The United Kingdom Elections

[Dragar]

So...we have a general election coming up. I get to vote both locally and nationally.

The question is...who do I vote for?

There are three main choices. Some of these facts are probably wrong, or just plain made up, but this is the impression I've got from the various propoganda and media coverage floating around.

Labour - lead by Tony Blair, and have been in power for the last eight years. While the economy, NHS and the education seem to have had slight improvements (poorly executed 'throwing money at the problem' plans), I can't vote for Blair since he's lied to the country, invaded Iraq under false pretences, without a UN sanction, and is essentially a war criminal.

They also have stupid plans to introduce ID cards (a huge money sink) and I think their immigration policies are unworkable (they plan to track every person entering the country, to make sure they go home if they don't have permission to stay).

They want 50% of the population to go to university and get a degree, and are boosting student fees to pay for it. A nice way of making my four years and twelve thousand pounds of dead pretty much worthless.

Conservatives - lead by Michael Howard. They don't seem to know what they're doing right now, and their leader is one of the creepiest people I've ever seen in politics. From his background, he does not have a good track record for doing what he says when he gets into power. At all. Their finances plans have been criticised for not adding up properly. I think they'll either send taxes through the roof, or ruin the economy.

That said, they probably present the biggest threat to Labour's hold. They have labour-esque policies, but at least don't have the wacky ideas about ID cards and immigration. Oh, and they're not lead by a war criminal.

Liberal Democrats - lead by Charles Kennedy. They don't seem to have any policies! The scant ones they do have are a mixture of how ideals with terrible pragmatism. They intend, for instance, to level the amount of taxes we all pay, making it based on our income. Hardest hit will be the top earners in the country. The problem is that should this be done, they will simply go abroad. Not a good move.

They want to axe student fees, too - but where will university funding come from? They don't have an answer.

While I like their ideals, they don't know how to compromise with reality. They also don't have as much of a support as labour. But at least they're honest - they've told us all they'll raise taxes, and precisely where.


So, who do I vote for? The lying war criminal, the sleazy, creepy politician, or the kind hearted but imcompetent fool?

[Godless Dave]

Keep in mind that Howard supported the invasion of Iraq, so he can't be trusted on foreign policy matters any more than Bliar can. Which is to say, not at all.

Tax rates being based on income are hardly a novel or radical idea. It's called progressive taxation. Almost all industrialized democracies do it; the question is how steep a curve you should have. I don't see rich people and profitable companies fleeing Sweden.

[John Carter]

Originally Posted by Godless Dave

Keep in mind that Howard supported the invasion of Iraq, so he can't be trusted on foreign policy matters any more than Bliar can. Which is to say, not at all.

What does Howard have to do with elections in the UK?

[Gurdur]

Originally Posted by John Carter

What does Howard have to do with elections in the UK?

Oooer. You another Aussie ?

[Shaguar]

In fairness to Howard he supported the invasion on the same crap that His Tonyness fed him just like the rest of us.

The Liberal Democrats tax policies are to change the Property tax to reflect income, the tax we already pay IS based on our income.

I live in what may well be a marginal seat this time around, no labour chance to speak of, it's between the Libs (incumbent) and the Conservatives. Worst thing is that there is a rumour locally the UKIP (lunatic right wing) may well get a significant vote although Kilroy-Silks new party Veritas (another loony right wing party) may split the silly vote (sorry Pythons!)

I am still floating at the moment although I am an election junkie and will watch all the programmes and am tingling with excitement as to what graphics John Snow will astound us with on election night, God how I miss Bob MacKenzie and his "Swingometer" made out of bits of balsa and cardboard and yes I know I need to get out more

[Dragar]

Kilroy is a nutcase. Did you see him talking to that immigrant on the news?


Kilroy: How long have you been here?
Man (in broken English): Two years.
Kilroy: When are you going home?
Man: Next Joo-lie. Joo-lie.
Kilroy: What, July? In six months?
Man: Yes, next Joo-lie.
Kilroy: Why in July? Why not tomorrow?

It worries me he may actually get some votes.

[viscousmemories]

Originally Posted by John Carter

What does Howard have to do with elections in the UK?

Different Howard, I think. From the OP: "Conservatives - lead by Michael Howard."

[Dragar]

I rather imagine it's a different Howard.

Here's the Howard I'm talking about. He's holding an imaginary football:

[viscousmemories]

Ya think? Looks like a giant hoagie to me.

[Shake]

Uh-oh ... I sense a 'caption the picture' contest coming on!

[livius drusus]

I once fondled a nad this big.

[Gurdur]

Originally Posted by livius drusus

I once fondled a nad this big.

With elephantiasis you can really go places, right ?

[Godless Dave]

Originally Posted by Shaguar

In fairness to Howard he supported the invasion on the same crap that His Tonyness fed him just like the rest of us.

I've decided I am no longer accepting "I'm so gullible I believed obvious bullshit" as an excuse, at least in matters of war. But actually Howard has said he believed the invasion was justified on grounds of regime change, regardless of the bogus WMD intelligence. Which I find objectionable, but at least he's honest about it. I prefer an honest explanation for wrongheaded policy to a dishonest one, so he's got Blair beat in that respect.

Originally Posted by Shaguar

The Liberal Democrats tax policies are to change the Property tax to reflect income, the tax we already pay IS based on our income.

OK, that is fucked up. Although my state gives property tax breaks to people below a certain income level; everybody above the threshold pays the same rate.

Originally Posted by Shaguar

I am still floating at the moment although I am an election junkie and will watch all the programmes and am tingling with excitement as to what graphics John Snow will astound us with on election night, God how I miss Bob MacKenzie and his "Swingometer" made out of bits of balsa and cardboard and yes I know I need to get out more

What about the swong?

[JoeP]

Originally Posted by Dragar

I rather imagine it's a different Howard.

Here's the Howard I'm talking about. He's holding an imaginary football:

"Rush Limbaugh's just jealous"

[Dragar]

The Liberal Democrats tax policies are to change the Property tax to reflect income, the tax we already pay IS based on our income.

Council tax is not, and that's what they intend to scrap. They will raise income tax, though.