Politics, The Election May 2015

[Worthy4England]

Hobes in hyperbole Alert!

No one said her policies were any good, but she did come across better than any of the others IMO (Not that I'd vote for her).

In other News Alert!

Farage came across no better than any of the others, apart from the Greens. Don't believe he "rattled" anyone.

I've now watched it twice, I'd suggest you visit spec-savers or take off your anti Farage blinkers, Clegg? Programmed Dave, Ed the If I (and to be fair I don't really think he did that badly), William Wallace's last living relation and an Aussie who doesn't give a xxxx about how to pay for anything, oh please!

Suggest what you will - all the polls suggest he came across no better than any of the others....

[thebish]

I'm sure that in Nigel's eyes he came across as a plain-speaking ordinary bloke-hero who says the things everyone thinks but doesn't dare say and is persecuted for his plain-talking common sense.

it's all sounding a bit old and tired, though - put another record on Nige...

[Little Green Man]

Have the Greens still got time to replace their leader? Megson and Warnock are kicking their heels at the moment. I believe Peter Reid's free too.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Woot woot. Amazing this fxck'n democracy shite ( dictatorship of the masses).
Example: my constituency comprises at least 50% boneheads, not one of whom will deviate from voting new Nazi (& Unionist) party. The actual percentage will be decided by how many of the cxnts can be arsed to drive their 4x4s to a polling station. But even if they didn't exist, somebody like me hasn't got a hope in hell of having a candidate that actually represents what I believe. Not a fxckin hope.
Democracy sucks.
No civilisation with 'representation'.

[thebish]

Woot woot. Amazing this fxck'n democracy shite ( dictatorship of the masses).
Example: my constituency comprises at least 50% boneheads, not one of whom will deviate from voting new Nazi (& Unionist) party. The actual percentage will be decided by how many of the cxnts can be arsed to drive their 4x4s to a polling station. But even if they didn't exist, somebody like me hasn't got a hope in hell of having a candidate that actually represents what I believe. Not a fxckin hope.
Democracy sucks.
No civilisation with 'representation'.

is it too late to declare your candidacy?

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Woot woot. Amazing this fxck'n democracy shite ( dictatorship of the masses).
Example: my constituency comprises at least 50% boneheads, not one of whom will deviate from voting new Nazi (& Unionist) party. The actual percentage will be decided by how many of the cxnts can be arsed to drive their 4x4s to a polling station. But even if they didn't exist, somebody like me hasn't got a hope in hell of having a candidate that actually represents what I believe. Not a fxckin hope.
Democracy sucks.
No civilisation with 'representation'.

is it too late to declare your candidacy?

1. You know damn well it is...
2. You also know that to get elected costs... as in money. You do know that. If you'd like to fund me then maybe next time I might deign to acknowledge that democracy isn't a farce. But you won't, and it is.

[Prufrock]

Have the Greens still got time to replace their leader? Megson and Warnock are kicking their heels at the moment. I believe Peter Reid's free too.

Bennett might like gardening leave.

[thebish]

Woot woot. Amazing this fxck'n democracy shite ( dictatorship of the masses).
Example: my constituency comprises at least 50% boneheads, not one of whom will deviate from voting new Nazi (& Unionist) party. The actual percentage will be decided by how many of the cxnts can be arsed to drive their 4x4s to a polling station. But even if they didn't exist, somebody like me hasn't got a hope in hell of having a candidate that actually represents what I believe. Not a fxckin hope.
Democracy sucks.
No civilisation with 'representation'.

is it too late to declare your candidacy?

1. You know damn well it is...
2. You also know that to get elected costs... as in money. You do know that. If you'd like to fund me then maybe next time I might deign to acknowledge that democracy isn't a farce. But you won't, and it is.

next time then, eh? plan ahead, matey...

(and - actually - the deadline for handing in nomination papers is 9th April... 4pm)

you need a deposit of £500 - which you would get back if enough people agreed with what you said and voted for you...

[Bijou Bob]

He can't usually get more than two people on here to agree with him! Spotty's political career is doomed.

[thebish]

the great British defecit myth - sold by dodgy politicians - bought by gullible idiots...

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/ramesh- ... 1428057164

CLAIM 1
The last government left the biggest debt in the developed world.

After continuously stating the UK had the biggest debt in the world George Osborne admits to the Treasury Select Committee that he did not know the UK had the lowest debt in the G7? Watch: Also, confirmed by the OECD Those who use cash terms (instead of percentages) do so to scare, mislead and give half the story.

Its common sense, in cash terms a millionaire's debt would be greater than most people. Therefore, the UK would have a higher debt and deficit than most countries because, we are the sixth largest economy. Hence, its laughable to compare UK's debt and deficit with Tuvalu's who only have a GDP/Income of £24 million whilst, the UK's income is £1.7 Trillion.

Finally, Labour in 1997 inherited a debt of 42% of GDP. By the start of the global banking crises 2008 the debt had fallen to 35% - a near 22% reduction page 6 ONS Surprisingly, a debt of 42% was not seen as a major problem and yet at 35% the sky was falling down?

CLAIM 2
Labour created the biggest deficit in the developed world by overspending.

Firstly, the much banded about 2010 deficit of over 11% is false. This is the PSNB (total borrowings) and not the actual budget deficit which was -7.7% - OBR Economic and Fiscal Outlook March 2012 page 19 table 1.2

Secondly, in 1997 Labour inherited a deficit of 3.9% of GDP (not a balanced budget ) and by 2008 it had fallen to 2.1% - a reduction of a near 50% - Impressive! Hence, it's implausible and ludicrous to claim there was overspending. The deficit was then exacerbated by the global banking crises after 2008. See HM Treasury. Note, the 1994 deficit of near 8% haaaaaah!

Thirdly, the IMF have also concluded the same. They reveal the UK experienced an increase in the deficit as result of a large loss in output/GDP caused by the global banking crisis and not even as result of the bank bailouts, fiscal stimulus and bringing forward of capital spending. It's basic economics: when output falls the deficit increases.

Finally, the large loss in output occurred because the UK like the US have the biggest financial centres and as this was a global banking crises we suffered the most. Hence, the UK had the 2nd highest deficit in the G7 (Not The World) after the US and not as a result of overspending prior to and after 2008- as the IMF concur.

CLAIM 3
Our borrowing costs are low because the markets have confidence in George Osborne's austerity plan and without it the UK will end up like Greece.

Yes, the markets have confidence in our austerity plan and that's why PIMCO the worlds largest bond holder have been warning against buying UK debt.

The real reason why our borrowing costs have fallen and remained low since 2008 is because, savings have increased. As a result, the demand and price for bonds have increased and as there is inverse relationship between the price of bonds and its yield (interest rate) the rates have fallen. Also, the markets expect the economy to remain stagnate. Which means the price for bonds will remain high and hence, our borrowing costs will also remain low.

Secondly, the UK is considered a safe heaven because, investors are reassured the Bank of England will buy up bonds in an event of any sell off - which increases the price of bonds and reduces the effective rate. Note, how rates fell across the EU recently when the ECB announced its bond buying program. Thirdly, because, we are not in the Euro we can devalue our currency to increase exports. Moreover, UK bonds are attractive because, we haven't defaulted on its debt for over 300 years.

David Cameron would like people to believe the markets lend in the same way as retail banks lend to you and I.

Overall, when the facts and figures are put into context these juvenile deficit narratives and sound bites ("mere words and no evidence") simply fail to stand up to the actual facts. The deficit myth is the grosses lie ever enforced upon the people and it has been sold by exploiting people's economic illiteracy.

[Prufrock]

The Lib Dem vote is key IMO. All the talk is about the SNP but they're only going to take seats off Labour so won't affect the (Labour+SNP) total. Lib Dems saw a decent increase in share of the vote last time, but lost seats. This time certain to get a snake share, but how many will they lose, and who to? Also, Clegg is behind Labour in the polls in his constituency. If he goes, plenty will feel they suit a coalition with Labour more than the Tories.

[Beefheart]

The Lib Dem vote is key IMO. All the talk is about the SNP but they're only going to take seats off Labour so won't affect the (Labour+SNP) total. Lib Dems saw a decent increase in share of the vote last time, but lost seats. This time certain to get a snake share, but how many will they lose, and who to? Also, Clegg is behind Labour in the polls in his constituency. If he goes, plenty will feel they suit a coalition with Labour more than the Tories.

Yeah, I think most predictions have them keeping around 25-30 seats which would be a good result for them. They'll focus on the ones they think they can win and won't be too concerned with their nationwide poll rating. They tend to have a strong incumbency factor than the other parties. I don't think UKIP will win many seats, but they could effect the outcomes of a lot more depending on who they take votes from.

[Beefheart]

'The real reason why our borrowing costs have fallen and remained low since 2008 is because, savings have increased. As a result, the demand and price for bonds have increased and as there is inverse relationship between the price of bonds and its yield (interest rate) the rates have fallen. Also, the markets expect the economy to remain stagnate. Which means the price for bonds will remain high and hence, our borrowing costs will also remain low.'

Interesting article, but I think he's got this bit a little mixed up. The reason demand is high for bonds is that with the BoI base rate being so low then coupon rates are higher. Interest rates aren't going up whilst inflation is basically 0%, but the outcome is ultimately the same, borrowing costs will remain low.

[Hoboh]

I thought Farage was sounding a bit old-news and heard-it-all-before, run-out-of-steam... I suspect he peaked too soon and is soon to be yesterday's man... you can only get so far on blokeish bluster...

Oh hang on a minute, so you've never heard the crap spouted by the others before? You have lead a sheltered life then!

they too sound like yesterday's men - as I have said before... Difference is, they and their parties have significantly more backing to be lost before they disappear without trace...

you are the king of non-sequiteur!

The latest Survation/Mirror poll puts Mr Miliband ahead of Mr Cameron, with 33% and 31% of the vote respectively.

UKIP polled at 18%, the Liberal Democrats 9%, the SNP 5% and Greens 3%.

These results are markedly different from a YouGov/The Sun poll which was published on Thursday night.

It suggested that the Conservative Party had hit a three-year high - with 37% of those questioned stating they would vote Tory if the General Election was tomorrow.

Labour was on 35%, the Lib Dems on 7%, UKIP on 12% and the Greens on 5%.

[thebish]

yet another non-sequiteur! you're on a roll!

[Harry Genshaw]

That link from the Huffington, Bish. I've heard similar stuff before but just never from a Labour MP. Whenever the deficit gets mentioned they tend to shrug their shoulders and then blame the Tories for having similar spending plans at the time. For me, they just haven't defended their record well enough and large parts of the electorate hold them responsible for the economic crash.

[thebish]

That link from the Huffington, Bish. I've heard similar stuff before but just never from a Labour MP. Whenever the deficit gets mentioned they tend to shrug their shoulders and then blame the Tories for having similar spending plans at the time. For me, they just haven't defended their record well enough and large parts of the electorate hold them responsible for the economic crash.

aye... but, either way - the Tory narrative was always going to win - and the bollox about the national economy being exactly like your domestic bank account was always going to be persuasive... people love stuff to be boiled down to a simple slogan - whether or not it is anywhere near the truth...

labour have been spectacularly weak on most things - depressingly - given the shower of shoite they are up against they should be miles ahead... cameron can't believe his luck - but even then, he probably won't win a majority... that's quite spectacularly shoite - failing to win an outright majority against the shambles of a campaign that Brown ran - and then - failing again against Milliband junior...

[Lost Leopard Spot]

Woot woot. Amazing this fxck'n democracy shite ( dictatorship of the masses).
Example: my constituency comprises at least 50% boneheads, not one of whom will deviate from voting new Nazi (& Unionist) party. The actual percentage will be decided by how many of the cxnts can be arsed to drive their 4x4s to a polling station. But even if they didn't exist, somebody like me hasn't got a hope in hell of having a candidate that actually represents what I believe. Not a fxckin hope.
Democracy sucks.
No civilisation with 'representation'.

is it too late to declare your candidacy?

1. You know damn well it is...
2. You also know that to get elected costs... as in money. You do know that. If you'd like to fund me then maybe next time I might deign to acknowledge that democracy isn't a farce. But you won't, and it is.

next time then, eh? plan ahead, matey...

(and - actually - the deadline for handing in nomination papers is 9th April... 4pm)

you need a deposit of £500 - which you would get back if enough people agreed with what you said and voted for you...

So when I say that the constituency consists of at least 50% boneheads, then by your argument I'd need to put forward a convincing argument that appeals to boneheads. You always miss the headlines and pick on the details... details which usually make no real inroads into the proposed statement.
So (revised statement) Democracy is dictatorship by the masses, it is a farce. It costs money, although if boneheads agree with you then you might get your money back. But you'll still have to spend even more money than that.

[thebish]

So when I say that the constituency consists of at least 50% boneheads, then by your argument I'd need to put forward a convincing argument that appeals to boneheads.

Don't underestimate yourself, I think you'd be onto a winner there, really!

[Lost Leopard Spot]

So when I say that the constituency consists of at least 50% boneheads, then by your argument I'd need to put forward a convincing argument that appeals to boneheads.

Don't underestimate yourself, I think you'd be onto a winner there, really!

You are a very amusing person. Ever thought of being a comedian? It has a longer term future than Pastor.