If you could change 5 things about the UK what would it be?
- Thread starter Aero
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If we could have 10, I'd add his to mine, although.. come now... changing the weather?
I'm doing my best by creating as much pollution as I can!!
1) Devolve control over everything except foreign policy and defence to the Scottish Parliament.
2) Upgrade the Welsh Assembly to a Welsh Parliament with equal powers to the Scottish Parliament.
3) Upgrade the Northern Ireland Assembly to a Northern Ireland Parliament with equal powers to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Parliament.
4) Reform the House of Commons into an English Parliament with equal powers to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament and Northern Ireland Parliament.
5) Reform the House of Lords into a British Federal Parliament with control over foreign policy and defence.
The job's a good'un.
2) Upgrade the Welsh Assembly to a Welsh Parliament with equal powers to the Scottish Parliament.
3) Upgrade the Northern Ireland Assembly to a Northern Ireland Parliament with equal powers to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Parliament.
4) Reform the House of Commons into an English Parliament with equal powers to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Parliament and Northern Ireland Parliament.
5) Reform the House of Lords into a British Federal Parliament with control over foreign policy and defence.
The job's a good'un.
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Pubic floggings at football matches for sex criminals and murderers
A basic level of education to be reached before you can leave school
A token system instead of benefits to encourage work
Tougher laws on age, sex and disability discrimination
Better and fairer tax system, also cutting out loop holes that the super rich use
A basic level of education to be reached before you can leave school
A token system instead of benefits to encourage work
Tougher laws on age, sex and disability discrimination
Better and fairer tax system, also cutting out loop holes that the super rich use
Soldato
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1. Sort out the mess that is Fuel Duty. Petrol/Diesel is cheap at source (around 35p/litre IIRC) and is the lifeblood of our Transport network.
2. Sort out the messy tax system that benefits the rich and penalizes the poor.
3. Bring back some modern form of National Service, increase the powers that teachers have to discipline pupils. Increase the punishments given to people who break to law, including the under age people who think they can get away with it. Restrict what power engines young drivers can have and increase the drinking age. I have included these as one change as they all cover the "yob" problem.
4. Nationalize the Utilitie Companies to avoid the Fat Cat profiteering they are engaged in.
5. Scrap the benefit system and rebuild it from the ground up so that it encourages (nee forces) people to work and stops the "If I pop loads of sprogs I can sponge off taxpayers" option. Encourage disabled people especially those without "proper" disabilties i.e. bad backs to get a job. Reward both parties for doing so.
I could keep going but I'd just get more and more draconian.
EDIT: Can't believe I forgot about the dirty immigrants...
2. Sort out the messy tax system that benefits the rich and penalizes the poor.
3. Bring back some modern form of National Service, increase the powers that teachers have to discipline pupils. Increase the punishments given to people who break to law, including the under age people who think they can get away with it. Restrict what power engines young drivers can have and increase the drinking age. I have included these as one change as they all cover the "yob" problem.
4. Nationalize the Utilitie Companies to avoid the Fat Cat profiteering they are engaged in.
5. Scrap the benefit system and rebuild it from the ground up so that it encourages (nee forces) people to work and stops the "If I pop loads of sprogs I can sponge off taxpayers" option. Encourage disabled people especially those without "proper" disabilties i.e. bad backs to get a job. Reward both parties for doing so.
I could keep going but I'd just get more and more draconian.
EDIT: Can't believe I forgot about the dirty immigrants...
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Brilliant slip.
Man of Honour
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Do you even know what Rowan Williams suggested? Or have you swallowed the media hype? Rowan Williams suggested Sharia law as an alternative form of resolution to civil disputes. A binding form of mediation/arbitration between two consenting adults... much in the same way as some of the Jewish community already do in London.
Here's a link after a quick google...
http://www.theus.org.uk/the_united_s..._din/about_us/
good god no, welsh is already compulsory at most places, from primary school and all it does it screw up your english,
And by legal language, do you mean that people will go to jail for writing the menu in French etc?
So what your saying you'd do is, Tax less spend more? Now where have we heard this before?
My changes to the UK...
1. Better education, better opportunities in education of all forms. Education should encompass everything you need to make something of yourself in this world.
2. Less bureaucracy, smaller civil service, less local government
3. Lower taxes on consumption
4. Ring fenced taxation - so that road tax only goes to roads and public transport, for example
5. Less government granted monopolies/duopolies only for the private sector not to deliver and for the taxpayer to pick up the bill.
Unfortunately jdickerson has pretty much described a fascist state...
1. Better education, better opportunities in education of all forms. Education should encompass everything you need to make something of yourself in this world.
2. Less bureaucracy, smaller civil service, less local government
3. Lower taxes on consumption
4. Ring fenced taxation - so that road tax only goes to roads and public transport, for example
5. Less government granted monopolies/duopolies only for the private sector not to deliver and for the taxpayer to pick up the bill.
Unfortunately jdickerson has pretty much described a fascist state...
My changes to the UK...
1. Better education, better opportunities in education of all forms. Education should encompass everything you need to make something of yourself in this world.
2. Less bureaucracy, smaller civil service, less local government
3. Lower taxes on consumption
4. Ring fenced taxation - so that road tax only goes to roads and public transport, for example
5. Less government granted monopolies/duopolies only for the private sector not to deliver and for the taxpayer to pick up the bill.
Unfortunately jdickerson has pretty much described a fascist state...
And another person claiming they will cut taxes and improve spending.
1. Stricter immigration laws, only skilled / educated workers with something to offer a la australia.
2. Removal of the scottish, welsh, NI parliments and restoring powers to Westminster. (sorry haiku)
3. Renationalise certain services, train, gas and electric.
4. National service.
5. Creating closer communities where anyone who behaves in a antisocial manner is named and shamed.
2. Removal of the scottish, welsh, NI parliments and restoring powers to Westminster. (sorry haiku)
3. Renationalise certain services, train, gas and electric.
4. National service.
5. Creating closer communities where anyone who behaves in a antisocial manner is named and shamed.
Taxes might not have to be increased if the government was downsized at all levels.
Aside from that though, better education needn't cost more - just changes.
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Before I start with this one....
I agree with many things said here. Aero, I agreed with yours more than most others.
Masterdog:
Yours interested me the most so far. Whilst all your points are easily justifiable they seem to be the most idealistic so far. Aero has already asked you to elaborate so I will wait for that.
My Manifesto: Read and enjoy.
1. Legalise Marijuana whilst all other drugs get far harsher punishments. Serious drugs like heroin will have truly draconian punishments for dealers. Drug dealers will face severe penal terms if caught. As a part of their apology to their community they will have to do community service alongside their punishment. Smoking will not be allowed in certain public places still. Train stations and pubs will become fair play again though. Smoking tobacco or marijuana around minors will be an offence. Smoking tobacco or marijuana in public places will be subject to fines and arrest.
1.a) The non-labour government (in a coalition style between right and left, not a single central party in order to cater for a wider political spectrum) will control all production and sale of Marijuana. Anyone found to be without government license to posess certain quantities or indeed to grow the government selected strains will face punishments akin to other drug related offenders in 1.b) the government will not encourage any sale to under 19s (yes 19) nor will it allow any exportation of its product outside of the UK. All product will be taxed with the revenues going straight into education.
2. Schools will be overhauled completely. Nowadays kids are being dumbed down by dick and dom, mindless television shows, mindless children's literature and a woefully inadequate curriculum. Private schools will NOT be scrapped. Anyone who is good enough to go can and will apply. Just to make sure of this, in the reform of education, children will be streamed in order of academic prowess in each subject from the age of 5. Gifted children in the UK should be prized more highly than they actually are. It makes me sad seeing what some kids have to look forward to nowadays.
a) The top children will be 100% government backed financially. If a child is marked out for being gifted then the new "talent tutors" will ensure that they are sent for interviews at the best schools. Black, chav, brown, ugly, muslim, hindu, jew, christian. It does not matter. I believe that if you are brilliant and of course a UK citizen you are entitled to this privilege.
b) Marijuana revenue derived from profits and taxes will be invested into these children's education.
c) Single sex education will be encouraged once again.
d) The cane will be brought back along with more appropriate punishments for the nightmare kids you see.
e) Teachers will warrant more respect in society and will have more importance than before.
f) CCF will be enforced in all schools. If necessary, martial discipline will be used with the unruly specimens.
3. Nationalism. We are no longer proud of our great nation.
a) St George's day WILL be celebrated. You WILL stand for the anthem and enjoy walking down the street seeing St George's crosses everywhere on a total day off with some sort of public celebration. Perhaps some kind of sporting event which is free for all English people or UK citizens.
b) National service. Our boys do us proud all over the world fighting for what is right and for the protection and safety of our country. national service will be reinstated for the vast majority of people. 6 weeks minimum basic training. Only certain circumstances will be given leave of duty. Top academics and students attending top universities (ie top 5) will be given an optional waiver. Benefits will be given to those who complete more than 20 weeks of training. Members of CCF's in schools will be given some kind of allowance/ privilege for remaining in the CCF until leaving. People will be encouraged to join and nice bonuses given to serving members with bonuses rising as you progress in your service.
4. Immigration.
Its gone crazy and I would probably only defend it if I was a 1st or 2nd generation foreigner. Its true. Easy to defend the virtues of immigration it is. However, this is our country and will remain that way. Unless the sea provides us with a land mass equal to the USA then subsection 4 will be reviewed as a whole.
a) UK heiritage will be championed by all, and traditions of our country will be respected. History will be taught as we see fit. Crusades and all. Kiss my *** if you wanna complain. Carp will no longer be provided at Christmas. The conclusion of this short subsection is that OUR traditions which as dying away faster than ever before at the hands of foreigners claiming to be citizens who decide that their kind hosts are being intolerant and offensive by upholding their traditions. We will teach and uphold our traditions and national pride!!!
b) Religion will be taught from an Anglican point of view. We have forgotten our spiritual roots as a nation and perhaps should regain this. We ARE a Christian country and should therefore not be ashamed of it because of a few bullfrogs ribbiting in the background. Religious zeal will not be encouraged. Religion will be reviewed as it has grown seemingly unpopular recently as it is now seen as a bartering chip by many, it is avoided by many who see it as a source of a sure fire way to start an argument. Its our country and it just so happens we've been a christian one for over 1400 years. We should not change that for any reason. moral obligations to foreigners will not be taken as seriously as before. we, the native and the majority will prevail and will choose whether we tolerate or not rather than a man with a big smile and red tie telling us to do so. [ Please note: many people such as myself are tolerant religiously and culturally. This section, section 4, is about immigration and the problems it has brought with it. Deliberately or not. And is not a slur on religion]
c) Places of worship will be respected by all, majority religion or not. The right to freedom of worship will not be ignored. Complaints over certain issues like our traditional festivals and holidays will be laughed at and a free St Georges flag (or union jack) will be given.
d) UK CITIZENSHIP will only be given to certain people. It is a GREAT privilege to call onesself an Englishman or a Brit. Its given out too easily. 1 in 4 births come to foreign mothers. This will be reviewed asap as we do not want overcrowding in our country nor do we want to give things away to others when so many suffer in our own country. 5 years and a green card and visa system and national ID system will be used for all non UK citizens by birth starting 2010.
e) Borders will be closed from March 2008-2010 while a census is carried out and a nationwide vote is held on the subject of immigration and citizenship.
f) An Australian merit scheme will be installed at some point between 2010 and 2012.
5. Television, Media and "Entertainment".
a) It will be illegal to present certain things on the television which give people false ideas of life. Programs promoting teenage promiscuity and drunkennes and shamefullness will be pulled with imediate effect. Sorry Skins lovers, but I'd rather not have it on TV for 12 year olds to 16year olds deciding that that is the normal teenage life and what should be done.
b) censorship will be tightened in all fields as there are some things shown which are unsuitable for certain types of person.
c) Strip bars, brothels and prostitution will become criminalized. Not as in Tony Blair criminalized, but Chuck Norris criminalization. "its your right to do what you want with your body" blah blah blah dry your tears on the easyjet flight to Amsterdam then. Values will be reinstated in this country. I cannot stand seeing 12 and 13 year olds pregnant or nursing its a ****** disgrace for which the parents will stand trial for criminal negligence. Fines for underage pregnancy will be instated. Consent age stands at 16 though.
It got a bit long but those are my 5 main sections which are each elaborated into subsections for better understanding thereof.
Vote for Pedro !
By arbitarily creating a line between legal and illegal drugs, you create a black market whether you like it or not. Harsh penalties for drug use and dealing doesn't discourage those that want to try. Regulation is still better than prohibition... The government should be saying "We really don't think you should get involved with this stuff, here are the facts, but we can't stop you from doing it, here's a safe and cheap source". The prohibition of drugs is what causes the problems of drug related crime and prostitution.