retired_derek

Such as what?

They've already made the key announcements in preparation for the supposed election.

Change in inheritance Laws.
Iraq withdrawal.
More money to NHS and schools.

Unless they're planning to give us back a few pennies in the pound, I can't really see what "big" announcements are left to make. </BLOCKQUOTE>

you really are an idiotic little Tory boy aren't you.

How do you KNOW they were intending on an election? They were merely commenting, as you have said "there will be an announcement soon" nothing about "he'll be confirming it soon" or "there will be one and we'll tell you about it soon" but that they would let the people know officially soon.

He could well have called an early election, but i don't think it was ever really likely. Why should they? Just to satisfy the tories?

How do you know that those three key issues are what he intends basing his campain in 2009 or 2010 around? You are aware that plenty of things can happen within two to three years that can massively change the entire political landscape aren't you?

BarryLFC

We had an election 2 years ago. Let's have another one in late 2009/early 2010.

retired_may0gan

the thing i don't get about gregg carter is that he seems to be going towards the right sort of general area most of the time in his arguments but makes almost no sense in getting there

Ventil

And how do you KNOW they weren't?

If you're going to get into petty name calling and schoolboy antagonism, at least back it up with something a little more solid than taking the counter point.

If you actually pay attention to the news, it is reported across the political spectrum of media that they were being prepped for an election.
(Even the Guardian has turned against him!!).
This was nothing to do with the Tories calling for it and the Labour party would certainly not bow down to that.

If you are so wise in the way of the Labour party, what else is there for GB to announce to keep the pollsters (and his party members) happy?

retired_katie14

Who said anything about announcements?

Assuming the election will be held in 2008 there will be loads of stories relating to both parties which will either gain or lose votes either way. We could go to war, Cameron could be exposed as a cross dressing paedo, Brown might have kidnapped Maddie etc.

I think you’re being very naïve if you think that come a general election in a year’s time people are going to be saying ‘well I’ve never forgive Labour for not calling that snap election when they hinted at it’.

retired_senegalg

The consequences of this debacle for Brown's reputation is more important tahn whether or not he should have called an election. Personally, I can see the perception of Brown as an opportunist bottler sticking.

The major problem for the Tories over the summer, imo ofc, was that it was all about Cameron. It didn't feel like there was a strong hardcore team there, the party's fortunes rested on one man's popularity. The last few weeks have seen Osborne emerge as a major politician and Hague is looking more and more impressive.

In terms of long term consequences, it doesn't matter whether he really was intending to call an election although everything I've seen and read suggests he was prior to last weekend's polls.

retired_senegalg

Such as what?

They've already made the key announcements in preparation for the supposed election.

Change in inheritance Laws.
Iraq withdrawal.
More money to NHS and schools.

Unless they're planning to give us back a few pennies in the pound, I can't really see what "big" announcements are left to make. </BLOCKQUOTE>

you really are an idiotic little Tory boy aren't you.

How do you KNOW they were intending on an election? They were merely commenting, as you have said "there will be an announcement soon" nothing about "he'll be confirming it soon" or "there will be one and we'll tell you about it soon" but that they would let the people know officially soon.

He could well have called an early election, but i don't think it was ever really likely. Why should they? Just to satisfy the tories?

How do you know that those three key issues are what he intends basing his campain in 2009 or 2010 around? You are aware that plenty of things can happen within two to three years that can massively change the entire political landscape aren't you? </BLOCKQUOTE>

Appointing Douglas Alexander to write the manifesto in May.
Bringing forward the spending review.
Bringing forward the trip to Iraq.
'Inner sanctum' government members openly discussing it.

Allowing the story to run if it was 'never really likely' would be one of the most ridiculous policies ever pursued. In fact, if you're right, my views on Brown have plummetted (I currently think he's qg) but I really don't think you are.

Ventil

I haven't said that.
I've said that he missed a trick by not calling one now and he has done a lot of damage to his and his party's reputation in the process.

We're already at war, and look how well that is going for Labour.
Invading Iran (which will be the next target) is not going to sit well with the public.

I really don't see what other political hot potatoes there are out there that weren't already addressed in the Autumn Budget.

retired_jshendel

As someone mentioned on the radio, by allowing the speculation he has forced the conservatives to reveal what there election policies would have been and now he can (and has) reacted to them

Win win for him

retired_katie14

How has he missed a trick when all the evidence point to the party doing poorly if he called a snap election?

You’re saying he’s done a lot of damage to his and the party’s reputation but I think you’re making too big a deal out of it. People barely gaf now and will have forgotten all about it by Christmas.