UK Election date announced

May 6th, been approved and everything. Sooner than I expected.

Anyhoo i will be out of the UK that date so will vote by post. Kind of glad i will be out of the UK actually

Anyhoo whats your predictions?

I suspect labour will get back in by the skin of the teeth.

UKIP and BNP will get a scary amount of votes. Liberals will also get an unexpected amount of votes.

Thats my prediction.

I think the Lib Dems will do well this year, I think a lot of people are very disillusioned with the big two. Conversely I do think you're also right in the respect that parties like the BNP will get a lot of votes this year, which obviously is slightly worrying. I don't think they'll get anywhere near enough support to get into Parliament though which is something at least.

I predict a Hung Parliament at the moment, but we'll see how the campaigning goes I guess.

Did anyone watch Cameron and Brown's speeches?

It's likely to be a close one. In fact, it's one of the most unpredictable elections in a long time. Each of the three mainstream parties have a shot at power.

I certainly hope the Tories don't get in.

I think a hung parliament favouring Labour is the most likely outcome. I think Labour's share will vastly decrease and the Tories to increase a fair amount.

I think the Lib Dems share will decrease as well as Clegg's right-wing policies wont go down well with traditional Labour supporters who have been voting for the Liberals since the Iraq war.

I think the BNP vote will also decrease as will the vote of all marginal parties bar the Greens and the SNP.

The last date to register to vote is April 20th so PLEASE urge everyone to register even if have no intention to vote. % turnout is measured on voters who have registered not on those eligable so if few register then turnout appears high. If people fed up with conventional parties and candidates ALL register but don't vote then voting figures will appear low and this will send a strong message that all is not well at Westminster. Please pass this message on.

Ah that's a good point, I need to actually register to vote as I've moved constituency recently. Right, time to log onto aboutmyvote.org.

Wait, apparently I am registered to my Stirling address still. I could just vote there and not bother changing it, just have to travel through to Stirling on May 6th.

Come On You Labour!

I reckon more people will vote if it is done fitba style!

We're Red
Iraqi's are Dead
We're Bouncing On their Heads
We're the PLP, the PLP!

If there's a hung Parliament and another election is called during the year then do we still have to be registered by April 20th?

Nope, there will be another deadline date given when the next election is called. Even if it is only two months after the May one.

I have moved to Brighton, East Sussex, and now live in the constituency of Brighton Pavillion where there is a good chance of a Green MP being ellected.
With so many controversial issues about accountability and credibility it even more essential that everyone register so that turnout will more accuratly reflect our confidence, or lack of it, in our electorial system.
I hope that votes are cast for definate reasons as well as protesting about the lack of credibility that existing politicians have generated.

Most political theory suggests low voter turn-out occurs most often when people are happy with the way things are, it makes them less likely to vote as they have less problems with the country.

Dissatisfaction with traditional government usually manifests itself in there being a higher proportion of votes for smaller parties than normal.

I reckon the Conservatives will win (I hope not) ...if not it will be a hung parliament with a Conservative majority