Does it REALLY matter who the next party in power is?
Discussion
I have been doing lots of thinking as I am sure a lot of us have about the upcoming election and its possible outcomes.
I have listened to speeches by lots of parties, read commentary and seen a variety of things in the media. The one thing that strikes me is that they are almost all capable of telling the majority of people what they want to hear.
Labour have said some things I agree with, the Conservatives have too, Liberal Democrats have some decent ideas, and some of the minor parties including the BNP have said some common sense stuff. But they all also have their flaws and also come up with stupid policies and hollow promises that amount to nothing.
Is there ever going to be more than changes dictated by a few senior civil servants to create jobs for their friends no matter who is 'In power'?
I have listened to speeches by lots of parties, read commentary and seen a variety of things in the media. The one thing that strikes me is that they are almost all capable of telling the majority of people what they want to hear.
Labour have said some things I agree with, the Conservatives have too, Liberal Democrats have some decent ideas, and some of the minor parties including the BNP have said some common sense stuff. But they all also have their flaws and also come up with stupid policies and hollow promises that amount to nothing.
Is there ever going to be more than changes dictated by a few senior civil servants to create jobs for their friends no matter who is 'In power'?
Yes it does matter.
If the same lot are in power for too long they get comfortable and then push more and more control and tax demands upon the mere mortals who pay for them.
Most administrations make plans in the first term that can only realistically be impemented over a longer time period than the first term, if you have a 3 term administration like we are "enjoying" the government seems to stall and turn stale while costing more for less actual service.
In short change them often and keep them reminded of who is in charge.
If the same lot are in power for too long they get comfortable and then push more and more control and tax demands upon the mere mortals who pay for them.
Most administrations make plans in the first term that can only realistically be impemented over a longer time period than the first term, if you have a 3 term administration like we are "enjoying" the government seems to stall and turn stale while costing more for less actual service.
In short change them often and keep them reminded of who is in charge.
Puggit said:
I want the current lot out and never want them back. The Tories will offer far less intrusion in to my daily life (they may even let me have my childrens' friends round for longer than 2 hours)
Exactly.It matters that Labour muppetry and Libdim idiocy are nowhere near power in this country. What to do in a vote...hmmm...
Puggit said:
I may be broadly right wing, but I'm not an automatic Tory voter.
However, I want the current lot out and never want them back. The Tories will offer far less intrusion in to my daily life (they may even let me have my childrens' friends round for longer than 2 hours)
the thing is.. you won't ever get this lot backHowever, I want the current lot out and never want them back. The Tories will offer far less intrusion in to my daily life (they may even let me have my childrens' friends round for longer than 2 hours)
parties change, politicians come and go
The Tory party of today is nothing like the Tory party from the early 90's for example.
And Tory t
ttery?
ttery?Getragdogleg said:
Yes it does matter.
If the same lot are in power for too long they get comfortable and then push more and more control and tax demands upon the mere mortals who pay for them.
Most administrations make plans in the first term that can only realistically be impemented over a longer time period than the first term, if you have a 3 term administration like we are "enjoying" the government seems to stall and turn stale while costing more for less actual service.
In short change them often and keep them reminded of who is in charge.
I agree. A good turnaround is essential. So long as when they get in, there isn't too big a majority like Blair had.If the same lot are in power for too long they get comfortable and then push more and more control and tax demands upon the mere mortals who pay for them.
Most administrations make plans in the first term that can only realistically be impemented over a longer time period than the first term, if you have a 3 term administration like we are "enjoying" the government seems to stall and turn stale while costing more for less actual service.
In short change them often and keep them reminded of who is in charge.
Halb said:
I agree. A good turnaround is essential. So long as when they get in, there isn't too big a majority like Blair had.
I disagree, a turnaround for its own sake is bad. That's the 'thinking' that lumbered the country with Bliar in the first place, time for change and all that nonsense. Not that I voted for socialist charlatanism then or since.IN theory, Tories mean less state interference in your life. That means less Quangos, less Civil Servants as 5 a Day Co-Ordinators etc. This means less cash p***ed away, therefore lower taxation.
Of course, currently the Tory Govt (when they get in) will need to keep taxation at a fairly high level simply to cover the debt the Labour Govt have managed to get us in (as usual).
Of course, currently the Tory Govt (when they get in) will need to keep taxation at a fairly high level simply to cover the debt the Labour Govt have managed to get us in (as usual).
Yes. Labour had their chance and messed up so badly it's long beyond a joke. not for the first time either. Yet again the tories (assuming they win) will be left with a country in a shambles, and be expected to fix it.
Only this time it's worse than ever and the hypocrisy seemingly knows no bounds, and in true labia style they'll put their fingers in their ears, sing loudly, and ignore the public when they start to turn, continuing to push on with their objectives.
Whilst 'honest politician' is an oxymoron regardless of party, labour are the last party whose nose I'd want in the taxpayers trough. They've bankrupted us and continued to try and strip the british public of their liberties, thus it's long overdue they were stripped of their leadership. If I never see them in power again I'll be a happy man. If I do I'll be an ex-pat.
Only this time it's worse than ever and the hypocrisy seemingly knows no bounds, and in true labia style they'll put their fingers in their ears, sing loudly, and ignore the public when they start to turn, continuing to push on with their objectives.
Whilst 'honest politician' is an oxymoron regardless of party, labour are the last party whose nose I'd want in the taxpayers trough. They've bankrupted us and continued to try and strip the british public of their liberties, thus it's long overdue they were stripped of their leadership. If I never see them in power again I'll be a happy man. If I do I'll be an ex-pat.
Edited by Stu R on Thursday 1st October 08:16
It matters a great deal.
The public finances must be fixed, otherwise we face national bankruptcy.
Labour will try and preserve the client state on welfare and all the legions of non jobs they have created. Only the Conservatives have what it takes to cut public spending while preserving essential services.
The public finances must be fixed, otherwise we face national bankruptcy.
Labour will try and preserve the client state on welfare and all the legions of non jobs they have created. Only the Conservatives have what it takes to cut public spending while preserving essential services.
turbobloke said:
Halb said:
I agree. A good turnaround is essential. So long as when they get in, there isn't too big a majority like Blair had.
I disagree, a turnaround for its own sake is bad. That's the 'thinking' that lumbered the country with Bliar in the first place, time for change and all that nonsense. Not that I voted for socialist charlatanism then or since. said:
Only the Conservatives have what it takes to cut public spending while preserving essential services.
It was the essential services the Torys had a bit of an issue with in the past. But Cameron's push to drag the party bulk more to the centre may fix that, is he genuine or not...we shall see precious
Edited by Halb on Thursday 1st October 08:49
If UKIP were in with a shout I would say it would make a great deal of difference.
Problem at the moment is most of the things the British might like to vote on aren't on the table at election.
Death Penalty
Withdrawal from Europe
Scottish Independence
Ending the Afghan war
Major reform of the Criminal Justice system / Prisons
Deportation of Illegal Immigrants
Closed borders
Reduction in the number of MPs
Break up of the NHS
Direct public election of Police Chiefs
All of these issues to my knowledge aren't available to the electorate as a choice, whoever gets in.
We are fiddling at the margins of the type of reforms that might actually be required
Gargamel said:
If UKIP were in with a shout I would say it would make a great deal of difference.
Problem at the moment is most of the things the British might like to vote on aren't on the table at election.
Death Penalty
Withdrawal from Europe
Scottish Independence
Ending the Afghan war
Major reform of the Criminal Justice system / Prisons
Deportation of Illegal Immigrants
Closed borders
Reduction in the number of MPs
Break up of the NHS
Direct public election of Police Chiefs
All of these issues to my knowledge aren't available to the electorate as a choice, whoever gets in.
We are fiddling at the margins of the type of reforms that might actually be required
All good subjects to debate. Would you prefer we voted on them in referendums?Problem at the moment is most of the things the British might like to vote on aren't on the table at election.
Death Penalty
Withdrawal from Europe
Scottish Independence
Ending the Afghan war
Major reform of the Criminal Justice system / Prisons
Deportation of Illegal Immigrants
Closed borders
Reduction in the number of MPs
Break up of the NHS
Direct public election of Police Chiefs
All of these issues to my knowledge aren't available to the electorate as a choice, whoever gets in.
We are fiddling at the margins of the type of reforms that might actually be required
No; the two party system is broadly steered by a 'politically correct' media which prevents any meaningful deviation from de facto 'safe' policy trajectories.
The result is a form of unconscious, political consensus - a coalition, almost - which invariably means nothing gets done.
Things stagnate and the quagmire of social decline in an environment of an impossibly large (and spiralling ever higher) population becomes a vicious circle of depression which effectively throttles the nation.
Whilst a few, happy clappy imbeciles trott around in their 'dinky,' designer defined lifestyle bubbles, the dread reality is that Albion is finished; sunk without a trace and the only salvation is via some Nosher Powellesque bruiser who really doesn't give a flying f@ck and is prepared to expose himself on QT with a rousing "bks!"
Labour are just hopeless, hapless commies, generally whilst The CMD Movement are little more than the next generation of chinless, silver spooned dogmatists without the gravitas of their media impervious, noble forbears.
To paraquote Crazy Larry from the impossibly superb 'Layer Cake,' "democracy, is for poofs."
The result is a form of unconscious, political consensus - a coalition, almost - which invariably means nothing gets done.
Things stagnate and the quagmire of social decline in an environment of an impossibly large (and spiralling ever higher) population becomes a vicious circle of depression which effectively throttles the nation.
Whilst a few, happy clappy imbeciles trott around in their 'dinky,' designer defined lifestyle bubbles, the dread reality is that Albion is finished; sunk without a trace and the only salvation is via some Nosher Powellesque bruiser who really doesn't give a flying f@ck and is prepared to expose himself on QT with a rousing "b
ks!"Labour are just hopeless, hapless commies, generally whilst The CMD Movement are little more than the next generation of chinless, silver spooned dogmatists without the gravitas of their media impervious, noble forbears.
To paraquote Crazy Larry from the impossibly superb 'Layer Cake,' "democracy, is for poofs."
Halb said:
Gargamel said:
If UKIP were in with a shout I would say it would make a great deal of difference.
Problem at the moment is most of the things the British might like to vote on aren't on the table at election.
Death Penalty
Withdrawal from Europe
Scottish Independence
Ending the Afghan war
Major reform of the Criminal Justice system / Prisons
Deportation of Illegal Immigrants
Closed borders
Reduction in the number of MPs
Break up of the NHS
Direct public election of Police Chiefs
All of these issues to my knowledge aren't available to the electorate as a choice, whoever gets in.
We are fiddling at the margins of the type of reforms that might actually be required
All good subjects to debate. Would you prefer we voted on them in referendums?Problem at the moment is most of the things the British might like to vote on aren't on the table at election.
Death Penalty
Withdrawal from Europe
Scottish Independence
Ending the Afghan war
Major reform of the Criminal Justice system / Prisons
Deportation of Illegal Immigrants
Closed borders
Reduction in the number of MPs
Break up of the NHS
Direct public election of Police Chiefs
All of these issues to my knowledge aren't available to the electorate as a choice, whoever gets in.
We are fiddling at the margins of the type of reforms that might actually be required
With modern technology, there is no reason why the electorate should not be able to have an increasing contribution to policy. With internet and 'phone access, why bother with the middle men - the constituency MPs - at all?
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