Should Ed Miliband rule out a coalition with the SNP before the general election to prevent the SNP from, in the words of John Major, "prising the UK apart" ?
besides the snp and it's voters might like the thought of being part of the uk if it feels there voice is being heard
What would 'ruling out' mean? If no one party has an overall majority, so that a coalition agreement has to be formed, that means the parties involved have to dump some of their pre-election promises. Since all parties promise different, conflicting things there is no getting away from that. It should be assumed that all "rulings out" of various things by all parties must be taken with a large pinch of salt.
I think there is a big difference between a formal coalition and voting on a case by case arrangement.
Or form a minority government and then we can see who votes for what on a wide range of issues. It could be argued that the Lib Dems have wielded power that was completely disproportionate to their share of the vote at the last GE.
As the smell of power becomes stronger I am sure there will other things that become no longer critical
Really? Tories 36%, LibDem 23%. Each party has a veto over legislation desired by the other, naturally, but apart from that I cannot detect any disproportion.
The idea is that for the Tories to receive the LibDems support for Tory policies, the Tories have to give support to certain LibDem policies - which, but for the coalition being in place, the LibDems would have not-a-hope of seeing in statute. But you knew this already, you mischievous Peter, you.
Depends upon which stats you care to quote Conservative 302 seats Lib Dem 56 seats Labour 256 seats Whereas a minority government, with it's own carefully considered agenda, would have to call upon the support of a wide range of minor parties to get legislation through and we, the electorate, could see who votes for what.
Labour is in a dilemma. If it declares itself willing to form a government with the SNP it may stem some of its haemorrhaging support in Scotland and win itself another play with the levers of power in the short term, but in doing so it risks strengthening the SNP's cause in the long run and make Scottish secession more likely. If Scotland secedes Labour's long-term prospects in Westminster get dealt a body blow. For Labour an SNP coalition could be a Faustian pact. Personally I wonder whether a Lab/SNP coalition might be a necessary evil that would lance two boils in one go.
Given that Labour's position on the Scottish referendum was completely opposed to the SNP's, the fact that either of them would consider a coalition just shows how they are prepared to ditch all principles, morals and ethics just to get into power - much like "New Labour" did with Claus 4...
Sorry - that should be "Clause 4" - the basis of the socialist principles of the Labour Party. Not "Claus 4" - which sounds a bit like something to do with Santa... Who I believe in about as much as I believe in honest politicians...
The joy of coalition hey .The country is being run by tow parties that between them won 59% of the vote, each has had to compromise on some of their ideals . You could see the more rabid policies of both have been sacrificed for the good of the country, does not sound so bad to me.
just out of interest and forgetting about independence for a mo, what is it that fears people about the snp?
