The post-election horse trading

[Silent Hunter]

OK, what do you think Clegg's price will be for propping up Cameron?

[Joe Republic]

Well, Clegg's top priority is electoral reform, and the Tories already made it pretty clear that that's a no go.  Presumably because they'd prefer not to have an electoral system whereby they'd have to build some kind of cockamamy coalition to try and get a majority of seats in Parli...... oh.

[k-onmmunist]

Proportional representation and some sort of stance on the economy would be a prerequiste. hopefully.

[Boris]

I know I'm stating the obvious, but there's no way Gordon Brown is going to remain Prime Minister. Even ignoring the ridiculousness of such a coalition, Labour (258) + Lib Dems (56) + SDLP (6) + SNP (3) doesn't even get you to 326, so I mean, yeah. Labour + Lib Dems > Conservatives (assuming the BBC's projections play out), but Conservatives + Unionists > Labour + Lib Dems.  Labour had a memorable run, helped define the zeitgeist of the 00s, and did a surprisingly good job of limiting Conservative gains this time around. Cut your losses, let David Cameron into #10, and hope the economy is still sh**tty ~2 years (if that).  I just don't see how any hypothetical Labour-lead coalition in any way benefits Labour in the long term.

[Boris]

moreover, I don't see why either party would concede electoral reform; it's just going to hurt both of them in the long term...

[Хahar 🤔]

I know I'm stating the obvious, but there's no way Gordon Brown is going to remain Prime Minister. Even ignoring the ridiculousness of such a coalition, Labour (258) + Lib Dems (56) + SDLP (6) + SNP (3) doesn't even get you to 326, so I mean, yeah. Labour + Lib Dems > Conservatives (assuming the BBC's projections play out), but Conservatives + Unionists > Labour + Lib Dems.  Labour had a memorable run, helped define the zeitgeist of the 00s, and did a surprisingly good job of limiting Conservative gains this time around. Cut your losses, let David Cameron into #10, and hope the economy is still sh**tty ~2 years (if that).  I just don't see how any hypothetical Labour-lead coalition in any way benefits Labour in the long term.

The DUP will gladly support either party.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

There's no chance that the Lib Dems would work with Labour as the numbers aren't there for what the Lib Dems want to pass. That strengthens Cameron's hand, since I don't thin the prospect of a short term minority government would upset them too much and the Lib Dems can't afford to take any actions that would get them blamed for causing a crisis for the pound.

[Lief 🗽]

The Tories are in a better position than the LibDems, I think, because the Tories wouldn't mind another election this year (it would probably result in a majority for them) while another election this year would likely result in heavy LibDem losses. So the LibDems will likely take what they can get and prop up Cameron for a year or two.

[Antonio the Sixth]

I'm really hoping they will finally do something about electoral reform. This archaic voting system can't be kept anymore.

[k-onmmunist]

I'm really hoping they will finally do something about electoral reform. This archaic voting system can't be kept anymore.

Not as much as me. I've been hoping for 5 years now.

[Franzl]

I think I'm one of the few people here that would prefer keeping the current system

[k-onmmunist]

I think I'm one of the few people here that would prefer keeping the current system

Ugh, why?!

[Franzl]

I think I'm one of the few people here that would prefer keeping the current system

Ugh, why?!

Or perhaps not necessarily FPTP...but I want to keep the district system. I'd be willing to go to IRV like Australia.

[k-onmmunist]

I think I'm one of the few people here that would prefer keeping the current system

Ugh, why?!

Or perhaps not necessarily FPTP...but I want to keep the district system. I'd be willing to go to IRV like Australia.

Ah. Well, FPTP is absolutely dreadful and I wouldn't wish it on any country I'm hoping it goes soon.

[Franzl]

I think I'm one of the few people here that would prefer keeping the current system

Ugh, why?!

Or perhaps not necessarily FPTP...but I want to keep the district system. I'd be willing to go to IRV like Australia.

Ah. Well, FPTP is absolutely dreadful and I wouldn't wish it on any country I'm hoping it goes soon.

And I wouldn't wish MMP or party list PR on anyone....

[Јas]

I think I'm one of the few people here that would prefer keeping the current system

Ugh, why?!

Or perhaps not necessarily FPTP...but I want to keep the district system. I'd be willing to go to IRV like Australia.

Ah. Well, FPTP is absolutely dreadful and I wouldn't wish it on any country I'm hoping it goes soon.

And I wouldn't wish MMP or party list PR on anyone....

LibDems want STV though.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Typical collection of leftist douchebags now parked outside of LibDem HQ

[GMantis]

Typical collection of leftist douchebags now parked outside of LibDem HQ

Yes, wanting electoral reform makes one a douchebag.

[Tuck!]

PR would just be a LibDem power grab. Can't win in the current system, hmm, it must be flawed, let's change it. What bogus.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

Typical collection of leftist douchebags now parked outside of LibDem HQ

Yes, wanting electoral reform makes one a douchebag.

No, being hippie/hipster and covering yourself in purple, then "marching" around like you're some great revolutionaries shouting "yes we can" makes you a douchebag.

[k-onmmunist]

PR would just be a LibDem power grab. Can't win in the current system, hmm, it must be flawed, let's change it. What bogus.

Or maybe they want Britain to become a democracy, y'know?

[Franzl]

PR would just be a LibDem power grab. Can't win in the current system, hmm, it must be flawed, let's change it. What bogus.

Or maybe they want Britain to become a democracy, y'know?

I was under the impression that the British people elected their MPs on Thursday.....I suppose I was wrong.

[Хahar 🤔]

I think I'm one of the few people here that would prefer keeping the current system

Ugh, why?!

Or perhaps not necessarily FPTP...but I want to keep the district system. I'd be willing to go to IRV like Australia.

Ah. Well, FPTP is absolutely dreadful and I wouldn't wish it on any country I'm hoping it goes soon.

And I wouldn't wish MMP or party list PR on anyone....

The PDS did win district seats, too, you know.

[k-onmmunist]

PR would just be a LibDem power grab. Can't win in the current system, hmm, it must be flawed, let's change it. What bogus.

Or maybe they want Britain to become a democracy, y'know?

I was under the impression that the British people elected their MPs on Thursday.....I suppose I was wrong.

First past the post is a good impression of democracy.

[Хahar 🤔]

PR would just be a LibDem power grab. Can't win in the current system, hmm, it must be flawed, let's change it. What bogus.

Or maybe they want Britain to become a democracy, y'know?

I was under the impression that the British people elected their MPs on Thursday.....I suppose I was wrong.

First past the post is a good impression of democracy.

It's not particularly good.