Huge Tory victory in Crewe : Brown to resign

[kalniel]

I tried to make it clear that my personal situation/experiences might not be indicative of those of the general public.

But this isn't thinking about the Old Tories.. it's a concern I have about the Tories as they are today:

Labour tried to get more houses (houses, not flats) built in my area. They've been trying for years but every time the Tory council block the plans. The Tory council forced fortnightly bin collections on us, but organic food waste is only allowed in the landfill bin, hence pongs galore and greater contributions to landfill/greenhouse gases. They refuse to collect plastic bottles for recycling, yet my council tax bill is one of the highest in the country. Virtually every vote my Tory MP has taken in parliment has been completely opposed to my viewpoint.

You see, the Tories are already failing me, and I fear that if they got a majority control of parliment my personal situation can only get worse, as they increase the personal wealth of house-owners and make it harder for renters. Now Thatcher actually acted quite well in that respect..by making it easier for people to get on a (relatively) reasonable property ladder at the time, but I don't think the new Tories are going to do anything that helps me.

[Saracen]

Fair enough, kalniel. If that were my experience, I'd be voting against that. too. Most of the points you raise are about local services, not national issues, though. Having said that, given the last sentence, well, that ends the discussion. If you're tracking how your MP votes, you're doing FAR more than I'd guess the vast majority (upwards of 90% I bet) do to watch their MP. And all any of us can do is what you're doing - watch them and vote accordingly.

[Zadock]

I think we are pretty screwed in general no matter who gets in I lost my faith democracy 5 years ago which is sad because I'm a bit too young to be that jaded and cynical

[Saracen]

I think we are pretty screwed in general no matter who gets in I lost my faith democracy 5 years ago which is sad because I'm a bit too young to be that jaded and cynical

It took me quite a few years to get jaded and cynical. But then, in my youth, politicians at least appeared to mean what they said and to say what they meant. These days, they don't even try to appear to answer questions, and wouldn't know a straight answer if they tripped over it.

[TheAnimus]

The problem is, if i was waiting in the wings to be the labour prime minister, there is no way i'd even begin to want to take the reigns right now.

If you have a look at:
The economy: A big Arab did it and ran away, claims PM | The Register
You get a loverly insight into how brown sees the problems he is facing.

We're all going to have less money. We've been taxed more and more (often indirectly) over the last 8 years, the 20% bump is really going to bring this home. But at the same time we've been borring more and more, not just us as indeviduals, but the companies we work for, and leading this trend, the country.

So whilst we're going to be going through a patch of reduced consumer spending (which normally is bad for the economy) we're also seeing a massive rise in basic living costs. I know i've been banging on a lot lately about the rise in staple foods, but they're seriously biting, just look at the problems the 'brick lane curry houses' are having.

Heating bills are going to definately double this comming christmass compared to the last one. The main question is will it just be a x2 increase or will it be more?

At the same time its in no way in OPECs intrest to increase oil production, as more and more economies in the world have an increasing need for oil.

There is no way i'd want to be PM right now. Its only a matter of time before the unoins start kicking up a stink (and in classic unoin style, they will do more harm than good, because they will be 'too late' in the bubble to ask for pay rises, and if they get any, it will hurt the countries economy as a whole).

What really worries me, is the result that the Tories are going to be handed this next election on a plate, virtually un-contested, with no policies, and no fear of been held accountable for their actions. That said, you can't do much worse things to an economy heading towards the rocks, than has been done in the last 8 months.

[pollaxe]

Apparently, some research has shown we prefer our politicians not to give a straight answer.

I don't have the evidence for that, I just remember hearing it as a 'fact' on a discussion program. Mind you, it may've been a politician who said it...

[finlay666]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Tory fanboy. In fact, I can't think of many, if any, politician of any party that I'd trust any further than I could throw the Palace of Westminster.

Only one I can say is MR Hutton, but that is only because it's a guy I knows dad....

Labour dissapoint me, I voted against them locally and will vote against them again, change of power in this case is better than no change at all

[Lucio]

I think these days political parties are pretty meaningless and should be abolished. People should be voting for someone who they believe with best represent their views to Parliment and MP's should be free to express the views of the majority of their constituients regardless of party line.

That said, will never happen in a million years

[dangel]

What really worries me, is the result that the Tories are going to be handed this next election on a plate, virtually un-contested, with no policies, and no fear of been held accountable for their actions. That said, you can't do much worse things to an economy heading towards the rocks, than has been done in the last 8 months.

Which is pretty much how labour came in (in all honesty) and they spent ohhhhh two terms blaming the tories for any problems that arose. I'm in the change is a good thing camp - if only to remove the complacent bastards that are making sillier and sillier decisions of late - along with probably 99% of other people who won't vote labour in the next general election and see the tories as the only party realistically likely to depose them (the dead duck party is [and always has been] a bit of a joke).

[Saracen]

Labour Theme 1997 .... "It can only get better"

Labour Theme 2008 .... " Can it get any worse?"

[pollaxe]

Honestly, if Brown took off 10p from fuel duty and scrapped the ID Cards scheme then he'd jump many points up in the ratings IMHO.

They're supposed to be 'listening' to the electorate but I see precious little evidence of it at the moment.

[kalniel]

I don't want them to cut 10p on fuel duty!

Yay, they listened

[Saracen]

Honestly, if Brown took off 10p from fuel duty and scrapped the ID Cards scheme then he'd jump many points up in the ratings IMHO.

They're supposed to be 'listening' to the electorate but I see precious little evidence of it at the moment.

Brown's idea of "listening to the electorate" is to explain to us AGAIN why he was "right".

He simply does not, as it was put recently, "get it".

He said, the morning after the Crewe by-election ...

The message that we have got is that .... err .... people are concerned.

No poop, Sherlock.

With that level of perspicacity and laser-sharp insight, it's clear why you became a politician instead of getting a real job.

He continued

They're concerned about rising food prices, rising petrol prices, people are concerned rightly about gas and electricity bills, they're concerned about what's happening to the economy.

Yup. But they're concerned about other things too ..... like what the numpty running the Treasury at the time did with the 10p tax band. But you won't admit that, will you?

He continued

And I think that the message I have to get to the people is this, that .... errr .... we are unequivocally clear in our direction. That we're going to address and are addressing these problems. We will continue to do so and my task is to steer the British economy through what have been very difficult times.

Well, the grammar of that is a bit iffy, such as that he can hardly hope to "continue" to steer the economy through what "have been" difficult times, because by definition, what they "have been" is in the past and he can't do much about that now.

But the general tone of that statement is that he is doing the right thing and will "continue" to do it, and that the problem is that he hasn't been able to get that message to the people. In other words, what he gets from the election results is that WE don't understand, and that HE is doing the right thing.

Well, Gordon, you feckless twerp, if that's what you heard by listening to the Local elections, the London Mayoral elections, the Crewe by-elections, numerous polls over months, the editorials in just about every newspaper, not to mention the jubilant smirk on Cameron's face, and finally, the mutterings from your own back (and even front) benches, then I'd strongly suggest and urgent appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor, and tell him to ignore your nose and throat. Because it should be self-evident even to a complete moron that the one thing you aren't doing, and are looking incapable of doing, is damn-well listening. Try spending more time listening with your eyes, and less time listening to your own voice or sycophantic advisers.

On the other hand, Gordon, on second thoughts, you keep doing what you think is "right". You keep explaining it to the people. You go right on as you were. Because, after all, it's worked so well so far.

[pollaxe]

I don't want them to cut 10p on fuel duty!

Yay, they listened

Get back on your bike, hippy!

Yes, I remember your views on petrol prices and transport in general but you must admit that the mainstream would prefer a cut of fuel prices. So, 'Popular Politics' page 1 paragraph 1 isn't too likely to be in synch with your view on this, is it?? Or just ask a lorry driver.

Of course, page 1, paragraph 1 of my manifesto will detail when it's acceptable to be a cyclist (essentially never, except on designated cycle paths which will be well away from roads and normal people) the slightest transgression of which will be punishable by mutilation and then death. Paragraph 2 will deal with those people who pull out of junctions in front of you at around 60 mph and then proceed to drive at 25-35 mph until they reach the 30 mph limit whereupon they speed up to 40 mph...

You'll all pay. All of you.


edit: PS I've no idea if you're a cyclist or not Kalniel, I just enjoy ranting about them.

[kalniel]

Heh no, not since I was at Cambridge. I have a 17 miles each way commute and no public transport alternative.

[Blitzen]

I am VERY suprised alot on here think that a Tory win in the next General Election is a foregone conclusion.

Maybe...just maybe, Brown is a bit smarter than you give him credit for.
All he has to do is make a few popular decisions and Labour, whether Brown is at the helm or not, will get back in.
Decsions like:
1. Scrapping the ID card
2. Reinstating the 10p tax band.
3. Controlling immigration to the point of almost stopping it (not a racist remark but it would be a HUGE vote winner).
4. Bringing fuel prices alot lower

They are just 4 things that spring to mind that would be huge vote winners.

What needs to be remembered is that the vast majority of elcetorate only have these things in their focus. If they are cut and it seems like they will be better off or more protected then they will vote that way.

(and i bloody hope they do)