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Johnson heads for election win in tightening race

64 Comments
By Andy Bruce and Kylie MacLellan

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64 Comments
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I thought the brits were more sophisticated than electing Donny’s literate cousin.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

Hope the tactical voters get out in droves and stop the Tories. Can’t see it but I need some hope.

Come on you spoilers!

8 ( +14 / -6 )

Dear MSM,

The British people want Brexit, get over it.

The remain/leave divide is still around 50-50 according to polls.

How you can claim to speak for the ‘British people’ is patently ridiculous.

You aren’t doing much to secure a decent Christmas bonus recently.

14 ( +18 / -4 )

YouGov

YouGov is owned by Conservative MP Nadim Zahawi and former Conservative candidate Stephan Shakespeare, who is now Chairman of the Conservative Party Data Strategy Board.

Anyone who thinks YouGov is an independent polling company must be mad. The company exists to influence public opinion, not to reflect it.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Good! Imagine a Labour government with Diane Abbott as Home Secretary!

-9 ( +4 / -13 )

Really a sad state of affairs. My biggest fear is that the tories will gut the NHS even more..

> How you can claim to speak for the ‘British people’ is patently ridiculous.

Jimizo, The russians can't stop meddling in elections anywhere.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

I really hope, for the sake of the future of the UK, that the Conservatives do not win. It would be a disaster.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

Corbyn PM with the support of the SNP. Whatever could go wrong there?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Praying for a hung parliament but it's not looking likely.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Possible outcomes range from a landslide victory for Johnson to a hung parliament with no party in control

"He might win, or he might not!" Wow, that's an amazing prediction!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

88% lies from one side, 0% from the other. It should be obvious who not to vote for.

Two lies in two days from the BBC's top political reporter, first about someone not being beaten up and then topping it with an illegal comment about the result of the postal vote. It saddens me, but that is clearly worse than what we see in Japan. The BBC may do nice nature programs, but their reporting is shameful.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

On Thursday 12 December 2019, polling stations will open at 7am (4pm Japan), and will close at 10pm (7am Friday 13th Japan) ……

A fifteen-hour window of opportunity to have a voice in possibly one of the UK's most Important Election in modern political history. Any member of the UK electorate who failed to register will now have to put up, or shut up.    

A full Electoral Commission procedure for how your vote will processed ……….

Handbook for polling station staff

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/2019-11/UKPGE%20Polling%20Station%20Handbook%20final%20English%20web.pdf

Tactical voting in marginal constituencies, render the outcome impossible to predict.

The margin of error, YouGov mrp poll is tantamount to a wild guess.

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/articles-reports/2019/12/10/key-findings-our-final-mrp-poll

Like all predictions our model comes with some uncertainty, and the margin of error here could put the final number of Conservative seats from 311 to 367. ........Going to bet your life savings?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

YouGov is owned by Conservative MP 

Well, who 'da thunk it? But if Alfie says so, you can take it to the bank. Yes, the polls are an insidious part of the propaganda machinery and both the right-wing MSM and social media are engaged in a vicious campaign to smear Corbyn as a leader of "the loony left". The younger generations with their mobiles and a future to look forward to will be decisive in upsetting Johnson's snake oil stall and giving Corbyn his "Attlee" moment in a hung parliament (better than a hung over country having to face a pile of Bojo's Brexit).

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Vote for INDEPENDENCE!

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

The British people want Brexit, get over it.

Only half did, but don't let facts get in the way. By the way, the NHS won't be getting 350 million pounds a week courtesy of Brexit, and it is not for sale to USA.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Vote for INDEPENDENCE!

SNP? Plaid? What/who are you talking about?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

 Imagine a Labour government with Diane Abbott as Home Secretary!

What a strange question in a world where even after 3 years the USA is still functioning despite having had to put up with a mentally impaired imposter, patently incapable of learning how to do his job of acting as president of the world's leading power. Diane Abbott would be infinitely preferable to the present HS, "Pretty Petal", as well as to the "rogues' gallery" of previous ministers, especially Teresa May, the architect of the "hostile environment" that has brought misery to tens of thousands of families.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Zichi,

To clarify, I fully support all British passport holders, UK resident or not, to have a voice in the UK democratic process, whether a General Election or referendum.

My comment, admitting it’s generality,  was not directed in any respect at passport holding non-UK residents that I feel have been subject to an act of gross betrayal/abandonment.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Pukey2 - Only half did, but don't let facts get in the way. By the way, the NHS won't be getting 350 million pounds a week courtesy of Brexit, and it is not for sale to USA.

Are you suggesting that Corbyn, and the Russians, are lying to the voters?

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

zichi - No one can take away the right of an American to vote, and the same should apply to all Brits.

That's just one of the differences between a Democratic Republic and a Constitutional Monarchy.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Its interesting how condescending and vocal the western liberals on every corner of internet meanwhile they are losing elections left and right.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I really hope, for the sake of the future of the UK, that the Conservatives do not win. It would be a disaster.

Yeah? How would a Labour coalition be better?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

In the Brexit referendum many people voted for Brexit because of Johnson's lie that the EU was taking money from the NHS. More and more people are realising it was the Conservatives that were taking money from the NHS.

Now people are worrying that the NHS will be sold to the US. Johnson denies this will happen, but these days fewer and fewer people believe him.

Even lifelong Conservatives like Michael Hesseltine and ex-PM John Major are recommending voting against him and the Conservative Party.

This is also the dirtiest election I can remember. Unsurprisingly, a lot of the dirt is being spread by the Rupert Murdoch press.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Boris Johnson 'hides in a fridge'

Which will not prevent people with a good nose from getting an unpleasant whiff of that rancid piece of Tory gammon topped with white mold desperate to appeal to the taste-buds of voters with no sense of smell. Most people of the UK must by now be sick of the same old Tory fare offered up well past its use-by date; they deserve the chance being able to look over a new menu on Friday.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Make Britain Great Again! Good luck, British Trump!

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

That's just one of the differences between a Democratic Republic and a Constitutional Monarchy.

What a stupendously inaccurate post.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Most people of the UK must by now be sick of the same old Tory fare offered up well past its use-by date; they deserve the chance being able to look over a new menu on Friday

Yet the polls still give the Nasty Party a 10% or so lead over Labour. I don't understand it.

Friday is of course the 13th....

I didn't used to be superstitious.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

Yeah? How would a Labour coalition be better?

Well it wouldn't be a Tory majority, for a start.

If Bozo scrapes in on the slimmest of majorities, the first-past-the-post system means that he will not necessarily (in fact most likely will not) have the backing of a majority of voters, yet he will claim a mandate to 'Get Brexit done' in defiance of what will be the clear will of the people.

Invalid CSRF

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Make Britain Great Again! Good luck, British Trump!

The pollsters got the last Aussie election wrong, cobber, so there could be hope that the Tories don’t get a majority.

You just reminded me of something to give some small cause for optimism.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

zichi - The right-to-vote should be on the British passport of every British adult.

zichi - No its not, there are constitutional monarchies where non resident citizens retain their right to vote.

In that case, it appears that the British government has chosen not to listen to you. Good luck getting your right to vote restored.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

zichi - The right-to-vote should be on the British passport of every British adult. 

zichi - No its not, there are constitutional monarchies where non resident citizens retain their right to vote. 

In that case, it appears that the British government has chosen not to listen to you. Good luck getting your right to vote restored.

So why did you post something with absolutely no basis in fact whatsoever? What has it got to do with republics and constitutional monarchies?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Jimizo - So why did you post something with absolutely no basis in fact whatsoever? What has it got to do with republics and constitutional monarchies?

As you no doubt remember, the original question compared voting rights in the U.S. and G.B.. One of those governments removed the ability to vote from people who have left the country for 15 years. The other government does not do that.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

The British people want Brexit, get over it.

And the people of Scotland and the people of NI/6 counties want independence.

What to do?

I mean, surely if you're in favor (as Trumpists and pro-Moscow voices are) of letting the UK leave the EU, why not Scotland and NI/6 counties leave the UK?

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Make Britain Great Again! Good luck, British Trump!

What does this actually mean?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

The Lisbon Treaty, only recognized the UK as a whole. a member state, not factually, the sum of its parts, regions ie Scotland, Northern Ireland. England or Wales.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The British people want Brexit, get over it.

And the people of Scotland and the people of NI/6 counties want independence.

According to whom?

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

According to whom?

51% want Irish unity

https://www.thejournal.ie/united-ireland-border-poll-results-4896963-Nov2019/

https://www.thejournal.ie/lord-ashcroft-irish-unification-poll-4804372-Sep2019/

And it's around 50% for Scottish independence

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/support-for-scottish-independence-hits-50-poll-suggests-38588985.html

Things change, of course. Once, people voted Tory all the time, then New Labour got the majority. Young people are voting for the first time in this election, things may change again.

Some British need to understand that they can't hold onto stolen land.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

According to whom?

51% want Irish unity

https://www.thejournal.ie/united-ireland-border-poll-results-4896963-Nov2019/

https://www.thejournal.ie/lord-ashcroft-irish-unification-poll-4804372-Sep2019/

And it's around 50% for Scottish independence

So what you are saying is those particular polls ( with margins of error ) are split down the middle. That is no grounds to claim to know what the people of Scotland and NI ‘want’.

hold onto stolen land

That is a matter for the people of NI ( who are very split on the issue ) to decide their future. Incidentally, Corbyn’s attitude towards terrorists on one side of this issue is part of the reason why many will not vote for him. The stench of this is still on him. The Tories have made hay here.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

So what you are saying is those particular polls ( with margins of error ) are split down the middle. That is no grounds to claim to know what the people of Scotland and NI ‘want’.

Bit like the election results tomorrow, I imagine. Or Brexit. Whatever the outcome, one side will claim it's what the people want.

That is a matter for the people of NI ( who are very split on the issue ) to decide their future.

It's a matter for all the people of Ireland, north and south. Partition was forced on the island, don't forget that.

Incidentally, Corbyn’s attitude towards terrorists on one side of this issue is part of the reason why many will not vote for him. The stench of this is still on him. The Tories have made hay here.

Wanting a united Ireland does not make one sympathetic to terrorism. It doesn't make one a terrorist. This is the kind of muck perpetuated by Ruth Dudley Edwards and other unionists. Corbyn was talking to Sinn Fein when others (the Tories) were being coy about it, saying one thing and doing the other.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Under the Good Friday Agreement, all of the imprisoned terrorists were released. Some of them had been inside for sectarian murders. People whose family members had been killed, including that comedian who lost his father, just had to accept it as the price of peace.

Do people seriously believe you can end a conflict without talking to the other side?

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@Toasted Heretic

This is emotional and partisan rather than honest or logical. You claim Scottish people want independence and then cite a single poll which doesn’t even show a majority supporting this. You then cite a single poll stating 51% of NI people support unification but then go on render this irrelevant anyway because you want the 49% drowned out in a referendum on the island of Ireland. If you trust the 51% poll, why not support a democratic referendum held in NI? Reaching into history is disingenuous - what matters is here and now. and the people living in NI must be the people to decide their future.

As for Corbyn, the fact remains he was open, you can say honest, in his communication with the revolting Sinn Fein who had connections to killers of innocent men, women and children. That was enough to make him toxic to many and helps Johnson secure a victory. The stench of the likes of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness is still with us and helping an amoral liar into number 10.

Awful.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

United Ireland is the desire of most people in the IoI and most people in GB.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The constant hectoring by the one-trick pony Bozo with his slogan "Get Brexit Done!" sounds like a mother yelling through the bathroom door. Brexit is already "done": a stale crust burnt to a crisp.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Sinn Fein who had connections to killers of innocent men, women and children..." Unlike the British occupation forces, right?

Both were culpable for disgusting actions.

Right?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

 Reaching into history is disingenuous - what matters is here and now. and the people living in NI must be the people to decide their future.

The people of Ireland, yes. Pretending that they are separate entities is disingenuous.

As for Corbyn, the fact remains he was open, you can say honest, in his communication with the revolting Sinn Fein who had connections to killers of innocent men, women and children. That was enough to make him toxic to many and helps Johnson secure a victory. The stench of the likes of Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness is still with us and helping an amoral liar into number 10.

Martin McGuinness was a peacemaker, both him and Adams came in from the cold and made huge inroads into peace.

Sinn Fein are a democratic party that want an inclusive Ireland with equality for all. If you actually bother to follow their policies, you'd see that they are for the working class (of all colors and creeds) standing up to the self-serving Fine Gael govt.

I do wish that ill informed commentators would stop regurgitating the anti-Irish propaganda from the establishment.

One inclusive nation, 32 counties. It's coming soon & the days of dominion are over.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Reaching into history is disingenuous - what matters is here and now. and the people living in NI must be the people to decide their future.

The people of Ireland, yes. Pretending that they are separate entities is disingenuous.

Why don’t think the people of NI should be allowed to decide their future? According to your poll, it is split down the middle. I think the answer is you’d like to see the loyalist vote drowned out. This is undemocratic. My approach is democratic. I prefer democracy over partisanship. By the way, I think Ireland should be united but not if the majority of people living in NI don’t want it.

Martin McGuinness and Adams were thugs as much as any loyalist thugs. Appalling people. Knee-deep in blood.

I don’t think I’m ill-informed on this topic, by the way, and I’m not one to swallow establishment propaganda. Using this kind of argument is insulting.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

The right-to-vote should be on the British passport of every British adult.

With respect, I disagree. If you have chosen to live in a different country, why should you get to vote in the one you used to live in? For those temporarily overseas, I understand, but the 15 year thing seems very generous. I'd prefer to see it at something like 5 years.

The people of Ireland, yes. Pretending that they are separate entities is disingenuous.

Careful now! Is that not like saying the people of China should get to decide the future of Hong Kong?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Queues at some polling stations, especially those in marginal seats. It's impossible to give a decent prediction, it's just guesswork.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The UK is stuffed, its on the rocks, oh boy I wish I could emigrate, its just a total mess, which ever party gets in they are going to make a hash of it. I want to see what sort of a turn out it has been, I have asked my customers on how they feel, and most of them are sick and tired of Brexit and the squabbling politicians.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

I think the answer is you’d like to see the loyalist vote drowned out. This is undemocratic.

I think your lack of comprehension regarding politics in NI/6 counties is showing again. You mean the unionist vote. Loyalists are paramilitary supporters, or actual paramilitaries who discriminate against Catholics.

My approach is democratic. I prefer democracy over partisanship. By the way, I think Ireland should be united but not if the majority of people living in NI don’t want it.

Your approach is to support Partition which is why we had decades of violence and sectarianism. If you really believed in democracy, you'd favor a united Ireland.

Martin McGuinness and Adams were thugs as much as any loyalist thugs. Appalling people. Knee-deep in blood.

This is blatantly untrue and reactionary. They were not sectarian and stood up for the people brutalized by the RUC, the British state and a sectarian establishment.

I don’t think I’m ill-informed on this topic, by the way, and I’m not one to swallow establishment propaganda. Using this kind of argument is insulting.

Since you can't tell the difference between Sinn Fein and the IRA, or Unionists and Loyalists, I do think you need to brush up a wee bit.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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