Vote 2005, Week 1
 

OK so it has been announced, tony blair is giving his speal to the cameras.

Who are you going to vote for this year, or are you activly going to choose not to vote? If not why not...

aaahhh time for another pole.

Re: Vote 05
 

Though it will not make any difference to the layout of parliment, it will Mark Prisk in his seat though.

Re: Vote 05
 

I'm going to vote but haven't fully decided yet.

If I thought it would make the slightest difference I'd not vote or spoil the ballot. In the end I'll see who is least likely to mess things up more than they are just now.

Re: Vote 05
 

Well I ticked, won't be voting, thats just how I feel at the moment, nothing anyone's saying is any different and to be honest it has never made much difference to me who has gotten in.

Re: Vote 05
 

I'll vote the way that I always have (and probably always will) - suffice to say that I'm not exactly Liberal. Having said that, it wouldn't matter if I was a rabid supporter of the Liberal Democrats - I wouldn't stand for the guy who's running in Grimsby because I think he's basically full of warm gooey brown stuff, and I think that he's done very little as a councillor (and would do even less as an MP). Just my opinion, of course :angel:

Re: Vote 05
 

How about poll options for 'haven't decided' and 'none of your business'?

Then I trust we'll never see you moan about whoever gets in.

Re: Vote 05
 

I did vote in this poll.
But you are right I dont think it will make any diffrence to me my life style or anything for that matter.

As long as we dont join the EU I dont care.

Re: Vote 05
 

We've been in the EU since the 70's

Re: Vote 05
 

What!? Is Lech Walesa standing? I s'pose I could vote for him instead :D

Re: Vote 05
 

What? Bovril?

Re: Vote 05
 

Errrrrr ..... yes ..... Bovril. That's what I meant (in order to get around several slander laws ;) :D )

Re: Vote 05
 

Are you telling us that you never moan about the party YOU vote for?
Tell me who they are as if they are perfect they will get my vote.
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Euro you know what I mean..........:dozey:

Re: Vote 05
 

mmmm bovril

I could have added another couple of categories to the poll.

Im voting liberal, although im worried that I may need to tactically vote just to keep the tories out.. Im really worried about them getting in....

Re: Vote 05
 

There's some people around who would see voting Lib Dem as tactical voting anyway ;)

Re: Vote 05
 

Missing out on the spirit of a discussion board are we?

Bop, and anyone else is welcome to moan about any political party or policy that he sees fit. There is a section of society who will not vote as they feel it will make no difference or disagrees with all parties. They are entitles to an opinion just as much as anyone else.

Re: Vote 05
 

Indeed, I fully recommend anybody in Cambridge to vote LibDem to ensure that Labour gets kicked out!

Re: Vote 05
 

The problem I have is that our local Labour MP (Shona McIsaac), has actually been quite good. She was influencial in the recent bill regulating the sale of fireworks, for example, and is active in lobbying on local issues.

But- I just do not want to see another term from Tony Blair, after years of being patronised by 'spin' I want something more substantial than empty promises, and I will not vote Labour while he is likely to be Prime Minister.

Re: Vote 05
 

Do we think Mr Howard will make a good leader? I think not. He simply does not have the balls, like Hague a bit of a wimp.
At least Tony is a good leader and a bull*hiter which is what we need.
But having said that I agree with you homealone,

Re: Vote 05
 

I'll vote conservative simply because apart from them Labour would win with a landslide.

Whatever it takes to get Blair and his cronies out.

Re: Vote 05
 

Damn right! :tu:

Re: Vote 05
 

I'm not sure that I'll be able to vote, due to house moves and forgetting to register my name won't be added to the electoral register until May 3rd. Not sure if that makes me eligible to vote or not or if if I am whether I'll get my voter card in time :shrug:

Re: Vote 05
 

Why - what is the difference between their policies and the policies Labour have stolen from them?

Re: Vote 05
 

Omg politics it will be religion next arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr shoot me now

Re: Vote 05
 

:sniper::sniper:

Re: Vote 05
 

lmao:D

Re: Vote 05
 

What? Are you implying there is no difference and regardless of who gets voted in they will simply increase their own wages, reduce their hours and feather their own nests?
Now I don't beleive that for a second... ;)

Re: Vote 05
 

Im afraid i gotta lmao again :D :D :D

Re: Vote 05
 

To tell you the truth, I havent really much knowledge about all of these different parties at the moment.
I havent researched them enough.

I gues some things I would want happening is:

- Better public transport.
- Lower or abolish Student fees.
- Better health system.
- More work done to tackle crime.
- Stop criminals being let out 2 weeks after they've been sent down.

So whoever sorts that out, I'l go for that I think.

Re: Vote 05
 

You do not need the card to be able to vote - if you turn up and you are on the electoral list you can vote (it is just a little more hassle).
__________________

To be honest, I am surprised at how little time is given to get everything ready. Each constituancy has 30 days (or 21 working days) to collect nominations and deposits from those wishing to stand, print the ballot papers, send out the ballot cards or ballot papers to those registered to vote, wait for the return of the ballot papers from those registered to vote by post and set up all the polling stations (paperwork, booths, etc.)!
__________________

I guess the closest fit to that would be the LibDems with Conservative second and Labour last.

Re: Vote 05
 

To all those here who don't want to vote. Please reconsider your stance. There are millions in the world who aren't allowed to vote. Many, have died trying to gain the right to vote. You owe it to them to vote if you can........

Re: Vote 05
 

Oh right.
Some people seem to know tonnes about politics.
I havent really paid much interest. I guess I will do more when I have a job and am making a living.

Re: Vote 05
 

Didn't the lib dems spending the Tory emergency fund after they got control of Hampsire leave them rather in the mire when Sainsburys burnt down and the council got sued millions?
Didn't the Lib Dems loose the paperwork they needed to demolish the Tricorn Centre meaning it hung around for that much longer?
Didn't the Lib Dems screw up the roads comming into Portsmouth meaning it was quicker to drive from Waterlooville to Southampton for shopping than fight your way into Portsmouth, costing businesses millions and sending many to the wall?
Didn't the Lib Dems screw up the Millenium Tower so they can't make any money from souveniers amongst other contractual screw ups?
Didn't the Lib Dems turn down Virgin's offer to revamp the Tricorn and turn it into a modern multiplex cinema and shopping centre?
Didn't the Lib Dems lose the chance to have Ikea out at Tipner wreckers yard, which amongst other things would have given free park and ride into the city, reducing congestion?

Easy, the Tories did all the background thinking, planned things out, came up with the result (although people don't have to agree with it), then Labour gets wind, steals the idea, hasn't got the background knowledge and goes to implement it and screws things up.

Re: Vote 05
 

:tu:

Or spoil you ballot paper if you can't choose, at least it registers an opinion and is counted.

Cheers for that.

Re: Vote 05
 

Oops, looks like the main parties and thus the english really get to state their preference of political parties. ;)

Personally i'll be voting for the Democratic Unionist Party. The main political parties know better than to put up candidates in Northern Ireland, so its local parties all the way.

Re: Vote 05
 

but its like choosing between a horse with 3 legs and a blind horse in the National!! The trouble is they both cost you money and they need shooting ;)

Re: Vote 05
 

I will probably vote, but I have absolutely no confidence that my voice will be heard. With the possible exception of the MEP elections my electoral choice has never influenced the results here - I have never voted Tory and we have never had anything but Tory MP's and Tory councillors :( Labour & LD don't even bother canvassing.

Re: Vote 05
 

Looks like the LibDems will get my vote, they seem to be the only party who have the same view of Council Tax as myself - it is a grossly unfair system which should be scrapped and replaced with a version which is based on your ability to pay.

However Charles Kennedy would have to go: I don't want a Scottish PM.

Now before I get attacked for that, let me say neither do I want a Welsh PM. I want a PM who will not feel under pressure to pander to his own province. We know how vocal the Welsh and Scottish National parties are and I want a PM who will do what's best for the whole of the UK, not just one main area.

Re: Vote 05
 

So they have to be English or from Northern Ireland then? :confused: Well not Northern Ireland as they have enough problems to be going along with ;)
What about Blair. Do you not like him because he was educated in Scotland?

What if someone was elected (For example Tony Blair) and they decided to step down after a year and were replaced by someone else (ie. Gordon Brown)
Would you want a new election to replace the Scotsman?

Re: Vote 05
 

As much as it pains me to say this, I think an English PM would be preferrable. He (or she) is unlikely to be influenced by nationalistic principles unless they were for the UK as a whole. As for Blair I see him as being far more English than Scottish.

A new election if Brown took over? I think that's asking a bit much. However if Labour are to stay they I definately would not want Gordon Brown as PM.

It's for similar reasons that I believe Labour were never going to be more than also-rans with Kinnock in control.

Re: Vote 05
 

I shall wait to see who is running in my area. That said, I certainly shall not vote Labour, if only because I am one of the growing hordes who has no desire to see our Tone's grinning mug every time something daft is brought into legislation. Add that to the fact that I don't see him as having had much time for this country in the last eight years, and the fact that his party of fools have managed to do not a great deal in that time apart from look after themselves, and Labour it definitely ain't.

It may well be Tory as i think Mr. Howard has a lot of good ideas and deserves a chance to get the country straight again. It won't be Lib Dem as I have no faith in them, finding their thinking a little too woolly. It may be UKIP as they also have a few sound ideas. It was in the paper last week that the BNP will also have a candidate, but I can't imagine voting for them. But I did once consider voting for the Natural Law Party...!

Re: Vote 05
 

Do not think that your vote will never count, however, stranger thanings can happen.

In 1997 I voted for a minority party in a safe Conservative seat - Labour got in and I regretted it! If only half of the people who voted the same way as me had voted Conservative, Labour would not have one that seat.

In 2001 the minority part no longer existed and the Conservatives won the seat back.

That is the closest I have ever come to voting "for" Labour - I have learnt my lesson and will now vote against Labour for whichever party has the best chance of beating them.

Re: Vote 05
 

Poll edited - we now have 'undecided', and I've clarified 'Other' to show that it includes the Nationalist parties.

Re: Vote 05
 

The worrying thing is I know a number of people wanting to vote for them as a protest at the other parties. They don't agree with their politics but feel a shock of them getting a number of votes is the only thing to bring some of the other parties back to reality. :(

Re: Vote 05
 

I think the BNP have a couple o policies which they can use to try and win votes from other parties. The obvious one is immigration, but I think that the TV expose has all but killed off their chances of any real success. Had it not been aired, I have no doubt that they may have done much better in the election. The Tories have a strong policy on controlling immigration, whereas Labour seem to be the opposite... the appearance is one of "all are welcome". What they don't seem to have realised is that many people do not want an open-door policy, and whilst they don't need to worry about voters mid-term, come election time it can be very different. And that sums up a lot of Labour's government... appearing to not give a damn about what the electorate want or think.

The sad truth may well be that the Tory party win, not because of their policies, but because people have had enough of Mr. Blair and his cronies. Hey, election by default!

Re: Vote 05
 

That's what always happens though.
No one ever votes a goverment in, they always vote the current one out :D

Re: Vote 05
 

I am self employed, since this government came to power they have decimated the value of my pension, even that crook Robert Maxwell only robbed his companies pension funds of around £400 million, over the last eight years Gordon Brown has taken £40 billion out of private pension funds, someone retiring today would get a pension worth around a 1/4 of the amount that a person with identical savings would have received eight years ago.:( , the tax take directly and indirectly has increased way above the rate of inflation and I feel as though I am staggering from one tax bill to the next. Although they have thrown many millions of ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£ÃƒÆ ’‚£'s at health/education/police etc, etc, they have, by their ingrained ability to create totally meaningless jobs, made little or no difference to the problems in those services.

Labour are not a 'Tax & Spend' party, they are and always have been a 'Tax & Waste' party. Anyone like me, who has lived through past Labour administrations will be well aware of this.

The relative financial calm of the last few years was mainly brought about as a result of policies put in place before Labour came to power, allied to outside influences.
I have always found the Liberals and whoever the have linked up with in the past in an attempt to gain power, Labour, Social Democrats, Democrats etc, as woolly and over idealistic. They made a complete mess of their short time in control of the local council, however I do think that local income tax as opposed to council tax is a good idea.
Sadly I do not think that Mr Howard is likely to inspire enough people to make a difference.

Re: Vote 05
 

erm.....I think you're missing the point, not only of what I said, but of democracy generally:

If you don't vote, how is it OK to moan about who's in power? If you do vote that gives you (IMHO) much more of a right to criticise anyone involved in the process.

People that don't vote are opting out of the process.

Not at all. I think we can all have a sensible discussion about politics without necessarily nailing our political colours to the wall. There are elements within the party I will vote for that I don't necessarily agree with, there are elements of the parties that I wouldn't vote for that I do agree with - and that's all good for debate and discussion - but I don't particularly wish to tell the world who I will vote for.

In the interests of balance, he has fired two of his shadow cabinet in the last few months for not towing the party-line.

You just need the proof of address in the place where you think you're registered (probably your last house) and turn up at the relevant polling station. If in doubt give your local council a call over the next couple of weeks to clarify the position and where you should rock up to.

I think you summed up what I was trying to say...just far more eloquently than I did!

That's a pretty baseless statement...even though Kennedy might represent Inverness, he probably spends as little time there as Blair does in Sedgefield.

Don't forget, we also have a Scottish Chancellor, are you against that too?

Re: Vote 05
 

I tend to agree, but what about people who feel there are no parties worth voting for?
Personally I would spoil my ballot paper (if only that could be worked into the democratic system as "non of the above")
But what do you think that people in that situation should do? Spoil paper or not bother to vote?

Re: Vote 05
 

Don't matter if we moan or not non voters or voters cuz whoever wins we are stuck with like it or not lol

Re: Vote 05
 

Yep! definitely time for another pole with which I can beat the local useless Tory incumbant of 30 years off my doorstep if he has the cheek to knock on my door.

Peter Viggers is the most useless MP in Parliament. :mad:

Re: Vote 05
 

i doubt it, anyone would struggle to beat Helen Clarke for incompetence. She even broke down in a local hotel claiming someone had stolen her purse on a GNER train. It was investigated only to find the purse under the seat she had sat in during the journey. Now i know its not nice to loose something like that, but to publically say it was stolen with no evidence is outrageous.

Oh sorry i forgot, thats what politicans do, they make statements based on absolutely no facts at all.

Re: Vote 05
 

Why is he useless? I'd love to know.

Here's some of the things he's apparently been involved with:

Asylum

Peter has played a key part in the campaign to prevent the former HMS Daedalus site at Lee-on-the-Solent from becoming the home of an accommodation centre for asylum seekers. Together with local residents, he has argued that the quiet village on the outskirts of Gosport is wholly unsuitable as a location for such a centre.

Royal Hospital Haslar

As the hospital celebrates its 250th anniversary this year, the campaign to retain Haslar at the heart of local healthcare provision continues. The decision to close Haslar came about as a result of a review of Defence Medical Services in 1997-1998. However, Haslarââ‚Ã⠀šÃ‚¬ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚¢s caseload is 80% civilian and it is heavily relied upon by the local community. The hospital has served the civilian population of the area, and also the Army, Navy and Air Force, for many years.

A Private Finance Initiative is progressing for the redevelopment of the Queen Alexandra site in Cosham, Portsmouth, and it is anticipated that once this is settled, the longer-term future of healthcare provision can be addressed.

The official Government position remains that Haslar will close in 2007. However, the hospital has impressive facilities to offer, including superb diagnostic imaging, MRI scanners and ultrasound equipment, and Peter will continue to lead the campaign to secure greater use of the facilities and long-term survival for the hospital.

Education

Peter is keen to support the bids from Bay House, Brune Park and Bridgemary Schools for Specialist College status. In fact, he has already helped Bridgemary School to raise the £50,000 needed to put forward their Sports College bid. When completed, the school will provide top class sports facilities for use not only by pupils but also by the wider community.

Community Pharmacie

Peter has raised concerns about the threat to our local pharmacies, following the Office of Fair Tradingââ‚à ‚¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢s report in January, which recommended the abolition of all entry controls in the pharmacy sector of UK business. Petitions and representations have flooded in to Peter since the proposals were announced.

The proposals, which would result in an increase in the number of out-of-town supermarket pharmacies, would threaten to put neighbourhood pharmacies out of business. Community pharmacies are vital to the local community, particularly for the elderly and those who are unable to travel far. Peter believes that the most vulnerable in our community rely heavily upon these local services and that to place their viability at risk is unacceptable.

Dentistry

Peter has received an enormous number of complaints from local residents regarding the lack of NHS dental provision in the Gosport area. Many local dentists have opted to turn to private practice, as they do not believe they are adequately reimbursed by Government to cover the cost of NHS treatments. This has left patients either having to pay for private care, or to travel out of the area for NHS treatment elsewhere.


How Peter Viggers voted on key issues in the 2001-2005 parliament (From Public Whip) :

Moderately against introducing foundation hospitals.
Very strongly against introducing student top-up fees.
Moderately against Labour's anti-terrorism laws.
Moderately for the Iraq war.
A mixture of for and against introducing ID cards.
Very strongly against the fox hunting ban.

Spoke in 37 debates in the last year †� 134th out of 659 MPs.
Asked 43 written questions in the last year †� 269th out of 659 MPs.
Replied within 14 days to 53% of messages sent via FaxYourMP.com during 2004 †� 386th out of 590 MPs.

Re: Vote 05
 

I wonder if we could have some agreement in this topic that it doesnt become too negitive and if you are going to make a comment (i.e labour just waste money) that you prove/justify it. It seems unfair that people can make general statements (followed, of course by the :mad: smile). As this may get heated it would be a good way to keep the topic smooth and polite.

Also, it may sound stupid, but has anyone noticed how provoking the following similes can be :td::mad::upyours::2up::afire:? I suggest that we refrain from using these as they will just help add to the anger and in a topic like this we really need to do anything we can to lower the heat. Finally I just wonder if we could be less negitive about the partys as well? Labour have done some good stuff, Torys do make some good points, and so do the lib dems. It would be good to point out that there are some good points to all 3 as well as mentioning the bad. :tu:
__________________

By the way, I will be voting labour

Re: Vote 05
 

Come off it... neither of you can have heard of Fiona Mactaggart... mind you, lots of the people in Slough haven't either!

I can see a new thread arising from this..."least effective MP"...

Re: Vote 05
 

Well keep out of the thread then

Erm...only it's not baseless as I've given my reasons.

No - actually read my post and you'll see why.

Re: Vote 05
 

Oh you haven't been reading his press releases that he shoves out every quarter have you?.He was absolutely useless in the Haslar fiasco and now the local hospital authority has opted to have our A&E unit shoved into the War Memorial hospital instead.Lot of help with that Peter...That's the biggest mistake of all.Hasler's A&E was much superior and that was the battle to win.That would keep Hasler open for sure.

As for the Asylum issue well I think it's best to remember that some of knew that it would come to nothing because it would cost too much too get Deadelus fit and ready for any asylum seekers.However a section of the community got all rabid about it and Viggers joined in.He shows up for every photo opportunity he can as well.

However I dare say his track record has improved lately after all there's been an expected election looming as the year has gone by.

In the past his attendance at the House of Commons has been disgusting in comparison to other MP's.I can remember one year he was somewhere in the 500's in times of attendance at the house.Mind possibly he was down in Gosport but I doubt it.I've never actually laid direct eyes on the man and I've been a constituent of his for the last 30 years.

Oh and I never forgave him for not speaking up in defence of making Gosport a special area when all the Naval redundancies were taking place.He was emphatically against it.It would have meant that the area would have got some financial backing to help those who were made redundant and to encourage new business in the area.As a penisular town we needed all the financial help we could get.

Ah well he will no doubt get back in because he's that nice man who turns up for the photo's whenever something major is taking place...

I'd just like a change...


Oh as for who I'll be voting for..Well I guess I'll wait and see who actually stands.It's unlikely we will get much choice.

Re: Vote 05
 

Whats an honest/competant politician? :shrug: I have yet to see one and I have been trying ;)

Re: Vote 05
 

I'm very tempted by our local Monster Raving Loony Candidate's policies. A selection:

Re: Vote 05
 

I actually like the 99p coin idea!

Re: Vote 05
 

I know what you're saying, but I do not believe there is never anyone to vote for. We've all said, "they're all as bad as each other" at some point - and to some degree we're right, but there has to be a lesser of all evils in every area. What the particular circumstances were in that area at that time would sway my decision as to whom it was I voted for (if I felt indifferent, which I don't).

I do think it's about time though that we had a "none of the above" box to select. If nothing else it should be used as statistical data for how cheesed off with the selection we are in that area.

How rude.

As I said, we can all discuss politics without stating who we're voting for.

But your reasons are baseless. You might say that Tony Blair panders to the people of Sedgefield, but I doubt that he does. I think the days when we say that it's democracy based on accents are long gone.

And where would you draw the line? Born in Wales but lived in England since the age of two? As I said in my post, I doubt Kennedy spends much more time in Inverness than Blair does in Sedgefield......or comes to think about than Howard does in Folkstone or Kilroy-Silk does in the real world!

I think that's probably less to do with Kinnock being Welsh and more to do with Kinnock being an idiot :) ...something most Labourites would possibly agree with too.

I think that's genius!

Re: Vote 05
 

I am lucky as my local MP is Iain Duncan Smith. (Yes that IDS). He seems like a pretty decent guy, unless anyone knows any different i'd appreciate it if they say so. I am still ****ed off he wasn't given a chance to lead the Tories properly.

Re: Vote 05
 

I think he was given the chance....he just wasn't particularly good at it. Despite his failings as a leader, he is an incredibly articulate man - possibly more so than Blair...but Blair has the charisma and that's does win a lot of votes.

Re: Vote 05
 

I won't be voting. I did just the once many years ago, but haven't since. I've lived through 3 Prime Ministers and despite the changes, nothing has changed in my life - parents still have the same bills, I have the same bills, society is still going downhill, services are still crap. Seems to me that it doesn't matter who you vote for - all promise one thing and do another. Nothing changes :shrug:


[edit] Make that 4 - I forgot about Callaghan :D

Re: Vote 05
 

No, it was because he is ginger.

Re: Vote 05
 

:LOL: That's OK then!

Re: Vote 05
 

Well if you're fed up with his flyers, why not get some of your neighbours together and get a free skip (I take it you still can?) and fill it with them :)
Bloody marvelous idea if you ask me, wish more areas did it, would help reduce fly tipping I'm sure!

Anyway, maybe you should write to him and ask him what he's actually been doing, you've got a 53% chance of a reply in less than 14 days, not bad, although my local Tory MP responded to an out of the ordinary enquiry within 2 days (and the result answered my questions fully too!)

Must try the same enquiry with the Labour candidate...

Re: Vote 05
 

I'd probably get his latest photo strewn leaflet(Very professionally done they are too-on glossy paper in full colour) ;)

And if only The Monster Raving Loony party actually fielded a candidate here..I'd feel like I HAD some choice.

Re: Vote 05
 

I'm not voting for any of them. As there all a load of over taxing, utteruseless, underspending, selfrighteous, greedy, non careing, pigheaded, selfcentered, undermineing, minging, whineing, arrogant, hear hear, order in da house, outdated, selfindulged, narrow minded, know it all, forgetfull, make promises and don't keep em , lairs, 2 faced, full of it, don't know what planet there on, communist, left wing, right wing, middle wing, who cares wing, extremest, rule britannica, land of hope and glory mother of the sea, non military, rely on USA, care about the rest of the world, sod it's own people, money grabbing, screwing the public, bring out 2 many stupid laws, tax hiking, dictateing to the world, corrupt, To--ers.:2up: :2up: :2up: :2up: :2up:

Sorry if I left anything out:D

Re: Vote 05
 

Are they still a party?

Re: Vote 05
 

I think they changed their name to "labour"... then ditched all of their good ideas so as not to confuse people ;)

Re: Vote 05
 

Same feelings!

Re: Vote 05
 

I love election time, great fun. Difficult to see why some people seem so miserable.



:)

Re: Vote 05
 

TBH, I do tend to feel a bit marginalised because I am not elderly, female or an ethnic minority, and they tend to get courted to by politicans at election time. You'd think if I was a majority, they'd be fighting over me instead, but oh well.

I am with you though. I get all excited on election night at the thought of the result coming, and the hope that a change in leadership comes with it.

Re: Vote 05
 

Normally I'd agree but the quality of the debate this time around looks as if it will be particularly banal and therefore totally depressing. Taking yesterday as an example, Howard going on about a 'smirking' Blair. That's hardly taking the intellectual or moral high ground (and yes, before you Tory boys out there start having a pop, no doubt Labour will riposte with something equally dumb).

If anyone's interested The Guardian has today published all MPs voting records on a range of issues: Iraq, top up fees, control orders etc. Can't find it on the website for some reason though.

Re: Vote 05
 

Thanks Andy, I shall pop my sandals on and cycle down to the newsagents to buy a copy... just as soon as I've finished making my quorn and lentil bake... ;)

Joking aside, I shall get a copy as it does sound quite interesting.

Re: Vote 05
 

Doh, don't say I actually have to go and buy it, please... And aside from the money, what if someone sees me? I'd never live it down!

Re: Vote 05
 

Becoming female can now be arranged Punky, should you wish to feel enfranchised and, er, have the balls to go through with it (of course you'd then have to put up with an average lower wage, fewer career opportunities etc :) )

Granted, whatever depths the campaign sinks too, election night is always a goody.
__________________

Wrap it up in a copy of The Spectator and you'll be OK (don't go for the Telegraph; as you're about 50 years below the average readers' age people will see right through the ruse!).

Re: Vote 05
 

You left out babies, targets for kissing politicians. Don't rmember it ever happening to me when i was a baby!

I think you are wrong though, all potential voters are the target.


;)
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No way, it's great fun. Election campaigns are under way and not depressing at all. Of course there will be unpleasantness, let it go, enjoy.

:)

Re: Vote 05
 

:tu:

Too right, I'm really looking forward to it. I wish Charles Kennedy would get his fists out instead of trying so hard to polish his halo though.

Re: Vote 05
 

The worst thing about this election is we're not allowed to make any political gags on air without saying exactly the same things about the other parties - all to do with the law regarding how much broadcasting time each party is permitted. So if I told a joke about Blair, I'd need to say the same about the leaders of the other parties :disturbd:

Re: Vote 05
 

This is why the Spitting Image election night special used to be such good viewing ... a whole month of pent-up, satirical bile all exploding on screen at once. :D

It's odd how our print media can campaign as hard as they like, but the broadcast media is not.

Re: Vote 05
 

Spitting Image was a great programe and they should bring it back it use to make me chuckle.

Re: Vote 05
 

Yeah I have a real desire to see it again, especially as I was pretty young when it was last on, its hard to remember the jokes about it and stuff. I do remember Major always being grey, that was funny :)

2DTV use to feel the void SI left, but now thats off too...:cry:

Re: Vote 05
 

Hippy: Hey man, try this tab
Major: Oor thank you, I'm rather partial to murrey mints
Major: Look at all the pretty colours, there's a light grey, and a dark grey, and a sort of in between grey

Oh happy days.
If politicians were serious about getting people interested in politics, they should campain to get spitting image back on our screens!

Roy: Preshishly Neil *spittle spray*

And I'll never forget the scene where Mrs T turns in to an Alien Queen :D

Re: Vote 05
 

How about Gerald Kaufman as Hannibal Lectur: "I ate their livers with a nice Ciante"?

Or Maggie going into the gents loo and making all the cabinet ministers nervous?

Not quite so political, but I always thought it funny that the Serious crimes unit were always dressed as clowns.

Re: Vote 05
 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2...LD_UK&x=9&y=11

Back on topic very usefull guide easy use of who to vote and what they do.

Re: Vote 05
 

A couple of quotes from De Gaulle sum things up nicely in my opinion.

"Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite surprised to be taken at his word."

"In politics it is necessary either to betray one's country or the electorate. I prefer to betray the electorate."

Re: Vote 05
 

Those jokes are hilarious. I wish they would release it on DVD.

Re: Vote 05
 

Tons of useful election info and coverage here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/ukfs_news/...ics/vote_2005/

:tu: Nice one BBC, as usual.

/me is off to play with the swingometer :D

Re: Vote 05
 

After reading the link above my vote has changed all ready from other :disturbd: to conservertives :D

Re: Vote 05
 

ITV just ran a feature on immigrantion. Apparently only 8% of immigrants claim benfit (exluding EU countrys) while out of 100,000 immgrants from EU countrys only 12 claim benfit. After that they said there was no proof of health tourism and 100,000 people in the NHS are from outside the country

ITV said they got these statistics from inderpendent agencys and not goverment or party sources.

Re: Vote 05
 

Well I think 8% is still way too much...

Re: Vote 05
 

its means 92% are not. This means that even taking account some other possiblitys that immgrants add to the system than take. I think 8% is also the number of british born people on benfit (although the immgrantion one includes ALL benfits while the british one is umemployment, i dont know the full figure)

Re: Vote 05
 

Waiting lists drop again: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4423867.stm

About the wait to actually see a doctor, I (and my family) have always seen one really quick. But i dont know, have these figures gone up? Is there any proof?.

Re: Vote 05
 

I thought I read consultant, and as we all know consultants are usually very busy serving the needs of their private patients and keep NHS patients waiting, may not necessarily true of all consultants.

As far as GPs go ours is no problem, five-ten minutes your dealt with.

Re: Vote 05
 

It would fall by even more, if you made it easier for people to go private, which reduces the queue for people who can't afford to go private. No point in having private hospitals with loads of empty beds, and state hospitals leaving people on trolleys in the corridors.

The best way to do that is allow people to have the value of their NHS treatment credited towards a a private operation. So, if you imagine a NHS operation would cost £4000. It might cost £6000 private. People can't afford NI contributions, and £6000, but they can afford NI contribtions, and £2000, which would allow some people to go private, reduce the waiting list, and won't cost the NHS a penny difference.

Any party who takes that stand would get my support. Last I knew only the Tories were.

Re: Vote 05
 

And taxes rise again and again, taxes

Re: Vote 05
 

Cause and effect. Taxes go up NHS gets better

Re: Vote 05
 

Or waiting lists get "doctored" :rolleyes:

Re: Vote 05
 

Who says? Is there any real proof? People always say this about the goverment but a while ago they changed the crime recording to allow alledged incidents to be in the list along with actual convictions. Crime stats appeared to go up and the media and torys jump on this!

But where is the proof that these figures were doctored