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Originally Posted by Chris T
Lucky for you. You'd be in a mess otherwise. I suggest, though, that you are canvassing in a constituency that has not had problems related to Labour's bungling asylum and immigration policy. Even senior Labourites are conceding that it will be an issue in certain areas of the country, which is why the Tories are using the 'dog whistle' technique, speaking relevant messages to the people who need to hear it.
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The Tory campaign on immigration is designed to scare people to death. Consider one vital ingredient that you and the Tory propagandists misout. Any sensible discussion of immigration statistics must consider emigration statistics:
I suggest you read:
FactCheck
The year 2002: 359,000 UK residents moved overseas.
The year 2003: 362,000 UK residents moved overseas.
The net difference hardly qualifies for alarm.
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Their economic policies are costed and verified by the IFS just the same as Labour and Tory policies are. For someone who spends their days actively campaigning for a political party I'm sad to say I find the arguments you put to be sadly lacking in substance.
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Substance? Consider the vague notion of imposing a 50% tax on those earning over £100,00 0 pa. This rather vague idea seems quite magically resolve many Lib dem spending plans, it is quite frankly difficult for anyone to see how such an idea will resolve tax spending plans.
Consider:
FactCheck
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If Tory rule from 1979-1997 was the continuous, unmitigated disaster you say it is, please answer two questions, if you can:
1. Why were they elected for four continuous terms?
2. Why has Labour since 1997 not sought to undo Tory structural reforms to the economy?
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The answer to 1: The Labour Party was unfortunatetly in a mess at that time, there was no real opposition due to internal difficulties, made worse by the betrayal of the gang of four and the formation of the SDP.
The answer to 2: This is old ground; reasons were given in 1997 to continue as before, using Tory spending plans in place, which since then is of course is no longer the case. Privatisation has a role and I like many others accept such changes were necessary. Remember though that many former publically owned industries were sold off at below market values.Council House sales were clearly popular and I think we made a mistake on this one, you must realise of course that the sales were at knock down prices and were not at market rates.