Election result

My husband and I are in the fortunate position of having everything we need. Austerity measures are unlikely to affect us much. But we have known austerity, even poverty, in our younger days so we do know what it's like. One day our children will benefit from what we leave behind but in the meantime we decided to vote not for the party which will do best for us but for the party which will most help our struggling grandchildren. Unfortunately they did not get in.

and DJ - if you did not understand ... is that sufficient explanation ?

mollie65 I am really not sure why you are going on with this? It doesn't (to me) matter what happened in the past. What I was saying was it is worth bearing in mind that, in this election some 63% of the population voted for another party, i.e., did not want the Conservatives or wanted them less than another party.

I am glad those of you who wanted a Conservative government are happy and would not expect, although I may hope for, empathy from Conservative voters for those whose parties have been either decimated or set back by decades. It is however, only to be expected that the 63% will be very prepared to question, and even object to, changes the Tories are expected to or do make.

Why don't all the labour supporters who are concerned about people less fortunate than them go out and do something to help these people personally, I expect some of you do already, talks cheap we can all say I care about the sick and needy, I'm a good person because I didn't vote Conservative, you're not because you did. Going on about it for another 5 years until the next election what good will that do. Actions speak louder than words.

I have a suggestion for Labour leader Chuka Umunna , I think he could be another Obama.

Well Maggie - lots do. Lots don't because their lives are tough and difficult enough and they have caring responsibilities or are working two jobs or difficult shifts or coping with chronic illness or disability. And 'going on about it' as you say will be accompanied by other actions that might help change some proposed legislation - Thatcher had to go back on the poll tax for example.

And what do you do for the sick and needy magpie might I ask? Or are you being deliberately provocative?

As for Chuka Umunna - he's only 36!

I see, so 'other actions' are already being planned are they? Yes, I can see that some would love to try to create civil unrest just because the vote didn't go their way. So much for democracy!

ggran perhaps I did not make myself clear
the past is relevant as it shows that even Tony Blair with his 40% of the voters voting for him would have annoyed the other 60% who did not vote for him IN THE SAME WAY that you allege the 63% who did not vote Conservative but voted for other parties would be feeling.
do you not see that it is the same thing sigh
I will leave it there as I am obviously not getting it across to you.

Riverwalk I voted conservative so obviously I do nothing!

Where was the word 'planned' Ana? And are you saying that taking action eg a March or demonstration against a proposed government action is undemocratic. Was the March against the Iraq War undemocratic? The marches / demonstrations against NHS cuts or the closing of an A and E department?That's a funny definition of democratic if, once a government is voted in, we all just accept whatever it wants to do

River - is he really only 36?

Yep!

I get your point, mollie65, even if others are determined not to. I doubt whether anyone who voted for Blair in 1997 (and I was one of them!) gave any thought to the 60% of voters who didn't.

Whatever happens it will be for Five years since this five year fixed term got passed - now did that happen ? Five years used to be the aim and the maximum - and it would often go near the mark but to have it actually fixed I do not agree with that. --- presidential elections are slightly different and I always thought the fact that a no confidence vote could trigger an election always kept them on their toes.

Well it's a bit late to complain about that now, Bez!

It sort of came out of the blue as soon as David was in the chair the last time - seemed a funny thing to do unless you were a tad desperate - which he could have had a with low expectation of the coalition working for long. I think it was surprisingly successful despite the fact they were all able to blame the other as necessary !

I am prepared to be corrected but the Fixed Term Parliament was a Lib Dem concept originally.

Labours Frank Field and Tory Sir Edward Leigh joined together to get the act repealed but they lost the vote. Labour did not go against it so I believe David Cameron doesn't quite deserve the blame.

Look it up for yourselves.

I only said he was in the chair which is correct - whoever's idea it was.

No Mollie65 it is nothing to do with not making yourself clear - but that you are not interested in what someone else has to say.

You will have to accept, in the same way that each and every supporter of a successful party, at each and every election has to accept, that there are more people who did not vote for them than those who did and that they will continue to have an opinion and make their voices heard.

It seems to me that, when I made a point, you had no wish even to read or understand it but just to come back with a point of your own. That's fine if it what you want to do but it is hardly a discussion.

Sorry, mollie, I still do not understand. Can you explain again, please?

Chuka could be another Obama? Ali G comes to mind, is it because he's black

I think the fixed term can be overridden if there is a vote of no confidence or a certain percentage of MPs call for an election?

www.chuka.org.uk/

Anniebach he is not black he is mixed race, as are a lot of people in this country now including some of my family.

I would not vote for Labour ever, but I like him and I believe he has now put his name forward.

Labour needs a new image, he certainly fits the bill in my opinion.

magpie, I am aware of the parentage of both men, you put forward a possibly candidate based on colour of skin , I can easily believe you would never vote labour

I am pleased that magpie123 would never vote Labour because in a way, that evens out the balance of the Unverse.

Because I would never vote for anyone other than Labour!