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

We do not know the date yet but we do know it will happen, probably in spring. Now has any one got anything to say about it ?

Yes - but it isn't something political.
I moved to Ireland nearly three years ago and now have no taxable business in the UK except for the miniscule interest rate on my current account there. I am also a registered voter here...but I still have the right to vote over there too.
Does this sound good and proper, or should I not vote in one or t'other out of principle?

Two predictions for this UK election: lowest turn out or recent elections and highest lib dem vote. Two predictions for this Irish election: lowest turn out of recent elections and at least one candidate will have to withdraw over corruption allegations.

I think your right about the liberal vote, I belive the big battle of the British election will be to see who gets 2nd place Liberals or Conservative.

Duncan - given that UK Nationals can stand for election in ROI, and ROI Nationals can stand for election in the Uk, it seems just fine that you still can vote!

Agreed - but I now have TWO votes in the European elections.

As all EU elections use PR dosn't that mean you got at least 4 votes ?

As the saying goes Duncan, vote early and vote often.

Really, Labour is gonna win and the cons loose out again? I rather got the impression they were making up ground fast as people got disillusioned with Tony? Personally, I predict (with much resigned face pulling) another Con victory. By a whisker, possibly.

I don't think Labour will win, but then I'm not too confident about the Conservatives either. There aren't enough LibDems to run the country... what we need is something entirely different. Whose for putting Her Majesty back in power?

Technically 'Her Majesty' will be back in power for the duration of the election, ruling through the Privy Council.

It doesn't really matter who you vote for these days they're all the same. Purely differing on 1 or 2 key "media issues" to get into the papers now and again.

I don't think i'll bother this time, and don't tell me it's a wasted vote because voting for someone i'm not 100% on would be the waste.

But on a lighter note, boing!

fabbers

Well it's the first time I can vote, so I'm under no illusions whatsoever about making a difference, because I won't.

I think that the recent close run thing in the US shows that every vote counts. Find out which of the local MPs you like best and vote for them - stuff the whole party politics bit.
(If you need further proof of the power of a few votes, think of the awesome satisfaction th evoters of Tatton must have had last time )

It happens in the UK as well - in 1999 the majority in Ayr was just 25 votes. In recent elections in England there have been majorities of 7 and even 2! And the MP represented has a responsibility to represent you and help you - even if you didn't vote for them...

I'll never forget those pictures of black South Africans queuing for miles in the heat to vote for the first time in their lives - funny how you take things for granted...

I'll be at Uni when the voting time comes around though, so doesn't that mean there'll be a big mess?

Nope - either register at your new college address or ask for a postal vote from your home address.

Technically the average uni term is 30/52 weeks, so you are actually longer resident there, although you may feel less emotional investmnent in the place (hmm - which did I care about more - Wigan or St Andrews? no competition...)

Many corrospondents here have noted on the lack of major policy differanaces between parties - can I just say Europe.

Anybody who can succeed in untying Labour's current policy, or lack of a policy, on Europe, will be awarded an honorary diploma in Political Demystification from the University of Lear. I don't expect this challenge to be met...

I think their whole policy boils down to doing whatever they think will do them the most good at that particular time. Thus it's totally confused and utterly schizophrenic.

The Choice over Europe:
Conservaties; Run away & pretend its not there.
Labour; Pro europe but only just.
Liberal; Full steam ahead.