Manchester where he spoke about the dangers of unfeathered immigration, more grammar schools and church schools, a referendum on Brexit and cutting foreign aid.

January 12, 2012
Leader Nuttall along with canvassers, canvassed Washington and specifically the working class neighborhoods. They spoke to residents about how Labour has forgotten the working class and the Buy/Hire British Policy.

Nuttall then held a rally in Newcastle where he spoke about the manifesto, bringing back jobs, a referendum on leaving the EU and how we fix the status quo.

Nuttall then traveled to Prudhoe where he held a town hall and answered questions about many issues including a Brexit, grammar schools, Islam, trade, fishing and immigration.

Nuttall and the other members of the NorthEast UKIP List held a joint rally at the former ironworks at Port Clarence. They spoke about bringing back industry, a referendum on Brexit, lowering buisness taxes and how Labour has forgotten the working class and only UKIP backs it.

The local NorthEast UKIP canvassing team has been canvassing the Northeast for the past week and appeared with Nuttall when he was in the area.

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The Leader of the Opposition, Mrs May, taking to the hustings in Bolton, in the new North West England constituency.

Thursday 5 January 2012

Theresa May kicked off the Conservative campaign in traditional Labour territory by pledging she had turned her party firmly towards the interests of working class communities. Mrs May's remarks were in part:

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I am going to fight every day in this campaign for a Britain which respects work, respects communities, and respects voters. For years, Labour has taken your support for granted, promising jobs and higher wages, and consistently failing to deliver. Labour's recession devastated communities up and down this country, but who did they look to help out? Not you, not your family nor your neighbors. No, Gordon Brown delivered a huge stimulus to bankers but left your community and countless like it around the country to suffer the disgrace of unemployment, falling wages, and hollowed-out services.

And now what does Mr McDonnell propose? Higher taxes for you and your families to pay, increased spending on waste which will not help your children get a job or buy their first home, but will only saddle them and their children with billions of pounds of national debt.

Labour's Recession cannot be solved by Labour's Debt Crisis. How many more Labour Prime Ministers can we afford? My party has a vision for a better, more prosperous and hopeful future, and I will work every day to earn your support.

Friday 6 January

Mrs May traveled to Manchester and spoke primarily on youth issues:

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What possible future will Mr McDonnell and Labour leave for you to inherit: billions of pounds in national debt placing greater and greater strain on every public service we rely on, local communities destroyed by years of unemployment and neglect forcing you to move into urban areas just to find a job where you cannot afford a house or rent, tens of thousands of pounds in student debt which burdens you with a ball and chain before you can even secure your first job.

How can any government be proud of such a miserable, shameful record? A Conservative government will target youth unemployment as the national crisis it is by investing in you. We will double funding for technical training and apprenticeships and develop business partnerships in local communities which will ensure employment and redevelop the places you choose to call home.

A Conservative government will deliver a fairer, more reasonable tuition rates system for university students by eliminating all fees for students on low and lower-middle incomes and freezing all existing rates for at least one year. We will also only require the beginning of debt repayment once you have gained a stable income capable of supporting the cost. We believe in young people, in the innovation and determination which you hold. You deserve a government which believes in and respects you.

Saturday 7 January

Mrs May spent the day field working Greater Manchester with local Tory HQ and door-knocking with local area list candidates.

Sunday 8 January

Mrs May traveled to Liverpool and visited local Tory HQ.

Monday 9 January

Mrs May delivered a speech primarily focusing on unemployment and urban poverty in Liverpool and then drove to north Wales where she phone banked at Tory HQ in Wrexham.

Tuesday 10 January

Mrs May traveled to Wrexham and held a campaign launch with the Welsh Conservative AM team, promising a commitment to devolution and the delivery of greater powers to the Welsh Assembly and local governments.

Wednesday 11 January

Speaking in Conwy, Mrs May attacked UKIP's "obsession with ripping apart our economy over the European Union" stating that withdrawing from the EU would remove billions of pounds of investment in Wales creating "hardships that no flashy banner or dodgy maths could solve." Pledging she would veto any new EU deal with saw an "erosion of national sovereignty," Mrs May vowed to put trade and job investment at the top of Brussels's priority:

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I will make it clear without a shadow of a doubt to Brussels that we mean business. We will not allow for more needless bureaucracy and red tape to restrict our trade and business. We will honor the tradition and founding principles of the EU by ensuring that it works first and foremost for its citizens, by providing them with secure and stable jobs, affordable living standards, and safe, prosperous communities to raise their families in.

We do not want a Europe of slogans and meaningless talk; we want a Europe which works every single day for growth and security.

Thursday 12 January

Mrs May flew to Halifax in West Yorkshire with the full Tory frontbench to launch the Conservative manifesto. The choice of a location in a northern Labour heartland was a deliberate shot across the Government's bow as Mrs May upended Tory rhetoric to promise "guaranteed places in every board room in this country" for workers.

During a press conference following the manifesto launch, Mrs May confirmed her attendance at the leaders' debate.

Following the manifesto launch, Mrs May door-knocked with several Shadow Cabinet members in Leeds.

Conservative CP Totals--Round I
Canvasing teams in North West, Yorkshire, and Wales: 15

January 5 - January 12

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First Minister Arlene Foster speaking to a group of DUP supporters in Belfast on January 10, 2012

January 5, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster, DUP Westminster Leader Nigel Dodd, and North Antrim MP Ian Paisley, Jr. held a press conference in Ballycastle, County Antrim to launch the DUP’s 2012 general election campaign. Foster spoke about the “boundless optimism of the Northern Irish people” and their “desire for a greater say in the governing of their own lives”. She went on to say that the DUP is the only party “positioned to fight for Northern Ireland” in Westminster.

After the press conference, the three DUP officials toured Holy Trinity Church, Church of Ireland. They observed a minute’s silence at the end of their tour.

January 6, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent much of the day meeting with senior DUP leadership and staff, selecting their proportional list candidates and developing a messaging strategy.

Foster also held a conference call with DUP MLAs to discuss events in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

January 7, 2012:

The DUP held a rally in Belfast to formally launch the DUP 2012 general election campaign. DUP Leader Arlene Foster used her speech to reiterate many of the same points she made in her January 5th press conference, adding the tagline, “Northern Ireland holds the keys to its own destiny. It’s time to turn the key and unlock our potential!”. She also unveiled the DUP’s manifesto “Standing Strong for Northern Ireland” at the rally.

January 8, 2012:

No public events were held, because DUP Leader Arlene Foster attended church in Enniskillen.

January 9, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster held a press conference in Enniskillen to publicly announce the DUP’s proportional list candidates. At the press conference, Foster stressed the historic nature of the list, as it was comprised equally of men and women. Foster told the press “We’re going to bring Northern Ireland’s political landscape into the 21st Century, even if Westminster is still a old boy’s club for most.”

2012 Democratic Unionist Party Proportional List Candidates

1. Arlene Foster, MLA
2. Nigel Dodds, MP
3. Ian Paisley, Jr., MP
4. Jeffrey Donaldson, MP
5. Pam Lewis, MLA
6. Gregory Campbell, MP
7. Councillor Norah Beare
8. Paul Girvan, MLA
9. Michelle McIlveen, MLA
10. Councillor Aileen Graham
11. Ms. Emma Little-Pengelly
12. Peter Weir, MLA
13. David Simpson, MP
14. Sammy Wilson, MP
15. Councillor Margaret Tinsley
16. Diane Dodds, MEP
17. Alastair Ross, MLA
18. Councillor Louise Templeton

January 10, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent the morning leading a group of volunteers around Belfast, knocking on doors and meeting votes.

In the afternoon, Foster toured Belfast International Airport. While there, Foster touted that the DUP Manifesto “recognizes the great asset the BIA is, and pledges to give it the funding it needs to rival Heathrow and bring a great wealth of commerce and leisure travel to Northern Ireland.”

She spent the evening meeting with DUP volunteers in Belfast and making telephone calls.

January 11, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster appeared on Daybreak to make the DUP pitch. She defended the DUP Manifesto pledge to hold a referendum on the European Union saying “We voted to join the European Community in 1973, why shouldn’t we get a vote on whether or not to leave it now? This is a democratic government - the people get a say in how we run the country. Let’s give them the opportunity to give us their input on this critically important issue.” When asked if the DUP would support leaving the EU, Foster said “We’ve been a Eurosceptic party since our founding. Yes.”

Later on, she knocked on doors in Newtownabbey and met with the County Antrim DUP leadership.

January 12, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster gave a speech in Altmore, County Tyrone in the morning. She used the speech to attack Sinn Fein and their policy of abstentionism, arguing “What is the sense in voting for someone as your representative who won’t go on, take the seat, say the oath, and actually represent you? That’s like hiring a plumber who says he won’t show up, won’t find the leak, and won’t replace the pipe!” She stressed that the DUP was the only party that “can seriously work to improve the condition in Northern Ireland.”

She spent the rest of the day in meetings related to the Northern Irish Executive.

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BISHOP AUCKLAND ADDRESS ON LABOUR

For too many years, Labour has taken advantage of the working men and women of this nation. From Harold Wilson and his entrance into the job-killing, factory-closing European Union to John McDonnell and his continued support for the European Union. Labour has watched time and time again; factories closing, fisheries being downsized, communities struggling with addiction and job losses and families barely affording rent. When they have been elected to help you for the last half-century, they raised your taxes and they then spent those taxes helping low-skilled immigrants come into this nation. Where was Labour when the Bryant & May factory and four coal pits closed in 1994, well they signed the Granita Pact. Labour for decades has campaigned on helping our local economy in the North East while in reality, they have decimated your economy and deceived you. If Labour, truly cared about you or your families' livelihoods then they would join the picket line once again and fight for the local factory to not close its doors and kill the local economy. We here at the United Kingdom Independence Party stand in solidarity with the working class and their struggles. The reasons we do that, is we were raised working class. My father and mother were in the working class and worked hard and long hours in the local factory and hospital just to survive, I know what life is like for those struggling to fix dinner, because for a portion of my life, that was me. Labour has taken your votes and tax dollars for granted, for far too long. They have abandoned the working class in their agenda and instead are fixated on making life easier for young cosmopolitans in London and those who just arrived here from failed states. It's time we start putting our people in the North East first and take our freedom back. Our manifesto, was specifically designed to help working class communities like Bishop Auckland. Our main manifesto plank is a referendum to exit the European Union, Labour for too long has profited off of the the EU while our factories get shipped off to Poland and China. And the little good-paying jobs left in Britain, are all taken by low-skilled Eastern Europeans. We support increased vocational training and the opening of over one hundred grammar schools across our nation, so that every child has a good and successful education and life. Our government is corrupt, because of Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories they have concentrated power in London for far too long and spent our money on lavish entitlements and perks for them. We must reform our government and shake up the system. Our NHS is broken and failing, our manifesto forms a council of working people and professionals who will cut waste, fraud and abuse across the healthcare system. We will institute new hiring policies that make sure that only legal residents can be hired for new positions in local businesses and factories. We call for a ten percent repatriation tax to bring back capital from overseas so that businesses can reinvest in Britain and her people. We spend too much money on ungrateful, overseas nations that fund terrorist groups. We will tell Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, enough is enough and dramatically cut and freeze foreign aid. With all of this we are putting our working class communities first and when we leave the European Union, we will truly bring back our jobs, wealth and prosperity. Thank You All! God Bless Britain! God Bless the Queen! And remember to vote for UKIP in the election!

Paul Nuttall will take part in the debate in Round 2

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Nick Clegg launches a witty, and refreshingly honest video on social media for his supporters.

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It's a bit of a cliche isn't it? A politician sits here, and tells you this is the most important election in your life, and surprise, surprise you have to vote for them. I'll let you into a secret- the old way is gone. The old parties feel asleep at the wheel and have kept crashing the Economy, with reckless decisions, bribes, and payoffs to their allies and a blindness to the change that was going on.

People are sick with politicians who are not honest. So I'll be honest with you- I went into coalition with Gordon Brown because we need to protect the pound in your pocket. In government the liberal governments were a consistence voice for common sense policies. However when John McDonnell became leader, it was clear that not did his own party not support him, but that he had no mandate from the voters to be prime minister. In this election you will be able to take back control. Under the new voting, that the old parties tried to stop, every single vote counts. Did you hear that? For the first time, the old political parties are going to have to listen to you. That's why over the next 11 days, I'll be visiting every region with one simple message- Politics is changing, and it's time for Britain to get a fair deal

January 5th-Nick Clegg launches campaign. Pledges to 'end crooked, old system' Bristol, South West

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It's a great honour to kick off this election campaign, and do you want to know what is even better? There is finally a real chance for the people of Britain to change this country. I've spoken to dozens of people- working mums, students in pubs, cleaners coming home on the tube, teachers on school trips, shopkeepers working the late shift, and it's clear that everyone in Britain knows that we can finally get a fair deal.

I'll be formally launching our 'fair deal' Manifesto tomorrow, but friends, we need to be shouting one message- politics can finally change. We can end the rigged economic settlement, where bankers ripped off taxpayers, we can end the injustice of young people endlessly looking for work, we can end the injustice of people working hard, only to see their hard earned cash sucked in by the taxman, who'd then spend in on a nuclear power plant we don't need. Friends we can end this crooked, old political system that has plagued this country. Friends, it's time for everyone in Britain to get a fair deal

January 6th- Nick Clegg launches 'fair deal for Britain' in Sheffield, Yorkshire and Humber

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Unveiling his party's new pledge card, Nick Clegg proudly told party activists in Sheffield that it was time for the Liberal Democrats to offer the 'honest solutions' to Britains' problems, with flagship promises to scrap the Deficit by 2022, and a promise not to increase borrowing to pay for day to day public spending. Offering a bold, and comprehensive vision, Clegg put forward how the party would be honest with voters to stop the excessive spending commitments, and debt of Labour- and the reckless, divisive policies on the conservatives.

With a handful of popular policies announced, like a ban on smoking in cars, and the introduction of free school meals for Primary children Clegg pointed out to activists that the manifesto was not just about individual pledges- but rather about being honest with the British People about the hard, tough choices that Britain faces.

January 7th- Clegg tell students to spread the message that 'the times are a changing'''. Cardiff, Wales

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With a rather canny Bob Dylan impression Nick Clegg told students that the new voting system would mean that for the first time in their life they would have a way to send a powerful message to Westministe; and that message is 'we matter'. Talking to 18 year olds in Cardiff Clegg said 'under the new voting system, if you think your gay friends should be able to get married, if you think your friend should be able to get an apprenticeship, if you want to be able to breathe clean air in 20 years time, if you want to not pay tax on your saturday job, and if you want to make the old political parties listen then I urge you to show 'the times are a changing' and come out and vote for the Liberal Democrats.

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January 8th- Clegg rides battlebus into Manchester, and tells activists 'Hell Yes I'll debate.'' North West.

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As Nick Clegg rode into Salford to meet a large crowd of Lib Dem activists he proclaimed a simple message- 'let's fight for our fair deal' would resonate throughout the debate hall next week in the campaign. Clegg said that both political parties had been asleep for the last 20 years; both missing the financial crisis, and surge in support for voting reform, and joked that 'May and McDonnell made need to plug themselves in' to get through the debate.

January 9th- Clegg, and Cable visit school in Birmingham''. West Midlands

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Both Nick Clegg, and Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable seemed to tell every single parent,
teacher and pupil about their ambitious plans for a 'fair deal' for schools in a visit to a primary school in Yardley. Speaking about their plans for free school lunches for young kids, along with pledges to cut 'excessive pay' of school executives, and plans for a new communities charter to promote tolerance, Clegg showed he has the vision to offer a fair deal for Britain.

January 10th-Debate, and campaign strategy Planning in London''.

January 11th-Lib Dems blast Tories over uni fees: It's divide and rule'''. University of Kent, South East.

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In a blistering attack on the conservative manifesto Nick Clegg has attacked the tories pledge to offer free fees to 'low income students' and said that it will foster division and distrust across universities. In a combined attack Shadow Education Secretary Jo Swinson said it would be impossible to introduce, and said that 'kids could have an extra 9k debt because their mum got a promotion'.

In a later interview with the LBC, Clegg said that students would see through this 'gimmick' as a 'classic tory divide and rule' strategy which attempted to cut Britain up into sections, with benefits and perks going to select groups. 'This is what they always do, and it's the reason that so many people are fed up with politics' Clegg said, promising voters that his own pledge to freeze all fees, loans and grants would be much more sustainable- and would 'be fair for everyone'.

January 12th-Clegg ends whirlwind week with visit to Brewery. Plymouth, South West

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In another event likely to make his party staff cringe Clegg spend the last week of his whirlwind campaign talking to local brewers in Plymouth about the growth of small businesses since the recession. Talking about his promise to keep public spending sustainable , and to cut the deficit by 2022 Clegg offered the stability that so many businesses needed. Promising to also champion British exports abroad Clegg said 'small businesses like this are the lifeblood of our economy... and they the beer tastes pretty good as well''

Home Secretary Lisa Nandy Tours Scotland to Hear Constituent Concerns and Promote Worker's Rights

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We've made great strides together, whether on the minimum wage or on worker's protections. It's a collective effort really. It’s not individuals who change things; leaders can set the ton, but it’s movements that change things. Trade unions work to provide quality protections and decent wages. Volunteers and advocates find the issues that need fixing in their communities, and well, they go out and fix them! I know, I did it myself working to help children and refugees in the voluntary sector. I see my job as an MP and as the Labour Party in general to be a representative for all the work that you all are doing in your communities and to ensure Westminster is hearing the trials, the struggles, and the victories of working people. Because if there's something we all share in common, it's wanting to provide a decent life for our families. We're all good people at heart, and we're in this together. So keep up all the work you're doing, and together we can do that. The Labour Party has it's roots in everyday working struggles, and those struggles will never be taken for granted or forgotten as long as I have any say in the matter.

We can not only protect the minimum wage but increase it to a living wage. We can enshrine hard earned labor protections in law, so that no one need be worked to the bone just to feed their family. We can ensure that our health is never put up on auction to the highest bidder. We can ensure that jobs are thriving in the industrial sector with funding for infrastructure and development projects, but I can't do any of it without your support, so keep the hard questions coming. Thank you!

Campaign stops in Glasgow on January 5th and 6th, Stirling on January 7th, Edinburgh on January 8th and 9th, Dundee on January 10th, Aberdeen on January 11th, and Inverness on January 12th

End of Turn One:

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Cleggmania appears to be back as Clegg makes an impact

In the News:

The Guardian: Tough start for the Prime Minister

Despite launching quite an ambitious manifesto (leading to concerns about the cost of some of the Labour spending proposals) and taking the battle to Yorkshire, many appeared to have been disappointed by Mr. McDonnell's starting performance, buried under constant attacks and more visibility for Mrs. May and Mr. Clegg. A more interesting impact was brought by the brilliant performances of Chancellor Jeremy Corbyn and Home Secretary Lisa Nandy, whose performances both rallied their base in the North West of England and, particularly, give a needed boost to Labour in Scotland as the SNP has a disastrous first week. While Labour is on the retreat due to fire being focused from all sides, this could prevent a rise from a Green Party which has truly parked their tanks on Labour's ground...

Daily Telegraph: May goes all or nothing

We can claim with certainity that this first week of campaign was a victory for Theresa May. Launching a vocal pitch on the economy, Mrs. May has bravely thrown herself into the Labour heartlands to win voters who have never gone Tory before, and polling suggests she is beginning to succeed in the task of renewing her party's image. However, we on the Telegraph express out deepest concern about the evident turn towards the center by Mrs. May, including policies that cause us concern such as her bold plans for tuition fees and working class measures. Such a gamble could win the election for the Conservative Party, but also lose it for them.

The Independent: Cleggmania is back

Once again, Mr. Clegg has shown that he has a special quality to him matched by very few current politicians. Despite his involvement in the Brown coalition, his VONC against John McDonnell appears to have stop any damage for the Lib Dems, and an effective first week has seen both a compelling narrative, a responsible manifesto a strong pitch as why the Lib Dems should be considered a future serious party of government. We applaud and defend these measures as a proper reformist agenda for Britain, but we question whether Mr. Clegg is being entirely wise by scaling down past Lib Dem proposals on tuition fees. We could easily see parties such as the Greens or Labour exploting this, which can only lead to...

Daily Express: Nuttall tells it like it is

And just as the Conservatives prove once again too weak on the European Union and immigration, UKIP finally has a chance to make the Eurosceptic voice heard through the promise of a referendum. Reviled by many on British politics, Mr. Nuttall has nonetheless begun to strike a successful populist note with working class voters, particularly those who voted Labour before as UKIP launches a daring assault on the Labour heartlands of the North. While we believe Mr. Nuttall ought to be more outspoken on the campaign trail, his setpiece speech against Labour was a blistering indictement of a disastrous agenda for Britain held by the current Prime Minister...

Sunday Mail: Loony Nats aim for the Moon

Few parties have had such a starting election week as the SNP. Despite internal polling showing them within an inch of surpassing Labour across Scotland, the roll-out of the SNP manifesto by SNP Leader Alex Salmond has been widely derided for pledging independence within the next year, bringing back the poll tax to a substantial part of Scotland and, to the delight of Private Eye, the novel concept of an independent Scottish space program to put a man in the moon. Internal polling is already showing the SNP on the retreat in Scotland, particularly after a visit from the Home Secretary...

Belfast Telegraph: DUP, SF locked in bitter fight in Northern Ireland

Quite a fight is expected across Northern Ireland due to our new electoral system, with the last projections stating that the DUP, SF, SDLP, UUP, Alliance and the TUV would all win seats. Arlene Foster for the DUP and Gerry Adams for Sinn Fein have proved a strong presence across the region, both seeing rises in internal polling which would suggest that Northern Ireland is moving towards the two extremes. All in all, Mrs. Foster and the DUP are believed to have had the better performance on account of a bold manifesto, good organization and attacks on SF, the scenario beginning to shift as the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) is now believed to be under the 5% threshold needed to gain MP's.

Turn Two:
The Debate Cometh

January 12th to January 19th, 2012

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Dimbleby: Good evening, and welcome to our coverage of the 2012 General Election.

It's been a fascinating opening week for this general election campaign, with several parties launching their manifestos to scorn and praise from the media and the leaders starting to deploy what seems to be their own strategies. An interesting degree of hype surrounding the Lib Dem campaign has also emerged, with Nick Clegg surging as highly visible and effective force in the campaign trail alongside Theresa May, polling showing Mrs. May to be considered the more "prime-ministerial" of the three main leaders. Let's take a look at the poll average, and turn to Nick Robinson for more analysis:

Average Polls:

Conservative Party: 36% (+1)
Labour Party: 24% (-2)
Liberal Democrats: 24% (+2)
UKIP: 7% (+2)
Green Party: 3%
SNP: 2% (-1)
Others: 4% (-2)

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Robinson: Quite a fascinating poll, David, and one that is likely to turn up the heat on the campaigns. The Conservatives, Lib Dems and UKIP make significant gains moving forward as Labour and the SNP take a hit, the first due to fire being concentrated on Labour from the other parties, the SNP for what was considered a bad start for their campaign.

What national polling may not be picking up, however, is the interesting regional shifts that internal polling is showing. Among others, polling companies report that the Labour vote is holding out strong on places like London and Scotland, that the Green Party may be in track to gain MP's by being close to the threshold in the South East, that Sinn Fein and the DUP are tied for the leadership in Northern Ireland, and that UKIP may be doing better than expected across the North.

Random Events:

SDLP councilors defect to Sinn Fein:

Gerry Adams and Sinn Fein have recieved an unexpected boost at the start of the General Election campaign, a small group of SDLP local councilors announcing their defection to SF by arguing the party was better poised to defend the interests of a united Ireland, and giving a boost to the party as the main alternative to the rising Democratic Unionist Party.

SNP under trouble over Berwick-Upon-Tweed claim

The fallout over a less than auspicious start for the SNP campaign continues, particularly after SNP Leader Alex Salmond made a show of visiting the Berwick area to claim it had been stolen by the English. Far from a welcome reception, the move drew protest from local people inside the area, and protests by unionist groups inside Scotland as well. Mr. Salmond is understood to have recieved several threatening letters warning him not to return to Berwick, leading to further questions about his decision.

"We're back to the bloody seventies", says Labour MP

The first crack on the unity of the Labour Party during this campaign has appeared as a vocal anti-McDonnell Labour MP was caught by a microfone making a series of comments about the present state of the party, and speaking in harsh terms of both Mr. McDonnell and Chancellor Jeremy Corbyn. The gaffe was further consolidated when the Labour MP, understood to be gloomy about his reelection prospects, argued the party was "back to the seventies".[/i]

Info from the GM:

1.- Turn: This turn lasts for 72 hours, ending on the afternoon of July 11th (Tuesday).

2.- Debate: This turn we have a debate! All leaders are welcome to participate. Particpation is optional for Sinn Fein and the DUP, they won't be penalized if they don't show up. You'll answer a series of questions, and may use the chance to attack other leaders. Winner of the debate gets a reward of 20 CP, second place gets 10 CP.

January 12 - January 19

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First Minister Arlene Foster at the BBC Leaders Debate

January 12, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster gave a speech in Altmore, County Tyrone in the morning. She used the speech to attack Sinn Fein and their policy of abstentionism, arguing “What is the sense in voting for someone as your representative who won’t go on, take the seat, say the oath, and actually represent you? That’s like hiring a plumber who says he won’t show up, won’t find the leak, and won’t replace the pipe!” She stressed that the DUP was the only party that “can seriously work to improve the condition in Northern Ireland.”

She spent the rest of the day in meetings related to the Northern Irish Executive.

January 13, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster toured the Thomas Ferguson’s Irish Linen factory in Banbridge, County Down. Following her tour, she met with employees and held a roundtable discussion with management on “how the DUP can make business better”.

After the roundtable discussion, Foster knocked on doors in Banbridge for a few hours, before driving to Bangor to meet with DUP volunteers and make phone calls from the local DUP headquarters.

January 14, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster held several meetings related to her role as First Minister of Northern Ireland in the morning and afternoon.

In the evening, she delivered a speech in Omagh about “putting Northern Ireland first”. In the speech, she pledged to “not just prop up some Westminster government”, if the election results would put her in a position to do so, “but extract deep, meaningful promises to ensure the needs of Northern Ireland are met”. Among those needs were several DUP Manifesto positions, including renovations to Belfast International Airport, expanded broadband internet connections, increased and bettered ferry services, and extended health care services.

January 15, 2012:

No public events were held, because DUP Leader Arlene Foster attended church in Enniskillen.

January 16, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster knocked on doors in her MLA constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone for most of the day. She then spent several hours making fundraising phone calls from her home in Enniskillen.

January 17, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster met with voters at a cafe in Derry, County Londonderry during the morning rush. She paused for many pictures and took several minutes with each voter in an effort to make a deep, lasting connection.

She appeared on BBC Radio Foyle in the afternoon and announced she would be participating in the BBC Leaders Debate. She explained her decision by saying that “Just as English MPs can vote on laws that affect Northern Ireland, Northern Irish MPs can vote on laws that affect England. I want the English, and the Scotts, and the Welsh, to know who the DUP are and to know what we stand for.” When asked if she would attend the second debate, Foster replied “We’ll see when the time comes.”

January 18, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster knocked on doors in the village of Brookeborough, County Fermanagh in the morning, before driving to Belfast to knock on doors there.

She spent the afternoon meeting with senior DUP officials at DUP headquarters in Belfast, developing election strategy, reviewing the past week, and preparing for the BBC Leaders Debate.

In the evening, the DUP held a rally in Victoria Park to send Foster off to London for the debate and to energize the party’s base. Ian Paisley, Jr., Nigel Dodds, and Pam Lewis each spoke to crowd before Emma Little-Pengelly introduced Foster. Foster gave a fiery and passionate speech making the case for the DUP as “the only party capable to doing the work of the Northern Irish electorate”. She also touted the DUP Manifesto as a “forward looking Manifesto for the 21st Century, not a backwards Manifesto for the battles of the 20th Century!” She then spent several minutes moving through the crowd and meeting with party loyalists and supporters.

January 19, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster held an interview with the Belfast Telegraph to begin the day. In the interview, she defended the DUP Manifesto position of holding a referendum on the status of the United Kingdom within the European Union. She told the reporter “If people vote to keep it the same or the people vote to leave, it doesn’t matter to me. We just need to have a vote on it and let the people from all over the nation weigh in on it. Our last vote on the EU was in 1975. I was five years old at the time. It’s time to let the younger generations weigh in on something so monumental.”

She then flew to London to participate in the BBC Leaders Debate. Before the debate she spent several hours meeting with voters in the pubs nears the BBC studios. Even though most of them wouldn’t be voting in Northern Ireland, Foster felt it was important to “show the people of the nation that the DUP aren’t the villains the media make us out to be”.

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Clegg continues weekly address.

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I suppose you're probably a bit sick of seeing my face by now- but that's the joy of a general election isn't it? We've had a great week in the campaign, and we're just about to leave for the TV debates. You're going to hear a lot of hot air, and promises from the other parties, but don't let that distract you from their record. It's easy for politicians to walk the walk during election campaigns, but you need to look at their decisions in the past to understand if they can fight for your future.

We've got a great set of campaign events planned this week, and will be heading to Scotland for the first time to launch our plans for devolution. But I'm going to ask you to do three things for us this week 1.) Share this video 2.) Tell your friends and family that every vote counts 3.) Make sure to watch the debates

January 12th-Nick Clegg gives speech at Royal Society of Medicine, London. Pledges to protect doctors+Nurses, and fight for patients

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Quote

Arriving at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London, Nick Clegg told patients, and staff that only the Liberal Democrats could 'protect doctors, and nurses, and fight for the rights of patients'. Arguing that the Tories were obsessed with markets, and had a historic record of underdevelopment, and that Labour lacked the courage to change the NHS, Clegg cast the Lib Dems as the party that could reform, and strengthen the NHS.

Clegg announced that the Liberal Democrats would introduce a patients charter to codify the rights of patients, cut waiting times for mental health care down to 3 months, and promising a cross-party commission into social care Clegg said it was time for the NHS to 'change, and face challenges of the 21st century'. This would be combined with an pledge to protect nursing bursaries, and a recruitment push to make sure the 'NHS stayed the world class institution it is'.

January 13th-Clegg visits car factory in Sunderland, North East. Warns McDonnells' and Corbyns' anti-EU views would crash car industry

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In a widely billed speech Nick Clegg and Vince Cable together attacked Labours' ability to defend jobs, and to promote trade, arguing that the toxic cocktail of 'anti-EU views, and innovation crushing tax and debt rises' would 'crash the car industry' and 'many other great British industries'. Promising to lead an effort to reform trade with Europe to 'open itself to the world', Clegg has argued that the Liberal Democrats promise of a 'fair deal' for Britain would both protect jobs, and investment, and also allow for a renewal in 'great British industry'

January 14th-Clegg woos Labour voters in Exeter, South West. Tells Labour voters to 'join our quest for a fair deal'.

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Quote

In the Labour Constituency of Exeter, Nick Clegg again told voters that 'every vote now counts, and it's time to join our quest for a fair deal'. Touting his support for tax cuts for low earners, a freeze on tuition fees and a pledge to protect sure start centres, Clegg met with labour voters in a childcare centre, and later visited a higher education college to encourage students to register to vote.

January 15th-Clegg blasts SNP 'School kids need free lunches, not a space program' Glasgow, Scotland.

Quote

At a passionate rally in Glasgow Nick Clegg has attacked the SNP for 'indulging in fantasy politics' and says that 'they've given up on being a party of power''. Attacking their proposals for a space program, annexation of Northern Towns and a bizarre Panda program, Clegg said voters 'fed up with Labour and the Tories' should back the Liberal Democrats, who are the only party with a fresh plan for Scotland and can reshape British Politics.

Announcing that he would be delivering a keynote speech on political reform in Edinburgh the next day, Clegg continued his energetic campaign for a 'new type of politics'.

January 16th-Clegg promises 'New, Fairer Politics' with raft of reforms for British Politics. Edinburgh, Scotland.

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In a major speech, Nick Clegg outlined his quest for a 'new, fresh politics' and said that the two old parties have spend the last 10 years completely out of touch with the British People. Again citing their failure to foresee the failure of the Iraq war, the banking crisis or the surge in support for voting Reform, Clegg said that only the Liberal Democrats could turn Britain into a 'fully functioning citizen led' democracy. Cleggs' proposals included...

+ A ban on donations over 10k for political parties.
+ Wholesale reform of the House of Lords, cutting it's members by 30%
+ Metro Mayors for all Regions.
+ Increased devolution for Scotland and Wales.
+ Politics and Civics Lessons in all Schools
+ Power to recall MPs.
+ All manifestos to be reviewed by National Office for Budget Responsibility

January 17th-Clegg gives interview to Guardian- 'This campaign will test just how much people want change'.

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In an interview with the Guardian and New Statesmen, Nick Clegg has said that he wants his campaign to prove 'that the british public are fed up with the tired old parties' and voters finally have a 'chance to prove they want an adult set of politics'. Attacking Labour for 'indulging in student politics', and calling John McDonnell 'the man who was almost bankrupted London', Clegg said that voters should rally around his campaign for a 'fair, and fresh politics' which could deliver social justice and equality for Britain. Likewise Clegg dismissed Theresa May for 'pretending she wasn't in the conservative party' and said that her policies didn't even have the majority of support from her shadow cabinet.

January 18th-Clegg launches rally for 'your voice, your vote' campaign to raise awareness of new voting system, Croydon, London'.

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Quote

Coming on stage to the booming lyrics from David Bowie hit song Changes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1iBLo1GagM) Nick Clegg vowed that the Lib Dems would spread awareness about the new voting system, and joked about tattooing the words 'your vote matters' on his forehead if it helped the message. Telling voters that they would no longer need to worry about tactical voting, and that the Lib Dems 'fresh, fair deal' would resonate across Britain.

'In every region of Britain people want a fair, fresh deal for their politics. They want politicians to be honest, about the need to tackle the big issues like our public debt, the state of our NHS and our need to to reform the economy. In this election you can send a powerful message to the old parties that the tide is changing, and that we want a new type of society.''

January 18th-Clegg meets with small businesses and promises to protect 'beating heart of Britains Economy'' Sevenoaks, South East'.

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With Shadow Business Secretary Jeremy Browne, Nick Clegg met with small business owners in the heart of sevenoaks, and visited cafes, mechanics and even a pet shop to talk to business owners about his promise to 'get banks lending again' and ensure that small businesses stay open through economic hardship.

In a later press conference with Browne Clegg outlined his plans to protect small businesses, which included...
+Small Businesses won't pay business rates for the first 18 months.
+Expansion in highspeed and fibre optic broadband.
+ Small Business Recovery Scheme to provide emergency loans and grants.

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Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams toasts the new Sinn Féin councilors in Derry

January 13:

Adams spent the day knocking doors in the town of Castlederg, later retiring to his hotel to make phone calls to local voters. Asked by an Irish News reporter about his participation in the BBC Leaders Debate, he confirmed that he planned to participate, citing the previous participation of Plaid Cymru and the SNP as justifying “some measure of representation of Irish political issues, just as Scottish and Welsh issues have the opportunity for a national spotlight in these events.”

January 14:

Adams spent the morning knocking doors in Maghera, with an evening visit to the historic William Clark & Sons linen mill to discuss industrial policy and the effects of EU policy on the Irish textiles industry.

January 15:

Knocking doors in Magherafelt, with an afternoon visit to St. Mary’s Grammar School to discuss the upcoming election with students.

January 16:

Knocking doors in Eglinton in the morning, followed by a meeting with businesses in the aviation sector at City of Derry Airport to discuss the future of the airport in the face of declining passenger numbers, as part of a broader discussion on infrastructure in the Six Counties.

January 17:

Knocking doors in Derry, followed by an evening rally featuring local ex-SDLP councilors who defected to Sinn Féin.

Quote

Adams: Between the change in party membership of my friends here with us tonight and the recent polling suggesting we are effectively tied with the DUP, it is clear that Sinn Féin is the party most capable of defending those values that we share and fight for. The SDLP is a fine party, and I count many of their members among my friends. With this new electoral system and the increased possibility of success for minor parties like the TUV, however, it is becoming more clear than ever that we must have unity among our voters if we want to secure our goals and retain our influence. There is one clear leader in the contest to defend our shared values, and that is Sinn Féin.

January 18:

Roundtable with local business owners in Limavady, followed by an evening appearance on BBC Radio Ulster to discuss the potential effects of a referendum on EU membership

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Adams: People in the north would only make up around 3% of the population voting in a referendum, so it’s highly unlikely our concerns would be heard. However, it is us who would bear the brunt of the costs of any referendum, given the current border. If the referendum passed, businesses in Glasgow would still be able to do business with those in Edinburgh, those in Manchester would still be able to freely work with those in London, but businesses wanting to move between Belfast and Dublin would have a difficult and complex process to go through. A divided Ireland is one that is weak, one that is economically damaged, and that is not something I can ever support. If there is to be a referendum, and I do think one may be coming soon—there are some legitimate grievances against the EU and the UKIP phenomenon suggests more and more British voters are moving in that direction—it must include a separate, binding referendum for us here to make sure our concerns are addressed adequately.

January 19:

Adams spent a relaxing morning on the beach at Portstewart, occasionally making conversation with locals and tourists, before flying to London to participate in the BBC debate. As a true man of the people, he went to London via Ryanair’s Derry to Stansted route.

5 CPs spent on a canvassing team in Northern Ireland

McDonnell Visits Derby:
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Prime Minister McDonnell visiting Derby

Prime Minister McDonnell visited Derby today, visiting Derby and -- surprising many -- visiting the Labour constituency of Derby.

McDonnell spent two days (13th an 14th) canvassing in the West Midlands and meeting with voters. When asked about the manifesto of the Conservative Party by a reporter, the Prime Minister gave the following statement.

Quote from: Remarks on the Conservative Manifesto

I know Theresa May would like you to think that the people of Britain won't have to deal with austerity under a Conservative Government, that they will implement a "New Deal" of sorts. Let's not pretend here -- this is the party of Thatcherism, of austerity. They sure as hell aren't going to turn around and become the party of Keynes, and if you look at their policies you'll see that they aren't -- it's more of the same deregulation, spending cuts, and tax breaks for the wealthy. Between them and Clegg's moderate heroes, we are the only party who is really offering the voters a choice here.

On the 15th and 16th, McDonnell headed to London to shore up Labour's support there. Speaking to a crowd in Hyde Park, he commented on the debate about infrastructure:

Quote from: Remarks on the debate about infrastructure

Few issues affect the day-to-day lives of Britons like infrastructure. However, the Liberal Democrats don't even mention it in their manifesto, and the Conservatives' plans to "redistribute investments" aren't much better. Labour has put forth a bold plan to bring Britain's roads, internet services, and other utilities into the 21st century -- so every person in this country can have equal and exceptional access to the services they need.

Then, on the 17th-19th, McDonnell headed up to Edinburgh, Scotland; where he slammed the SNP for their bizarre manifesto while talking with voters at a restaurant.

Quote from: Slamming the SNP for a bizarre manifesto

Scotland does not need ing pandas, Scotlan needs good-paying jobs. Scotland does not need to send astronauts to the moon, Scotland needs proper internet service. And Scotland does not need to "re-annex" towns in England, Scotland needs a stronger NHS. I hope that all voters, regardless of political leanings, can acknowledge how frivolous and truly callous to the people's needs Mr. Salmond's manifesto is.

Campaign Points:
10 points on canvassing in Scotland, 5 points on canvassing in the West Midlands.

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WE STAND FOR YOU TOUR

January 13, 2012
Mr. Nuttall began the day in Bedworth, West Midlands where he spoke at a local textile factory and discussed the issues of the European Union, bringing back jobs and Hire/Buy British.

He then went to Stratford-upon-Avon, where he held a rally at the Shakespeare Theatre and spoke of defending British culture, how the EU has damaged industry and how we will bring it back.

Mr. Nuttall visited locals in Coventry at the market and discussed a variety of issues with them including grammar schools, Brexit and a sane and rational foreign policy.

Nuttall then held a rally at Leamington Spa, where he spoke of the manifesto and how it will help local communities.

Quote

For decades, the politicans in Westminster have said that their manifestos and agendas will help the working people of our nation. As we can see, they lied to you. They have promised to fix our NHS, to solve our unemployment crisis and take care of the influx of low-skilled workers coming into our communities. In fact, the politicans have made it worse. According to the BBC, we are on track for 176,000 migrants this year alone. The Tories and Labour are shipping in thousands of low-skilled workers when our youth unemployment is almost 25%. This is an outrage, the jobs that those workers are taking could go to the unemployed mother of four from Birmingham instead it is going to Helga from Bucharest.

January 14, 2012
Nuttall began his day in Irlam, North West where he spoke at Kingsland Wine & Spirits about how the EU has negatively affected the farming market, how we need a Brexit and how leaving the EU will bring back jobs.

He then spoke at a former textile plant in Shaw and Crompton about how we need a referendum, how Labour has forgotten the working class and how Theresa May is an imposter and the Tories have never helped the working class.

He later held a 'We Believe in You' rally in Manchester where he spoke of the consequences of uncontrolled immigration, a EU referendum, a sane foreign policy and grammar schools.

He later held a rally in Accrington where he spoke of how Labour and the Tories have failed Britain.

January 15, 2017
Leader Nuttall spoke at the Harworth Colliery where he spoke of how the EU has led to a loss of mining, manufacturing and fishing jobs and how UKIP will fight for those jobs and bring them back. He also spoke of how Labour has forgotten the working class.

He then held a town hall in Chapel-en-le-Frith at the local bicycle tire factory where he spoke of the need for good manufacturing policies, grammar schools, a stop of uncontrolled immigration and a need to leave the EU.

He then visited the Paul Smith factory in Lenton and spoke of the re-partition tax credit and how we need to bring good paying jobs back. He also spoke of the high-Buy British policy.

He then held a meet and greet roundtable with factory workers and management at the Carlsberg Brewery in Northampton and answered questions on taxes, the EU and immigration.

January 16, 2012
He then held a rally in Sc**nthrope where he spoke about the European Union, the youth unemployment crisis, a sane foreign policy and how Labour has abandoned the working class.

Nuttall held a rally in Castleford where he spoke of the EU, cutting back on immigration and the hire/buy British policy.

He then went to the Debby Dale Pie Festival where he spoke of agriculture, met with voters and spoke of the EU referendum.

Leader Nuttall held a rally in Leeds where he spoke of how Theresa May and the Tories are trying to fool the working class and McDonnell claims to support the working class but Labour supports the globalist policies in Brussels. He also spoke of allowing only 10,000 immigrants into the U.K.

January 17, 2012
Nuttall spent the morning in Cardiff, Wales where he walked around different neighborhoods and spoke with former Labour voters who were undecided or voting UKIP.

He then held a rally in Downtown Cardiff where he spoke of improving the economy, grammar schools, helping our NHS and a referendum on Brexit.

He then held a rally in Felixstowe, East of England where he spoke of a referendum on the EU, the death penalty, church attendance and the problems of uncontrolled immigration.

In Woodbridge, he spoke of bringing back the fishing industry, leaving the EU, grammar schools and the drug crisis.

January 18, 2012
Nuttall held a town hall in Dorridge where he spoke of a referendum on the EU, ending foreign aid to Pakistan, gay marriage, cutting down on immigration and the Hire/Buy British policy.

He then canvassed the local area in Birmingham and held a rally at the local UKIP Headquarters and met with the local list of candidates.

He then held a rally in Solihull where he spoke of a referendum to leave the EU, a better deal for the NHS and saving local industry.

He then went to Wolverhampton where he spoke of cutting immigration, bringing back jobs and a referendum to leave the EU.

January 19, 2012
He went to Alnwick where he spoke of bringing back British industry and how the EU has strampled industry. He spoke of leaving the EU and a sane foreign policy.

He then walked the neighborhoods in Newcastle and spoke of how the Conservatives and Labour are hurting the working class. He spoke of how the Liberal Democrats will hurt British citizens.

He held a town hall with, Brits for Responsible Immigration, and spoke of a sane foreign policy, arming all police officers and cutting immigration to 10,000.

He participated in the Leader's Debate in London.

5 CP on Campaigning in West Midlands.

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Foreign Secretary Owen Smith
January 12 - 19

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Interesting times we live in, aren't they? I confess I find them a bit too interesting of late. Even we government ministers need a bit of light amusement now and again; so I went and read the Conservative Manifesto. I am pleased to report that, for what may be the first time in history, a Conservative pledge did not disappoint.

Who knew the Tories had been a workers' party all this time and were just afraid to tell us? Perhaps they worried Mother Margret would not approve. Rest assured, the Conservative Party of old is gone, and a new party with a new, young, hip platform is here to take its place : promising not grim austerity, but austerity with a smile!

Perhaps you are not convinced by this remarkable transformation. Perhaps you will observe that for all their recent promises, the Tories have never failed to plant a blow between the shoulders of the working class when they could get away with it. Perhaps you will even suggest this newfound solidarity is but dressed-up Thatcherism. I certainly couldn't say; but it is amusing to speculate.

Quote

Let us be blunt. For all the other parties' newfound interest in the plight of the working class, Labour is the only party to have ever endeavored to do anything about it. Our Liberal friends, for instance, had every opportunity to advocate for the common man from within the coalition government. Instead, they elected to bring down the government in a display of petty self-interest. However much they talk of a "fairer society" and rooting out corruption, remember that at the end of the day, we are here because the Liberals made a promise to the people of Britain and broke it.

Quote

In the weeks to come, you are going to hear a lot of politicians march up to your front door and tell you what you want. Perhaps they're worried that if they don't tell you, you might start thinking for yourselves. I won't presume to follow their example, because I don't think I need to trick the people into voting for their own interests. I will only ask that, when you cast your ballot on election day, you do so in support of the only party that has ever lifted a finger to help the working people of this country. For all the empty promises and fancy rhetoric you'll find with the opposition, Labour remains the only credible voice for a living wage, a stronger NHS, aid to working families, and reining in the fat cats and financiers who caused this recession. That is the choice before you in this election, and that will be the Labour program in the next parliament, come what may.

Schedule

January 12 - Port Talbot
January 13 - Gorseinon & Clydach
(discuss pledges to expand the NHS, implement a living wage, protect organized labor, and modernize infrastructure)

January 14 - Pontypridd
(discuss pledges to implement a living wage, modernize infrastructure, modernize infrastructure, and maintain a strong foreign policy)

January 15 - Cardiff
(discuss pledges to expand the NHS, implement a living wage, protect organized labor, and maintain a strong foreign policy)

January 16 - Buckley
January 17 - Rhyl
(discuss pledges to aid working families, implement a living wage, protect organized labor, and modernize infrastructure)

January 18 - Bangor
(discuss pledges to expand the NHS, implement a living wage, protect organized labor, and modernize infrastructure)

January 19 - Holyhead
(discuss pledges to implement a living wage, protect organized labor, modernize infrastructure, and maintain a strong foreign policy)

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May swings through Tory heartland, touting tax cuts and Europe

12 January

Mrs May, speaking in Norfolk, touted the Conservative manifesto's commitment to tax cuts and spending reduction:

Quote

After fifteen years of power, three Prime Ministers, a recession and debt crisis, Labour no longer has a leg to stand on. Who can take them seriously on any pledge they now make? A Prime Minister and Chancellor who fail to understand the seriousness of the debt crisis they are handing to young people and their future are not fit to govern this country.

How can we trust a party which oversaw a catastrophic recession and spent billions bailing out the financial sector with no relief for the millions of working families robbed of pensions, jobs, homes, and hope?

How can we trust a Prime Minister and Chancellor who have spent their entire political careers stoking useless class warfare and disdain for anyone who dares to succeed in this country?

A Conservative government will reduce the overall burden of tax on low income and middle class families and boost local investment by slashing taxes on small businesses and start-ups. Our plan to build a strong recovery is to invest in people and communities. We will promote growth at the local level and sweep away years of Labour's red tape, needless regulation, and Whitehall bureaucracy.

13 January
Traveling to Ipswich, Mrs May door knocked with local Conservative list candidates for East of England and addressed concerns on Europe:

Quote

Our policy is the only one which preserves British institutions and rights, and maintains our place within the Single Market and keeping London as the financial capitol of the world. I will veto any agreement which reduces British sovereignty and show European leaders that the focus must be on growth and investment; not slogans, but results.

Quote

We don't support a referendum because a referendum is the ultimate failure of policy and leadership. It's easy to yell from the sidelines as Mr Nuttall does and never have to bear the responsibility of government. To never have to explain how he will plug a hole in our economy or fiances if we left the EU. The Conservative Party will deliver strong leadership as a partner in Europe.

We will stand up for Britain every day.

May goes on the attack over housing prices in London

14 January

Quote

Year after year, Labour promises to deliver more homes that you can actually afford, and year after year, the supply never catches up with demand, and rents and mortgages grow out of hand. We will devolve greater authority to local administration to build new, safe, and affordable housing for all types of families.

We know that if young people can break into the property market they will be able to have a fair go for their future; they only lack the cash, not the commitment. We will legislate to cap mortgage payments for first time home buyers and allow a full tax deduction on payments for young families as they establish their roots.

Labour sees fit to burden our country with a massive deficit, pour thousands of pounds of debt on the poorest students in this country, and price new families out of the housing market. All that glitters is not gold, and the shine is rubbing off of Mr McDonnell's record and plan more every day.

15 January

Mrs May spent the day in London at Conservative Central Office, developing the campaign strategy. She attended a rally in Richmond Park, targeting the Liberal Democrats over tuition fees:

Quote

Mr Clegg seriously believes that an eighteen year old student on family support coming from a home straddling the poverty line should pay the same in fees as a family on one million pounds a year. He accuses us of creating a "class divide" in education and fails to realize the divide is already here! Thousands of students every year choose against going to university because it would bury them in a mountain of debt. That means their places are filled with more of the posh set who already make up our politics and economy.

I have fought against the Eton Elite inside of my party and in politics every day for twenty years. I believe in the basic worth and opportunity of people in every part of our country, and their futures should never be shortchanged. For a liberal, Mr Clegg seems happy to turn a blind eye on thousands of our most promising students.

May flies to Scotland, taking the fight to Labour and Nats front door

16 January
Mrs May flew to the Scottish Borders and blasted the failures of the SNP Government and Labour as having "consistently ignored the rural areas which underpin Scotland's society and history." She touted the Conservative's commitment to withdraw from the London Fisheries Agreement which would give British fishermen exclusive rights to waters extending twelve nautical miles.

17 January
Spending a second day on the Borders, Mrs May attacked the SNP Government for continued cuts to education funding, saying they had "squandered the promise of devolution."

Mrs May then traveled by car to Edinburgh where she praised the city's modern, innovative economy and restated the Conservative plan to support small businesses and start-ups.

18 January
On her final day in Scotland, Mrs May made a major speech in Perth and North Pertshire, saying only the Conservatives could fight for a strong Scotland within the United Kingdom:

Quote

No matter their squabbles today, Labour will go hand in heart to the SNP after the election, begging for votes and ready to ditch any commitment to suit their purpose. The Conservative and Unionist Party is resolute in our support for our union and we will fight for preserving it every single day.

Scotland deserves a government that believes in Scotland in Westminster and Holyrood; not Labour piling more and more debt onto our children, sticking the hand of the state into your daily lives, nor the Nationalists presiding over a disgraceful decline in services as they pursue irrational, dangerous delusions.

Following her speech, Mrs May flew overnight to London to prepare for the Leaders' Debate.

19 January

Mrs May prepped for the Leaders' Debate on the BBC and discussed campaign strategy.

Conservative CP Totals--Round II
Canvassing:
London: 10 points
Scotland: 5 points
East Midlands: 5 points
West Midlands: 5 points

Total: 25 points

End of Turn Two:

()

As the Lib Dems take second place, the rise of UKIP threatens Labour and the Tories

In the News:

The Sun: Clegg and Foster strengthened by debate

The latest "Leader's Debate" drew significant attention and even reaction from the public, a memorable night in which several leaders made lasting impressions on the public eye. For the Liberal Democrats it was a personal triumph as Nick Clegg continued to press on hs message of change while delivering a crippling low on the Prime Minister, and for the Democratic Unionist Party their introduction to a wider audience across the UK proved a success as many found themselves wishing Mrs. Foster was part of a national party...

The Independent: Lib Dems jump to second place

Following a successful debate performance and skilled campaign efforts (which involved an effective use of online advertising) Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats are stunning the pollsters by surpassing Labour in all polls taken after the debate, placing them in second place for the first time in years. With internal polling placing the Lib Dems anywhere from a dozen to thirty seats ahead of Labour, political experts are starting to agree Mr. Clegg could very well become Leader of the Opposition, or even Prime Minister in the event of a dramatically hung parliament.

The Times: The Rise of UKIP

And while the surge of the Liberal Democrats at Labour's expense has captured most people's attention, the also steady rise of the UK Independence Party shouldn't be ignored by the major parties and indeed, the public. Led in populist style by Paul Nuttall (with able help from Nigel Farage) UKIP has scored significant points against Labour and the Conservatives, drawing disaffected working class Labour supporters and Eurosceptics disappointed of Mrs. May to climb his way into the thresholds across most of the nation, all while absorbing the BNP vote in the process. One must wonder how fast UKIP is rising, and what will that mean for the rest of the campaign.

Sunday Mail: SNP collapse in the polls, Clegg, May and McDonnell benefit

Already damaged by a questionable start to their campaign, the Scottish National Party was dealt further blows on account of a disappointing debate performance and a continued series of questionable claims and statements, which appeared to have caused quite the shift on Scottish polling. With the SNP believed to be falling below 20%, a shock flash poll by Lord Ashcroft shows the Conservatives rising to third place, with the Lib Dems closing on Labour. Many inside the SNP have already expressed their displeasure with their election campaign, leading us to wonder just what will happen in Scotland...

Belfast Telegraph: Northern Ireland polls show two-horse race, DUP ahead

The exposure generated by the debate performances of Arlene Foster and Gerry Adams has worked to be benefit of both the DUP and Sinn Fein as both parties continue to rise in the polls in Northern Ireland, mostly to the expense of the SDLP and the UUP. Only five parties are believed to be in line to win seats in the region, and while the fight remains close between the DUP and Sinn Fein it appears that for the first time Mrs. Foster has developed a clear lead over Mr. Adams.

Turn Three:
Mid-Point

January 20th to January 26th, 2012

()

Dimbleby: Good evening, and welcome to our coverage of the 2012 General Election.

This week we had the first of two Leader's Debates and some rather interesting strategies put in motion by other parties, a sign that our political system is trying to do its best to adapt to the realities of our new electoral system. With the Liberal Democrats and UKIP on the rise against the once dominant Conservatives and Labour, one must wonder just what result this campaign will yield. As the effects of the debate start to make themselves clear, lets go to Nick Robinson for our poll average:

Average Polls:

Conservative Party: 35% (-1)
Liberal Democrats: 26% (+2)
Labour Party: 21% (-3)
UKIP: 9% (+2)
Green Party: 4% (+1)
SNP: 1% (-1)
Others: 4% (

()

Robinson: Well, David, it is quite stunning news for the major parties. The smaller parties such as the Lib Dems, the Greens and UKIP have seen a combined swing of 9% to them compared to the start of this campaign, something which could have major consecuences for Westminster as Nick Clegg jumps far ahead of Labour into second place and a direct challenger to Theresa May for who will be the next Prime Minister. While many don't count Labour out yet on account of a strong team behind John McDonnell, they'll need to react strongly to counter the threat of the Lib Dems, or the momentum behind Clegg could lead to their replacement as one of the two major parties.

But much like I warned last week, the average polls could be off on a couple of points, and it has been reported that regional swings are becoming more and more unpredictable as of today. For example, the latest ICM poll shows Theresa May making significant gains with centrist voters and in areas like Scotland and London, but those are not visible due to voters in Tory heartlands switching to UKIP and affecting the total. Labour continues to put up a strong fight across Scotland, the North and London, but its vote appears to be collapsing across the south. And while the Green Party is far behind across most of the country, concentrated efforts in London and South East might bear fruit and allow an interesting share of Green MP's to be elected there.

All in all, we'll see whether Labour and the Conservatives can put a stop to the minor parties this week.

Random Events:

Caroline Lucas enjoys welcoming reception in London:

The latest visit of Green Leader Caroline Lucas to London was an unusual success for the Green Party as several hundred people (most of them young voters) attended their events and even volunteered to help the party's efforts in the city. Many of them expressed their disaffection towards the Labour Party and their attraction to the Green manifesto and overall platform, providing a boost to Mrs. Lucas that might get her party closer to the threshold in the area.

Lib Dem MP Chris Huhne under fire over wife's claims

A potential scandal for the Lib Dems is developing as a story in The Mail on Sunday claims frontbencher Chris Huhne perverted the course of justice by pressuring people to take the driving licence penalty points of his wife in 2003, leading to a storm of media scrutiny towards Mr. Huhne. While the MP has denied the allegations, the Essex Police is understood to be discussing the situation with the Crown Prosecutinon Service to conduct an investigation.

Info from the GM:

1.- Turn: This turn lasts for 72 hours, ending on the afternoon of July 15th (Saturday).

Robertson campaigns in Scotland's North

()
Campaigning in his home local authority of Moray, Angus Robertson told journalists:

Quote

The people of Scotland face a choice in this election. The choice is between the SNP, who will stand up for Scotland in Westminster, and the three London-lead parties, who will speak for Westminster in Scotland. Only the SNP has the interests of the people of Scotland at heart, as shown by our four and a half years in government in Scotland.

Over those years in government we've abolished university tuition fees, frozen the council tax, put a thousand extra police on the street, reduced hospital waiting times, abolished prescription charges, reduced class sizes, refurbished or rebuilt 350 schools, introduced the small business bonus and introduced 20,000 new apprenticeships. The SNP has shown the we work for Scotland; delivering on 84 out of 94 key manifesto points from the 2007 election with a minority government.

We want to take this record forward into Westminster. One of the key policies we have in this election is to introduce a universal basic income - something that can only be achieved at UK-level. This will ensure that everyone receives enough money to live on. This radical approach to welfare is needed to tackle poverty - particularly we need to bring the one in four child poverty rate down to zero. As a party, we believe that this policy will make great strides in doing just that.

We will also ensure that the independence referendum, which we won a mandate for last year, is delivered. Every test of opinion has suggested that up to 80% of the Scottish people support a referendum; only SNP MPs will have the courage to fight for the referendum that a vast majority of Scots support.

We're also looking at building on our 2011 pledge of generating 100% of our electricity by renewable means by 2020. Scotland has a huge potential to generate electricity through wind and tidal power, which can be harnessed to end our dependency on fossil fuels. The vast sums of money generated from oil will look like peanuts compared to wealth that could be generated from renewables too. A green revolution is only possible with a vote for the SNP in Scotland; we will fight for a greener, cleaner society.

Schedule:
20th January: Moray (canvassing)
21st January: Banff & Buchan (canvassing)
22nd January: Na h-Eileanan Siar (canvassing)
23rd January: Perth and North Perthshire (canvassing)
24th January: Falkirk (canvassing)
25th January: Angus (canvassing)
26th January: Dundee East & Dundee West (rally & canvassing)

I'm not sure where we are on dates, so if I've got the dates wrong just adjust for the week we're on.

()
First Minister Arlene Foster speaking inside of Stormont on January 24

January 20, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster flew into Belfast International Airport in the early morning hours, slept for a few hours, then held a town hall-style meeting with voters at the Belfast Royal Academy. At the town hall, she looked to built upon her success at the BBC Leaders Debate and spoke about “the great opportunity that we have to secure the Unionist future of Northern Ireland” by elected DUP MPs. She told the crowd “If we get 10 DUP MPs, we can control the fate of the Government” with the new proportional representation likely to create a hung parliament.

After the town hall meeting, Foster drove to Antrim, where she toured the Antrim railway station with Ian Paisley, Jr., MP and several community leaders. She then gave a brief speech on the DUP’s manifesto for infrastructure improvements and launched “DUP Infrastructure Week”, where senior DUP leadership would be spending the week discussing the future of infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

January 21, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent the morning door knocking in Poyntzpass with DUP volunteers.

In the afternoon, she visited with construction workers on the A24 in Clough, County Down as part of the DUP’s Infrastructure Week. While there, she discussed the proposed by-pass for the A24, saying that the DUP would be able to secure funding from Westminster for the project because “unlike Sinn Fein, the DUP actually show up to the jobs we were elected to do”.

Foster spent the evening in her MLA Constituency of Fermanagh and South Tyrone making telephone calls from the local DUP headquarters.

January 22, 2012:

No public events were held, because DUP Leader Arlene Foster attended church in Enniskillen.

January 23, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster started the day in Portrush, County Antrim, speaking to dock workers at Portrush Harbor as part of the DUP’s Infrastructure Week. She used the visit as an opportunity to explain the DUP’s manifesto pledge of increased and improved ferry services between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. She explained that the services would “provide the spark of commercial and leisure tourism that will kick the Northern Irish economy into” high gear.

In the afternoon Foster toured Portrush Primary School and met with parents, using the opportunity to discuss the DUP’s education policies. She told the group that the DUP “believes in the importance of grammar schools and will work to protect grammar schools” as part of “the Northern Irish way”. After the meeting, she spent a few hours knocking on doors in the area.

January 24, 2012:

The day was devoted to work for the Northern Irish Executive and the Northern Irish Legislative Assembly.

January 25, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent the day in Strabane, County Tyrone. She started the day meeting with Derry and Strabane District Councillors and discussing local issues and how the Executive in Stormont can help.

In the afternoon she door knocked in Strabane with DUP volunteers before meeting with construction workers on the A5. Foster spoke to the construction workers on the A5 as part of the DUP’s Infrastructure Week. She made it a point to comment on Taioseach Enda Kenny’s 2011 decision not to contribute £400 million to the proposed work on the A5, using the fact to attack Sinn Fein, saying “No Northern Irish government can rely on a foreign government - which the government in Dublin is - for basic infrastructure on our roads. That’s what a Sinn Fein government would do.”

In the evening, the DUP held a rally in Grange Park in Omagh, County Tyrone. Although Thomas Buchanan MLA opened up the rally, it was really a highlight of the DUP’s female faces. All nine of the DUP’s female candidates spoke at the rally, with Dianne Dodds, MEP and Ms. Emma Little-Pengelly playing the most important roles. Foster herself played a minor role at the rally, speaking briefly at the end to attack Sinn Fein, saying “The parties of the left - Sinn Fein and the SDLP - try to make themselves out to be the parties of equality. Well, look at their list of candidates. Are half of their candidates women? Is there leader a woman? Did they nominate a woman for deputy First Minister? I don’t think so!”

January 26, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster visited the City of Derry Airport as a part of the DUP’s Infrastructure Week. After taking a tour of the facilities, including taking a couple of promotional photos in the cockpit of a Ryanair Derry-to-Stansted flight, she met with workers, passengers, and management. During the visit, she told voters that the DUP’s manifesto pledge to secure increase funding for Belfast International Airport “won’t be limited to Belfast - all Northern Irish airports will see an increase in funding to make Northern Ireland a hub for commerce and leisure.”

During her drive to Belfast, Foster stopped her car on the M22 and met with construction workers along the road. While not an official part of the DUP’s Infrastructure Week agenda, Foster used many of her Infrastructure Week talking points at the impromptu visit.

In Belfast, Foster held an interview with reporters from the Sunday Independent. In the interview, she paid tribute to Veronica Guerin and said “the issue of drugs and organized crime is not one that stops when one crosses from the South into the North. The leaders of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, myself and the Taoiseach, must set aside our differences and our history in order to secure the safety of our citizens.”

She also spoke to the Belfast News Letter about the DUP’s relationship with the Westminster parties, saying “We’re going to work very hard to get the very best deal for the Northern Irish people. If no party in Westminster can promise us - and deliver - increased funding for our infrastructure, expanded health services in Northern Ireland, and an end to the bedroom tax, we’ll walk away from the negotiations and allow the government to fail. We’re not in the business of propping up the Tories, or Labour, or the Liberal Democrats, we’re in the business of fighting for Northern Ireland.” When asked to give a prediction of how the elections will turn out nationally, Foster said “With the proportional system, I honestly don’t know. I think the Tories will do well, I think the LibDems will do well. UKIP and the Greens may win a handful of seats, but I don’t think they can break out wide.”

In the evening, Foster and senior DUP officials held a strategy meeting for their Northern Irish Legislative Assembly group.

()
Change..

Quote

I guessed the moment that we left the television studios last week that the false attacks from Labour would start to pile in; I just didn't expect them to be ham fisted. I'm not sure what was more worrying- Labour attacking me for looking like I drink red wine, or for being accused of stealing ideas from a party, which has lacked any new ideas since 1997. It's a good reminder to us all though- whenever you try and change, or challenge anything in life you will face push back- when we opposed the Iraq war we were attacked, when we warned about the financial crash in 2007 we were called doomsayers and then finally we we watched the two old parties oppose voting reform last summer.

I want to say to everyone out their campaigning for the Liberal Democrats to take heart from this- let's be happy that Labour are attacking us- it shows that we can win. So I urge you; share this video, tell your friends and family that their vote counts, go and campaign, and tell everyone that, finally, Britain can have a fairer future.

January 20th-Liberal Democrats launch LGBT rights Manifesto campaign. Pledge to 'finally pass marriage equality' Bermondsey, London.

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The New Lib Dem billboard being rolled out

Quote

Speaking to a crowd of LGBT Activists, and Party members Nick Clegg vowed that the Lib Dems would put fairness, and equal rights at the heart of their government. Clegg's central pledge was to pass marriage equality, to give LGBT people the right to marry, with Clegg pointing to numerous other nations and states like Norway, Spain and Canada who had successfully introduced equal marriage. Clegg said he 'knew the issue was controversial' but said that didn't stop it being the 'right thing to do' and said that politics is 'belittled when we shy away from doing the right thing'.

In a latter joint interview with Attitude and Gay Times Clegg announced a raft of other measures- such as overturning historic convictions for lawful sexual behavior, expanding treatment and funding for HIV/AIDs, and tackling homophobic bullying in Schools, Clegg said that 'equal marriage is one of the first steps to making our society truly fair'. Clegg admitted he would be attacked but said 'people will always find an excuse when they don't want to accept change''.

January 21th- Nick Clegg meets with Students. Hits Labour for 'big gaping hole' in their manifesto over LGBT rights, and students. Manchester, North West.

() ()

The Lib Dems roll out more posters, hitting Labour over it's lack of policies.

Quote

Coming on stage to 'Hit me with your best shot' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JRgHol94Xc) Nick Clegg reminded students to register to vote, and told them to 'shout from the hills' that change is coming, and that their vote would finally count before turning his energy onto the recent attacks from Labour. Telling the crowd that it 'was remarkable that a progressive party in 2012 wouldn't even mention students in their manifesto, let alone gay rights'.

'The Labour Party sent a message with that manifesto- 'if you are a member of the LGBT community they've stopped caring, if you are a young person, they've stopped caring. After 15 years in government, they've simply ran out of gas''. Clegg mocked Labour for accusing him of stealing their policies stating 'their was nothing to steal about gay rights''. After mentioning his policies for students and young people such as equal marriage, a freeze on tuiton fees, a protection on grants and loans, and a guaranteed job and apprenticeship for all, Clegg urged students to send a 'shockwave' around the globe by coming out to vote for 'equality, fairness and a new type of politics'.

January 22nd- Clegg and Cable talk of need for a 'fair Economy'. Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands.

()

Quote

Nick Clegg and Vince Cable stood together in Stoke to pledge that Britain would finally get a 'fair Economy', and argued that only the Liberal Democrats had a plan that would both cut the debt, and deficit, whilst ensuring long term investment. Clegg and Cable pointed out that the 'recovery would rely on two things... Investment for Growth, Investment for working families. Pointing out their policies for growth- such as focus on Trade Deals, a freeze in business rates for small businesses, green investment, and job training for young people, Clegg said that 'Britain needs to fair approach to investment' that would protect jobs and savings. Cable said this needed to be balanced with policies for working families such as a tax cut for all working families, a freeze in tuition fees and an guarantee for high quality jobs.

Clegg pledged that the party would be outlining it's plan for local government later in the week, saying that we need 'to end the view that investment can only come from the heavy hand of London'.

January 23rd- Cable gives interview to leading Papers. 'I was called Victor Meldrew for predicting the Crash... but I was right'.

()

Quote

In a wide set of interviews with the leading broadsheet and financial papers, Vince Cable set out his stall to take charge of the Treasury after the election. Pointing to his own history as an Economist, and his book 'The Storm' Cable warned that neither Labour or the Tories had accepted the need a reduction in 'Britain's crippling deficit and debt' and said it would require 'tough calls'. Cable said it was vital to protect jobs and investment which would challenge both the Labour and tories who have 'retreated to their comfort zones' with both parties refusing to accept that 'it's no longer 1983. Cable said his first task would be banking reform; with his promise to implement a tax on bankers bonuses to fund a tax fund for workers, and the promise to break up state owned banks.

Cable said that campaign would reveal that the British people want a 'fresh, fair deal' but said that 'you can't change the Economy, if you don't change politics', and said that a surge in support for the Lib Dems would give him a mandate to 'finally implement a fair deal for Britain' that would provide jobs and investment for all.

January 24rd- Lib Dems vow to 'unleash the power of Regional Britain.' and accuse Lib Dems and Tories of only offering 'centralisation'. Liverpool, North West.

Quote

Nick Clegg launched his speech promising to 'unleash the power of regional Britain', and said that the new voting system he fought for, would allow the regions to have a 'loud, proud and powerful' voice. Clegg promised that every region would 'have a metro mayor' with powers over transport and policing. However Clegg said that this 'new fairer, politics' would have to be matched with 'fairer funding' and said that for too long infrastructure outside of London and the Southeast had been ignored.

Turning his fire to the Tories and Labour Clegg said 'The Tories simply want to horde power back to the city of London; that's why they opposed voting reform, a tax on bankers bonuses and why they called for a light touch in 2006' and attacked Labour for 'wanting to sit in Whitehall' and 'dictate more taxation, more borrowing and more debt' without any input from the regions. Clegg finished by saying that only the Liberal Democrats, and their fair deal for Britain could bring both economic and political reform for all regions in the country.

January 25th- Clegg continues jobs pitch with 'A New Green Deal'. Brighton, South East.

Quote

Nick Clegg continued his campaign to give the British Economy the 'fresh, new boost' with a focus on green energy, jobs and investment in Brighton. Clegg said that his party had always been committed 'environmentalists' and said that it was both 'economically urgent' and 'humanely urgent' to tackle climate change, and promote green energy and investment. Pointing to a number of Green Energy projects such as the Severn Barrage, electric cars and Carbon Capture, Clegg also urged Britain to be a 'world leader' in cutting carbon emissions before it was too late. The Liberal Democrats green manifesto included.

+ The phasing out of plastic bags in Supermarkets
+ Investment in funding, and research for Green Energy Projects
+ Tax credits for 'Green Capital Projects', funded by scrapping Hinkley Point C.
+ A memorandum on Fracking.
+ Coal Free Energy from the UK by 2022.

January 26th- Clegg continues 'your voice, your vote' Rallies and goes canvassing in Edinburgh, Scotland.

()

Quote

Continuing his campaign to tell voters about new voting system, Clegg said that the new system 'would transform' Scotland and would end the 'old parties, and old politics' which saw each region of Scotland dominated by one party. Urging voters across Scotland to vote for the 'only party offering a fair, alternative' future for Scotland, Clegg argued that the Liberal Democrats focus on a 'progressive politics, that protects jobs and investment' meant that it was the only party that could represent all of Scotland from 'the hills of Skye to the waters of the Clyde'.

McDonnell Heads to Southern England
()

Prime Minister McDonnell started off the week by heading to Taunton, where he discussed Labour's plans to modernize English infrastructure. When he was asked by a voter about his party's criticisms of Nick Clegg and Labour, he gave the following response:

Quote

*chuckles* Yes, I saw that Mr. Clegg is accusing us of "piling on," and I'm sure that he would love to continue to hammer us with attacks without us responding in kind. However, when we are hit, we hit back, and I would advise him that if he cannot take the heat, he should get out of the kitchen.

And I should note that, of course, Secretary Nandy was not "attacking him because he looks like he drinks red wine." Her point, and my point, was that he is simply not in touch with British working man. Nick Clegg's father was a banker, my father was a bus driver. And this isn't just conjecture -- he's supporting the austerity policies that have left working-class communities in the dust, he's shying away from issues like infrastructure that affect people perhaps more than anything else. I think he's a nice fellow, don't get me wrong. But he simply does not understand the concerns of everyday Britons.

(These sentiments were repeated by the Minister at other campaign stops.)

The voter followed up by asking about Labour's stance on marriage equality.

Quote

Of course we stand for gay marriage. Almost all of our MPs are publicly in favor of this, and we happily stand with the vast majority of the British populace on this issue. It is nice to see that the Liberal Democrats support this as well, and I can only hope that the Tories will follow suit. ;)

A few days later, as the Prime Minister held a town hall meeting in Bournemouth, where he was asked by a student about Labour's policies towards job training.

Quote

We have laid out the boldest plan for education reform in decades. In addition to closing the gap between childcare and school, we've offered up a new system of point-of-use job training. For example, if you want to become a nurse, great. You can be trained in the skills you'll need at the hospital. We think this kind of job training will be extremely helpful for young people in search of work, like yourself, and I encourage you to give us a chance to put it into practice.

Schedule:
January 20th: Bath
January 21st: Bristol, discussing Labour's plans for the NHS at a convention of the Royal College of Nursing, the UK's largest trade union of nurses.
January 22nd: Swindon, discussing Labor's infrastructure proposals.
January 23rd: Canvassing in Chichester, town hall meeting.
January 24th: Town hall meeting in Berkshire, where the living wage policies of the major parties are discussed.
January 25th: Canvassing in Portsmouth.
January 26th: Town hall meeting in Winchester.

Campaign Points:
Canvassing Teams in South East/West England (10 points)

Promoted tweet (10 points, advertisement) reading:

Quote from: @UKLabour

Labour is the only credible party offering a program to rebuild our roads and bridges, creating jobs for the British people. Read more here: www.labour.com

()

Quote

And now a party political broadcast by the Conservative Party:

(A montage of Britain, showing a diverse nations from remote, rural communities and towns, to bustling, fast-paced cities; the weather is cold, dark, but the people are bright and filed with a face of optimism, as if battling what surrounds them. Theresa May's voice begins to narrate over the clips, to music of building hope and optimism.)

"There are times when the whole future of a country can rest on a single decision; times when the power of your vote can change policies and alter directions for an entire nation and the world. Britain has been let down again and again these past few years; more people are out of work now than in twenty years; more students are in debt before they can even find their first job; and more pensioners find their savings have been whittled away.

"Too many of us are taxed too much, and the money which we give is wasted on programs which never benefit the country. But this election gives you a choice.

(The music reaches its crescendo as we cut to Theresa May, relaxed, but professional speaking directly to the camera)

"You can choose to have a better country and a better future. We cannot afford another five years like the past five. How can we trust Labour to get us out of a recession they oversaw, or pay down the debt they inflicted upon the next generation? (We see a montage of increasing unemployment figures, closed shops and businesses, mounting bills.)

"How can we trust the Liberal Democrats to 'change politics' when they resort to the same old game with Labour. (Now we see newspaper headlines and BBC articles: 'All Out War Between Lib Dems and Labour', mixed with images of Nick Clegg and John McDonnell locked in argument from the Leaders' Debate)

"You cannot govern a country, when you cannot govern yourselves. While Labour and the Liberal Democrats are more interested in fighting each other, we are fighting for you.

(Cut back to Theresa May, as she outlines policies, the headlines display on the screen, giving them emphasis)

"We will deliver tax cuts for nearly every family in the UK; too much of your money is being taxed with nothing to show for it. We will infest in communities in every part of this country, proving that success can grow anywhere there's hope and opportunity. We will immediately target John McDonnell's and Nick Clegg's debt; what neither of them could not tackle in five years, we will act on right now.

"There is a better way for the country. The Conservative Party will deliver strong, effective, competent government that is worthy of the British people.

(We fade to black as the date of the election is displayed on the screen and the Conservative web address)

May hammers on the economy; labels Lab and Lib Dems "Coalition of Chaos"

()

20 January--Rally in Cambridge, East of England

Quote

Mr. Clegg likes to wax eloquent over his "new politics" as he calls it. Does anything feel new about more snipping, more fighting with Labour? No, it doesn't, because that's all we have seen over the past two years. That was the government of this country, and while Labour emptied the Treasury, the Lib Dems were too busy measuring the curtains for their cushy new offices to mind.

Every decision to put up taxes, increase spending, increase student fees and tuition was put before a Cabinet of Labour and Lib Democrat ministers. Mr. Clegg talks about a time of change; you know that you're a salesman when you're trying to sell people a change from yourself! We need economic leadership from a government which is focused every single day on delivering real, meaningful results for communities everywhere, and not just point scoring against itself.

21 January--Rally in Chelmsford, East of England

Quote

We need to invest in innovation and small businesses again. We have pledged to secure apprenticeships for every student who embarks on a technical course and our tax credit plan will see more businesses in their communities choose to hire local. Everything in our manifesto is about strengthening communities; making people happy and proud to live where they live, to respect and know their neighbor, and feel safe in their homes.

What kind of "new politics" is it if you spend every day attacking your own partners in government? How can any party be trusted with helping your family's budget, when they blow out the country's?

22 January--Rally in Lincoln, East Midlands

Quote

Labour has been in power for fifteen years, and Mr McDonnell and Mr Corbyn, the men of yesterday, act as if they have the plans for tomorrow! They are running on a platform of higher taxes, more government red tape and waste, with no help for local communities or local businesses.

The worst part of it all, is that they claim to be delivering change and hope to people; it is their own government, their own fifteen years of policies which they are trying to get away from! Then, of course, you have Mr Clegg, acting as the patron saint of naivety, thinking we will just forget the two years he sat at the cabinet table, waving through every new tax, every new regulation, while people lost their jobs, communities died, and services withered.

23 January--Rally in Chesterfield, East Midlands

Quote

Our economic plan is simple and straightforward: we will allow for communities to thrive and grow under their own innovation, their own creativity. We will stop the hands of Whitehall reaching further and further into your pay week after week with nothing to show for it.

Our business innovation plan will combine local communities, your communities, with corporations and businesses which want to invest in you and help grow your area. We will push Whitehall out of the way and let people shape their own future in the towns they love.

()
Foreign Secretary Owen Smith
January 20 - 26

Quote

Well, now, Mr. Clegg seems to have got a bee in his bonnet. It's all very unfortunate, really; you see, he spent great deal of money on a new face, and he was so looking forward to showing it off in Parliament, but now it's been soiled by facts and evidence and just doesn't shine like it used to. I am dreadfully sorry for any discomfort we may have caused him; I simply didn't know he was so allergic to plain honesty.

Quote

You know, there is one point Theresa and I agree on; that is, the Liberal Democrats are about as trustworthy as an arsonist selling fire insurance. There is something uniquely disingenuous, something disturbingly cynical, about a party that will force an election in an act of supreme partisan opportunism, then cast itself as the sunny champion of reform and stability in government.

The fact of the matter is this: Nick Clegg brought down the government because he saw an opportunity to expand his power and influence at the expense of the working people of this country. We have heard a great deal of his grand design for the nation - of his love for the working class, of his commitment to equality, of his zeal for reform - but very little about why he did nothing to achieve it while a minister in the last government. He says he favors marriage equality; but when, as Home Minister, he had the power to make good on that supposed support, he did nothing. Consider this carefully, ladies and gentlemen. The vast majority of Labour MPs support LGBT rights; had Nick Clegg wanted to pass marriage equality in the last Parliament, he had only to say the word - and yet he did not. It seems, then, that marriage equality - like the rest of his manifesto - is just another talking point Nick Clegg drags out whenever he sees an opportunity to win votes, only to be stuffed back in the closet at first convenience.

For the last months, this government has done everything in its power to protect the rights and restore the prosperity of the working people of Britain. We have stood firm in opposition to austerity and the neo-Thatcherism of the Conservatives; we have proposed the most ambitious and comprehensive expansion of infrastructure, education, healthcare, and labor rights of any government in recent memory; and we have done so in face of the united opposition of every other party.

Quote

Mr. Clegg and his party claim they withdrew from coalition because they could not reconcile their beliefs with the policies of John McDonnell. This, to me, is very telling. It means the Liberal Democrats were ready and willing to partner with Labour so long as they were able to ram through austerity and pick the pockets of the working class; but the moment the Labour Party elected a leader committed to a policy of ending austerity, relief for working families, and an economy that works for all, they would have nothing to do with it. Remember this: that when the Liberal Democrats had an opportunity to do the right thing and strike a blow for the working class, they refused. This is the record on which they must wage this campaign.

Schedule

January 20 - 23 : Campaigning in Southeast England
The Foreign Secretary discussed Labour's plans to implement a living wage, invest in infrastructure and the NHS, establish a National Education Service, and address the threat posed by climate change. He also singled out Lib Dem leader Clegg for criticism, calling him an "out-of-touch Janus talking out of both sides of his mouth."

January 24 - 26 : Campaigning in West Midlands
The Foreign Secretary continued to stress Labour's plans to protect labor unions, implement a living wage, and provide relief to working families; expand the NHS; and modernize the nation's infrastructure. He once again singled out the Liberal Democrats for criticism.

Paul Nuttall Gives Speech on the Tories in Margate, South East

"Thank you all for coming out this fine morning in Margate. It is my pleasure to be in a room full of patriots and proud-Britons just a few weeks before our election. In just a few weeks when you cast your ballots at your polling stations, you will be faced with a major choice. A choice whether to carry out the stagnation and decline of the last forty years or a chance to have a brighter and new future outside the political establishment. I grew up in a Labour voting home, my father was a factory worker and my mother nurse. I grew up not the son of a banker not the daughter of a chaplain but the son of a hardworking factory worker who could barely get by in life. My family was crushed by the austerity policies of the 1970's and 1980's and my father lost his good factory job. We were literally crushed by globalization. We were crushed by the failed Europhile policies that Theresa May, John McDonnell and Nick Clegg support. For years many people here in Thurrock and the surrounding communities supported the Tories and so did I in the early 2000's. I must say this however, the Conservatives of the days of, Sir. Winston Churchill are no more. The Conservatives of today do not stand for good British values instead they sell us out the Brussels, give foreign aid to Saudi princes that kill our boys and making u-turns on every issue. The Tories for years have wanted a referendum on our membership in the European Union and their voters have called for it as well. Mrs. May however doesn't want a referendum and instead she shuns Eurosceptics from her party. To all Eurosceptic in the Conservatives and all other parties, it is time to put Britain first put our values above the our party and support the only Eurosceptic party this February, UKIP. UKIP is the only party that supports a referendum on leaving the European Union so that we can put our soverignity back into place, bring back our jobs and control our borders. Mrs. May would rather have the bureaucrats in Brussels and Strasbourg control our lives than our elected representatives in Westminster. To me that is a shame. Mrs. May over her entire life has taken one position but when it is politically expedient she takes another position. How can we trust a person like that to run our lives? She claims she supports our working class, however she supports austerity policies that will make their lives harder. To my friends in the Labour heartlands, who are tried of the weak-leadership of John McDonnell, do not fall into the Tory trap. Only one party actually supports the working class in our nation and that is UKIP. We want to re-invest in our local communities through better jobs, a Brexit and we will bring political change. Theresa May might say that she is change from the weak leadership and chaotic mess of John McDonnell, she is one. The only problem is her change will do nothing for the British people. In fact, it will hurt our people more. The political parties for the last forty years have said that they will change the system, they will put more democracy into Brussels and that they will fight for our soverignity. We all can see the results and we all know that Theresa May's promises on bringing change is a bunch of malarkey. Theresa May and her policies will hurt our middle and working class. She will cut key programs that help people out of poverty and into work. She will cut and eventually privatize our NHS which will hurt rural communities and only benefit her friends in London. I do find it very sad that Mrs. May shares the same position on the EU as Mrs. Lucas and the Greens. Mrs. May might come back and say that, "I support more democracy in Europe", when she hears this however every normal person knows that we can't inject more democracy into a swamp. You can't clean up a swamp with just a little bit of work. You have to shake up the swamp. And only one party will shake up the swamp of Westminster and Brussels, UKIP! My mother taught me to never trust a liar, that means we cannot trust Mrs. May. Thank You and Vote for UKIP!"

WE ARE BRITAIN TOUR

January 20, 2012
Nuttall began the day in Thanet where he held a rally about Theresa May and how she has been a hypocrite on many policies.

He then canvassed the local area in Thanet and Basildon where he spoke to voters on issues including foreign policy, grammar schools and a referendum to leave.

He then went to Bournemouth where he met with the local community at the fishery and spoke of UKIP's plans to bring good jobs to the region and how we should Leave the EU.

Later that evening in Poole he spoke to a large crowd with the local candidates for UKIP on his support for a Brexit, a referendum to leave and how Theresa May doesn't support traditional Tory values.

In Dover he met with WW2 Veterans and former soldiers in the British Armed Forces and spoke of improving veterans benefits and rebuilding our military while staying out of war.

January 21, 2012
Mr. Nuttall began the day in Bath where he spoke to undecided voters and local businessmen about his plan for improving the economy and how we can regain soverignity out of the EU. He also spoke of the UKIP Tax Plan.

He then visited Milton Keynes with the local canvassers and talked to voters about issues including a referendum, why UKIP will change the status quo and other important issues.

He then held a rally at the fish market on the Isle of Wight where he spoke of leaving the Common Fishing Agreement, a referendum to leave the EU and bringing back the fishing industry.

He then held a town hall in Winchester where he spoke of immigration controls, a referendum on Europe and Theresa May's austerity plans and their effects on the working class.

In Shoreham-by-Sea, he spoke of ripping up the Common Fisheries Agreement, taking a hard-line against Brussels and protecting the British people against Brussels bureaucrats.

January 22, 2016
He then met with the local canvassing team in Wexham and knocked on doors in Wexham explaining to voters how Theresa May and the Tories aren't working for the working class. He also spoke about immigration and a referendum.

He then held a town hall in Swale where he spoke to voters and addressed their concerns with the European Union, high immigration and the lack of good jobs in the area.

He then held a rally in Theresa May's hometown of Maidenhead and spoke to voters about how the Tories aren't working for the working class, how theirs only one eurosceptic party and immigration controls. He then went canvassing in Theresa May's neighborhood.

He then visited the National Fruit Collection in Brogdale and spoke with voters and the workers about UKIP's plans for good paying jobs as laid out in the manifesto.

He then held a rally in Willingdon and Jevington where he spoke of the need for a referendum and better border controls for Britain.

January 23, 2012
Mr. Nuttall began the day with a Low Mass at the Brompton Oratory in London where he attends mass.

He then visited the local Indian and Hindu community at the Naesden Temple where he spoke to a crowd of over five hundred voters about how we must cut off aid to Pakistan, have a free trade deal with India and improve the local economy.

Later he went door knocking in Southeast London with members of the London List and spoke to voters about the economy, immigration, values and good paying jobs.

He later held a rally in Westminster where he spoke of lower taxes for small businesses, a referendum and how we can't trust Theresa May.

He then held a rally in Corbridge, North East where he spoke about the need to leave the EU, how we need good paying jobs and how Theresa May is fooling the working class.

January 24, 2012
Nuttall began the morning in Ellesmere Port where he spoke about key issues including a Brexit, better immigration controls and bringing back jobs.

He then went to Blackburn where he spoke with local business owners about the economy and spoke to voters in the local market.

In Nantwich he held a rally and spoke about how Labour has forgotten the working class, how we need strict immigration controls and how we need a referendum.

He then went to a liberal mosque in Manchester where he met with Muslim leaders and spoke about how we need to fight and root out extremism and he spoke of improving the local economy in Manchester.

He then visited Liverpool where he held a rally and spoke of improving industry, leaving the Common Fisheries and a referendum on the European Union.

January 25, 2012
He then held a rally in Chester where he spoke of the need for a referendum how Labour has forgotten the working class and immigration controls.

He held a rally in Hazel Grove where he spoke of the Liberal Democrats and said this about their comments in coal.

Quote

Our good friend in the Liberal Democrats, Mr. Clegg, made a pledge about coal free energy by 2022 if he is elected Prime Minister. While every decent person in Britain wants a clean environment for their children, Mr. Clegg' proposal will be disastrous for the people he will represent in parliament. There are over 6,000 families in Britain that rely directly on coal for their income. That's tens of thousands of families that will be unemployed as a result of Mr. Clegg's policy and tens of thousands of other local jobs in the coalfields will be lost as well. Mr. Clegg has said that he will fight for the working class, how can he fight for the working class if he will take away their livelihood? UKIP will fight for coal mining families and when we leave the European Union we want to expand our mining industry for both energy consumption, economic benefits and our steel industry which relys heavily on anthracite coal.

He then held a town hall in Ormskirk where he spoke of expanding industry, leaving the EU, helping working families and strict immigration controls.

In Blackpool he visited a local Anglican school and praised the teachers for their hardwork and their work for instilling British patriotism and values into the students. He spoke of expanding grammar schools and moral values.

Mr. Nuttall then held a rally at a Steel Workers Union shop in Altrincham where he spoke of how Labour has abandoned the working class and only UKIP supports it to this day. He also attacked Labour for caring more about foreigners and bureaucrats in Brussels than jobs in the North West.

January 25, 2012
Mr. Nuttall began the morning attending a low mass at St. Wahlberg's Shrine in Preston. He thanked the Institute of Christ the King Soverign Priest for their work at the Shrine.

He then went held a rally in Preston where he talked about traditional values, better paying jobs for the region, a Brexit and immigration controls.

He then went to a coal mine in Northumberland where he spoke of Nick Clegg's policy and how Labour has abandoned the working class. A worker at the coal mine named Thomas said this:

Quote

"My entire life of voting in this nation, I have never voted for anything but Labour. My dad votes Labour. My mum voters Labour, we have been for Labour because they have been for us. Mr. Nuttall was right today though when he said that Labour has forgotten its roots and they have abandoned the working class for the yuppies and anarchists in London. I'm tired of the bull, I'm tried of seeing my brother struggling to make ends meet. It's time for change and until today, I was proudly voting for Labour. Now I'm for UKIP!"

He then visited voters in a nursing home in St. Helens where he spoke to them about expanding help to the elderly, bringing back jobs to the regions and how leaving the EU will help them.

He then visited Sellafield Nuclear Power Plant where he spoke of an all of the above energy strategy and bringing job paying jobs back to the region.

He then held a rally in Manchester where he spoke about immigration, a referendum to leave, border controls, how Labour, the Tories and the Lib Dems stand against the working class and bringing back jobs.

May touts small businesses and taxes

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24 January--Rally in Stoke-on-Trent, West Midlands

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Mr Nuttall, goes on and on and on about one thing and one thing only: a fetish with the European Union bordering on an obsessive compulsion. He talks over and over about every problem this country has, and he acts as if he has the great, magical answer.

Let me let you in a little secret: UKIP's magic answer is one big problem. Every solution they pretend to have is one more disaster waiting to happen. Knowing that his manifesto is as watertight as the Titanic, Mr Nuttall doesn't even pretend to act as if has the answers. Everything will be solved once we leave Europe; personally, I stopped believing in magic fairies long ago, but that's all the UKIP plan is.

Our plan is to increase investment and create more jobs every single day, and that can only be done by a government with a real plan, a real idea of governing. Our commitments to tax cuts are unmatched by any other party; for every pound Mr Nuttall purports he will save through Brexit, he certainly won't return one to taxpayers.

Having no basis on which to defend his agenda, Mr Nuttall resorts to attacks on me and attacks on you for daring to ask more from your politicans that one sentence lies; I don't mind much, they honestly show his name isn't much of a misnomer after all, is it?!

Tory PR blasts Cable for prophesying his own policies and opposing his own agenda

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If Sir Vince Cable is unable to make the jump to Number 11 next month, he will certainly have a promising career as a stand-up-comedian. Sir Vince repeatedly spoke of the economic crisis which he "foresaw." That must have been quite the achievement when he was a Cabinet minister and had access to every government economic report and forecast in the country. Sir Vince went on to prophesy the deficit and debt crisis; again, a remarkable achievement for one who oversaw the Coalition's doubling of the deficit and massive increase in public debt.

Eventually, the Liberal Democrats will have to realize that they are part of the problem, not the solution.

25 January--Rally in Birmingham, West Midlands

Quote

How arrogant do you have to be to ask the British public for yet more taxes, more fees, and lower take home pay every week when you are the very party which created this economic crisis? How much longer can Mr McDonnell and Mr Corbyn act like they are fresh new faces on the block, here to fix every one of Labour's problems with yet another Labour problem?

Another closed hospital? How about another increase in small business tax to take care of that?

Higher unemployment? Let's slash tax credits for working families, what a good idea!

The list goes on and on and on. We cannot begin to repairs Labour's mess until we kick Labour out!

26 January--Conservative Facebook video

Our country deserves so much more, and together, we can deliver so much more. Our plan will reduce taxes, reduce the deficit, and reduce our debt. We have to relieve the burdens on to the people put in place by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Quote

Politics is not a game, it affects your life every single day; and your life is worth much more than single slogans promising fairy solutions as UKIP does. You have serious concerns and serious expectations, you deserve a government which is up to the task.

Visit our website and see how our business investment fund will increase activity in your community, how our income tax cuts will mean more real income for your family, how our freeze on tuition fees will be peace of mind for going to university, and how our apprenticeship program will return dignity and value to work.

Join me and help make our country even greater. Join me and we can put Britain on a brighter, better path.

Conservative CP Usage
Canvassing: 10 for London, 10 for South West, 10 for North East England, 10 for Scotland

()

Paul Nuttall Responds to Theresa May

Sky News Reporter: On the campaign trail today, Mrs. May said "that your solutions are just one more disaster waiting to happen", "fairytales", and then basically called you a nut. What do you have to say to this?

Nuttall: Mrs. May is free to think whatever to want to about my intelligence or mental state, I don't really care but I do sense that she was angry about the truth, I said this week in Thanet. In regards to our partys manifesto, I found her comments to be completely wrong and just lies straight to the British public. Calling our manifesto, fairytales and a disaster, are just rubbish and she knows it. Our manifesto actually helps working people unlike the Conservative manifesto. Mrs. May likes to talk about the coalition of chaos led by Mr. McDonnell and Mr. Clegg but in reality she's a member of the same group of elites in Westminster that have made life harder for working people across our nation. She claims to be for the working class, while in reality in her life she's fought against proposals to help the working class including keeping jobs that help our local economy in our nation. Her party has also pledged numerous times to bring down immigration to a controllable and sane level, they have failed on that front and numbers continue to rise. I'm not going to hide from the truth that some of our manifesto ideas do require us leaving Europe. But neither should Mrs. May hide from the truth that her party hasn't supported the working class in the last forty years. Nor should she hide from the truth that her party has should out the British people to the bureaucrats in Brussels and she will do nothing to stop it. I do believe that we will leave the EU and that our manifesto will be put in place because the British public is sick of seeing their soverignity go to Brussels, seeing thousands of low-skilled workers come in from Eastern Europe and seeing their good-paying factory jobs go overseas. Our manifesto also calls for a ten percent repatriation tax which isn't mentioned in their manifesto to bring back good-paying jobs in our nation and grow our local economy. We also call for more grammar schools which will help educate thousands of young people from Scotland to Thurrock to Belfast. Mrs. May can resort to whatever name-calling she wants to and spread lies about our manifesto all she wants but we will keep on spreading our message of freedom, soverignity and prosperity to all Britons. If I may add as a final point, Mrs. May doesn't believe that the so called 'magic fairy tales' can happen but she's wrong, we believe that they can happen, because we believe in the British people we will never stop believing in them.

End of Turn Three:

()

With the Lib Dems and Labour fighting for survival, Mrs. May emerges as a clear favorite

In the News:

The Sun: Theresa May, PM in waiting?

While the decisions made by Theresa May can be considered questionable on account of leaving her flank open to UKIP and a debate performance that failed to lead to a Tory surge, it appears the unlikely centrist and working-class message she has been promoting is finally being heard by the voters, who may be starting to tire of the bickering taking place between the Lib Dems and the Labour Party. Despite polling showing voters consider Mrs. May as "dull" or "not particularly exciting", she is now firmly leading on polls about who'd make the best Prime Minister. As the Conservatives firmly surpass their 2010 results in polling the question that most are asking is, is Mrs. May the next PM in waiting?

The Independent: Clegg is the leader for change

Despite the highly questionable nature of the attacks thrown at him by the cabinet, Mr. Clegg remains defiant and unwilling to fall to the operation launched from Downing Street to put an end to his meteoric rise during this election campaign. Proudly standing for relevant causes such as environmentalism, political reform and LGBT rights, Mr. Clegg continues to be every bit the leader and the voice of change across this campaign, a move which is justified by his daring sacking of Chris Huhne...

The Guardian: Progressive split in Britain

Voters who lean or vote to the left will find that this campaign poses an unlikely dilemma for them, particularly when taking into account what might have been expected of Mr. McDonnell's election as Labour Leader and Prime Minister. As Labour takes a surprisingly moderate stand amidst a disappointing campaign (which has nonetheless seen them stop their bleeding and showcase great talent on men like Owen Smith) the Lib Dems have marched to the left with a well planned effort and mostly effective performances, their momentum now halted by the Huhne scandal and painful attacks on Mr. Clegg. But which party will be the one to become the true voice of progressives?

The Telegraph: Mrs. May silences her critics, finds her voice

Many inside the Conservative Party harbored doubts regarding Mrs. May since her election, and many have also been critical of her strategic decisions for this campaign, including a manifesto that strayed away from Conservative orthodoxy into middle ground. Yet those same critics have been silenced in the past few days as Mrs. May has finally found her voice, showcasing a calm force that has seen her party finally break out in the polls and take a firm lead ahead of Labour and the Lib Dems. We commend the Conservative Leader on recovering for what seemed like a hard spot for a moment as the Lib Dems are contained and Labour regroups, but can she keep up the momentum?

Daily Express: Nuttall, man of the people

While Mrs. May has her own positive qualities, those have been overshadowed by the commitment of Paul Nuttall and UKIP towards several banners that must be defended in Britain, the first and foremost of those being staunch opposition to Brussels and the failings of the EU experiment. Making a successful run for former Labour and Tory voters (which we're told is what has prevented Labour from making gains this week) and giving Eurosceptics a voice Mr. Nuttall continues to earn support for the UK Independence Party, and one must wonder if UKIP will truly deliver a surprise on Election Night.

Turn Four:
Back to the Debate Stage

January 27th to February 2nd, 2012

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Dimbleby: Good evening, and welcome to our coverage of the 2012 General Election.

And what a week it's been. Prime Minister John McDonnell and the Labour Party have mounted a large-scale offensive against the Lib Dems and Nick Clegg, to far reaching consecuences for both parties. As the Conservatives march past their rivals to consolidate their lead the second and final debate is coming, in what should be a key opportunity for party leaders to make the case and hope for success. And here's Nick Robinson with the latest poll average:

Average Polls:

Conservative Party: 38% (+3)
Liberal Democrats: 25% (-1)
Labour Party: 21%
UKIP: 10% (+1)
Green Party: 3% (-1)
SNP: 1%
Others: 2% (-2)

()

Robinson: It was a few days ago that we spoke about the apparent need for both the Conservatives and the Labour Party to fight back against the rise of the minor parties, and both did just that. Almost unscatched from the fight between Nick Clegg and John McDonnell, Theresa May's Conservatives have made some key ground by approaching 40%, all while UKIP continues to make some gains of their own and the vote share of smaller parties begins to collapse.

The story of the week has been the rivalry between the Lib Dems and the Labour Party, the results of which are somewhat hidden in the national polling. Private polling shows the attacks from Labour really made a dent on the Lib Dems and forced some significant damage on Mr. Clegg's approvals. Indeed, it seems the Lib Dems only avoided larger losses due a decisive performance on the Huhne scandal and due to a solid performance by Mr. Clegg and Mr. Cable, while at the same time bringing many Green leaning voters back to their camp.

Labour also made significant ground in some areas of the country, but this has been balanced out by continued losses to UKIP on account of issues like immigration and the EU and even to the Conservatives. Still, cabinet ministers like Owen Smith really made a name for themselves, and if Labour can keep up their attacks and follow them with more attractive promotion of their policies they could very well regain second place.

A lot will depend on the second debate, that is certain.

Info from the GM:

1.- Turn: This turn lasts for 72 hours, ending on the afternoon of July 19th (Wednesday).

2.- Debate: We have our second and last debate! All leaders are welcome to participate, but particpation is merely optional for the DUP. Winner of the debate gets a reward of 25 CP, second place gets 15 CP.

''This election is about where you're going, not where you're coming from'' An Address by Nick Clegg.

()

Quote

'Well friends it's certainly not been a dull week...''

'I also know a lot of you will be wondering why I've gathered so many of you here, in Sheffield, just before the debate. Most of you know I don't need much of an excuse to return home. But today is the day that I want to lay out just why I want the immense privilege of being your next prime minister.

I always knew in this election we'd face a barrage from the old parties, who, as always, are amazed that not everyone in this country thinks we should just rattle back between red, and blue, and red and blue.

I saw this first hand when I lead the campaign to make every vote in this country count; I saw the old parties use every trick, every penny and every effort to stop our campaign for fairness- and they failed.

That's the moment when I believed, that we were on the cusp of something great- a new politics that throws off the chains of the past, and puts fairness at the centre of it's DNA. I know that whether it's on Education, healthcare or taxation that the Liberal Democrats are the only party who can put fairness at the heart of any government.

But politics, as always is about who you have leading that government. As a party we've always favoured policies over personalities, we've avoided the melodrama of the old parties and we've remained stronger for doing so- but today I want to put forward my own story.

Yes, as John McDonnell pointed out, I'm the son of the banker. I think most people noticed that. But there is something much more important about my Dad- he taught me that fairness, equality and compassion were the values that should drive you throughout life, whether you're a banker in the city, a farmer in the fields or a factory worker, you should always put fairness first. That's why I've spend my life in public service- to make Britain a much fairer, and more equal place than it is.

I'm also the grandson of Refugees from Ukraine, who fled persecution and murder, from the Tyranny of the Soviet Union. My grandparents were able to make a home in Britain; in this great, tolerant beacon of opportunity. I'm never going to apologize for my upbringing, and I'm never going to back down when someone launches such ridiculous attacks on me.

Labour want politics to descend into this ridiculous, policy free zone, of course they do. They threw the national interest out the window when they mucked around with their internal rules, and then they gave up any chance of power when they handed John McDonnell the keys to number 10. I don't care if you're the son of a banker, the son of a bus driver, the son of a teacher, the son of a policemen, or the son of a politician- you should never put your own, narrow, destructive ideology ahead of the national interest.

There's also a much wider point to be demonstrated here- the ideology and aims of the Liberal Democrats are different to Labour. We want to give power back to communities, and take it away from governments when it's used to corrode our privacy, supercharge our taxes and and stifle our opportunity.

We've been accused of 'nicking Labour's policies' which is frankly rich since they've got such a threadbare manifesto; but let's go through some of our ideas.

Equal Marriage- that's a liberal idea.
A £2,000 tax cut- that's a liberal idea.
A free school meal for every child- that's a liberal idea.
A tax on bonuses of bankers who crashed the economy - that's a liberal idea.
A ban of big money in politics- that's a liberal idea.
A reformed House of lords, and a mayor for every region- that's a liberal idea.

It comes down to a simple message; Britain needs to have a fairer society, where every single person, yes even 'the son of a banker' can have access to the opportunity of a good school, a good house, a good job, a good family and a can join with everyone else to continue the quest for a fairer society.

This election is about who can lead us to a fairer future. It should be about where you're going to, not where you're coming from. From today, let's continue our fight for a fairer Britain.

January 27 - February 2

()
First Minister Arlene Foster at the second BBC Leaders Debate on February 1

January 27, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster went door knocking in Belfast in the morning with a group of DUP volunteers.

In the afternoon, she and Ian Paisley, Jr. MP led a different group of DUP volunteers door knocking in Antrim.

Foster spent the evening meeting with Paisley, Jr. and senior DUP officials about election strategy in Antrim.

January 28, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent the morning door knocking in Derry with a group of DUP volunteers.

In the early evening, Foster delivered a major speech on relations between the United Kingdom and the European Union in Omagh. She continued her calls for a “national, binding referendum on the future of the relationship between” the UK and EU. She countered a comment made by Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams at the first BBC Leaders Debate, saying “[Adams] says we’d only make up 3% of the electorate in such a referendum. But it is not an ‘Us versus Them’ fight. We are all brothers and sisters, patriots and Britons. If the country as a whole votes to leave the European Union, we will all leave.”

When asked by a member of the press if a deal could be worked out where the rest of the UK leaves the EU but Northern Ireland, because of its border with the Republic of Ireland, remains, Foster was vehemently opposed, saying “We are one nation. There is no scenario where one of the constituent states remains in the EU while the other three leave. That’s just not possible.”

January 29, 2012:

No public events were held, because DUP Leader Arlene Foster attended church in Enniskillen.

January 30, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent most of the day in meetings related to the Northern Irish Executive at her home in Enniskillen.

In the evening, she made phone calls across Northern Ireland in support of the DUP.

January 31, 2012:

Speaking to Sky News on Sunrise, DUP Leader Arlene Foster confirmed her attendance at the second BBC Leaders debate. She did do a bit of politicking, saying “After my first performance, the bar is going to be set so high that it may look like I’ve fallen short. I’m going to go in and give the best argument for the DUP and make the case that we’re the only party that can actually fight for the needs of Northern Ireland.”

Later on in the day, Foster toured the Armagh Observatory in Armagh with Freda Donnelly, Mayor of Armagh and William Irwin, MLA. Afterwards, the trio met with voters at St. Catherine’s College, Armagh.

In the evening, Foster and senior DUP officials held a rally at the Craigavon Civic Center in Craigavon as a send off for Foster before the BBC Leaders Debate. Nigel Dodds, MP and Diane Dodds, MEP opened the rally, throwing their support behind Foster’s call for an EU referendum. Emma Little-Pengelly, who has been a rising star in Foster’s DUP, was given a key speaking slot and introduced Foster.

Foster gave a fiery speech, both attacking her political rivals and bolstering her own party. Talking about Sinn Fein, Foster said “The idea that their abstentionism is actually better for Northern Ireland than taking their seats, speaking in debate, and voting on motions is just ridiculous. It is never easier to enact change by looking on from afar than by sitting in the room, at the table.” Talking about the DUP, Foster taught their record in Stormont and the strength of their manifesto, saying “The DUP is the only party with a positive, forward looking vision centered around Northern Ireland. The UUP are no more than the Northern Ireland branch of the Tories and look more to London than to Belfast; the TUV and Sinn Fein both want to rehash the battles of the last century, instead of working towards a better and brighter future. We in the DUP recognize that the time for fighting is over - it is time to move forward and come together!”

February 1, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster flew to London to participate in the BBC Leaders Debate.

February 2, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent most the day in London and Westminster, meeting with the 8 current DUP MPs as well as government ministers in her role as First Minister of the Northern Irish Executive.

She returned to Northern Ireland through the Belfast International Airport. While at the airport, she gave an impromptu speech about the DUP’s proposed “re-investment” in Northern Ireland’s infrastructure and the airport.

'It's about wanting to tell our kids we did everything for their future' Nick and Miriam give joint interview to the Times.

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In the hotel conference room, on the outskirts of Exeter, Nick and Miriam settled down on a sofa joking that it was a relief not having to be interviewed in their Putney home- 'it's been a bit of a mess since 2010' Clegg joked.

Miriam González Durántez, Clegg's wife kept a low profile during the 2010 election, on account of the young age of her children and time consuming work as a trade lawyer. However Durantez and Clegg gave their first joint interview of the election campaign before a rally in Exeter, with Durantez insisting 'I won't be going up on stage to have him hug and kiss me,' with Clegg joking 'how absurd it would be for him to turn up to Miriam's law firm to be paraded around'.

However in a more serious tone Miriam was quick to defend her husband from the charge that he was out of touch. 'Nick has spend his whole life fighting against injustice'; and said that her husband has championed the causes that no-one else has even bothered talking about such as LGBT rights, tax evasion and climate change. Gonzales and Clegg, who both meet in Bruges in the 1990s said that politicians should be more outwards looking about inequality, and shouldn't just sucked into the day to day of Westminster politics.

Despite saying that they'd 'fight to the death' to protect their three childrens privacy, Nick admitted that it was 'hard' spending so much time away from his children but admitted that ''When I look at them now, even at such a young age, I know that soon they'll be living their own lives, wanting to travel, wanting to meet their partners, wanting to live in a world that's open and accepting of them', to which Miriam chimed in 'it's about wanting to tell them that we've done everything for them'.

January 27th- Clegg holds rally in Richmond- Tells voters ''if you care about climate change, if you care about gay rights, if you care about living in a fair Britain, make your voice heard'' London.

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In a campaign address Clegg issued a loud, and bold pitch for centre-left voters across London to 'unite around our vision of a fair Britain' and said that the Liberal Democrats were the only party who had put forward 'a comprehensive plan to tackle the inequalities that plague our society'.

Urging Green party, socially liberal tories and Labour voters to vote for the Liberal Democrats Clegg said that it was vital 'that all of us who believe in an open, compassionate, and fair society, unite with one clear voice'.In a more somber tone Clegg warned that Britain would face 'tough, tough choices' in the future, and said the only the Liberal Democrats could provide an economic plan that would protect 'jobs and investment' whilst protecting frontline services such as education and healthcare.'

January 28th- Clegg launches rural manifesto in Yeovil. ''Let us be the champions for rural Britain'' South-West England

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In an animated address Nick Clegg stood with shadow Chancellor Vince Cable, and former leader Paddy Ashdown to launch the partys rural manifesto. Clegg attacked 'successive governments' for 'ignoring rural Britain during the boom years' and said 'the only time politicians would care would if there was a flood, or a case of TB'. Calling this the 'old reactive' government Clegg vowed that he wanted the Liberal Democrats to be 'champions for rural Britain' and unveiled a host of policies that he said would 'protect, and boost' rural Britain.

Rural Manifesto
+Protect all post offices within rural areas, along with over front line services such as health clinics and police offices.
+Invest in bus transport with a £300 million fund, paid for by a review of private rail subsidies.
+£1 billion 'rebuild rural britain' scheme to fund fibre-optic broadband, green energy projects, farm diversification, road building and other capital projects.
+ A ban on Hydraulic Fracking whilst a public inquiry is undertaken.
+ Support for CO-OP local authority farms, and tax payment extensions for farmers.

January 29th- Clegg gives speech in St Ives. ''People don't want a government that hordes power'' South-West England

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In a speech to Lib Dem activists in St Ives Nick Clegg urged Cornwall to 'send a loud, and proud message' in the election by continuing to send a strong team of Liberal Democrat MPs, who can fight for a fairer economy, and a fairer politics. Talking to activists Clegg said that despite press reports the Liberal Democrats weren't simply stealing Labours' clothes; but were offering a distinctly liberal message ..

'I've been clear throughout this whole campaign; I'm a liberal. It's why I never supported New Labour when they were dragging us into Iraq, it's why I never supported being able to lock people up for 90 days without charge, its why I never supported torture. The central premise of New Labour was to pump the City of London, and then redistribute that money from the center. As you've noticed Labour have changed a bit; but there premise is still the same- tax from Whitehall, spend from Whitehall. The tories haven't even changed; they still want to rule from the center. They want to sit in Whitehall and decide where to cut without even coming down to communities like this.

We need to champion devolved politics; we need to create metro mayors and give power back to local communities. We need to continue the great liberal tradition where governments are questioned, where power is shared evenly and where we all come together for a fairer society.

January 30th- Cable interrogates Tory manifesto. ''There's a black-hole at the heart of the manifesto, and the Tories needs to be honest about the cuts'' London

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In a press conference in London Vince Cable warned that the tories were about to get through the general election without 'giving a single warning about the scale of cuts that were going to come''. Cable also said that the tories had yet to give any solid commitments about whether they would protect health or education spending, as the Liberal Democrats had pledged to do. Talking to reporters Cable argued...

'Mrs May simply hasn't laid out where the £6 billion worth of cuts are going to come from in her manifesto; she hasn't laid out how she's going to pay for the tax cuts in her manifesto, she hasn't laid out how she's going to pay for her industrial policy.'' After the recession, and banking crash in 2008 Cable stressed that Mrs May needed to be open about her plans and policies and couldn't 'try and avoid scrutiny'.

January 31st- Clegg visits hospital. Pledges to protect health spending. Tells May to be honest about her NHS plans'' Glasgow, Scotland

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In a visit to a health centre in Glasgow, Nick Clegg promised that the Lib Dems would not only protect, and boost health spending over the next parliament, but that they would oppose any attempt at a top-down re-organisation, or any attempts to cut frontline staff. 'The NHS needs to be strengthened, and we need to start from a position of strength, you can't tackle the issues of mental health or Dementia if you don't recruit enough staff. Speaking to nurses, doctors and patients Clegg touted his plans to tackle the 'health epidemics' that will be the frontline of health spending in the future such as Diabetes, Dementia and heart disease.

Clegg repeated the claims of his Shadow Chancellor saying that Theresa May needed to 'come clean' over her spending cuts, and make it clear that 'they'd be no cuts to front-line health workers'. Mr Clegg said it would be an outrage 'if the tories get through this entire campaign without telling people what they're going to cut''.

February 1st- Joint Guardian Article by Lynne Featherstone and Sarah Teather. ''Theresa May needs to answer questions about her voting record''

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In a joint article by the Shadow Equality Secretary Lynne Featherstone and Shadow Home Secretary Sarah Teather, the liberal democrat team have attacked Mrs May over his 15 year voting record in parliament claiming that it raises 'too many red flags'.

Attacking her decision to vote against a minimum wage, her decision to vote against equalized age of consent, and her opposition to Section 28 they argued that Mrs May 'can talk and talk about equality' but that she failed to stand up for 'equal rights during her time on the Tory Frontbench''.

In a cutting final extract they argued that ''Voters need to know that when push came to shove Theresa May refused to stand up to the reactionaries in her own party, and voted against every measure to ensure that gays and lesbians were given equal rights. We all remember her speech to the Tory Party where she said they 'appeared like the nasty party'. It's always about appearances, but never about actions. What actions will she take in the next parliament to fight for equality?''

February 2nd-Clegg holds Your voice your vote' Rally, tells students 'destiny is in your hands' in Manchester, North West.''

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At the final campaign rally of the week, Nick Clegg admitted that it had been 'a long long week' but said that he would spend the last week of the campaign reaching out to all corners of Britain to put forward 'the positive vision of a new Britain' and said that the Liberal Democrats were on the cusp of a historic result.

'The cynics don't expect young people to turn out, they don't expect new voters to turn out, they don't expect people to throw off the old tribal voting patterns, they think that nothing has changed. But we know after last summer that people want a new politics; they want a prime minister who'll clean up politics, and they want a prime minister who will stand up and fight against injustice.

It's vital that you tell everyone you know that they need to vote; and they need to send a loud message that people are fed up. If you want to tackle climate change, if you want to ban fracking, if you want to pass equal marriage then you know what to do. Join our campaign for change, and vote for the Liberal Democrats.''

Home Secretary Nandy: "Labour Party are the adults in the room when it comes to defense"

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"Sometimes it can get lost in the politics of a campaign, but as Home Secretary, my number one priority is always keeping the people of this country safe. It takes a cool head and a willingness to listen to all sides of an issue. As tempting as it can be to take a partisan position and double down, it's just not worth it when people's lives are at stake. When it comes to our safety, we're always best working together, which is the exactly the approach we've taken in the Labour Party in order to keep this country safe for years."

"When you take a look at our records and judge our party manifestos, you'll see that the Labour Party are the adults in the room when it comes to defense. We're quite mindful of the disastrous failures of the Tories on this issue going back to the 80s where we pushed our military so far and risked so many lives needlessly without the ability to pay for it. Those are mistakes that we simply cannot afford to make again. On the other side of the coin, the Liberal Democrats propose massive defense cuts, irregardless of the consequences. To be frank, between gutting the military to the point of starvation and railing against Nuclear Power beyond reason, the Liberal Democrats sound more like the Greens these days. I can't even tell them apart anymore. I'm honestly surprised, as two members of the Home Secretary club, that Nick Clegg would take such an extreme, and frankly, reckless position on our national security."

"In the Labour Party, we propose to maintain our defense spending in the areas most needed, while examining areas of waste and inefficiency that we can trim to make our national defense even stronger. The best kind of cut is one that's made to actually improve how the government performs, not just making a cut for the sake of cutting. We have so many wonderful men and women making sacrifices and putting their lives on the line to keep us safe. What kind of thanks would it be to gut spending, both making them less safe on their missions and also killing their jobs? I've heard so many concerns from soldiers on the campaign trail. They keep telling me, "Lisa, why do the Lib Dems hate us so much? Don't let them kill our jobs. We have sons and daughters that we need to feed." I don't know what the Lib Dems have against our military; you'll have to ask them. As for me, I'm doing the best I can by taking the campaign to you and making my pitch, but in the end, it's up to you. We make the solemn promise as the Labour Party to our absolute best to protect jobs, to protect our national security, and to improve the lives of everyday people, whether you're a soldier, a miner, a teacher, or anything else. Alone, we are just individuals shouting to the skies, but together, we are a magnificent country and a people that can do anything we set our minds to. Thank you and God Bless!"

Campaign Stops in Wales

January 27: Cardiff
January 28: Swansea

Campaign Stops in East Midlands

January 29: Leicester
January 30: West Bromwich

Campaign Stop in West Midlands

January 31: Birmingham

Campaign Stop in Yorkshire and Humber

February 1: Sheffield

Campaign Stop in East of England

February 2: Norwich

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Foreign Secretary Owen Smith
January 27 - February 2

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Dear me, whatever has happened to poor Mr. Clegg? After this week, I'm not sure even he knows what he's doing anymore. A politician, it seems, is never more incensed than when his opponent starts to tell the truth. Why, his denials and rebuttals have taken on an almost feverish quality, swinging from one extreme to the other like Tarzan on caffeine. Not the sort of staid leadership you'd expect from a man who claims to have learned honesty from a banker. Yet do not fear for him; I have it on good authority that nothing cures campaign fever like a good drubbing delivered at the polls.

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Our opponents claim the Labour Party has nothing new to offer the country in 2012. This is a lie, and a bad one. They tell it because they know Labour is the last line of defense against the forces of austerity and neo-Thatcherism, and they're eager to get rid of us. But I tell you this : we are going to fight for you, for your families, and for your jobs so long as we have air to breathe, and if the Tories and the Liberals think the working people of this country are going to put another Margaret Thatcher in Number 10, they've got another thing coming.

In the last month, while the Tory-Liberal opposition have been rubbing their hands together thinking of all the miners they're going to put on the streets, promising to end the recession by placing more power in the hands of those who started it, this government has been battling for you and for all the working families in this country. We have put forward a program more ambitious and comprehensive than any proposed in the modern history of this country. We have proposed a cap on executive salaries and a new Ministry of Labor to prevent the excess and corporate carelessness that caused the late recession from ever occurring again. We have proposed adopting a living wage, new and extended aid to working families, and renewed protections for organized labor to ensure the working people of this country have the strength and dignity they deserve. We have proposed a modern infrastructure for a modern Britain that will fuel growth and improve the standard of living in every region of the country. We have proposed a National Education Service to reform our schools and move Britain towards "cradle-to-grave learning." This, ladies and gentlemen, is what the Labour Party stands for; this is what we will fight for in the next parliament.

Schedule

January 27 - 30 : Campaigning in Northwest England
Campaigning for the Labour slate, the Deputy Leader and Foreign Secretary put forward Labour's plan for a better Britain, emphasizing pledges to institute the living wage, establish a National Education Service, protect organized labor, and expand the NHS. He also rained fire upon the Lib Dem campaign, stating "a man who claims he learned honesty from a banker cannot be trusted to represent the working people of Britain."

January 31 - February 2 : Campaigning in Scotland
Continuing his tour through the northern reaches of the British Isles, the Deputy Leader vigorously pressed Labour's plans for a living wage, support for working families and organized labor, capping executive salaries, creating a National Education Service, and expanding the NHS. He likewise continued to vocally criticize the Lib Dems, calling Nick Clegg "a modern-day Cassius who brought down the government for personal gain and now expects to be honored for it.

Campaign Points

Canvasing in Northwest England : 5 points
Canvasing in Scotland : 5 points

"Our country deserves better than school yard squabbles," May takes on Clegg and McDonnell

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Mrs May kicking off the penultimate week of the election campaign in Northumberland

27 January, North East England

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Well, what a difference a week can make! I think you can even start to see Nick Clegg's sweat through his "glow of stardom"! I think he's finally starting to realize that you are tired of seeing him and John McDonnell slug it out, making this election a diva contest. You do not deserve to be treated with such disdain and indifference; I believe that politics is not a game, but serious business that affects all of our lives. You deserve to be treated with the same respect.

So while Labour and the Liberal Democrats continue their own spat, I want to talk about the Conservative plan to boost investment in your communities. Instead of another useless Labour quango to waste your money and everyone's time, we will work with successful businesses and entrepreneurs from across the world to invest and build in your local areas. To bring innovation and jobs to places that Labour has left behind.

"The only job the Prime Minister wants to save is his own," May returns to Labour north

28 January, Yorkshire

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It's clear now that Labour will say anything as a final, desperate attempt to cling on to power. But just remember, it was Labour that presided over the worst recession since the 1930s, Labour will has allowed unemployment to go to its highest in twenty years, Labour which allowed local communities to wither away and die, Labour which increased taxes on working families and small businesses during their recession, and Labour which created a debt crisis on the back of an economic crisis.

The Labour Party has forgotten the values on which it was founded, and over fifteen years invested more money, time, and energy in the London bankers who crashed our economy than in the hard working people that I see in front of me here. It is clear to me that the only job Mr McDonnell wants to save is his own; he will do whatever it takes, another stimulus for bankers, one more penny on the income tax, maybe a few more restrictions on your employment.

On the other hand, we have developed a plan which will bring workers into every board room in this country, reduce taxes for each of your families, and deliver billions of pounds of investment from the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. Labour is trapped in the rhetoric of the past, the seventies and eighties are gone, and we have a plan for the here and now. Maybe they're too afraid to talk about the mess they've made in the twenty-first century that they insist on yanking us all back to the twentieth?!

29 January, Yorkshire

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It is vital that we protect local businesses and local employment so that we can grow our economy from the bottom up and not the top-down as Labour has done. We will establish meaningful controls on immigration, reducing the annual intake of economic migrants to levels which are sustainable and do not take away local jobs. Immigration has strengthened our country, but just like so many other things, both Mr McDonnell and Mr Clegg don't want to do the work and come up with a credible solution; instead, they'll just throw more money at it and place greater and greater stress on our communities and our local services.

"Clegg is running against his own record," blasts May in Bristol

30 January, South West

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You can tell that the Wonder Kid is beginning to become a bit nervous, turning up the pressure on me. Well you know what they say about not taking the heat...

How can Mr Clegg look at any of you with a straight face and claim to be a voice of reason and common sense when he was a member of a government which doubled the deficit? How can anyone take him or Vince Cable seriously on the need of reducing the deficit when they oversaw it grow month after month for two years and did nothing? What kind of leadership is this?

How can Mr Clegg look at you and promise to deliver hope for young people when his government did nothing to alleviate youth unemployment, tackle housing affordability, or reduce tuition rates? How can anyone vote for someone who claims to be the change candidate when they're the incumbent!

Mr Clegg needs to realize that he has a record in government already: it's higher taxes, more wasteful spending, higher unemployment, and a skyrocketing deficit. He needs to own up to his own decisions and understand that these are the big leagues now.

Lib Dems conveniently myopic about that time they were in government

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31 January, South West

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It looks like Sir Vince Cable is once again trying his hand at fortune telling, having not been satisfied at predicting a recession the Coalition presided over, or a deficit crisis he helped to create, he now target our manifesto for addressing the problems he has 'discovered'!

The Liberal Democrats really need to learn that they cannot have it both ways; you cannot be a protest party and then sit at the Cabinet, you cannot be a party of government and then act as if you had nothing to do with the decisions of your government.

The deficit was doubled under Vince Cable and Nick Clegg's watch. They sat in Number 10 at the Cabinet every week and watched it happen, they made it happen. But let me tell you this, the solution to the deficit does not require Lib Dem piety.

Our plan will slash duplicate and wasteful spending by Labour and the Lib Dems in Whitehall PR programs, in mounds of bureaucratic red tape, and in masses of psychopathic quangos giving whatever answers the government wants. We will use that money to invest in areas that really need it with programs that will actually affect people on the ground and make a real difference.

We are serious about reducing the deficit. We did not create this crisis, but we will end it.

1 February, South East

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Labour talks about having a new vision and new ideas for this country, but after fifteen years, all we need is a new government! Every solution that Mr McDonnell and Mr Corbyn throw out to try to turn the polls around are just the same old con: higher taxes and more wasteful spending, less innovation, less investment in business, and less opportunity.

Every problem that Labour claims to have the answer to is one that they have created for us. The party that has given you the highest unemployment in twenty years, doubled the deficit in five, and cycled through three Prime Ministers in four, can not have any serious solution for any problem facing us. It's time to kick this old, tired, useless government out of Number 10 and return some real leadership to government.

2 February, London

Mrs May traveled to London to participate in the Leaders' Debate on the BBC; earlier in the day, she held a rally in Battersea:

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In seven days we can close the chapter on this page in history. We can put behind us fifteen years of waste, of lies, of misguided leadership. We can finally take a chance to start fresh with new ideas and new leadership. This election is incredibly important; I know that term gets thrown out by politicians every chance they get, but just look at the power of your vote over the last two years.

In 2010, you delivered the first hung parliament since 1974 and forced every party to the negotiating table. Last year in the referendum, you caught all of us by surprise and voted for a new electoral system. That system hands you, the voter, the ultimate power: the next Parliament will reflect exactly how you vote. There is no such thing as a wasted vote as every single one will count.

Look at the power of the people in action. Imagine what could happen if you came out to vote on February the 9th for a strong, competent government that puts people first and worked every day in your interests. A government that believed in communities, in diversity, in acceptance and worked every day to help local cultures thrive. A government that believed in promoting success and prosperity and lowered taxes on families and small businesses. A government that believed in young people and stopped making going to university an un-affordable debt sentence and worked to create meaningful, dignified work in every kind of employment.

This is the kind of government we can get on February the 9th. We can put an end to Mr McDonnell's tax and spend dogma better suited for the 1970s and we can prove to Mr Clegg that hope and promise are not cheap political brands but real desires that can be fulfilled. Together, we can deliver a better tomorrow!

Canvassing: 5 for London, 5 for East of England, 5 for South West, and 5 for North West.

National Seat Projection: 10

End of Turn Four:

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As Clegg survives a barrage of attacks, is May's lead secure?

In the News:

The Sun: In May we Trust:

We endorsed the Conservative Party at the last election in a decision we do not regret, particularly after the disastrous record of the Coalition. Despite questionable decisions and a brief time as Conservative Leader Mrs. May has shown that she has what it takes to steer this nation through troubled waters, and we believe she'll make an excellent Prime Minister. Of John McDonnell we can say little more than the fact that it is already a disaster he is Prime Minister, and Nick Clegg, while impressive, still has the baggage of his party and his record in the Coalition behind him. In Theresa May we trust.

The Independent: Clegg rising on "preferred PM"

Decisive action on the highly controversial and sensitive case of Cyril Smith continues to prove Mr. Clegg has no tolerance for misbehavior, even if many inside the Liberal Democrats are criticizcing him for his decisions regarding Mr. Smith and Mr. Huhne. Despite Labour throwing the kitchen sink at the Lib Dem leader his approvals continue to rise after the latest debate, approaching Mrs. May to challenge her as the "preferred" choice for Prime Minister. If anything, this proves the curiousity of Nick Clegg being personally far more popular than the Lib Dems...

The Guardian: Vote Clegg for a progressive Britain

We've agonized in The Guardian over our endorsement for this General Election, even after endorsing Mr. Clegg in 2010. Last year we were encouraged by the election of John McDonnell as Prime Minister and we believed there was finally ground for the British left to flourish, but this election campaign has dashed those hopes. We've seen a Labour Party unclear on where it wants to go, and obsessed with attacking Nick Clegg above all. We've heard a populist tone with satisfaction, but it has not been enough. It is Nick Clegg who has taken the bold stances and the right policies in many areas, and while we have serious concerns about the scandal-ridden Lib Dems, we're clear that Clegg is the choice for a progressive Britain.

Daily Express: Vote UKIP, take back control

Mrs. May's pledge to stand tough on immigration is a welcomed development, and should the Conservatives enter government we will be vigilant to see that the job is done. But if you want to stand for true British values, look no further than the UK Independence Party. Paul Nuttall and Nigel Farage have taken this previously small party to increasing relevance with an effective campaign, targetining not only former Tory voters would appealing with great success to working class Labour supporters, feeling left behind after fifteen years of Labour rule. Only Mr. Nuttall can ensure the referendum on the EU we wish for.

Morning Star: It has to be Labour

For those of us firmly on the left of British politics, those of us who've suffered under the New Labour experiment of Blair and Brown, the Labour Party of John McDonnell is a welcomed sign that not all is lost. Moderate as some of their stances are, particularly those expressed by the Home Secretary, we embrace the combative nature of the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Chancellor in portraying the Lib Dems as what they are: Tories in disguise. Only by voting Labour you can ensure that the rights of workers are properly respected, and see education and the NHS reformed for the greater good.

Turn Five:
Endgame

February 3rd to February 9th, 2012

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Dimbleby: Good evening, and welcome to our coverage of the 2012 General Election.

As Theresa May recovers on pasts performances to win the second Leader's Debate, the war between Labour and the Lib Dems reaches unforeseen levels as reports of press leaks between both parties take over Westminster, leading to dramatic allegations against Chancellor Jeremy Corbyn and the late Cyril Smith MP. The effect on the polls appears to have been profound, and as the last week is upon us it falls to the parties to make a strong closing to their campaigns. Let's go to Nick Robinson:

Average Polls:

Conservative Party: 40% (+2)
Liberal Democrats: 27% (+2)
Labour Party: 19% (-2)
UKIP: 10%
Green Party: 2% (-1)
SNP: 1%
Others: 1% (-1)

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Robinson: Astounding, isn't it? This poll average both reveals a lot and hides a lot of what is happening on the campaign trail. It is clear from the post-debate polls that the Conservatives enjoy a clear lead over their rivals, which could have led them to a reasonable landslide if this election was held under FPTP. What remains unclear is the exact situation of Labour and the Lib Dems. We've seen polls showing Nick Clegg reaching 30% and Labour crashing, just as we've seen polls showing Labour making a small comeback as the Lib Dems are pushed further back. Hence this shocking average, which would have the Lib Dems as the undisputed second party.

And what a tough week it's been for John McDonnell and Nick Clegg. The Labour Party's offensive against Clegg took a seemingly "no prisoners" approach, to the point that there's been clashes in public between MP's of both parties, and highly damaging press leaks. Mr. Clegg and his party have replied with a public relations machine behind them, dodging, deflecting or countering attacks with an effectiveness which reminded many of Tony Blair's heyday. And while the Lib Dems's approvals have taken a huge hit, it's Nick Clegg's personal popularity and this second coming of "Cleggmania" which is moving them ahead. Labour, on the other hand, has not addressed the attacks on the Chancellor in any way and has been seen as overtly negative, which appears to have hurt them greatly.

The picture is equally unclear on the regional level, but some trends that are noticeable is that the DUP is on course to triumph with Northern Ireland with about a third of the votes (which won't translate to many seats, however), and that the collapse of the Scottish National Party may have been halted thanks to Angus Robertson now that Mr. Salmond has taken a backseat in the campaign.

With election day approaching we must wonder, is the hype surrounding Mr. Clegg just hype? Is he closer to Number Ten than we suspect?

Info from the GM:

1.- Turn: This turn lasts for 72 hours, ending on the afternoon of July 24th (Monday). Then it's ELECTION NIGHT.

Robertson swings through East-Central Scotland

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Robertson gives a speech in Alloa, Clackmannanshire

Angus Robertson has been campaigning in Edinburgh and Fife, among others, this week, ahead of the general election. In a speech in Alloa, he told voters:

Quote

With Labour collapsing, the SNP are the only choice for people who want to see their public services protected. While issues such as policing and healthcare are devolved, people need to be certain that they have people fighting to protect the budget of these at Westminster. As funding in Scotland is directly related to spending in England, we need MPs who will ensure that the Barnett consequentials come to Scotland. The SNP are the only party who will always speak out to protect the interests of the people.

We know that the Tories will cut the budget, making less money available to us in Scotland to provide public services. They've made it clear that they'll cut £6bn next year - about a half a billion being taken away from Scotland. The Lib Dems, too, have pledged to not spend anymore money on public services - masking it as a hollow promise to end borrowing - and we all know what's happened with Labour in power. The SNP know how to balance a budget - we've managed it every year we've been in power at Holyrood. We haven't let that get in the way of ensuring all public services have the money they need to provide a good service.

We will fight for inflation rate increases to the Scottish Parliamentary budget, as a minimum. We will not vote in favour of a bill that seeks to reduce the money available to Holyrood. Our public services should not be at the mercy of the Westminster government.

As I've said before, the choice that faces Scotland is between the London-based parties, who will stand up for Westminster in Scotland, and us, who will stand up for Scotland in Westminster.

Later in the week, Robertson reaffirmed the SNP's opposition to nuclear weapons at a CND meeting in Edinburgh:

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The Westminster parties have this fascination with Trident that is beyond belief. The claim that we don't have money to put into our health service or our schools, but we do have money to spend on weapons of mass destruction is incredible. These parties want to replace the current system with a £5bn a year programme! The Tories want to cut £6bn from the UK budget, so I can give them clear guidance on where 5/6ths of that money should come from.

What's even more surprising is the claim that they're necessary for defence, when countries like Germany, Australia and Japan get on fine without nuclear missiles. I think there's more chance of Civil Service Strollers winning next year's Scottish Cup than there is of someone attacking the UK. The two biggest threats to our security is terrorism and cybercrime - nuclear weapons can't defend against either of these threats!

So, we must think of why the London parties want to keep nuclear weapons. The only thing that I can think of is that they want to make the UK seem more powerful in the world than reality. Why else would the leaderships of all the major London-based parties want to keep a system that could end the planet at a moment's notice or error?

The UK is no longer a colonial superpower and nuclear weapons are the only reminiscence of this era. Once Westminster stops living in the past, we can all get on with our futures.

3 February: Fife (Northeastern)
4 February: Fife (Southwestern), Clackmannanshire
5 February: West Lothian, Falkirk
6 February: East Lothian, Midlothian
7 February: Edinburgh
8 February: Edinburgh
9 February: Edinburgh

February 3 - February 9

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First Minister Arlene Foster with a group of DUP volunteers

February 3, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster began the final week of campaigning with a rally in Bleary at Bleary Primary School. Foster promised “a strong and steady commitment to the needs of Northern Ireland” if the DUP is given “an undeniable mandate” from the Northern Irish people. She pledged that the DUP would hold “any government - Tory, Labour, or LibDem - to task” on devolution and rights for Northern Ireland.

After the rally, Foster led a group of DUP volunteers door knocking in Bleary and Craigavon.

February 4, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster held a press conference in Bangor to launch the DUP Party Political Broadcast. She called the ad “a bright vision for the future of Northern Ireland”.

After the press conference, Foster led a group of DUP volunteers door knocking in Bangor and Comber.

February 5, 2012:

No public events were held, because DUP Leader Arlene Foster attended church in Enniskillen.

February 6, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster spent the morning holding a fundraising breakfast in Newtownabbey.

She then led a group of DUP volunteers door knocking in Newtownabbey.

In the afternoon, Foster appeared on UTV and discussed her thoughts on the election. She said “I am very confident we will be the largest party in Northern Ireland by a healthy margin. The Unionists message - our message, specifically - is really resonating with the voters as they come to realize that when I say we’ll stand up for Northern Ireland I mean it. We won’t be the pushovers and lapdogs that Sinn Fein make us out to be.”

She also made a shock statement when she told the reporter “I think we could be in a position, not this year, but probably the next election, to win a few seats nationally, probably in England. The preservation of the Union is such an important issue for voters from Belfast to Norwich, from Glasgow to Portsmouth, that we could see a rise in DUP voters in England, Wales, or Scotland, especially under the new proportional system. If Labour, and the Tories, and UKIP can contest Northern Ireland, why can’t we contest England, Wales, or Scotland?”

In the evening, she held a supper with senior DUP officials and volunteers in Newtownabbey, thanking them for their hard work and reminding them “the fight isn’t over”.

February 7, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster began the day with a group of DUP volunteers door knocking in Ballyclare.

She then drove to Lisburn, touring the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue headquarters in the city with Jeffrey Donaldson, the MP for the area. The pair also toured the Lisburn railway station and touted the DUP’s “aggressive” agenda on infrastructure.

Foster, Donaldson, and a group of DUP volunteers went door knocking around North Lisburn and Lisburn in the afternoon.

In the evening, Foster and a group of DUP volunteers went door knocking in Ballyskeagh. Foster also met with members of Lisburn Distillery F.C., and toured New Grosvenor Stadium.

February 8, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster began the day in Derry, holding a breakfast with Over 60s DUP volunteers to kick off the DUP’s Final 48 Barnstorming Tour. Over 60s DUP volunteers across Northern Ireland would spend the day making phone calls, informing likely DUP volunteers where to vote.

Foster then held a rally at the DUP headquarters in Derry with DUP volunteers, rallying them for “the most difficult but most rewarding 48 hours of” their lives. She stressed the importance of “turning our every voter, securing every vote, and strengthening the DUP message at every turn.” She then sent the groups out across County Londonderry, door knocking and engaging with voters.

Foster drove around County Londonderry and door knocked with various groups at various points in the day, knocking in Derry, Coleraine, Portstewart, Culmore, and Ballykally.

In the evening, Foster held the final DUP rally of the election at Brandywell Stadium in Derry. Foster began by thanking each and every person who “knocked a door, handed a leaflet, wrote a letter to the editor, or spoke about the election to their neighbor”. She stressed the importance of actually turning out to vote, saying “We can’t win - we can’t send the strong Unionist force to Westminster - if people don’t go out and vote. It’s fine to say you like the DUP and you want to see us fight for you, but it’s all a wash if you don’t vote.”

She also took time to reinforce the DUP’s manifesto promises, saying “The last vote on the European Union took place when I was only 5 years old. It’s simply time to give the British people the opportunity to decide if they want to renew our relationship with the EU.” She also said “only the DUP can actually fight for you in London. You can vote for Sinn Fein, sure, but you’re not going to get anything out of it, because they don’t take their seats, they don’t show up. They always make a big fuss about how they don’t like the current relationship between Belfast and London. That’s all they do - make a big fuss! You can’t fix a problem by sitting on the sidelines and yelling about it, you actually have to get up, dig your hands in, and get to work!”

February 9, 2012:

DUP Leader Arlene Foster began the day at her home in Enniskillen, voting at her local polling place with her husband, Brian, shortly after the polling place opened.

She then met with senior DUP leaders at the County Fermanagh DUP headquarters and reviewed the party’s Get Out The Vote strategy for the day.

Foster spent the afternoon in Belfast, meeting with voters across the city. She also drove a DUP van across the city for a few hours, helping Over 60s voters get the polls.

Foster spent several hours in the late afternoon and early evening at Stormont in meetings related to her role of First Minister of Northern Ireland.

She spent the evening watching election returns on UTV from the DUP headquarters in Dublin with senior DUP officials, including Party Chairman Lord Morrow, DUP Westminster Leader Nigel Dodds, DUP MEP Diane Dodds, Ian Paisley, Jr., MP, and Ms. Emma Little-Pengelley.

Once the outcome of the election, at least in respect to Northern Ireland, became clear, Foster returned to her home in Enniskillen.

The 2012 Democratic Unionist Party Party Political Broadcast

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The broadcast opens with rolling shots of various scenes in Northern Ireland, beginning with waves lapping the coast in Antrim, to the majestic Slieve Donard and the Mourne Mountains, to the great Enniskillen Castle, to the awe-inspiring St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast. As each person speaks, the shot fades to them, with their name and occupation below them. When they finish talking, it fades back to the landmarks.

Jim, a grammar school teacher: I’m Jim from Kilkeel and I’m voting for the DUP on February the 9th because we need real commitment to grammar schools and our children’s early education, not just more empty promises.

Judy, a dairy farmer: I’m Judy from Holywood and I’m voting for the DUP on February the 9th because I want a say on the EU, not just most regulations from unelected bureaucrats.

Mary and Daniel, pensioners: We’re Mary and Daniel from Belfast and we’re voting for the DUP on February the 9th because we need the triple lock on our pensions and the senior bus cards, not just more slogans.

Kevin, a lorry drive: I’m Kevin from Ulster and I’m voting for the DUP on February the 9th because our roads, bridges, airports, and docks need major investment, not just more vague commitments.

As each of the following speakers speaks, the shots fades to video of them at their work, either in Stormont, Westminster, or in their community.

Norah Beare, Banbridge District Councillor: Since 2008, I’ve been the Chairman of the Banbridge District Council. At a local level, the DUP have been hard at work to make government more efficient, more responsive, and more transparent. Since the 2011 Legislative Assembly elections, the DUP-led Executive in Stormont has been developing its programme for the further reorganization of local government to better suit the needs of Northern Ireland. With a strong vote on February the 9th, our mandate in Stormont will only increase.

Ian Paisley, Jr., MP: Since 2010, I’ve been the MP for North Antrim in the House of Commons, working for the needs of Northern Ireland. During that time, we’ve secured increased powers for the devolved legislature in Stormont, stood up against the national parties when they tried to put their personal party politics before the country, and defended the rights of Northern Ireland. With a strong vote on February the 9th, our power to fight for you will only increase.

Diane Dodds, MEP: Since 2009, I've represented Northern Ireland in Brussels and Strasbourg. Even though Northern Ireland has three MEPs, most of the work we hear about the European Union doing is from the many unelected bureaucrats in the European Commission. That's why the DUP is calling for a referendum to give the people the chance to have their voices heard on our relationship with the EU.

Arlene Foster, MLA, First Minister of Northern Ireland: I agree with Jim, we need a strong commitment to our schools. That’s why I made it clear at the BBC Leaders debate that the DUP will stand up for our fine grammar schools.

I agree with Judy too; we should have a say on the EU regulations that affect every aspect of our lives, from our local dairy farms to our new building projects to the type of bananas we can buy at the market. That’s why the DUP has made it a central plank of our manifesto to secure a referendum on the future of the UK-EU relationship.

Mary and Daniel are right; our Over 60s rely so heavily on their pensions and their bus passes to get around and live a good life, we can’t think about taking them away. That’s why I’ve been so adamant that the triple lock must be maintained and our bus passes protected.

And Kevin, you couldn’t be more spot on. Our roads, bridges, airports, and docks are long overdue for major reinvestment and renovation. That’s why the DUP will work tirelessly to secure new funding for renovations to all of Northern Ireland’s infrastructure: from the Belfast and Derry airports, to Portrush Harbor, to the A5 and M22.

That’s why I’m asking for you to vote for the DUP on February the 9th, for better education, a more responsive government, a secure future, and strong infrastructure. Only the DUP can stand up for Northern Ireland in Westminster and fight for a stronger Northern Ireland and a better Britain.

As Foster finished talking, the shot fades to the DUP logo with the words “On 9th February, vote DUP for a stronger Northern Ireland and a better Britain”.

Cost: 10 CP

Lisa Nandy Barnstorms for the Labour Party

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For me, the difference between the parties really boils down to one thing. For each party, you want to consider... what is their number one priority above all else? Understanding the number one priority of each of the parties can help understand how they'll approach pretty much any issue facing this country. For the Labour Party, our number one priority is the people. More specifically, leveling the playing field so everyone has an equal shot at living a happy, healthy, and productive life. We believe that this country works best as a unit, with everyone pitching in, and we do our best to maximize that goal.

For the Tories, their number one priority is business. Look at any issue, and they'll be looking out for the CEOs, the lords and the ladies, the fat cats. For them, it all starts there and everyone else fits in later.

For the Liberal Democrats, their number one priority is balancing the budget. They will always worry about how much a program costs before worrying about whether it's helping as many people as possible. They don't like to admit it, but their cuts often entail large sacrifices for ordinary people. Ordinary working people will bear the the brunt of their cuts.

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The Labour Party stands for an adequately funded NHS with dramatically reduced waiting times, so that everyone get quality and timely care regardless of who they are or their situation in life. We care about Jeremy from Liverpool, a young child that needs surgery on his legs to be able to walk without pain and a limp. All he needs is this one break to help him live a happier and more productive life. The Tories, on the other hand, care more about health CEOs. The Lib Dems care more about cutting costs. They say good luck to Jeremy and all the people like him who slip through the cracks without an adequately funded NHS. They would rather leave him to the whims of the health insurance companies.

Labour stands for 4 weeks of paternity leave. We stand for John from Blackpool, a hard working construction worker who's simply elated to welcome his first child into the world. We want to help John welcome his child with love and affection like a father would by providing a full month of paternity leave. The Tories stand for John's boss. The Lib Dems stand for budget cuts that hurt John's wages. They say congrats John but good luck. No paternity leave for you.

Labour stands for a living wage of £10 per hour by 2015. We stand for Emily, a recent grad from Newcastle University who's found her true passion. She wants to be a teacher and help our next generation of aspiring physicists learn the basics they need to succeed. We want to provide Emily a living wage so she can do that without having to worry about not being able to pay rent or feed her family because we believe that Emily is just as important as any lord or lady. The Tories and the Lib Dems? They say good luck Emily! They're too busy worrying about CEOs and budget cuts to care about a living wage. In fact, they campaign against it.

And by the way, to all the Scots out there, we believe that Scotland should have equal access to education, healthcare, and job protections just like any other citizen of the UK. What does the SNP care about? Wait for it... going to the moon! Is that really want we want to be focusing on when we have so many urgent needs... the moon? Of course not! We want more doctors and teachers, not astronauts!

So we hope you'll give us the honor of consideration for you vote come election day. If you find yourself relating to the stories of Jeremy, John, and Emily, the Labour Party is the only real choice. We're the only party that has made it our mission to help Jeremy, John, Emily, and everyone like them. They are the people who are in danger of falling through the cracks without attentive labour oriented policies. The Tories and Lib Dems just tell them good luck. Well, we say to the Tories and Lib Dems... good luck!

Campaign Schedule

February 3: London

February 4: Bournemouth (South West)

February 5: Liverpool (North West)

February 6: Sunderland (North East)

February 7: Leeds (Yorkshire and Humber)

February 8: Edinburgh and Glasgow (Scotland)

February 9: Wigan (Home Constituency)

February 3rd-Clegg warns of 'BLU-KIP' Coalition, and hits May. 'If she can't stand up to Ian Duncan Smith, how will she stand up to Paul Nutall?'' Bristol, South West

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In a major speech in Bristol, Nick Clegg warned that Britain was facing the prospect of 'the most right wing government in 30 years' and said that said that Mrs May 'needs to be straight with the British people, and tell them if she's going to use UKIP to put herself in No.10'.

Clegg warned that a UKIP coalition, or even 'some sort of grubby deal' would lead to sweeping cuts and privatization of the NHS, a return to grammar schools, a rollback of LGBT and women's rights, and the 'Thatcherism on steroids', with tax cuts fort he wealthy, an exit from the EU and 'would cast a dark dark shadow over Britain'.

Clegg than blasted Theresa May saying ''she didn't have any courage in the voting lobby, she didn't even have any courage to stand up to Ian Duncan Smith, so how on earth is she going to stand up to Paul Nutall and Nigel Farage?''

Again citing her voting record, including her votes against the minimum wage and equality legislation, Clegg said that Mrs May needs to be honest with the British People, and warned that 'she's gone through 5 weeks of this campaign without anyone really knowing what's going to happen if she gets into power'

Finally, Clegg said that it was vital for 'the people of Britain to send a loud message', and called on ex-Labour, Green, and even Tory voters to vote for the Liberal Demcrats as the only party who could deliver a fair deal for Britain, whilst protecting jobs and investment.

February 4th-Clegg woos Labour voters in Edinburgh; tells them the old days of tactical voting are over, and it's time to vote Lib Dem for a fair deal.Edinburgh

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Following on from his speech the day before warning of a Tory-UKIP coalition, Nick Clegg went to the Labour seat of Edinburgh South, to speak to former labour and undecided voters, telling them that Labours 'retreat into the margins' has meant that the Liberal Democrats are the only party that are capable of providing 'strong, principled and realistic' opposition to the Tories. Clegg claimed that Labour were 'so focused on taking me out, they forgot that Mrs May even existed' and failed to 'attack her over her refusal to protect the NHS and Schools budget''.

Contrasting McDonnell and Corbyn, with himself and Cable, Clegg said that Labour voters have to choose between who they want standing opposite Mrs May- 'do you really want to put the man who almost bankrupted the city of London, and a man who took £15,000 from Iran to appear on TV,
to represent you, is that really the best Labour can offer?''

Clegg finally urged Labour voters to ''Remember, the old days are over. No more tactical voting. No more games. If you want a fair, equal deal for all, then vote Liberal Democrat and show Labour your voice matters''

February 5th-Clegg and Cable urge families 'to vote for a fairer future', and touts £2,000 tax cut for working families, guaranteed job training and balanced budget. Cardiff, Wales

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In the last week of the campaign, Nick Clegg and Vince Cable meet with families, and urged them to 'vote for a fairer future' that will both create, and protect jobs and investment, whilst ensuring that inequality, and the deficit are cut. Clegg again reminded voters that 'every vote for the Liberal Democrats is a vote towards this fair future'.

Clegg said his 'fair tax cut' would transform the lives of 'millions upon millions' of hard working families, and hit successive governments for 'simply not caring about making taxation fair'. Clegg also vowed to tackle tax evasion, excessive executive pay, and welfare fraud, and said his government would not ''allow people to rip-off the taxpayers anymore''.

February 6th-Clegg blasts Corbyn for taking money 'from a regime that hangs Gay People from Cranes': says 'only Lib Dems can fight for equality. Islington, London.

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At an outside rally in Jeremy Corbyn's own constituency in Islingon, Nick Clegg called out Labour for 'refusing to even give a response' about the payments that Jeremy Corbyn received from Iran to appear on TV.

Clegg said that the entire affair speaks volumes about Labours' own stance towards LGBT rights; . 'Imagine being a young person who is thinking of coming out, and looks at the state of politics where the party that claims to be the vehicle of progress not only ignores the issue in their manifesto but where the guy who's running the economy is taking money from another country which hangs gay kids from cranes.'

'When you go into the voting booth think about who will fight for equality; the Liberal Democrats will introduce marriage equality, we'll introduce a new communities act, we'll tackle homophobic bullying in schools and we'll send a powerful message; Britain will always stand for equality.'

February 7th-'Use your vote, it's your voice. You don't want to wake up to UKIP in number 10 with the Tories' Clegg tells student as he tours universities. Leeds, Sheffield and York. Yorkshire and Humber

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In a series of packed, passionate rallies Nick Clegg again told students, and young people that they should 'defy the critics, the nay-sayers and the old farts in Westminster' who claim that they won't turn out and vote. Clegg visited universities in Sheffield, Leeds and York to address large rallies, and hold Q&A sessions.

Clegg warned that if students didn't turn out to vote, then the country could wake up to a coalition of the conservatives, and the UKIP, which he said would be 'the most reactionary, the most backwards, and the most regressive' government that we've had in over 30 years.

Clegg blasted Labour saying 'not only have they let down students everywhere, by not even mentioning you in their manifesto, but by running such a weak campaign, they've let the Tories off the hook on a whole host of issue. Don't let Labour, or the tories take you for granted. Show them the times have changed, Show them your vote is your voice, show them that you want a fair society. Show that together we can win this.''

February 8th- Clegg holds final rally in Manchester-'Put me in number 10, and I'll give power back to you. North West

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In his final campaign stop, joined by Vince Cable, Paddy Ashdown and Simon Hughes, Nick Clegg told voters in Manchester that 'every vote for the Liberal Democrats, is a vote to give power back to you'. Railing against what he described as generations of red-versus blue politics, where both parties were obsessed with Whitehall and Wesminster, Clegg said that only the 'liberal democrats' had a comprehensive plan to both fix the economy, and clean up politics.

Touting his policies for a ban on big money in politics, House of Lords Reform and metro mayors,
combined with further political and economic devolution, Clegg blasted the 'old parties' for trying to horde power, and claimed 'the Liberal Democrats will be the only party to reach 20% in every region

Clegg gave his most rousing defence of Liberalism warning that a 'Tory-UKIP coalition' will tear up the values that define Britain, and in a passionate, and slightly horse final riff Clegg vowed to 'fight for every corner of Britain, from Bath, to Birmingham, from London to Leeds, from Ispwhich to Inverness. Let's finally sent a shock-wave to those tired old parties,

Let's finally show them that the people of this country want a fair society, they want fair taxes, they want a fairer politics and they want a government that will put them first. Put me in Number 10, and I'll fight for fairness every single day. Remember, the times have changed. Every vote counts. Vote for Fairness. Vote your future. Vote Liberal Democrat.

February 9th-Clegg votes in Sheffield with Miriam.

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Liberal Democrat Press Release.

Nick Clegg voted this morning with his wife Miriam near their home in Sheffield, and then returned to his home for a day with his family, and friends where he will wait for the results to be announced.

It has been a long, and passionate campaign where all Liberal Democrats have come together,
united and inspired voters from all corners of Britain. The Liberal Democrats are the only party who have the chance to do well in nearly every region of Britain, and we hope that everybody turns out to vote, and remembers that every vote in elections now count. We look forward to hearing the results.

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A Fair Future: A Party Political Broadcast

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Narrated by David Attenborough

Britain... (cuts to quick shots of green fields in Kent, then to a fishing village in the Isle of Mull, and finally to a market in Leeds) a land of bountiful opportunity. A land of unbridled potenial (cuts to children running in a playground, an apprentice working working on a forge) and a land that 63 million of us call home.

We've had historic highs (shows footage celebrating London being awarded the 2012 Olympics) and we've had moments of pain (cuts to 7/7 footage, closed down shops on a high street, footage from the London riots) But most importantly; we've always come together as a nation.

The Liberal Democrats are the only party who can ensure that everyone in this great country can come together, and get the fair chance that they deserve. A plan to make taxes fair by giving working families a £2,000 tax cut (shows a family unpacking the shopping), a plan to balance the books in the next 10 years and a pledge to protect, and boost health and education spending.

There is only leader who can fight to make sure that we can all get the fair deal we deserve, and that leader has fought for us before. He went into coalition to provide stability, and security, when we needed it the most (cuts to Nick Clegg outside Downing Street), he lead the remarkable campaign that transformed politics and made your vote count (cuts to footage of Clegg campaigning in the referendum) when the old parties opposed the changes.

People ask, what do the Liberal Democrats believe in? Well let's ask the man himself... (cuts to footage of Clegg at a campaign event)

We want to give power back to communities, and take it away from governments when it's used to corrode our privacy, supercharge our taxes and and stifle our opportunity. Here's some great ideas that only the Liberal Democrats have put forward...

Equal Marriage- that's a liberal idea.
A £2,000 tax cut- that's a liberal idea.
A free school meal for every child- that's a liberal idea.
A tax on bonuses of bankers who crashed the economy - that's a liberal idea.
A ban of big money in politics- that's a liberal idea.
A reformed House of lords, and a mayor for every region- that's a liberal idea.

It comes down to a simple message; Britain needs to have a fairer society, where every single person, yes even 'the son of a banker' can have access to the opportunity of a good school, a good house, a good job, a good family and a can join with everyone else to continue the quest for a fairer society. [/center]

(cuts to Attenborough addressing the Camera)If you want to live in a fairer society, where we're able to both fix our economy, and clean up our broken political system then the solution really is simple- vote liberal democrat in this election. Remember that under the new voting system, every single vote counts. No more safe seats, no more tactical voting, no more worries about who'll you let in- it couldn't be more simple. Vote for your future. Vote Liberal Democrat.

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And now a party political broadcast by the Conservative Party:

(We open on an upbeat, hopeful tone. The skies are cloudy and grey, but as the music takes hold, sun begins to emerge and we see people, old and young, from all walks of life, on the move; in their homes, their neighborhoods, their schools, and their workplaces. There is a visceral feeling of dynamism and action. Over this montage, we hear Theresa May's voice.)

"I can feel something moving in our country; we have been through some hard, difficult times. You know first hand how difficult it has been to make ends meet, to balance the cheque book, and make sure that your kids are looked after. We have to get Britain on track again, we have to deliver a better future.

(As the music reaches a high point, we cut to a montage of Theresa May meeting with voters, talking about their concerns and visiting their homes; along with this, we see high profile regional figures, like Boris Johnson campaigning in London and Ruth Davidson in Scotland.)

"The Conservative Party has a plan which will help every family in this country which needs it. We are going to energize our economy and energize our country.

(We cut to Theresa May speaking to small business owners on the campaign trail; as the voice over continues, the policies appear on the screen in accompaniment.)

"We will slash taxes on small business immediately and institute a start-up fund to help support new businesses in their first year.

"Our apprenticeship program will see young people being trained in their local communities and revitalize their economies.

(Cut to footage of young couples with their new families, playing in their homes.)

"Our tax cuts will benefit every family in the country and put more money in your budget to help out your family and loved ones. Our plans to fix the education system will see the greatest amount of choice possible given over to parents about their children's education, and not in the hands of Whitehall.

(Footage now of Theresa May and the Conservative Shadow Cabinet touring workplaces and meeting with industrial workers.)

"We will give a voice to every single worker in this country by requiring employee representation on every corporate board and a commitment to a fair share in how their workplace in run.

(We cut to Theresa May standing outside as the sun emerges, facing the camera.)

"Our entire vision is about growing families, communities, and regions. We wan to enhance freedoms and choices for every man, woman, and child in our country and get the government and politicians out of the way. This is our vision, for a strong, responsible, stable government; but there is another option.

(The tenor of the music changes to a fast and ominous track as we cut through dark flashes of John McDonnell, Nick Clegg, and Paul Nuttall.)

"For four weeks you have watched Labour and the Liberal Democrats tear each other down as they will do and say anything to cling on to power; these are the very same people who served in the same government together, sat around the same Cabinet table, and made the choices to double our deficit, increase taxation, and sell Britain short. They have both delivered the same empty promises and bad government, and will do so again.

(Cut to archive footage of Paul Nutall responding to May's attacks, claiming to believe in fairy tales and media coverage of proposed NHS privatization.)

"On the other hand, you have UKIP which has no plan and no clue for how to govern this country. They complain about taxes, yet want to increase them; they attack the NHS, yet want to sell it off; they are a one-issue party and yet want to govern a country of sixty-seven million people. They don't have a plan, and frankly don't have a clue.

(We return to Theresa May, now surrounded by some of the Shadow Cabinet and Conservative volunteers.)

"It is finally time for you to have your voice heard, loud and clear, to show what kind of country we are, and the values we truly believe in. Hard work, families, communities, a good, positive way of life for us and the next generation. By voting Conservative on February 9, we can deliver that future: together."

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'May kicks off final week of campaign in Tory heartlands blasting UKIP.'

3 February, East of England

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Mr Nuttall has had four weeks to show voters that he's capable of governing this country; that UKIP is capable of handling the reins of government. In that time, all he's done is sound like a broken record and follow Nigel Farage like a lap dog.

It is clear that UKIP has no plan, no vision for this country. Their manifesto is a single line to deliver the greatest economic and political upheaval in a generation, and they have no idea how they would do it or what would happen next. Mr Nuttall says we should just believe in fairy tales and hope for the best!

I think we should believe in Britain, because I know that we are already at our best! All we need is a government that can finally work on the side of families, and small businesses, students, and employers, to deliver what is right for this country. Not more taxes like Mr McDonnell wants, or more broken promises from Mr Clegg, or more daydreaming from Mr Nuttall.

We are going to cut the burden of taxes on the people of this country, we are going to restore control of the immigration system to the government and not let it continue to spin out of control, we are going to reduce the deficit and pay down our debt. We can do these things because we have a real plan and a real vision; we have candidates up and down this country with the drive, focus, and commitment to deliver on these promises and deliver for Britain.

4 February, East of England

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Our plan will deliver a tax cut for every family in the country, and tax relief for thousands of small businesses in every community. We are the only party which actually understands the value of growing local communities and businesses, and our Business Innovation Plan will move the state out of the way, and sweep away years of red tape and regulation put on you by Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

We will set up business partnerships with the most successful British companies and entrepreneurs, eager to invest in Britain and grow our communities. But that can only happen if we have a government which has a real plan, a real vision for growth. Not a party with a one-track mind to tear up our economy, increase taxes, and sell off the NHS.

Those are not British values, and that's not leadership.

Later that same day, Mrs May and the Tory battle bus drove to the East Midlands.

5 February, East Midlands

'May blasts Clegg and Lib Dems as 'more of the same".'

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Mr Clegg and Mr McDonnell promise you hope and change, but what they are really promising is more of the same: more of the same high taxes, more debt, and more money spent on London while your communities go ignored. You cannot promise change when you have been in power for fifteen years; you cannot promise change when you sat around the Cabinet table for eighteen months and approved every new tax, new piece of spending, new regulation, all while rural hospitals closed, schools started to burst at the seems, and more and more workers lost their jobs.

A good government should treat the British people with greater respect than that. Someone who wants to be Prime Minister should be able to look you in the eye and admit, 'yes, I supported those things, I approved them, I stand by them.' But instead Mr Clegg still acts like a protest leader, unable to admit that he has already been in government, that Labour's record is every bit as much the Liberal Democrats' record.

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'May taunts other parties, pledges new deal for workers.'

6 February, Yorkshire and the Humber

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Labour has been in power for fifteen years, and what is their record? Higher unemployment, wages flatlining, communities shrinking and ignored by the party who claims to represent them. I think you know something that Mr McDonnell and Labour have had a very hard time learning: they are out of ideas, out of luck, and out of time!

Our plan is to return dignity and respect to work and to workplaces. We will guarantee an equal representation of workers on every corporate board in this country. That is something that only the Conservative Party has promised. Only we have actually listened to workers and realize that your voice deserves to be heard loud and clear.

On the other hand, Labour will drag us back to the 1970s with crushing taxes and stoking up class warfare, never bothering to see if you make enough money each week to provide for your families, to keep your house, or feed your children. All they are interested in is the game of conflict, not results.

For every celebrity that the Liberal Democrats can roll out, each of Mr Clegg's promises appears more hollow than the day before. He should spend a little more time out here, where everyday people live and work and make wonderful communities, instead of basking in his glow of stardom and rubbing shoulders with celebrities.

And then, of course, we have UKIP. Dear, poor, old UKIP, who thought that if they just banged on like a broken record for five weeks about nothing, they might, by some happy accident, slip into power. You and I both know that you are much smarter than that, and can see a con for what it is. Mr Nuttall has no plan for Britain and, frankly, no clue for how to govern, or even what his own talking points would do.

Every time he gets challenged on this, he just resorts to calling me a liar. Well, I've had to face plenty of men like him in my career, and you can judge the results for yourself. Someone who is incapable of defending their own ideas and their own plan really isn't cut out for the job of Prime Minister, and should not be trusted with fighting for yours.

"May swings through Scotland, pledging to protect local industry."

()

7 February, Scotland

Quote

Well what an interesting time it has been! From space stations to Mars missions, you can definitely say that Scotland has been put on the map during this election. But not by parties or politicians who actually care about you and your families, but just the same old story of desperate leaders throwing every thing they can at you to stay relevant and stay in the headlines.

On the other hand, we have run a campaign which actually respects the people of Scotland, their creativity, their dynamism, and their intelligence. We have a plan which will finally tap into that enormous potential which has been ignored, used, and abused by the SNP and Labour for far too long.

We have a plan to make a real, meaningful investment in Scotland's economy by promoting innovation and developing entrepreneurs. We are going to revitalize the fishing industry by taking us out of the London Convention, and we are going to protect the jobs and livelihoods of workers in our ship building and nuclear industry.

I do not believe in playing cheap gimmicks with our nation's defence, or with your jobs, like Mr Clegg. I will not sell your income down the river or sacrifice the security of our families just to look good on the telly. Those are not the qualities of a leader, and certainly not of someone who wants to be Prime Minister.

"May finishes campaign back where it all began in Bolton."

8 February, North West

Quote

Five weeks ago, I stood very near here and outlined our plan for Britain; our vision for how we can make so much more out of this country, together, growing as a strong, vibrant, diverse collection of people. In those five weeks, you have seen politicians pummel each other again and again, trying desperately to get your attention and make you forget everything about the last few years.

But you are not going to forget about Labour's Recession tomorrow, are you? About how the Labour Party presided over two-and-a-half million people unemployed, with no job propects, and no plan for the future.

You are not going to forget Labour's Deficit tomorrow, are you? How in a few short years, the deficit was doubled, and the amount of debt hanging over you and your children increases with no end in sight.

You are not going to forget the higher taxes, closed hospitals, overcrowded schools, or an immigration system spiraling out of control. That is Labour's record, that is what they've done over fifteen years, and what they plan to do over another five.

We need a new vision, a new kind of government in this country. Seizing on your hopes and dreams, in strolls Mr Clegg, radiant in stardom, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, and claiming he has the answer to every problem we face.

Are you going to forget that it was Nick Clegg who kept Gordon Brown in power in 2010? That it was Nick Clegg who let more workers lose their jobs, more families lose their homes, and more students be crushed under tuition debt.

If Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats were unable to stop a single mistake over the last two years when they were in government, when they sat a the Cabinet, how can anyone think they can have any hope of governing this country?

They are part of the problem, not the solution.

And speaking of problems, we finally have UKIP, stumbling through this election repeating over and over a single issue which they do not have a plan for, do not have an answers, and realy don't have any hope of solving.

This country deserves a government run by adults, with a clear and firm plan for the future, with policies that address the day to day struggles you face.

We have a plan to reduce taxes and relieve the burden on your families. We have a plan to invest in communities in every part of this country, bringing innovation and dynamism up North and out of London. We have a plan push Whitehall out of the way, and return freedom and choice to people, whether that be in education or in health.

We will protect every one of our public services, not sacrifice them like UKIP, but we will do it through the hope and opportunity of the British people, and not through more taxes and more regulation like Labour and the Liberal Democrats.

Tomorrow, you can use your vote to elect a government which will grow our communities and strengthen our society, a government that will respect and empower workers while investing in small business and in apprenticeships, a government which will help students achieve a university education without a crushing debt sentence.

We can do this, and so much more, if we focus on the British people, if we respect your ambitions and desires, your hopes and dreams. Tomorrow, vote for a government which will respect you and treat you as an equal partner.

On February 9, you can elect a Conservative government, and on February 10, we can star to deliver a better tomorrow!

9 February, Maidenhead, South East

()

Theresa and Philip May arrived in Maidenhead early on polling day and walked with Conservative door-knockers on the street before going to vote at their polling station. The couple then retired to their home and rested in the afternoon; Mrs May confirmed that she will be following an election superstition of not watching the exit poll at 10 pm, but will have her husband relay the news.

Campaign Television ad: 10 CP
Canvassing team: 15 for East of England, 10 for London, 10 for Yorkshire, 5 for Scotland, 10 for North West, 5 for East Midlands, and 5 for West Midlands.

McDonnell: Help is On the Way
()
McDonnell Campaigning in Leeds

At a campaign stop in Leeds, McDonnell was asked about Jeremy Corbyn's acceptance of payments from an Iranian state-sponsored television network.

Quote

We are the party of human rights, and we simply can't stand for this kind of action. So, while I wish Chancellor Corbyn the best of luck in his future endeavours, I am requesting his resignation from his Cabinet post. Hopefully this clears the air a bit.

McDonnell spent the next three days campaigning across Yorkshire and the Humber. At a stop in Bradford, he was asked about the possibility of forming coalitions after the election.

Quote

Right now, we're concerned with winning this election and preventing the implementation of austerity policies that will take services from the poor to pay for tax cuts for the rich. We continue to believe that Labour is the only party presenting serious policies to solve the problems of everyday Britons, and we hope that the people will give us a mandate to implement them. However, in the event that this doesn't happen, we'll take whatever steps we can to ensure that the working man is protected.

Then, McDonnell headed to London to shore up Labour's base in the critical region. A concerned voter questioned why Labour had intensely criticized Nick Clegg's Liberal Democrats over the past several weeks.

Quote

I suppose that we got a little carried away sometimes, but our points are correct. The Liberal Democrats, headed by a banker's son, almost allied with the Conservatives to support policies that would indeed help financiers, contrary to Mr. Clegg's claims of late. Labour has, in contrast, been putting forward a bold agenda: a living wage. Infrastructure. Better healthcare. Yes, perhaps we didn't focus enough on our own agenda, but that doesn't change the facts: we are the party of governance for the people instead of the power structure in the United Kingdom, and I hope that voters will cast their votes based on this.

Schedule:
February 4: Barnstorming in Yorkshire and the Humber

February 5: Barnstorming in Yorkshire and the Humber

February 6: Barnstorming in the West Midlands

February 7: Barnstorming in the East Midlands

February 8: Barnstorming and Rally in Birmingham

February 9: Ends campaign with a rally in London

Campaign Points:
5 points on canvassing in Yorkshire and the Humber
10 points on canvassing in London
5 points on canvassing in South West England
10 points on canvassing in the Midlands (1 team each)
5 points on canvassing in Scotland

Quote from: Labour Television Broadcast

("Time Won't Wait" by Jamiroquai plays in the background, gradually growing more powerful (this is just how the song goes) as the camera slowly moves towards Prime Minister McDonnell, shrouded in darkness and bobbing his head slightly while facing a black background. As the music peaks and the strings parts kick in, McDonnell dramatically turns around, and spotlights roam across an expansive red wall in the background, with a neon Labour rose in the center. As McDonnell begins grooving his way forward, the camera pulls back along with him.)

MCDONNELL: We have an opportunity before us unlike any ever known, but Britain has to open the door.

(The camera pans around to a literal door, a replica of the one at 10 Downing Street, which McDonnell opens and walks through. On the other side is a high school gymnasium, bleachers packed with cheering Britons of all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, and probably sexual orientations, except you can't really tell because it's a video, etc)

MCDONNELL: Are you ready to change the world?

CROWD: YEAH!!!

(An electric guitar is tossed through the air to McDonnell from offstage. Catching it perfectly, he briefly shreds out a sick solo before quietly placing it on a stand to the side of the podium.)

MCDONNELL: Do you want to know how we're gonna change the world?

CROWD: YEAH!!!

(Now, as the music drops off, we transition to more traditional political stuff. Standard shots of McDonnell roaming the floor, speaking.)

MCDONNELL: My friends, this is not an easy time for us Britons. (Low murmurs through the audience) While the political class is thriving more than ever, the income and wealth gaps between the rich and everyone else are growing wider by the day (video of a homeless shelter). Our infrastructure is decaying (shots of bumpy roads), and our health system is lacking (people waiting in hospitals). So, we ask, what is there to do about this?

Some of our opponents have suggested that the answer to the problems facing our people is austerity -- massive spending cuts and caps that would ostensibly improve our economy. To these people, I ask a simple question - what happens when you take billions out of the economy? Even plan that suggest tax cuts would result in a significant amount of spending simply vanishing from the economy (On the screens behind the Prime Minister, stacks of paper money are shown vanishing in a flash of light and smoke). In these troubled times, it is this that Britain's economy cannot afford.

We are proposing a bold alternative to what any other major party has put forward: increases in spending. Now, I understand that this may make inspire skepticism in many, but when we think about spending, we have to remember that it isn't just dumping money into a hole somewhere, or chucking it off a boat into the Channel (muffled laughter as a cartoon of a boat dumping piles of cash into the ocean is covered up by a ❌). Government spending is no different than investment of capital by a private organization: we shuttle money into the economy to stimulate growth. In addition to providing basic public services, our proposals will directly facilitate economic growth, and I'm about to tell you why.

First of all, the living wage. I think everyone here can agree that no man deserves the indignity of working full-time and being unable to support himself (cheering). However, what isn't talked about is the fact that when people have more money in their pockets, they spend that money, and it goes straight back into the businesses that are paying them more -- growing our economy even as it improves the wages of the working class.

Our infrastructure plan is even more beneficial -- if we are voted into Westminster, Labour will invest billions in the rebuilding of Britain's roads, trains, bridges, airports, power facilities. First, this will create thousands of new jobs for those who are constructing these wind turbines, and building these bridges. However, when power is cheaper, the air is cleaner, and the roads are smoother, people are going to want to use more power, use those roads, and go places -- to spend money on our economy. Who wouldn't want that? (Throughout, a montage of mentioned things plays on the screens)

Finally, Labour will improve our healthcare. Who here uses the NHS? (A fair portion raise their hands) Alright, who has had to wait for weeks for care? (Most hands still stay up) This is intolerable. Think of those who have been sick for weeks waiting. Think of those who have died waiting. (Deathly silence) We will not allow this to continue. By investing in staffing of NHS hospitals, we can reduce these wait times, and get those who are sick back into life, and back into our economy.

(McDonnell stares directly into the camera)

Now, I understand that we are down. However, we are most certainly not out. This is a fight that is bigger than you, bigger than me. And it is bigger than this election. And this is a fight that we will fight for the rest of our lives, and a fight that our children will fight when we are gone -- the fight for justice, the fight for equality, and the fight for the forgotten man. So, I remind you, Britain -- help is on the way!

(The room goes dark, except for a red spotlight on the Prime Minister, who clenches his microphone in a fist that he dramatically raises to the sky while looking down and closing his eyes.)

MCDONNELL: Labour out!

(The broadcast ends with a short, punctuating guitar riff over the cheers and applause of the crows)

Eh, not like I had much to lose. :P

SOMETIME LATER

Dimbleby: (cont.) There you have it, reactions from Nigel Dodds of the DUP and Justine Greening from the Conservatives. Quite a stunning development what we continue to hear from Arlene Foster and her party, the news that the DUP might contest seats across the UK at the next General Election. We'll look into the implications of that with our panel later, but I hear the result of the North East region is coming:

NORTH EAST: 29 seats
Labour Party: 32% (10)
Conservative Party: 27% (8 )
Liberal Democrats: 25% (7)
UKIP: 13% (4)
Green Party: 2% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

LABOUR NARROWLY WINS IN THE NORTH EAST, PAUL NUTTALL ELECTED MP

()

Vine: Easily one of the most pro-Labour areas of the country, this appears like a sign of times to come, David. Under the new system Labour goes from having 25 MP's to just 10, a tough loss for a party which is already facing backlash. But more than strong showings by the Conservatives and the Lib Dems, the story of the night on this region is UKIP, with Paul Nuttall's populist message aimed at working class voters having brought its rewards. It seems many former Labour voters have defected to UKIP as they hit 13% on the region, up nearly 10%. And, of course, UKIP Leader Paul Nuttall makes history as the first elected UKIP MP.

Dimbleby: Sorry to cut you off there, Jeremy, results in Scotland are being declared at Edinburgh:

SCOTLAND: 59 seats
Labour Party: 30% (18)
Liberal Democrats: 26% (16)
Conservative Party: 25% (15)
Scottish National Party: 17% (10)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

SNP FOURTH IN SCOTLAND, CONSERVATIVES WIN 15 MP's

Vine: After a stunning victory in Holyrood in 2011, many expected the Scottish National Party to soar, and the polls had them narrowly ahead at the start of this campaign. Still, a bitter night for the SNP as their failure to get their message across pushes them back to fourth place in Scotland despite winning 4 seats. One has to wonder for how long Mr. Salmond will remaind First Minister and SNP Leader. On an interesting upside to the Conservatives the new system brings them a comeback in Scotland, jumping from a single MP to over 15 in a stunning success for the new Scottish Conservative Leader Ruth Davidson. Labour is set to lose their domination of the region despite holding onto first place, losing over half their Scottish seats.

SOMETIME LATER

Dimbleby: (cont.) Our Exit Poll may have been a bit off as some of the latest results show, overestimating the Lib Dems despite the collapse Labour is suffering. The next result is from Wales, so let's go to Cardiff:

WALES: 40 seats
Conservative Party: 29% (12)
Labour Party: 25% (12)
Liberal Democrats: 24% (10)
Plaid Cymru: 13% (5)
UKIP: 7% (3)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

CONSERVATIVES CAPTURE WALES, EVEN SPLIT IN SEATS

Vine: And the collapse of the Labour vote in some areas of the country begins to manifest. Despite running more than ten points ahead of the Conservatives in 2010, Labour is pushed back to a close second as Theresa May achieves a historic win in the region. Labour loses more than half its MP's as UKIP, Plaid and the Lib Dems make significant gains. It seems the era of Wales as a stronghold for Labour may be over.

Dimbleby: The battlegrounds at the West and East Midlands are declaring now as well:

WEST MIDLANDS: 59 seats
Conservative Party: 44% (27)
Liberal Democrats: 24% (14)
Labour Party: 21% (13)
UKIP: 9% (5)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

EAST MIDLANDS: 46 seats
Conservative Party: 44% (21)
Liberal Democrats: 26% (12)
Labour Party: 18% (8 )
UKIP: 10% (5)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

CONSERVATIVES HOLD THE MIDLANDS, LIB DEMS SURGE

Vine: Key areas to win, the West and East Midlands were hotly contested during the campaign, and their results tell us a lot of what is happening. Compared to 2010 you can see the Conservative Party making clear gains in the popular vote, yet their share of MP's for these regions is significantly down due to the electoral system, which is also the case for Labour. Besides UKIP, which made a good impact on the area, the main benefit goes to the Lib Dems. From a mere 3 MP's on both regions they now have 26, which bodes well for them as they have become the main alternative to the Conservatives in this part of the country.

SOMETIME LATER

()

Dimbleby: So what are we hearing from the parties, Nick?

Robinson: Conservatives have rushed to the airwaves as we speak to claim victory, David, and it's hard to say they're wrong. Clearly the electoral system will mean that the Conservatives won't be anywhere close to a majority, but with reports that they may have surpassed 40% of the vote it is hard to say that Theresa May has not "won" the election. You can also hear the cries of despair from Labour, and interestingly, the cries of joy from the Lib Dems at the fact that they've finally broken through.

Kuenssberg: At the end of the night the Lib Dems will be the second largest party even if our Exit Poll was somewhat off, and Nick Clegg may yet become Prime Minister depending on the numbers. Must be quite a night for them.

EAST OF ENGLAND: 40 seats
Conservative Party: 52% (31)
Liberal Democrats: 28% (17)
UKIP: 11% (7)
Labour Party: 7% (3)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

LABOUR COLLAPSE IN EAST OF ENGLAND, UKIP RISES TO THIRD

Vine: Astounding, isn't it? The Conservatives break 50% on this stronghold of them, but lose almost twenty seats due to the proportional system. The Lib Dems consolidate as the alternative here by being close to 30% and winning a dozen of seats, and virtually two-thirds of the Labour voters have disappeared. It is clear John McDonnell isn't the type of leader to appeal to this region of the country, but it seems Paul Nuttall's emphasis on working class voters may have worked far better than expected. Rather than seeing Conservative voters defect in massive numbers, it may be Labour voters concerned about immigration that are deserting to vote UKIP.

Dimbleby: And here is London as well, with quite a surprise as I'm being told:

LONDON: 73 seats
Conservative Party: 39% (29)
Liberal Democrats: 31% (23)
Labour Party: 22% (17)
Green Party: 5% (4)
UKIP: 2% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

CONSERVATIVES AND LIB DEMS BATTLE FOR LONDON, GREENS TAKE SEATS

Vine: If there was a sign of the success of Nick Clegg a capturing former Labour voters, this is it. While Theresa May has gained a few points on a reasonable swing to win in London, the story here is the large-scale surge of the Lib Dems across the city all the way to more than 30%, making significant gains in terms of seats on Labour's expense as the Conservative make a couple of gains. With UKIP shut out of the city, the Greens deliver on an unexpected surprise by barely making the threshold, adding 4 MP's to their current representation. Polls appeared to have underestimated the Green vote in the city, and Caroline Lucas must be quite happy right now.

SOMETIME LATER

()

Vine: Clearly the next House of Commons will be quite hard for whoever becomes the next Prime Minister. The door seems closed for Mr. McDonnell and the Labour Party, leaving us with three options to speculate on as results continue to come in. With the Conservatives having clearly won the popular vote by a large margin Theresa May could very well become Prime Minister, but would either have to lead a minority government or form a coalition with UKIP and the Unionist parties, which might not have a majority. Nick Clegg could also have a go if the Lib Dems do as well as the exit poll suggests, but for that he'd need both to bring Labour on board and also recruit some of the smaller parties in a "progressive alliance". Finally, the possibility of the Lib Dems and the Conservatives making a deal could be an interesting one, if unlikely to happen.

NORTH WEST: 75 seats
Conservative Party: 36% (29)
Labour Party: 28% (21)
Liberal Democrats: 23% (18)
UKIP: 9% (7)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

CONSERVATIVES TAKE THE NORTH WEST, LIB DEMS UNDERPERFORM

YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER: 54 seats
Conservative Party: 38% (21)
Labour Party: 27% (15)
Liberal Democrats: 25% (14)
UKIP: 8% (4)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

LABOUR DOWN IN YORKSHIRE, CLEGG RE-ELECTED

SOUTH WEST: 55 seats
Conservative Party: 43% (24)
Liberal Democrats: 41% (23)
UKIP: 8% (5)
Labour Party: 6% (3)
Green Party: 1% (0)
Others: 1% (0)

LIB DEM SURGE ACROSS SOUTH WEST, LABOUR COLLAPSE

Kuenssberg: I think what's becoming clear is just how regional swings are affecting the results. For example, you can see Labour remains a strong force in the North and in Scotland, but they are simply evaporating in places like the East of England and the South West as the Lib Dems rise. Indeed, Nick Clegg got very close to beating May for first place in the South West. I think we can safely assume the Exit Poll got the places right, but it underestimated Labour and the Conservatives to overestimate the Lib Dem surge.

Robinson: Still, at least this time their surge materialized more strongly. Unlike 2010, this should not be a disappointment for the Lib Dems at all. For the first time in ninety years, they'll be one of the two major parties.

Dimbleby: It's morning already, and there's only two more regions to go: the South East of England and, of course, the hotly contested Northern Ireland. Stay tuned.

Talk Elections

Forum Community => Mock Parliament => Topic started by: Lumine on July 04, 2017, 04:27:02 PM