Body & Soul4 mins ago
The next election, and YOU...
This question is NOT based on any current news story - but as the News section has more politically aware posters (AOG, New Judge, Youngmafbog, modeller, bazwillrun, Gromit, em10, naomi24, Zeuhl, Jake-the-Peg etc), I think this forum fits...
On current performance, who do you think is likely to win the next election?
This question comes from a conversation I had a work earlier today...I've never voted for the conservative party, and probably never would - but if you said 'David or Ed' to me - David wins hands down.
I accept that this makes me shallow, but am I unique? Is anyone else swayed by leadership as opposed to the detail if policy?
Feel free to bash Labour and or the coalition - I'm genuinely interested to see whether personal traits have become as important in British politics as they obviously have in the US.
On current performance, who do you think is likely to win the next election?
This question comes from a conversation I had a work earlier today...I've never voted for the conservative party, and probably never would - but if you said 'David or Ed' to me - David wins hands down.
I accept that this makes me shallow, but am I unique? Is anyone else swayed by leadership as opposed to the detail if policy?
Feel free to bash Labour and or the coalition - I'm genuinely interested to see whether personal traits have become as important in British politics as they obviously have in the US.
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In terms of what I personally would do if an election were held tomorrow - I'd would either refuse to vote (and encourage others to do the same) or spoil my ballot again.
My sentiments are similar to Shaney. There is simply nobody I am willing to endorse. I like to consider myself reasonably well-informed politically, and I simply have absolutely no faith in any party leadership. The standards of integrity, honesty and frankly intelligence in policy-making are just too low for me to want to have anything to do with. I accept the number of genuine and honest politicians who do exist - but the fact is that when we vote in general elections, people (including myself) more often than not seem to vote on the basis of national issues and national leaderships rather than the given MP. And they are completely uninspiring. I'm also rather disillusioned with the idea that we can only change things through politics (i.e. by changing law). Governments are inherently passive and reactionary - they can't not be.
I'd also like to say that I'm in my early 20s - and while people in this age group do tend on average to be slightly more 'political' (whatever that means) than the rest of the population, I have noticed more and more people who echo my sentiments above. Just thought people might find it interesting - especially anyone here who was a student in the past and remembers levels of political activity when they were my age.
My sentiments are similar to Shaney. There is simply nobody I am willing to endorse. I like to consider myself reasonably well-informed politically, and I simply have absolutely no faith in any party leadership. The standards of integrity, honesty and frankly intelligence in policy-making are just too low for me to want to have anything to do with. I accept the number of genuine and honest politicians who do exist - but the fact is that when we vote in general elections, people (including myself) more often than not seem to vote on the basis of national issues and national leaderships rather than the given MP. And they are completely uninspiring. I'm also rather disillusioned with the idea that we can only change things through politics (i.e. by changing law). Governments are inherently passive and reactionary - they can't not be.
I'd also like to say that I'm in my early 20s - and while people in this age group do tend on average to be slightly more 'political' (whatever that means) than the rest of the population, I have noticed more and more people who echo my sentiments above. Just thought people might find it interesting - especially anyone here who was a student in the past and remembers levels of political activity when they were my age.
Personaly I still look at the party as a whole. As a Tory who does not like Cameron or Boyeorge, what choice do I have?
As for who is likley to win, diffcult call. I do think in the longe term the liberals could benefit. They have now shown themselves not to be th eloony nutters (althought not to my political liking) that everyone thought. I guess it depends on the economy but at the minute that is out of all of our hands. Quite possibly labour dont want to win it, as things stand it is a poined chalice.
As for who is likley to win, diffcult call. I do think in the longe term the liberals could benefit. They have now shown themselves not to be th eloony nutters (althought not to my political liking) that everyone thought. I guess it depends on the economy but at the minute that is out of all of our hands. Quite possibly labour dont want to win it, as things stand it is a poined chalice.
// I think the next election will be hung. Labour will get more seats but will probably need a few LibDem votes to function effectively. It will probably work out worse than the present shower. //
I pretty much agree with gromit there.
However bad things might seem under this coalition, I'm pretty sure they'd be worse under Labour. Despite what they say they'd be making the same kinds of cutbacks, but they'd just be arguing about it more within their own party, and with the unions. More so than the two different parties in the coalition are.
I pretty much agree with gromit there.
However bad things might seem under this coalition, I'm pretty sure they'd be worse under Labour. Despite what they say they'd be making the same kinds of cutbacks, but they'd just be arguing about it more within their own party, and with the unions. More so than the two different parties in the coalition are.
A personality that inspires a degree of trust is important in politics, but for those who maintain fervent support for one particular side or another, regardless of the failings of their chosen representatives, perceived philosophy takes precedence over character. As an ex-Labour voter, it seems to me that many people tend to cling to ideas that are now long outdated. ‘Tory rich boys’ who work only for the ‘toffs’, as opposed to the Labour stalwarts, all of whom are squeaky clean and none of whom have their own interests at heart. The fact is Labour is not old Labour, and the Conservatives are not the old Conservatives. Labour has created a culture of low wages for those who want to work, and the expectation of entitlement to something for nothing for those who don’t. Labour does not represent the working man – it represents the non-working man – and I sincerely hope David Cameron, whom, despite the millstone around his neck that is Nick Clegg and his gang, I believe is actually working for the working man, succeeds in his efforts to overhaul the benefits system and in reversing this appalling culture.
I have no objection to caring for those who cannot care for themselves – in fact I sincerely believe we must care for them – and properly - but a few days ago I was watching a news item about the Spanish economy where a British ex-pat was bemoaning her fate in being unable to pay her mortgage or sell her house. She said ‘we have had no help from the government’ – and actually I think that says it all. Why should she expect help from the government? Her attitude is precisely what the Labour government has created. Expectation of something for nothing. Time to take responsibility for yourself, folks, and stand on your own two feet!
I have no objection to caring for those who cannot care for themselves – in fact I sincerely believe we must care for them – and properly - but a few days ago I was watching a news item about the Spanish economy where a British ex-pat was bemoaning her fate in being unable to pay her mortgage or sell her house. She said ‘we have had no help from the government’ – and actually I think that says it all. Why should she expect help from the government? Her attitude is precisely what the Labour government has created. Expectation of something for nothing. Time to take responsibility for yourself, folks, and stand on your own two feet!
I think the Tories because Labour still believes it can borrow more to get out of debt, but I'm not enthusiastic about the Tory leadership its far too soft on domestic and the EU problems as they affect the UK. David talks tough at times but that's all it is, talk. He talks tough on crime and the EU but then appoints pro Europe , soft on crime Ken Clark.
David is also a great delayer putting things off until after the next election. Sometimes its necessary but it's becoming the norm.
David is also a great delayer putting things off until after the next election. Sometimes its necessary but it's becoming the norm.
I am a Labour supporter who lives in a safe Conservative seat, after many years living in a Lib Dem marginal.. I have, not surprisingly, always voted Lib Dem to "keep the Tories out" and at the last electing voted for a Lib Dem called, ironically called Cameron(!).
From now on I will vote Labour in my safe Conservative seat, although were I still in a Lib Dem marginal I might have considered still voting Lib Dem especially as I suspect that by the next election the coalition will be looking more than a little strained.
For what it's worth I like Ed Miliband and think it a pity that people would be put off voting Labour simply because they didn't like him. I can understand people not liking Labour and therefore not voting for them, but not to do so simply because you don't like the leader seems a shame, and that goes for all parties.
From now on I will vote Labour in my safe Conservative seat, although were I still in a Lib Dem marginal I might have considered still voting Lib Dem especially as I suspect that by the next election the coalition will be looking more than a little strained.
For what it's worth I like Ed Miliband and think it a pity that people would be put off voting Labour simply because they didn't like him. I can understand people not liking Labour and therefore not voting for them, but not to do so simply because you don't like the leader seems a shame, and that goes for all parties.
"but not to do so simply because you don't like the leader seems a shame, and that goes for all parties."
It is relevant though, surely? The personality of the office-holder has quite large implications for how they function as premier - it's an office which is hugely shaped by the temperament of the person who holds it. Plus a quality like trustworthiness is surely a bit of a dealbreaker because it has implications for whether the person you're voting for does as they say they willl. Personally, I think it's a quality that Ed Miliband lacks.
It is relevant though, surely? The personality of the office-holder has quite large implications for how they function as premier - it's an office which is hugely shaped by the temperament of the person who holds it. Plus a quality like trustworthiness is surely a bit of a dealbreaker because it has implications for whether the person you're voting for does as they say they willl. Personally, I think it's a quality that Ed Miliband lacks.
I think, and indeed hope, that the Conservatives will win the next GE. I'm not THAT bothered about the personalities. A while ago I had a conversation with an elderly chap from Liverpool, a union member all his working life, and he said with SUCH sadness, that he had nobody to vote for. I agree with what Duncer said earlier about Prescott - the biggest self serving pig at the trough. Labour are most definitely not Old Labour. In fact I don't even think that Labour knows what it stands for anymore, let alone the voters! I just hope that Cameron is allowed to "get tough" on certain issues and not have the bleeding hearts on his back, although you just know they will be.
"The personality of the office-holder has quite large implications for how they function as premier - it's an office which is hugely shaped by the temperament of the person who holds it."
Of course but I, at any rate, don't vote for a party because of its leader. I might dislike Ed Miliband intensely but it wouldn't make me vote for a different party unless I thought its policies were better than those of another party.
I never liked Nick Clegg but it didn't stop me voting Lib Dem.
Also, there is the issue of the popularity of one's local MP. I'd be more inclined to vote across party lines because of that, which may seem strange but it's a factor with many.
Of course but I, at any rate, don't vote for a party because of its leader. I might dislike Ed Miliband intensely but it wouldn't make me vote for a different party unless I thought its policies were better than those of another party.
I never liked Nick Clegg but it didn't stop me voting Lib Dem.
Also, there is the issue of the popularity of one's local MP. I'd be more inclined to vote across party lines because of that, which may seem strange but it's a factor with many.
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