General Election 2015

[Machiavelli]

Yep, this. The Tories solution to improving the economy was to slash spending, naturally hitting hardest those who need it the most. When that caused the economy to threaten to dip into recession, they eased off and the economy slowly began to recover. At that point, Osborne was telling anyone who would listen that they were doing a good job.

As far as I'm concerned, this is rather like repeatedly punching yourself in the face, then stopping for 5 minutes before lauding the fact that your face doesn't hurt any more.

I don't care which party governs, but if you really are that worried about the levels of public spending (and personally, I'm not) then do it by increasing the taxation base - either by expanding the economy or closing some of the loopholes that need to be closed, or both.

You're not alone in using this metaphor. See:

http://www.theguardian.com/business...-austerity-labours-limp-response-paul-krugman

 

[Gwylan]

As soon as anyone mention 'efficiency', they relate this to cuts. This is why I now detest politics...

OK, here's something about efficiency that doesn't mention cuts. Why is the UK's productivity so poor compared with the rest of Europe? Whether it's the Bank of England talking about it or the BBC, we're remarkably unproductive (or inefficient) to use your words.

To be fair to the government, we've been unproductive compared to the likes of France and Germany for decades -I remember discussing this in my Economics A level, 40 years ago - but the current figures are particularly bad, the worst since the war

 

[Triggaaar]

I see the preliminary gdp figures for the first quarter of this year show
growth of 0.3% down from 0.6% for the last quarter of last year .
In terms of GDP growth per capita both would be weaker still.
It seems the slowest recovery in modern history is slowing down.

Hardly the slowest recovery in modern history: "The ONS said the economy was 2.4% larger than the same period a year earlier, meaning it remains the fastest growing economy in the G7."

 

[ROSM]

You can't win. Whichever way you look at it, the economy isn't doing bad. Growth rate has dropped slightly, but it's still growing stronger than most other developed countries. However, the left have been blinded by the rhetoric of "Evil Tories", "Spend, spend, spend".

In response to [MENTION=4251]ROSM[/MENTION], and CMD "Cameron, the prime minister who has demonstrated knowing the price of everything and value of nothing", the lefties think throwing money at public services is OK, irrespective of the value for money. As soon as anyone mention 'efficiency', they relate this to cuts. This is why I now detest politics...

Thanks, it's nice to be called a lefty....

I work in a business where we define redundancies as efficiency saving. Its just semantics.

My comment on price and value relates to the leader of the Conservative and unionist party, doing his best to stir up hatred between England and Scotland/Europe or whoever in order to save his skin. It's short term gain for long term pain. This from the worst strategic pm in recent history. There is no long term strategy, just loads of tactical wriggles

And I write this as someone who, on paper would be a natural tory voter

 

[Triggaaar]

And I write this as someone who, on paper would be a natural tory voter

When did you last vote tory?

 

[ROSM]

When did you last vote tory?

1992

 

[Triggaaar]

1992

So it's not about DC then, you write as someone who doesn't vote tory. I'm not sure what it could say on paper that would make any difference to that. Maybe it says you're well off, but wealthy people can be left wing too.

 

[ROSM]

So it's not about DC then, you write as someone who doesn't vote tory. I'm not sure what it could say on paper that would make any difference to that. Maybe it says you're well off, but wealthy people can be left wing too.

Since john major, I cannot recall anybody who has led the tory party into an election who could say they were one nation Conservatives. David Davis could have done I think.

 

[peterward]

Since john major, I cannot recall anybody who has led the tory party into an election who could say they were one nation Conservatives. David Davis could have done I think.

this, i agree with you.

Def a centrist at heart, voted Tory in 92, new labour 3 times from 97, Tory in 2010...... but the more hard left policies offered by Labour now and even more so the SNP will end in economic calamity again (where a sustained period of everyone being squeezed occurs) as it did when Labour exited in 2010, 1979 and 1964.

They just never learn, i like their social justice, but it has to be affordable without deficit and massive debt else everyone suffer.

Like a kid who is given a budget of 50p to buy something in the candy store, they will rush in bedazzled by all they can get their hands on, stuff their faces, fill their pockets and then realise they cant actually pay for it, leaving the tab for someone else, and no sweets for the next generation.

Current cons are the least worst of the bunch, Labour hasnt changed at all

 

[Triggaaar]

voted Tory in 92, new labour 3 times from 97, Tory in 2010......

Same. Haven't forgiven myself for voting Labour in 2005.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

Same

Voted Tory in 87 which was my first election, was out of the country in 92 but would have voted Labour had I been more organized and Labour ever since. My politics seem to get more left-wing and hardened with age.

 

[Triggaaar]

Voted Tory in 87

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Voted Tory in 87 which was my first election, was out of the country in 92 but would have voted Labour had I been more organized and Labour ever since. My politics seem to get more left-wing and hardened with age.

That bucks the trend. Normally people get wiser as they get older.

 

[Triggaaar]

That bucks the trend. Normally people get wiser as they get older.

It's easier to vote labour if you don't have to live with the consequences though.

 

[Gwylan]

Voted Tory in 87 which was my first election, was out of the country in 92 but would have voted Labour had I been more organized and Labour ever since. My politics seem to get more left-wing and hardened with age.

I know someone who voted Tory in 79 and SWP in 83

 

[simmo]

Thanks, it's nice to be called a lefty....

I work in a business where we define redundancies as efficiency saving. Its just semantics.

My comment on price and value relates to the leader of the Conservative and unionist party, doing his best to stir up hatred between England and Scotland/Europe or whoever in order to save his skin. It's short term gain for long term pain. This from the worst strategic pm in recent history. There is no long term strategy, just loads of tactical wriggles

And I write this as someone who, on paper would be a natural tory voter

On a related point going back to the Scots referendum of 6 months or so ago....Do you think Alex Salmond et al stirred up hatred (your terminology) between those whom wanted to leave the Union and those whom wanted to stay?

Viewing it as an Englishman (and not being affiliated to any political party) I actually do.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

I know someone who voted Tory in 79 and SWP in 83

That's some turnaround. Is he still on the correct path?

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

It's easier to vote labour if you don't have to live with the consequences though.

Oh behave. I've spent plenty of my life in the UK thank you.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

And I write this as someone who, on paper would be a natural tory voter

Interesting, you don't appear to be a selfish buffoon.

 

[Gwylan]

That's some turnaround. Is he still on the correct path?

It's a she. Not sure how she votes now, pretty sure she voted for Caroline Lucas last election but couldn't say for certain