Poll: New poll on who you will vote for?

[Dolph]

Thanks, but what I meant was does anyone know it and understand it and can give evidence if we would be better or worse off.

They were proposing to reduce state spending through efficiency savings, they would also likely have curbed the continued expansion of the public sector.

if they could have reversed the trend of expanding deficit in 2005, it would likely have helped when the recession came.

I don't think there would have been that much difference in the approach to handling the actual recession, there may have been detail differences, and it may have been more affordable, but it is all speculation really.

 

[stockhausen]

They were proposing to reduce state spending through efficiency savings ...

Just to clarify, "efficiency savings" is a polite, socially acceptable phrase meaning "a massive increase in unemployment and reduction in services".

Quite understandably, the Tories think that whilst popular with the rich and with tax-dodgers, that proposal might not be universally popular with the majority of the electorate who on balance would be worse off.

Vote Lib-Dem - choose change!​

 

[Dolph]

Just to clarify, "efficiency savings" is a polite, socially acceptable phrase meaning "a massive increase in unemployment and reduction in services".

Or alternatively, excessive public employment is a massive and expensive scam to hide unemployment

Quite understandably, the Tories think that whilst popular with the rich and with tax-dodgers, that proposal might not be universally popular with the majority of the electorate.

Vote Lib-Dem - choose change!​

You do realise the lib dems are also planning massive efficiency savings and direct spending cuts, right? Or is it somehow different when they do it?

 

[Chris1712]

Just to clarify, "efficiency savings" is a polite, socially acceptable phrase meaning "a massive increase in unemployment and reduction in services".

Quite understandably, the Tories think that whilst popular with the rich and with tax-dodgers, that proposal might not be universally popular with the majority of the electorate who on balance would be worse off.

Vote Lib-Dem - choose change!​

You do realise that the LibDems are proposing to cut the deficit more than either Conservative OR Labour, and they intend to do it quicker and 100% with spending cuts rather than tax increases?

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Just to clarify, "efficiency savings" is a polite, socially acceptable phrase meaning "a massive increase in unemployment and reduction in services".

Quite understandably, the Tories think that whilst popular with the rich and with tax-dodgers, that proposal might not be universally popular with the majority of the electorate who on balance would be worse off.

Vote Lib-Dem - choose change!​

You're so absurd. Not only do the Lib Dems want to cut back the deficit (as far as possible) entirely through 'savage cuts' (to quote Nick Clegg), but they want to cut back the state even further than any other party.

They are free market Libertarians, you doofus.

 

[stockhausen]

... You do realise the lib dems are also planning massive efficiency savings and direct spending cuts, right? Or is it somehow different when they do it?

I do realise that the Lib-Dems are being honest and open about their plans and are somewhat less likely to transfer the handouts to the rich and to make life easier for tax-dodgers like Cashcroft, yes.

Vote Lib-Dem - choose change!​

 

[Hatter The Mad]

and are somewhat less likely to transfer the handouts to the rich and to make life easier for tax-dodgers like Cashcroft, yes.

Please tell me what shows the Conservatives will make life easier for tax dodgers and what handouts the rich will get?

By the way, have you missed the fact that the Lib Dems are proposing the biggest tax cut for the rich out of any other party (£10k tax band)?

 

[Dolph]

I do realise that the Lib-Dems are being honest and open about their plans and are somewhat less likely to transfer the handouts to the rich and to make life easier for tax-dodgers like Cashcroft, yes.

But what about the plans for massive increases in unemployment and cuts in services that they must be planning? Indeed they are pledging a greater emphasis on spending cuts than either the Tories or Labour, because they are planning to fix the budget crisis via 100% spending cuts.

Just because they have plans to adjust the tax system to be more re-distributive doesn't change the fact that they support the same policy you repeatedly attack the Tories for supporting, only even more so.

 

[Hatter The Mad]

Good old Nick "what you see is what you get" Clegg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...scovers-religion-in-time-for-polling-day.html

Praised for defying political convention when he admitted in 2007 that he was an atheist, Nick Clegg appears to have undergone a rapid conversion.

The Liberal Democrat leader, who was criticised by David Cameron for his "holier-than-thou" attitude in the first of the televised leaders' debates, has written an article for The Church of England Newspaper in which he claims that Christian values are "central" to his policies.

"My objective is to make space in society for every individual to pursue their [sic] own beliefs, and to achieve their potential," he writes. "For me that means being willing to take a stand, even on issues that may be unpopular."

 

[britboy4321]

Good old Nick "what you see is what you get" Clegg

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/new...scovers-religion-in-time-for-polling-day.html

I share the Christian religeon's beliefs on 'thou shalt not commit adultery' amongst others of their beliefs, and would certainly write it in a church newsletter if they wanted me to, yet I am definately an athiest.

He just seems to be saying he shares a lot of the moral code of the religeon. So do I. I don't believe in the big bearded one in the sky though ..

Seems like a non-story to me, the telegraph fishing around for anything after his whopping of the other two during the tv debate..

 

[Rich_L]

Methinks the Tories are getting a little worried about ol Nick....

http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/11910

Many religious people talk about how their faith informs their politics. How do you think that not believing in God affects yours?

Well, my moral frame of reference Is clearly a Judaeo-Christian one. My ethics are not insulated at all from the world of faith and organised religion. I think that fundamental concepts of tolerance, of compassion, of love for your neighbour run very deep in our culture but they are also intimately bound up with our Christian heritage. In fact, I'm very sort of proud of the fact that some of that ethos I very much espouse. You know, many members of my family are very religious and I have a great deal of admiration for the strength of their faith. (I take a great interest in people's religious faith, but I'm very non-judgemental about it. Maybe it helps a little bit that I personally don't share it.)

As it happens, I was asked [in a quick-fire interview on BBC Radio 5 Live] whether I believed in God or not and was asked to give a one-word answer: yes or no. I thought for a few seconds and thought, 'Well, I don't know whether God exists, so I can't say “yes”. So, the only logical answer is “no”.' But I'm not some rabid atheist by any stretch of the imagination. If anything, I feel almost inadequate that I don't have faith.

What an entirely reasonable stance.

 

[Dolph]

Methinks the Tories are getting a little worried about ol Nick....

I'm not actually worried about the lib dems, I'm worried about the lib dems letting Labour stay in.

I'd welcome a Con/Lib dem coalition, watching the Tories pull the lib dems to a less punishing economic policy and the lib dems pull the tories further towards a liberal social position sounds great to me.

 

[jahujames]

I share the Christian religeon's beliefs on 'thou shalt not commit adultery' amongst others of their beliefs, and would certainly write it in a church newsletter if they wanted me to, yet I am definately an athiest.

He just seems to be saying he shares a lot of the moral code of the religeon. So do I. I don't believe in the big bearded one in the sky though ..

Seems like a non-story to me, the telegraph fishing around for anything after his whopping of the other two during the tv debate..

I was waiting to see how long it would take before the media started to attack his "religious beliefs". Figures, really... The dudes come out and said, "Look... My party holds the same type of values that Christians would." Relates well to the masses, gets him a few extra votes - I don't actually see him for a second pretending that he's a Christian, so why are The Telegraph attacking this characteristic - better yet, they almost make it sound like a bad thing

Tyyyyyypical, I guess! haha

 

[Rich_L]

I'm not actually worried about the lib dems, I'm worried about the lib dems letting Labour stay in.

I'd welcome a Con/Lib dem coalition, watching the Tories pull the lib dems to a less punishing economic policy and the lib dems pull the tories further towards a liberal social position sounds great to me.

Yup, all the Tories have to do is a complete about-face on electoral reform and I'm sure it will happen. Needless to say if it does end up Lib-Lab on that basis then the Tories only have themselves to blame.

I recall reading something that even Tory supporters think at the least a referendum on ER should be given, rather than the current Tory opposition to it

Ah here we go - http://www.leftfootforward.org/2010...ry-voters-favour-electoral-reform-referendum/

 

[Dolph]

Yup, all the Tories have to do is a complete about-face on electoral reform and I'm sure it will happen. Needless to say if it does end up Lib-Lab on that basis then the Tories only have themselves to blame.

Well, given Clegg's comments on Labour's about face on electoral reform today...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ele...desperate-Gordon-Brown-cannot-be-trusted.html

I'd say it's still somewhat open, especially as it would look very bad for Clegg and his position on the rights of the electorate if he sides with the minority party (especially by vote share). Nothing would kill the long term case for both electoral reform and his party quicker than that sort of betrayal of the people, it would play right into the hands of those who oppose change.

I agree on electoral reform by the way, as long as it's not the god awful AV system (which isn't proportional) proposed by Labour.

 

[scorza]

Even without the downturn, Labour were running a huge budget deficit. Given the incredible duration of the last boom, our national finances should have been in glowing shape in 2008 - they weren't, they were in shoddy shape.

Sorry but that's just not true. Prior to the global economic crisis, the deficit was under control at less than 3% of GDP, well within EU rules and total government debt well below the EU target of 60 %. Souce.

Make no mistake, the global banking crisis has really screwed this country up.

 

[scorza]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7103318.ece

Looks like the top brass are backing Nick's plan to scrap Trident.

 

[stockhausen]

... Indeed they are pledging a greater emphasis on spending cuts than either the Tories or Labour, because they are planning to fix the budget crisis via 100% spending cuts. ...

Indeed the Lib-Dems have announced their plans, quite a novelty really, huh?

Vote Lib-Dem - choose change!​

 

[scorza]

Well, given Clegg's comments on Labour's about face on electoral reform today...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ele...desperate-Gordon-Brown-cannot-be-trusted.html

I'd say it was more of an attack on Brown than on Labour. This bit in particular should please the forum and provide even more reason to vote LibDem.

The highly personal attack on Mr Brown’s integrity will lead to further speculation that the price for any deal with Labour would be that it ditches Mr Brown as leader.

 

[stockhausen]

I share the Christian religion's beliefs on 'thou shalt not commit adultery' amongst others of their beliefs, and would certainly write it in a church newsletter if they wanted me to, yet I am definitely an athiest.

He just seems to be saying he shares a lot of the moral code of the religion. So do I. I don't believe in the big bearded one in the sky though ..

Seems like a non-story to me, the telegraph fishing around for anything after his whopping of the other two during the tv debate..

Spot on; just the Torygraph trying to make an issue about absolutely Sweet FA

Vote Lib-Dem - choose change!​