How would you Govern the UK?

[Oxide™]

Wall-o-text™

Recently I have been reading the 3 big parties policies having never read about politics before, and it shocks me that the most obvious things to me, policy wise, are not being implemented. In fact, the opposite in most cases is currently being implemented for civil workers to uphold. It just makes me think why aren't they doing the obvious?

And it really, really gets my back up, so following are some policies, thoughts and views that I would want to see implemeted the most during my virtual tenure.

Who are you? I Immigrated to the UK 6 years ago from South Africa, so if you thinking, well if you don't like it then go back to your own country, then the back button is up there, I'm expressing my freedom of speech Maybe someone in the next potential government will happen across this thread and get some insight on how the ordinary working class, like myself, feel.

I would sum my government up in one word: Fair

The aim: Contributors are treated fairly and cherished by the government. Non contributors can suck an egg.

Schooling: Give control back to the teachers and none of this softy softy approach. If a kid is frequently undisciplined/unruly then they need to be removed from the school/seperated from those who want to learn. Conscript them into the military for a wake up/bring back corporal punishment for these offenders (I was smacked when I was naughty and I turned out alright *twitch*). Seperate classes for those kids that are slow at learning so they get the required attention and the others aren't being held up. Grown ups are in control here.

Benefits: Only for those that deserve to be on state benefits ie the disabled, JSA for people actively seeking employment etc. Freeloaders need not apply, that's what charity is for. People who contribute to tax will actively see and appreciate the help the state will provide when you are in need, and not feel that they are being shunned in favour of fraudsters playing the system for free. Set up training programs for the unskilled to work for themselves oneday and begin to contribute back to society.

Tax: Will be slightly (3%) higher to pay for investigative committees that ensure honest people that contribute, will be taken care of by the government when in need (JSA, housing, pension, schooling, NHS, elderly, longer paternity) and dishonest people that sponge or take the mick (criminals, tax fraudsters, freeloaders, corrupt government officials) will be found out and appropriate action taken.

Military: As long as we have people in this country who put their lives on the line to defend it's borders and beliefs then we as a country will support them 100%. Be it an increase in pay, readily available up-to-date equipment and continued support for their families even after returning home. They deserve your respect and support.

Voting: Wars have been fought and people have died so that you have your freedom and right to vote. Voting is compulsory. If you don't want to vote for how you feel the country should be run then you don't have any right to moan when it's not run how you would like. EDIT: go vote, even if you tick the abstain box, at least you voted for what you believe in.

Police and Prisons: Increase pay to the police, firefighters, coast gaurd, border protection agencies etc. and abolish all unnecessary paperwork. Let them do their job and not fill out forms all day. Ability to search whoever they reasonably suspect of doing no good but be mindful of consequences/backlash of abusing this responsibilty. Build more prisons and increase spending in rehabilitation programmes for those wanting to try and fit back into society. Stricter sentences all round and ones that match the crime. If the court is 100% sure you commited murder then the death penalty is an option, dabbled in peadophilia? then you may have your bits cut off etc. We will not tolerate those who abuse human rights and no pansified sentences for criminals.

EU: Joining the EU ain't gonna happen, we have our own identity and currency thank you very much.

Immigration: Basically implement Australia's non softy softy approach. Just say no - asylum seeker go! Those asylum seekers sponging off the state and that have no valid reason for being here will be deported. Implement a points system for those wanting to gain entry and work in the UK. Tighter border protection.

Apologies if the wording is not uber formal, I'm not a politician/lawyer/doctor, I work in IT support. There are loads more policies I have not mentioned but the above are the ones I feel the most strongly about.

 

[Cyanide]

For a start they can scrap the horrendous age discrimination in regards to benefits and redundancy. They seem to think if you're under 25 and you lose your job then that's fine as you won't have a mortgage and bills to pay. It's a joke.

 

[vagwest]

hand the country over to tesco

surely to god they'd do a better job than the folks running it atm

 

[AMG]

I have to say I agree to all of that only one thing, the EU can **** off, technicly we are already part of the EU

I agree with schools, a bit of disapline and this country will be a lot better and yes I am born and lived in this country all my life (20years) i also think its my gen that reined the country

I would add this, what about the homeless people, people in prsions get more rights than what they do

 

[Kenai]

WITH AN IRON FIST

 

[ElliorR]

I broadly agree with what the OP said, though I will never believe in the death penalty though life should mean life.

Compulsory voting. I used to agree with this but I am so disillusioned now there should be a "non of the above" option on the ballot paper.

Here's my few...

If a company closes a factory/call center etc to move the jobs abroad they are taxed more harshly.

Those above a certain pay level, TBD, should have private health care for non emergency's. This would help take some of the strain off the NHS.

Everyone would be entitled to having their birthday off as an extra holiday (serious one I really believe in )

The house of Lords would become an elected body. This would stop non elected people becoming government ministers as we have currently.

And, I expect controversially, the abolition of the monarchy.

 

[SlyReaper]

Wall-o-text™

That's not a wall of text, it has paragraphs. What would happen if I ran the country:

Schooling: not much to add to yours, except I don't think I'd do the military service thing. The military has enough to worry about without having to look after a bunch of little scrotes.

Benefits: JSA withdrawn after X weeks unless the person can provide evidence that they have been putting effort into jobseeking. Benefit payouts would reflect how much you'd paid in taxes in your life. So there would be a base rate, but people who had worked for 30 years would have a higher rate to reflect the fact that they'd put more in the government's coffers than some layabout.

Tax: Income tax I'd leave as it is. While I like the Lib Dem's idea of raising the personal allowance to 10k, I have to wonder if they can afford to do that. I'd get rid of road tax and just rely on fuel tax; the amount of fuel tax you pay over a year draws your road tax so much you have to ask if there's any point to it. And that way, the more you drive, the more tax you pay. Seems fairer that way.

Military: Not sure I'd do anything with the military except provide the personnel with the equipment they need to do their jobs (something the current government don't seem to be very good at). From a selfish perspective, I'd raise the MOD's budget somewhat. I work in defence, so I cringe whenever I hear of defence budget cuts.

Voting: I'm confused by your stance here. Yeah, people have died to give you the right to vote, but surely that includes the freedom to not vote if you so choose? A low voter turnout can be a useful thing in itself because it indicates popular apathy.

Police and Prisons: Get rid of the bleeding paperwork and let them do their jobs!

EU: I like the EU. I'd rather we threw our lot in with the EU than the US.

Immigration: Call me a liberal **** if you will, but I have no problem with people immigrating. This doesn't mean giving them handouts, it means giving them the same legal status as a local Brit. They can either find work or they can live in poverty with the rest of the chavs.

 

[gman1981]

Compulsory voting. I used to agree with this but I am so disillusioned now there should be a "non of the above" option on the ballot paper.

There is at the moment, although not an actual box, but if you spoil you ballot paper (scribble all over it for example) it is counted as a soilt paper, or abstension.

Oh and in regards to the OP agre mostly, not so much about death penalty, or military service but it certainly needs to be harsher for naughty kids and criminals these days.

 

[Dolph]

Are we talking about how we would run things from their current state, or how we would run them in our ideals?

While one can lead to the other, the way you would approach them is fundamentally different, especially with the size of the national debt and so on, which would certainly limit options at present.

 

[Indy500]

For a start they can scrap the horrendous age discrimination in regards to benefits and redundancy. They seem to think if you're under 25 and you lose your job then that's fine as you won't have a mortgage and bills to pay. It's a joke.

Mortgages up to £200k are covered after 13 weeks of claiming JSA aren't they? Failing that I'd like to see some genuine not-for-profit housing encouraged.

Or, alternatively, if HB was completely scrapped then rentals\property values would not be artificially propped up, making life easier in the long run for most of us. It would also produce savings that could either be translated to tax cuts or reducing deficits.

 

[Biohazard]

I'd dismember it.

 

[Oxide™]

snipped....

I agree with some of your suggestions Also I edited my voting section in the OP

Are we talking about how we would run things from their current state, or how we would run them in our ideals?

While one can lead to the other, the way you would approach them is fundamentally different, especially with the size of the national debt and so on, which would certainly limit options at present.

Anything you like mate, be it ideas for a better government or how you would currently fix things

 

[rypt]

I'd vote for Oxide, though he'd first have to explain his climate change, government quango and road/motoring policies.
He'd also need to explain his taxation policy with regards to stealth taxes and overall tax rate.

Plus he'd need to legalise guns

 

[mattheman]

Housing: mass building of social home, long term lower council tax based on 5 % earns for all, council tax based on land not property, and have a max cap, council tax paid by landowner.
40% tax on second and more homes.

Benefits: no tax credits 30 billion saved, no child benefits.
taxrogresive tax system.

NHS: reduced managers, and take over dentists and doctors by directly hire the staff, non of this piece payments that we have now( which is gear towards privatisation of the NHS)

Immigration: strict rules on who enters., no benefits for non brits, immigration centers camps.
Police and Prisons: more bigger prisons, basic standard of living no electronics, have work houses or schooling one of the two.

important infrastructure back in the hands of government, no jobs for life within government departments, run it as a private business but in government hands.

equal opportunity based on class not race.

government quango get rid of them.
tax on fatty and sugary foods.

 

[snowdog]

Wall-o-text™

I would sum my government up in one word: Fair

For me it'd be: Wealth.

The aim: Contributors are treated fairly and cherished by the government. Non contributors can suck an egg.

Schooling: Give control back to the teachers and none of this softy softy approach. If a kid is frequently undisciplined/unruly then they need to be removed from the school/seperated from those who want to learn. Conscript them into the military for a wake up/bring back corporal punishment for these offenders (I was smacked when I was naughty and I turned out alright *twitch*). Seperate classes for those kids that are slow at learning so they get the required attention and the others aren't being held up. Grown ups are in control here.

Partly agreed, but only true offenders such as kids who actually commit crimes and terrorize the streets actually get the military punishment. Kids who have trouble learning but otherwise good kids shouldn't ever be punished.

Benefits: Only for those that deserve to be on state benefits ie the disabled, JSA for people actively seeking employment etc. Freeloaders need not apply, that's what charity is for. People who contribute to tax will actively see and appreciate the help the state will provide when you are in need, and not feel that they are being shunned in favour of fraudsters playing the system for free. Set up training programs for the unskilled to work for themselves oneday and begin to contribute back to society.

Agreed, nearly 100%. If people can't find work around where they live they should move to a place where they can.

Tax: Will be slightly (3%) higher to pay for investigative committees that ensure honest people that contribute, will be taken care of by the government when in need (JSA, housing, pension, schooling, NHS, elderly, longer paternity) and dishonest people that sponge or take the mick (criminals, tax fraudsters, freeloaders, corrupt government officials) will be found out and appropriate action taken.

Disagreed. Tax may not be allowed to rise. Cut 50% of the development aid budget and use that to counter crime. Immediately stop all subsidy's for any ''green'' rubbish and invest it all in new roads and railroads.

Military: As long as we have people in this country who put their lives on the line to defend it's borders and beliefs then we as a country will support them 100%. Be it an increase in pay, readily available up-to-date equipment and continued support for their families even after returning home. They deserve your respect and support.

Disagreed, cut military costs as much as possible without risking national safely, make new agreements with the EU for a global EU army, which is to protect the whole EU so less 'money is required overall to protect a country.

Voting: Wars have been fought and people have died so that you have your freedom and right to vote. Voting is compulsory. If you don't want to vote for how you feel the country should be run then you don't have any right to moan when it's not run how you would like.

This is pointless, anyone who cba will have to waste time now to vote on a ''blanc'' vote ( nothing would change except that people would have to waste some time going out to vote). Ban blanc votes you say ? That would be unfair as I'm sure there are many people who have no party they particularly agree with. This will increase he chance of the gov doing whatever the hell it wants.

Police and Prisons: Increase pay to the police, firefighters, coast gaurd, border protection agencies etc. and abolish all unnecessary paperwork. Let them do their job and not fill out forms all day. Ability to search whoever they reasonably suspect of doing no good but be mindful of consequences/backlash of abusing this responsibilty. Build more prisons and increase spending in rehabilitation programmes for those wanting to try and fit back into society. Stricter sentences all round and ones that match the crime. If the court is 100% sure you commited murder then the death penalty is an option, dabbled in peadophilia? then you may have your bits cut off etc. We will not tolerate those who abuse human rights and no pansified sentences for criminals.

Increase pay: No, use the money to hire more of them. Abolish all the bureaucracy: agreed. Stricter sentences for theft and vandalism.
Return respect to the police force, stop wasting time on catching speeders or whatever and actually patrol the streets and keep an eye out for youth gangs, theft and vandalism.

EU: Joining the EU ain't gonna happen, we have our own identity and currency thank you very much.

You are already in the EU .
Completely disagree, I hate nationalism. Instead, use the EU to the advantage, militarily for example.
Also, we need good economic union to compete with China and India. The UK doesn't stand a chance on it's own in my eyes.

Immigration: Basically implement Australia's non softy softy approach. Just say no - asylum seeker go! Those asylum seekers sponging off the state and that have no valid reason for being here will be deported. Implement a points system for those wanting to gain entry and work in the UK. Tighter border protection.

Imo: Well educated people who will have no problems finding a job: Welcome.
Spongers: Go away.

Apologies if the wording is not uber formal, I'm not a politician/lawyer/doctor, I work in IT support. There are loads more policies I have not mentioned but the above are the ones I feel the most strongly about.

Basically, I want congestion gone ( build enough en enlarge the roads enough so every human in the UK can drive a car simultaneously without clogging the network up), I want theft and destruction/vandalism gone, I don't want terrorizing youth on the streets any more who rob, damage and intimidate people and property. I want environmentalism gone, no country like the UK can make a significant difference in my eyes, only the likes of India, China and the US can. Take advantage of the raw resources of the world while we can, before China and India beat us to it.

 

[Dolph]

Schooling: In the short term, Remove LEAs and give schools their independence to set their own entry requirements, manage their own budgets and add the savings from removing the LEA's into school budgets.

In the longer term, create a system whereby parents gain direct control of funding for their child's education, via vouchers or similar, that are handed out equally to all. Schools are then responsible for attracting this income via performance and value.

Benefits: Short term, efforts to reduce the benefit trap would have to be made, along with other changes such as abolishing right to buy, generally reducing benefit spending, and working to reduce means testing which is one of the causes of the benefit trap.

Long term, I'd be looking to implement negative income tax, as will be outlined under taxation, as a reform of both systems.

Tax: Short term, work to reduce unfairness in the tax system and to equalise percentage tax take from all income groups. Balance and ringfence sin taxes to deal with problems caused by the sin and so on. Of course, this is highly dependant on paying the debt down and balancing the budget in how quickly these changes could be introduced.

Long term, I'd be looking to implement negative income tax with a single tax rate (probably around 30%, which is similar to base tax + NI now), and a reasonably sized minimum payment designed to provide a minimal subsistence income to replace the benefits system. This has the advantage of removing the benefits trap, maintaining social protection without rewarding those who do not work. I would also require the government to raise all spending this way, and only allow product taxes to be levied in proportion with the cost of harm of the product.

Healthcare: Added this one, because it is important to the other aspects. Similar to the schools idea, short term it would be abolishment of LHA's and encouraged independence of hospitals, doctors etc.

Long term, a move to an insurance based system similar to that in the netherlands, whereby insurance is compulsory and basic levels/costs are controlled, but the state is not actually involved in providing the services.

Military: This is a tricky one, because military spending is a good means of wealth creation by state spending (unlike many other types), especially when contracts go to UK companies and the resulting technology can subsequently be sold (or the previous generation technology sold on). It is important that service personnel get the respect they deserve, but it is also important for us to be more careful about where they get deployed and for what reason. Afghanistan is this generations Vietnam, we can't afford another one.

Voting: I'm not too comfortable with compulsory voting, no matter how good an idea it seems to be. However, there are still changes I would make, one being AMS proportional representation, and the other being strict protection against non-evidence based laws and taxes, and disproportionate actions (such as bans when licensing would suffice to reduce the harm), which would lead to significant changes in the way this country behaves, and most likely the way the parties behave as well.

Police and Prisons: Given that many laws would be abolished (as per the previous point about laws being justified by evidence and proportionate to the risk), police behaviour would certainly change. I would hope that by concentrating on real crime, rather than victim-less or arbitrary crime, we would see improved cleanup rates and a resulting improvement in deterrent effect.

EU:Look to renegotiate our membership along the basis of a free trade/people agreement ala the EEA, and reduce our contributions to EEA levels.

Immigration: Bring in more stringent immigration controls based on economic contribution, either required careers or net economic contributors will be required as entry. Enforce the rules surrounding asylum seekers and the responsibility to claim asylum in the first safe country.

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Badly.

 

[apeZ]

If a bunch of guys on a computer forum can point out some very valid and fair points, how come those that have been in politics and now, parliament for many years, cannot?

Some seriously good points in this thread, particularly the ones about benefits.

I think everyone should have to vote, even if it means ticking 'no preference' or similar. If people are forced to get off their asses and sign a piece of paper, they may be more likely to put some effort into it and pick a party.

 

[Swi1ch]

Don't have time to read the rest of thread, but about voting. Yes, we are blessed with the right and free will to vote, but you're undermining that by making it complusary. The key word is free, and if you're forced to do something, that is not freedom.

But I do agree with you on this, if someone doesn't vote it does my head in when they moan about it.

 

[Dolph]

If a bunch of guys on a computer forum can point out some very valid and fair points, how come those that have been in politics and now, parliament for many years, cannot?

Some seriously good points in this thread, particularly the ones about benefits.

Because politics operates on a fallacy. It does not matter what is right, wrong, crazy, amazing, insane, unaffordable or simply unworkable. The only thing that matters is whether a given policy is popular. To further compound this issue, all parties spend large amounts of money in trying to confuse and influence voters to alter the popularity, frequently through lies, mistruths, and various other approaches.

You try going in to an election saying you're going to cut benefits, and your opponant will say you are going to starve people. Saving money in the NHS, you're trying to kill us all/take people's jobs away and so on.

Until we get away from the politics of fallacy, this is not going to change.