Christmas Tree

It's interesting you single me out there CT, perhaps it's because I have the most posts on this thread other than yourself, or perhaps it's because you're rattled? In any case, I'm sure if you read the large majority of my posts on this thread, you'll find I actually am critical of the current tory incumbents and their policies rather than previous tory governments. Your posts in this thread show you know very little, if anything about Tory policy only soundbites you have read in The Mirror. So, for instance, regarding Cameron (the present leader of the conservatives), I think he comes across as a shallow PR man Yet it is Clegg who has spent the last 10 years AS a PR man with no political conviction whatsoever. The thought of his mate Osbourne being in charge of the economy actually scares the shit out of me - do you really think he is qualified for the job or do you think that perhaps he is where he is because of his background? Is this opinion based on any fact whatsoever? Why do you think it is that virtually every business leader and even proper financial papers such as the economist and FT dont share your concerns? Could it be they know something you dont? Regarding the recent decisions that Cameron would have made during the banking crisis, it's my contention that he would have literally destroyed Great Britain plc. I'm not alone in thinking that. You didnt think that. You heard it and repeated it. Regarding present tory policies, I've discussed these several times on this thread. For me they range from the dangerous (immediate cutbacks when we are hardly out the recession), Again, repeating Gordons soundbites to the ridiculous ('Big Society' and tax breaks for married couples), to the downright evil (tax breaks for the super rich). Which ones that then? I've also pointed out that Cameron has said he will specifically target the North East regarding cutbacks - something you seemingly don't give a shit about. Linky please? Are these points present enough for you? No, just soundbites I'd also throw in the fact I know my local MP quite well and he has proved to be a good leader at constituency level. And that the tory challenger in my constituency is an evil hound. Oh, and one last thing, you have admitted you are a 'dyed in the wool' conservative, so your above comment seems a bit hypocritical, does it not?

By holding babies and greeting people with Pee stained hands. UGHHHHHHHH

If your truly undecided you should think what are the 3 most important things that matter to you and review each parties policies on each issue and go with the party that you agree with. No party will ever tick all the boxes but this should give you a good starting point for arriving at your decision. You should also take a good look at the three candidates who are local to you. Has the current mp lived up to their promises from last time? Do they get involved in local issues that matter to you? The wrong thing to do (imo) is base your decision on yesteryear. Example. The unions brought down the last Labour government in 1979. They tried it on with Thatcher and lost. However 30 years later that should have little bearin on the conservatives of today. Its like comparing New Labour to the CND Labour of the 70's Its a shame that so many people like Renton make up their mind on history, rather than current policies. (Hearing Renton talk about the Tories reminds me of a deep south white Granny talking about Negros) Think whats relevant to your life, look at the policies of each party and then decide. Oooh Lets see. Jobs. Cameron is on record saying the NE has too many public sector jobs and is clearly going to do a Maggie and fuck us over again. She destroyed our traditional employment base; he’s going to take away a large chunk of what little is left. The economy. With a conservative government hell bent on creating mass unemployment in the North East the local economy faces complete collapse. No amount of tax breaks for employing a new member of staff is going to make any difference if the region’s disposable income has been drastically reduced. Crime. Goes hand in hand with poverty. Throw in Cameron’s’ stop benefits for the unemployed for three years policy and crime will go through the roof. Even people without jobs have to eat. But hang on, if I inherit a property worth more than £20 zillion quid I won’t have to pay any capital gains tax....get in. You write like someone who drinks 60 cups of coffee a day. Back up any of these points with facts and not hysteria.

If your truly undecided you should think what are the 3 most important things that matter to you and review each parties policies on each issue and go with the party that you agree with. No party will ever tick all the boxes but this should give you a good starting point for arriving at your decision. You should also take a good look at the three candidates who are local to you. Has the current mp lived up to their promises from last time? Do they get involved in local issues that matter to you? The wrong thing to do (imo) is base your decision on yesteryear. Example. The unions brought down the last Labour government in 1979. They tried it on with Thatcher and lost. However 30 years later that should have little bearin on the conservatives of today. Its like comparing New Labour to the CND Labour of the 70's Its a shame that so many people like Renton make up their mind on history, rather than current policies. (Hearing Renton talk about the Tories reminds me of a deep south white Granny talking about Negros) Think whats relevant to your life, look at the policies of each party and then decide.

And what was her take on why it's wrong to vote for the Tories? Any scaremongering?

Now that is Ironic

Bit of both tbf

And? I don't see your point really. They aren't being stitched up because they've no chance of winning anyway. They knew that when they started campaigning. And whatever keeps the Tories out of power as far as I'm concerned, mainly because of their disdain for where I live. A good deal of MPs out there are not representing the first seat they stood for. Blair stood for Beaconsfield in a 1982 by-election and lost his deposit. They all see it as character building. You're demonstrating one of the biggest problems of society today CT - this ridiculous idealolgy that people shouldn't put themselves/be put into a position where they'd lose. There's no longer a sports day at my kid's school because 'it's unfair on those who don't win'. Utter shite! How can you ever appreciate winning anything if you don't know what it's like to lose? Alas dear craig your comparison is pants There is nothing wrong with losing but as a parent you wouldnt shout and support his classmate over your own son and hoped your own son lost.

And? I don't see your point really. They aren't being stitched up because they've no chance of winning anyway. They knew that when they started campaigning. And whatever keeps the Tories out of power as far as I'm concerned, mainly because of their disdain for where I live. Are you sure

There's lots of Bridgets out there. Each one is someones daughter, sister or mum.... Sniff sniff...

Naah, tactical voting makes perfect sense in constituencies where the party in question can't feasibly win. I suspect most potential Lib Dem voters believe in progressive politics and will be most concerned with keeping the tories out. More importantly though, the Conservatives still believe in heriditary peerage and are against electoral reform on any terms. The Lib Dems realistically need a hung parliament and a coalition with Labour for electoral reform to happen. Tell all that to the Toontastic Labour candidate (forgets her name) who has probably been working her ass off for the last year to get elected and now finds her own bosses asking voters to vote against her.

Wasnt that good like.

Thats good

The Desperate Party Labour Ministers urge voters to vote AGAINST Labour candidates to keep the Conservatives out. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/ele...010/8658694.stm This is why they have to go. The likes of Ed no Balls and Peter Hain so desperate to keep their noses in the trough that they want voters to vote against new Labour candidates. Get Rid

Fucking will be if people follow CT's sig. Credibility shredder, if one was needed. Fist talks Shite, Dave is Right

Nothing to pop champagne corks over but a stability statement is very welcome and can only help in our attempts to attract players to the club.

The Financial Times has switched allegiance to the Tories having backed Labour at the previous four General Elections. Explaining its decision to endorse the Conservatives, the paper's leader says: "This newspaper still has questions about Mr Cameron and his party. "The Tories' reflexive hostility to Europe, for instance, is worrying, whatever his protestations that he wants a constructive relationship with Brussels. "His team is young and for the most part untested. "Given the opinion polls, it is conceivable that no party will win a clear majority. "This need not be a disaster, though Britain's experience of minority or coalition governments is not reassuring. "A perverse result, such as Labour coming third in the vote and winning the most seats, would increase pressure for electoral reform, perhaps irresistibly. "But that debate must come after the election. "Britain needs a stable and legitimate government to navigate its fiscal crisis and punch its weight abroad. On balance, the Conservative party best fits the bill." The FT's endorsement of the Tories follows announcements from a series of papers over the weekend each pledging their allegiance to a particular party.

Link?

Right then, Just watched the last of the three debates and can only call it as a huge win for Cameron. The ever irritating Clegg seemed to fall very short and come across as very weak on most issues. More and more his PR background is very telling and his one trick showman act has no substance to it whatsoever. Brown did a bit better than previous debates on the economy, but then returned to a very old style 70's politician with nothing new to say just accusations and scaremongering. His presentation was awful and his plastic smile at the end was hideous. Cameron I thought was brilliant and is definitely the "change" candidate. I think he had all the answers and new ideas and expressed them very sincerely. I fully understand die hards hatred for "The Tories" but I do feel Cameron "wants" to do the right thing and is a different breed of Tory to his predecessors. I dont see the act or pretence that is very clear in Clegg and Brown but do see someone who strikes me as very genuine about the changes he wants to make. As Blair was a breath of fresh air after a stale tory government, I hope cameron will rid us of this tired Labour government. The depressing fact however is that whoever wins on Thursday, the country is well and truly financially fucked for the foreseeable future. Thanks Gordon.

bang on, Brown always comes across as being out of his depth when hes out in the world but stick him down and actually ask him serious political questions and hes regularly very good shame hes portrayed as a bungler when he isn't one, if it was ever focused on when he did well then the tories wouldnt have such a good chance of winning Thats because he constantly is. Since Blair left his own party has dallied over whether to replace him but could only come up with the very weak Milliband. I can not agree. He always seems to dodge "real" answers and instead tries to scare voters over issues. Apparently Mandelsons nickname for Brown is Captain Bungle. Thats because the only time it appeared that he was doing well was when he inherited a fantastic economy from the Tories in 1997, a point agreed upon by all political commentators.

Brilliant It’s bullshit. I know somebody with no political bias who knew Brown from his days as a Labour back bencher and they say he was a decent lad who genuinely cared about ‘ordinary’ people. He might not be media friendly but who gives a shit, I want my prime minster to be an intelligent man with good intentions – not a plastic tool who just happens to be comfortable in front of the cameras. This is one of the big problems with our democracy. It has ceased to be about policy and has turned into a vacuous image contest. All style and no substance. I might add that I haven’t voted labour for years and won’t be voting for them this time, as has been said none of the parties really have the guts to do what needs to be done to create a sustainable and healthy society instead of doing what needs to be done get elected. You can’t blame them, the media have made the two mutually exclusive. The bit I highlighted is about Cameron btw and not Brown Also, you really should vote. People are dying all over the world for democracy. Even if you feel it's a wasted vote and your favourite can't win, at least it's another number for that party / candidate and will give them encouragement to keep on fighting for that cause. Be Brave, vote for Dave.

Brilliant

I find it amazing that anyone would want to vote for a party that has once again bankrupted the country, sold off our gold, sold off all the schools and hospitals, taken us into illegal wars and has at it's heart, the biggest Tory of them all, Dark Lord Mandelson.

What do you think the filthy rich are