h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And it's Scots, not scotch. But you know this already.

No, they say tae not to.

Oh Bob I love the next bit. OED - Scotch - Of Scotland

I'm fairly sure the OED down the years has given words as definitions of people, which the people themselves disagreed with, or even resented.

That's their perogative and I have no problem with that whatsoever.

So as a Europhile you're happy to be controlled by a European Parliament , masny of whose members come from thousands of miles away but object to UK citizens having a voice in Parliament?

How do you feel the jock influx can be redressed?

As a Europhile I'd like to be on the inside pissing out rather than on the outside pissing in. And when this medium sized nation has to compete politically, commercially or Bob forbid militarily I'd like to be the leading member of a big gang not the poodle of a bunch of inward looking fundamentalist christians.

Well we start by finishing the botched New Labour devolution process by sending MP's who represent Scotch constituencies back to Scotland. What democratic rights do they have to decide English policy?

"For the 36% who voted, I am sure their democratic gesture goes unquestioned."

And those who didn't vote have no right whining about the government that was elected. A non-vote is a statement of nothing more than disinterest. If people care about the way the country is run then it is their responsiblity to get off their backside and vote for the party that most closely reflects their own opinion. If, heaven forbid, out of the massive choice of candidates there isn't one that fits the bill enough then they are free to start their own political party. Sorry but I really, really don't have any time for people telling me that those who didn't vote represent some sort of betrayed political majority.

"And I think Howard knows it, hence his very quick back-pedalling on 'I won't resign if we lose' to 'Bloody hell, I'm off!'

In other words, the Tory vote has nowhere to go from here. The Labour vote can and will get bigger next time, unless the economy colapses wholesale."

The conservatives were looking to have 200 seats or over. They failed to achieve that and so the election was no real success for them.

I don't think the conservatives are finished but certainly I can't see them being re-elected unless they stop glorifying their past and learn to adapt to the modern world and modern voters. The Labour party made the same mistakes throughout the 1980s.

"Well we start by finishing the botched New Labour devolution process by sending MP's who represent Scotch constituencies back to Scotland. What democratic rights do they have to decide English policy?"

First off, it's 'Scottish', not 'Scotch'. Secondly, there is a clear and easy solution to the 'West Lothian Question'. There should be a UK national Parliament (at Westminster) that deals with UK-wide issues such as defence, foreign-policy etc. England can have, separate to that, it's own Parliament (quite possibly also at Westminster) that deals with English matters and has it's own MPs. Oddly, those who are opposed to devolution also seem to oppose the idea of an English parliament so the opinion of this Scotsman is to shrug and hope you sort yourselves out soon. We have.

>>If people care about the way the country is run then it is their responsiblity to get off their backside and vote for the party that most closely reflects their own opinion<<

As I've already, I don't vote. Not because I can't be bothered but because of the fact I feel there is no valid choice for me. If I can't find a party which reflects most closely, why should I go to vote?

>>A non-vote is a statement of nothing more than disinterest<<

Is it ONLY disinterest? If you think this, ask those who don't vote why they don't. You'll find far more reasons why NOT to vote than why you should.

>>And those who didn't vote have no right whining about the government that was elected<<

What about those who spoil their ballot on purpose but make the effort to go? Do they have a right to say? What about those who are "politically aware" but don't vote? Those who affiliate themselves with certain political parties or pressure groups but abstain?

Those who don't vote have the right to ASSESS and CRITIQUE their government. Just because they've not voted, it doesn't mean they're whining! All the Tory and Lib Dem and Independent and Green and UKIP etc voters are "whining" about the government that was elected if you maintain that theory; i.e. that the ones they didn't vote for got in. It doesn't legitimise your point of view if you've voted.

I don't see the 40% of the country who didn't vote as a betrayed majority more that they're a disenchanted minority. I still maintain that it's better to abstain from voting if you feel no positive allegiance than voting for someone/the party just because it's the party/person they've always voted for - surely that's more about disinterest than a non-vote?

You say Scottish I say Scotch, 'lets call the whole thing off', go consult your dictionary.

If you want to fund another strata of politicians from Scotch taxation fine by me, but personally I am quite happy with Westminster MP's legislating for England. I do not see why Scotch MP's should decide on English University fees when MSP's have gone a different in Edinburgh. And therefore I do not see why Scotch MP's should prop up a New Labour majority.

Even if you don't feel you identify with any of the parties, your vote is still your little piece of influence on the system. Use it deviously.

Can i get a straight answer to this;

Is Scotalnd a part of the UK?

Well, Scotland is part of the UK.

So is Wales.

Northern Ireland is too.

Oh, and don't forget England... Oh, you had... Common problem.

"Perhaps if mothers stayed at home and looked after children instead of farming them out to childminders, so they can have Chelsea Tractors and foreign holidays, we'd have a society again."

Ahhhhhh! Yes, we should have kept them stifled, barefoot and pregnant. What fools we were for allowing them lives of their own.

Society going to hell in a handbstket? Got a group to blame that doesn't include you?

k - willing to bet the person that posted this is a middle-aged man.

Actually I think this is a lifestyle choice made by both partners in a marriage - male and female. And I actually feel that people who wish to have these lifestyles shouldn't have children.

I also said - And I know that is grossly unfair to loads of single mothers and struggling families, but hey this is the thread to air our prejudices isn't it ?

and I'm glad to see you brought yours with you - "willing to bet the person that posted this is a middle-aged man."

BS said "And this is as good as it gets for them. Blair goes, Brown (or (unlikely) someone else takes over the Labour party. Huge droves of those who *didn't* vote Labour this time solely because of Blair and the war will return to the Labour fold and the Tories may well face another '97 style route in 2008/9."

Zagreb put his finger on precisely what is going to happen - "In other words, the Tory vote has nowhere to go from here. The Labour vote can and will get bigger next time, unless the economy colapses wholesale."

You also totally underestimate the fickleness of the British public. Also, next time the nation goes to vote there will be another 5 years of students with £20K debts, being asked to work until they're 80, and probably being told they have to drink Scotch, not vodka, because it creates jobs north of the border.

>>the fickleness of the British public<<

I remember the week after the BSE scare when Tesco reduced their beef to a third of its original price - there was virtually none left on the shelves.

The British: We know a bargain when we see one!