[MC]

I see little more happening now than I did in the Tory days, and we're paying a hell of a lot more tax. So yes, I do think lower taxes and a Conservative government would be better.

- Best economy for over 100 years
- Highest unemployment rate in decades
- More and more funding into public services, e.g building and revamping hospitals and schools (I cannot believe you are even suggesting more of them is a bad thing).

I don't get this immigration obsession either. You've been brainwashed by Michael Howard. Don't get me wrong, I'm not happy with Blair myself (the fact a Labour PM sends his kids to private school is still obscene) - but compared to the Tories and their racist, right wing, ugly tactics ... I'd vote for him everyday of the week.

[Lucie]

Well I don't know of any new hospitals or schools.

round where I am there have been. Point is, do you genuinely think that by reducing taxation and putting the Conservatives into power things would be better?

No, thats why we need to get voting for the parties considered smaller and not worthy of government. We need another alternative, because Liberal Democrats don't really stand for anything.

But who exactly? You can't just introduce a new political party and expect everyone to change their allegiances to them overnight. You've got to remember that some people have been voting for a paticular party all their lives and they're not going to change any time soon. The protest voting that we saw last night is proof to Blair that people are unhappy and want change. After seeing this, hopefully there will be change in the form of a better labour party. introducing brand-new small parties will just split the vote and we all know what that means

[Adam]

Did anyone watch Paxman interview Geogre Galloway after he'd been elected again?

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

it was on have i got news for you and i the full transcript was on mediawatch on football365

[DemonHorse]

No, thats why we need to get voting for the parties considered smaller and not worthy of government. We need another alternative, because Liberal Democrats don't really stand for anything.

But who exactly? You can't just introduce a new political party and expect everyone to change their allegiances to them overnight. You've got to remember that some people have been voting for a paticular party all their lives and they're not going to change any time soon. The protest voting that we saw last night is proof to Blair that people are unhappy and want change. After seeing this, hopefully there will be change in the form of a better labour party. introducing brand-new small parties will just split the vote and we all know what that means

I know it cant happen overnight, but its something that can at least be given a foundation to build on before next election I think.

[Sidders]

Aproximately 170,000 per year.

and how many people leave the country each year sidders?

That was actually 170,000 more than the amount that leave.

Anyway, as I said, I don't want to claim immigration is a bad thing because it clearly isn't, as long as we have the resources to cope.

- Best economy for over 100 years

How does that benefit the average Joe?

- Highest unemployment rate in decades

Tell that to the people at Longbridge.

- More and more funding into public services, e.g building and revamping hospitals and schools (I cannot believe you are even suggesting more of them is a bad thing).

Where did I say it was a bad thing? I just said they were needed anyway.

[DemonHorse]

- Highest unemployment rate in decades

I've dealt with the jobcentre, I know how they work, they basically fiddle the figures (in a way) by counting anyone who is on a work PLACEMENT but still claiming JobSeekers Allowance as EMPLOYED while they are on these short term jobs. Other governments still counted them as UNEMPLOYED because they were still claiming JSA. That means taxes are still paying for them, and everyone who claims has to (supposedly) go on these courses. Over the whole country, that adds a whole lot more UNEMPLOYED, if they were to count them properly, don't ya think?

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

it was the tories started messing with unemployment figures. whichever way you look at them they have fallen.

- Best economy for over 100 years

How does that benefit the average Joe?.

and thats why its not worth arguing with him.

[Mafro]

*yawn*

[Ste]

Strange results though aren't they

[Mafro]

Dunno, I couldn't be arsed reading all that.

[Sidders]

and thats why its not worth arguing with him.

No, please explain it, because I would like to know. I don't really understand what a strong economy means (and I'm sure I'm not alone), and how does it benefit me and the rest of the country?

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

because without a strong economy you can't have low unemployment, low inflation and greater investment in public services.

so basically in every way you can think of.

[Sidders]

And high property prices, high tax...

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

high property prices causes winners and losers sidders.

[Sidders]

The winners of high tax? The government.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

hmmm definitely not a socialist eh sidla?

[Sidders]

I might be if I worked for the council.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

ha what difference does that make?

[Sidders]

Tax pays your wages, and you have job security and a good pension.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

ha job security aint what it used to be and this government wants to take away some of our pension benefits. any believe me the pay aint much to shout about.

[DemonHorse]

Not really any such thing as job security anymore, the people at longbridge thought they had job security and look at them now.