The return of the[last word]thread

[144man]

I couldn't bring myself to vote for any party that voted in favour of the so-called Bedroom Tax. It's not just wrong; it's evil.

[144man]

On the back of the Independence Referendum, the number of Scottish National seats went up from 6 to 56 out of a total of 59, based on just under 50% of the total vote. This result was achieved because the pro-Union vote was split between Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat, and also because a large increase in turnout affected the usual voting patterns. It makes me wonder that if compulsory voting were to be introduced whether election results might end up with a different balance between the major parties.

[144man]

Another feature of the election was the collapse in the vote of the Liberal Democrats, who only held 8 of their 57 seats.

There were a number of reasons for this. Having been in government, there was the loss of the protest vote. There was more effective competition for the third party vote from the SNP, UKIP, and the Greens. Also a lot of Liberal Democrat support was based on tactical voting in specific seats in order to keep one or other of the main parties out. This worked when they were an opposition party, but in the expected scenario of their forming a coalition with the largest party, the reason for tactical voting disappears.

This is bad news for the Labour party as the Liberal Democrats traditionally take more vote from the Conservatives than them. Statistically, for Labour to win the 2020 general election they will need the Liberal Democrat vote to be running at a much higher level.

We've already seen the unexpected result of the Scottish Referendum. Perhaps the result of the forthcoming referendum on continued European Union membership will also lead to unforeseen consequences in support for the major parties.

[westgrandboulevard]

I think that many people who were previously undecided, but felt they should vote rather than not, went for 'better the devil you know', and voted Conservative.

[moe]

Very interesting....

[westgrandboulevard]

Bet that happens over there in the US, too.

Even in our own individual lives, many of us [[most? all??) muse about doing something different when things don't seem to be working as well as they should...and then stick with 'the devil we know'...

[moe]

The least of all evils...........

[westgrandboulevard]

Where are the really good ideas and inspiration, when we need them....

[144man]

A last word on the General Election.

That the Liberal Democrats joining the coalition caused the end of tactical voting in their support is my own theory. This view is strengthened by the fact that the sole Green MP retained her seat with a greatly increased majority as voters strove to keep the other parties out.

The inadequacies of predicting British election results were also highlighted. Even at the best of times, total voting preferences do not directly translate into seats won.

[westgrandboulevard]

As individuals, none of us can say for certain what we're going to do, until we've actually done it.

It has to be impossible to predict what millions will do, except to identify a trend. Doing that doesn't take too long...after which, what else is there to do in the media except guess.....

Meanwhile, the rest of us just get on with what we planned to do....

Right. Now then. What was it, I was going to do....?

[144man]

Wait a year, and no doubt you'll be able to go foxhunting.

[moe]

Can I come?

[arr&bee]

Um i just got off the phone with the head of the[foxs against foxhunting union]and he's not happy.

[moe]

There's just so much drama at each election!

[westgrandboulevard]

I will announce the results in reverse order!

[moe]

Of course......

[westgrandboulevard]

I wonder if that will be first course, or final course....

[arr&bee]

I threw my hat into the political arena once...and someone threw it back out.

[westgrandboulevard]

That would have been due to the smoking bomb you had concealed in that hat...

[moe]

Which course do you prefer westgrand??

[westgrandboulevard]

The period between the main and the sweet course, when everyone becomes very relaxed and friendly.

I've heard some get to know each other quite well during the intercourse.

[moe]

Intimately.........

[westgrandboulevard]

With some asking "Have we met before??".....

[moe]

What a first line!

[westgrandboulevard]

And, very often, the last!

[moe]

No argument there!

[westgrandboulevard]

I've read that it takes literally seconds to decide if we find someone physically attractive. [[Perhaps 'decide' is the wrong word. 'Instinctively know' might be more to the point)

It's all the other stuff which takes far more time.....

[moe]

I always said good looks will take you 30 seconds into a conversation & your brains will get you out.

[westgrandboulevard]

You must tell me how to make myself a Smart Cookie....'cos honey, I think you have the recipe

[144man]

I'd like to know what's cooking.

[westgrandboulevard]

Over to you, Moe....

[moe]

It is impossible westgrand; I have the recipe but you have the wrong ingredients!
What's cooking 144man? A pot full of BS......

[westgrandboulevard]

Well, I'm not sure you're on the right track there, Moe.

I've needed to get out of a conversation or two, in my time...and had to use very quick wits..LOL

[144man]

After some of the things I've said, I consider myself lucky to still be alive...

[arr&bee]

Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...heard that!!

[moe]

So, you don't think I'm on the right track? Live in my shoes westgrand!

[westgrandboulevard]

What, in those heels, Moe...??!

[moe]

And those too!

[westgrandboulevard]

I'll have to pass.....I need to concentrate on my own uncomfortable feet.....

[moe]

You ever heard of The Walking Company?

[westgrandboulevard]

You ever heard of hot feet, walking for hours around a large agricultural show....

All will be restored in the morning [[ I trust...)

[moe]

That's the reason to go to The Walking Company.

[westgrandboulevard]

Don't think we have them in UK, but they sell Ecco brand shoes, which we do have.....

[moe]

But there are other brands that help your feet at The Walking Company as well.

[westgrandboulevard]

As I said, I don't think we have The Walking Company here, but I'm sure they have many styles which will provide comfort for American feet including your own.

Some of their other brands may be sold here, in addition to Ecco, and we do of course have many retailers selling comfortable shoes. My own shoes are quite good quality, but the sturdy, heavy leather shoes required for an agricultural show [[making my way down the cattle lines, over uneven wet grass, etc) did prove a tad too hot yesterday.

Don't know about you, but I'm more bothered when my feet are too hot, than when they are too cold.

Towards the end of the day, an ice cream for each was becoming an attractive proposition....

[144man]

"The Shoe Zone" fills all my needs.

[moe]

Is that a store in your neck of the woods 144man?

[144man]

It's a budget chain, Moe. Shoes are cheap and comfortable.

[westgrandboulevard]

It's good to know that blacksmiths can still make a living.....

[moe]

LOL westgrand!