Should you vote tactically?

Although according to Sky News N Sturgeon has insisted Mr Miliband will be forced to “change his tune” after the election and enter into a formal pact with her party.

So it looks like a done deal already. According to some.

He doesn't need an arrangement. He puts something up for a vote, and the other parties vote for or against. What it means is that if he wants something passed, he needs to make sure that the minority parties will vote for it, so he cannot be too extreme.
Unfortunately what that means is that the replacement for Trident will get passed, as the Tories will vote with Labour on that. SNP or Libdems will not be able to do anything about that.

ana Ed May or may not - but that is how coalitions work. There will be a particular mandate from the population as a whole and the politicians are charged with making it work. They cannot dictate at any stage what they would or would not like to happen with regard to "arrangements" - it is the voter who does that. If they cannot work with another party then so be it, it is up to another party to try to make a go of it.
The first one to try of course will be the Tories.

Who owns Sky? Who wants to rock the boat? Don't believe everything you see on Sky news.

I should have added - that is if there is a hung parliament.

Who believes everything they see on any media outlet? (apart from the Guardian, of course!)

Are you saying NS did not say that, durhamjen?

She didn't when I watched her tonight, ana.

NS may be saying what she would like to happen, but that is not necessarily saying that it will happen.

However given that the SNP will have at that stage a mandate from the voters, there is no reason why the SNP should not try to bargain with any party if it's cooperation is needed. That is a perfectly rational way forward.

I don't believe that it is only the Yes voters who will be voting SNP. Many people are completely disillusioned with the attitudes of the main parties, in particular of the tories.

David Cameron and his chums made such a huge hoo-ha about wanting Scotland to stay in the UK then, when that happened, there has been non-stop condemnation of everything Scottish especially Scotland's legitimate desire to be properly represented in Westminster parliament.

A quick look at the constituency information, linked to by durhamjen on the first page of this thread, shows that most constituencies have around 60,000 to 70,000 voters so the larger population of England will have a larger number of MPs to represent them. There will be no unreasonably large number of SNP, or any other party, coming from Scotland.

"When it was put to Ms Sturgeon that the Labour leader had also ruled out "confidence and supply", she said: "Well I think what he says [Ed Miliband] the morning after the election will probably be different to what he says now.

"He is in an election campaign, he is trying to cling to the pretence that he is going to get a majority - everyone else knows that's not looking likely.

"But what I am saying is that a vote-by-vote arrangement is both more likely and probably the way in which a big team of SNP MPs can wield maximum influence for Scotland's benefit." "

From the BBC website. This does not say that he will be forced to change his tune.

I agree, FarNorth. It would be good to see every SNP seat taken on more than 50% of the vote. Serve Cameron, Clegg and Miliband right for being two faced.

Perhaps Sky took the quote from a different interview, durhamjen.
And you can't possibly be claiming that the BBC is a neutral source!

And Clegg is now promising massive spending on education - but not how it is going to be spent. If it is just more of the same, then it is missing the point.

Clegg can promise what he wants; it looks like he will lose his seat.

I presume you can find me the interview where she said that, then, ana. If you cannot, then what I say stands. I watched the interview, and that is what she said. You can watch it, too. It's on iplayer. But of course you will not, as you do not want to hear what she really said.

Oh, do grow up, durhamjen, that's just pathetic. I got the quote from the internet in a random search. I've no doubt NS said it at some time, but does it really matter when, or where?

But of course you will not, as you do not want to hear what she really said. Rubbish!

If you insist

OMG, am I glad I'm out of this process now, my vote has been posted, can't change anything now. BUT we also have to vote in the local election, that is a problem I have to address today, only two of the candidates lives anywhere near our village, one I don't personally like and the other is UKIP (no way). I am compelled to place my vote, but who ?.

I have to vote tactically because I live in a marginal constituency. However this time I have swapped my vote with someone in a safe seat and think that system is a really good idea. If you're interested , www.vote swap.org

A camel is a horse designed by a committee! Poor old UK.

pompa, is it important, do you think, that one personally likes local politicians one might vote for? Or is it sufficient to like what they and their party stands for? I would have said the latter. I've have never personally known any politician sufficiently to even think about whether I liked them personally, nor does knowing them personally seem important.

What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.

Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)

GrannyTwice Mon 27-Apr-15 15:12:18

Unlike you I have never reported a post.

Thatbags, I take both into account for general elections, if I thought my candidate was useless, I would not vote for them regardless of party. Luckily we have one on the best MP's we have ever had and she supports a party I am happy with, so an easy decision.
When it comes to local elections, I want someone that will represent me at council level, I don't trust those that live elsewhere to do that, regardless of what they say, our village has suffered recently from such counsellors decisions. Party politics come second, with a few exceptions. That decision is also made and waiting to be posted.

And your point is Maggie?