Saintandy666

For sure! I've never felt so far that my examinations have ever truly in any way demonstrated much. I think my class work etc that I do all year is a far better indicator of how I think. And I'm saying this as someone who has generally done very well in exams so far.

Or an attempt to show how well you can cram and how well you know the exam technique. And I know that that is cynical, but there is a truth in it.

None this year. Had some last year and have the big ones, my finals, (which are more than slightly terrifying) next year.

Yes. I do have disagreements. No party can possibly represent one person's view on everything.

Indeed you haven't and if you want an instant referendum vote UKIP, and get the baggage that comes with that. If you want a referendum at the right moment, i.e when something actually changes vote Lib Dem. And that is what people have got with the coalition. An absolute guarantee in law that there will be a referendum come power changing hands.

Last week, for me, Clegg won easily with his calm and collected argument. This week was less of a debate and more angry exchanges from both. I think Clegg did well to show his passion, but Farage's argument had little depth and I definitely think that many of his party's idea's are a danger to the country and not least exiting the EU. The flat rate tax, the abolition of education as we know it and so on and so forth. In terms of the 'winner', they both probably won by getting decent percent behind them. Farage was always going to win outright though just as Clegg was at the election debates in 2010 as they could both play the anti-establishment protest card.

Yes, indeed. The leaflet is correct. But again, it is within the context of the proposed handover of powers in relation to the lisbon treaty signing. It is Liberal Democrat policy(and still is) that there should be an in/out referendum at the time of power handover. That's what they campaigned for (and failed) back then and that is what they have signed into law whilst in government.

It was within the context of the Lisbon Treaty which meant more powers being transferred. This is entirely consistent with the current policy - an in/out referendum at the time of power hand-over. The battle for the in/out referendum at that point was lost by the Lib Dems back then and they abandoned their pledge within the lisbon treaty context once it was ratified. However, they have put into law whilst in government that will be a referendum at the next power handover/treaty. So an entirely consistent policy from the Liberal Democrats.

What amazes me about our league 1 days is how many of those people have come with us to the premier league. We built the core of our premier league team it seems years ago.

36% reported Clegg won, I am one of those 36% and that is an impressive score for an establishment figure. Crucially Clegg won in Labour supporters. Also, the poll gave extremely heavy weighting to UKIP supporters. I guess we will see come the General Election whether they get such levels or not, I suspect not although I do think they will probably win the EU elections next week and there is a huge danger the Liberal Democrats could be wiped out. But the Generals are a totally different story, I would expect 30-40 seats for the Lib Dems there based on various indicators. And how can you possibly compare a football match where there is a quantitative and objective winner to a debate where it is so subjective. Poor analogy.

Yes indeed, and stop cherry picking and misrepresenting. It was clear last night that Clegg was calmer and relied on a factual debate whereas Farage went for passion. I'm sure both will find their audiences. As you say, it was even... because both managed to appeal to their own crowd. I say Clegg won because I respect his debating style much more because it is grounded in reality. And I really don't know wtf you are on about the 'great unwashed'.

I think both sung to their crowds and both can be designated winners in some sense, with perhaps Clegg taking it by a whisker. I'm sure both will wish for a bounce on the back of this. The main thing was Passion and if I may insert my own opinion here a lack of facts (by Farage) vs. a very factual debate by Clegg who stuck to his figures. I know which argument type I prefer. Also interesting is apparently that Clegg won on TV and Farage on radio... doesn't surprise me if true!

Normal for mid-election time. It will tighten and the worrying aspect for Labour is that they are not nearly far enough ahead for that poll-time tightening to still leave room for a majority. I predict another hung parliament.

The tuition fees was *not* one of the core pledges in our manifesto at 2010. The signed placards campaign however was the sign of an immature party that has grown up a lot of the past few years. I disagreed with it at the time and indeed I marched against it and left the party for a year over it. However, whilst I do still disagree with a rise in principle and an increase that still allows the rich to pay up front, it is in effect (bar that point) a graduate tax. And it is a graduate tax that is more progressive than the previous arrangement given that you now pay 9% over 21k as opposed to 9% over 15k which is a better system than the tories and labour wanted. Yes, the nature of the pledge was wrong especially when aimed at one of the more naive parts of the electorate (although I think the last few years has exposed how naive a lot of the country were to the realities of compromise and coalition), a system was delivered that in retrospect isn't as bad as it could have been and if you ignore the distracting headline figure of 9k it is in many ways fairer than the previous. Indeed, on that last point it seems that the people of Britain have voted with their feet in regards to tuition fees with record numbers of applications and most importantly record numbers of applications from children from poorer backgrounds.

Damnit, was my plug that obvious?! Out of interest does anyone have proposed speed of deficit reduction by the Labour party figures? Pretty sure they published some when Darling was still around... would be interesting to see how close those figures were to the unfolding ones under coalition.

Good to see that the Liberal Democrats have now more than delivered on one of their 4 core manifesto pledges at the election. £800 tax cut for millions of people is actually very impressive given original conservative opposition.

There appears to be very little we can do over this and Russia knows it, hence it is doing it. However, we have to make sure that Russia knows (and I think it does) that any encroachment on NATO land would be an entirely different matter. But as I said, I don't think Russia would dare touch NATO land.

I liked this! Very interesting.

Looks like a full strength team to me. No excuses, got to win this!

Nice to see the Sun taking things seriously...

The Lib Dems have a core of about 10-15% who will vote for them no matter what. In the EU election because of proportional representation by larger region this may mean significant wipe out, but we shall see. However, at the general election, the strategy is basically fighting 56 by-elections and they are very organised and have been doing well in council elections where they have seats etc. Don't be surprised to see them keep up to 35-40 seats at the general election. Ironically, the system that has been so unfair to the Lib Dems over the years may mean they keep more seats than their drop might suggest although this might just mean for once their seat share matches their vote share for once. And I stand by my point, both will get to appeal to their polar opposite bases. I doubt anyone will be convinced either way unless they are already significantly leaning that way. It could turn out well for both of them.

It isn't a huge own goal at all. Clegg and Farage and polar opposites and I can not see either of them losing votes because of this. Clegg will appeal to his own base and solidify that as well as having hope of snatching some europhiles from labour/green etc whereas Farage will appeal to his own base and solidify that as well as having hope of snatching some europhobes from conservatives etc

I've been on this site since the beggining and a bit of Saintsforever before that. I don't really remember it ever being that different. Maybe people get away with less, but that is just the way the internet is compared to before. I still enjoy reading it as much as I ever have and find it invaluable as a saintsfan. The rest of yous lot must agree judging by the amount of times some people post/spend on here!

Can we please at least spell the name of our owner correctly? Katharina, not Katrina.

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