Imagine 20 years ago you had told Conservative voters that in 2014 we would have a Prime Minister who was fiercely determined to stay inthe EU, raise the minimum wage, introduce gay marriage...
I wonder how many would have thought it would be a Conservative?
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Many would. The Conservative Party has always been a broad church. Ask any Labour supporter from the 1960, 1970s or 1980s about PFI and most of New Labour's policies - they would not think they are 'Labour' in any shape or form.
Times change. The public change, and political parties have to try to mirror those social changes.
If the Cosnervatives are getting rid of the loonies (and I would count anyone who is now against gay marriage as a loony), then so be it.
Let them sink in their own cesspool of filth.
Judging by polling, most people who voted Conservative in 2010 opposed gay marriage. Are you really saying the Conservatives should wish to get rid of such voters?
I'm not saying anything of the sort.
What I'm saying is that people who are now against gay marriage are, in my opinion, pretty loony. We've had civil partnerships, and now gay marriage, and society has not ended.
It's time to move on. I've been on my own journey on this subject: I was against civil partnerships when they first came in (so was one of my gay friends, strangely enough), but I changed my mind as i talked to more people.
Perhaps I've had one too many conversation with anti-gay marriage people that's descended into blatant homophobia.
I'm assuming a big swing to Ed, and no Ed/Nick crossover.
Need Labour to keep a lead till the year end. Would b no good to me for them to lose it now. Swingback WILL happen, nigh on convinced of that - but it is the extent to which Labour can delay it - preferably not seeing 'true' equality in the polls till ~ March 2015 that'll keep me happy as essentially a CON majority layer !
Given your current form, I don't suppose you fancy backing the Magpies against Allardyce's mob this weekend?
Vic Reeves (up against Lawro's Football Focus predictions) has them winning 12-0, though the one that really made me laugh was his prediction that Man U would win 20-2 at Chelsea.
Imagine 20 years ago you had told Conservative voters that in 2014 we would have a Prime Minister who was fiercely determined to stay inthe EU, raise the minimum wage, introduce gay marriage...
I wonder how many would have thought it would be a Conservative?
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Many would. The Conservative Party has always been a broad church. Ask any Labour supporter from the 1960, 1970s or 1980s about PFI and most of New Labour's policies - they would not think they are 'Labour' in any shape or form.
Times change. The public change, and political parties have to try to mirror those social changes.
If the Cosnervatives are getting rid of the loonies (and I would count anyone who is now against gay marriage as a loony), then so be it.
Let them sink in their own cesspool of filth.
Judging by polling, most people who voted Conservative in 2010 opposed gay marriage. Are you really saying the Conservatives should wish to get rid of such voters?
People who aren't in favour of gay marriage are Loonies who should sink in a Cesspit of filth... Righto
It's the kind of comment that does make me think the Conservatives are doomed. By all means, support gay marriage. But, there's no need to insult your own supporters.
You seem to be labouring under the misapprehension that I'm a Conservative. Don't worry, plenty of people make the same mistake.
Imagine 20 years ago you had told Conservative voters that in 2014 we would have a Prime Minister who was fiercely determined to stay inthe EU, raise the minimum wage, introduce gay marriage...
I wonder how many would have thought it would be a Conservative?
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Many would. The Conservative Party has always been a broad church. Ask any Labour supporter from the 1960, 1970s or 1980s about PFI and most of New Labour's policies - they would not think they are 'Labour' in any shape or form.
Times change. The public change, and political parties have to try to mirror those social changes.
If the Cosnervatives are getting rid of the loonies (and I would count anyone who is now against gay marriage as a loony), then so be it.
Let them sink in their own cesspool of filth.
Judging by polling, most people who voted Conservative in 2010 opposed gay marriage. Are you really saying the Conservatives should wish to get rid of such voters?
People who aren't in favour of gay marriage are Loonies who should sink in a Cesspit of filth... Righto
It's the kind of comment that does make me think the Conservatives are doomed. By all means, support gay marriage. But, there's no need to insult your own supporters.
Seems like the kids that were bullied at school are now bullies themselves
Maybe that was always their ambition
Sorry, bullies / bullying, what are you going on about?!
Who's talking to you?!
just kidding
On this occasion I'm talking about some pro gay marriage people's attitude to people who arent in favour of gay marriage... They often use the language of rampant homophobes to describe anyone who disagrees with them on the subject
I don't see many people saying homosexuals that marry are sinking in a cesspit of filth for instance
But it works for many groups that were minorities that become the establishment, just as many kids that were picked on at school become bullies when they are older
Imagine 20 years ago you had told Conservative voters that in 2014 we would have a Prime Minister who was fiercely determined to stay inthe EU, raise the minimum wage, introduce gay marriage...
I wonder how many would have thought it would be a Conservative?
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Many would. The Conservative Party has always been a broad church. Ask any Labour supporter from the 1960, 1970s or 1980s about PFI and most of New Labour's policies - they would not think they are 'Labour' in any shape or form.
Times change. The public change, and political parties have to try to mirror those social changes.
If the Cosnervatives are getting rid of the loonies (and I would count anyone who is now against gay marriage as a loony), then so be it.
Let them sink in their own cesspool of filth.
Judging by polling, most people who voted Conservative in 2010 opposed gay marriage. Are you really saying the Conservatives should wish to get rid of such voters?
People who aren't in favour of gay marriage are Loonies who should sink in a Cesspit of filth... Righto
It's the kind of comment that does make me think the Conservatives are doomed. By all means, support gay marriage. But, there's no need to insult your own supporters.
Seems like the kids that were bullied at school are now bullies themselves
Maybe that was always their ambition
Sorry, bullies / bullying, what are you going on about?!
Who's talking to you?!
just kidding
On this occasion I'm talking about some pro gay marriage people's attitude to people who arent in favour of gay marriage... They often use the language of rampant homophobes to describe anyone who disagrees with them on the subject
I don't see many people saying homosexuals that marry are sinking in a cesspit of filth for instance
But it works for many groups that were minorities that become the establishment, just as many kids that were picked on at school become bullies when they are older
Hmmm. May I suggest you read up on the history of homosexuality in this country, and try to work out who the real bullies have been?
(And yes, as I said below, I've been on my own journey on this).
Imagine 20 years ago you had told Conservative voters that in 2014 we would have a Prime Minister who was fiercely determined to stay inthe EU, raise the minimum wage, introduce gay marriage...
I wonder how many would have thought it would be a Conservative?
"Twelve voices were shouting in anger, and they were all alike. No question, now, what had happened to the faces of the pigs. The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
Many would. The Conservative Party has always been a broad church. Ask any Labour supporter from the 1960, 1970s or 1980s about PFI and most of New Labour's policies - they would not think they are 'Labour' in any shape or form.
Times change. The public change, and political parties have to try to mirror those social changes.
If the Cosnervatives are getting rid of the loonies (and I would count anyone who is now against gay marriage as a loony), then so be it.
Let them sink in their own cesspool of filth.
Judging by polling, most people who voted Conservative in 2010 opposed gay marriage. Are you really saying the Conservatives should wish to get rid of such voters?
People who aren't in favour of gay marriage are Loonies who should sink in a Cesspit of filth... Righto
It's the kind of comment that does make me think the Conservatives are doomed. By all means, support gay marriage. But, there's no need to insult your own supporters.
Seems like the kids that were bullied at school are now bullies themselves
Maybe that was always their ambition
Sorry, bullies / bullying, what are you going on about?!
Who's talking to you?!
just kidding
On this occasion I'm talking about some pro gay marriage people's attitude to people who arent in favour of gay marriage... They often use the language of rampant homophobes to describe anyone who disagrees with them on the subject
I don't see many people saying homosexuals that marry are sinking in a cesspit of filth for instance
But it works for many groups that were minorities that become the establishment, just as many kids that were picked on at school become bullies when they are older
Wasn't that exactly what James Anderton, former Chief Constable of Manchester said about homosexuals some 25 years ago?
Ed Miliband has a net rating (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied) of -22. 31% are satisfied with his performance as Labour leader, while 53% are dissatisfied. Half (50%) of Labour supporters are satisfied with his performance, while 40% are dissatisfied, giving him a net rating of +10.
Nick Clegg has a net rating of -28, steady from -29 last month; 29% are satisfied with his performance as Deputy Prime Minister, 57% dissatisfied. Among Liberal Democrats his net rating is +20; 55% are satisfied, 35% dissatisfied.
David Cameron has a net rating of -14, in line with last month. 39% are satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister, while 53% are dissatisfied. Among Conservative supporters his net rating is at +63; 79% are satisfied, 16% dissatisfied.
Nigel Farage’s net rating is at -2; 35% are satisfied in his performance as UKIP leader, with 37% dissatisfied. Among UKIP supporters his net rating is at +89; 94% are satisfied, 5% dissatisfied.
Given your current form, I don't suppose you fancy backing the Magpies against Allardyce's mob this weekend?
Vic Reeves (up against Lawro's Football Focus predictions) has them winning 12-0, though the one that really made me laugh was his prediction that Man U would win 20-2 at Chelsea.
Don't diss Mystic Vic. In 1986 Reeves predicted West Ham would beat the barcodes 8-1 with Alvin Martin scoring a hat-trick against three different Newcastle keepers. And it happened.
Norman Smith picks up on the key issue of the speech.
Miliband is seeking to define `Cost of Living` as not about wages exceeding inflation etc. but about the middle and working class worrying about their jobs,incomes,pensions and about where the next generation of jobs for their children is going to come from.
Ed Miliband has a net rating (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied) of -22. 31% are satisfied with his performance as Labour leader, while 53% are dissatisfied. Half (50%) of Labour supporters are satisfied with his performance, while 40% are dissatisfied, giving him a net rating of +10.
Nick Clegg has a net rating of -28, steady from -29 last month; 29% are satisfied with his performance as Deputy Prime Minister, 57% dissatisfied. Among Liberal Democrats his net rating is +20; 55% are satisfied, 35% dissatisfied.
David Cameron has a net rating of -14, in line with last month. 39% are satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister, while 53% are dissatisfied. Among Conservative supporters his net rating is at +63; 79% are satisfied, 16% dissatisfied.
Nigel Farage’s net rating is at -2; 35% are satisfied in his performance as UKIP leader, with 37% dissatisfied. Among UKIP supporters his net rating is at +89; 94% are satisfied, 5% dissatisfied.
Yep, fair play. There's already talk of HSBC moving their business to the Far East.
Impressive impact.
Does that mean that the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank are likely to be operating in ... Hong Kong and Shanghai?
There has been talk of HSBC relocating for years. I think they said last year they had decided to drop it from immediate consideration. The only recent mention I can find from googling is from a city analyst who doesnt like Miliband's proposals saying on the Today show that it might make them reconsider.
Ed Miliband has a net rating (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied) of -22. 31% are satisfied with his performance as Labour leader, while 53% are dissatisfied. Half (50%) of Labour supporters are satisfied with his performance, while 40% are dissatisfied, giving him a net rating of +10.
Nick Clegg has a net rating of -28, steady from -29 last month; 29% are satisfied with his performance as Deputy Prime Minister, 57% dissatisfied. Among Liberal Democrats his net rating is +20; 55% are satisfied, 35% dissatisfied.
David Cameron has a net rating of -14, in line with last month. 39% are satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister, while 53% are dissatisfied. Among Conservative supporters his net rating is at +63; 79% are satisfied, 16% dissatisfied.
Nigel Farage’s net rating is at -2; 35% are satisfied in his performance as UKIP leader, with 37% dissatisfied. Among UKIP supporters his net rating is at +89; 94% are satisfied, 5% dissatisfied.
Miliband torpedoing George Osborne with one single master-stroke
`Deficit reduction alone is not a vision for the country`.
One of the striking features of the Coalition Government is that everyone has pretended that they are about deficit reduction first and foremost, but in practice they have been anything but.
There have been large cuts in taxes - with increases in the personal allowance, cuts in corporation tax, cuts in fuel duty and a cut in the highest rate of income tax.
Large parts of the budget - such as Pensions, the NHS and International Aid - have been protected.
These tax cuts and spending decisions are the main reason that the deficit is still so large, and yet Labour have completely buried this part of the economic debate by the nature of their opposition.
Osborne could have wiped out the deficit by the end of this Parliament if he had really wanted to, so I do wish that people wouldn't pretend that was his policy.
Ed Miliband has a net rating (% satisfied minus % dissatisfied) of -22. 31% are satisfied with his performance as Labour leader, while 53% are dissatisfied. Half (50%) of Labour supporters are satisfied with his performance, while 40% are dissatisfied, giving him a net rating of +10.
Nick Clegg has a net rating of -28, steady from -29 last month; 29% are satisfied with his performance as Deputy Prime Minister, 57% dissatisfied. Among Liberal Democrats his net rating is +20; 55% are satisfied, 35% dissatisfied.
David Cameron has a net rating of -14, in line with last month. 39% are satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister, while 53% are dissatisfied. Among Conservative supporters his net rating is at +63; 79% are satisfied, 16% dissatisfied.
Nigel Farage’s net rating is at -2; 35% are satisfied in his performance as UKIP leader, with 37% dissatisfied. Among UKIP supporters his net rating is at +89; 94% are satisfied, 5% dissatisfied.
Given your current form, I don't suppose you fancy backing the Magpies against Allardyce's mob this weekend?
Vic Reeves (up against Lawro's Football Focus predictions) has them winning 12-0, though the one that really made me laugh was his prediction that Man U would win 20-2 at Chelsea.
Don't diss Mystic Vic. In 1986 Reeves predicted West Ham would beat the barcodes 8-1 with Alvin Martin scoring a hat-trick against three different Newcastle keepers. And it happened.
Given your current form, I don't suppose you fancy backing the Magpies against Allardyce's mob this weekend?
Vic Reeves (up against Lawro's Football Focus predictions) has them winning 12-0, though the one that really made me laugh was his prediction that Man U would win 20-2 at Chelsea.
Don't diss Mystic Vic. In 1986 Reeves predicted West Ham would beat the barcodes 8-1 with Alvin Martin scoring a hat-trick against three different Newcastle keepers. And it happened.
Yep, fair play. There's already talk of HSBC moving their business to the Far East.
Impressive impact.
Does that mean that the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank are likely to be operating in ... Hong Kong and Shanghai?
There has been talk of HSBC relocating for years. I think they said last year they had decided to drop it from immediate consideration. The only recent mention I can find from googling is from a city analyst who doesnt like Miliband's proposals saying on the Today show that it might make them reconsider.
Personally, I think the way to deal with such threats is for the government to set up a special employment register for bankers who are prepared to work for salaries and bonuses that may well be just short of one million pounds a year. We should then have some suitable replacements for those poor souls who find they can't possibly stay in this country given the derisory bonuses now being offered.
"history" "25 years ago" "isn't that what..( a homophobic bully?) said?"
I think you should get out of the hole instead of continuing digging.
I don't think so, I'm not digging...you have proven me right.
The point is aimed specifically at you.
You personally are using the language of homophobic policeman from the 80s to describe people who are not in favour of gay marriage
I have not proved you right. You used a quote from Animal Farm at that start of thread; even you can work out the connection between your quote about pigs and cesspits full of filth.
You started that sort of language, matey.
So tell me: are you in favour of gay marriage or not? If not, why not?
Norman Smith picks up on the key issue of the speech.
Miliband is seeking to define `Cost of Living` as not about wages exceeding inflation etc. but about the middle and working class worrying about their jobs,incomes,pensions and about where the next generation of jobs for their children is going to come from.
That's what the debate should be about: how Britain makes its way in the future. How we compete. How we ensure our children are well educated and prepared for a fight for jobs in an increasingly tough world market. How our economy stays lean and our spending sustainable. How we adjust to living without spending money we haven't earned yet.
It's what politicians and thinkers on all sides should be concentrating on.
The trouble is, Ed Miliband and Ed Balls were part of the Gordon Brown team who claimed an end to boom and bust. They allowed living standards to soar on borrowed money (and boasted about it) and deliberately set the public sector to grow - and enjoy year after year pay rises in return for little or no improvements in efficiency - grossly out of proportion to the private sector. And, most distastefully of all, they issued growth predictions to justify the spending, which were based on fiction. Essentially, they allowed themselves to believe that they had ended boom and bust.
I am willing to let bygones be bygones, and I fully understand the need for an active public sector and the need to help the poor. But until Ed Miliband and Ed Balls admit their direct hand in the creation of a huge deficit and spiralling debt, I am not willing to trust their judgement on the big economic ideas.
And I suspect a lot of voters out there think the same way as me.
Having said that - sadly - I also suspect Ed Miliband will get to power. And I fear what will happen after that. Not for me, but for my children.
Miliband torpedoing George Osborne with one single master-stroke
`Deficit reduction alone is not a vision for the country`.
One of the striking features of the Coalition Government is that everyone has pretended that they are about deficit reduction first and foremost, but in practice they have been anything but.
There have been large cuts in taxes - with increases in the personal allowance, cuts in corporation tax, cuts in fuel duty and a cut in the highest rate of income tax.
Large parts of the budget - such as Pensions, the NHS and International Aid - have been protected.
These tax cuts and spending decisions are the main reason that the deficit is still so large, and yet Labour have completely buried this part of the economic debate by the nature of their opposition.
Osborne could have wiped out the deficit by the end of this Parliament if he had really wanted to, so I do wish that people wouldn't pretend that was his policy.
Tax revenue has not been cut.
the personal allowance was removed from higher rate taxpayers, and the higher rate tax threshold lowered.
fuel duty was not cut. a proposed increase in fuel duty was abandoned.
"In 2009-10, the last year of the previous government, £513 billion was paid in taxes (or £549 billion at 2012-13 prices).
By 2015-16, the Government plans to increase that amount to £671 billion (£633 billion at 2012-13 prices), a real terms rise of 15 per cent."
"history" "25 years ago" "isn't that what..( a homophobic bully?) said?"
I think you should get out of the hole instead of continuing digging.
I don't think so, I'm not digging...you have proven me right.
The point is aimed specifically at you.
You personally are using the language of homophobic policeman from the 80s to describe people who are not in favour of gay marriage
I have not proved you right. You used a quote from Animal Farm at that start of thread; even you can work out the connection between your quote about pigs and cesspits full of filth.
You started that sort of language, matey.
So tell me: are you in favour of gay marriage or not? If not, why not?
Oh you were saying people opposed to gay marriage were similar to the animals in animal farm? In that case it went over my head. I thought you were stigmatising anyone who didn't agree with gay marriage as loonys
Less of the matey though
I'm not in favour, but i don't really care that much either, and I can't be bothered to get into an argument about it
"history" "25 years ago" "isn't that what..( a homophobic bully?) said?"
I think you should get out of the hole instead of continuing digging.
I don't think so, I'm not digging...you have proven me right.
The point is aimed specifically at you.
You personally are using the language of homophobic policeman from the 80s to describe people who are not in favour of gay marriage
I have not proved you right. You used a quote from Animal Farm at that start of thread; even you can work out the connection between your quote about pigs and cesspits full of filth.
You started that sort of language, matey.
So tell me: are you in favour of gay marriage or not? If not, why not?
Oh you were saying people opposed to gay marriage were similar to the animals in animal farm? In that case it went over my head. I thought you were stigmatising anyone who didn't agree with gay marriage as loonys
Less of the matey though
I'm not in favour, but i don't really care that much either, and I can't be bothered to get into an argument about it
Ah, so no wonder you take it so personally. Well, if it makes you feel any better, I don;t think you swim in sea of filth. But I do think you need to reconsider your opinion.
Why aren't you in favour? Talk to some gay people, look at the history of homosexuality in this country. Ask yourself why homosexuals should not get married, and whether your reasons are good enough not to treat them equally.
Comments
End of over 46 (3 runs) Australia 260/9 (41 runs required from 24 balls
"Cook manically moving around his field as they need to keep the runs down, despite having just one wicket to get"
1 wicket to take. And he is worried about restricting:
Ridiculous.
I'm assuming a big swing to Ed, and no Ed/Nick crossover.
What I'm saying is that people who are now against gay marriage are, in my opinion, pretty loony. We've had civil partnerships, and now gay marriage, and society has not ended.
It's time to move on. I've been on my own journey on this subject: I was against civil partnerships when they first came in (so was one of my gay friends, strangely enough), but I changed my mind as i talked to more people.
Perhaps I've had one too many conversation with anti-gay marriage people that's descended into blatant homophobia.
`Deficit reduction alone is not a vision for the country`.
Dear Smuckers. Still think retail sales are a barometer for how people are feeling about the government???
Still gloating about how the supermarkets are doing, are we??
ROFL.
After the scandal of Tiote's goal against City last week we could do with some luck going our way.
More competition is best fostered by cutting regulation, which is a non-issue for enormous banks but difficult for smaller ones trying to start up.
just kidding
On this occasion I'm talking about some pro gay marriage people's attitude to people who arent in favour of gay marriage... They often use the language of rampant homophobes to describe anyone who disagrees with them on the subject
I don't see many people saying homosexuals that marry are sinking in a cesspit of filth for instance
But it works for many groups that were minorities that become the establishment, just as many kids that were picked on at school become bullies when they are older
Luckily I don`t control the country`s finances so it doesn`t make even a tiny bit of difference to anyone what I think about Christmas sales.
;-)
Impressive impact.
(And yes, as I said below, I've been on my own journey on this).
The choice at next election on the economy is between "a big reckoning or steady as she goes" says @Ed_Miliband
Is this wise ?
Nick Clegg has a net rating of -28, steady from -29 last month; 29% are satisfied with his performance as Deputy Prime Minister, 57% dissatisfied. Among Liberal Democrats his net rating is +20; 55% are satisfied, 35% dissatisfied.
David Cameron has a net rating of -14, in line with last month. 39% are satisfied with his performance as Prime Minister, while 53% are dissatisfied. Among Conservative supporters his net rating is at +63; 79% are satisfied, 16% dissatisfied.
Nigel Farage’s net rating is at -2; 35% are satisfied in his performance as UKIP leader, with 37% dissatisfied. Among UKIP supporters his net rating is at +89; 94% are satisfied, 5% dissatisfied.
http://ipsos-mori.co.uk/researchpublications/researcharchive/3332/Hung-parliaments-seen-as-bad-for-the-country-but-half-still-expect-another-coalition-in-2015.aspx
Yes you are making my point for me
"history" "25 years ago" "isn't that what..( a homophobic bully?) said?"
#Conservative voters more likely to favour a coalition with #LibDems than #UKIP in 2015
http://bit.ly/1fEFOyk
pic.twitter.com/yacx0IYgWR
Dave minus 1
Ed plus 3
Clegg plus 1
Farage plus 3
Miliband is seeking to define `Cost of Living` as not about wages exceeding inflation etc. but about the middle and working class worrying about their jobs,incomes,pensions and about where the next generation of jobs for their children is going to come from.
Its up to the government to show voters between now and 2015 that capitalism can work for them.
No wonder GO wants to raise the minimum wage.
There have been large cuts in taxes - with increases in the personal allowance, cuts in corporation tax, cuts in fuel duty and a cut in the highest rate of income tax.
Large parts of the budget - such as Pensions, the NHS and International Aid - have been protected.
These tax cuts and spending decisions are the main reason that the deficit is still so large, and yet Labour have completely buried this part of the economic debate by the nature of their opposition.
Osborne could have wiped out the deficit by the end of this Parliament if he had really wanted to, so I do wish that people wouldn't pretend that was his policy.
Lol.
The point is aimed specifically at you.
You personally are using the language of homophobic policeman from the 80s to describe people who are not in favour of gay marriage
Do you have a source for it?
Just seen ed milliband say Britain should not settle for second best and labour got him
Ironic
You started that sort of language, matey.
So tell me: are you in favour of gay marriage or not? If not, why not?
It's what politicians and thinkers on all sides should be concentrating on.
The trouble is, Ed Miliband and Ed Balls were part of the Gordon Brown team who claimed an end to boom and bust. They allowed living standards to soar on borrowed money (and boasted about it) and deliberately set the public sector to grow - and enjoy year after year pay rises in return for little or no improvements in efficiency - grossly out of proportion to the private sector. And, most distastefully of all, they issued growth predictions to justify the spending, which were based on fiction. Essentially, they allowed themselves to believe that they had ended boom and bust.
I am willing to let bygones be bygones, and I fully understand the need for an active public sector and the need to help the poor. But until Ed Miliband and Ed Balls admit their direct hand in the creation of a huge deficit and spiralling debt, I am not willing to trust their judgement on the big economic ideas.
And I suspect a lot of voters out there think the same way as me.
Having said that - sadly - I also suspect Ed Miliband will get to power. And I fear what will happen after that. Not for me, but for my children.
the personal allowance was removed from higher rate taxpayers, and the higher rate tax threshold lowered.
fuel duty was not cut. a proposed increase in fuel duty was abandoned.
"In 2009-10, the last year of the previous government, £513 billion was paid in taxes (or £549 billion at 2012-13 prices).
By 2015-16, the Government plans to increase that amount to £671 billion (£633 billion at 2012-13 prices), a real terms rise of 15 per cent."
http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/home/2013/01/revealed-coalitions-299-tax-rises.html
Less of the matey though
I'm not in favour, but i don't really care that much either, and I can't be bothered to get into an argument about it
Why aren't you in favour? Talk to some gay people, look at the history of homosexuality in this country. Ask yourself why homosexuals should not get married, and whether your reasons are good enough not to treat them equally.