Not an election please

I see Libdems gained 2500 new members in the first hour after the announcement. Vince Cable says he'll stand for Twickenham again.

It is going to be a very strange election indeed.

I think that is for certain ww I wonder just how much social media will influence it this time. We have seen social media opinions overriding the large news organisations to some extent already - it would be good if they were de-throned for once.

I would beware of anything said by anyone working in the city. There are a small number of people who will benefit from a hard Brexit and a failing economy, those in the city being amongst them. As for Theresa deciding anything, her leadership election was very strange and those who arranged it for her will be the people pulling the strings. They see an opportunity to call an election before the NHS completely collapses and overcrowded underfunded schools result in standards falling. An opportunity to implement the right wing policies they really want. Wave Bye-Bye to the NHS, decent schooling for all kids and a social care system. Say hello to more homeless, starvation wages and a fractured society if the Conservatives get in

In your opinion trisher
But in any case the NHS cannot continue to stagger along for much longer as it is, I think at heart everybody knows this.It has to change.
At least it's only six weeks to the GE, so will be over quickly.

It is weird already. Just watching the news and I hadn't thought about it but May has called an election and named the date without yet getting permission from parliament!

Tomorrow ( to ask Parliament) they won't refuse though.

ukandeu.ac.uk/new-brexit-research-announced/

The latest research on Brexit, announced just today.
John Curtice said he didn't have clue this was going to happen.

Vince Cable! Now there's a blast from the past...

It would worry me if leaving the EU became the only or even the main voting point for a government that has an agenda for the next five years.

What the General Election will mean for education Education, the NHS, benefit cuts, all these matter and each party has their own view and the Conservatives have destroyed so much and so many already.

Ed Balls will probably be next. He poured scorn on Corbyn in an article in the Sunday Times.

I think they might have to change their terms of reference on those bits of research. A week ago John Curtice thought that Theresa May was giving us what we wanted. Obviously she doesn't listen to the experts.

ukandeu.ac.uk/on-brexit-theresa-may-is-giving-the-public-what-they-want/

Trisher I would agree with much of what you say but the Tories really only see the economy from the point of view of the figures which the city likes (which, of course, many expect to change as soon as the proper leave discussions get underway); people just don't matter to them.

Vince Cable was only voted out in 2015. Hardly a blast from the past, unless you are becoming very forgetful.

At the last election, voters in polls put State Welfare low down on their list of priorities when casting their vote. Sorry, but he majority of people are not that bothered.

My first thought was horror at the thought that Labour would be obliterated! But I expect there will be many twists and turns in this election campaign. The Brexit issues may become more important than party issues, but who knows? If Brexit becomes an important part of the campaign, tactical voting could be a decider. But it will probably end up as an endorsement of Theresa May's policies and see the end of Corbyn as labour leader. Possibly a centrist movement might emerge?
An interesting few weeks coming up!

Your link ukandeu.ac.uk/new-brexit-research-announced/ seems to cover some much needed research, Jen - but it's not going to be concluded in the near future sadly.

Yes, I know, Gracesgran. Shame, really. Like I said, they might need to change their terms of reference.
However, they are publishing other papers every week.

One thing it does show is how little May cares for local councils and local elections.

Just been announced on Huff Post that Corbyn is set to oppose moves to automatically allow sitting MPs to contest 2017 General Election. Talk about shooting your own party in the foot.

You are mistaken Trisher,May said she would seek approval of parliament did she not? This means She wants an election 8th June but parliament has to approve

They will approve it, Annie. No political party wants to be seen passing up the opportunity to fight an election and increase their representation.

They will vote for it .varian, I was just explaining to Trisher that May did not call an election she informed the public she wanted an election

Devorgilla. Does that mean he is trying to put the far-right in their place. I can't believe he is so entrenched in his beliefs that he would try to sacrifice those who do not agree with him to further his cause. He can't be that stupid, can he?

He wants rid of those of the centre and to replace them with the far left, this has been his plot from day one , to make the Labour Party a far left party, winning an election doesn't matter to him,

I don't know if anyone heard the women who had just been told about the election at the end of PM on Radio 4. It was along the lines of "not another one. Why does she need to do it now". We may be happy to discuss what's going on but I wonder if that is the view that will carry more weight.