Politics

[Bruce Wayne]

Yes, you're right. As I said earlier in the thread, these things seldom work out well, but my willpower wasn't strong enough to keep schtum.

 

[davek]

Jesting aside though Monts, I simply don't get the support for Labour. Well I do but it leads to pretty ugly implications.

For instance this morning I read how the state share of UK GDP has risen from 38% in 2000 to 52% now. We have to bare in mind that the state doesn't create any wealth, it merely redistributes it from the private sector. In many northern towns and cities the states share of GDP is higher than that found in communist Russia!

This sticking our heads in the sand can't go on. We don't have an empire any more. The likes of Brazil, China, Mexico, Russia, India are snapping at our heals economically. The only major industry that we rule the world in is finance (which accounted for 12% of the countries entire tax take last year by the way), and the country hates bankers. If we lose that then we really do have very little left with which to compete globally. Manufacturing is Chinese. IT is American (and increasingly Indian). Biotech is American. Electronics is SE Asian. Automobiles are increasingly Japanese. Telecoms is Scandinavian.

So much of this thread seems hung up on the caricatures of politics. Labour is friend of the working man, Conservatives are all toffs, Lib Dems are sandal wearing hippies. It's a nonsense. Labours spending splurge of the last decade was funded by the City and the property market (which boomed due to the number of people coming into the country and cheap credit supplied by the City). It's built on sand, yet so many get stuck on the superficial issues.

With so much of northern economies driven by the state it perhaps isn't surprising that northerners tend to vote for the party that traditionally wants a large state sector, but as history has shown that such scenarios are eventually ruinous to a country it's hard to look past such a strategy as being at best incredibly short-termist and at worst incredibly selfish as it hampers the ability of those that wish to stand free from the government crutch.

I mean you only have to look at the changing demographics of the country (developed world). We're living longer and longer, but retirement ages aren't keeping pace with life expectancy so we're getting increasingly top heavy, with an increasing number of people that aren't working and that are large users of healthcare. It isn't sustainable but politicians are infamous for shying away from difficult choices. They've bodged the retirement issue for years due to pressure from public sector unions who want to protect their members right to retire at 50 or whatever it is. They've bodged our energy policy so we will be dependant upon Russia to keep us warm. If only people could overlook partisan politics and look at the bigger picture.

You make a a false distinction betwen private and public; north and south. What major economy doesn't tip up in some way shape or form for private enterprise to exist? The manufacturing and the financial services sector are up to their elbows in government bail out response. The very act of keeping interest rates low and quantitative easing is a stimulus the private sector are all too pleased to stick their hand out for.

And it isn't a 'superficial' distinction between the parties in terms of what is done from now on. The choice of what's cut - and the pace of those cuts - are major differences between Labour and Tories and will effect different people in different ways. Pretend all you want that class isn't an issue, but even New Labour spin doctors when push has come to shove are acknowledging the reality of it and attempting now to shore up its core vote by going on the attack on class.

 

[monty]

Yes, you're right. As I said earlier in the thread, these things seldom work out well, but my willpower wasn't strong enough to keep schtum.

try my son try, I look forward to a good nark later

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Going out for a ride so you won't hear a peep for at least an hour

 

[monty]

Going out for a ride so you won't hear a peep for at least an hour

I'm about to be dragged to Ormskirk, I need a new cardboard box

 

[Upper Sturry Sherbets]

I can't stand politicians, we have the Parliament channel (504) , and more often than not it's either two thirds empty talking about some trivial boring crap by trivial boring individuals, and there is always the one fast asleep just off picture as the majority are over in their subsidized bars knocking back cheap booze until the (terrestrial) TV cameras are back and then they will be in full attendance.

"I'd like to bring to attention to my right honorable gentlemen, the issue of fly tipping in Hounslow, or fouling of the footpaths and owners who turn a blind eye," I mean what's the damn point of it all.

I'd have them all thrown into a big incinerator if I had my way, along with the Royal Family.

too bad Jimmy Saville doesn't do that requests show anymore.

 

[Tennessee Blue Mike]

Same with me. Waste of hot air in most cases. Our network is CSPAN and it will literally make one fall asleep with boredom.

 

[ToffeeDan]

I'll be voting Lib Dem.

Firstly this Government's record is awful. They have done little to enrich the lives of those who need it most - and shown themselves particularly adept at deceiving the nation whilst concentrating mostly on trying to preserve power.

The Conservatives are your atypical opposition - and, frankly, show tendencies which will not be any more beneficial to the nation's wellbeing..

At least the Lib Dems give the impression of giving a toss and weighing up the arguments... !

 

[little curly alan ball]

UK nationals of the legal age and above, which party will you vote for in may, if any? For me its LABOUR, if we don't vote for them, the tories get in

I've given up .
I was on Miners Picket Lines in the 80's - Wearmouth - .
These fukas aren't Labour .
Neither nor .
P.S. Middle England will vote in Tories , no matter what we do .

 

[little curly alan ball]

I'll be voting Lib Dem.

Firstly this Government's record is awful. They have done little to enrich the lives of those who need it most - and shown themselves particularly adept at deceiving the nation whilst concentrating mostly on trying to preserve power.

The Conservatives are your atypical opposition - and, frankly, show tendencies which will not be any more beneficial to the nation's wellbeing..

At least the Lib Dems give the impression of giving a toss and weighing up the arguments... !

Wasted vote , though , TD . We both know that , re; actually gaining some Executive Power , baby .

 

[monty]

I've given up .
I was on Miners Picket Lines in the 80's - Wearmouth - .
These fukas aren't Labour .
Neither nor .
P.S. Middle England will vote in Tories , no matter what we do .

I have picketed for workers rights as well LCAB..........our generation cared far more, whatever happened to socialism? Labour Party killed it mate

 

[ToffeeDan]

Wasted vote , though , TD . We both know that , re; actually gaining some Executive Power , baby .

It may well be wasted but it doesn't stop me voting the way I feel I have to. I had been a member of the Conservatives (from 18 to late 20s) but I realised what a mistake this was. I'd like to support the Labour Party but, frankly, their record when in Government, has, since Wilson, been lamentable. I don't think we've had a decent government in this country for a very long time - perhaps since Attlee and that's a pretty poor record by anyone's standards. Just because "Britain never had it so good" didn't mean Mac and Co. were any good!

I've been a member of the Lib Dems in recent years although I'm not paying a sub. these days. I'd like to see a society where the have-nots had a bit (actually a lot) more. OK it's idealistic but let's start by tearing up the "rule book" - rewriting Education, Health (getting rid of all the Bureaucracy), ridding the state of all the ridiculous controls (CC TV camera). Let's take the best of the Conservative ethos - freedom of spirit and thought and adapt this to a Lib Dem view on more Green policies, Environmentally sound management and so on and bolt on some proper Family values, a fairer tax regime - less Government waste and involvement..one where people have some genuine hope and aspirations - as well as some solid support from Government institutions - meaningful qualifications, a strong Tertiary Education system that encourages all to succeed but not one that passes almost everyone who take these exams and thinks they are "intelligent" and fit to contribute to society simply by having a few pieces of paper with A* on them.. Jeez this country is a f**king mess...full of Jeremy Kyle Big Brother inspired, alcohol fuelled, low-achieving, low-aspiring dickheads (and that's just the management!) - you only have to look at some of the so-called role-models and the Cult of Celebrity to see how vacuous the UK has become in the past 30 or so years.

See you've got me going now!

 

[little curly alan ball]

It may well be wasted but it doesn't stop me voting the way I feel I have to. I had been a member of the Conservatives (from 18 to late 20s) but I realised what a mistake this was. I'd like to support the Labour Party but, frankly, their record when in Government, has, since Wilson, been lamentable. I don't think we've had a decent government in this country for a very long time - perhaps since Attlee and that's a pretty poor record by anyone's standards. Just because "Britain never had it so good" didn't mean Mac and Co. were any good!

I've been a member of the Lib Dems in recent years although I'm not paying a sub. these days. I'd like to see a society where the have-nots had a bit (actually a lot) more. OK it's idealistic but let's start by tearing up the "rule book" - rewriting Education, Health (getting rid of all the Bureaucracy), ridding the state of all the ridiculous controls (CC TV camera). Let's take the best of the Conservative ethos - freedom of spirit and thought and adapt this to a Lib Dem view on more Green policies, Environmentally sound management and so on and bolt on some proper Family values, a fairer tax regime - less Government waste and involvement..one where people have some genuine hope and aspirations - as well as some solid support from Government institutions - meaningful qualifications, a strong Tertiary Education system that encourages all to succeed but not one that passes almost everyone who take these exams and thinks they are "intelligent" and fit to contribute to society simply by having a few pieces of paper with A* on them.. Jeez this country is a f**king mess...

See you've got me going now!

Haha . I did , didn't I ???
They won't get any power though , cock' . We both know that .

 

[little curly alan ball]

I have picketed for workers rights as well LCAB..........our generation cared far more, whatever happened to socialism? Labour Party killed it mate

Amen , kid .
Oh , and Thatcher the milk-snatcher , eh ????

 

[ToffeeDan]

aaaaaaargh [Poor language removed] it - I'm off to form my own country where Kopites are banned...

The People's Republic of Evertonia