The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[Bruce Wayne]

I am, in more ways than you know.

Once again, though, you refuse to acknowledge the injustice. It's fascinating.

How do you think slavery was abolished, by the way? How did we get a 5 day working week and paid holidays? Do you think right wing think tanks were instrumental in bringing down apartheid?

I've no doubt, and I haven't suggested otherwise. I'm not here to force you to defend what you do or how you think

I don't see what my opinion on the fairness of someones situation adds to anything. Only yesterday, for instance, I read about the pay differential between gay men and straight men (about 20% less - although interestingly gay women get paid more than straight women). Is that fair? I should think not. Has my acknowledging that fact on an online forum done anything to change that matter?

 

[Clint Planet]

Still no acknowledgement. How telling. You're like politician. It's hilarious in a way.

Anyway, I'm off to enjoy the rest of my holiday.

 

[magicjuan]

And as I think I said at the time, we have very different views on how change comes about. At the risk of giving you another platitude - be the change you want to see...

It's quite easy to argue for change when you believe the means to change are there. The system is like a castle, the barons on the inside and the serfs outside. The apparance of impenetrability is the deterrent, and that is constantly reinforced by a media war conducted by affiliates of the barons.

At its simplest, we have a society divided into those who give a flying one about the lives of others and those who don't, until they themselves become victims or vulnerability dictates their position in the structure is under threat. It is the difference between Darwinism and Spirituality.

Change can only occur when it isn't as a consequence of someone else's loss of dignity. The ability is and has always been there, but millenia of inequality have prevented the means of being realised. It preys on fears that by and large are at the behest of those with the greatest degree of authority afforded by that very system. Those who have earned wealth and success are a small minority compared to those who have benefitted from privilege down the centuries, back to the times when authority was determined by who's dad had the biggest stick to beat someone else's dad.

 

[magicjuan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32141412

I find it offensive that unaccountable people, includingvthe likes of Karen Brady ffs, feel the need to use blackmail, influence and interference in a democratic process to fuel scaremongering.

They will all have deals in the pipeline in return for their tacit collusion

 

[davek]

100 business leaders sign a letter in support of the Tories. No doubt fearing the loss of their zero hour exploitation.

Unlike in 2010 when this stunt got some traction, I dont think it's of any help politically that these people have signed up for this. It's very naked what their motive is for backing the Tories and they look for all the world what they are in spirit: 19th century mill owners.

Labour are backing a massive winner over their zero hours attack on the Tories. Even if it statistically isn't a massive part of the workforce it still resonates. It's a symbol of the unfairness of the past 5 year assault on the British people; below the surface there's a very deep well of discontent and anger that the Tories aren't picking up on. They seem completely mystified why they dont get any bounce from economic 'good' news and are anchored at about 32%-34% - neck and neck with Labour. They're so aloof from everyday life they literally cant fathom the depths of frustration out here.

Unless some massive game changer appears from left field in the next few weeks this stalemate is going to remain in place.

My prediction:

Conservatives single largest party (just), but not able to get the numbers with coalition partners to get a majority; Labour will form the next government with the aid of fringe parties on its left.

 

[Blue 1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32141412

I find it offensive that unaccountable people, includingvthe likes of Karen Brady ffs, feel the need to use blackmail, influence and interference in a democratic process to fuel scaremongering.

They will all have deals in the pipeline in return for their tacit collusion

13 Tory Donors, 6 Tory advisers and 3 Tory Peers declare they think the Tories should be re-elected. Shocking, eh?

Wonder how many tax-avoiders and corporate welfare scammers are on that list, too.

Can't imagine it would be too hard get a letter signed by 100 teachers, nurses, doctors, firemen, policemen, care workers, disabled people, students, recently homeless, people who've been sanctioned by the DWP, workers on ZHCs etc saying they back anyone BUT the Tories.

 

[edge]

[

100 business leaders sign a letter in support of the Tories. No doubt fearing the loss of their zero hour exploitation.

Unlike in 2010 when this stunt got some traction, I dont think it's of any help politically that these people have signed up for this. It's very naked what their motive is for backing the Tories and they look for all the world what they are in spirit: 19th century mill owners.

Labour are backing a massive winner over their zero hours attack on the Tories. Even if it statistically isn't a massive part of the workforce it still resonates. It's a symbol of the unfairness of the past 5 year assault on the British people; below the surface there's a very deep well of discontent and anger that the Tories aren't picking up on. They seem completely mystified why they dont get any bounce from economic 'good' news and are anchored at about 32%-34% - neck and neck with Labour. They're so aloof from everyday life they literally cant fathom the depths of frustration out here.

Unless some massive game changer appears from left field in the next few weeks this stalemate is going to remain in place.

My prediction:

Conservatives single largest party (just), but not able to get the numbers with coalition partners to get a majority; Labour will form the next government with the aid of fringe parties on its left.

100 rich people back the rich mans party shocker, it will backfire on them as they will be seen as the party of the rich for the rich.
Labour should look in everyone of there companys and list those that exploit low pay to there workforce , bet it would include a big slice of that lot.

 

[Joey66]

100 business leaders sign a letter in support of the Tories. No doubt fearing the loss of their zero hour exploitation.

Unlike in 2010 when this stunt got some traction, I dont think it's of any help politically that these people have signed up for this. It's very naked what their motive is for backing the Tories and they look for all the world what they are in spirit: 19th century mill owners.

Labour are backing a massive winner over their zero hours attack on the Tories. Even if it statistically isn't a massive part of the workforce it still resonates. It's a symbol of the unfairness of the past 5 year assault on the British people; below the surface there's a very deep well of discontent and anger that the Tories aren't picking up on. They seem completely mystified why they dont get any bounce from economic 'good' news and are anchored at about 32%-34% - neck and neck with Labour. They're so aloof from everyday life they literally cant fathom the depths of frustration out here.

Unless some massive game changer appears from left field in the next few weeks this stalemate is going to remain in place.

My prediction:

Conservatives single largest party (just), but not able to get the numbers with coalition partners to get a majority; Labour will form the next government with the aid of fringe parties on its left.

Big business backs Tories shock horror - primark etc using cheap cheap Labour abroad and using tax avoidance it was in the Daily Fail shock horror!
I wonder how many of those businesses are tory donators to the Tory party?

 

[Bruce Wayne]

It's quite easy to argue for change when you believe the means to change are there. The system is like a castle, the barons on the inside and the serfs outside. The apparance of impenetrability is the deterrent, and that is constantly reinforced by a media war conducted by affiliates of the barons.

At its simplest, we have a society divided into those who give a flying one about the lives of others and those who don't, until they themselves become victims or vulnerability dictates their position in the structure is under threat. It is the difference between Darwinism and Spirituality.

Change can only occur when it isn't as a consequence of someone else's loss of dignity. The ability is and has always been there, but millenia of inequality have prevented the means of being realised. It preys on fears that by and large are at the behest of those with the greatest degree of authority afforded by that very system. Those who have earned wealth and success are a small minority compared to those who have benefitted from privilege down the centuries, back to the times when authority was determined by who's dad had the biggest stick to beat someone else's dad.

I'm not sure I follow. Do you have an example of what you mean?

 

[magicjuan]

I'm not sure I follow. Do you have an example of what you mean?

The means for opportunity are limited to those within a certain qualifying criteria.

There is a system with a heavily weighted ability to defend itself versus a majority demographic with no access to those means.

Zero hours contracts benefit a small handful of people for whom it suits, the rest have no choice. The system utilises it for the benefit of a few, years of decimating working rights have enabled their use, giving very little opportunity in the workplace for positions that would provide security, income and development, and it is a growing trend.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The means for opportunity are limited to those within a certain qualifying criteria.

There is a system with a heavily weighted ability to defend itself versus a majority demographic with no access to those means.

I might be dim here, but I'm still not sure what you mean. Are you talking about opportunity for specific professions?

 

[magicjuan]

I might be dim here, but I'm still not sure what you mean. Are you talking about opportunity for specific professions?

Apologies was editing the post

 

[Groucho]

100 business leaders sign a letter in support of the Tories. No doubt fearing the loss of their zero hour exploitation.

Unlike in 2010 when this stunt got some traction, I dont think it's of any help politically that these people have signed up for this. It's very naked what their motive is for backing the Tories and they look for all the world what they are in spirit: 19th century mill owners.

Labour are backing a massive winner over their zero hours attack on the Tories. Even if it statistically isn't a massive part of the workforce it still resonates. It's a symbol of the unfairness of the past 5 year assault on the British people; below the surface there's a very deep well of discontent and anger that the Tories aren't picking up on. They seem completely mystified why they dont get any bounce from economic 'good' news and are anchored at about 32%-34% - neck and neck with Labour. They're so aloof from everyday life they literally cant fathom the depths of frustration out here.

Unless some massive game changer appears from left field in the next few weeks this stalemate is going to remain in place.

My prediction:

Conservatives single largest party (just), but not able to get the numbers with coalition partners to get a majority; Labour will form the next government with the aid of fringe parties on its left.

I agree with your prediction there.

Oddly, the Lib Dems may actually remain in government this way, despite committing political suicide - I am of the opinion that they have entirely sold their principles down the river for 15 mins of fame, and that this government has been an entirely Conservative regime. However they may remain in power and remain kingmakers. Weird.

 

[davek]

[

100 rich people back the rich mans party shocker, it will backfire on them as they will be seen as the party of the rich for the rich.
Labour should look in everyone of there companys and list those that exploit low pay to there workforce , bet it would include a big slice of that lot.

People like Bannatyne are in the leisure/services sector where it's rife. The retail sector is well represented amongst those 100 too.

It's so transparent what these people are up to. It doesn't even need the Labour Party or Greens to point it out.

I'm laughing that those Tory nobheads are calling this a 'coup'. It's the biggest shot through the foot since Brown had that run in with the Duffy woman.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Apologies was editing the post

Gotcha. As a freelancer, I can certainly empathise with the uncertainty of zero hours. I wonder what the career progression of people on them is like? I ask because many migrants that I speak to started off life here in pretty shoddy jobs that they were massively over-qualified for, but they used that as a way in and worked there way up accordingly. In other words, the poor starter job wasn't forever, it was more akin to an internship.

I've had a quick scan for any kind of profile of the kind of people that work on zero hour contracts but couldn't really find much.