General Election in the UK

I also live in Ireland but I am originally from Yorkshire. The Labour vote is suffering in Northern England because of two reasons, the first is because they are portrayed as being anti-brexit and are seen as having betrayed their constituencies by not backing Brexit Votes in Parliament and hence they are bleeding votes to the Brexit Party. The second is that the media portrayal of Jeremy Corbyn has a high number of traditional Labour voters turning away from the Labour party because he is seen as supporting terrorism (IRA and HAMAS) and as a result of his support for the Palestinians as Anti-Semetic, he is also seen as not being a supporter of the Queen and wanting to remove the UK's Nuclear deterrent. The media churn out stuff about Labour and Corbyn so often and with such rhetoric that it is taken as true by the older voters.

The Conservatives are using the 'say little and do nothing' approach as they think the only way they can lose is if someone says or does something stupid, hence their absence from political debates and political talk shows.

I've tried to sum up without overly showing my own political bias

The above would likely be why Mr Johnson is avoiding an interview with Andrew Neil .....

The opinion polls are all over the place and a couple of polls have Labour just six points behind. So Matthew’s point about yet another hung Parliament is a valid one and possible. 

There is a huge media operation underway since at least 2017 to try and put the mockers on Corbyn. Suffice it to say, anything could happen. 

And of course this election is not about Getting Brexit Done. Even if Johnson gets a majority and a Queens Speech is passed and his Withdrawal Bill gets through Parliament and we leave the EU by 31 Jan there will still be at least a year of trade negotiations during the transition period, during which we are in a zombie stage - neither totally in not out. 

And Johnson has said if necessary we will leave with No Deal. Basically he will throw his toys out the pram - more than he has already done.

Tomorrow I go to the U.K. for a week to see family but i’d much rather stay here, not really looking forward to it!

Chris

Originally the Common Market was about trade  or we were assured that was all it was for.  Being a member of the EU is about infinitely more, and how this should be unpicked this has been going on quietly since the country voted to leave (as demonstrated by the useful information appearing on this forum about arrangements for the British residents in Spain.)  There have been trade discussions and negotiation too, so most things may well fall into place more quickly than  initially appears.

I'm now reading online that some favour has turned to Labour. There will be many more turns before election day. I wish prediction polls would just disappear for a couple of weeks; they're leading thoughts of the electorate all over the place.

Incidentally, before general elections in Ireland there is a press blackout on the day before the election. Does that happen in  the UK?

All will be revealed in good time. Be patient and what will be will be. 

Yes, the day before was  known as the 'Day of Reflection' and so I suppose it still is.

They will campaign right until the polling booths open in UK, the Rightwing Press will be pulling every trick up until the end,  they know thier Foreign owners have much to lose (tax) if Labour win.

Actually, the Common Market that we joined in 1973, was not just about trade. There were lots of TV and press discussions, some very heated and involving opposite viewpoints about the politics involved. 

It was made very clear in the 1975 referendum that we were joining a political arrangement not just making a trade agreement. The will of the people in 1975 was 67% Remain, a super majority. 

Chris