Awol

IF (and it's a big if) things haven't kicked off before the reshuffle comes around I can see Miliband becoming Chancellor. Brown is just too spineless to sack him so the only other alternative is promotion because he has to be seen to shake up the status quo. FWIW I expect a challenge to be under way before September anyway.

^ Am I glad the bird nagged me into going fixed rate on duel fuel till Dec 09 with BG - yesterday! Talk about a close one.

The whole national press is saturated with stories of coup plots etc. much of it from people who are very pro-Labour but not blind. Prescott and a few others are in denial but the dribbling incompetent is truely screwed and if Labour don't have the balls to act soon they'll be gone for three/four terms again.

You're right Trekka and not just in the way you mean. She's an evil behatch imo.

I voted Johnson because the government are going to have some big problems with the unions soon because they know Brown is weak and are likely to push for a hard left agenda in return for their millions. With the state of Labour's finances at the moment plus a serious electability problem, they may just delude themselves that this would be a good idea and revert to type. As a union man himself Johnson may be the best placed potential candidate to limit the fallout of any industrial action. They could go for Harriet Harman as Deputy but I reckon she'd be as bad or worse. For me their best option is to call a GE ASAP allowing Miliband to take over what remains of the PLP and have a good re-think of what they are about. They will only get more unpopular as time goes on so it'd be in Labour's interest to save what they can now. I'd be interested to hear the Ian's thoughts on this; do you guys think Brown should carry on to the election or does this convince you he will never be elected to the role of PM?

That's got to be Labour's key aim now. They will be out at the next GE without question but they need to consolidate and hold onto their core areas in order to rebuild later. Worst case would be the Lib Dems taking second place in the English constituencies and Labour also losing out to the nationalists in Wales and Scotland. They could end up as the third party in Westminster. I don't think it will help Gordon that they are now going on the summer break either, plenty of time for gunpowder treason and plot.

Alan Johnson's a safe pair of hands I reckon Jon, if they go for Harriet they'll be even further in it, Balls is a cretin, Straw wouldn't be any good and as you say I reckon Miliband will keep his powder dry and go for the leadership when they are in opposition again. What a result for the SNP though.

BBC saying it's a close run thing with a result in three hours if no recounts are required. I still think Labour will win but it could be interesting....

I knew a kid at Uni who did and he was away with fairies and demons for about 8 hours. He thought he could see through our skin and look at our sculls and plenty of other very weird shit. I've seen some freaky stuff but I was scared for him. He was a different bloke afterwards and although I'm not in touch with him anymore I hear it's twisted his head permanently. Never ever touch this drug.

Exactly. They were going to vote SNP :winkold:

So sorry Ian, snowy mentioned Labour bribing people so thought I'd throw it in. Glad you're not denying it though

Quite good at bribing MP's though eh? *cough* 42 days

I bought John Gale's car for 300 quid about three years ago. Got very drunk with two Villa mates the night MON joined us and in a burst of misplaced enthusiasm completely trashed it. Still got 100 quid for it from a passing gypo some weeks later so 200 well spent!

Let me guess, she's having a medical at Spurs?

I don't think so, the only person I think worthy of a state funeral in the next few years - provided Lizzie stays fit and well - is Harry Patch, the last Tommy. Thatcher was simply too divisive imo.

So the anyone but Labour thing is right!!! Again, no. I'd see an SNP victory in this seat as a means to an end, I certainly don't think the country would be run better by 'anyone but Labour'. The Tories or Lib Dem's then probably yes but not literally anyone but Labour.

Two for one in Specsavers mate. I'd imagine it's because the Tories treated Scotland like shite in the 80's-90's, poll tax et all. Wouldn't you? I don't think Plaid Cymru are racist, or the SNP etc. I don't agree with their agenda for independence but then I don't think the majority of Welsh/Scots do either. I'd like them to win this seat in the hope it would finally see off Courage Brown and give the country a chance to recover from Labour. I don't support them but in the interests of the the whole UK it would be better if they won this by-election. I read at the weekend that Brown will force every Labour MP North and South to campaign in Glasgow for this one so he obviously realises it's shit or bust now. Still, it can't be very good for the old parliamentary carbon footprint eh? :winkold: If Labour can't hold onto a seat where the electorate are dependent on the benefits they have hooked half of the population on then they really have no hope. Hence me rooting for the SNP, although I think Labour will win.

and you said you didn't subscribe to the idea of "anyone but Labour"! ooops sort of pissed on that Jon Round and round we go... I don't subscribe to anyone but Labour, take the BNP or Monster Raving Loonies as cases in point. However that doesn't mean I don't despise the lying shitbags.

Now Labour finally have a candidate it's maybe worth looking at why the by-election has been called.. Labour MP David Marshall step down due to 'ill health', or did he? Labour MP spent £500,000 of taxpayers' money running office from home staffed by wife But what about his 'replacement'? Why did he quit before he'd begun? ELEVEN GLASGOW LABOUR COUNCILLORS UNDER INVESTIGATION Crikey, more dodgy goings on..So they settle on an MSP to sit in the Scottish Parliament and Westminster. Funny this job share thing, Des Browne is Minister for Defence and Scotland and if he can manage that.. oh yeah, he can't. I believe Labour's majority is about 14,000 and if they lose that to the SNP Brown can't last much longer. I don't like the nationalist parties but it would be fun if they won this seat.

MP's seem to agree we're not all paranoid nutters.. MPs fear ID cards could be used for spying

With respect, they don't seem to be doing a very good job. Oh and as for Constitutions yours is based on Magna Carta. We're the one's with the history mate :winkold:

Nothing stops the Gurkha's, if the Maoists try and get funny either the recruits will enlist from India - we'd just open a recruiting office at the consulate probably - or they will kill the Maoists then come. Interesting point aside though is that the Gurkhas come to serve the Crown, not the State. Supposing the Monarchy could be peacefully retired - a big if - who would the Armed Forces swear their Oath to? It's to the people now through the Crown, the alternative is to a Blair clone. Great plan.

Yes, they binned their Autocratic Royal Family who actually ran their country as opposed to being the constitutional Head of State, like our Royal Family. But you knew that, right?

Again I agree with you. So here's a question; If Labour make the decision sometime this year that Brown has to go and they want to replace him without calling a General Election, how do you think they'll try to sell it?

Yes they can, you might argue that its wrong but there is nothing to stop them Yeah that's what I meant Bicks, they could it's whether they should.