Ed Miliband versus Nick Clegg

We are up the creek without a Tone Cameron Clegg to stand on.
Doomed... all doomed.

Whoever is in power after the election is, I fear, going to be hamstrung by the SNP, who, by all accounts are going to be throwing toys out of their pram at every given opportunity. I fear Alex Salmond; Nicola Sturgeon is clearly his stooge, and these people will try any trick, dirty or otherwise get their way. Our English leaders are weak, whichever party they belong to, will huff and puff and then give way on every issue. Scotland will have independence by the back door as no one can or will stand up to Salmond. I never thought that I would feel this, but if only they had to gone last autumn! If only we had ALL had a vote!!! As for for who to vote for in May? We have already had literature from the liberals. Utopia is clearly round the corner!!! What rubbish they talk! they are all so pathetic and gutless, I don't think I shall bother. I too wish there was a method on the ballot paper indicating none of the above. Not voting can indicate complete indifference or disinterest, whereas actually going to the trouble to put your cross indicates complete dissatisfaction over what's on offer, which is about the size of it!!!

I do so agree, Mishap!

I do think the greens should be included in the debates.

So - who to vote for? In our constituency, if you do not want the incumbent to get in again you have to vote tactically rather than follow your own inclinations. Do I want him to get in again? - NO, on the basis of his political affiliation; Yes, on the basis of his excellence as a local MP in taking up causes and supporting the community. Scratches head.....

I've actually had a real, live Parliamentary Candidate in Person, canvassing down my street (well avenue if I'm being accurate) .....not seen one of this since last century.

Very impressive.

They might get my vote on this alone because I'm b*****ed if I know which of them I'd vote for otherwise.

The lib Dems and Conservatives formed a coalition , one half said it would give a referendum on AV ,they fulfilled their commitment. The other half said it would go for boundary changes and then voted against it, they did not fulfill their commitment.

The lib Dems accused their 'partner' of going back on their word but that was rubbished , they simply didn't get their way in getting AV through, because the British voter did not want it, they 'threw their dummy out of the pram', had an 'axe to grind'.

As Meerkat would say, 'simples' As most others reading this will probably say 'stating the bleeding obvious'

Mishap

Then do you agree The Greens are entitled to join in at least one debate?

Clegg has indeed acted as a curb on DC and that is the advantage of a coalition. I am not too bothered what the motive might be.

I do not think the greens have seen all their policies absorbed into the main parties. No other party has an education policy that I have sympathy with apart from the greens - that is why I would like to see them having some influence in the next government.

Would you care to explain what you mean by 'axe to grind' in this context.
Thanks.

axe to grind, or genuine concerns re reforms proposed? Got a feeling we might have to agree to disagree on interpretation here.

A second chamber is one thing, a coalition partner with an axe to grind is another...

Spanner in the works, or healthy checks and balances? Not sure. Why have a second chamber then, on that basis?

I'm with you loopylou! Don't like any of them and loathe Salmond!

Quite frankly I cannot stand any of them! smug b....rs
I cannot imagine voting for any of them at the moment....

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/jan/19/dont-listen-russell-brand-refusing-vote-five-more-years-tory-government-michele-hanson

Yes, deliberately blocking the proposed boundary changes was just one of the LibDem 'revenges' following on from that failed AV referendum.

I know some think that coalition government is the way forward, and it does work in a lot of other countries where it is a tradition, but the thought of a smug Nick Clegg & Co. putting a spanner in the works whenever something doesn't suit them (whether in partnership with Conservatives or Labour) doesn't bear thinking about!

Ana

We would have fewer MP's saving the country a lot of money for one thing if the Lib Dems had complied with their agreement when the 'marriage' was first created if I am not mistaken. One could call it 'throwing the dummy out of the pram' because the country voted against the Alternative Vote in the referendum.

I think spoiled ballot papers are counted so they could be assumed to be a protest, whilst just not voting could be construed as not taking any interest in politics at all.

I'd love to be able to discuss this with Shirley Williams- the one female potitician I've always so admired. What she thinks about tuition fees.

Surely if you want to 'vote for none of the above' you can do so by simply not voting.

Putting a cross against 'none of the above' on a ballot paper is a futile exercise and a waste of time.

As for Nick Clegg and his party curbing some of the tories' would-be excesses, one has to wonder how much of that was down to truly held beliefs or just petty vindictiveness.

Surely if you want to 'vote for none of the above' you have the choice by sim!ply njoit

I am not keen on either, particularly as I emailed Ed Miliband when he was Environment Secretary (several times I might add) and I am still awaiting a reply. two-faced back stabber, can't trust him as far as you can throw him
I have no time whatsoever for Nick Clegg two-faced smarmy so and so and think his party will be decimated at the next election.

As for TB I agree with Riverwalk

Never in a million years would I fail to vote in a general election - or any election - but this year, I really would like an option on the ballot paper to vote for 'none of the above'!

I wouldn't trust any of them with all the things you list, granjura.