Renton

True up to a point but there are just as many Tories in the south who even post-Blair are obsessed with "CND sympathising loonies" to quote LM and hark back to winter of discontent. What was the NE vote like before Thatcher though? Correct me if I'm wrong but I was under the impression it was always staunch Labour. Just like Hertfordshire is staunch tory. Edit: more in response to the Thatcher accusations, I realise it backs what BR is saying.

Lib Lab coalition wouldn't be big enough though. You should be gutted by last night. Given all the factors against Labour, the poor Lib Dem showing, and the media influence the tories have had in a bankrolled tory campaign, they've been unable to even get a majority. Cameron should resign imo. First of all, we should all be gutted because chaos will now rule regardless. The Sky political bloke saying how Labour got less votes this time than they did under Kinnock yet could still form a government. Think it all points to a quick change in the voting system. That would be a change the Conservative party alone has flatly rejected then? How ironic. You must admit this was a piss poor performance from the tories, given the circumstances. People don't like your man Cameron I'm afraid. I disagree, the truth is people dont like Thatcher. How utterly patronising of you CT. People don't like him, he comes across as a priviliged, PR orientated tosser with no convictions. Read this thread again if you don't believe me, and accept he has led the tories to failure. How naive of you. I suggest you re-read this thread and see how many times a woman who left office 20 years ago gets a mention. Scotland Tory free and the North East for about 20 years??? Wonder why? Cameron......Nope. The guy on the beeb this morning said that all the voters talk about in Scotland on the doorstep is Thatcher. Alex is right, they have all had a mare but it is the UK plc that will suffer. 'A guy on the Beeb' ffs. I've reread a fair bit on this thread and although the past is obviously mentioned (Labour in the 1970s as well mind) - as it should be -, the main issue has been with the present leaders and their policies. Can anyone do a word count on 'Thatcher' and 'Cameron' to verify this I wonder because I'd stake money on it? You've probably mentioned Thatcher more than anyone as well. Regarding the NE vote, perhaps maybe that Cameron admitted he would target cuts at the NE may have had just a little bit of negative impact? That and the fact the area has always been a Labour stronghold of course, or had that fact passed you by? If the tories had had fair and sensible policies presented by a less smug and shallow man than Cameron, they would have won outright with their media backing (another thing you are discounting), simple as that. As for the inevitable rematch, I hope Brown does step down gracefully and with dignity, and the Conservatives keep Cameron. If this happens, I honestly think they'd lose outright.

Lib Lab coalition wouldn't be big enough though. You should be gutted by last night. Given all the factors against Labour, the poor Lib Dem showing, and the media influence the tories have had in a bankrolled tory campaign, they've been unable to even get a majority. Cameron should resign imo. First of all, we should all be gutted because chaos will now rule regardless. The Sky political bloke saying how Labour got less votes this time than they did under Kinnock yet could still form a government. Think it all points to a quick change in the voting system. That would be a change the Conservative party alone has flatly rejected then? How ironic. You must admit this was a piss poor performance from the tories, given the circumstances. People don't like your man Cameron I'm afraid. I disagree, the truth is people dont like Thatcher. How utterly patronising of you CT. People don't like him, he comes across as a priviliged, PR orientated tosser with no convictions. Read this thread again if you don't believe me, and accept he has led the tories to failure.

Lib Lab coalition wouldn't be big enough though. You should be gutted by last night. Given all the factors against Labour, the poor Lib Dem showing, and the media influence the tories have had in a bankrolled tory campaign, they've been unable to even get a majority. Cameron should resign imo. First of all, we should all be gutted because chaos will now rule regardless. The Sky political bloke saying how Labour got less votes this time than they did under Kinnock yet could still form a government. Think it all points to a quick change in the voting system. That would be a change the Conservative party alone has flatly rejected then? How ironic. You must admit this was a piss poor performance from the tories, given the circumstances. People don't like your man Cameron I'm afraid.

And as I said before, the first thing the Tories will do is arrange a nasty little deal with the Ulster Unionists. Will that give them a majority though? Even if it did, they'd be paralysed, the tories have a few loose cannons on their back benches.

He's won fuck all though, and he won't be prime minister. Brown will still be there in 2 years time, and that's the thing to get angriest about of all. Doubt it. Any minority government is going to have to include the party with the largest minority. ...and even if Labour did retain any semblence of power, Brown would go the journey. Maybe Miliband Aye, I think Brown is finished. Pity imo, if people could see past his unease at PR they might realise he may be the best person to get us on the road to recovery - just my opinion, obviously. I don't think anyone has any idea what will happen now.

She's old skool, been posting since before she went to Uni I think. Doesn't post here now understandibly!

Lib Lab coalition wouldn't be big enough though. You should be gutted by last night. Given all the factors against Labour, the poor Lib Dem showing, and the media influence the tories have had in a bankrolled tory campaign, they've been unable to even get a majority. Cameron should resign imo.

Aye, Alan won a comfortable majority, Tynemouth only had a 0.4% swing to the tories! This means that there are still NO tories in the NE, in fact it's solid red apart from Redcar. This has been a total and utter tory FAIL. Can't say I'm happy though, in some ways its just about as bad a result for stability as could have happened. I can't see any coalitions working, and the country is more polarised than ever before. What next? We should all be concerned.

This is all too depressing. Democracy 2010. Everybody gets what nobody wants. Or something. Night folks.

Joan Collins on Cameron.

How obnoxious do you want to be considering the general feeling on this board? I hope you have hexed the tories there.

Central you mean.

Backs the exit poll.

I have a feeling it is. With the Tories specifically mentioning job cuts in the public sector you wouldn't think they'd get so many votes in NE. Good point. Anyone in jobs connected to the civil service or NHS in this area should be feeling a bit wary. Aye, but anyone with any public secotr job anywhere should feel wary. Smug twat Osbourne on now.

I have a feeling it is. With the Tories specifically mentioning job cuts in the public sector you wouldn't think they'd get so many votes in NE. That's my concern. If they representive vote for the Tories is as high in an area that they've frankly hammered in policy - what's it going to be like in the marginals? If I was a Labour fan in Tynemouth I'd be concerned as to the outcome. Tynemouth will fall undoubtedly. I live in the most tory part of it as well, the place is full of the blue rinse brigade, utter wankers. I'm getting depressed.

Stupid inbred mackems. I'm just praying these seats aren't representative.

Not looking good.

All polling stations should have shut at 10pm on the dot. If people have made it by then - tough shit. They've had 15 hours to vote FFS and the option of postal voting! What if you got there at 9.30 and were stuck in a 35 min queue though? [\Devil's advocate]

Apparently not. 8% swing to the tories. Aye, didn't know quite how big the previous majority was when I posted that. The locals must have found about about her NUFC ST and the fact she doesn't wash her hands.

Well done Bridget, massive win that.

Bridget!!!!!!!!!!

Why the fuck have people left it so late to vote?

It's politics mate. He's offering a deal. Exactly, who cares how we get it as long as we do. Which we won't.

Aye but they were in power though, it could work the same for Labour. The margin of error is two tailed after all. A tiny Conservative majority gives them very little mandate as well. Bad result for everyone this really if the polls are right. Just out of interest Renton, do you consider a Hung Parliament with the Tories as the largest party a worse result for the country than if the Tories gain a small majority? Who knows, majorly disappointed that there looks like there will be no electoral reform though. Bridget will be on soon.