Withdean11
Well-known member
Very interesting to see UKIP leading the poll. Perhaps there is more people with common sense than I thought. 
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General Election Poll
- Thread starter KingstonSeagull
- Start date
the UKIP who would get more seats under PRVery interesting to see UKIP leading the poll. Perhaps there is more people with common sense than I thought.
seagulls4ever
New member
- Oct 2, 2003
- 4,338
This is part of the reason we need a new voting system of proportional representation.
It won't happen. We had the chance a few years ago and the turnout to vote was pitiful.
seagulls4ever
New member
- Oct 2, 2003
- 4,338
Wrong voting system and not the one the LD wanted a referendum on but had to settle for.
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 36,019
porportional representation would completely destroy any lingering pretense of voting for the person and the link to a constituency. you'd be voting for the colour/leader and nothing more as party central office would decide for you who "represented" your local area.
They probably would but they'd also be under a lot more scrutiny if they had any chance of getting into government. The manifesto for the last general election was a complete joke, even Farage disowned it. That's fair enough if you have no chance of winning anything but if PR were introduced the party would have to be a lot more professional.
I reckon the current system suits them just fine - perfect for protest votes and a few seats without getting a sniff of power
pb21
Well-known member
- Apr 23, 2010
- 6,689
Its better than that for UKIP. The continued drove of tory voters to UKIP will force the tories to support more right wing policies in an attempt to entice those voters back.
withdeanwombat
Well-known member
Careful. This was the LibDem headliner in Taunton, where the LibDem Jeremy Browne (standing down this time because he knows he'll get his arras kicked and has probably got some cushy number lined up suitable for an ex junior minister) won the seat, and promptly joined the Tories in our current wonderful coalition, turning many Labour votes into Conservative ones, and causing more than a few to have their gruntle dissed.
Don't try tactical voting; vote for the person/party you truly support and let the cards fall where they may.
Scoffers
Well-known member
Big difference between a NSC Poll and a real General Election vote, but this poll is enlightening nonetheless
spring hall convert
Well-known member
Not true, arguably this system gives a stronger link as it is not biased so much by party political ties.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed-member_proportional_representation
Kuipers Supporters Club
Well-known member
PR is not perfect of course. I know it's an extreme example but the NSDAP (Nazis) took power in Germany under a Proportinal system. Even in more recent times Golden Dawn in Greece and Jobbik in Hungary have taken seats in Parliament. (Considerably the latter).
beorhthelm
A. Virgo, Football Genius
- Jul 21, 2003
- 36,019
im not familair with the details of that, it looks like it addresses some of my concern but there is still a party list element. i firmly believe if we are to change politics for the better, the first place is to shift power from party central offices back to the constituency elected members, who are our representives.
fat old seagull
New member
I would vote Liberal in Eastbourne. Not for the Party but for Stephen Lloyd their candidate. He works hard for the town and especially for the hospital. But as a party they are a shambles. But to me party politics is archaic and a strangely absurd way of running a country. I'd always vote for the candidate over the party.
Interesting what will happen this election, and I suspect UKIP despite their 'off the wall' leader will take up a bit more bum space in Westminster than some expect.
Interesting what will happen this election, and I suspect UKIP despite their 'off the wall' leader will take up a bit more bum space in Westminster than some expect.
seagull_in_malaysia
Active member
I agree, this is a fundamental flaw of the current voting system.
Goldstone Rapper
Rediffusion PlayerofYear
Single Transferable Vote is the fairest system as it takes much more into consideration, not just your first choice but also who you definitely don't want in. It enables you to make a more nuanced choice, such as mainly supporting one party but also voting for an individual for another party that is doing a good job. It retains the local link between MPs and constituents, as well as ensuring there are no wasted votes caused by massive majorities or strong second-placed candidates not getting in. It's perfect!
I agree. One of the few things that I agree with UKIP about is in their condemnation of the ruling elite and their centrally-imposed candidates. Any attempt to introduce PR would lead to this situation getting worse
Willy Dangle
New member
- Aug 31, 2011
- 3,551
Oh ok I'll vote for someone I have no belief in then.
Tend to agree but if i told you a year ago that UKIP would be leading a NSC GE poll nearly 2 weeks after it started you would have me sectioned...
burnee54
East Upper Hermit
Here's a few to be getting on with.
What a UKIP Government will do
Protecting jobs and increasing prosperity
- We would review all legislation and regulations from the EU (3,600 new laws since 2010) and remove those which hamper British prosperity and competitiveness.
– We would negotiate a bespoke trade agreement with the EU to enable our businesses to continue trading to mutual advantage.
– UKIP would not seek to remain in the European Free Trade Area (EFTA) or European Economic Area (EEA) while those treaties maintain a principle of free movement of labour, which prevents the UK managing its own borders.
– We would reoccupy the UK’s vacant seat at the World Trade Organisation, ensuring that we continue to enjoy ‘most favoured nation’ status in trade with the EU, as is required under WTO rules.
Repairing the UK Economy
– UKIP will increase personal allowance to the level of full-time minimum wage earnings (approx £13,500 by next election).
– Inheritance tax will be abolished.
– We will introduce a 35p income tax rate between £42,285 and £55,000, whereupon the 40p rate becomes payable.
– UKIP will set up a Treasury Commission to design a turnover tax to ensure big businesses pay a minimum floor rate of tax as a proportion of their UK turnover.
Reducing debts we leave to our grandchildren
– UKIP will leave the EU and save at least £8bn pa in net contributions.
– UKIP will cut the foreign aid budget by £9bn pa, prioritising disaster relief and schemes which provide water and inoculation against preventable diseases.
– UKIP will scrap the HS2 project which is uneconomical and unjustified.
– UKIP will abolish the Department of Energy and Climate Change and scrap green subsidies.
– UKIP will abolish the Department for Culture Media and Sport.
– UKIP will reduce Barnett Formula spending and give devolved parliaments and assemblies further tax powers to compensate.
Prioritising Education and Skills
– UKIP will introduce an option for students to take an Apprenticeship Qualification instead of four non-core GCSEs which can be continued at A-Level. Students can take up apprenticeships in jobs with certified professionals qualified to grade the progress of the student.
– Subject to academic performance UKIP will remove tuition fees for students taking approved degrees in science, medicine, technology, engineering, maths on the condition that they live, work and pay tax in the UK for five years after the completion of their degrees.
– UKIP will scrap the target of 50% of school leavers going to university.
– Students from the EU will pay the same student fee rates as International students.
– UKIP supports the principle of Free Schools that are open to the whole community and uphold British values.
– Existing schools will be allowed to apply to become grammar schools and select according to ability and aptitude. Selection ages will be flexible and determined by the school in consultation with the local authority.
– Schools will be investigated by OFSTED on the presentation of a petition to the Department for Education signed by 25% of parents or governors.
Honouring the Military Covenant
– We will resource fully our military assets and personnel.
– UKIP will guarantee those who have served in the Armed Forces for a minimum of 12 years a job in the police force, prison service or border force
– UKIP will change the points system for social housing to give priority to ex-service men and women and those returning from active service.
– A Veterans Department will bring together all veterans services to ensure servicemen and women get the after-service care they deserve.
– Veterans are to receive a Veterans’ Service Card to ensure they are fast tracked for mental health care and services, if needed.
– All entitlements will be extended to servicemen recruited from overseas.
– UKIP supports a National Service Medal for all those who have served in the armed forces.
The National Health Service
– UKIP will ensure the NHS is free at the point of delivery and time of need for all UK residents.
– We will stop further use of PFI in the NHS and encourage local authorities to buy out their PFI contracts early where this is affordable.
– We will ensure that GPs’ surgeries are open at least one evening per week, where there is demand for it.
– UKIP opposes plans to charge patients for visiting their GP.
–We will ensure that visitors to the UK, and migrants until they have paid NI for five years, have NHS-approved private health insurance as a condition of entry to the UK, saving the NHS £2bn pa. UKIP will commit to spending £200m of the £2bn saving to end hospital car parking charges in England.
– We will replace Monitor and the Care Quality Commission with elected county health boards to be more responsive scrutineers of local health services. These will be able to inspect health services and take evidence from whistle-blowers.
– UKIP opposes the sale of NHS data to third parties.
– We will ensure foreign health service professionals coming to work in the NHS are properly qualified and can speak English to a standard acceptable to the profession.
– UKIP will amend working time rules to give trainee doctors, surgeons and medics the proper environment to train and practise.
– There will be a duty on all health service staff to report low standards of care.
Controlling and managing our borders
– UKIP recognises the benefits of limited, controlled immigration.
– UKIP will leave the EU, and take back control of our borders. Work permits will be permitted to fill skills gaps in the UK jobs market.
– We will extend to EU citizens the existing points-based system for time-limited work permits. Those coming to work in the UK must have a job to go to, must speak English, must have accommodation agreed prior to their arrival, and must have NHS-approved health insurance.
– Migrants will only be eligible for benefits (in work or out of work) when they have been paying tax and NI for five years and will only be eligible for permanent residence after ten years.
– UKIP will reinstate the primary purpose rule for bringing foreign spouses and children to the UK.
– UKIP will not offer an amnesty for illegal immigrants or those gaining British passports through fraud.
– UKIP will return to the principles of the UN Convention of Refugees which serves to protect the most vulnerable.
Foreign Aid
– UKIP will target foreign aid at healthcare initiatives, inoculations against preventable diseases and clean water programmes with a much-reduced aid budget administered by the Foreign Office.
– British organisations will be offered the contracts to deliver the remaining aid following removal of the EU Procurement Directive.
Energy
– UKIP will repeal the Climate Change Act 2008 which costs the economy £18bn a year.
– UKIP supports a diverse energy market including coal, nuclear, shale gas, geo-thermal, tidal, solar, conventional gas and oil.
– We will scrap the Large Combustion Plant Directive and encourage the re-development of British power stations, as well as industrial units providing on-site power generation.
– UKIP supports the development of shale gas with proper safeguards for the local environment. Community Improvement Levy money from the development of shale gas fields will be earmarked for lower council taxes or community projects within the local authority being developed.
– There will be no new subsidies for wind farms and solar arrays.
– UKIP will abolish green taxes and charges in order to reduce fuel bills.
Agriculture and Fishing
– By leaving the EU, the UK will leave the Common Agricultural Policy. Outside the EU UKIP will institute a British Single Farm Payment for farms.
– UKIP will let the British parliament vote on GM foods.
– UKIP will leave the Common Fisheries Policy and reinstate British territorial waters.
– Foreign trawlers would have to apply for and purchase fishing permits to fish British waters when fish stocks have returned to sustainable levels.
– Food must be labelled to include the country of origin, method of production, method of slaughter, hormones and any genetic additives.
– UKIP will abolish the export of live animals for slaughter
Welfare and Childcare
– UKIP opposes the bedroom tax because it operates unfairly, penalising those who are unable to find alternative accommodation and taking insufficient account of the needs of families and the disabled.
– Child benefit is only to be paid to children permanently resident in the UK and future child benefit to be limited to the first two children only.
– UKIP will ensure there is an initial presumption of 50/50 shared parenting in child custody matters and grandparents will be given visitation rights.
– UKIP supports a simplified, streamlined welfare system and a benefit cap.
Transport
– We will scrap HS2.
– UKIP opposes tolls on public roads and will let existing contracts for running toll roads expire.
– UKIP will maintain pensioner bus passes.
– UKIP will require foreign vehicles to purchase a Britdisc, before entry to the UK, in order to contribute to the upkeep of UK roads and any lost fuel duty.
– UKIP will ensure that speed cameras are used as a deterrent and not as a revenue raiser for local authorities.
Housing and planning
– UKIP will protect the Green Belt.
– Planning rules in the NPPF will be changed to make it easier to build on brownfield sites instead of greenfield sites. Central government is to list the nationally available brownfield sites for development and issue low-interest bonds to enable decontamination.
– Houses on brownfield sites will be exempt from Stamp Duty on first sale and VAT relaxed for redevelopment of brownfield sites.
– Planning Permission for large-scale developments can be overturned by a referendum triggered by the signatures of 5% of the District or Borough electors collected within three months.
Democracy and the Constitution
– UKIP will overcome the unfairness of MPs from devolved nations voting on English-only issues.
– UKIP supports the recall of MPs as was originally promised in the Coalition Agreement, whereby 20% of the electorate in a constituency must sign a recall petition within eight weeks. The approval of MPs will not be required to initiate a recall petition.
– UKIP will introduce the Citizens’ Initiative to allow the public to initiate national referendums on issues of major public interest.
Law and Order
– UKIP will withdraw from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Human Rights.
– UKIP will reverse the government’s opt-in to EU law and justice measures, including the European Arrest Warrant and European Investigation Order. We will replace the EAW with appropriate bi-lateral agreements.
– UKIP will not give prisoners the vote.
– UKIP believes that full sentences should be served and this should be taken into account when criminals are convicted and sentenced in court. Parole should be available for good behaviour on a case-by-case basis, not systematically.
– We will repeal the Human Rights Act and replace it with a new British Bill of Rights. The interests of law-abiding citizens & victims will always take precedence over those of criminals.
Culture
– UKIP recognises and values an overarching, unifying British culture, which is open and inclusive to anyone who wishes to identify with Britain and British values, regardless of their ethnic or religious background.
– Official documents will be published in English and, where appropriate Welsh and Scots Gaelic.
– UKIP will ensure that the law is rigorously enforced in relation to ‘cultural’ practices which are illegal in Britain, such as forced marriages, FGM and so-called ‘honour killings’
– We will review the BBC Licence Fee with a view to its reduction. Prosecution of non-payments of the Licence Fee would be taken out of the criminal sphere and made a civil offence.
– UKIP will amend the smoking ban to give pubs and clubs the choice to open smoking rooms properly ventilated and separated from non-smoking areas.
– UKIP opposes ‘plain paper packaging’ for tobacco products and minimum pricing of alcohol.
Employment and Small Businesses
– Businesses should be able to discriminate in favour of young British workers.
– Repeal the Agency Workers Directive.
– Conduct a skills review to better inform our education system and qualifications
– Encourage councils to provide more free parking for the high street.
– Simplify planning regulations and licences for empty commercial property vacant for over a year.
– Extend the right of appeal for micro businesses against HMRC action.
These policy descisions are based on disscusions held at Doncaster 2014.
Policies in full are available at http://www.ukip-brightonandhove.org
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