To some extent yes. Look at the way the viewing figures for TV shoot up in the autumn / winter period, there are less people out and about, many stay in for the night once they get home. Logistically canvassing would be a nightmare, many older people don't answer their doors after dark.GNiel wrote: Do people just go out in daylight? No. There should technically be no difference in turnout, as people wishing to excerscise their democratic duty would not be put off by a drop of rain.
Possible General Election
-
Square Eyes
- Posts: 630
- Joined: Fri 15 Aug, 2003 13.38
I personally would hate an election because it means the TV would be cluttered up with election promises repeated over and over again. It's so tiresome when all I'm looking for is some serious entertainment. Politics is far less popular now than ever before because the major parties are so similar. But I do hate one of them for it's past history of unfairness to all citizens in this country of ours. So I vote to keep them out by sticking my big black cross against the name of the party that's most likely to keep them out. When only a few of us vote why do the media hounds keep thinking we prefer an election special to X-Factor, or some other sad attempt to entertain the gullible public?
I don't understand why newspapers are so obsessed with spying on people on Facebook.rts wrote:What a lovely bunch
Surely pictures that someone uploads to Facebook retain their copyright of the individual and cannot be published without the express and/or written permission of the copyright holder.
There's a Facebook story nearly every week in the newspapers. Add to the fact that most people's profiles are private and viewable only by confirmed friends, it seems there's something going awry here.
Facebook users should be protected from having their pictures and personal information stolen and published in the media.
User Removed
I'm not aware of anyone having mentioned that a general election now would probably result in there being another one in the run up to (or just after) the London Olympics. That's risky because if there were to be unfinished buildings/cost problems it could go against the government... on the other hand if it goes well there could be a feelgood factor that was to their advantage. 2012 will also be Diamond Jubilee year.
Interesting point, Marksi. I think there's more a "cross that bridge when we get to it" attitude in regards to election number two. As this article from The First Post concludes, "calling an election may be a gamble for Gordon Brown, not calling one would be an even bigger gamble".marksi wrote:I'm not aware of anyone having mentioned that a general election now would probably result in there being another one in the run up to (or just after) the London Olympics. That's risky because if there were to be unfinished buildings/cost problems it could go against the government... on the other hand if it goes well there could be a feelgood factor that was to their advantage. 2012 will also be Diamond Jubilee year.
I agree, and hadn't thought of this. Most governments wouldn't (and haven't generally) run for the full 5 years, which would take them to November 2012. It's more common to go for May to reduce costs and tie in with the local elections (or June as in 2001 due to F&M).rts wrote:Interesting point, Marksi.marksi wrote:I'm not aware of anyone having mentioned that a general election now would probably result in there being another one in the run up to (or just after) the London Olympics. That's risky because if there were to be unfinished buildings/cost problems it could go against the government... on the other hand if it goes well there could be a feelgood factor that was to their advantage. 2012 will also be Diamond Jubilee year.
May 2011 would be a tadge too early, and May 2012 may be too late as it would get the flack about the cost of the Olympics without the "feel-good factor" of the aftermath. But September-November 2012 is leaving it to chance.
2012 is only a Diamond Jubilee year if the old-dear is still breathing at that time!
User removed
Her Maj will only be 86 in 2012. If she lives as long as her mother, then she'll be around for a good few years yet!StuartPlymouth wrote:
2012 is only a Diamond Jubilee year if the old-dear is still breathing at that time!
User Removed
Yes, and then Chas could be nearly 80 by the time he gets his dream job. I suppose the longer she lasts the more chance we have of growing up enough as a society to pension the rest off when she goes. I've no problem with having a figurehead with little or no power (as in Ireland) but at least we would get to choose them rather than some genetically inbred misfit who has little or no grasp on the reality of modern life.Jamez wrote:Her Maj will only be 86 in 2012. If she lives as long as her mother, then she'll be around for a good few years yet!
User removed
Maybe an inbred misfit, but its a dynasty that stretches back over a thousand years to William the Conqueror.StuartPlymouth wrote:but at least we would get to choose them rather than some genetically inbred misfit who has little or no grasp on the reality of modern life.
And an elected head of state would be a disaster. Just imagine Britain becoming a federal republic! Having the likes of Tony Blair and other discredited has-beens worming their way back into a position of power/authority. Look at France. They've had to endure the last 10 years under Jacques Chirac - a man of very questionable character.
The British Royal family may not be perfect, but this country has had them since before the United Kingdom even existed. No politician would dare suggest getting rid of them or even downsizing their wealth until at least the current monarch has died, which as I said, could be another two decades!
And I would never say that the Queen is out-of-touch. She's had weekly meetings with every Prime Minister since 1952, including Sir Winston Churchill. It would be safe to say that the Queen is probably one of the best briefed people in the country. She knows everything about how this country works, and is privy to all intelligence and national secrets.
User Removed