UK general election

[Samildanach]

How the hell did we get diverted into an education discussion. that is only a very small part of the party policies available. However getting back to a previous question. No there is nothing that labour could do to make me reconsider voting for them. I will not vote for a govt that went to war against all good common sense to keep on the good side of America and in the hope of securing a few rebuilding contracts at the expense of peoples lives. That pretty much shows me the moral fibre of the govt currently in power. I will not vote for a govt that did not oppose the war.
Next thing you know another illegal war will crop up when America decides to invade Iran and tony would jump straight into bed with them again. Blair cannot be trusted, I admire his strong leadership qualities but to trust him with policy after that display is just madness.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.

[Chris the Chees]

blibbka see Mr Adams responce.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: Chris the Chees blibbka see Mr Adams responce.

Sorry if I butted in there, but it was pissing me off.

[Chris the Chees]

Quote by: G. Adams Sorry if I butted in there, but it was pissing me off.

Ohh no, thats fine. you said everything I could have ever mentioned, saving me the time and effort. I thank you.

[blibbka]

Quote by: G. Adams University's can only teach so many students. The more overseas students we bring in, the less room for home graduates we will have. So all we end up doing is teaching the children of the uber-rich from abroad. Agreed, we should subsidise neccesary courses, particularly nursing. Personally I think stealing the medical staff of other countries, particularly the 3rd world, is bad. They need them more than we do. The expanse in the number of people who have degrees does devalue them, but that is not a problem. If you went for your degree purely to one-up the next guy for a particular job, then just keep doing that. As I've said before, volunteer, gap, get involved in societies at university, make friends with the right people etc

Well, I actually broadly agree with you, I'm playing Devils Advocate. No point having a debate forum without debate, and it was starting to seem a little bit too cosy, frankly.

I don't think students should have to pay for their tuition. I do however still think that too much emphasis is placed on the value of simply going to university. There is a limit to the usefulness of university education and so we shouldn't therefore just try and stick as many people into that system as possible.

As for how this thread got onto education: If we're going to talk about the election, and the parties competing for our votes, then it's necessary to talk about the policies of said parties. When I go to vote I want to have been able to take on board some conflicting views and had the opportunity to argue them through.

[G. Adams]

An additional reason to vote LibDem.

LibDem's are the only party not pandering to the nationalist/xenophobic/racist views of the far right and moronic tabloid sentiments. If there is a large turnout for LibDem's, it demonstrates how this country has not gone mad, and should slow or, ideally, prevent this rightwards shift in our politics.

[Samildanach]

A summary of the major policies of each party.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/...ce/default.stm

[blibbka]

Thanks for that Samildanach, handy.

The Lib Dem policies seem most appealing by a long way.

I don't honestly think they have much chance of winning a general election at this point, but unless it looks like the Tories have a strong chance of winning I'll probably be voting Lib Dem anyway in order to register my support for the direction of their party.

[Chris the Chees]

I have decided to apply to vote by post, rather than travel back to my home (in the middle of England, I currently reside on the western coast of Wales) a good 4-5 hours on a good day. By train it would cost me something in the region of £40. So a postal vote seams the way forward, unless of course I can’t get one, in which case I will try and return home.

Being only a young lad, and voting in my second major election (the first being the european election), could any of the older members give me a little bit of info about postal voting?

[G. Adams]

I did it for my euro elections north east (and we finally got our libdem in, go PR). Theres nothing special to it. Cross the box as you usually do, fold it up, stick it in the envelope with the adress in line with the plastic window.

The trick is to make sure you vote the one with the bird in the box.

Personally I'd walk the 200 miles back home if I had to in order to vote. But thankfully I can postal vote, or jump the trains is easy enough. Just put a book in front of you and don't pay attention to the inspectors and you get away with it. Try not to look too distinctive, don't want yourself standing out, like sitting with your guitar next to you and being thrown out at Manchester Piccadilly... If you do get pulled up, say you jumped on the last spot (should be a few stops down at least by now) and you'll save a fair bunch. or on Virgin trains you could even just hide in the toilet without passing out from the noxious fumes of fellow passengers.

[rcne]

I'll be watching the build up to the elections. I must say the UK has a much more diverse group of political parties. That means some seem to be falling apart internally, while others startups may find a base.

As to what direction the election takes, it seems a toss-up. Remember your vote counts.

[Matt W]

This is quite entertaining - the Tories are finding themselves being associated with the BNP - this won't help them one little bit....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4283293.stm

[rcne]

Kilroy is making great strides in gaining acceptance and gathering political strength. Is he the rising star in British politics?
His rise at the present pace seems to make him a popular contender for office and will make the other parties adjust their platforms to keep their base from eroding to a more nationalistic party.
Right now it seems that most of the parties are to busy criticizing each other, rather than watching the advances Kilroy is making.

[G. Adams]

I really doubt Kilroys chances. To begin with he panders to the opinions of those who vote least. I also doubt he'll be able to raise the funds in time. he will soon be as much a contender as the screaming lord sutch ever was.

If not I might have to put my riflery skills to the test, I can't have a nationalist getting near power.

[Matt W]

Kilroy?? Rising star??

*falls off chair laughing*

Rising damp, more like! Seriously, the guy is blatantly a publicity seeker. He will get absolutely nowhere - the ground he's contesting is already a duelling ground between UKIP, the BNP and the Tories - adding yet another party to the mix only further divides that vote, and that, to me at least, is a very good thing.

Yes, the parties are moving further to the right - but it is not Kilroy's doing - he just hooked into it once his TV career got blown out of the water for being exposed as the racist b*stard that he actually is. UKIP were already there, the Tories were already going further right - with any luck, he'll sink without trace at this election.

[rcne]

Ever hear the strategy - divide and conquer? I would not count him out, all he needs is to get enough votes from the existing voters dissatisfied with the current crop of candidates.

Elections have been known to confound even the most astute political observers.

[G. Adams]

Quote by: rcne Ever hear the strategy - divide and conquer? I would not count him out, all he needs is to get enough votes from the existing voters dissatisfied with the current crop of candidates. Elections have been known to confound even the most astute political observers.

He is one of the divided... As I see it, is the left and centre that are staying sturdy, providing a stable front from which to base their campaigns. The rightists can divide the scummy votes between themselves.

[billycotton]

I will be voting for the British National Party as they are the only party who will do anything to tackle the immigration issue.
I dont want my country to continue to be flooded with thousands os asylum seekers and immigrants.
VOTE BNP
BRITAIN FIRST.

[Pooeypants]

Quote by: billycotton I will be voting for the British National Party as they are the only party who will do anything to tackle the immigration issue. I dont want my country to continue to be flooded with thousands os asylum seekers and immigrants. VOTE BNP BRITAIN FIRST.

Xenophobia isn't the key to Britain's future. We are a multicultural society and taking a racist stance won't help solve anything.

[Matt W]

The funny thing is that immigration brings us a net profit. And this country is a nation of immigrants, without a doubt. I mean, I'm...let me think.......part Saxon, Viking, Irish, French Hugenot, probly some Dutch in there too....and I'm probably fairly typical. Hell, Michael Howard, leader of the Tories, son of an illegal immigrant! And don't get me started on the Royals....and you want to stop immigration? Why, exactly?