Politics UK
I'm completely unsurprised that UKIP won the by election in Rochester as most of the UK probably is.
Also I'm getting very antsy with Labour. I'm a lifelong Labour voter but what the hell? It seems to be run by corporate lawyers and career politicians now. They're so out of touch - take last nights idiotic tweet..... |
Re: Politics UK
The political system has truly gone to the dogs when the fruitcake protest party is actually getting seats. We'll see what happens in a proper election with fresh candidates but the three established English parties have only themselves to blame. The nightmare scenario is if the madmen actually hold the balance of power. Con-Lab pact anyone? ;)
It's almost as hopeless as over here... |
Re: Politics UK
I dislike Conservatives, but don't particularly like Labour that much now either, it doesn't help that Ed Miliband is a bubling idiot who comes across as unbelievably awkward in every situation possible, sometimes I feel sorry for the guy but he really doesn't help himself and seems to struggle keeping his composure in even simple tasks, I don't know how anyone could be confident with him leading the country.
I am a fan of the Green Party, which seems to be getting a little bit more press recently with the TV elections argument after UKIP were invited on. I think too many people dismiss them for being 'hippy' and overly concerned with the environment, but my reasons for supporting them are more for their other policies. I would consider myself largely anti-UKIP and I am getting quite worried about just how many people seem to be supporting them, at least their not as bad as disgusting hate pages like 'Britain First' that seem to dominate social networks these days. |
Re: Politics UK
I'm just going to assume this whole thread is about soccer regulations.
|
Re: Politics UK
UK Politics:
Every party is lying and does the exact opposite from what they promise... every politician is a thief and a hypocrite who has lived with a silver spoon up their arse since the day they were born. They know nothing of the people or the plight of the average person, and won't think twice about crapping on them if they can line their own pocket. UK politics and government is all about stealing from the public, lying about their ideals and making hypocritical decisions. I've give up voting. After the debacle of the last elections and we had a hung parliament I've vowed to never vote again. We either end up in the **** state of affairs we're in now, or we get a bunch of liars and thieves in charge. Or both. |
Re: Politics UK
The Labour Party, or the "New Labour Party" are sellouts.. Right-wing social democrats. Probably started when Wilson supported the Vietnam war, and both parties aren't that far from each other.
Green Party... Not as bad as the US, but same direction, "Turn right, turn right" |
I'm always stunned when I hear lifelong Labour voters claim their losing faith in Labour. Did the last 20 years show you nothing? Was Blair rewriting Clause 4 not warning enough? I mean, Smith was pushing through reforms and changing the party, but I doubt it would've been anything compared to what Blair did. Oh, then there was the 13 years in power. That should've been a clue, too.
Surely no one can be surprised by the UKIP victory? It was a certainty from the moment Reckless decamped. It's not as if he was going to do one to another party in order to get himself unelected, was it? Out of interest, when was the last time someone defected to another party and did themselves out of a seat? Little time for the Greens, as that's where most of the lefties went from the late 80's and 90's, but they do have my favourite councillor - Jason Kitcat. :D That's even better than Mark Reckless, though not quite as good as Lady Garden. ;) The General Election should be interesting, though. There could be 3, 4 or even 5 parties jostling to make the difference. Does anyone think there'll be an outright winner? |
Originally Posted by The Rodent (Post 1207451)
UK Politics:
Every party is lying and does the exact opposite from what they promise... every politician is a thief and a hypocrite who has lived with a silver spoon up their arse since the day they were born. They know nothing of the people or the plight of the average person, and won't think twice about crapping on them if they can line their own pocket. UK politics and government is all about stealing from the public, lying about their ideals and making hypocritical decisions. I've give up voting. After the debacle of the last elections and we had a hung parliament I've vowed to never vote again. We either end up in the **** state of affairs we're in now, or we get a bunch of liars and thieves in charge. Or both. Don't give up voting Rodent, it's a right that was hard fought for for people like us :) we'll end up a worse place if all ordinary people give up. In case you're not from the UK and wonder why a Labour shadow minister resigned over a photo of a house with patriotic flags, here's an article which attempts to explain ;) http://http://www.theguardian.com/po...utside-britain |
Re: Politics UK
Don't get me wrong... I love my Country...
But if I vote, this is what I vote for: Labour: Hypocrites and thieves Conservative: Liars, hypocrites and thieves Lib Dem: Liars and hypocrites UKIP: Liars, thieves and racists BNP: Hypocrites and racists So, because I love my country so much, I won't be held responsible for any of them coming into power. |
Re: Politics UK
Left is best.
|
Re: Politics UK
There are good grass roots politicians of all shades everywhere in the country. Will they ever get top jobs?
My old European Lit lecturer ran for Westminster when I was at Uni, and I did a lot of campaigning for him. I became firm friends with Colin over the years he was an MP, even though I wasn't living anywhere near his constituency. He was a proper Old Labour man and found himself marginalised under Blair despite being a hugely capable MP. We don't do more than exchange Christmas cards these days but Colin's kind of a hero of mine. ;) There's very little of that kind of politician left in Westminster. Personally, I'd ban anyone from becoming an MP until they're at least 50 - Career politicians are a big part of the problem. |
Re: Politics UK
Alan Johnson is a good man. Trouble is like you say there's hardly any of them left :(
Matt - I think Labour sold out under Tony Blair not Wilson. Trouble is we Labour supporters were so swept up in the euphoria of getting rid of the Tories after so long that it wasn't till around the Iraq War crisis and Blair's support of George W. we realised we'd lost our socialist roots |
Originally Posted by Tacitus (Post 1207487)
There are good grass roots politicians of all shades everywhere in the country. Will they ever get top jobs?
There's very little of that kind of politician left in Westminster. Personally, I'd ban anyone from becoming an MP until they're at least 50 - Career politicians are a big part of the problem.
That, combined with politicains who don't represent their grassroots (beacause we're a centre right country and vote that way) means that anyone who gets towards the front benches can't say or do what they've promised/think/etc and keep their political progress in either of the two main parties. It was possible as a Liberal because power was never on the agenda. Of course, first time it happens, they all get found out. Not because they didn't want to do it, but because they couldn't. The only other option would be to not be in Government and, well, that's the whole point. So they were out of options. They've gotten four years of abuse for doing what anyone else in that position would've done. They were an easy scapegoat and, IMO, a good example of how poorly politics is played in this country. I think it's one of the reasons why ex politicians or those who've had their time in the spotlight/made their money, often talk the most sense on the tv and in debates, IMO, rather than those who still have their eyes on the prize.
Originally Posted by christine (Post 1207492)
Alan Johnson is a good man. Trouble is like you say there's hardly any of them left :(
Matt - I think Labour sold out under Tony Blair not Wilson. Trouble is we Labour supporters were so swept up in the euphoria of getting rid of the Tories after so long that it wasn't till around the Iraq War crisis and Blair's support of George W. we realised we'd lost our socialist roots
I felt the first election win was inevitable. The Tories were in a terrible state and, though the economy was back on track, Europe had done for Major (who, taste in women aside, I always had a lot of time and respect for) and they had to go, much like the Labour government of 2010. It'd just been too long. However, I feel that if people were tuned in politically, then the Labour win in 2001 was, possibly, a mistake. From a left POV, they'd made it obvious exactly what they were. Maybe a weak Opposition was to blame, but winning with an increased majority seemed like madness to me. I expected another big win for them, but not to increase their seats. 2005? Really, people? Really? :facepalm: I washed my hands of the British public at this time. |
Re: Politics UK
Makes me laugh how that bloke with the flags outside his house is now having loads of photos with flags with 'The Sun' on them for their paper.
|
Re: Politics UK
That whole thing is bloody ridiculous. She's had to resign? For what? I think it says more about the people who kicked up a fuss than it did her. I've seen her on QT and a couple of other interviews and she's not great, but this is just stupid.
|
Re: Politics UK
I know nothing about British Politics so I will just say God Save the Queen. :D
|
Re: Politics UK
That's alright, GS. It appears many of those who vote don't either. :D
|
Re: Politics UK
Well, at least we now know that Rochester has 16,867 complete and utter idiots living there.
http://cdn2.gurl.com/wp-content/uplo...in-dancing.gif |
Re: Politics UK
I saw the tweet and to a Canadian's eyes the photo looked really benign. I had to go to an American news site to learn why it was so offensive. In the US and Canada we don't have white vans we have pickup trucks. White vans? Why are they symbolic of the English working class?
|
Re: Politics UK
Mod, a white Ford Transit van is the workhorse of vans, the most popular amongst self employed builders, plasterers, roofers . It's become shorthand for your working class man.
|
Originally Posted by christine (Post 1208019)
Mod, a white Ford Transit van is the workhorse of vans, the most popular amongst self employed builders, plasterers, roofers . It's become shorthand for your working class man.
|
Originally Posted by Nausicaä (Post 1208008)
Well, at least we now know that Rochester has 16,867 complete and utter idiots living there.
http://cdn2.gurl.com/wp-content/uplo...in-dancing.gif Time to give someone else a chance, UKIP aren't perfect but Nigel Farage talks common sense when he opens his mouth and you get a sense of truthfulness about him unlike condescending deceit from Cameron, Miliband and Clegg. Are UKIP really racist? Is it really racist to want to change immigration policy and perhaps put the needs of actual UK citizens first? Nett migration was 1.86 million in the past year, that's 2 Birminghams, the country isn't big enough, there's nowhere for these people to go, the Hospitals, Schools, housing, welfare etc are approaching breaking point while the mainstream guys dither. Do you want to live in an area that's had 700 Roma gypsy families move in like in Sheffield? no me neither. Yeah you're right Nausicaa it's idiotic to think that anyone other than the 2 main parties could possibly run a government. |
Originally Posted by Tacitus (Post 1207487)
There are good grass roots politicians of all shades everywhere in the country. Will they ever get top jobs?
My old European Lit lecturer ran for Westminster when I was at Uni, and I did a lot of campaigning for him. I became firm friends with Colin over the years he was an MP, even though I wasn't living anywhere near his constituency. He was a proper Old Labour man and found himself marginalised under Blair despite being a hugely capable MP. We don't do more than exchange Christmas cards these days but Colin's kind of a hero of mine. ;) There's very little of that kind of politician left in Westminster. Personally, I'd ban anyone from becoming an MP until they're at least 50 - Career politicians are a big part of the problem. |
Originally Posted by The Rodent (Post 1207483)
Don't get me wrong... I love my Country...
But if I vote, this is what I vote for: Labour: Hypocrites and thieves Conservative: Liars, hypocrites and thieves Lib Dem: Liars and hypocrites UKIP: Liars, thieves and racists BNP: Hypocrites and racists So, because I love my country so much, I won't be held responsible for any of them coming into power. |
Re: Politics UK
Yeah you're right Nausicaa it's idiotic to think that anyone other than the 2 main parties could possibly run a government.
|
Re: Politics UK
True but you did say that 16k people who did vote for someone else, in this case UKIP were and I quote " complete and utter idiots".
|
Originally Posted by gandalf26 (Post 1208036)
Good point about career Politicians. I think similar about teachers, they go to school, then more school to learn how to teach, then back to school to do the teaching seemingly without any life experience should be a ban on anyone starting teaching until they are at least 30.
|
Re: Politics UK
Gandalf asking about "Are UKIP really racist?"
They have some great ideas about immigration, and I agree with their plans for getting out from under the EU boot. But I have this niggling thorn in my mind that if they come to power, they'll turn into a BNP style party. I have relatives in who are immigrants. Let's face it, all the other parties have changed and done U-Turns on their policies as soon as they got into No.10. Hell, if UKIP come into power, even I will be out on my heels. Born and bred in England, white parents, registered as White, but my Great Grandmother was a black woman. If UKIP turn out to be a BNP style party, that'll be me and my family sent to New Zealand straight away. Come to think of it, might be a good thing. New Zealand is a beautiful Country. I'm voting UKIP. |
Re: Politics UK
Remember when Paul Daniels, Phil Collins etc said that they'd leave Britain if Labour came to power? If UKIP happens, normal people will do the same...
Farage is a smart guy, I'll give him that. He's doing more to appeal to the disaffected proletariat than the main two parties have done in years but the feeling remains that he's only there because of the justifiable mistrust people now have in their elected representatives. He might weed the total lunatics out before next May but how many electable men and women (do they have any women?) will he produce? I see the same with Jim Allister over here. Personally I find his politics despicable but it's quite funny watching him holding the wasters in power to account. When push comes to shove in real elections his party's candidates don't come close to getting elected. Take the disaffected Tories away from UKIP and how many candidates do they have? UKIP's NI leader is one David McNarry, a refugee from the Ulster Unionists with the air of a man who could start a fight in an empty room... |
Originally Posted by The Rodent (Post 1208255)
Gandalf asking about "Are UKIP really racist?"
They have some great ideas about immigration, and I agree with their plans for getting out from under the EU boot. But I have this niggling thorn in my mind that if they come to power, they'll turn into a BNP style party. I have relatives in who are immigrants. Let's face it, all the other parties have changed and done U-Turns on their policies as soon as they got into No.10. Hell, if UKIP come into power, even I will be out on my heels. Born and bred in England, white parents, registered as White, but my Great Grandmother was a black woman. If UKIP turn out to be a BNP style party, that'll be me and my family sent to New Zealand straight away. Come to think of it, might be a good thing. New Zealand is a beautiful Country. I'm voting UKIP. You can't be serious about the last part. |
Originally Posted by gandalf26 (Post 1208036)
Good point about career Politicians. I think similar about teachers, they go to school, then more school to learn how to teach, then back to school to do the teaching seemingly without any life experience should be a ban on anyone starting teaching until they are at least 30.
|
Re: Politics UK
The fact is that Nigel Farage has a blokeish persona which belies the fact that he also comes from a privileged background, and has only had jobs in the City. He's perceived as someone you could have a pint with, which you so obviously couldn't with Dave or Ed, they'd appear really awkward. This one thing on its own does give him some appeal. It's not him I'm worried about , it's the UKIP fringe racist element that he keeps having to cover for.
I'm very nervous about withdrawing from the EEC, I don't think it's the right way to go . I just feel we are going to be steamrollered out without being presented with the facts about how this will affect our economy . After all the anti EEC scare stories over the years I think a referendum would be a landslide yes vote to leave, without us being presented with proper facts. Edit- in a wonderful world wouldn't it be great if the really important things in life, education, the NHS, the benefit system got decided about in a cross party way so that there'd be a sense of stability instead of the constant twiddling around with the system and the constant changes that cost so much to reverse |
Originally Posted by christine (Post 1208292)
Edit- in a wonderful world wouldn't it be great if the really important things in life, education, the NHS, the benefit system got decided about in a cross party way so that there'd be a sense of stability instead of the constant twiddling around with the system and the constant changes that cost so much to reverse
As the old joke here goes: Is he a Protestant Jew or a Catholic Jew? ;) |
Originally Posted by christine (Post 1208290)
My son got told off at school for asking the careers teacher if he'd had any other job apart from being a teacher. When he said no , the son said he'd already had three jobs so he had more work experience than the teacher. No one loves a smart arse tho ;)
|
|
Re: Politics UK
"The other parties, ladies and gentlemen, are offering you a moon on a stick. But we can do better than that, we're offering you a British moon on a British stick."
Hilarious. FUKP. :lol: |
Re: Politics UK
love it!
|
Re: Politics UK
I can't believe I've been blind to it for so long. I've been a fan of the Guv since about 2000 and it's never struck me till yesterday how Farage he is. It's perfect.
|
Re: Politics UK
There'll be a lot of (extra) confused UKIP crazies now...
Who next? Dennis Pennis? Pauline Calf? |
Re: Politics UK
Today I heard someone saying that they wondered if he'd be allowed to keep the party name (FUKP) because of its similarity to UKIP. Apparently this has precedent.
|
Got a question.
Is it true that anyone can vote in UK's GE? I heard that foreigners are allowed to vote. |
Originally Posted by Choo Yao Chuen (Post 1242225)
Got a question.
Is it true that anyone can vote in UK's GE? I heard that foreigners are allowed to vote. |
Re: Politics UK
You can vote in Council elections though, as long as you're registered, I think.
|
only if you're a EU or Commonwealth citizen Tatty
From the Electoral Commission website http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/ To vote in a local government election a person must be registered to vote and also be one of the following: a British citizen living in the UK a qualifying Commonwealth citizen living in the UK a citizen of the Republic of Ireland living in the UK a European Union citizen living in the UK someone registered to vote as a Crown Servant someone registered to vote as a service voter To vote in a UK general election a person must be registered to vote and also: be 18 years of age or over on polling day be a British citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland not be subject to any legal incapacity to vote Additionally, the following cannot vote in a UK general election: members of the House of Lords (although they can vote at elections to local authorities, devolved legislatures and the European Parliament) EU citizens resident in the UK (although they can vote at elections to local authorities, devolved legislatures and the European Parliament) anyone other than British, Irish and qualifying Commonwealth citizens convicted persons detained in pursuance of their sentences (though remand prisoners, unconvicted prisoners and civil prisoners can vote if they are on the electoral register) anyone found guilty within the previous five years of corrupt or illegal practices in connection with an election |
Originally Posted by christine (Post 1242309)
only if you're a EU or Commonwealth citizen Tatty
I bet I'm a foreign as far as UKIP are concerned. |
Re: Politics UK
are you even allowed to post in this thread?:p
|
Re: Politics UK
Well, this election win for the far left Syriza party in Greece is going to be interesting for the EU ....
|
Re: Politics UK
Interesting in a bad way you mean?
|
It'll be interesting to see what they actually manage to do. There's a big difference between what you say you're going to do and being able to do it. It'll also be interesting to see how the people and the markets react to it.
BTW, am I the only person who hopes the leaders debate doesn't happen? The 7 way debate (8 if the DUP get in as well) will be a nightmare. I think it'll either be a poorly disciplined free-for-all or so strictly controled that there won't really be a debate. Merely everyone getting to say what they want, but in too short a period of time so that no one point can be expanded on or countered by anyone else. I wasn't looking forward to it anyway because, as we all saw last time, the debates became the be all and end all of the campaign. I know we're pretty much in Presidential politics anyway, but this isn't helping any. |
Re: Politics UK
Cob - what HK says ^^
I'm interested in whatever confrontation comes about between the Greek government and the EU and how it's all going to play out. HK - agreed about the leaders debate. I hate all the emphasis placed on the personal attributes of the leaders. I can foresee Nigel Farridge showboating which is going to make me feel sick. |
Re: Politics UK
Did I hear correctly? Are they saying in Greece that they want to stay in the Euro? In the EU I can understand and wouldn't expect anything less. But in the Euro? They want to default on their loan, renegotiate the terms of the bailout, but stay in the Euro? I think I can guess how Brussels and Berlin will deal with that.
Everyone (and by that I mean economists/financial/market experts) pretty much all agreed before the first bailout that the best thing for Greece was to devalue, come out of the Euro and go back to the Dracma. That's what I expected to happen now. If that isn't what they said they'd do (and I didn't follow any of the Greek election so I don't know) then I don't understand any of this at all. I'm sure most of the people voting in Greece voted for change rather than the parties in this election (given the effects on their economy it's understandable if undesireable) but I can't see how this is what they voted for. |
Re: Politics UK
I've only read that they've been elected on an anti austerity platform so they want to immediately renegotiate the terms of the Bailout but Tsipras has said he's willing to negotiate. I guess he wants to get some or all of the debt written off . It's not surprising the Greek people have voted in a radical party , the unemployment rate is dreadful, it's hard to see how the country can get back on its feet with so many people out of work
|
Re: Politics UK
I'm with you, but you I can't see how they can stay within the Euro and do it. Portugal, Spain and Italy will all be knocking on the door if they do.
|
Re: Politics UK
Germany (and all the other members) will never give in to this. It would totally destroy the Eurozone's credibility. The Greeks just voted for a bunch of leftist populists who promised changes they know they will never be able to achieve (unless they're truly that naive). It's understandable, as the Greeks were obviously getting hurt by the economic policy that was imposed, but it seems like they don't understand that they'll get hurt either way (at least in the relatively short term).
To me, this election is a great example of how general ignorance (and using that ignorance via populistic propaganda) can be very dangerous in a democracy. It's very frustrating to behold. People seem to believe what they want to believe. |
Originally Posted by Cobpyth (Post 1245969)
People seem to believe what they want to believe.
|
Re: Politics UK
Yes. UKIP.
|
Re: Politics UK
Am I the only person wondering why, for the last day or two, people have been 'surprised' that UK citizens with Swiss bank accounts were avoiding taxes and the banks were helping/instructing them? Unless I've missed something, wasn't that the point of using them? I'm all for closing loopholes and trying to get taxes owed, but let's not pretend we've just discovered it happens or that one of the reasons it happens is because we purposely attract the mega rich to Britain (London) because they know this is what we do.
|
Re: Politics UK
UKIP sounds like a good party to me
|
UKIP sounds like a good party to me
Originally Posted by honeykid (Post 1245254)
BTW, am I the only person who hopes the leaders debate doesn't happen? The 7 way debate (8 if the DUP get in as well) will be a nightmare. I think it'll either be a poorly disciplined free-for-all or so strictly controled that there won't really be a debate. Merely everyone getting to say what they want, but in too short a period of time so that no one point can be expanded on or countered by anyone else.
Then I'd love it if they immediately get asked if their equal marriage opposing, gay blood banning selves should be seriously considered by one of the English parties as partners in a notional future coalition. 8 Westminster seats or not, they're a bunch of chain-the-swings-up-on-a-Sunday merchants in sharp suits. |
Originally Posted by 90sAce (Post 1254541)
UKIP sounds like a good party to me
Originally Posted by honeykid (Post 1254322)
Am I the only person wondering why, for the last day or two, people have been 'surprised' that UK citizens with Swiss bank accounts were avoiding taxes and the banks were helping/instructing them? Unless I've missed something, wasn't that the point of using them? I'm all for closing loopholes and trying to get taxes owed, but let's not pretend we've just discovered it happens or that one of the reasons it happens is because we purposely attract the mega rich to Britain (London) because they know this is what we do.
Originally Posted by Tacitus (Post 1254610)
Sorry to necro this but I missed it first time around. I'd love it (said in a Keggy Keegle voice) if the DUP were allowed into a main leaders debate.
Then I'd love it if they immediately get asked if their equal marriage opposing, gay blood banning selves should be seriously considered by one of the English parties as partners in a notional future coalition. 8 Westminster seats or not, they're a bunch of chain-the-swings-up-on-a-Sunday merchants in sharp suits. |
Originally Posted by Tacitus (Post 1254610)
Not sure if troll post or not...
According to another member they're similar to BNP - a ultra-nationalist or white nationalist party? If so I wasn't aware of that at all. From what I heard of them they just sounded like a more libertarian, pro independence party. |
Re: Politics UK
You know you're allowed to not have opinions on things you don't know a lot about, right? It's encouraged, even.
|
Originally Posted by Yoda (Post 1254651)
You know you're allowed to not have opinions on things you don't know a lot about, right? It's encouraged, even.
http://www.wikiwand.com/en/UK_Independence_Party European "right wing" parties usually aren't as fringe as American right anyway. |
Okay, great, but that's beside the point. This is a thread about UK politics. You don't live int he UK and you admit that the extent of your knowledge is hearing one speech from one guy. And yet somehow you feel qualified to articulate an opinion.
I realize there are (terrible) parts of the Internet where everybody thinks their opinions on any topic are worth disseminating simply because they have them, but that's not true. That's wrong/bad. |
Originally Posted by Yoda (Post 1254695)
That's wrong/bad.
I could read Wikipedia until I'm red, white and blue in the face but totally miss the nuance that comes with actually living in the place where the things happen. It's fine as a conversation starter but then making an "Ok, but..." post doesn't really cut it. |
Originally Posted by Yoda (Post 1254695)
Okay, great, but that's beside the point. This is a thread about UK politics. You don't live int he UK and you admit that the extent of your knowledge is hearing one speech from one guy. And yet somehow you feel qualified to articulate an opinion.
I realize there are (terrible) parts of the Internet where everybody thinks their opinions on any topic are worth disseminating simply because they have them, but that's not true. That's wrong/bad.
Originally Posted by 90sAce (Post 1254688)
Nothing on the Wikpedia page suggests that they're affiliated with the BNP.
http://www.wikiwand.com/en/UK_Independence_Party European "right wing" parties usually aren't as fringe as American right anyway. On UKIP yes, they have no outward affiliations to the BNP, but what they are doing is taking BNP votes. Their leader Nigel Farage has a common touch. Despite being a public school educated banker (did I spell that right?) with his ciggie smoking, beer drinking public persona he puts out like he's just another bloke down the pub. Clever populist strategy. However he's had to be sacking various members of UKIP for awkwardly expressing underlying far right views in public, so goodness knows what goes on behind closed doors. They're seeking to normalise prejudices and work on the usual way the right wing does of insiduously turning people against each other. They're building up votes by including whatever populist complaints are in the news at the moment into their manifesto. Worried about the NHS, immigrants, the EU, tuition fees? UKIP will have a policy for you, but what they won't have is an explaination of where the funding is coming from, but never mind about that. Farage said today they've found £3 billion to put into the NHS - where from? It seems like only yesterday Farage was telling us that the NHS should move towards an insurance system. UKIP's headline policy is leaving the EU, but let's not bother thinking about what effect that will have on trade we have with other EU countries, after all it's only 50% of our exports and 51% of our exports. :rolleyes: * sacked Lord Christopher Monckton, who previously served as the party’s deputy leader and President in Scotland for homophobic comments *Rozanne Duncan UKIP Councillor sacked from the party for apparently jaw dropping racist remarks allegedly saying 'said she had a problem with "negroes" because there was "something about their faces". *Nikki Sinclaire sacked for saying while she was an MEP she wasn't willing to sit with "European parties within the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group who have a variety of extremist views. *Godfrey Bloom MEP for saying that “no employer with a brain in the right place would employ a young, single, free woman” * sacked senior UKIP member and former parliamentary candidate Dr Julia Gasper who claimed some homosexuals prefer sex with animals. * sacked UKIP Croydon North candidate for tweeting: "A caring loving home is a heterosexual or single family. I don't believe (a gay couple) is healthy for a child." * Olly Neville, the former UKIP Youth Chairman, sacked for supporting same-sex marriage. |
Originally Posted by christine (Post 1254752)
Well I'm a bit guilty of commenting on US political threads too, but that's only cos politics interests me immensely and I wouldn't express opinions directly on US politics as like Tatty says it's too nuanced for outsiders to understand. I usually only present what happens in the UK as a contrast or for comparison purposes.
Don't know what you mean by the last sentence but I can assure you there are plenty of very nasty extremist right wing parties all over Europe. On UKIP yes, they have no outward affiliations to the BNP, but what they are doing is taking BNP votes. Their leader Nigel Farage has a common touch. Despite being a public school educated banker (did I spell that right?) with his ciggie smoking, beer drinking public persona he puts out like he's just another bloke down the pub. Clever populist strategy. However he's had to be sacking various members of UKIP for awkwardly expressing underlying far right views in public, so goodness knows what goes on behind closed doors. They're seeking to normalise prejudices and work on the usual way the right wing does of insiduously turning people against each other. They're building up votes by including whatever populist complaints are in the news at the moment into their manifesto. Worried about the NHS, immigrants, the EU, tuition fees? UKIP will have a policy for you, but what they won't have is an explaination of where the funding is coming from, but never mind about that. Farage said today they've found £3 billion to put into the NHS - where from? It seems like only yesterday Farage was telling us that the NHS should move towards an insurance system. UKIP's headline policy is leaving the EU, but let's not bother thinking about what effect that will have on trade we have with other EU countries, after all it's only 50% of our exports and 51% of our exports. :rolleyes: * sacked Lord Christopher Monckton, who previously served as the party’s deputy leader and President in Scotland for homophobic comments *Rozanne Duncan UKIP Councillor sacked from the party for apparently jaw dropping racist remarks allegedly saying 'said she had a problem with "negroes" because there was "something about their faces". *Nikki Sinclaire sacked for saying while she was an MEP she wasn't willing to sit with "European parties within the Europe of Freedom and Democracy Group who have a variety of extremist views. *Godfrey Bloom MEP for saying that “no employer with a brain in the right place would employ a young, single, free woman” * sacked senior UKIP member and former parliamentary candidate Dr Julia Gasper who claimed some homosexuals prefer sex with animals. * sacked UKIP Croydon North candidate for tweeting: "A caring loving home is a heterosexual or single family. I don't believe (a gay couple) is healthy for a child." * Olly Neville, the former UKIP Youth Chairman, sacked for supporting same-sex marriage. |
Originally Posted by christine (Post 1254752)
On UKIP yes, they have no outward affiliations to the BNP, but what they are doing is taking BNP votes. Their leader Nigel Farage has a common touch. Despite being a public school educated banker (did I spell that right?) with his ciggie smoking, beer drinking public persona he puts out like he's just another bloke down the pub. Clever populist strategy. However he's had to be sacking various members of UKIP for awkwardly expressing underlying far right views in public, so goodness knows what goes on behind closed doors.
I agree with pretty much everything christine wrote there. Outside of Farage, the party has nothing. Their manifesto writer was on Question Time last night and, frankly, embarrassed herself. They now have two MP's, both from rundown, impoverished areas who were Tories who's seats UKIP would've almost certainly targeted come the election because of the nature of those seats and, therefore, defected because they were more confident of holding their seats as UKIP then they were as Tories. Fear of the other is their weapon and they wield it relentlessly. Farage was recently a couple of hours late for a meeting he was supposed to attend in Wales with party members who'd paid £25 to attend. When asked why he was late, he replied traffic on the motorway (perfectly reasonable) because there's too many foreigners on the roads. :facepalm: |
Re: Politics UK
Sorry I forgot public school means the opposite in the US to what it does in the UK!
I forgot to watch Question Time last night, good job probably as anyone from UKIP doesn't do my blood pressure any good! That was another sacking I forgot about - UKIP's last manifesto writer got sacked in January for failing to complete it. His nose probably got too long to get in the office. |
Re: Politics UK
They've been riding a perfect storm - A late term, ineffectual government presiding over a recession and a directionless opposition + a couple of well timed by-elections. They'll win a few seats in the election but doubt if they'll even bother the DUP's numbers.
|
Re: Politics UK
I'm with you, Tacitus. If they make double figures they'll treat it like the Second Coming.
|
Re: Politics UK
It's shaping up to be a very interesting election. Can't see anyone having an overall majority again, although if the Lib Dems combust like some are forecasting it could mean someone has a workable number of seats.
It'll still be the same old religious headcount over here, however. We're a long way from anything approaching normal politics. |
Re: Politics UK
It's strange, everyone keeps repeating that the one thing we can be sure of with the coming election is that no one knows who's going to win. Yet no one thinks anyone will win.
It wouldn't surprise me if there's more than one election this year. |
Re: Politics UK
Agreed. We could well see a minority government going to the polls again after 6 months.
Where are The Two Davids when you need them? ;D |
Re: Politics UK
What, Davis and Milliband? :D
|
Re: Politics UK
So. Thoughts on how the parties are doing in the most fragmented run up to the election that we have had in my voting lifetime. Yoda would be interested in this one I think too.
The strength of the leaders of the Scottish Nationals and Plaid Cymru is really interesting. The fall from grace of the Lib Dems, the wolf in sheeps clothing of UKIP, the Green party's good ideas but pie in the sky in terms of reality, the role that Northern Irish parties could play in the balance, Ed's perceived lack of authority, the view that Dave's government has allowed tax dodgers to flourish , all this in the mix is very far from the straight choice between the Tories and Labour that started my voting life. It's going to be different this time... |
Re: Politics UK
I've already said it in this thread, I think, but I wouldn't be surprised in the slightest if there another election before the year is out. It's a little odd to say it, but I think the two parties who're closest to have a coalition would be tories and labour. It'd destroy both parties from the ground up, of course because they still think their parties represent them, but it'd probably be the best fit.
|
Re: Politics UK
Two elections in one year - torture !
|
Re: Politics UK
|
Re: Politics UK
They say you get the government you deserve. But do you get the candidates you deserve?
|
Originally Posted by honeykid (Post 1290067)
They say you get the government you deserve. But do you get the candidates you deserve?
|
Now that Russell Brand has thrown his weight (8 stone, wringing wet) behind Red Ed, will we see more politicos pandering to zeitgeist-y celebs?
Neva 4get: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCNG...utu.be&t=2m31s |
Just because it made me laugh. In The Guardian they ran this to promote Charlie Brooker's Electoral Wipe, which was on last night if you missed go, do yourself a favour and hit iPlayer.
A beginner's guide to the election by TV's Philomena Cunk
Why should you vote? They say that if you don’t vote, you can’t complain. But the Queen doesn’t vote and she looks pissed off with everything unless it’s a horse. Mind you, I’d probably have a face like that if I kept getting serenaded by Gary Barlow. Can you explain Farage, Clegg, Cameron, Sturgeon and Miliband? Farage is the new one who looks like Fozzie Bear trying to sneak into Parliament by putting Kermit on his shoulders, poking out the top of a stolen suit. Clegg – I’ve got a trick for remembering which one he is: I think of which one I can’t remember and that’s him. Cameron is the one who was born to rule, but they keep having elections instead, which you can see gets right on his wick. Sturgeon is the one who looks like an auntie who’s come to pick one of the others up. Miliband reminds me of when I was in Aldi and found this squashy CBeebies thing on the floor that a baby had dropped. Everyone had trod its face to bits, but it still had this big smile, maybe because it knew somebody loved it. What is a coalition? It’s when two cars bump into each other, but not so badly that anyone’s dead. How do you get “brain fade”? It’s when you get a fact wrong and realise afterwards that you have done it. I have never had one of those. Actually, I have once. Who has been the best in the debates? The Scotch woman seemed to go down quite well. I think she’d make a good prime minister if one day we ever let women do that. Who are you voting for and why? I’m voting tactically. Like when more people voted for the upside-down dancers than voted for Susan Boyle, but she still got to be the most famous for a bit. So I’m walking proudly into that dry wooden shower-like thing at the primary school and putting my cross in the Tactical party box. |
Re: Politics UK
I watched that last night. I really liked the bit where nobody votes and Russell Brand is declared Prime Minister.
|
That was the only time that Russell Brand thing has been funny this year. I didn't like the one they did during the regular series.
I loved Philomena's intro to democracy. It went something like: "Democracy was invented by the Greeks and like thick yoghurt, sodomy and triangles, it went on to spread around the world/" :laugh: |
Re: Politics UK
Wow. I don't know who needs fixing more urgently - Labour, the Lib Dems, UKIP or Michelle Gildernew's ego.
I'm taking solace in the fact that it looks like the DUP won't be anyone's kingmaker. Can you imagine Deputy PM Sammy Wilson? |
Re: Politics UK
I'm thanking God for that too Tatty. Seeing Wilson being interviewed last night gave me the shudders thinking what might be.
I'm absolutely gutted this morning...but I can't say I'm as upset as in 1987 when Thatcher got in for a third term, that was gutting and astounding, this time sadly it's not astounding :( So Miliband has stepped away from the wreckage and left Labour supporters hoping they don't choose the weakest of the bunch next time. |
Re: Politics UK
Since I moved back here, Westminster politics has become increasingly distant to me. Our 18 MPs are only called on to become legislators in times of strife for a ruling party - The last time that happened was the UUP propping up Major's last few years in power but I can see it happening again with such a slim Tory majority.
A couple of by-elections could shrink it so that the DUP (or even the UUP's two seats) could come into play... I stayed up until about 3am, increasingly boggled at how Labour were crumbling and not just in Scotland. Andy Burnham for the new leader? He's not a Miliband, has links to the Blair glory days and, crucially for me, was the only leadership candidate last time round who visited NI and promised proper party mobilisation here. Of course, if he actually becomes Labour leader, we'll see how that works out. ;) |
Re: Politics UK
The only part of me that wants Andy Burnham as Labour leader is the part which won't have to watch him on Question Time for the next five years. Hate that bloke. I think I'd like Yvette Cooper to take over. Mainly because Ed Balls lost his seat, so having his wife as the leader (which he also lost to Milliband last time :D) would just be wonderful. I think I hate him more than Burnham.
|
Re: Politics UK
I don't know anything about this guy, but I did find this amusing as an illustration of politicians in general and their talking points:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlTggc0uBA8 |
Re: Politics UK
I'm not very well versed in british politics, but what I'm ost interested in is the independance of Scotland (I live in Québec where some of us want to separate from Canada)
I'm very happy to see that Scotland voted for the SNP which sends a very clear message. It could mean that the SNP have the balance of the power (that's how we call it in french I don't know how in English) which means that the 56 elected deputies could have some sort of pollitical power. |
Re: Politics UK
Nevermind the conservatives are elected with a majority.
|
Originally Posted by Yoda (Post 1305231)
I don't know anything about this guy, but I did find this amusing as an illustration of politicians in general and their talking points:
|
Re: Politics UK
If that's some British reference, it's going right over my head.
And if it's a reference to Martin Luther King...it's still going over my head. |
Originally Posted by Yoda (Post 1305231)
I don't know anything about this guy
I'm pretty stoked to find out that the guy who toppled Willie McRea in South Antrim is Chris de Burgh's cousin! From this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLiThrwEpyc To this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNY5lrSS9WM |
Re: Politics UK
King's I have a dream speech. The reason people still remember that is because he repeats it at the start of each stanza in the middle section. Doesn't he? Damn. Now I'm doubting myself. :D
|
Re: Politics UK
Did you guys hear the good news about the British elections?
The only thing I am upset about is Ed Balls losing, because every country should have somebody named Balls in elected office. P.S. I don't know anything about British politics. |
Re: Politics UK
Conservatives in power for the past 4 years with Lib Dems following their every move and keeping them, sort of in check.
Conservatives in power for the next 4 years with nobody to track them? The Conservatives in Britain stand for: Rich people stepping on the poor so they can make more money Rich people getting tax cuts so they can make more money Already millionaire politicians getting expense claims, for instance £250,000 for a moat on their mansion Poor people getting stepped on by the rich Small businesses held back from succeeding if success means a bigger company will lose money 0 hour contracts for people who work so they technically get paid less than Minimum Wage Poor people getting hit with heavy tax rates to balance out the rich getting tax cuts Low income workers getting heavier tax rates than high earners and millionaires Poor people getting less from the benefit system Low income families getting no help from the system We are totally f*cked. Unless you're a millionaire, billionaire, or can claim expenses, you may as well just get out of your home now before the Conservatives bankrupt you and take it anyway. |
Originally Posted by honeykid (Post 1305251)
King's I have a dream speech. The reason people still remember that is because he repeats it at the start of each stanza in the middle section. Doesn't he? Damn. Now I'm doubting myself. :D
King's problem was that he didn't sing Country. |
Originally Posted by The Rodent (Post 1305254)
0 hour contracts for people who work so they technically get paid less
|
| All times are GMT -3. The time now is 08:57 PM. |
Powered by: vBulletin, Copyright, ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
User Alert System provided by
Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) -
vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © Movie Forums