What I find amazing is that people have no idea just how reliant Britain is on foreign workers. Visit any care home anywhere and the bulk of the staff will be Eastern European or at least foreign. These jobs are not going to be taken by Brits because we don't do that anymore. Hospitals are similar. These two examples are not areas where the presence of immigrants are driving down wages unlike the argument used in the building trade. I just don't get the demonisation of a group of people fundamental to the requirements of our economy.
For me the last question on the future of our youth was the most important and least honestly answered.
The reasons for the lack of opportunity is because in part the last generation, me included, have borrowed to acquire wealth and left the next generation to pick up the bill.
The politicians try and confuse us with "debt" and "deficit". Debt is the national debt that builds up over time, deficit is how much govt over spends on year by year basis.
Balancing the books is just about current spend agsinst current borrowings. It will not balance the books on what has been overspent in the past to leave the current generation without access to the wealth now needed to repay our creditors.
There needs to be recognition of the need to make resources work for the young generation, that is not achieved by taxing and allowing government to piss it up the wall. It needs capitalism to be modernised with government tax relief for projects that benefit society, not just shareholders.
I am involved in a scheme to move pension investments away from concentrated equity investments n big business. Instead the funds are treated like a mutual society for the benefit of savers. Why can't collective pension fund value be loaned temporarily for another saver to self build their house. Instead of mortgage interest to the bank you pay a fixed rate to the savers who loaned the funds. You cut out the bank and intermediaries, get tax relief added, and cut the cost of housing by at least.
I will vote for a party that does more than blame every other party for the ills of the nation and shows some balls to encourage modern capitalism for the 21st century, but haven't found it.
I am involved in a scheme to move pension investments away from concentrated equity investments n big business. Instead the funds are treated like a mutual society for the benefit of savers. Why can't collective pension fund value be loaned temporarily for another saver to self build their house. Instead of mortgage interest to the bank you pay a fixed rate to the savers who loaned the funds. You cut out the bank and intermediaries, get tax relief added, and cut the cost of housing
---- vff: Thats a great idea.
There's got to be a better way on housing then what is happening at present. A way that preserves the current house price and stops rocketing house prices and rents. The housing situation in this country creates great instability and stress and is not helpful to building a stable community. For all the social housing that gets sold off, Housing Associations and Councils should be able to build a replacement. Depletion of the Social Housing stock is not a good thing. Creative ideas such Dippenhall's above are excellent as well.
Bennett: Was easily the worst performer on the night. Which was a shame for me as I think that environmental issues should be given far greater importance. Bennett really did come across as a bit of a mad-eyed screamer though. Her clipped-tone and tendency to bark out directives rather than appealing to voters will surely do her no favours. How much it affects the party is an unknown though. I think if she was the leader of one of the big two she'd have sunk them last night. But the Greens are just a protest vote in most constituencies , so her poor individual performance may not be that important comparatively.
Cameron: Looked comfortable and did what he needed to. As the man with potentially the most to lose it was chiefly about damage limitation. Important for him not to get dragged into a scrum and he managed that ok. I don't particularly agree with him, but thought he put his points across well.
Clegg: Looked the most comfortable and the most natural. But for me, I'd never personally trust him for the way he jumped into bed with the Tories.
Farage: When he's doing the matey jokey thing saying that the others are all the same, he comes across very well. Scratch the surface though and you find someone whose policies are really quite vile. It would be a really sad indictment of people's humanity if his HIV outburst didn't cost him heavily.
Miliband: I don't think he's quite as bad as some would make out, but he doesn't come across well. I think there are two problems with his performance. Firstly he has a tendency to leap to an answer like an excitable kid, then he pauses as if he's realised that he hasn't thought it through. When he resumes speaking, it doesn't matter how good the content of he speech, I still end up with a nagging doubt that he's just making stuff up on the hoof. The other problem is his eyes, and this is a shame because there's absolutely nothing he can do about them, but the irises are so dark you can't distinguish them from his pupils. This means that he constantly looks like he is staring vacantly into the distance like some bewildered Mark Corrigan character.
Sturgeon: I thought she was OK, but nothing like as special as people are making about.
Wood: I was impressed with the way she was the only one to tackle the issue of 'austerity as choice' head on. I still find it hard to take these little nationalist parties seriously though.
Why would anyone want to go back to where the trouble started? 5 more years of overspending on welfare again, building up more debt
So which economic indicators has the coalition delivered on its promises on then? Deficit reduction? Growth? Reducing the national debt? Maintaining our AAA credit rating? Increasing exports? Has it significantly reformed the banking sector 7 years after the crash?
I think SHG raises a great point in that those living and working in the South East/London are far from in the ideal position to judge what those of us in the poorer parts of the country are seeing in terms of any supposed recovery. When I walk down my local high street I still see more businesses going than starting up for instance and few people I know feel anything like better off or more economically secure now relative to 2010.
I think the economic recovery can be viewed in a slightly less blinkered way than a stroll down Highcliffe shopping arcade and a chat with a couple of random mates. I'm sure you read your local papers.
The press headlines suggest your anecdotal bias to be a bit wide of the mark for the bigger picture
''Bournemouth beats London as UK's fastest-growing digital economy'' Feb 2015 Britain’s digital economy is booming outside London, with 74pc of digital firms now based beyond the capital, and Bournemouth, Liverpool and Brighton emerging as the industry’s runaway success stories.
Or this from the Echo
Bournemouth one of handful of "cities" driving economy, says report 19th January 2015
BOURNEMOUTH is one of a handful of cities driving economic growth in the UK, according to new research.
Bournemouth is fifth in the table with a 10% growth in jobs between 2004 and 2015. It is also tenth in the table for number of businesses, with 345.5 businesses for every 10,000 people. The proportion of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance is one of the lowest too, at 1.3% - the ninth lowest, according to the study.
My local paper had this article last week
Jaguar Land Rover to invest £450m in Castle Bromwich factory 24 March 2015 Huge investment to turn site into world centre for building aluminium cars
The investment in Castle Bromwich is part of a major push on the Big Cat marque with JLR also putting £400 million into a research and development centre in Coventry.
The new site is set to be built next to the firm’s global headquarters at Whitley, creating another 7,000 to 11,000 jobs indirectly through the supply chain.
Away from manufacturing HSBC moves its UK bank headquarters to Birmingham 24 March 2015 In Birmingham's biggest inward investment deal for a generation, Britain's biggest bank is relocating its UK operation to Arena Central. It comes as a result of new laws over ring-fencing investment arms from the Vickers report into banking.
Bournemouth !!! I'm sure your figures are correct but it's likely to be an anomaly rather than an indicator. Do you have to hand the figures for Skegness or Llandudno ? In any case Bournemouth is a cliche for rich retired so hardly a deprived area in the first place.
As for Birmingham. It's the countries second biggest city. If there was no glimmer of recovery there then we really would be in trouble.
I reiterate my earlier point. I think outside the City, Big business, and the South East in general most people are not feeling what David Cameron is saying. There undoubtedly is a recovery of sorts but it's impacting on very few ordinary workers.
Using the phrase "ordinary workers" is just so patronising. No one is ordinary. And I take it the record numbers of people in employment will not have noticed according to you?
Oh get over yourself. You know exactly what I mean and I wasn't trying to be patronising. To make things clear for you. By "ordinary worker" I mean the man or woman that has a job that isn't secure or particularly well paid and is doing the best they can for themselves and their families. Are they seeing the benefits of this recovery. Fuel bills, food bills, all hugely more expensive in the last five years. Pay frozen or barely increased. Many of the jobs created are zero hour and minimum wage. I don't see much much light at the end of the tunnel and in my humble opinion I think a good many people are like me.
Food price inflation reached a record high in August 2008 13%. - remember who was in power then? It was -3.3% in February this year. Meantime, many businesses made the heroic decision to keep as many workers on as possible (it's one of the reasons productivity is so poor) rather than pay less workers more money - that's the sort of equality a socialist should rejoice in - spreading the pain. Also you are conveniently forgetting that personal allowance increases have taken over 3mn people out of paying income tax altogether and from this weekend further changes will mean that the typical income tax payer is now paying over £700 less tax than they did in 2010. 26mn people are now paying less income tax than they did under the calamitous last regime. Sure that's partially offset by other tax charges but it's still good news and hopefully people will notice.
I'm £1600 a year worse off in during the last five years.
Food has never been more expensive. Gas and electricity prices are still too high and is a scandal. Those two things alone dwarf the income tax changes. Add to that the salary freeze I've been subjected to for the coalition years and the until very recently the theiving price of petrol at the pumps and I'm not sure I can quite view in the same light as "call me Dave" the benefits of his economic plan.
I don't doubt you're £1600 worse off after 5 years, but why is that ?
The reason is that Labour let pay & pensions in the public sector rise, at a greater rate than the private sector and then there was a pay freeze, as it was unaffordable. Tories get the blame for trying to rectify Labour's bad housekeeping.
I'm not too sure the cost of food is particularly down to either party.
Also, energy prices aren't really governments fault as such. (yes things can be tampered with).
The Tories have stopped fuel tax rises for years, that Labour were making.
Every time people mention the shambles of fiveish years ago I want to repeat that the financial crisis was created by us. By individuals wanting more, wanting it now, because they really really wanted it they ought to have it like an X-factor contestent. We consumed more than we earned, borrowed more than we should, were lent more than we ought to have been given...it was not a crisis created by any political party but by human greed.
Under Mr Cameron, the number of British citizens able to buy a mortgage has fallen by 750,000. There have been no less than 500 housing announcements by this coalition - extraordinary. The latest plans for 200,000 starter homes per year to be sold to first time buyers at 20% discount (on what, an inflated asking price?)
Lib Dems 'rent to own' scheme is seen as the way forward.
Emma Reynolds (shadow housing minister) popped up last month to pledge 'The next Labour government will recapture the post war spirit for building new houses' Plans she announced include 200,000 new houses per year by 2020.
None of these plans come anywhere near meeting demand.
Just a reminder Labour reduced the social housing stock by an astonishing 420,000 homes under their last government. Shameful.
Every time people mention the shambles of fiveish years ago I want to repeat that the financial crisis was created by us. By individuals wanting more, wanting it now, because they really really wanted it they ought to have it like an X-factor contestent. We consumed more than we earned, borrowed more than we should, were lent more than we ought to have been given...it was not a crisis created by any political party but by human greed.
Agreed. But Labour added to it by overspending as they always do and the Tories then make cuts to reduce the deficit as they always do.
This has been going on for a long time and will no doubt continue.
I presume you'll be voting Tory then, as they believe you shouldn't be overspending what you haven't got and not borrowing more than we should ?
Why would anyone want to go back to where the trouble started? 5 more years of overspending on welfare again, buildine debt
.
I think the economic recovery can be viewed in a slightly less blinkered way than a stroll down Highcliffe shopping arcade and a chat with a couple of random mates. I'm sure you read your local papers.
The press headlines suggest your anecdotal bias to be a bit wide of the mark for the bigger picture
''Bournemouth beats London as UK's fastest-growing digital economy'' Feb 2015 Britain’s digital economy is booming outside London, with 74pc of digital firms now based beyond the capital, and Bournemouth, Liverpool and Brighton emerging as the industry’s runaway success stories.
Or this from the Echo
Bournemouth one of handful of "cities" driving economy, says report 19th January 2015
BOURNEMOUTH is one of a handful of cities driving economic growth in the UK, according to new research.
Bournemouth is fifth in the table with a 10% growth in jobs between 2004 and 2015. It is also tenth in the table for number of businesses, with 345.5 businesses for every 10,000 people. The proportion of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance is one of the lowest too, at 1.3% - the ninth lowest, according to the study.
My local paper had this article last week
Jaguar Land Rover to invest £450m in Castle Bromwich factory 24 March 2015 Huge investment to turn site into world centre for building aluminium cars
The investment in Castle Bromwich is part of a major push on the Big Cat marque with JLR also putting £400 million into a research and development centre in Coventry.
The new site is set to be built next to the firm’s global headquarters at Whitley, creating another 7,000 to 11,000 jobs indirectly through the supply chain.
Away from manufacturing HSBC moves its UK bank headquarters to Birmingham 24 March 2015 In Birmingham's biggest inward investment deal for a generation, Britain's biggest bank is relocating its UK operation to Arena Central. It comes as a result of new laws over ring-fencing investment arms from the Vickers report into banking.
I'd strongly refute my views on the economic performance of this government are only supported by "anecdotal bias" and think my posting record to verifiable, external sources stands up as well as anyones in this discussion and better than most if I'm honest. I thought about the point that in my experience we are seeing few signs on the high street of any recovery but put it in my post anyway because a) it is my experience and b) as part of my job I speak to businesses of all sizes and types on a daily basis and they are without exception telling me they are struggling.
If you've been looking at my local rag for good news economic stories then perhaps you also came across plenty of bad news stories too, like the one yesterday about the record numbers of callers for debt advice services in Christchurch (of all places!) or the proliferation of food banks we are seeing in line with everyone else in the UK?
By all means argue the point about the economy on the indicators available, like the removal of our AAA rating which is a fact not an opinion, but please don't suggest I base my views only on a chat with a couple of mates.
Bournemouth is fifth in the table with a 10% growth in jobs between 2004 and 2015. It is also tenth in the table for number of businesses, with 345.5 businesses for every 10,000 people. The proportion of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance is one of the lowest too, at 1.3% - the ninth lowest, according to the study.
So either the facts in the survey are wrong or when people talk to you, a clear Labour standard carrier, they give you the story you want to hear. Or you are talking to exceptions? When there has been a 10% increase in jobs, how can businesses be 'without exception, struggling' ? Something doesnt add up!
They were far too busy making themselves look ridiculous. Miliband is completely out of his depth. How this twat has made it to party leader is astonishing.
It's too early for me to do the maths, but last night Nigel Farage said a house was built every 17 minutes for the sole purpose of housing immigrants, just wondering how many houses have been built whilst I've been asleep.
Every 7 minutes actually Chief
Equivalent to 75,000 per annum - given we are only building 100,000 total per annum, he is implying 75% go to new immigrants. Like virtually everything that comes out his mouth I suspect this is unsubstantiated BS.
As Len later qualified, what he said was that 1 house is needed to be built every 7 minutes just to accommodate net migration, not actually built. 145,000 new homes were registered in the UK in 2014. That is why there is such demand pressure behind house price inflation, particularly in the South East - great for existing house owners and politicians seeking re-election but putting them out of reach of many looking for their first purchase.
Things couldn't continue labour took us to the brink of disaster financially and left the treasury in a total mess,
How anyone can trust them to continue growing the economy and getting it back on track is beyond me
All I care about is that issue as a self employed business owner is can see that money is returning into the country and people are starting to do well again,
It's an out and out lie for Farage (and those who support him) to claim that nothing can be done about migration from the EU. I've already quoted the Polish Foreign Minister pointing out how easy it is to dissuade the most undesirable types (those that @brogip mentioned, and I have every sympathy with him). Also don't call Poland "a former associate" of the Soviet Union in front of Mr Sikorski. "Occupied territory" would be far more accurate. They are now countries who are pulling themselves up by their bootlaces creating new markets for EU exporters. Unfortunately while I see German companies from Bosch to BMW coining it in the Czech republic, the British seem to mainly export estate agents, although at least M&S have recently started making an effort and its paying off for them -30% growth in food sales. Right now I've got packs of British fruit and veg from named farmers in Kent in my fridge - but I bet they were picked by Romanians because no Brits want to do that kind of work. The fact is that the vast majority of EU citizens who arrive are young well-educated and want to work. They are going to help pay the pensions of the ageing population. That is also a big issue, is it not? I agree that infrastructure and housing supply is a big issue, and some people on CL helped me understand it better. But simplistic populist solutions such as "get out of the EU" are just that, they have unintended consequences and I'm surprised you don't see the dangers of them.
Perhaps you could tell us all what difference it would make to the problems in Calais if we left the EU tomorrow because those desperate people are not EU citizens. Why do you think they are not happy just to stay in France?
One of your more bizarre rants Prague. A touch too much Type 1 anger on show this morning. Happy Easter.
Every time people mention the shambles of fiveish years ago I want to repeat that the financial crisis was created by us. By individuals wanting more, wanting it now, because they really really wanted it they ought to have it like an X-factor contestent. We consumed more than we earned, borrowed more than we should, were lent more than we ought to have been given...it was not a crisis created by any political party but by human greed.
Agreed. But Labour added to it by overspending as they always do and the Tories then make cuts to reduce the deficit as they always do.
This has been going on for a long time and will no doubt continue.
I presume you'll be voting Tory then, as they believe you shouldn't be overspending what you haven't got and not borrowing more than we should ?
Well if you want to judge me on my personal financial behaviour I have earned it first, spent it second. I don't think that is a Tory trait though.
Why would anyone want to go back to where the trouble started? 5 more years of overspending on welfare again, building up more debt
So which economic indicators has the coalition delivered on its promises on then? Deficit reduction? Growth? Reducing the national debt? Maintaining our AAA credit rating? Increasing exports? Has it significantly reformed the banking sector 7 years after the crash?
I think SHG raises a great point in that those living and working in the South East/London are far from in the ideal position to judge what those of us in the poorer parts of the country are seeing in terms of any supposed recovery. When I walk down my local high street I still see more businesses going than starting up for instance and few people I know feel anything like better off or more economically secure now relative to 2010.
I think the economic recovery can be viewed in a slightly less blinkered way than a stroll down Highcliffe shopping arcade and a chat with a couple of random mates. I'm sure you read your local papers.
The press headlines suggest your anecdotal bias to be a bit wide of the mark for the bigger picture
''Bournemouth beats London as UK's fastest-growing digital economy'' Feb 2015 Britain’s digital economy is booming outside London, with 74pc of digital firms now based beyond the capital, and Bournemouth, Liverpool and Brighton emerging as the industry’s runaway success stories.
Or this from the Echo
Bournemouth one of handful of "cities" driving economy, says report 19th January 2015
BOURNEMOUTH is one of a handful of cities driving economic growth in the UK, according to new research.
Bournemouth is fifth in the table with a 10% growth in jobs between 2004 and 2015. It is also tenth in the table for number of businesses, with 345.5 businesses for every 10,000 people. The proportion of people claiming Job Seekers Allowance is one of the lowest too, at 1.3% - the ninth lowest, according to the study.
My local paper had this article last week
Jaguar Land Rover to invest £450m in Castle Bromwich factory 24 March 2015 Huge investment to turn site into world centre for building aluminium cars
The investment in Castle Bromwich is part of a major push on the Big Cat marque with JLR also putting £400 million into a research and development centre in Coventry.
The new site is set to be built next to the firm’s global headquarters at Whitley, creating another 7,000 to 11,000 jobs indirectly through the supply chain.
Away from manufacturing HSBC moves its UK bank headquarters to Birmingham 24 March 2015 In Birmingham's biggest inward investment deal for a generation, Britain's biggest bank is relocating its UK operation to Arena Central. It comes as a result of new laws over ring-fencing investment arms from the Vickers report into banking.
Bournemouth !!! I'm sure your figures are correct but it's likely to be an anomaly rather than an indicator. Do you have to hand the figures for Skegness or Llandudno ? In any case Bournemouth is a cliche for rich retired so hardly a deprived area in the first place.
As for Birmingham. It's the countries second biggest city. If there was no glimmer of recovery there then we really would be in trouble.
I reiterate my earlier point. I think outside the City, Big business, and the South East in general most people are not feeling what David Cameron is saying. There undoubtedly is a recovery of sorts but it's impacting on very few ordinary workers.
Using the phrase "ordinary workers" is just so patronising. No one is ordinary. And I take it the record numbers of people in employment will not have noticed according to you?
Oh get over yourself. You know exactly what I mean and I wasn't trying to be patronising. To make things clear for you. By "ordinary worker" I mean the man or woman that has a job that isn't secure or particularly well paid and is doing the best they can for themselves and their families. Are they seeing the benefits of this recovery. Fuel bills, food bills, all hugely more expensive in the last five years. Pay frozen or barely increased. Many of the jobs created are zero hour and minimum wage. I don't see much much light at the end of the tunnel and in my humble opinion I think a good many people are like me.
Food price inflation reached a record high in August 2008 13%. - remember who was in power then? It was -3.3% in February this year. Meantime, many businesses made the heroic decision to keep as many workers on as possible (it's one of the reasons productivity is so poor) rather than pay less workers more money - that's the sort of equality a socialist should rejoice in - spreading the pain. Also you are conveniently forgetting that personal allowance increases have taken over 3mn people out of paying income tax altogether and from this weekend further changes will mean that the typical income tax payer is now paying over £700 less tax than they did in 2010. 26mn people are now paying less income tax than they did under the calamitous last regime. Sure that's partially offset by other tax charges but it's still good news and hopefully people will notice.
I'm £1600 a year worse off in during the last five years.
Food has never been more expensive. Gas and electricity prices are still too high and is a scandal. Those two things alone dwarf the income tax changes. Add to that the salary freeze I've been subjected to for the coalition years and the until very recently the theiving price of petrol at the pumps and I'm not sure I can quite view in the same light as "call me Dave" the benefits of his economic plan.
First, over time prices will always go up, so generally all things have never been more expensive. As for gas & leccy, I'm retired, so my utilities take a hammering. I spend around £1100 pa. Do you really think £3 a day - less than a pint of beer - is actually too much of a price to pay to power up your life and keep warm. Jeez, it's not far off the bargain of all time.
It's an out and out lie for Farage (and those who support him) to claim that nothing can be done about migration from the EU. I've already quoted the Polish Foreign Minister pointing out how easy it is to dissuade the most undesirable types (those that @brogip mentioned, and I have every sympathy with him). Also don't call Poland "a former associate" of the Soviet Union in front of Mr Sikorski. "Occupied territory" would be far more accurate. They are now countries who are pulling themselves up by their bootlaces creating new markets for EU exporters. Unfortunately while I see German companies from Bosch to BMW coining it in the Czech republic, the British seem to mainly export estate agents, although at least M&S have recently started making an effort and its paying off for them -30% growth in food sales. Right now I've got packs of British fruit and veg from named farmers in Kent in my fridge - but I bet they were picked by Romanians because no Brits want to do that kind of work. The fact is that the vast majority of EU citizens who arrive are young well-educated and want to work. They are going to help pay the pensions of the ageing population. That is also a big issue, is it not? I agree that infrastructure and housing supply is a big issue, and some people on CL helped me understand it better. But simplistic populist solutions such as "get out of the EU" are just that, they have unintended consequences and I'm surprised you don't see the dangers of them.
Perhaps you could tell us all what difference it would make to the problems in Calais if we left the EU tomorrow because those desperate people are not EU citizens. Why do you think they are not happy just to stay in France?
One of your more bizarre rants Prague. A touch too much Type 1 anger on show this morning. Happy Easter.
Sorry, let me simplify, and lose the ranting element.
Farage says that there is nothing that can be done to reduce the current high level of EU migration. This is not true. We can easily bring our benefit system into line with those of other EU countries, so that "undesirable" migrants have no more reason to come here than to say Germany.
Farage totally fails to mention that at least half of the current net migration pressure comes from outside the EU. He has no plan to deal with that. Indeed last night he appeared to encourage more, from what he romantically described as the Commonwealth. As we know there are huge assimilation issues (and worse) among communities of ex-Commonwealth countries. This will not be addressed by his main policy, to leave the EU.
It's an out and out lie for Farage (and those who support him) to claim that nothing can be done about migration from the EU. I've already quoted the Polish Foreign Minister pointing out how easy it is to dissuade the most undesirable types (those that @brogip mentioned, and I have every sympathy with him). Also don't call Poland "a former associate" of the Soviet Union in front of Mr Sikorski. "Occupied territory" would be far more accurate. They are now countries who are pulling themselves up by their bootlaces creating new markets for EU exporters. Unfortunately while I see German companies from Bosch to BMW coining it in the Czech republic, the British seem to mainly export estate agents, although at least M&S have recently started making an effort and its paying off for them -30% growth in food sales. Right now I've got packs of British fruit and veg from named farmers in Kent in my fridge - but I bet they were picked by Romanians because no Brits want to do that kind of work. The fact is that the vast majority of EU citizens who arrive are young well-educated and want to work. They are going to help pay the pensions of the ageing population. That is also a big issue, is it not? I agree that infrastructure and housing supply is a big issue, and some people on CL helped me understand it better. But simplistic populist solutions such as "get out of the EU" are just that, they have unintended consequences and I'm surprised you don't see the dangers of them.
Perhaps you could tell us all what difference it would make to the problems in Calais if we left the EU tomorrow because those desperate people are not EU citizens. Why do you think they are not happy just to stay in France?
One of your more bizarre rants Prague. A touch too much Type 1 anger on show this morning. Happy Easter.
I'd love to see Peter Grace (UKIP candidate in Arundel), meeting with Farage. Grace stood against Farage in 2009 euro elections. During his campaign he wrote ''UKIP are the party with most fraud convictions of ANY party in the whole of the EU. Snouts in the trough methinks'' On twitter he formed UKIP watch, dedicated to exposing ''the gaggle of conspiracy nuts, racists and outright fascists''
He was told that his leaflet photo made him 'look like a member of UKIP or something worse' he replied ''What could be worse?''
After losing to Farage he joined UKIP a few months later! ''I joined in 2009 to put the Great back into Britain and restore democracy''
What a man of principle. Between 1986 and 2012 he was a member of the Tory party.
Again, I am not a clear "Labour standard carrier" at all and certainly not when I am at work so I'd be grateful if you would kindly stop this groundless suggestion that I am soliciting for anti-coalition opinions. Perhaps I shouldn't have said without exception in hindsight, there are always exceptions, but I do know though that overwhelmingly the response to any simple, everyday conversational question like "how's things?" is met in the negative. You aren't there, you aren't seeing or hearing what I am told and give me at least some credit as a professional.
To respond to your actual point, the 10% growth in jobs figure includes 6 years under Labour for starters and we've had a 17 year high in unemployment under this government. I don't have the figures to hand but how many of these new jobs since that time are reliant on in work benefits to top up the salary? How many of those jobs are full time, permanent jobs filled by young people who I think have had a dreadful time under this government?
I'd love to see Peter Grace (UKIP candidate in Arundel), meeting with Farage. Grace stood against Farage in 2009 euro elections. During his campaign he wrote ''UKIP are the party with most fraud convictions of ANY party in the whole of the EU. Snouts in the trough methinks'' On twitter he formed UKIP watch, dedicated to exposing ''the gaggle of conspiracy nuts, racists and outright fascists''
He was told that his leaflet photo made him 'look like a member of UKIP or something worse' he replied ''What could be worse?''
After losing to Farage he joined UKIP a few months later! ''I joined in 2009 to put the Great back into Britain and restore democracy''
What a man of principle. Between 1986 and 2012 he was a member of the Tory party.
I'd love to see Peter Grace (UKIP candidate in Arundel), meeting with Farage. Grace stood against Farage in 2009 euro elections. During his campaign he wrote ''UKIP are the party with most fraud convictions of ANY party in the whole of the EU. Snouts in the trough methinks'' On twitter he formed UKIP watch, dedicated to exposing ''the gaggle of conspiracy nuts, racists and outright fascists''
He was told that his leaflet photo made him 'look like a member of UKIP or something worse' he replied ''What could be worse?''
After losing to Farage he joined UKIP a few months later! ''I joined in 2009 to put the Great back into Britain and restore democracy''
What a man of principle. Between 1986 and 2012 he was a member of the Tory party.
My sitting Conservative MP stood for Labour elsewhere in 2005.
Is it lack of principle or lack of difference between the parties which enables him to sit as a Conservative MP?
The same might apply to Grace's own views and those of UKIP.
I met a guy (called Bob Jope) yesterday who told me that he taught Nigel Farage at Dulwich College and that at the time he was an unashamed fascist who was known for teaching the other kids Hitler Youth songs. He told me he had evidence to substantiate his claims as well and had been interviewed by the media about it. I Googled his name and came across this article -http://www.channel4.com/news/nigel-farage-ukip-letter-school-concerns-racism-fascism - amongst many other things.
Now I don't for a minute think that all UKIP supporters are Fascists and most I imagine would be disgusted by the thought of the Hitler Youth songs but this is what you are voting for. If you are comfortable with that then fine, crack on. I most certainly would not be.
Len I think in Grace's case, to label the UKIP party as he did (racist fascist conspiracy nuts), then join them within a matter of weeks, suggests he is a man whose moral compass is, shall we say, confused?
Joining UKIP whilst still, for 3 years, a member of the Conservative party? I wouldnt vote for him.
It occurred to me, after watching the show last night, that the politicians really do massively overestimate their importance. Parliament has now dissolved and they won't be back to work until sometime after May 7th. What will happen to the country in the meantime - I suggest not much. Now imagine if the train or bus drivers all decided to have the same break.
The three things that have that have changed this country most over the past 50 years are immigration, the EU and middle eastern wars. The electorate of this country have never had a choice on any of them, that is the issue facing us, not the economy, not the welfare state, not the deficit. Democracy itself is the issue and I'm afraid most people are either not aware of that, in disagreement or just don't care. For me that is very worrying.
Whatever happens after this election I cant see Scotland being part of The Union for long, Holyrood makes that inevitable, eventually the SNP will have their way. That will mean a very different political situation.
Personally, I never make up my mind on voting during an election campaign because then you are just judging the parties ability to run with sound bites and manipulate the media, it's all just marketing from now on in. I have already made up my mind, no amount marketing will change it now.
It's an out and out lie for Farage (and those who support him) to claim that nothing can be done about migration from the EU. I've already quoted the Polish Foreign Minister pointing out how easy it is to dissuade the most undesirable types (those that @brogip mentioned, and I have every sympathy with him). Also don't call Poland "a former associate" of the Soviet Union in front of Mr Sikorski. "Occupied territory" would be far more accurate. They are now countries who are pulling themselves up by their bootlaces creating new markets for EU exporters. Unfortunately while I see German companies from Bosch to BMW coining it in the Czech republic, the British seem to mainly export estate agents, although at least M&S have recently started making an effort and its paying off for them -30% growth in food sales. Right now I've got packs of British fruit and veg from named farmers in Kent in my fridge - but I bet they were picked by Romanians because no Brits want to do that kind of work. The fact is that the vast majority of EU citizens who arrive are young well-educated and want to work. They are going to help pay the pensions of the ageing population. That is also a big issue, is it not? I agree that infrastructure and housing supply is a big issue, and some people on CL helped me understand it better. But simplistic populist solutions such as "get out of the EU" are just that, they have unintended consequences and I'm surprised you don't see the dangers of them.
Perhaps you could tell us all what difference it would make to the problems in Calais if we left the EU tomorrow because those desperate people are not EU citizens. Why do you think they are not happy just to stay in France?
One of your more bizarre rants Prague. A touch too much Type 1 anger on show this morning. Happy Easter.
Sorry, let me simplify, and lose the ranting element.
Farage says that there is nothing that can be done to reduce the current high level of EU migration. This is not true. We can easily bring our benefit system into line with those of other EU countries, so that "undesirable" migrants have no more reason to come here than to say Germany.
Farage totally fails to mention that at least half of the current net migration pressure comes from outside the EU. He has no plan to deal with that. Indeed last night he appeared to encourage more, from what he romantically described as the Commonwealth. As we know there are huge assimilation issues (and worse) among communities of ex-Commonwealth countries. This will not be addressed by his main policy, to leave the EU.
That better?
All immigrants, no matter where they're from, will be assessed on the same criteria. No more discrimination towards those not within the EU.
The Green Party are facing embarrassment. Dame Vivienne Westwood has been exposed in the Telegraph as adopting the 'Starbucks' offshore business model. As the Green's biggest donor (300,000GBP just recently deposited with them), she is benefiting from precisely the sort of tax scheme the Green's have been banging on about outlawing. Hypocrisy rules British politics.
Although I think the HIV comment was risky in this day and age, I think the point stands. Why are we happy to just pay for anyone's HIV treatment for the rest of their lives if they're not British residents who have paid into the system over an extended period of time?
It's an out and out lie for Farage (and those who support him) to claim that nothing can be done about migration from the EU. I've already quoted the Polish Foreign Minister pointing out how easy it is to dissuade the most undesirable types (those that @brogip mentioned, and I have every sympathy with him). Also don't call Poland "a former associate" of the Soviet Union in front of Mr Sikorski. "Occupied territory" would be far more accurate. They are now countries who are pulling themselves up by their bootlaces creating new markets for EU exporters. Unfortunately while I see German companies from Bosch to BMW coining it in the Czech republic, the British seem to mainly export estate agents, although at least M&S have recently started making an effort and its paying off for them -30% growth in food sales. Right now I've got packs of British fruit and veg from named farmers in Kent in my fridge - but I bet they were picked by Romanians because no Brits want to do that kind of work. The fact is that the vast majority of EU citizens who arrive are young well-educated and want to work. They are going to help pay the pensions of the ageing population. That is also a big issue, is it not? I agree that infrastructure and housing supply is a big issue, and some people on CL helped me understand it better. But simplistic populist solutions such as "get out of the EU" are just that, they have unintended consequences and I'm surprised you don't see the dangers of them.
Perhaps you could tell us all what difference it would make to the problems in Calais if we left the EU tomorrow because those desperate people are not EU citizens. Why do you think they are not happy just to stay in France?
One of your more bizarre rants Prague. A touch too much Type 1 anger on show this morning. Happy Easter.
Sorry, let me simplify, and lose the ranting element.
Farage says that there is nothing that can be done to reduce the current high level of EU migration. This is not true. We can easily bring our benefit system into line with those of other EU countries, so that "undesirable" migrants have no more reason to come here than to say Germany.
Farage totally fails to mention that at least half of the current net migration pressure comes from outside the EU. He has no plan to deal with that. Indeed last night he appeared to encourage more, from what he romantically described as the Commonwealth. As we know there are huge assimilation issues (and worse) among communities of ex-Commonwealth countries. This will not be addressed by his main policy, to leave the EU.
That better?
All immigrants, no matter where they're from, will be assessed on the same criteria. No more discrimination towards those not within the EU.
oh I see. Actually I don't. Presumably you are speaking as a UKIP supporter. Could you explain me what exactly UKIP is going to do about all those mainly North Africans camped out in Calais trying to get across to the UK?
I met a guy (called Bob Jope) yesterday who told me that he taught Nigel Farage at Dulwich College and that at the time he was an unashamed fascist who was known for teaching the other kids Hitler Youth songs. He told me he had evidence to substantiate his claims as well and had been interviewed by the media about it. I Googled his name and came across this article -http://www.channel4.com/news/nigel-farage-ukip-letter-school-concerns-racism-fascism - amongst many other things.
Now I don't for a minute think that all UKIP supporters are Fascists and most I imagine would be disgusted by the thought of the Hitler Youth songs but this is what you are voting for. If you are comfortable with that then fine, crack on. I most certainly would not be.
There are many eminent politicians who did repugnant things in their youth. Nelson Mandela for example.
Comments
The reasons for the lack of opportunity is because in part the last generation, me included, have borrowed to acquire wealth and left the next generation to pick up the bill.
The politicians try and confuse us with "debt" and "deficit". Debt is the national debt that builds up over time, deficit is how much govt over spends on year by year basis.
Balancing the books is just about current spend agsinst current borrowings. It will not balance the books on what has been overspent in the past to leave the current generation without access to the wealth now needed to repay our creditors.
There needs to be recognition of the need to make resources work for the young generation, that is not achieved by taxing and allowing government to piss it up the wall. It needs capitalism to be modernised with government tax relief for projects that benefit society, not just shareholders.
I am involved in a scheme to move pension investments away from concentrated equity investments n big business. Instead the funds are treated like a mutual society for the benefit of savers. Why can't collective pension fund value be loaned temporarily for another saver to self build their house. Instead of mortgage interest to the bank you pay a fixed rate to the savers who loaned the funds. You cut out the bank and intermediaries, get tax relief added, and cut the cost of housing by at least.
I will vote for a party that does more than blame every other party for the ills of the nation and shows some balls to encourage modern capitalism for the 21st century, but haven't found it.
I am involved in a scheme to move pension investments away from concentrated equity investments n big business. Instead the funds are treated like a mutual society for the benefit of savers. Why can't collective pension fund value be loaned temporarily for another saver to self build their house. Instead of mortgage interest to the bank you pay a fixed rate to the savers who loaned the funds. You cut out the bank and intermediaries, get tax relief added, and cut the cost of housing
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vff: Thats a great idea.
There's got to be a better way on housing then what is happening at present. A way that preserves the current house price and stops rocketing house prices and rents. The housing situation in this country creates great instability and stress and is not helpful to building a stable community. For all the social housing that gets sold off, Housing Associations and Councils should be able to build a replacement. Depletion of the Social Housing stock is not a good thing. Creative ideas such Dippenhall's above are excellent as well.
Cameron: Looked comfortable and did what he needed to. As the man with potentially the most to lose it was chiefly about damage limitation. Important for him not to get dragged into a scrum and he managed that ok. I don't particularly agree with him, but thought he put his points across well.
Clegg: Looked the most comfortable and the most natural. But for me, I'd never personally trust him for the way he jumped into bed with the Tories.
Farage: When he's doing the matey jokey thing saying that the others are all the same, he comes across very well. Scratch the surface though and you find someone whose policies are really quite vile. It would be a really sad indictment of people's humanity if his HIV outburst didn't cost him heavily.
Miliband: I don't think he's quite as bad as some would make out, but he doesn't come across well. I think there are two problems with his performance. Firstly he has a tendency to leap to an answer like an excitable kid, then he pauses as if he's realised that he hasn't thought it through. When he resumes speaking, it doesn't matter how good the content of he speech, I still end up with a nagging doubt that he's just making stuff up on the hoof. The other problem is his eyes, and this is a shame because there's absolutely nothing he can do about them, but the irises are so dark you can't distinguish them from his pupils. This means that he constantly looks like he is staring vacantly into the distance like some bewildered Mark Corrigan character.
Sturgeon: I thought she was OK, but nothing like as special as people are making about.
Wood: I was impressed with the way she was the only one to tackle the issue of 'austerity as choice' head on. I still find it hard to take these little nationalist parties seriously though.
The reason is that Labour let pay & pensions in the public sector rise, at a greater rate than the private sector and then there was a pay freeze, as it was unaffordable. Tories get the blame for trying to rectify Labour's bad housekeeping.
I'm not too sure the cost of food is particularly down to either party.
Also, energy prices aren't really governments fault as such. (yes things can be tampered with).
The Tories have stopped fuel tax rises for years, that Labour were making.
Under Mr Cameron, the number of British citizens able to buy a mortgage has fallen by 750,000.
There have been no less than 500 housing announcements by this coalition - extraordinary.
The latest plans for 200,000 starter homes per year to be sold to first time buyers at 20% discount (on what, an inflated asking price?)
Lib Dems 'rent to own' scheme is seen as the way forward.
Emma Reynolds (shadow housing minister) popped up last month to pledge 'The next Labour government will recapture the post war spirit for building new houses' Plans she announced include 200,000 new houses per year by 2020.
None of these plans come anywhere near meeting demand.
Just a reminder Labour reduced the social housing stock by an astonishing 420,000 homes under their last government. Shameful.
This has been going on for a long time and will no doubt continue.
I presume you'll be voting Tory then, as they believe you shouldn't be overspending what you haven't got and not borrowing more than we should ?
So either the facts in the survey are wrong or when people talk to you, a clear Labour standard carrier, they give you the story you want to hear. Or you are talking to exceptions? When there has been a 10% increase in jobs, how can businesses be 'without exception, struggling' ?
Something doesnt add up!
145,000 new homes were registered in the UK in 2014.
That is why there is such demand pressure behind house price inflation, particularly in the South East - great for existing house owners and politicians seeking re-election but putting them out of reach of many looking for their first purchase.
How anyone can trust them to continue growing the economy and getting it back on track is beyond me
All I care about is that issue as a self employed business owner is can see that money is returning into the country and people are starting to do well again,
A touch too much Type 1 anger on show this morning.
Happy Easter.
Farage says that there is nothing that can be done to reduce the current high level of EU migration. This is not true. We can easily bring our benefit system into line with those of other EU countries, so that "undesirable" migrants have no more reason to come here than to say Germany.
Farage totally fails to mention that at least half of the current net migration pressure comes from outside the EU. He has no plan to deal with that. Indeed last night he appeared to encourage more, from what he romantically described as the Commonwealth. As we know there are huge assimilation issues (and worse) among communities of ex-Commonwealth countries. This will not be addressed by his main policy, to leave the EU.
That better?
Grace stood against Farage in 2009 euro elections.
During his campaign he wrote ''UKIP are the party with most fraud convictions of ANY party in the whole of the EU. Snouts in the trough methinks''
On twitter he formed UKIP watch, dedicated to exposing ''the gaggle of conspiracy nuts, racists and outright fascists''
He was told that his leaflet photo made him 'look like a member of UKIP or something worse' he replied ''What could be worse?''
After losing to Farage he joined UKIP a few months later! ''I joined in 2009 to put the Great back into Britain and restore democracy''
What a man of principle.
Between 1986 and 2012 he was a member of the Tory party.
To respond to your actual point, the 10% growth in jobs figure includes 6 years under Labour for starters and we've had a 17 year high in unemployment under this government. I don't have the figures to hand but how many of these new jobs since that time are reliant on in work benefits to top up the salary? How many of those jobs are full time, permanent jobs filled by young people who I think have had a dreadful time under this government?
Is it lack of principle or lack of difference between the parties which enables him to sit as a Conservative MP?
The same might apply to Grace's own views and those of UKIP.
Now I don't for a minute think that all UKIP supporters are Fascists and most I imagine would be disgusted by the thought of the Hitler Youth songs but this is what you are voting for. If you are comfortable with that then fine, crack on. I most certainly would not be.
I think in Grace's case, to label the UKIP party as he did (racist fascist conspiracy nuts), then join them within a matter of weeks, suggests he is a man whose moral compass is, shall we say, confused?
Joining UKIP whilst still, for 3 years, a member of the Conservative party? I wouldnt vote for him.
Whatever happens after this election I cant see Scotland being part of The Union for long, Holyrood makes that inevitable, eventually the SNP will have their way. That will mean a very different political situation.
Personally, I never make up my mind on voting during an election campaign because then you are just judging the parties ability to run with sound bites and manipulate the media, it's all just marketing from now on in. I have already made up my mind, no amount marketing will change it now.
Dame Vivienne Westwood has been exposed in the Telegraph as adopting the 'Starbucks' offshore business model.
As the Green's biggest donor (300,000GBP just recently deposited with them), she is benefiting from precisely the sort of tax scheme the Green's have been banging on about outlawing.
Hypocrisy rules British politics.