UK General Election 2015

[TightEnd]

Guardian chart that shows the Tory/Lab record on running budget surpluses.

[TightEnd]

in the independent

policy overlaps, or not, between all the parties

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/general-election-2015-the-independent-on-sundays-best-graphics-to-make-sense-of-it-all-10221009.html


a fun graphic with your possible coalition hats on...

[mulhuzz]

ageree with your two reasons on why it's hard to turn off taps Tighty, but surely they also knew this, and by their own benchmarks they aren't even halfway to where they said they would be.

[TightEnd]

ageree with your two reasons on why it's hard to turn off taps Tighty, but surely they also knew this, and by their own benchmarks they aren't even halfway to where they said they would be.

Agree

a) politicians of all parties over-promise and under-deliver (at least previously they tried to give detail this time they haven't)

b) the libdems were an effective break on the amount of and the speed of deficit reduction. big dfifference between promising in anticipation of majority government then having to fulfill it in a coalition

c) in some instances its politically impossible to do them even mid-parliament

[TightEnd]

a really balanced article on the deficit, labour 2000-2010, who is to blame etc etc

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-32580249

[MintTrav]

ageree with your two reasons on why it's hard to turn off taps Tighty, but surely they also knew this, and by their own benchmarks they aren't even halfway to where they said they would be.

Agree

a) politicians of all parties over-promise and under-deliver (at least previously they tried to give detail this time they haven't)

b) the libdems were an effective break on the amount of and the speed of deficit reduction. big dfifference between promising in anticipation of majority government then having to fulfill it in a coalition

c) in some instances its politically impossible to do them even mid-parliament

I'm pleased to see you recognising that. The achievement of the Lib-Dems has been under-recognised imo.

The Tories want to reduce spending by £21bn over two years, followed by a further £6bn in year 3, but then increase it again by £11bn in 2019/20 (wonder why?).

Labour wants to have no reductions in the first two years, followed by a £2bn increase and then a £14bn increase.

The Lib-Dems propose a reduction of £11bn over two years, followed by increases of £7bn and £9bn.

By 2019/20, Labour would be spending £16bn more than now, Lib-Dems £5bn more and Tories £16bn less.

That difference of £32bn between Tories and Labour should be the focus of the election, but neither wants to talk about it. The Tories don't want to be seen as the nasty party that takes everything away and Labour doesn't want to be seen as irresponsible, so they are both swerving the subject.

The role of the Lib-Dems, moderating the extremes, seems to me to be more important than ever.

[DungBeetle]

Guardian chart that shows the Tory/Lab record on running budget surpluses.

The frightening thing about this chart is governments both red and blue have been selling national assets for decades and it's just included in the number as windfall gains!   Add in PFI and unfunded pensions which aren't in the numbers and things look a bit grim.  This is isn't directed at any party in particular just a general observation over a 30 year period.

[DungBeetle]

ageree with your two reasons on why it's hard to turn off taps Tighty, but surely they also knew this, and by their own benchmarks they aren't even halfway to where they said they would be.

Irrespective of what labour got up to I would have to agree Tory economic performance has been disappointing under the coalition. 

[cambridgealex]

Ed convinces Brand - "Vote Labour"!

[Waz1892]

I can't remember which thread, this or "should I vote" thread, however i heard kn Sky News this morning about websites cropping up for vote swaping options.

All legal, if not morally debated, you swap your vote if you (for example) wish to vote Lab, but are in a heavy Con backed area, so feel you vote is "wasted", with someone else in a closer run battle so you vote helps that area win.

Clever idea, new to me as a concept

[mulhuzz]

Corporate Welfare: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/06/benefits-corporate-welfare-research-public-money-businesses

Should it be more of an issue?

[david3103]

Corporate Welfare: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/06/benefits-corporate-welfare-research-public-money-businesses

Should it be more of an issue?

44 companies received £1MM or more across 6 years?
These companies employed people?

I get the living wage issue and the tax avoidance shenanigans are appalling but this money is, in general, paid out to attract business to the UK. Or to encourage them to create opportunities in specific areas of the country.
The article has so many vague and woolly references to the scale of the issue that it almost seems like a smear campaign against the current administration. Yet this issue has been around for years, under both of the major parties.

[mulhuzz]

Corporate Welfare: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/06/benefits-corporate-welfare-research-public-money-businesses

Should it be more of an issue?

44 companies received £1MM or more across 6 years?
These companies employed people?

I get the living wage issue and the tax avoidance shenanigans are appalling but this money is, in general, paid out to attract business to the UK. Or to encourage them to create opportunities in specific areas of the country.
The article has so many vague and woolly references to the scale of the issue that it almost seems like a smear campaign against the current administration. Yet this issue has been around for years, under both of the major parties.

Smearing nobody...the point is nobody knows. And that's a disgrace to transparency and democracy.

[Jon MW]

Corporate Welfare: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/06/benefits-corporate-welfare-research-public-money-businesses

Should it be more of an issue?

Of course there should be proper oversight of it - but, for example, it gives the example of £170m handout to Disney; and in the same time the article it's linked to says that Disney has spent £1.4bn in that time.

Seems like a pretty good deal doesn't it?

[TightEnd]

massive tactical voting in clegg's seat

ICM Guardian Hallam poll finds that 48% of those who'd support CON nationally are ready to swing to LD to support Clegg