Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 6:47 am
As a Tory with a social conscience, I'll be voting Labour.
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Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:27 am
You must love high taxes to vote for the British Labor Party, I'm told.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2005 9:34 am
Mr Blur has promised faithfully he will not raise taxes just like last time. he was as good as his word right after the election he raised national Insurance!!! a tax in all but name.
I am undecided at the moment, my seat has a retiring MP and was Liberal democrat for the last two parliaments until then it had always been staunchly Conservative. They may actually have a chance again this year.
As yet I am undecided, it may be a case of strategic voting.
I am undecided at the moment, my seat has a retiring MP and was Liberal democrat for the last two parliaments until then it had always been staunchly Conservative. They may actually have a chance again this year.
As yet I am undecided, it may be a case of strategic voting.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 5:05 am
Philadelphia Eagle wrote: You must love high taxes to vote for the British Labor Party, I'm told.
it's true to say that the Labour party used to have a deserved reputation as the tax and spend party, however, New Labour, under the leadership of Tony Blair, has reduced income tax for the lower paid and reduced corporation tax, the rate of income tax for middle and higher earners has remained unchanged from when the Tories were in power. N.I. has increased and there has been the introduction of so called 'stealth taxes'. I would guess the overall tax take is on a par with what it was under the Tories.
If one was to base one's decision on who to vote for, soley on the economy, there are other factors to consider other than just taxes ie. inflation, interest rates, unemployment, inward investment etc. etc.
To my amazement, since New Labour came to power they have proved they can run and sustain a successful economy, this is in contrast to the boom and bust we experienced before the came to office.
it's true to say that the Labour party used to have a deserved reputation as the tax and spend party, however, New Labour, under the leadership of Tony Blair, has reduced income tax for the lower paid and reduced corporation tax, the rate of income tax for middle and higher earners has remained unchanged from when the Tories were in power. N.I. has increased and there has been the introduction of so called 'stealth taxes'. I would guess the overall tax take is on a par with what it was under the Tories.
If one was to base one's decision on who to vote for, soley on the economy, there are other factors to consider other than just taxes ie. inflation, interest rates, unemployment, inward investment etc. etc.
To my amazement, since New Labour came to power they have proved they can run and sustain a successful economy, this is in contrast to the boom and bust we experienced before the came to office.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Thu Apr 21, 2005 5:11 am
hmm not sure yet, still considering my options, trying to read papers and watch the news etc
strategic voting as bothwell said is always an option.....
im just not convinced i like labour that much..... they seem too soft on crime etc i think the tories may get in there and sort out the school kids etc
no idea!
strategic voting as bothwell said is always an option.....
im just not convinced i like labour that much..... they seem too soft on crime etc i think the tories may get in there and sort out the school kids etc
no idea!
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 2:08 am
TMC wrote: As a Tory with a social conscience, I'll be voting Labour.
Though not a Briton but I'm more inclined to labour at the moment.
Though not a Briton but I'm more inclined to labour at the moment.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 3:47 am
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/7b210ea2-bc07- ... 511c8.html
Journey fees could replace road tax in UK
By Jean Eaglesham, Political Correspondent
Published: May 3 2005 22:21 | Last updated: May 3 2005 22:21
HighwayA national system of road pricing that would replace taxes on motorists with charges for each journey could be approved halfway through a third Labour term, the transport secretary said on Tuesday.
Alistair Darling told the Financial Times that Labour would be “taking this forward†early in the next parliament, even though a nationwide scheme would not come into force before 2014.
Give this one some publicity and I can think of a few million motorists that would not be voting Labour. I think i would join all the hauliers in protest.
posted by TMC
it's true to say that the Labour party used to have a deserved reputation as the tax and spend party, however, New Labour, under the leadership of Tony Blair, has reduced income tax for the lower paid and reduced corporation tax, the rate of income tax for middle and higher earners has remained unchanged from when the Tories were in power. N.I. has increased and there has been the introduction of so called 'stealth taxes'. I would guess the overall tax take is on a par with what it was under the Tories.
If one was to base one's decision on who to vote for, soley on the economy, there are other factors to consider other than just taxes ie. inflation, interest rates, unemployment, inward investment etc. etc.
To my amazement, since New Labour came to power they have proved they can run and sustain a successful economy, this is in contrast to the boom and bust we experienced before the came to office.
Gordon Brown is taking 5 billion a year out of private pension funds (and incidentally out of the economy as the money would have been reinvested) and has probably made certain the demise of final salary pension schemes almost certain. Sneaky b*******s are taxing by the back door. Best thing he did was give the Bank of England control over the interest rates rather than politicians.
The tories would be worse is about the only thing I can say about new labour. I think a lot of Labour voters will not vote as a protest against TB.
Tony Blair, Asset or Liablilty?
Journey fees could replace road tax in UK
By Jean Eaglesham, Political Correspondent
Published: May 3 2005 22:21 | Last updated: May 3 2005 22:21
HighwayA national system of road pricing that would replace taxes on motorists with charges for each journey could be approved halfway through a third Labour term, the transport secretary said on Tuesday.
Alistair Darling told the Financial Times that Labour would be “taking this forward†early in the next parliament, even though a nationwide scheme would not come into force before 2014.
Give this one some publicity and I can think of a few million motorists that would not be voting Labour. I think i would join all the hauliers in protest.
posted by TMC
it's true to say that the Labour party used to have a deserved reputation as the tax and spend party, however, New Labour, under the leadership of Tony Blair, has reduced income tax for the lower paid and reduced corporation tax, the rate of income tax for middle and higher earners has remained unchanged from when the Tories were in power. N.I. has increased and there has been the introduction of so called 'stealth taxes'. I would guess the overall tax take is on a par with what it was under the Tories.
If one was to base one's decision on who to vote for, soley on the economy, there are other factors to consider other than just taxes ie. inflation, interest rates, unemployment, inward investment etc. etc.
To my amazement, since New Labour came to power they have proved they can run and sustain a successful economy, this is in contrast to the boom and bust we experienced before the came to office.
Gordon Brown is taking 5 billion a year out of private pension funds (and incidentally out of the economy as the money would have been reinvested) and has probably made certain the demise of final salary pension schemes almost certain. Sneaky b*******s are taxing by the back door. Best thing he did was give the Bank of England control over the interest rates rather than politicians.
The tories would be worse is about the only thing I can say about new labour. I think a lot of Labour voters will not vote as a protest against TB.
Tony Blair, Asset or Liablilty?
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:05 am
Gordon Brown is taking 5 billion a year out of private pension funds (and incidentally out of the economy as the money would have been reinvested) and has probably made certain the demise of final salary pension schemes almost certain. Sneaky b*******s are taxing by the back door. Best thing he did was give the Bank of England control over the interest rates rather than politicians.
The tories would be worse is about the only thing I can say about new labour. I think a lot of Labour voters will not vote as a protest against TB.
As is always the case, we only get the chance to vote for what we perceive to be the best of a bad bunch as no party can be all things to all men.
I've said previously that i'm not a natural Labour voter, but one has to accept that under Tony Blair we have:
Lowest inflation for years.
Lowest interest rates for years.
Lowest unemployment for years.
Record numbers of nurses.
Record numbers of police.
Record numbers of teachers.
Record numbers of students in higher education.
Tony Blair, Asset or Liablilty?
Asset imo.
The tories would be worse is about the only thing I can say about new labour. I think a lot of Labour voters will not vote as a protest against TB.
As is always the case, we only get the chance to vote for what we perceive to be the best of a bad bunch as no party can be all things to all men.
I've said previously that i'm not a natural Labour voter, but one has to accept that under Tony Blair we have:
Lowest inflation for years.
Lowest interest rates for years.
Lowest unemployment for years.
Record numbers of nurses.
Record numbers of police.
Record numbers of teachers.
Record numbers of students in higher education.
Tony Blair, Asset or Liablilty?
Asset imo.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:05 am
I consider only UKIP worth voting for since 70% of our laws are now dictated to us by unelected bureaucrats in Europe. That said, the Monster Raving Loony Party does reflect my views on the pomposity of politics!!!
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:34 am
TMC wrote:
I've said previously that i'm not a natural Labour voter, but one has to accept that under Tony Blair we have:
Lowest inflation for years.
Lowest interest rates for years.
Lowest unemployment for years.
Record numbers of nurses.
Record numbers of police.
Record numbers of teachers.
Record numbers of students in higher education.
Tony Blair, Asset or Liablilty?
Asset imo.
ok yes maybe true, i havent read all the facts to be able to comment but.....
how come then the country appears to be in such a state? the debacle over the war, the state of the schools and lack of discpline, the court system and the joke of a juducial system, the fact my local hospital is about to close down....... the rising cost of petrol, first time buyers unable to get on the ladder, pensions........ students in higher education yeah but then they come out and cant get a job because the markets flooded with people who have degrees so then they stay at uni longer using more taxpayers money etc......
liability imo
what do you think GB will be when hes prime minister, asset or liability?
I've said previously that i'm not a natural Labour voter, but one has to accept that under Tony Blair we have:
Lowest inflation for years.
Lowest interest rates for years.
Lowest unemployment for years.
Record numbers of nurses.
Record numbers of police.
Record numbers of teachers.
Record numbers of students in higher education.
Tony Blair, Asset or Liablilty?
Asset imo.
ok yes maybe true, i havent read all the facts to be able to comment but.....
how come then the country appears to be in such a state? the debacle over the war, the state of the schools and lack of discpline, the court system and the joke of a juducial system, the fact my local hospital is about to close down....... the rising cost of petrol, first time buyers unable to get on the ladder, pensions........ students in higher education yeah but then they come out and cant get a job because the markets flooded with people who have degrees so then they stay at uni longer using more taxpayers money etc......
liability imo
what do you think GB will be when hes prime minister, asset or liability?
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 7:13 am
[QUOTE=pete5555]The biggest thing GBrown did was to hand the control over to the Bank Of England, so politicians no longer have control, so he can take little credit for the interest rate surely?
He can take credit for handing control of interest rates over to the Bank of England.
European Commission forecasts good outlook for UK economy
The UK’s economic performance has garnered plaudits from the European Commission.
Detailing its forecasts for 2005 and 2006, the EC said that it expected the UK economy to grow at a little under 3%, with unemployment remaining low and public finances kept in good shape.
The EC’s economic experts estimated that the UK economy would average an expansion rate of 2.8% for the next two years, a shade shy of the figure predicted by the Chancellor. While domestic demand would weaken a little as consumers tighten belts, the slack would be taken up by a rise in exports.
Public finances, the report said, would register a deficit of 3% for 2005, falling to 2.75% in 2006. Despite a small increase in the overall level of national debt, it would remain close to 40% of GDP.
Rises in government spending during 2005 would be matched, the EC report maintained, by a corresponding uptake in government income as the economy generated extra tax revenues.
Unemployment would remain at a low level, pegged down by a combination of modest wage increases and improving productivity.
The EC’s version of the UK’s economic outlook contrasted favourably with its predictions for the eurozone. Growth among its 12 members looks likely to hover at about 1.6%, down from the 2% forecast last autumn.
Pessimism is particularly entrenched in Germany where growth is forecast to rise no higher than 0.8%, just half of the eurozone average, and where the budget deficit promises to break the 3% barrier for what will be the fourth consecutive year.
However, fortunes in the eurozone, driven by an upturn in consumer spending, should improve by the end of 2005, when the rate of growth is expected to return to its trend of 2%.
He can take credit for handing control of interest rates over to the Bank of England.
European Commission forecasts good outlook for UK economy
The UK’s economic performance has garnered plaudits from the European Commission.
Detailing its forecasts for 2005 and 2006, the EC said that it expected the UK economy to grow at a little under 3%, with unemployment remaining low and public finances kept in good shape.
The EC’s economic experts estimated that the UK economy would average an expansion rate of 2.8% for the next two years, a shade shy of the figure predicted by the Chancellor. While domestic demand would weaken a little as consumers tighten belts, the slack would be taken up by a rise in exports.
Public finances, the report said, would register a deficit of 3% for 2005, falling to 2.75% in 2006. Despite a small increase in the overall level of national debt, it would remain close to 40% of GDP.
Rises in government spending during 2005 would be matched, the EC report maintained, by a corresponding uptake in government income as the economy generated extra tax revenues.
Unemployment would remain at a low level, pegged down by a combination of modest wage increases and improving productivity.
The EC’s version of the UK’s economic outlook contrasted favourably with its predictions for the eurozone. Growth among its 12 members looks likely to hover at about 1.6%, down from the 2% forecast last autumn.
Pessimism is particularly entrenched in Germany where growth is forecast to rise no higher than 0.8%, just half of the eurozone average, and where the budget deficit promises to break the 3% barrier for what will be the fourth consecutive year.
However, fortunes in the eurozone, driven by an upturn in consumer spending, should improve by the end of 2005, when the rate of growth is expected to return to its trend of 2%.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 7:17 am
pink princess wrote: ok yes maybe true, i havent read all the facts to be able to comment but.....
how come then the country appears to be in such a state? the debacle over the war, the state of the schools and lack of discpline, the court system and the joke of a juducial system, the fact my local hospital is about to close down....... the rising cost of petrol, first time buyers unable to get on the ladder, pensions........ students in higher education yeah but then they come out and cant get a job because the markets flooded with people who have degrees so then they stay at uni longer using more taxpayers money etc......
liability imo
what do you think GB will be when hes prime minister, asset or liability?
See you at the polls.
how come then the country appears to be in such a state? the debacle over the war, the state of the schools and lack of discpline, the court system and the joke of a juducial system, the fact my local hospital is about to close down....... the rising cost of petrol, first time buyers unable to get on the ladder, pensions........ students in higher education yeah but then they come out and cant get a job because the markets flooded with people who have degrees so then they stay at uni longer using more taxpayers money etc......
liability imo
what do you think GB will be when hes prime minister, asset or liability?
See you at the polls.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 7:41 am
posted by john8pies
I consider only UKIP worth voting for since 70% of our laws are now dictated to us by unelected bureaucrats in Europe. That said, the Monster Raving Loony Party does reflect my views on the pomposity of politics!!!
so you'd rather still be affected by eu law but have no say on what gets done. Course all these other countries wanting to join to join are doing so because they see the disadvantages clearly. If we're not in the EEC then we become an insignifiucant backwater on the arse end of europe, wave goodbye to any further foriegn investment. the bulk of our manufacturing trade is with the EEC. Have a look at the business that support ukip and cjack how many are in the export business. Dp you really thgink we can negotiate seperate trade treaties with china and the US or is it better to be part of a powerful trading block.
There's a lot of daft things coming out of europe kidding yourself it will all go away if we leave is rather naive. I happen to live in a part of the UK that has benefited greatly from eu membership, it's a fairly safe bet that left to westminster the amoiunt of regional development that has play such an imnportant part in our economy now would not have taken place. Same with Eire, ask them if they want to leave.
Tell me do you really think the freedom of information act or the human rights act was a bad idea.
Both with labour and the tories we have had governments that are unrepresentative. I have always voted for parties that favour PR, if we get that then we might get away from the extremes we have been getting.
I can't stand Tony Blair, couldn't stand Maggie Thatcher either. A pox on all of them.
I consider only UKIP worth voting for since 70% of our laws are now dictated to us by unelected bureaucrats in Europe. That said, the Monster Raving Loony Party does reflect my views on the pomposity of politics!!!
so you'd rather still be affected by eu law but have no say on what gets done. Course all these other countries wanting to join to join are doing so because they see the disadvantages clearly. If we're not in the EEC then we become an insignifiucant backwater on the arse end of europe, wave goodbye to any further foriegn investment. the bulk of our manufacturing trade is with the EEC. Have a look at the business that support ukip and cjack how many are in the export business. Dp you really thgink we can negotiate seperate trade treaties with china and the US or is it better to be part of a powerful trading block.
There's a lot of daft things coming out of europe kidding yourself it will all go away if we leave is rather naive. I happen to live in a part of the UK that has benefited greatly from eu membership, it's a fairly safe bet that left to westminster the amoiunt of regional development that has play such an imnportant part in our economy now would not have taken place. Same with Eire, ask them if they want to leave.
Tell me do you really think the freedom of information act or the human rights act was a bad idea.
Both with labour and the tories we have had governments that are unrepresentative. I have always voted for parties that favour PR, if we get that then we might get away from the extremes we have been getting.
I can't stand Tony Blair, couldn't stand Maggie Thatcher either. A pox on all of them.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 8:03 am
TMC wrote: See you at the polls.
unlikely!!! but not impossible.....!
unlikely!!! but not impossible.....!
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 8:09 am
Good points, but surely the one that needs to be emphasised to demonstrate where the fault lies is that the tories/major/lamont/lawson/whoever DIDN`T want to leave ERM -even though it was DISASTROUS for this country - but events FORCED them into it. THEY were the party in power at the time of `Black Wednesday` and they STILL couldn`t see what a debacle their insistence on staying with the ERM was!!!
Who will get your vote
Posted: Wed May 04, 2005 10:49 am
john8pies
Good points, but surely the one that needs to be emphasised to demonstrate where the fault lies is that the tories/major/lamont/lawson/whoever DIDN`T want to leave ERM -even though it was DISASTROUS for this country - but events FORCED them into it. THEY were the party in power at the time of `Black Wednesday` and they STILL couldn`t see what a debacle their insistence on staying with the ERM was!!!
Yep just wouldn't admit they were wrong. I was in a traffic jam when interest rates went up to 15%, all around me people were screaming at their car radios and banging on the steering wheels, it was actually quite funny apart from the cause.
Good points, but surely the one that needs to be emphasised to demonstrate where the fault lies is that the tories/major/lamont/lawson/whoever DIDN`T want to leave ERM -even though it was DISASTROUS for this country - but events FORCED them into it. THEY were the party in power at the time of `Black Wednesday` and they STILL couldn`t see what a debacle their insistence on staying with the ERM was!!!
Yep just wouldn't admit they were wrong. I was in a traffic jam when interest rates went up to 15%, all around me people were screaming at their car radios and banging on the steering wheels, it was actually quite funny apart from the cause.
Who will get your vote
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 1:08 am
Well, it`s all over bar the shouting. surprise, surprise, Tony Blair was returned with twice as many seats as the tories (just as has been predicted for about the last 5 years) despite disaffection over the NHS, education, the war, pensions, house prices, whatever. The liberals gained a handful of seats and the tories gained 30 or so, big deal! The only big kick up the backside for the PM was the anti-war defector George Galloway getting in. I predict that "President" Blair with a useful working majority over all other parties combined of about 66 -70 seats will continue to pursue his own agenda regardless of what the actual population wants; after all, he can now say he put his ideas up and his opponents and he won comfortably, can`t he? The truth is that most people seem to vote according to whether they feel better off financially under Labour or not, and he has certainly "bribed" enough people to feel better off!!! 
Who will get your vote
Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 9:12 am
john8pies
Well, it`s all over bar the shouting. surprise, surprise, Tony Blair was returned with twice as many seats as the tories (just as has been predicted for about the last 5 years) despite disaffection over the NHS, education, the war, pensions, house prices, whatever. The liberals gained a handful of seats and the tories gained 30 or so, big deal! The only big kick up the backside for the PM was the anti-war defector George Galloway getting in. I predict that "President" Blair with a useful working majority over all other parties combined of about 66 -70 seats will continue to pursue his own agenda regardless of what the actual population wants; after all, he can now say he put his ideas up and his opponents and he won comfortably, can`t he? The truth is that most people seem to vote according to whether they feel better off financially under Labour or not, and he has certainly "bribed" enough people to feel better off!!!
No he didn't he now has a government with the lowest percentage of the overall vote since 1918, our electoral system badly needs reform. 2'3rds of the voters don't want Tony Blair. Put that another way only one in three of the population sopport him.
Well, it`s all over bar the shouting. surprise, surprise, Tony Blair was returned with twice as many seats as the tories (just as has been predicted for about the last 5 years) despite disaffection over the NHS, education, the war, pensions, house prices, whatever. The liberals gained a handful of seats and the tories gained 30 or so, big deal! The only big kick up the backside for the PM was the anti-war defector George Galloway getting in. I predict that "President" Blair with a useful working majority over all other parties combined of about 66 -70 seats will continue to pursue his own agenda regardless of what the actual population wants; after all, he can now say he put his ideas up and his opponents and he won comfortably, can`t he? The truth is that most people seem to vote according to whether they feel better off financially under Labour or not, and he has certainly "bribed" enough people to feel better off!!!
No he didn't he now has a government with the lowest percentage of the overall vote since 1918, our electoral system badly needs reform. 2'3rds of the voters don't want Tony Blair. Put that another way only one in three of the population sopport him.