UK general election May 2015

[Ultimatum]

It is the racist comments from their candidates, councillors and supporters that remind me of the Nazis. It is the movement of followers from the BNP to UKIP.

This has nothing to do with party policy. Or what the party stands for. It does not deserve a statement such as one stating one would vote for the Nazi Party.

Like the Nazis, UKIP builds on fear and is 'anti' rather than 'pro'; it blames all the UK's woes on 'outsiders' just like the Nazis did.

The struggling health service, oversupply in the labour market, which, in turn compresses wages, housing problems, and the failure to disintegrate "outsiders" certainly is the fault of open-door immigration. It is a massive issue which needs to be dealt with.
Also, UKIP are also "pro-" a lot of things!

Are you saying that being "anti-" anything is not respectable or substantiated? For example, being anti-EU can only be a good thing..

I know my politics very well thank you,

The fact that you would vote for the Nazi Party over UKIP clearly shows otherwise. It shows that you do not, clearly, know what the party stand for. Therefore, I can make the assumption that you need to clear up on your party-wide political knowledge.

please don't call me ignorant, name calling is a typical UKIP trick and devalues the argument. It is people like you who convince me I am correct to stay well clear of UKIP.

I did not call you ignorant--for I do not know a thing about you. I clearly implied that your statement was ignorant. The appeal to emotion is a typical lefty trick and devalues the argument.

 

[oldbadger]

I don't trust the Tories with public services, but I don't trust Labour with the economy. And like you say Lib Dems have lost the plot and lost credibility. And will the result really make much difference anyway?

Are you 52 or 62 (yrs)? The reason why I ask is that nice man Mr Cameron has said we can all keep our bus passes if he gets back in. Looking at the whole picture of World turmoils, wars, the economy, public services, the NHS, pollution, bank deceptions, etc etc....... the bus-pass could well be tipping the old slidometer hard over towards the blues!
Well, quite often I have heard folks give that kind of reason for voting.
So what can we have from Mr Clegg, or that forgettable Labour leader?

 

[Ultimatum]

It is the racist comments from their candidates, councillors and supporters that remind me of the Nazis.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

The reason why I ask is that nice man Mr Cameron has said we can all keep our bus passes if he gets back in. Looking at the whole picture of World turmoils, wars, the economy, public services, the NHS, pollution, bank deceptions, etc etc....... the bus-pass could well be tipping the old slidometer hard over towards the blues!
Well, quite often I have heard folks give that kind of reason for voting.

It's all such a game, isn't it? Appealing to the older voters and stuff. From recent personal experience with my ageing mum I know that the NHS and Council elderly care services are creaking at the seams, it feels like the whole system is on the verge of collapse, quite worrying actually.
Increasingly I just don't trust the political class, far too much scheming and spinning. I don't trust the Tories with public services but then I don't trust Labour with the economy, UKIP I can't take seriously any more, Lib-Dems I never know where they stand, Greens are confusing. As they say in my part of the world, "It's all a load of old bollocks".

 

[oldbadger]

It's all such a game, isn't it? Appealing to the older voters and stuff. From recent personal experience with my ageing mum I know that the NHS and Council elderly care services are creaking at the seams, it feels like the whole system is on the verge of collapse, quite worrying actually.
Increasingly I just don't trust the political class, far too much scheming and spinning. I don't trust the Tories with public services but then I don't trust Labour with the economy, UKIP I can't take seriously any more, Lib-Dems I never know where they stand, Greens are confusing. As they say in my part of the world, "It's all a load of old bollocks".

True. All true.
But I don't think it's the political class. I think it's the human class. The whole lot of us one heaving mass of..... of ..... turmoil.
So I'm going to enjoy the GE this year, read all the hype and razz-ma-tazz and vote for the Thanet-West UKIP contender. If Mr Farage's bunch of bouncing beauties get more than ten seats then Parliament and politics will be much more fun this next session. Folks can charge me with facetiousness, but the whole bundle of bolloqueys is going to better to watch than bloody EastEnders, anyway.

Now... about your elderly Mum. Having trod that path already, and with a very ill mother who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia..... ........ Since there is no provision in any Healthcare Insurances for great age and its conditions, and since Social Services, District Nursing, Health Visitors, Hospitals, Warden accommodations and even meals-on-wheels are all really about random chance for quality and care.......... all you can do is your best, with all the love that you have. And don't bash your own head in over every slip, trip and mistake that happens. What more can you do?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Now... about your elderly Mum. Having trod that path already, and with a very ill mother who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia..... ........ Since there is no provision in any Healthcare Insurances for great age and its conditions, and since Social Services, District Nursing, Health Visitors, Hospitals, Warden accommodations and even meals-on-wheels are all really about random chance for quality and care.......... all you can do is your best, with all the love that you have. And don't bash your own head in over every slip, trip and mistake that happens. What more can you do?

Thank you. It's difficult not to feel guilty and confused at times when dealing with elderly parents. I've had a very difficult time recently with my mum, she had another bad fall and nearly died, she's 91 with worsening dementia and minimal mobility now after a broken hip. She was living alone in an "independent living" flat with no support. Social Services were threatening to return her to her old flat, a ridiculous idea which would have put her at serious risk, but I'd made that difficult by giving notice on her flat, and fortunately her landlord supported me. I'm sure it was all about trying to find a cheap solution, but of course they won't admit that.
Anyway she has just been transferred to a nursing home in west London which is definitely what she needed, I hope she'll be OK there. Initially I offered to have her living with me, but I couldn't have coped with her here needing full-time nursing care.
As you'll know there have been cuts to elderly care budgets for local councils, and the NHS is completely overwhelmed with bed-blocking and ridiculous pressure on A&E, ambulances waiting for hours outside, and so on.
It's all very worrying. The system is going to need massive investment to cope, but will they put taxes up to pay for it? The political class would probably be scared of suggesting that, but actually I think the public at large would be quite happy to pay more. I think the NHS is fantastic and we are very lucky to have it.

 

[Mycroft]

So you think they'll get an overall majority and not need the Lib-Dems?

Perhaps. If the Tories do need a coalition, then it will most likely be with the Green Party. I don't think, after everything, the Liberal Democracts will secure enough votes to be included in any sort of coalition again.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

I don't think, after everything, the Liberal Democracts will secure enough votes to be included in any sort of coalition again.

I was wondering about that, I get the impression that many of their core supporters will be having second thoughts after the last 5 years. So you think they will lose a large number of their seats in May?

 

[Mycroft]

I was wondering about that, I get the impression that many of their core supporters will be having second thoughts after the last 5 years. So you think they will lose a large number of their seats in May?

If we're honest with ourselves, we can readily identify that we don't have a coalition government now. All of the policies that have been made since the coalition came into power have been decidedly Conservative. The Lib Dems are nothing more than the office juniors.

I very much suspect that those who voted for the Lib Dems five years ago will, this year, be placing their votes with the Green Party. Some will have gone to UKIP, but not a meaningful amount.

 

[oldbadger]

Thank you. It's difficult not to feel guilty and confused at times when dealing with elderly parents. I've had a very difficult time recently with my mum, she had another bad fall and nearly died, she's 91 with worsening dementia and minimal mobility now after a broken hip. She was living alone in an "independent living" flat with no support. Social Services were threatening to return her to her old flat, a ridiculous idea which would have put her at serious risk, but I'd made that difficult by giving notice on her flat, and fortunately her landlord supported me. I'm sure it was all about trying to find a cheap solution, but of course they won't admit that.
Anyway she has just been transferred to a nursing home in west London which is definitely what she needed, I hope she'll be OK there. Initially I offered to have her living with me, but I couldn't have coped with her here needing full-time nursing care.
As you'll know there have been cuts to elderly care budgets for local councils, and the NHS is completely overwhelmed with bed-blocking and ridiculous pressure on A&E, ambulances waiting for hours outside, and so on.
It's all very worrying. The system is going to need massive investment to cope, but will they put taxes up to pay for it? The political class would probably be scared of suggesting that, but actually I think the public at large would be quite happy to pay more. I think the NHS is fantastic and we are very lucky to have it.

Thankyou for your reply. I read your post carefully and my thoughts are with you just now. Just keep keeping on going. What more could I say?
Yes. The NHS saved my wife's life last year. I reckon that they spent more on her specialists, operations, critical care and high dependency after-care than our little home is worth. Says it all, really, doesn't it?

 

[Rick O'Shez]

The NHS saved my wife's life last year. I reckon that they spent more on her specialists, operations, critical care and high dependency after-care than our little home is worth. Says it all, really, doesn't it?

Yes, that "free at the point of demand" principle is so precious, I think we are so lucky to have the NHS. Imagine being seriously ill and having to worry about how to pay for the treatment, or when your medical insurance cover was going to run out. I hope you're wife is doing OK now by the way.
My sister has also been very unwell, these things always seem to come at the wrong time. But hopefully we'll all be OK.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

All of the policies that have been made since the coalition came into power have been decidedly Conservative. The Lib Dems are nothing more than the office juniors.

Probably that's inevitable given their minority role in the government. On TV interviews I notice that Lib-Dem MPs and ministers are always quick to say what they've achieved in government, like raising the tax threshold to benefit low earners and the pupil premium and.....er, well I can't remember any more which is the problem for them I guess! Probably they've pulled the Tories back into the centre somewhat. There's also that problem of their pledge on student tuition fees of course.

 

[oldbadger]

If we're honest with ourselves, we can readily identify that we don't have a coalition government now. All of the policies that have been made since the coalition came into power have been decidedly Conservative. The Lib Dems are nothing more than the office juniors.

I very much suspect that those who voted for the Lib Dems five years ago will, this year, be placing their votes with the Green Party. Some will have gone to UKIP, but not a meaningful amount.

I thought that the liberals did rather well in demanding a referendum about ending '1st past the post' elections.
I thought the conservatives did well to make that referendum happen.
I think that the British voters did rather badly when they ignored the opportunity and supported '1stPTP' elections.

The liberals have made a difference to some Gov policies, not that the electorate will have remembered. The only person to be needing to retire or step back imo is Mr Clegg. But the liberals will give up many seats this time.

 

[oldbadger]

Probably that's inevitable given their minority role in the government. On TV interviews I notice that Lib-Dem MPs and ministers are always quick to say what they've achieved in government, like raising the tax threshold to benefit low earners and the pupil premium and.....er, well I can't remember any more which is the problem for them I guess! Probably they've pulled the Tories back into the centre somewhat. There's also that problem of their pledge on student tuition fees of course.

Although the C's have seemed to do well with the UK's finances, that Bedroom tax was yet another typical example of what would happen if they ever should win a landslide victory. The Bedroom tax reminds me of Poll tax.

I want a Government that will reduce the blame that is dished out upon benefits cheats and massively increase the blame towards the tax cheats......... and the criminal element which has invaded our major company boardrooms. We need good level investigation and punishments at both ends of the wealth structure.

And as for those in powerful positions who favour and protect their 'club-member' mates......... I wonder whether Mr Farage would have a clear out, or take advantage of all the tasty offers........ it's difficult to know....

 

[Rick O'Shez]

We need good level investigation and punishments at both ends of the wealth structure.
And as for those in powerful positions who favour and protect their 'club-member' mates......... I wonder whether Mr Farage would have a clear out, or take advantage of all the tasty offers........ it's difficult to know....

Yes, most of the Tory leadership are millionaires, and the claim that "we're all in it together" rings very hollow. As for Farage, I think he used to be in the city, and his "man-of-the-people" image is not really that convincing.

 

[oldbadger]

Yes, most of the Tory leadership are millionaires, and the claim that "we're all in it together" rings very hollow. As for Farage, I think he used to be in the city, and his "man-of-the-people" image is not really that convincing.

All true.
Still, if a few UKIP MPs can be produced I'll buy more newspapers, so that I can read about the things they have blurted out in public places. At present I don't buy any newspapers unless I've forgotten to have my book with me and want a cafe breakfast. Tasty reports of outrageous nonsense on the front pages might tempt me more often.

But I do want more political parties to have seats, and if we are very lucky we might one day have coalition Govs like Israel's. I like the idea of a big party having to suck up to parties such as the 'Senior Citizen's knitting and sewing party' in order to get its three seats, etc........ brilliant! (Yes.... we promise to abolish VAT on wool and cotton! )

 

[Rick O'Shez]

But I do want more political parties to have seats, and if we are very lucky we might one day have coalition Govs like Israel's. I like the idea of a big party having to suck up to parties such as the 'Senior Citizen's knitting and sewing party' in order to get its three seats, etc........ brilliant! (Yes.... we promise to abolish VAT on wool and cotton! )

Yes the "silver" vote is increasingly important, not just because of an ageing population but because those young 'uns can't be arsed to vote! I have definitely got more conservative as I've got older, but apparently that's normal?

 

[Ultimatum]

Yes, most of the Tory leadership are millionaires, and the claim that "we're all in it together" rings very hollow. As for Farage, I think he used to be in the city, and his "man-of-the-people" image is not really that convincing.

An image is the by-product of what one stands for. Since 1992, Farage has held the same opinion, throughout great ridicule and irrelevance, until the current day. What he stands for, namely leaving the EU, will benefit the average working-class man or woman. Therefore, he naturally has the image of "man-of-the-people".
Sure, he worked in the city for a commodities exchange company, but this is more than you can say for those at the top of politics at the moment who went straight into research offices and then into politics. Most politicians have never actually worked in the private sector.

 

[oldbadger]

An image is the by-product of what one stands for. Since 1992, Farage has held the same opinion, throughout great ridicule and irrelevance, until the current day. What he stands for, namely leaving the EU, will benefit the average working-class man or woman. Therefore, he naturally has the image of "man-of-the-people".
Sure, he worked in the city for a commodities exchange company, but this is more than you can say for those at the top of politics at the moment who went straight into research offices and then into politics. Most politicians have never actually worked in the private sector.

I reckon that Farage will gain Thanet South seat, and the other Thanet seats may also become UKIP.
Masses of South East Londoners came into East Kent over the last 50 years, and they have strong feelings which fit more closely with UKIP policies than any other party.

So we're going to see, hear and read a very great deal about Mr Farage over the next few years.

 

[Ultimatum]

I reckon that Farage will gain Thanet South seat, and the other Thanet seats may also become UKIP.
Masses of South East Londoners came into East Kent over the last 50 years, and they have strong feelings which fit more closely with UKIP policies than any other party.

So we're going to see, hear and read a very great deal about Mr Farage over the next few years.

Oh, UKIP will take South Thanet by storm, I guarantee you that. The latest Survation poll puts him way ahead of anyone else. Now, I know that I have said that polls are mathematically pointless, but when polls are taken for a smaller turnout of voters, they begin to paint a very realistic picture of what is coming. UKIP will take many seats in Kent alone.

We're certainly going to hear a lot about him coming up to the General Election. Unfortunately, most of what we will hear will be slanderous and an appeal to emotion over actual political/economical (depending) arguments.