To the Lib/Dems on here & supporters.

[larus]

Every Conservative government has always raised VAT as soon as they get in yet they treat us like idiots by disguising it as 'must do' to aid economic growth.

The reason being that every time they get re-elected it's because Labour have f***ed the economy with their promises of free this, free that, throw money at public services. But then again, New Labour was different, surely!!!

 

[HH Brighton]

I totally disagree. The easy thing to do would have been to hop into bed with Labour; the Lib Dems would have had a much better negotiating position and probably would have got more of their own policies adopted.

A Lib/Lab coalition wouldn't have worked wither.

Clegg showed that he WAS a man of principle by giving the Tories the opportunity to form a coalition because he recognised the country had just rejected Labour and the people didn't want more of them.

Come on. no one believes that Clegg is a man of principle. There are probably many reasons why they chose to form coalition but he has had to back down on so much any principles he held have now gone out of the window. Dress it up how you want but at the end of the day he is Cameron's puppet !!

The other point that's key is Labour didn't want to entertain the idea of coalition whereas Cameron did. I think while Cameron and Clegg are both in charge and the spirit of co-operation remains between them the coalition will do OK.

Exactly, Labour couldn't entertain the idea of a coalition because it would have meant back tracking on key principles that form the basis of any party. Clegg decided it was more important to grab a little bit of power at any cost. You've only got to look at how uncomfatably this sits with the main players within the Lib Dems.

As for the VAT increase and other government cuts I think now they're in government the Lib Dems can see just how f***ed our finances are. Drastic action has to be taken, I think they buy into that.

I don't think they've bought into it at all. They have to go along with it but before the election the Lib Dem policy was not for whole sale cuts accross the public sector regardless of whether they are needed or not. Any one with a ounce of knowledge in this area knows this part and parcel of Conservative governement and some people believe this is right but please don't dress it up as 'drastic action' to sort out our finances....LOL !!!

I believe there is no going back for the Lib Dems. They are now effectively one party, why do they keep sending seperate representatives to question tiem to wheel ou thte same answers as each other.....its a joke !!

 

[HH Brighton]

The reason being that every time they get re-elected it's because Labour have f***ed the economy with their promises of free this, free that, throw money at public services. But then again, New Labour was different, surely!!!

 

[Pavilionaire]

Tories policy has always been to try and keep a tight rein on the size and cost of the public sector but I doubt whether the cuts that are planned would have been anywhere near as severe if the economy wasn't in such a mess.

Similarly, this is the largest VAT increase for almost 20 years, so not typical Tory policy.

The point is Labour were showing absolutely NO willingness to cut government spending or curb waste, quite the opposite in fact. The Lib Dems and Vince Cable were adamant that Labour should have set funds aside when times were good and some austerity was inevitable.

One last point re the Lib Dems effectiveness. The tax-free Personal Allowance is going up by £1,000 next April, up a whopping 15%, and this is purely down to early pressure from the Lib Dems. That's worth £400 to every couple who work. There's no way it would have gone up by even half that if it had been left to the Tories.

 

[Tooting Gull]

One thing that occurs to me, and Pavilionaire has touched on it there, is to what extent the LibDems will either get credit, or be blamed (depending on your perspective) for what is going on. That will count in the long run.

There is at least an argument for saying the nature and extent of the cuts, whether you believe in them or not, will be seen as a Tory response to the situation. I'm not sure the junior coalition partner will get much credit for that, they are seen as going along with it, in some cases very awkwardly.

The things they would/should get credit for, if only for some sort of ideological/policy contribution, are the ones Pav has stated. But that message is not always being widely heard.

 

[Pavilionaire]

The abolition of the 10% tax rate band was announced in the Autumn pre-Budget and it was always going to be a disaster, it's just the politicians didn't realise this until it kicked in the following April and all hell broke loose.

In the same way, the Personal Allowance increase is going unheralded now but it will make a REAL difference to everyone next April. The Lib Dems will not only be able to take the credit but it was something Labour could have done but chose not to.

Those voters who believe the Lib Dems sold their soul to the devil might want to think about the extra £200 quid they'll have every year.

I think in 5 years time there actually won't be much of a difference in core party support. 30% will be staunch Tory, 30% Labour, 15% Lib Dem and maybe 25% floating. Whatever way you dice it the Lib Dems are still likely to hold the balance of power.

 

[Jackthelad]

Lib Dems did what they had to do, a chance in a lifetime of sharing power. Which will give them legitimacy to all the twats that go on about them not having experience of Government in decades. Lib Dems will never have a chance with this current currupt voting system we have. I think Lib Dems vote will be smashed, that's because the right wing press will be out to destroy them. If Lib Dem do get the AV voting system it will be a great day for democracy and a big f*** off to the federalist Tory scumbags. And if they don't get the AV system, then yes, the whole thing will backfire on the Lib Dems...which it will : (

 

[Pavilionaire]

I see Nick Clegg as Deputy Prime Minister introduced our World Cup bid to FIFA's representatives.

Can you imagine what a botched job Prescott would have made of it had he still had the gig, or the cringeworthiness of Gordon Brown pretending to be behind the bid when, as a Jock, he couldn't give a toss?

Mandelson, Balls, Beckett etc. Good riddance!

 

[HH Brighton]

The abolition of the 10% tax rate band was announced in the Autumn pre-Budget and it was always going to be a disaster, it's just the politicians didn't realise this until it kicked in the following April and all hell broke loose.

In the same way, the Personal Allowance increase is going unheralded now but it will make a REAL difference to everyone next April. The Lib Dems will not only be able to take the credit but it was something Labour could have done but chose not to.

Those voters who believe the Lib Dems sold their soul to the devil might want to think about the extra £200 quid they'll have every year.

I think in 5 years time there actually won't be much of a difference in core party support. 30% will be staunch Tory, 30% Labour, 15% Lib Dem and maybe 25% floating. Whatever way you dice it the Lib Dems are still likely to hold the balance of power.

This is laughable but you go ahead and see it how you wan tmate.
I can't wait for the extra £200 in my pocket whilst losing out on my childe benefit, child tac credit, hike in VAT and my wifes pay freeeze because she does an amazing job working with handicapped children.

 

[Don Quixote]

This won't last much longer. Miliband will be PM soon, all will be well.

 

[drew]

Tories policy has always been to try and keep a tight rein on the size and cost of the public sector but I doubt whether the cuts that are planned would have been anywhere near as severe if the economy wasn't in such a mess.

Similarly, this is the largest VAT increase for almost 20 years, so not typical Tory policy.

The point is Labour were showing absolutely NO willingness to cut government spending or curb waste, Absolute bollocks. Take a look at the Gershon review and what was achieved. By 2007 savings of £21b. Try to remember that prior to the credit crunch, Labour were spending a smaller percentage of GDP than the Tories were in 1997. They were also looking to deliver a further £38b of savings. Then the banks f***ed up. quite the opposite in fact. The Lib Dems and Vince Cable were adamant that Labour should have set funds aside when times were good and some austerity was inevitable.

One last point re the Lib Dems effectiveness. The tax-free Personal Allowance is going up by £1,000 next April, up a whopping 15%, and this is purely down to early pressure from the Lib Dems. That's worth £400 to every couple who work. There's no way it would have gone up by even half that if it had been left to the Tories.

You need to look at the other costs though, such as loss of tax credits, if any, increased cost due to VAT etc etc.

 

[thebazillionaire]

Oh good, endless unwinnable arguements.