General Election 2010

[Ketsbaia 0]

This Phillipa Stroud thing is a bit scary. Apparently she's got a superinjunction to stop the BBC from reporting it.

[Renton 22006]

Parky for PM. He's got it sorted.

[ChezGiven 0]

@Chz

 

Constructed correctly there shouldn't really be a conflict between socialism and capitalism, at the end of the day society is rewarded by one thing and one thing alone and that is the work and ideation of its people...Nothing else. Both modern day revolutions were run by middle class intellectual/idealists the French one and the Russian one. These weren't people who worked down coalmines and whatnot, they were well educated thinkers.

 

Arent socialism and capitalism just sociological expressions of man's psyche?

 

Depends what you do if there are only two choc puddings left in the fridge.

 

Eat one secretly, then tell ask our lass if she wants to share the last one and give her the bigger half.

[Guest alex]

The other thing that needs changing is voting along party lines in debates, where whips are used with threats to get MP's to tow the line. This is archaic and counter-intuitive. All votes in the Commons should be free votes and MP's should vote without pressure from the party heirachy.

Should all be secret votes really. Press a button like the ask the audience bit in 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'

[Park Life 71]

@Chz

 

Constructed correctly there shouldn't really be a conflict between socialism and capitalism, at the end of the day society is rewarded by one thing and one thing alone and that is the work and ideation of its people...Nothing else. Both modern day revolutions were run by middle class intellectual/idealists the French one and the Russian one. These weren't people who worked down coalmines and whatnot, they were well educated thinkers.

 

Arent socialism and capitalism just sociological expressions of man's psyche?

 

Depends what you do if there are only two choc puddings left in the fridge.

 

Eat one secretly, then tell ask our lass if she wants to share the last one and give her the bigger half.

 

Eat both and then pretend they never existed.

[Park Life 71]

The other thing that needs changing is voting along party lines in debates, where whips are used with threats to get MP's to tow the line. This is archaic and counter-intuitive. All votes in the Commons should be free votes and MP's should vote without pressure from the party heirachy.

Should all be secret votes really. Press a button like the ask the audience bit in 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'

 

That would be good, but I'd like to know which way my MP voted.

[Guest alex]

The other thing that needs changing is voting along party lines in debates, where whips are used with threats to get MP's to tow the line. This is archaic and counter-intuitive. All votes in the Commons should be free votes and MP's should vote without pressure from the party heirachy.

Should all be secret votes really. Press a button like the ask the audience bit in 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?'

 

That would be good, but I'd like to know which way my MP voted.

I can see why, but at the same time, if they were compelled to say which way they voted, I don't think you'd get the 'free vote' you're after in practice.

[Guest alex]

There should also be a common constitution which all parties should sign alligence to and it should inc basic human rights, access to healthcare and education and other basic democratic criteria which all parties when in power should move toward/protect. This would balance out the swings in policy and direction we often get in Britain which wastes a lot of money and talent and lets the infrastructure degrade by lack of clear direction.

Nice idea.

[Craig 6700]

Meh!

 

 

 

guys, just vote the way your conscience tells you too. all these endless arguments are pointless as neither side are going to change their minds at this late stage of the game.

 

Peace out!

 

 

We're all fighting for Craigs vote, Floating Craig is the King Maker

 

I've already made my mind up

[PaddockLad 17684]

This Phillipa Stroud thing is a bit scary. Apparently she's got a superinjunction to stop the BBC from reporting it.

 

apparently she thinks theres a "cure" for being a whoopsie.....prayer......

 

The folks at the Guardian (no shit!) are getting very ariated about it...

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/ma...stroud-gay-cure

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/be...gay-prayer-cure

[Park Life 71]

Parky for PM. He's got it sorted.

 

 

The thing is I was heavily involved in politics in my teens and was disenchanted basically by how firstly constituency parties are run and secondly the secrecy and obstructionism apparent in the daily grind of the commons. The whole machinery basically is set up to get in the way of the people. Now we have another tier of intellectual prevarication and mystification coming from the EU. There is a middle class elite basically getting a free ride right across the board where careers come before politics/conscience/change and that is completely wrong. This is why the political classes are so out of touch not only with people but the world in general.

[Renton 22006]

Parky for PM. He's got it sorted.

 

 

The thing is I was heavily involved in politics in my teens and was disenchanted basically by how firstly constituency parties are run and secondly the secrecy and obstructionism apparent in the daily grind of the commons. The whole machinery basically is set up to get in the way of the people. Now we have another tier of intellectual prevarication and mystification coming from the EU. There is a middle class elite basically getting a free ride right across the board where careers come before politics/conscience/change and that is completely wrong. This is why the political classes are so out of touch not only with people but the world in general.

 

Tbf I'd rather have a middle class elite with some social mobility (witness Bridget) than a ruling upper class or aristocracy. And for all you complain about the political system, in general I have to say the UK is a pretty damn good place to live.

[ChezGiven 0]

Parky for PM. He's got it sorted.

 

 

The thing is I was heavily involved in politics in my teens and was disenchanted basically by how firstly constituency parties are run and secondly the secrecy and obstructionism apparent in the daily grind of the commons. The whole machinery basically is set up to get in the way of the people. Now we have another tier of intellectual prevarication and mystification coming from the EU. There is a middle class elite basically getting a free ride right across the board where careers come before politics/conscience/change and that is completely wrong. This is why the political classes are so out of touch not only with people but the world in general.

 

Tbf I'd rather have a middle class elite with some social mobility (witness Bridget) than a ruling upper class or aristocracy. And for all you complain about the political system, in general I have to say the UK is a pretty damn good place to live.

 

Nah, the UK is broken, feral children run wild at night, you have a 1789% chance of getting knifed at Tecos and no one drives a new car, has a nice sofa or a decent TV.

[Christmas Tree 4843]

I wonder who'll win the rematch in 6 months time.

 

in a nutshell the most relevant point in this thread.

 

I have a feeling Labour may hold on this time but be so weakened we need a re-run at which point the conservatives will get in.

[Park Life 71]

Parky for PM. He's got it sorted.

 

 

The thing is I was heavily involved in politics in my teens and was disenchanted basically by how firstly constituency parties are run and secondly the secrecy and obstructionism apparent in the daily grind of the commons. The whole machinery basically is set up to get in the way of the people. Now we have another tier of intellectual prevarication and mystification coming from the EU. There is a middle class elite basically getting a free ride right across the board where careers come before politics/conscience/change and that is completely wrong. This is why the political classes are so out of touch not only with people but the world in general.

 

Tbf I'd rather have a middle class elite with some social mobility (witness Bridget) than a ruling upper class or aristocracy. And for all you complain about the political system, in general I have to say the UK is a pretty damn good place to live.

 

Seriously man it could have really been good, we had everything in place inc old trading partners (the commonwealth) new trading zones (the EU), a well informed majority (right uptill the late 80's before corporate media took hold), world class financial sector, we even had North Sea Oil ffs!! Now look at us, our rating is in line to be cut and given similar status to Spain.....Really England had it all and we more than any other country on the planet had a chance to run with it. We did stuff in the 50's and 60's with regards to education and health that were right on the edge of the curve....

 

A start would be to stop fighting pointless wars for the oil companies.

[Phil 6]

I'm intrigued that you pay more than 70% tax on your 12 hour a day earnings Phil, perhaps you can enlighten us how that is the case? For the record, I happen to fall into one of the demographics which has benifitted least from Labour over the last decade. But I accept this, because I recognise I am fortunate to be where I am, and yes, unlike you, I can feel empathy towards the poorer sections of the community. I'm happy to accept that taxation should be progressive - if you are hit by it, you're doing alright in any case.

 

 

PAYE 40%, NI 9%, Student Loan 9% = 58%.

 

Then there's Council Tax, VAT, Petrol Tax, TV license, Road Tax, employer contributions (paid on my behalf) etc....

 

 

I agree things have improved in the last 10 years and I would vote for Labour again if they hadn't racked up £850 Billion in debt and sold off the gold. They are too reactive for my liking, they should have regulated the bank and forced them to lend. I doubt you'll find any first time buyers voting Labour.

[ewerk 31221]

You can't count your student loan, the clue is in the name.

 

And you're also not paying 40% on your entire wage.

Edited May 5, 2010 by ewerk

[NJS 4411]

PAYE 40%, NI 9%, Student Loan 9% = 58%.

 

A bit of a con - you don't pay 40% of your entire salary as tax - it's more like 28% of the whole.

[Guest alex]

I would say stick to football, but it's Phil.

[Park Life 71]

This Phillipa Stroud thing is a bit scary. Apparently she's got a superinjunction to stop the BBC from reporting it.

 

apparently she thinks theres a "cure" for being a whoopsie.....prayer......

 

The folks at the Guardian (no shit!) are getting very ariated about it...

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/ma...stroud-gay-cure

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/be...gay-prayer-cure

 

What a nutcase.

[Renton 22006]

I'm intrigued that you pay more than 70% tax on your 12 hour a day earnings Phil, perhaps you can enlighten us how that is the case? For the record, I happen to fall into one of the demographics which has benifitted least from Labour over the last decade. But I accept this, because I recognise I am fortunate to be where I am, and yes, unlike you, I can feel empathy towards the poorer sections of the community. I'm happy to accept that taxation should be progressive - if you are hit by it, you're doing alright in any case.

 

 

PAYE 40%, NI 9%, Student Loan 9% = 58%.

 

Then there's Council Tax, VAT, Petrol Tax, TV license, Road Tax, employer contributions (paid on my behalf) etc....

 

 

I agree things have improved in the last 10 years and I would vote for Labour again if they hadn't racked up £850 Billion in debt and sold off the gold. They are too reactive for my liking, they should have regulated the bank and forced them to lend. I doubt you'll find any first time buyers voting Labour.

 

Clearly you're not employed in a field that involves Maths regarding your income tax calculations.

 

But anyway, you've clearly done well for yourself. As you are paying back a student loan, you must have graduated quite recently, and are probably quite young. And as you are paying the higher rate of tax, you must be in a well paid job - well done. But despite this, you still want a bigger share of the pie. Aye. The tory party is for you alright Phil, or should I call you Jack?

[PaddockLad 17684]

I'm intrigued that you pay more than 70% tax on your 12 hour a day earnings Phil, perhaps you can enlighten us how that is the case? For the record, I happen to fall into one of the demographics which has benifitted least from Labour over the last decade. But I accept this, because I recognise I am fortunate to be where I am, and yes, unlike you, I can feel empathy towards the poorer sections of the community. I'm happy to accept that taxation should be progressive - if you are hit by it, you're doing alright in any case.

 

 

PAYE 40%, NI 9%, Student Loan 9% = 58%.

 

Then there's Council Tax, VAT, Petrol Tax, TV license, Road Tax, employer contributions (paid on my behalf) etc....

 

 

I agree things have improved in the last 10 years and I would vote for Labour again if they hadn't racked up £850 Billion in debt and sold off the gold. They are too reactive for my liking, they should have regulated the bank and forced them to lend. I doubt you'll find any first time buyers voting Labour.

 

ahh...they key issue in the election for me

 

Tell me how you think the main parties could go about that, and then tell me what you think the banks will go and tell them what to do

 

Labour's only saving grace is handing control of intersest rates over to the BoE....in the last recession they were 15%, and in this one we don't have an interest rate to speak of in any way...unless youve got a fixed rate mortgage.

 

And if any Tory apologists want to tell me how differently theyd have run the economy since 97 I'd be intersted in hearing their views from the secure ward

[peasepud 59]

I'm intrigued that you pay more than 70% tax on your 12 hour a day earnings Phil, perhaps you can enlighten us how that is the case? For the record, I happen to fall into one of the demographics which has benifitted least from Labour over the last decade. But I accept this, because I recognise I am fortunate to be where I am, and yes, unlike you, I can feel empathy towards the poorer sections of the community. I'm happy to accept that taxation should be progressive - if you are hit by it, you're doing alright in any case.

 

 

PAYE 40%, NI 9%, Student Loan 9% = 58%.

 

Then there's Council Tax, VAT, Petrol Tax, TV license, Road Tax, employer contributions (paid on my behalf) etc....

 

 

I agree things have improved in the last 10 years and I would vote for Labour again if they hadn't racked up £850 Billion in debt and sold off the gold. They are too reactive for my liking, they should have regulated the bank and forced them to lend. I doubt you'll find any first time buyers voting Labour.

 

Clearly you're not employed in a field that involves Maths regarding your income tax calculations.

 

Just a bit like.

 

Lets say, you earn £50k per annum and are on a standard Tax Code (356L) and by your mention of 9% NI Im guessing you're on Category D NI.

 

Per annum figures:

 

PAYE £12,016.26 (24%)

NIC £3699.00 (7.4%)

 

Student Loan £3,149.88 (6.3%)

 

Plus you cant class Student Loan as a tax surely? You've had the benefit of that money and if it wasnt for that then you wouldnt be earning the money you are.

 

So in real terms out of your pay you're being taxed 31.4% of it (or 37.7% if you wrongly include Student Loans).

[Gemmill 46081]

Amazing that someone can misunderstand their own payslip so spectacularly.

[Happy Face 29]

Never seen this on here yet....