The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[Ashtonian]

Boats and hoes.

haha with young george government spokesperson when he isnt in the under 19s.

Seriously though, of all the cuts we have in this country, why would any sane government focus on the people who save peoples lives, the people who stop crime from happening as well? i mean isnt that just plunging the country into a deeper darker pit?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

haha with young george government spokesperson when he isnt in the under 19s.

Seriously though, of all the cuts we have in this country, why would any sane government focus on the people who save peoples lives, the people who stop crime from happening as well? i mean isnt that just plunging the country into a deeper darker pit?

As I said in a previous post, the government currently raises approximately 32% of GDP in taxes. It spends way more than that, hence why the government is currently borrowing ~ 100bn a year. The honest answer to your question is that the state can't afford to do what it currently does unless an awful lot more money is raised in taxes.

 

[Toffeelover]

With all the stuff that the parties are coming out with, umpteen gimmicks to get votes, it is becoming laughable.

Look at the latest from ED 1. Pass legislation to make it a legal requirement to attend TV debates!!! So if the incumbent Prime Minister who ever it is at that time says no, what happens. The opposition send the Police to Downing Street to arrest him, cuff him and take him to the nearest station to be charged?????? What ever Ed is sniffing he better share it out because it must be good stuff to come out with this kind of farce.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

With all the stuff that the parties are coming out with, umpteen gimmicks to get votes, it is becoming laughable.

Look at the latest from ED 1. Pass legislation to make it a legal requirement to attend TV debates!!! So if the incumbent Prime Minister who ever it is at that time says no, what happens. The opposition send the Police to Downing Street to arrest him, cuff him and take him to the nearest station to be charged?????? What ever Ed is sniffing he better share it out because it must be good stuff to come out with this kind of farce.

Quite, and lets be honest, they have a live TV debate every Wednesday lunchtime, and look at the mess that usually is. Be nice if they made that a little better before looking at any election based things.

 

[Seanjd]

As I said in a previous post, the government currently raises approximately 32% of GDP in taxes. It spends way more than that, hence why the government is currently borrowing ~ 100bn a year. The honest answer to your question is that the state can't afford to do what it currently does unless an awful lot more money is raised in taxes.

RAISE TAXES!

 

[Seanjd]

With all the stuff that the parties are coming out with, umpteen gimmicks to get votes, it is becoming laughable.

Look at the latest from ED 1. Pass legislation to make it a legal requirement to attend TV debates!!! So if the incumbent Prime Minister who ever it is at that time says no, what happens. The opposition send the Police to Downing Street to arrest him, cuff him and take him to the nearest station to be charged?????? What ever Ed is sniffing he better share it out because it must be good stuff to come out with this kind of farce.

Haha, I did laugh when I read that. Perhaps just trying to keep the debates in the news?

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

Yeah I'm in the raise taxes and protect crucial spending camp.

 

[roydo]

Would like Governments and Civil Servants spend money just a bit better than they do.

All of them.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

RAISE TAXES!

That's easy to say when the tax rises hit someone else though, you know? How much would we personally be willing to pay extra in taxes? Bare in mind that as it stands, that £100bn or so gap between state spending and state income would need each person to cough up £1,500 or so in extra taxes a year to cover the gap. I'm not sure my budget could stretch to that (more's the pity).

 

[Toffeelover]

Yeah I'm in the raise taxes and protect crucial spending camp.

Well do you already pay income tax and NIC? So you would gladly pay more? Or are you thinking of people hire up the pay chain to pay more not those lower down and at what threshold do you start. Surely not thinking of raising VAT? Peronally I would increase VAT to 22.5 or 25 % on luxury goods like Cars over £50,000, Similarly other expensive goods like £2,000 TVs, Designer clothes. Do you get the picture. How about charging VAT in expensive houses like those over £1,000,000 when they are sold in addition to the stamp duty?

AS for spending, to me crucial areas are Heath, Welfare, Education and Defence, other folk might have different views but all welcome to contribute.

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

That's easy to say when the tax rises hit someone else though, you know? How much would we personally be willing to pay extra in taxes? Bare in mind that as it stands, that £100bn or so gap between state spending and state income would need each person to cough up £1,500 or so in extra taxes a year to cover the gap. I'm not sure my budget could stretch to that (more's the pity).

And I don't think my budget could take another £1.5k per year but there are many whom could take a lot more than that.

Well do you already pay income tax and NIC? So you would gladly pay more? Or are you thinking of people hire up the pay chain to pay more not those lower down and at what threshold do you start. Surely not thinking of raising VAT? Peronally I would increase VAT to 22.5 or 25 % on luxury goods like Cars over £50,000, Similarly other expensive goods like £2,000 TVs, Designer clothes. Do you get the picture. How about charging VAT in expensive houses like those over £1,000,000 when they are sold in addition to the stamp duty?

AS for spending, to me crucial areas are Heath, Welfare, Education and Defence, other folk might have different views but all welcome to contribute.

I pay income tax, albeit not a lot, but I would be willing to pay some more to protect the services that the state offers. I would expect people with wealth higher than mine to be taxed proportionately more in a progressive tax system. It is hardly revolutionary!

 

[Seanjd]

Well do you already pay income tax and NIC? So you would gladly pay more? Or are you thinking of people hire up the pay chain to pay more not those lower down and at what threshold do you start. Surely not thinking of raising VAT? Peronally I would increase VAT to 22.5 or 25 % on luxury goods like Cars over £50,000, Similarly other expensive goods like £2,000 TVs, Designer clothes. Do you get the picture. How about charging VAT in expensive houses like those over £1,000,000 when they are sold in addition to the stamp duty?

AS for spending, to me crucial areas are Heath, Welfare, Education and Defence, other folk might have different views but all welcome to contribute.

I agree with your VAT statement,mid go further and ONLY put it on 'luxury items'.

 

[Toffeelover]

I agree with your VAT statement,mid go further and ONLY put it on 'luxury items'.

Cheers Sean, glad you agree on the VAT, that is the way for me and to go a bit further for ordinary goods take it back to 17.5% to help out people less well off.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

And I don't think my budget could take another £1.5k per year but there are many whom could take a lot more than that.

Aye, I hear what you're saying. As a rule I try not to ask other folks to do something I wouldn't want/be willing to do myself. I'd be quite keen on a flat tax myself. Nice and simple and it's served places like Estonia really well in the 20 odd years that they've had it.

 

[Seanjd]

Aye, I hear what you're saying. As a rule I try not to ask other folks to do something I wouldn't want/be willing to do myself. I'd be quite keen on a flat tax myself. Nice and simple and it's served places like Estonia really well in the 20 odd years that they've had it.

I am a huge believer in tax and would pay more if I had to. I do believe the rich get off way easy tax wise. Raise tax for higher earners.