General Election

[Simon Pieman]

Crozzer's post implies that I needn't read the policies of the various parties as his (probably) semi-tongue-in-cheek post has some lovely generalisations in it to save me the bother.

[pauld]

Anyone who thinks a Lib Dem victory will see a massive change in British politics is deluded. It will be no different than when the Tories came to power in 1979 or Labour in 1997. They start off talking a good game and doing good things and then end up corrupt from top to bottom and their motives change from doing their job to staying in power by any means.

Why do you think the Lib Dem's want proportional representation? Because it is a better and fairer system? Of course not, it's because it will get them more seats. If they were to win the election with a majority, all talk of electoral reform and especially proportional representation will be conveniently pushed to one side and then eventually forgotten about.

Thanks for that Mystic Meg. Tell me, do you consider you ability a curse or a gift? And why didn't you post something helpful in the Grand National thread?

Oh, and the poll missed out any consideration of individual candidates, either strongly wanting to vote for the candidate or (more likely) a massive antipathy to one or other of them

[Ardiles]

Why do you think the Lib Dem's want proportional representation? Because it is a better and fairer system? Of course not, it's because it will get them more seats. If they were to win the election with a majority, all talk of electoral reform and especially proportional representation will be conveniently pushed to one side and then eventually forgotten about.

First, the prospect of the Lib Dems winning a majority is simply too remote to consider, so I can't see that happening.  And to be honest, I'm not really interested in the Lib Dems' motives here.  Voting for them would be more a means to an end of delivering a better electoral system.  Proportional Representation would deliver more hung parliaments...it's true.  But the Tory scaremongering in this regard is, frankly, disgraceful.  Most other western European democracies manage perfectly well.  Coalition government would require more compromise, but it would also be a damned sight less arrogant.  (For example, Blair's second term of 2001-05 has been widely derided as one of the most arrogant governments in living memory where he was able to do pretty much as he pleased because of the size of his majority...a majority that was artificially inflated by First Past the Post and which did not reflect the popular vote/will of the people.)

Nick Clegg had it right yesterday when he said that the expenses scandal came about, in large part, as a result of too many politicians having an effective 'job for life' under the current system where they occupy a safe seat without fear of displacement.  I want to see all that changed.

[Phil_S]

I vote according to the "ethos" that I feel the party has. I believe that "Big" Government is wasteful, self serving & controlling.  The book Animal farm springs to mind.
To my mind Labour believe that they should take my earnings & spend as they see fit. I will vote Tory on this basis. Lib Dems change their policies to suit the audience on a frequent basis. Clegg was arguing FOR trident when standing for leader of them.
I also would not vote for a candidate who has "Studied/ learned" politics. (Career politicians). I want someone to represent me who has experience of the real world, & preferably run their own business. You can't successfully run the country unless you have experience of running anything else.

As for a hung Parliament, it would  be a disaster for the country. I remember the last one in the 70's

[jayohaitchenn]

Other. We don't live in a democracy, we live in an illusion created by the ruling classes to make us plebs think we have a say.

I will not be voting.

And before some clever twat says "you don't vote, you can't moan..." JUST FUCK OFF YOU TWAT

[herthab]

If you don't vote, you can't moan.

I'm voting for the one with the nicest smile.

[Spy]

Other. We don't live in a democracy, we live in an illusion created by the ruling classes to make us plebs think we have a say.

I will not be voting.

I agree.

[pauld]

I will vote Tory on this basis.
.........
I also would not vote for a candidate who has "Studied/ learned" politics. (Career politicians). I want someone to represent me who has experience of the real world, & preferably run their own business. You can't successfully run the country unless you have experience of running anything else.

So doesn't the second statement mean that you WON'T be voting Tory (or indeed any of the 3 main parties) as by your criteria Cameron wouldn't be successfully be able to run the country? I agree, btw, I think he'd be an absolute disaster

[jayohaitchenn]

If you don't vote, you can't moan.

I'm voting for the one with the nicest smile.

52 seconds in.

[Phil_S]

So doesn't the second statement mean that you WON'T be voting Tory (or indeed any of the 3 main parties) as by your criteria Cameron wouldn't be successfully be able to run the country? I agree, btw, I think he'd be an absolute disaster

I was talking about my local MP actually, & both candidates in Chippenham who stand a chance fit the criteria in not being career politico's.

[pauld]

I was talking about my local MP actually, & both candidates in Chippenham who stand a chance fit the criteria in not being career politico's.

Right, so you think it's wholly unacceptable for some back-bench seat-warmer to not have any experience of working in the real world but quite OK for the man who wants to rule the country? Bit bass-ackward, don't you think?

[sheepshagger]

Just coz you are a commie Paul 

[Barry Scott]

I vote according to the "ethos" that I feel the party has. I believe that "Big" Government is wasteful, self serving & controlling.  The book Animal farm springs to mind.
To my mind Labour believe that they should take my earnings & spend as they see fit. I will vote Tory on this basis. Lib Dems change their policies to suit the audience on a frequent basis. Clegg was arguing FOR trident when standing for leader of them.
I also would not vote for a candidate who has "Studied/ learned" politics. (Career politicians). I want someone to represent me who has experience of the real world, & preferably run their own business. You can't successfully run the country unless you have experience of running anything else.

As for a hung Parliament, it would  be a disaster for the country. I remember the last one in the 70's

I'm with you on that. A business man needs to run the country, someone who understands money, profits, loss, assets, can balance the books and make the country work. The only politicians in my lifetime (that i have been old enough to know anything about) are business incompetents, they run the country like an MD who uses his company to pay for his toys and making himself look the bollocks, purely because he's limited liability.

Therefore they run the country as such. They treat the encomy and the country with total contempt. It's like we've [remember it's our fucking country, not those arsehole cunts who lord it over us] given them some fat credit and it's theirs to waste as they see fit. They don't balance the books, they get more credit cards and more loans and buy loads of shit which serves no purpose other than keeping up the façade. It makes my blood boil.

Other. We don't live in a democracy, we live in an illusion created by the ruling classes to make us plebs think we have a say.

I will not be voting.

Truest words i've read regarding politics on this forum. Hence why i also will not be voting. Well no, i will make the effort to go in ruin my ballot paper and right fucking cunts on it.

[pauld]

Just coz you are a commie Paul 

Meh, the bloke's just not making any sense. No wonder he's planning on voting Tory

[Doore]

Genuinely undecided, although leaning towards the Lib Dems.  The Lib Dems represent my views better than the other parties with the exception of their take on Europe/the EU, where they are a little too pro-EU, pro-Euro for my liking.

As I have said in other threads, however, the First Past the Post electoral system effectively disenfranchises me though.  We fall under the Aldershot constituency which has been solidly Tory since the War.  The incumbent is Gerald Howarth, a vile gay-hating, immigrant-bashing worm of a man who will almost certainly be re-elected.  My wife and I are both hoping he will come to the front door canvassing because we have a competition to see who can be the first to kick him squarely in the bollocks.

Any party advocating electoral reform gets my serious attention.  I live in an area that has been tory for all but two years since the early 1880s (yes, 1880s).  I will always vote as I feel it is a responsibility, but I am completely disenfranchised by the current system.