The 2010 General Election Thread: Week 2

Originally Posted by Flyboy

With Brown's clear advantage on his experience with foreign affairs, does anyone think that Cameron will have an edge tomorrow?

What clear advantage is that?

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Damien

Thus I expect Brown to be a non-entity. I think Cameron will be far more aggressive towards Clegg because they now see him as their biggest barrier to a working majority. Especially since he can't really have a go at Labour for their biggest mistake, the wars in the middle east.

I think there's a bit of a conundrum there. Yes, I expect Cameron will be harsher towards Clegg, but I don't think he can be too harsh, as he might need Clegg in a hung parliament. And let's face it, chances of an outright majority for the Tories seem slim at the moment.

Originally Posted by danielf

I think there's a bit of a conundrum there. Yes, I expect Cameron will be harsher towards Clegg, but I don't think he can be too harsh, as he might need Clegg in a hung parliament. And let's face it, chances of an outright majority for the Tories seem slim at the moment.

Maybe, I also wonder if it might help Clegg look even more unique and 'new' while making Cameron look like more of the same. I suspect they will continue the "Vote Clegg, Get Brown" tactic.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Damien

Maybe, I also wonder if it might help Clegg look even more unique and 'new' while making Cameron look like more of the same. I suspect they will continue the "Vote Clegg, Get Brown" tactic.

Or 'Nick agrees with me' even.

Either way, I'm looking forward to tomorrow's debate.

In terms of electoral reform the worst thing that can happen is the Tories win a working majority. They will do nothing in terms of changing the system. Best case: Labour win the most seats, not a majority, and come third in the popular vote. RIOTS!!

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Chris

What clear advantage is that?

I was wondering that. I think he must be referring to Brown's version of the midas touch...

---------- Post added at 16:24 ---------- Previous post was at 16:23 ----------

Originally Posted by Damien

Thus I expect Brown to be a non-entity. I think Cameron will be far more aggressive towards Clegg because they now see him as their biggest barrier to a working majority. Especially since he can't really have a go at Labour for their biggest mistake, the wars in the middle east.

I'd go along with that.

Originally Posted by Flyboy

With Brown's clear advantage on his experience with foreign affairs, does anyone think that Cameron will have an edge tomorrow?

Strange - I thought he had been Chancellor, not Foreign Secretary?

As the BBC stated when it was announced he was taking over as Prime Minister

Gordon Brown is something of an unknown quantity as far as foreign policy is concerned

tbf, at the bottom of the BBC article, it states (re Aid and Development)

This was one area in which Gordon Brown made his mark internationally as chancellor.

World Politics Review also stated at the time

Gordon Brown becomes Britain's new Prime Minister today amid growing speculation over what kind of foreign policy can be expected from a seasoned politician who has rarely spoken out on foreign affairs in the past. Despite recent speeches on Britishness, national security and climate change, Browns views about the wider global policy agenda, and whether they will differ greatly from Tony Blair, are not yet clear.

Doesn't sound like someone with "clear advantage on foreign affairs" to me.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Damien

Maybe, I also wonder if it might help Clegg look even more unique and 'new' while making Cameron look like more of the same. I suspect they will continue the "Vote Clegg, Get Brown" tactic.

Yup - it's a good tactic too...

---------- Post added at 16:26 ---------- Previous post was at 16:25 ----------

Originally Posted by foreverwar

Strange - I thought he had been Chancellor, not Foreign Secretary?

As the BBC stated when it was announced he was taking over as Prime Minister

tbf, at the bottom of the BBC article, it states (re Aid and Development)

Doesn't sound like someone with "clear advantage on foreign affairs" to me.

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

With Brown's clear advantage on his experience with foreign affairs, does anyone think that Cameron will have an edge tomorrow?

Brown's lack of personality and past failures comfortably outweigh any advantage his frankly limited experience may give him.

If experience were that much of an issue he would have had a clear advantage in anything relating to the economy but, as the 1337 kiddies say, rofl.

His main advantage is his ability, without battering an eyelid, to promise the electorate anything in order to get re-elected. I can't wait to see what he promises tomorrow, presumably vote for him else North Korea will nuke us to punish us for turning away from the Socialist way.

He actually has one massive weakness relating to foreign affairs, I am just trying to remember the word...

Referee? Nah. Reference? Uh-uh. Referring? Oh I remember now, referendum. Well at least I remembered it in the end, unlike Labour.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

His main advantage is his ability, without battering an eyelid, to promise the electorate anything in order to get re-elected. I can't wait to see what he promises tomorrow, presumably vote for him else North Korea will nuke us to punish us for turning away from the Socialist way.

Whose eyelid should would you like to see him 'batter' then?

[Flyboy]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Brown's lack of personality and past failures comfortably outweigh any advantage his frankly limited experience may give him.

If experience were that much of an issue he would have had a clear advantage in anything relating to the economy but, as the 1337 kiddies say, rofl.

His main advantage is his ability, without battering an eyelid, to promise the electorate anything in order to get re-elected. I can't wait to see what he promises tomorrow, presumably vote for him else North Korea will nuke us to punish us for turning away from the Socialist way.

He actually has one massive weakness relating to foreign affairs, I am just trying to remember the word...

Referee? Nah. Reference? Uh-uh. Referring? Oh I remember now, referendum. Well at least I remembered it in the end, unlike Labour.

I thought that was Cameron's threat, wasn't it?

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

I thought that was Cameron's threat, wasn't it?

The referendum yes. North Korea I seem to be struggling to find a citation for, beyond that both Brown and Cameron have used North Korea as a justification for Trident replacement. Could you point me in the direction of this?

[Flyboy]

In the last debate, didn't Cameron suggest that China et al would be sending us a few hot pressies, if we dumped Trident?

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by Flyboy

In the last debate, didn't Cameron suggest that China et al would be sending us a few hot pressies, if we dumped Trident?

So exactly as I suggested it was a justification for Trident upgrade, something also directly referred to by Gordon Brown who is also convinced in the need for a like-for-like replacement.

Not really much of a 'vote for me or else' threat when it concurs with the main opposition's point of view to be honest.

British Jobs For British Workers - an interesting story from the BBC and not actually as biased as their normal output.

This paragraph amused me:

Since 1997, there has been net migration out of the country by 988,000 British-born people. Put it another way - for every net job created for British born people in the UK since Labour took office, two and a half people who were born here have left the country.

Originally Posted by Flyboy

I thought that was Cameron's threat, wasn't it?

Are you going to ignore the fact that at least three different people have asked you to justify your claim that Brown has a 'clear advantage' with regard to foreign affairs?