Leader debate

[BanannaMan]

Originally Posted by jambo

Try something like this:

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/

I think the best way of telling who best represents you is to take the man at the front out of it...

Jambo

Excellent link!
This should be how elections are decided.

I tried it just for fun and was shocked at the results.

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Heorot

If you are going to vote based on what the parties say they will do, then I despair of your sanity.

I'm not so naive as to think the parties will stick to their policies, but this is their default position laid out in front of you. If you don't vote for a party that at least defaults to behaviour you agree with then they will let you down a lot more of the time.

Originally Posted by Bibio

privatisation has ruined this country, not only are the public paying funny money for services the Gov are giving the new owners handouts left right and centre but the cost of these services keeps going up so whats the point in privatisation. the whole idea was to get better cheaper services, so where are they

time to give someone else a go... fek its only 4 years and if we dont like what they do then we can vote them out the next election. they cant do any worse that what we already have.

Bibio,
From my understanding UKIP are about as pro-privatisation as you can get (including the NHS). By all means vote for them but please do so because you agree with their policies not because they represent a vote against the establishment. For me that's a bit like getting fed up with endless travlodge and holiday inn hotels so checking into the Bates Motel for a change of scene...

Originally Posted by Balky001

I like that. Some of the policies scream what party they are from but if you approach it objectively it was good to read the statements and results were pretty surprising for me, individual as well as by my constituency (always been a Tory area but they come out 5th, Labour 1st) and nationally. Unlikely to change many people's vote though especially for those that don't trust politicians but helps understand what their policies are other than the headlines

I doubt it'll change many minds but I think it can be very helpful to see what the policies are rather than just think "God I can't stand that bloke" because honestly I've no interest in socialising with any of them

Originally Posted by BanannaMan

Excellent link!
This should be how elections are decided.

I tried it just for fun and was shocked at the results.

A lot of people (myself included) are often surprised who they find themselves aligned with, but then when you do a bit more digging it can turn out that you have more in common with a different party than you thought.


From my point of view I always vote. I don't consistently vote for the same party as my circumstances and the party lines change, and honestly these are political leaders, not a football team that you have to follow for your whole life

Jambo

Originally Posted by Heorot

I was one of the ones forced out.

Out of interest, what industry?

[squirrel_hunter]

Well I've taken the test that Jambo linked. Quite interesting, I seam to be fairly evenly split across 4 parties. But more interestingly there was one party I had no affiliation with, this does not surprise me considering the party...

However what I did find was from the list of polices in their pledges there was often 1 thing that I didn't like even when all other polices sounded reasonable to me. I also noticed that a lot of the polices across the parties were basically the same. No surprise there!

So I am still at a loss on who to vote for.

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by squirrel_hunter

Well I've taken the test that Jambo linked. Quite interesting, I seam to be fairly evenly split across 4 parties. But more interestingly there was one party I had no affiliation with, this does not surprise me considering the party...

However what I did find was from the list of polices in their pledges there was often 1 thing that I didn't like even when all other polices sounded reasonable to me. I also noticed that a lot of the polices across the parties were basically the same. No surprise there!

So I am still at a loss on who to vote for.

Looking back at the Blair and Thatcher periods I think the best way to vote if otherwise undecided is against whoever is currently in power.The hubris and borderline insanity that develops after a few years as PM makes it reasonable to ensure there is a change at the top sooner rather than later.

It's interesting as well that thatcher seems to be considered a great politician now, regardless of whether one agrees with her policies. Will be interesting to see how Blair is seen in a few years but I can't imagine it will be the same. Was his reputation tarnished by his introduction of industrial spin, Campbell and Mandy (plus of course the regime change policy)? Certainly can't imagine Blair will get a funeral like Thatcher's for example.

[Biker Biggles]

History is written by the powerful and they rarely support anyone from the "left".So Winston was great while Attlee is mostly forgotten.And so it goes on.

[Trev B]

Amadeus..I think that those that liked Thatcher idolised her but then they would wouldn't they,But many many more hated the woman(rightly or wrongly),mainly the working(now not Working) class who saw the distraction of our manufacturing industries in a very short time,pick any thing up now and it says made in China or PRC,I for one detested the woman and her style of flag you jack I'm alright.Mr Blair was not much better in my opinion,he was the blurred line between Labour and the Tories,the only difference being that Labour had a small(very small) social conscience,my vote goes to ???????? UKIP!!

[Heorot]

Originally Posted by Amadeus

Out of interest, what industry?

I was a freelance analyst/programmer with the emphasis on analysis. Mainly using the Cobol language. I worked mostly for major organisations (Banks, insurance and retail). After the introduction of IR35, it became very difficult to comply and still be better off than working in permanent roles and companies were reluctant to take on ex-contractors. I believe that it may be easier to contract these days. Khavalagi would know.

Originally Posted by Heorot

I was a freelance analyst/programmer with the emphasis on analysis. Mainly using the Cobol language. I worked mostly for major organisations (Banks, insurance and retail). After the introduction of IR35, it became very difficult to comply and still be better off than working in permanent roles and companies were reluctant to take on ex-contractors. I believe that it may be easier to contract these days. Khavalagi would know.

Bu**er, thats exactly what I am trying to do at the moment, different languages, but otherwise word perfect.