General Election 2015 Match Day Thread (Merged)

[JM91]

That's pretty much how we are treated by all politicians. We are the worker ants and some posh kids slave. Keep working and be grateful for that pissy amount you receive, while the posh kids find more ways to hide their vast wealth away so they get to keep more for themselves and their families.

 

Be honest Bill, can you tell me how much better your income, your savings, your health, your free time was under a Labour government compared to a Tory one. I don't vote because it matters not one tiny speck who gets in, they are all in it for themselves and you are not invited to the party.

The sooner we all put down the Red and Blue rosettes and actually see what the REAL difference is the quicker this country may get some proper change for everybody. Arguing over who gets in to see a doctor at AE within 4 hours or 5 hours is petty small minded shit that fills our daily lives, it's meaningless, they are both shit.

 

What you have on offer is a choice for a dog turd with a red or blue sticker on, remove the coloured sticker and see the dog turd for what it is.

Or be realistic and realise how good we have life now. 

Past generations, other countries, you name it we have a significantly better standard of living here and now.  

[Portland Bill]

That's pretty much how we are treated by all politicians. We are the worker ants and some posh kids slave. Keep working and be grateful for that pissy amount you receive, while the posh kids find more ways to hide their vast wealth away so they get to keep more for themselves and their families.

Be honest Bill, can you tell me how much better your income, your savings, your health, your free time was under a Labour government compared to a Tory one. I don't vote because it matters not one tiny speck who gets in, they are all in it for themselves and you are not invited to the party.

The sooner we all put down the Red and Blue rosettes and actually see what the REAL difference is the quicker this country may get some proper change for everybody. Arguing over who gets in to see a doctor at AE within 4 hours or 5 hours is petty small minded shit that fills our daily lives, it's meaningless, they are both shit.

What you have on offer is a choice for a dog turd with a red or blue sticker on, remove the coloured sticker and see the dog turd for what it is.

I do agree with most of what you say mate, I just get sick of the Tory propaganda spouting out this "hard working people" bollocks continuously.

They ( and as you say, a lot of other politicians) haven't a fn clue about what it's like for us workers.

[screech]

Or be realistic and realise how good we have life now. 

Past generations, other countries, you name it we have a significantly better standard of living here and now.  

 

And it should be much much better for everybody not just the select few.

[Aussie]

Well, I started work at 6am this morning,I'm working hard ( except at this very moment!), but i'm not seeing any kind of massive benefit from it.

Just treading water is what I and millions of others are doing.

I guess working hard in your eyes is sitting behind a desk, paying the workforce a pittance and creaming the profits!

There's more than one type of working hard.

I'm on conference calls at 10pm and even some at midnight to ensure teams I have elsewhere are doing ok.

I would probably work on evenings on weekend every wkend in last year.

There's many ways of working hard. One isn't better than the other.

But I reckon I would do 60 hours per week every week.

That's life in the modern world.

[Esmond Million's Bung]

[Stoke_Gifford_Red]

This French model is a very good model, the local council don't seek to make heaps of profit, they view the long term, the increased population in their commune means extra money for the council coffers, extra trade for local business's, the difference is the strength of the housing market in Britain pretty much controls the economy, along with financial services and is controlled by developers and is designed around unsustainable house prices, that only developers can in general afford.

Also the rural areas are not abandoned, French law ensures that each sizeable commune has a infrastructure the minimum of a bakery and post office, the model is proper socialism and not profit driven, without the profiteering of developers.

My commune has in the 13 years I have been here almost doubled in size, one sizeable lottisment finished, another part finished and a 3rd having the electricity, roads, drains and pavements put in as we speak, ready to carry on the expansion.

The system leaves the buyer fully in charge, he chooses his plot size, he chooses his house design and he decides whether to self build or use a French company and the basic house price cannot be increased by a builder it is a set price.

My commune has a post office, bar, 2 schools, convenience store, bakery, 2 incredibly well maintained football pitches, 2 tennis courts, a basketball court to service less than 1,000 residents and that includes many who live in the outlying communes and I repeat not a property developer in sight.

Sounds very nice - will never happen in the UK though as there are way too many vested interests.

[Esmond Million's Bung]

Ah France. A country with a strong Socialist government. I didn't have you down as much of a fan TBH!

 

That is really funny, this 'strong socialist government' is about as popular as genital warts, with a leader whose popularity rating has touched single figures, if he had Ed's approval rating he'd be over the moon, he has sacked 2 complete cabinets already and every single main part of his election manifesto have been abandoned and on 3 occasions to my knowledge he has announced new radical policies on a Friday only to be scrapped on the Monday because they were breath takingly stupid ill judged.

 

My point about the housing market is, this local council type led scheme is engrained into the French way of life over a long period of time (not anything whatsoever to do with this 'strong socialist government') and the French don't like change and they certainly don't like profiteering property developers.

 

 

Sounds very nice - will never happen in the UK though as there are way too many vested interests.

 

 

Yes and they are called property developers.

[Portland Bill]

Take away the socialist bit and your first few lines remind me of Thatcher's ratings in 1981.

Isn't there anywhere that the French leader can manipulate a war!!

[Esmond Million's Bung]

Take away the socialist bit and your first few lines remind me of Thatcher's ratings in 1981.

Isn't there anywhere that the French leader can manipulate a war!!

 

Good idea i'll get him to ask the expert Tony Blair.

 

PS:- Recent history with France and wars, they'd probably lose to Sark.

[Red-Robbo]

This French model is a very good model, the local council don't seek to make heaps of profit, they view the long term, the increased population in their commune means extra money for the council coffers, extra trade for local business's, the difference is the strength of the housing market in Britain pretty much controls the economy, along with financial services and is controlled by developers and is designed around unsustainable house prices, that only developers can in general afford.

 

Also the rural areas are not abandoned, French law ensures that each sizeable commune has a infrastructure the minimum of a bakery and post office, the model is proper socialism and not profit driven, without the profiteering of developers.

 

My commune has in the 13 years I have been here almost doubled in size, one sizeable lottisment finished, another part finished and a 3rd having the electricity, roads, drains and pavements put in as we speak, ready to carry on the expansion.

 

The system leaves the buyer fully in charge, he chooses his plot size, he chooses his house design and he decides whether to self build or use a French company and the basic house price cannot be increased by a builder it is a set price.

 

My commune has a post office, bar, 2 schools, convenience store, bakery, 2 incredibly well maintained football pitches, 2 tennis courts, a basketball court to service less than 1,000 residents and that includes many who live in the outlying communes and I repeat not a property developer in sight.

 

Yep, there's much to admire in the way that the French have kept villages alive rather than allowing them to become places where only the very rich and retired live. Italy too. We should stop patting ourselves on the back about "working the most hours in Europe" and start looking at quality of life - commute times (and quality!), disposable income after accommodation costs, being able to live and work in the part of the country you grew up in, time spent with families, sensibly flexible approach to rules and regulations. If we focused on improving the country's productivity (the UK is worst in Western Europe) then we Brits - collectively - could enjoy a much better standard of life.

 

One thing I will congratulate the Tories for, although to be fair it was only an electoral bribe, was scrapping the fuel duty escalator.  That may have had good motives behind it, but in practice it was just a tax on living in the country. It's hardly my fault that the nearest shopping centre is 2 miles from my house, and the nearest train station is 12! I'm living in the area I grew up in. 

[Stoke_Gifford_Red]

Yes and they are called property developers.

Its not only property developers though. Existing homeowners object to change at every turn and so the political system is also against new building. None of the major parties openly support building on any form of greenfield sites and all have manifestos that continue conpkte protection for the greenbelt. At the same time they also have manifestos which object to "high density" housing such as blocks of flats etc. The population in the UK is increasing, and despite what UKIP say this is mostly due to natural changes eg more births than deaths. Furthermore, the number of households is increasing faster than the general population (older people living independently for longer, more single people etc) yet the number of houses is failing to keep up with demand so prices increase.

There is a housing crisis in this country, primarily created by a lack of supply which is exacerbated by property developers and property hoarders who just sit on land. Ultimately the only way to break the cycle of ever increasing house prices and rents is increasing the supply, but until people are happy for greater construction, including some on greenfield sites, prices will just continue to escalate.

[Mr Popodopolous]

Came across an interesting article that's vaguely Bristol based. Bristol West, seems UOB Students, well students have left wing rep tbh but not here it seems.

 

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/may/04/lib-dems-bristol-west-student-vote

 

Very sure Tories won't win this constituency but times have changed.

[Kid in the Riot]

Its not only property developers though. Existing homeowners object to change at every turn and so the political system is also against new building. None of the major parties openly support building on any form of greenfield sites and all have manifestos that continue conpkte protection for the greenbelt. At the same time they also have manifestos which object to "high density" housing such as blocks of flats etc. The population in the UK is increasing, and despite what UKIP say this is mostly due to natural changes eg more births than deaths. Furthermore, the number of households is increasing faster than the general population (older people living independently for longer, more single people etc) yet the number of houses is failing to keep up with demand so prices increase.

There is a housing crisis in this country, primarily created by a lack of supply which is exacerbated by property developers and property hoarders who just sit on land. Ultimately the only way to break the cycle of ever increasing house prices and rents is increasing the supply, but until people are happy for greater construction, including some on greenfield sites, prices will just continue to escalate.

 

The only workable solution I can see to this is a return to the government utilising compulsory purchase more and building the houses themselves instead of private developers or in conjunction with them. Freeing up of the green belt, further encouragement for developers to build on brownfield sites and the allocation of some garden cities.

 

The latest household projection figures released by the government actually show that demand has slowed down.

 

Agree about Farage. Blaming the housing crisis on immigration is absolutely laughable and when he says things like that he loses all credibility with me, and I'm sure many others.

[marshy]

The only workable solution I can see to this is a return to the government utilising compulsory purchase more and building the houses themselves instead of private developers or in conjunction with them. Freeing up of the green belt, further encouragement for developers to build on brownfield sites and the allocation of some garden cities.

 

The latest household projection figures released by the government actually show that demand has slowed down.

 

Agree about Farage. Blaming the housing crisis on immigration is absolutely laughable and when he says things like that he loses all credibility with me, and I'm sure many others.

 

You guys must be looking at different stats. to me. Still as they say there are 'lies, damn lies, and statistics'. Whichever way you look at it immigration is bound to impact upon the problem even if it is not solely to blame. You also need to take into account the age profile of recent immigrants who, being younger and healthier than the overall population, have a higher birth rate which of course increases population still further. In recent years for instance the figures I have seen indicate that over 25% of births have been to mothers born outside of the UK.

[Kid in the Riot]

You guys must be looking at different stats. to me. Still as they say there are 'lies, damn lies, and statistics'. Whichever way you look at it immigration is bound to impact upon the problem even if it is not solely to blame. You also need to take into account the age profile of recent immigrants who, being younger and healthier than the overall population, have a higher birth rate which of course increases population still further. In recent years for instance the figures I have seen indicate that over 25% of births have been to mothers born outside of the UK.

 

It has an impact of course but not a significant one. If Farage and his followers think that leaving the EU and capping immigration will solve the problem then they are sadly mistaken.

[marshy]

This French model is a very good model, the local council don't seek to make heaps of profit, they view the long term, the increased population in their commune means extra money for the council coffers, extra trade for local business's, the difference is the strength of the housing market in Britain pretty much controls the economy, along with financial services and is controlled by developers and is designed around unsustainable house prices, that only developers can in general afford.

 

Also the rural areas are not abandoned, French law ensures that each sizeable commune has a infrastructure the minimum of a bakery and post office, the model is proper socialism and not profit driven, without the profiteering of developers.

 

My commune has in the 13 years I have been here almost doubled in size, one sizeable lottisment finished, another part finished and a 3rd having the electricity, roads, drains and pavements put in as we speak, ready to carry on the expansion.

 

The system leaves the buyer fully in charge, he chooses his plot size, he chooses his house design and he decides whether to self build or use a French company and the basic house price cannot be increased by a builder it is a set price.

 

My commune has a post office, bar, 2 schools, convenience store, bakery, 2 incredibly well maintained football pitches, 2 tennis courts, a basketball court to service less than 1,000 residents and that includes many who live in the outlying communes and I repeat not a property developer in sight.

 

As you live there Esmond I have to bow to your superior knowledge of the situation in rural France. However, I have to say that the rural idyll you paint certainly conflicts with my own observations on recent walking tours, namely on the GR10 and along the Cathar Way. Some of these villages are dead or dying, you see no-one about and not even the humblest of bars open for a coffee or beer. Three spring to mind off the top of my head; Espezel, Comus, and Roquefixade.

 

Also the French don't seem to have risen to the challenge of providing accommodation along these well-marked routes:

 

Puivert: stayed in a Cd'H(B&B) run by an English couple with their 8, yes eight, children.

Espezel: Hotel run by an English guy, great chef, the only accommodation we could find.

Comus: At last a French lady, erudite and gorgeous, gave my humble French a real workout. The only other place to stay, camping and Cd'H was run by a Dutch guy.

Montsegur: Stayed in a Cd'H run by a Norwegian couple.

Roquefixade: Just one place to stay here, a Gite d'Etape run by an eccentric Frenchman who had sold up to a young English couple, taking over next year.

 

Was it George Bush who said, 'the problem with the French is that they have no word for entrepreneur' ?

[marshy]

It has an impact of course but not a significant one. If Farage and his followers think that leaving the EU and capping immigration will solve the problem then they are sadly mistaken.

 

No disrespect Kid but Ukip does not think this at all. Most of the things you and others are suggesting are contained in the Housing manifesto.

Go to the UKIP website, then to manifesto, it's on page 32. Much better to read what is actually proposed rather than to be battered by the drivel coming from a hostile media. Anyway don't dwell on the UKIP site too long, you might get to like it.

[BCFC Jimmer]

No disrespect Kid but Ukip does not think this at all. Most of the things you and others are suggesting are contained in the Housing manifesto.

Go to the UKIP website, then to manifesto, it's on page 32. Much better to read what is actually proposed rather than to be battered by the drivel coming from a hostile media. Anyway don't dwell on the UKIP site too long, you might get to like it.

 

If UKIP actually got any power life would become much worse for the average working man.  They drum the issue of immigration to trick poor/stupid/racist people into voting for them.  Anyone who can't see that is a complete moron IMO.

[marshy]

If UKIP actually got any power life would become much worse for the average working man.  They drum the issue of immigration to trick poor/stupid/racist people into voting for them.  Anyone who can't see that is a complete moron IMO.

 

Thanks for the accolade. Are you sure I'm not just a 'swivel-eyed loon and fruitcake'?

 

Oh, and with regard to your first sentence I think you will find that UKIP was the first party to propose that the so-called 'living wage' should be taken out of tax and not simply the 'minimum wage'. Again you could go to the website and check these things out rather than just throwing imbecilic insults around.

[Kid in the Riot]

No disrespect Kid but Ukip does not think this at all. Most of the things you and others are suggesting are contained in the Housing manifesto.

Go to the UKIP website, then to manifesto, it's on page 32. Much better to read what is actually proposed rather than to be battered by the drivel coming from a hostile media. Anyway don't dwell on the UKIP site too long, you might get to like it.

 

This drivel comes from your party leader and his disciples. In the first leaders debate he directly answered a question on the housing crisis by stating that "immigration was the problem". This rhetoric has been repeated ad nauseam, and why wouldn't it, it is after all what UKIP are all about...

[BCFC Jimmer]

Thanks for the accolade. Are you sure I'm not just a 'swivel-eyed loon and fruitcake'?

 

Oh, and with regard to your first sentence I think you will find that UKIP was the first party to propose that the so-called 'living wage' should be taken out of tax and not simply the 'minimum wage'. Again you could go to the website and check these things out rather than just throwing imbecilic insults around.

 

Please don't patronize me by telling me to 'check their website' because the root of my gripe runs much deeper than any policies they put on their website (which are most probably lies anyway).

 

I know someone who has funded UKIP with millions of pounds.  This person is an immigrant himself and runs business' in the UK that treat staff like crap and pay the minimum wage.  He also is a massive tax dodger and has now registered his companies overseas.  The first thing Farage would do if he had any power is cut taxes for these rich people so they keep funding them.  The fact that they constantly point their fingers at 'foreigners' is absolutely deplorable and they don't deserve the light of day. 

 

It really worries that so many people will vote for them without knowing the full facts.  Having said that, it almost doesn't bother me anymore, people will get what they deserve!

[Red-Robbo]

No disrespect Kid but Ukip does not think this at all. Most of the things you and others are suggesting are contained in the Housing manifesto.

Go to the UKIP website, then to manifesto, it's on page 32. Much better to read what is actually proposed rather than to be battered by the drivel coming from a hostile media. Anyway don't dwell on the UKIP site too long, you might get to like it.

Hostile media like the Express group that has instructed its readers to vote UKIP, Marshy?

[marshy]

 

This drivel comes from your party leader and his disciples. In the first leaders debate he directly answered a question on the housing crisis by stating that "immigration was the problem". This rhetoric has been repeated ad nauseam, and why wouldn't it, it is after all what UKIP are all about...

 

He is the only leader as far as I can see that actually answers the questions asked. Whether you like the answers is of course a different matter. As the party name suggests what UKIP is all about ''Independence'' from Europe and this is why I support them for the time being. Immigration is just one aspect of the EU pillars. Unfortunately it is the pillar that is the one that is of most concern to people in this country and the one where his opponents think he is most vulnerable.

[marshy]

Hostile media like the Express group that has instructed its readers to vote UKIP, Marshy?

 

Well it makes a change from headlines about the weather. 

 

They are late to the party though, I have been saying for ages that it was about time, given the level of support, that one of the papers got behind them, and it was hardly likely to be the Guardian.

[BCFC Jimmer]

He is the only leader as far as I can see that actually answers the questions asked. Whether you like the answers is of course a different matter. As the party name suggests what UKIP is all about ''Independence'' from Europe and this is why I support them for the time being. Immigration is just one aspect of the EU pillars. Unfortunately it is the pillar that is the one that is of most concern to people in this country and the one where his opponents think he is most vulnerable.

 

Farage has got you by the balls pal!  You have really fallen for the hysteria...shame.

 

Also, I and 90% of my friends don't think that immigration is a big issue in the UK so I don't know how you can make sweeping statements that is of 'most concern to people'.  I also live in one of the most densely populated areas of immigrants in the UK - The fact is they don't make my life worse!

[marshy]

Please don't patronize me by telling me to 'check their website' because the root of my gripe runs much deeper than any policies they put on their website (which are most probably lies anyway).

 

I know someone who has funded UKIP with millions of pounds.  This person is an immigrant himself and runs business' in the UK that treat staff like crap and pay the minimum wage.  He also is a massive tax dodger and has now registered his companies overseas.  The first thing Farage would do if he had any power is cut taxes for these rich people so they keep funding them.  The fact that they constantly point their fingers at 'foreigners' is absolutely deplorable and they don't deserve the light of day. 

 

It really worries that so many people will vote for them without knowing the full facts.  Having said that, it almost doesn't bother me anymore, people will get what they deserve!

 

Well some people will get what they deserve, under the present electoral system the vast majority of people will  be under represented. Some of course, like the 5% in Scotland, will be vastly over represented. Anyway sorry if you thought I was patronizing you, not intended, but probably, as a UKIP supporter, a mild response to being called a moron. By the way, have you had time to check the website yet?

[marshy]

Farage has got you by the balls pal!  You have really fallen for the hysteria...shame.

 

Also, I and 90% of my friends don't think that immigration is a big issue in the UK so I don't know how you can make sweeping statements that is of 'most concern to people'.  I also live in one of the most densely populated areas of immigrants in the UK - The fact is they don't make my life worse!

 

I have been in favour of leaving the EU ever since its foundation, in fact I even voted against the Common Market at the time on the grounds that I am not a fan of Customs Unions, what was then a 'Rich Man's club', and the damage that it can do to developing nations. Immigration is certainly not my main issue with the EU although you seem to want to make it so. Makes you feel good I suppose to think that you are occupying the moral high ground.

[Red-Robbo]

Well it makes a change from headlines about the weather.

They are late to the party though, I have been saying for ages that it was about time, given the level of support, that one of the papers got behind them, and it was hardly likely to be the Guardian.

I think Farage himself gets fairly benign headlines. I picked up the Independent last week and noted he had written a column in it.

UKIP candidates themselves get bad publicity, but that's because many have brought it on themselves. If three days before the election you express a desire to murder another candidate, for example, then you're going to pick up bad press, whoever's rosette you're wearing.

[Aussie]

I've decided to vote Conservative tomorrow.

It was them or UKIP and when push comes to shove Tories shade it.

They should hold Henley-on-Thames anyway so it's probably academic.

[marshy]