(UK) General Election

[Linnaete]

Wasn't alot of the damage already done by Blair though? I mean all the money we've borrowed was done whilst he was still in office?

I'm not too big on economics (it's my worst enemy xD) so I don't know exactly who was to blame for that.

To be fair on Labour, they have done a good job of steering the country out of the recession. I know that continuing to borrow and spend is dangerous and can get us thrown to a mess like in Greece, but I genuinely do believe it's the best method to keep the recovery on check when done correctly and not recklessly. The Tories want to cut straight away - also as risky and likely to perhaps do more damage than good.

And the Liberal Democrats want us to scrap the Pound Sterling and join the eurozone - at a time when Greece is in trouble and even Germany is struggling to keep the Euro. And the transition will most likely be a messy affair. Sorry Clegg, not a good idea.

 

[Toshiya]

And the Liberal Democrats want us to scrap the Pound Sterling and join the eurozone - at a time when Greece is in trouble and even Germany is struggling to keep the Euro. And the transition will most likely be a messy affair. Sorry Clegg, not a good idea.

Ah, I forgot about that... I don't like the Lib Dems anyway but still, that's a bad idea. Personally I don't WANT to switch the Euro and I also think it'd be a bad idea to be switching currency at a time like this...

That's partly why I like UKIP, I actually like the idea of pulling us out of the EU

 

[Noblesse Oblige]

Well Economy is not my strong suit, but I do agree with you Olivia in that adopting the Euro at a time where Greece is in shit street and Germany is struggling, would probably make the British economy worse off.

Then again, and this is from just watching Fareed Zakaria GPS, Clegg is running on the premise of change (aren't we all) but even if more people vote for the Liv Dem Party, they will not hold a majority in Parliament, so we won't be seeing Prime Minister Clegg anytime soon. But as many previous Elections in the U.S. and U.K and France and all these places has shown, anything can happen.

As I said before, I don't live in the UK, and right now I don't know who I'd put my money for still, but these are my thoughts on the election thus far.

 

[SapphireStar]

Lib Dem all the way for me.

I've actually been quite impressed by Nick Clegg though. He's a little inconsistent with his policies, but on the whole they're solid and fair. The only one of his that I'm against is his European policy.

Yarp, same here. My family are backing him due to what he says on taxes and university fees and loans. The only thing Im not keen on is joining the Euro. The pound sterling is by far more better then the Euro.


But to be honest I can see Labour winning, but its not going to put me off and Im in there on voting day making sure Clegg gets my vote!

 

[eye of the divine]

Meh I don't really want to change to the euro ( I was against changing to euro the first time round and not much has changed particullarly since this is the 2nd time Germany is struggling to cope with it.) or have the trident project go eaither other than that I don't mind Clegg.

Then theres Cameron who couldn't decide which proposals he's gonna keep which was puffed up in the media and made him look like an idiot.

Brown I like some of those policies but they sorta got us in this mess in the forst place.

So realistically I don't think any of them are a great choice to be honest with regards to whom to vote for. Wheather I am able to get to the voting polls of course is a differant matter entirely.

 

[Fiorun]

Who I will vote for I've yet to decide, however, there is not a chance in hell that I will be voting Conservatives when they only thing they could do is take the country backwards. We've only just come out of a recession, the last thing that is needed is to place the Tories in power when simply put, when it comes to economics they're clueless. Working class people are struggling to make a living so what does Cameron decide, nail the sick people by cutting their benefits by £25 to make savings. It gets even better, whilst they're doing this they're going to cut tax for the richest of people, not to mention these people are also personally known by the Tories.

Several hundred thousand public sector workers will lost their jobs, pensions will be reduced and the poor people suffer whilst the richest of people become richer. The young are unemployed, the elderly are in need of help and he wants to cut child tax credits. Fuck over the most vulnerable to help those who need it the least. Cameron is nothing short of an elitist.

 

[Linnaete]

Well, Brown hasn't done himself any favours calling that pensioner a "bigotted woman" and such. No matter how much spin the Labour-supporting press are going to try and throw in to sweeten things up, this is not going to be something that will be easily forgotten about seeing as though the mass media is such a heavy presence. What do I think? I think Brown was utterly unfortunate. For all I know, all politicians probably mutter bad things when in private. Brown was only caught out because the mic happened to be on.

To be fair to Brown, this doesn't make me think any less of Labour. When it comes to economy, health and education - they're much more important factors than this gaffe. It would be stupid for the electorate to be purely put off by Labour because of this stupid blunder, and not because of the matters that count. However, the big issue here - immigration - is something I am not pleased about with Labour at all.

Perhaps that woman may have seemed a little heavy-handed to Brown, but in my opinion there was no real reason to call her a bigot. I am also generally concerned about Labour's open door policy on immigration and I would cringe if the Lib Dems impose their amnesty policy. Calling someone generally concerned about immigration a bigot is a gigantic mistake and it only appears to fuel the view that New Labour have tabooed the issue.

I'm not a big fan of Cameron. I would rather not gamble with the Tories. Though Brown is temperamental and at times a fool - I would rather have Labour still around - or at least a Lib-Lab government.

 

[Toshiya]

Have you guys seen this?
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ele...ould-I-vote-in-the-General-Election-2010.html

It's accuracy is probably not 100% but I got 58% UKIP and 55% Conservative, which pretty much reflects my feelings
Some of the UKIP policies really appeal to me. Just a shame a) I can't vote yet and b) they're only a fringe party.
It'll be interesting to see how the 3 main guys do in the last debate tonight. I'll definitely be watching.

 

[Linnaete]

My mum just told me that she voted Conservative. On one hand, I had a little laugh about it purely because she likes Cameron's appearance. On the other hand, I wanted to call her an idiot for voting Cam just because he is more eye candy than Gordon Brown and not because of the big issues. xD

It's times like this that I wish the minimum voting age is down to 16 or something. Being 17 as this time really isn't good timing at all. I know voting isn't some amazing experience or anything, but I just want to put my political opinions into something that counts. Those who want it to keep it at 18 seem to act like that we don't suddenly form political opinions until we hit 18.

Soooo....fellow Brits, who do you think will be our government when we wake up tomorrow - unless of course you want to keep up with the poll results all throughout the night.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

No matter how much spin the Labour-supporting press are going to try and throw in to sweeten things up, this is not going to be something that will be easily forgotten about seeing as though the mass media is such a heavy presence.

I think Brown's extremely unlucky regarding the media, a large amount of papers are Tory rag so most people are reading biased coverage about how the Tories are so much better than Labour or Lib Dems, thus, instead of reading between the lines they're served biased information on a silver plater, and they lap it up.

Labour, and certainly Brown are far from their faults but they're too harshly criticised. Could the spending have been wiser? Possibly, but how many people truly know why and how much we spent on what? I read in the Independent that around £130 billion was spent on bailing out banks, the same banks that would have more than likely sent us into a situation worse than Greece if they collapsed. Brown has only been PM for half a term, I'd put money on that the situation we're in was beginning to happen a long, long time before he was in power. Although, regarding his "bigoted" comment. Recently representatives from Labour, Conservatives, Lib Dems and UKIP came to our college. They all admitted to saying things exactly like Brown. Look at Baroness Warsi representing Conservatives, "Muslims who enter politics lack morals". Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but racism takes things to a completely new level opposed to "bigoted".

My mum just told me that she voted Conservative. On one hand, I had a little laugh about it purely because she likes Cameron's appearance. On the other hand, I wanted to call her an idiot for voting Cam just because he is more eye candy than Gordon Brown and not because of the big issues. xD

Tell her to go to Greece then come back if David Cameron is in power. She probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference between the two countries. :dave:

I loathe the guy and everything he stands for. He wants to cut child benefits and sick benefits for those who need it, yet he's happy to give inheritance tax cuts to the richest people in the UK with his "Help those who need it least; make the rich, richer" policy. Cut public spending so badly hundreds of thousands of people will lost jobs, they're more than likely to cut minimum wage and he recently pretty much told one area that the old and sick will have to use voluntary money.

Personally, I was considering of voting Lib Dem because they did offer something "different" but then again, I don't think they would be beneficial for the economy, and Conservatives...well, they'd kill it completely. Thank God people the majority of the North can see through Cameron. Thus, I did vote Labour. I don't think Gordon Brown should be PM, I think he is the wrong person for the job. He's a Chancellor, not a Prime Minister.

The Iraq War debate does annoy me though, Lib Dems would have been pressured if not forced to go to war regardless of what they say. It's easy to say "We opposed the war" when you're not going to win, I watched a speech by Obama where he said he "Opposed the Iraq War" and "He would have troops out by 2009" Oh wait...it's not that easy is it.

I do completely agree with Obama though that Cameron is nothing but a lightweight.

 

[Linnaete]

I wish Gordon Brown the best of luck for his future and especially the future of his family now that he's no longer our PM. I know he wasn't the most liked PM at all in recent years, but you have to give credit to what he has done. A lot of the mess made by Labour was actually Tony Blair's. Gordon had the daunting task of steering the country through recession, which was done exceptionally well. He may have sold off our gold for a meagre price, but Gordon did do a great job ensuring the economy's recovery. I know that as a man he was flawed, but hey - nobody's perfect.

Although I'm not keen at all on David Cameron being our new PM, I still wish him the best of luck. He and Nick Clegg (an unlikely political marriage partner) will need it. The Lib Dems did have a right to side with the Tories. Siding with Labour would not have guaranteed a majority and it would have looked undemocratic anyway. What Labour needs is five years in Opposition to reform under a new leader and take on the Tories again. However, if the Tories stick to their guns (or should that be knives instead?) and cut this and cut that so quickly, I'm worried that it can hurt a lot of us.

 

[Martel]

"LibCon"? I'd be more inclined to call it "ConDem"...I did NOT want David Cameron as PM, and I'm somewhat nervous about what he's going to do...

...however, seeing that tax threshold up is wonderful - that was one of my main reasons for supporting the Lib Dems, and I'm glad to see its been incorporated...especially since the Conservatives tax policies are the worst of the three parties, in my opinion.

No Euro is good as well, although it was rather obvious...half the country would be in uproar if we became Europe's wallet any more than what we already are. It'd be an extremely stupid move.

I see a lot of abstaining...why am I not surprised? >.>

 

[Toshiya]

I'm relatively happy with the outcome, I'd much rather have had a conservative majority government but hey, coalition is better than nothing

The thing that got me annoyed was the fact that Clegg didn't help his popularity by talking over deals with both parties To me, that came across as a bit of 'double dealing', for lack of a better description. I didn't like him anyway, but now I like him even less. I'm happy with Cameron as our PM

 

[Linnaete]

After glancing at the right-wing press, they're really getting annoying now to the point that I just want to go up to Rupert Murdoch and elbow him through his own window.

Even though I'm not (nor was I ever) a big fan of Nick Clegg, does the press have to bombard him and the Liberal Democrats with insults and criticism for everything? Thanks to Cleggy, they've got their man safely in No.10! Cam is the PM now - isn't that good enough for them?

Before they slammed Clegg for even talking to Labour about a Lib-Lab deal in the first place (fair enough, Labour did come second in the election). They were warning Clegg to side with Cameron or else. Now they're calling Clegg a stupid little idiot for doing what they wanted.

So what was Clegg supposed to do? Choose no one and let Cam walk into No.10 as a minority government destined to collapse in a few months time with the whole country around him? Is it because now that Brown is gone, papers like the Daily Mail need Clegg as their new whipping boy?

 

[Jack's Smirking Revenge]

They released their agreement. Pleasantly surpised by it in fact. Heres the main points:

• Trident: Lib Dems will drop opposition to replacing nuclear missile system but will be able to "make the case for alternatives" and funding will be scrutinised
• Heathrow: Plans for third runway, opposed by both parties, will be scrapped
• Nuclear: Lib Dem spokesman will be able to speak in opposition to new power stations - and Lib Dem MPs will abstain from vote
• Higher education funding: Lib Dems allowed to abstain on votes - reflecting party's promise to abolish tuition fees in the long term
• Spending cuts: Tory plans for £6bn cuts this financial year will go ahead
• Tax: Tories sign up to Lib Dem plan to raise income tax threshold to £10,000 in the long term, which will "take priority" over Conservative inheritance tax cuts.
• There will also be a "substantial increase" in personal tax allowances for lower and middle-income people from April 2011 - rather than the Conservative plan to raise employees' NI thresholds
• But a plan to raise NI thresholds for employers will go ahead
• Voting system: Bill will be brought forward for referendum on changing to AV but parties will be able to campaign on opposite sides of argument
• Marriage/civil partnership tax breaks: Lib Dems will be allowed to abstain from votes
• Europe: Both sides agreed there would be no transfer of powers to the EU over the course of the Parliament and Britain would not join the Euro during that period
• Immigration cap: Lib Dems accept Tory plan for limit on non-EU economic migrants
• House of Lords: Both parties to back plans for wholly/mainly elected chamber elected by proportional representation
• 'Pupil premium': More funding for poorer children from outside schools budget, as demanded by Lib Dems

RUMOUR: Rumour has it Clegg is going to push for that fucking ridiculous anti-piracy act that was pushed through to be repealed.

I'm starting to like the Lib Dem policies actually. Lets see if this LibCon alliance holds up, or if Count Cameron turns all Maggie on us and closes down scotland to give money to Lord Wanksalot.

That's actually turned out quite a lot better than I was expecting. I'm not so sure about the NI thresholds but the rest of it is all pretty solid. Hopefully they'll follow through on it all.

After glancing at the right-wing press, they're really getting annoying now to the point that I just want to go up to Rupert Murdoch and elbow him through his own window.

You can't blame it on Rupert Murdoch. He put a lot of support behind Tony Blair when he was running for re-election a few years ago. The problem is Dominic Mohan, who is a Tory.

 

[Davey Gaga]

I only really paid attention to the Lib Dem policies and I'm seeing a lot of theirs in the agreement posted above, so I'm quite happy about that. I voted Lib Dem after watching the debates and reading manifestos so I suppose this works. Facebook groups were highly influential on my Tory view, not going to lie I don't know much about how they're going to "ram the country in to the ground", I don't think any party is stupid enough to do that, there must be some benefit and justification to things they want. I suppose with the Lib Dems breathing down their neck they can't get away with everything they were maybe planning. Would I be right in thinking Clegg has Cameron under his thumb because it's essentially because of him that Cameron is PM?

I'm really interested to see what happens now. What happens if Britain collapses? Well, if nothing else, it'll give Facebook a lol

 

[Sabriel]

This was a sad day. One of our PMs leaving after the shortest time spent in No. 10.

I think that if Gordon Brown received more time, he would have implemented the fantastic changes he mentioned in the campaign manifesto, but unfortunately, he was booted out. It's funny how he never mentioned the Labour Party in his leaving speech, right?

Hopefully, with Clegg by his side, Cameron WILL make fair changes for all, not just changes that benefits only one social class. One thing that annoyed me was the fact that Lib Dems received only 4(?) seats in the Cabinet; it's a coalition, where two parties merge to form a new equal government, for Christ sakes.

/ranted

 

[Linnaete]

This was a sad day. One of our PMs leaving after the shortest time spent in No. 10.

About 3 years in power, so it's not really the shortest time. There was an earlier PM who lasted over a hundred odd days. I can't remember who he was now. But yeah, 3 years is quite short to look at it because it's not even a full parliamentary term. I wonder how long Cameron will last for. ;D

I think that if Gordon Brown received more time, he would have implemented the fantastic changes he mentioned in the campaign manifesto, but unfortunately, he was booted out.

Probably - although Labour can't pass much laws as a minority government. Even with the Lib Dems, it would be probably also be a big headache for them. The Lib Dems and Labour aren't actually as friendly towards each other as you think.

One thing that annoyed me was the fact that Lib Dems received only 4(?) seats in the Cabinet

5 if you count our new Deputy PM Nick Clegg. Seeing as Cameron will be off for paternity leave soon, Clegg will temporary take over running the country. A bit of a weird thought that.

it's a coalition, where two parties merge to form a new equal government, for Christ sakes.

Coalitions don't really work like that. The Conservatives have the right to fill up most of the Cabinet with their own members because they're the larger party in the coalition. They agreed to save 5 seats for the Liberal Democrats. In coalitions, parties don't merge. They just work together.

 

[Gingerbread Lesbian]

I can't see anything but failure from both the Tories themselves and the coalition. However, it could potentially go either way. The Lib Dems could castrate the Conservatives and stop them from introducing policies that would ruin the country or Lib Dems could do basically nothing and the Conservatives could turn into a juggernaut and ruin the country. Cameron is nothing more than a Thatcherite. As long as Labour gets it right with their new leader, hopefully the Conservatives are thrown out in the next election before they do too much damage. The cracks are already showing in the ConDem Nation government.

 

[Linnaete]

A couple of days into our new ConDem (I honestly love that name xD) government and already many of our right-wing friends are displeased with Cameron allowing the coalition to tinkle with the UK Constitution without asking the electorate. I find that really funny because tinkering with the Constitution is about the last thing you would expect from a CONSERVATIVE Prime Minister. True, the Lib Dems do have a say in it and as/was a progressive party, they like the idea of changing things. However it's ironic nonetheless.

I'm just waiting to see how this coalition goes. I sort of do want the ConDems to have some success and stay in power - otherwise the country is just going to collapse economically and socially. And that's perhaps the last thing we want. On the other hand, I'm not sure if I can stomach the idea of the ConDems going into their cutting spree. I really hope the Lib Dems hold them back a bit. Cutting like that aggressively will hurt many of us - including schools and the NHS. I know we're all trying to get rid of a huge deficit, but I'm really not sure how Cameron can guarantee the protection of things like the NHS if he's so scissor-happy.

And the CameronxClegg images I have seen in the papers are priceless.