[Update] The Liberal-Conservative Coalition

The BBC reporting Alastair Campbell's comments

"The reality is that Nick Clegg has taken the decision to take the Liberal Democrats to the right. They've got into bed with the Conservatives and I think they will regret it," says former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.

Alastair, get over it - you're history, and nobody cares what you think.....

Danny Alexander in the Scottish Office is a master stroke. Tories and Conservative between them have 35% of the vote in Scotland, but thanks to FPTP the almost even split in the Tory/Lib Dem share of the vote translated into 1 Tory seat and 11 Lib Dem seats.

This won't stop the SNP bleating about 'mandate' but at least the Coalition now has a credible answer to it.

---------- Post added at 09:48 ---------- Previous post was at 09:44 ----------

An elected Lords with full PR is on the cards, 'early in the next parliament' - BBC

---------- Post added at 09:50 ---------- Previous post was at 09:48 ----------

The more I hear, the more excited I'm getting. Does anyone else think there is a massive, massive opportunity for good stuff to happen here?

btw The collation has 59% of votes and 56% of seats.

I can't wait to see them give the middle finger to ID cards. And, hopefully, the restrictions on demonstrations outside Parliament and 28-day detention.

Originally Posted by Chris

An elected Lords with full PR is on the cards, 'early in the next parliament' - BBC
?

Wait what does that mean? After 5 years or in the parliament about to be made?

---------- Post added at 09:54 ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 ----------

Originally Posted by Chris

I can't wait to see them give the middle finger to ID cards. And, hopefully, the restrictions on demonstrations outside Parliament and 28-day detention.

Innocent people removed from DNA database as well.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by foreverwar

The BBC reporting Alastair Campbell's comments Alastair, get over it - you're history, and nobody cares what you think.....

Quite right! I'm sick of hearing spinners like him and Mandelson who refuse to accept what the public have told them. They did it whilst in office and no doubt they'll carry on out of office. They only hear what they want to hear.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Chris

[/COLOR]The more I hear, the more excited I'm getting. Does anyone else think there is a massive, massive opportunity for good stuff to happen here?

Yes. I see this as an opportunity to fundamentally change the nature of British politics. Proper and constructive collaboration between parties that represent a majority of the popular vote. A novel idea, I know, but it might just catch on.

---------- Post added at 10:05 ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 ----------

Originally Posted by Damien

Innocent people removed from DNA database as well.

This.

Originally Posted by Damien

Wait what does that mean? After 5 years or in the parliament about to be made?

I assume it's the one about to be formed. There would be little point in mentioning it now if it wasn't going to happen until after the next election (which, apparently, is now formally set to happen in 2015).

Innocent people removed from DNA database as well.

Yes, I was forgetting that. It already happens in Scotland. IIRC this has to happen in England now anyway, thanks to a court ruling.

[injuneer]

At least we won't get a 3rd runway at Heathrow! (and probably no crossrail either)

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Damien

Innocent people removed from DNA database as well.

From the Guardian link posted by Matt earlier:

A great repeal or freedom bill to scrap the ID card scheme and the national identity register and the next generation of biometric passports

• Extending the scope of the Freedom of Information bill to provide greater transparency

* Adopt protections of the Scottish model for the DNA database

• Protecting trial by jury

• Reviewing libel laws to protect freedom of speech

• Further regulation of CCTV and other items

So yes, it sounds like innocent people will be removed

[Ignitionnet]

I am ecstatic about the House of Lords being reformed to a fully PR elected house. Exactly what I wanted and posted about in the previous thread.

The more I see the more I like it. The Lib Dems seem to have pushed back on some of the more dubious Tory policies while the Tories have pushed back on some of the Lib Dems more dubious policies with the result being a pretty centrist and sensible sounding policy set along with rolling back Labour's authoritarianism and state expansion.

Optimistic. Here's hoping they deliver.

[danielf]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

I am ecstatic about the House of Lords being reformed to a fully PR elected house. Exactly what I wanted and posted about in the previous thread.

The more I see the more I like it. The Lib Dems seem to have pushed back on some of the more dubious Tory policies while the Tories have pushed back on some of the Lib Dems more dubious policies with the result being a pretty centrist and sensible sounding policy set along with rolling back Labour's authoritarianism and state expansion.

Optimistic. Here's hoping they deliver.

Aaah, the marvels of 'weak and inefficient government'

Originally Posted by danielf

From the Guardian link posted by Matt earlier:

That's the one that I'm really excited about, especially the scrapping of the register. If BBKing were here (haven't seen him for ages) he would point out that the holding of the data, more than the manifestation of it on a card, was the real nub of the issue. And it's going to be gone.

I am so, so glad to see these plans to dismantle Labour's authoritarian nanny state.

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

I am ecstatic about the House of Lords being reformed to a fully PR elected house. Exactly what I wanted and posted about in the previous thread.

The more I see the more I like it. The Lib Dems seem to have pushed back on some of the more dubious Tory policies while the Tories have pushed back on some of the Lib Dems more dubious policies with the result being a pretty centrist and sensible sounding policy set along with rolling back Labour's authoritarianism and state expansion.

Optimistic. Here's hoping they deliver.

I am really excited. Hope they push a lot of this though fast.

No change of Government would be complete without the removal van shot.