New British Prime Minister Takes office just moments ago! + Live updates of details of agreement

[Liberaliter]

I'm not from Britain. Can someone explain why he's so bad?

Because it's cool to hate him and he went to Oxford (The best University here in the UK).
People think he is a 'posh twat' so they blindly hate him for no reason, they also compare him to Thatcher, even though he is nothing like Thatcher.

Or alternatively, because you think his right-wing policies are going to rip apart social cohesion by undermining social projects such as youth centres and care for the elderly and disabled; because his plans for the economy simply do not make any sense; and because his party is still stuck in old, Thatcherite ways.

He doesn't have to be anything like Thatcher, but where the party still clings to similar ideals it makes little difference, as he has to get party backing on all legislation. Hence the problem with offering PR to the Lib Dems - Cameron was all for it, to get into power, but the backbenchers and other party members just said "no". Was only when they realised that Labour were seeing an opportunity that they capitulated to a referendum to decide whether the public wants and eventual reform.

In short, it's not all pop-culture and being "cool-to-hate".

Though the "posh twatt" does have some relevance when you consider where his tax-cuts were going to be aimed - at inheritance tax for the richest estates in the country. Basically, they have a history of supporting the rich and screwing over the poor (hence Labour's landslide victory after their last spell in power) which tends to do horrible things to the country both economically and socially.

Some people on this website are actually politically aware (and active) and disagree with the policies of the Conservative party, most particularly at this time. Please don't chuck us all in with the "Lol, shiny forehead, rich bastard" lot.

What I mean when I say he is different to Thatcher is that it is a different Conservative party now, compassionate conservatism.

Thatcher was not big at all on society, now one of Camerons main points of his campaign and indeed policy is the so called 'Big society'. Thats a pretty big difference.

You say the Tories would be bad for the economy, but then say they are stuck in the Thatcherite ways, but Thatcher is often credited with being very good for the economy.

I just think that the Tories wouldn't be that bad ultimately, it was inevitable anyway. Some people are acting as if it is the end of the world when really its just the cycle of British Politics. (Not you specifically lol)

 

[Zykon TheLich]

I'm not from Britain. Can someone explain why he's so bad?

Because it's cool to hate him and he went to Oxford (The best University here in the UK).
People think he is a 'posh twat' so they blindly hate him for no reason, they also compare him to Thatcher, even though he is nothing like Thatcher.

Or perhaps some of us are old enough to remember the last tory government. Still a lot of the same faces around...Tory party is more than just Cameron.

 

[MrFluffy-X]

I'm not from Britain. Can someone explain why he's so bad?

Because it's cool to hate him and he went to Oxford (The best University here in the UK).
People think he is a 'posh twat' so they blindly hate him for no reason, they also compare him to Thatcher, even though he is nothing like Thatcher.

Indeed. People accuse the tories of class bias... when the people doing that are being that themselves. Judge him by his actions, not his party reputation.

I hate him because for what he believes in, which is the same as Thatcher! Meaning lower class and Scottish will get fucked, he doesnt need scotland, he only won 1 seat here. The conservatives are responsible for a lot of pain in the past.

I am gonna throw this out there...It always comes back to this...If Scotland is so angry with British politics why doesn't it vote to leave the UK?

They're called the Scottish National Party(SNP) and thats fine, they won a few seats, i do not(like most of us) have a problem with being apart of britain, only the conservatives because we got F'ed in the A last time they were in power. Now Scotland is apart of britain, therefore apart of british politics and so should be considered before taking extreme action.

 

[Claymorez]

I'm not from Britain. Can someone explain why he's so bad?

Because it's cool to hate him and he went to Oxford (The best University here in the UK).
People think he is a 'posh twat' so they blindly hate him for no reason, they also compare him to Thatcher, even though he is nothing like Thatcher.

Indeed. People accuse the tories of class bias... when the people doing that are being that themselves. Judge him by his actions, not his party reputation.

I hate him because for what he believes in, which is the same as Thatcher! Meaning lower class and Scottish will get fucked, he doesnt need scotland, he only won 1 seat here. The conservatives are responsible for a lot of pain in the past.

I am gonna throw this out there...It always comes back to this...If Scotland is so angry with British politics why doesn't it vote to leave the UK?

They're called the Scottish National Party(SNP) and thats fine, they won a few seats, i do not(like most of us) have a problem with being apart of britain, only the conservatives because we got F'ed in the A last time they were in power. Now Scotland is apart of britain, therefore apart of british politics and so should be considered before taking extreme action.

Still sore about the poll tax being test driven in scotland? Thou I think you have a right if were were alive then to still hold that grudge.

 

[obex]

Knock knock.

Who's there?

David.

David who?

Gordon stop messing around and get out of my house.

 

[Carbonhunter]

Time to emigrate. Canada, please take me in. I love you for your ice hockey and lack of David Cameron.

And Mooses!.... Moosai?? Meese??? Meh screw it.

 

[Superbeast]

What I mean when I say he is different to Thatcher is that it is a different Conservative party now, compassionate conservatism.

It may have a different name, but it doesn't seem any different. We'll have to wait and see how it unfolds. Or you could check the state of Hammersmith & Fulham, one of the councils Cameron is really proud of - which seems extremely Thatcherite in it's operations, no matter what it claims to be.

Thatcher was not big at all on society, now one of Camerons main points of his campaign and indeed policy is the so called 'Big society'. Thats a pretty big difference.

Cameron says he's into "Big Society", yes. It doesn't mean the full weight of the party is behind such ideals, however. And it is the party which will be the driving force behind any decisions taken, not Cameron.

You say the Tories would be bad for the economy, but then say they are stuck in the Thatcherite ways, but Thatcher is often credited with being very good for the economy.

Possibly good for the macro-economy, but was a nightmare for local. Also the main base of the economy was in manufacturing then, nowadays it's in investment banking. The problem of the economy has to be attacked in a very different way (no mines to close, for example), which requires different policies to the Thatcherite party of old...however on social reform the party seems to toe the same line (even if Cameron champions something different).

I just think that the Tories wouldn't be that bad ultimately, it was inevitable anyway. Some people are acting as if it is the end of the world when really its just the cycle of British Politics. (Not you specifically lol)

I think it was *almost* inevitable. If Labour had done a little better, or the Liberals, or even the Conservatives just not have picked up those couple of extra seats, then we could easily have had a Lib-Lab government (with or without Brown). But a Conservative government was certainly on the cards - but not many people expected a Lib-Con coalition.

It is the cycle of politics, you're right - but whether it is just our bias of the present day or not, it seems like an awful lot is resting on the decisions this government/coalition takes over the next year or two, particularly in regards to the economy and *what* gets cut.

 

[Liberaliter]

I'm not from Britain. Can someone explain why he's so bad?

Because it's cool to hate him and he went to Oxford (The best University here in the UK).
People think he is a 'posh twat' so they blindly hate him for no reason, they also compare him to Thatcher, even though he is nothing like Thatcher.

Or perhaps some of us are old enough to remember the last tory government. Still a lot of the same faces around...Tory party is more than just Cameron.

Wasn't that bad.

 

[SeanTheSheep]

I'm moving to Mars.

Can I come too?

OT: I don't hugely dislike Cameron, but I have some serious issues with his policies.
I also can't say I like Labour, but I do feel that they were on the best track for setting the country back up again, and the Lib Dems had some of the best policies, but voting for them is kind of like throwing an egg at a battleship, though in my area, if you vote for Conservative or Labour, then it's a wasted vote for the individual seat, because we have a surprisingly large number of Lib Dems here, and they consistently win by a fairly hefty margin.

OT Again: I'm not massively pleased at the Con/Dem government, but I'd rather have Cameron than a headless country, though I feel that a Lib/Lab government would be better.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

A little comfort for anyone disappointed...

Just like Brown, Cameron has inherited a bloody disasterous position, and has two options, either do nothing and watch the country spiral ever deeper into crisis, and get blamed for it and booted out in 4 years.

Or, he can knuckle down and make tough decisions and turn the country around, and then everyone will grumble about spending cuts and tax hikes, and he'll be out in 4 years.

My cynical side says he went with the Lib Dems because he knows in 4 years people will still be sore about Brown and Labour, and he wants to make sure he can dump a fair amount of blame on Clegg and his party when the next election comes around. If he hadn't drawn Clegg in, Clegg would look like the saviour of the world in 4 years time after a period of Brown, then Cameron.

Also, ok, there's people claiming disability fraudulently, but these idea of getting them all working in some way, wouldn't it make more sense to allow the able bodied unemployed to take the jobs first?

One thing that surprised me, was Clegg was fairly popular, AND he was shown to be the most honest about raising taxes and cutting spending. Maybe the British public aren't as stupid as they look, maybe they can appreciate someone who will actually admit we're screwed and it's going to take some touch times to turn it around.

 

[Charli]

Yay, lets all join hands in the celebration of kicking Brown's arse out of number 10.

At the very least I'll toast to that.
*raise glass*

 

[MrFluffy-X]

I'm not from Britain. Can someone explain why he's so bad?

Because it's cool to hate him and he went to Oxford (The best University here in the UK).
People think he is a 'posh twat' so they blindly hate him for no reason, they also compare him to Thatcher, even though he is nothing like Thatcher.

Indeed. People accuse the tories of class bias... when the people doing that are being that themselves. Judge him by his actions, not his party reputation.

I hate him because for what he believes in, which is the same as Thatcher! Meaning lower class and Scottish will get fucked, he doesnt need scotland, he only won 1 seat here. The conservatives are responsible for a lot of pain in the past.

I am gonna throw this out there...It always comes back to this...If Scotland is so angry with British politics why doesn't it vote to leave the UK?

They're called the Scottish National Party(SNP) and thats fine, they won a few seats, i do not(like most of us) have a problem with being apart of britain, only the conservatives because we got F'ed in the A last time they were in power. Now Scotland is apart of britain, therefore apart of british politics and so should be considered before taking extreme action.

Still sore about the poll tax being test driven in scotland? Thou I think you have a right if were were alive then to still hold that grudge.

My age is irrelevent, but my direct family was affected by her doings. i have read articles and journals on what she had done. I believe im entitled to my opinion on someone how has caused as much harm as she has done to human beings, reguardless of nationality.

 

[adderseal]

Oh well. Lib Dem voters will be pissed that Clegg went with Cameron, so they'll not vote Lib Dem next election. Labour resurgence for the next generals.

 

[Hutchy_Bear]

I was hoping for a Lib/Labour Government but at least a Con/Lib Dem gov is better than a Conservative minority Governement. Hopefully Clegg will be able to get some influence over the more douche ideas of the Tories.

 

[Zykon TheLich]

Or perhaps some of us are old enough to remember the last tory government. Still a lot of the same faces around...Tory party is more than just Cameron.

Wasn't that bad.

A) Depends if you come from a nice middle class home or not.
B) Nothing is ever that bad, we live in a rich western democracy.

The last tory government still fucked up royally, remember black Wednesday. The early 90's were just as shitty as things are now. All thanks to the Tories.


EDIT: Hang on...no, you don't remember Black Wednesday. According to your profile you were born in June 1993. What the hell do you know about what it was like under the last Tory government? You were 4 when they were voted out. You weren't even a glint in your dads eye at the beginning of the last recession. How are you in any way qualified to say "Wasn't that bad"?

 

[ntw3001]

You do realise that every single Prime Minister is unelected don't you?

The majority of people pay no attention to their local MPs come the general elections. People only vote for the leader of the party, even though their votes only count towards their local constituency. This has the knock-on effect of winning premiership for one of the top three.

So yeah, people vote for the man that will become PM, he's the figurehead, the one that gets all the airtime. Labour got elected to lead the country in 1997 due to Blair, everyone knows that..........and it never takes long for the bubble to burst.

Not much of a bubble to burst this time around though. Britain has become far too cynical!

It's really neither here nor there whether people base their choice of MP on their opinion of their MP's party's leader. The vote is for which candidate is to represent their constituency in parliament. The only reason the party should be considered is as a sign of the type of policy that candidate will support; one does not vote for a party. Who should happen to be the leader of the most powerful party is completely out of the voter's hands, and quite rightly. Let the politicians decide who's going to be head politician; the last thing we want is for the main dude of UK politics to be some empty figurehead manufactured to try and please voters (although, well, uh, hm).

It's really a shame that the head policy maker and the public face have to the be same guy. Representing one's country in the company of other heads of state is something Brown was good at; representing his party to the public and dealing with media attention is really not. Not that I'm particularly in love with the former government, but Brown himself was far from incompetent.

 

[Trebort]

I'll miss Lord Mandelson. AKA The Dark Lord.

Hopefully labour will come back in a few years (if the current government survives that long)

 

[DancePuppets]

IT could be worse....They could put them up by £30k if they wanted....

Yes, but that's like comforting a man who's just lost his house but telling him that at least he doesn't have to worry about paying his electricity bills anymore. It's something, but still not as good as having a house/ not getting fucked in the ass by rich Tory bastards and not being able to afford uni anymore.

I apologise for pointing this out, but all those complaining about the Tories wanting to remove the cap on tuition fees, that was actually Lord Mandleson and the Labour party's idea! Everyone loves unelected officials, especially those who spout such things as "We live in the post-democratic age". I do disagree with this horrible lets charge stupid amounts for university idea though.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

Yeah, I feel Brown was butchered by the media, and it's a shame that you have to be some singing, dancing entertainer as well as able to run the country nowadays. Will be interesting to see if Cameron can do any better, dealing with a worldwide problem.

Cameron of course won't get too much criticism from the papers as he knows they pretty much got him into power, so he'll be doing what he can to keep them sweet, so I fear for the BBC over the next 4 years. If the licence fees gets scrapped, as the SKY owned newspapers want, we'll lose most of the radio stations, say goodbye to BBC3 and 4 where nearly ALL the BBC's most successful shows were trialled first, and say hello to lowest common denominator broadcasting, 24 hour Britain's got Talent and Lloyd Webber freakshows.

I do wish more people had voted FOR a party however, and not for or against a person.

As NTW above says, it's a shame we can't have a PM for international relations, another one for dealing with the media and public, and another for just doing the actual job of running the country. IT flat out just should not matter that someone looks a bit strange, or doesn't score highly on looking 'friendly', or has a smile that scares small children and adults alike.

 

[Ickorus]

I voted Lib Dem expecting them to make a deal with labour then they go conservative.

If i knew i would basically be voting Conservative i wouldn't have even bothered voting.

Never ever voting Lib Dem again, Labour all the way from now on.

Hail the new Galactic Emperor!


EDIT: Somehow I know YouTube will remove this.

Well, i've been pretty pissed off so far but this made me chuckle.