Who would you vote for if there was a General Election tomorrow?

[Bellend Sebastian]

I'd probably vote communist. Not that I am a full on red, it's just my way of protesting about the fact that I don't think any of the major parties are that interested in addressing social inequality

[sdb]

oh dear i am not impressed with the majority of foxestalkers!

[sdb]

where's Thrac's essay on how Britain would thrive under a right wing/racist/death penalty/no footballers over 21 party??

[LeeCovFox]

It's a hard life is it not?

I think the same happened to Weso in Oz what with the state of his bones.

The milk thing may not seem a big issue on its own, however its the principle of taking away something which taxpayers contributed before, and which was, even in a small way, a contribution towards the health of children in this country.

[Webbo]

People think that the 'Maggie Thatcher milk snatcher' comes from her time as PM. It does however come from her time as Education Secretary In the Heath government(1970-1974), something that niether the Wilson government nor new Labour restored.

[LeeCovFox]

An educated post, and I don't have the time to fully reply as I'm about to leave work for the day. I feel labour have made a big mess of the social state of our country. They are obsessed with over zealous policies and interfering with people's day to day lives, which I do not believe is the job of Government. I cannot understand why you think that Gordon is better than Tony? Tony was the most well oiled media machine that politics in this country has ever seen and it is clear that in parliament he is totally out foxed in debate with the Tories, he just doesn't have the answers.

He is not helped by a completely inept chancellor who he clearly has no confidence in. They have made an absolute mess of Northern Rock and of the NHS and of Schools. The taxation system has been fiddled to give people the perception that they are paying less tax.

The bottom line is that the 'brand' if you will of New Labour is now old and faded and it is going to be extremely difficult for Gordon Brown to revive it. The media are clearly against him in many cases and that will have a large influence on people's opinions.

I do commend him for his recent comments on organ donation however.

Whilst I don't think that the Tories current state is world beating they are doing what is needed to get them noticed and get them interest. This is exactly what Labour were doing 12 years ago. The Tories are not what they were 15 or 20 years ago but unfortunately they will most probably have a lot of mess to clear up when/ if they get into power so I'm guessing that they will struggle to not just blame everything on Labour. The amount of money the Gov't has borrowed is phenomenal and irresponsible.

I respect that response to my post, despite your differing views I believe this is the educated way in which politics should be debated. My personal view on your comments on education is that in eleven years of Labour government, education and the NHS have improved immeasureably. I was at school before and after the 1997 election and there has been a huge improvement in facilities and standards. I have also been unfortuante enough to have personal experiences of hospitalisation of myself and family members over the same period of time, and once again I have seen a marked improvement ( don't know how the staff on the ground think in either of these scenarios, so I cannot meaninfully comment on this side of things, so I won't attempt to speak of things about which I know little or nothing). There are things that this government has done wrong, but after eleven years that is inevitable. I really believe that this country is a lot better off than it was before Labour came to power however. As it stands, and as I have already stated, in an election tomorrow, Labour would recieve my vote. I am however a strong believer in European integration, and if the Liberal Democrats made it a firm policy to join the Euro and thus further integrate with Europe I would be inclined to cast my vote accordingly.

[LeeCovFox]

People think that the 'Maggie Thatcher milk snatcher' comes from her time as PM. It does however come from her time as Education Secretary In the Heath government(1970-1974), something that niether the Wilson government nor new Labour restored.

Correct. The milk thing for me was just a small example of what I believe the Tories stand for, which is against my own political beliefs. I give the subsequent Labour governments no credit at all for not restoring it.

[Maybes]

The taxation system has been fiddled to give people the perception that they are paying less tax.

Yep. The general assumption is woopee doo the basic income tax rate is coming down from 22% to 20% leaving the general man in the street to believe they have more disposable income at their peril. However what they do not realise is that this tax labour government is screwing the poorer people over. As they have dropped the 10% tax rate band. Wankers. Tories for me.

[acooling08]

Tories 100%

They will sort this country out:

1. slow immigration

2. cut taxes

3. make scroungers work

4. be harsher on criminals

5. Won't make promises and break them like Labour

6. Improve schools

7. Improve NHS

8. Won't tax pensioners pensions.

9. Will make better laws.

10. Will put the British first, not foreigners (and no I'M NOT RACIST)

Basically make this country a better place

Why not to vote for labour:

1. They tax everyone so heavily to poay for people who can't be arsed to work.

2. They let criminals walk free after a few years in a comfy jail.

3. They let millions of immigrants in who don't contribute to society

4. They underfund schools, hospitals.

5. and lots more!!

Also it's surprising how little you know about politics because i know all this and i'm only a Teen.

[LeeCovFox]

Tories 100%

They will sort this country out:

1. slow immigration

2. cut taxes

3. make scroungers work

4. be harsher on criminals

5. Won't make promises and break them like Labour

6. Improve schools

7. Improve NHS

8. Won't tax pensioners pensions.

9. Will make better laws.

10. Will put the British first, not foreigners (and no I'M NOT RACIST)

Basically make this country a better place

Why not to vote for labour:

1. They tax everyone so heavily to poay for people who can't be arsed to work.

2. They let criminals walk free after a few years in a comfy jail.

3. They let millions of immigrants in who don't contribute to society

4. They underfund schools, hospitals.

5. and lots more!!

Also it's surprising how little you know about politics because i know all this and i'm only a Teen.

The Tories will eventually lower taxes. Your tax money goes to the treasury, who fund the NHS, and the education system. You cannot lower tax and improve public services. No government has ever funded the HS and the education system more than this Labour goverment. Jails are not comfy by any stretch of the imagination, whatever The Sun and Daily Mail tell you. Immigrants are good for this country. The age old argument about foreigners coming in and taking jobs, not contributing, are all rubbish. Thye come here and do the jobs that lazy inhabitiants of this country cannot be bothered and would nt lower themselvs to do. David Cameron himself recently spoke up for immigration by the way. Won;t make promises and break them? Look closer! Cameron is a carbon copy of Tony Blair in the mid nineties! And the Tories are a political party, they will make and break promises.

[Webbo]

You cannot lower tax and improve public services.

Depends on how you spend the money.

[davieG]

Both parties promise and don't delivery.

What we need is government that makes a real commitment to cut out waste and they must start at the top by reducing the number of MPs and their hangers on, getting rid of the plethora of useless Quangos and convincing the Euro Parliament to settle on one meeting place.

[Rt Hon Percy Longprong]

I respect that response to my post, despite your differing views I believe this is the educated way in which politics should be debated. My personal view on your comments on education is that in eleven years of Labour government, education and the NHS have improved immeasureably. I was at school before and after the 1997 election and there has been a huge improvement in facilities and standards. I have also been unfortuante enough to have personal experiences of hospitalisation of myself and family members over the same period of time, and once again I have seen a marked improvement ( don't know how the staff on the ground think in either of these scenarios, so I cannot meaninfully comment on this side of things, so I won't attempt to speak of things about which I know little or nothing). There are things that this government has done wrong, but after eleven years that is inevitable. I really believe that this country is a lot better off than it was before Labour came to power however. As it stands, and as I have already stated, in an election tomorrow, Labour would recieve my vote. I am however a strong believer in European integration, and if the Liberal Democrats made it a firm policy to join the Euro and thus further integrate with Europe I would be inclined to cast my vote accordingly.

You really believe that"this country is a lot better off than it was before Labour came to power"

Gadzooks Sir,i believe the phrases "rose tinted spectacles & cloud cuckoo land" sping to mind.

[sdb]

Tories 100%

They will sort this country out:

1. slow immigration

2. cut taxes

3. make scroungers work

4. be harsher on criminals

5. Won't make promises and break them like Labour

6. Improve schools

7. Improve NHS

8. Won't tax pensioners pensions.

9. Will make better laws.

10. Will put the British first, not foreigners (and no I'M NOT RACIST)

Basically make this country a better place

Why not to vote for labour:

1. They tax everyone so heavily to poay for people who can't be arsed to work.

2. They let criminals walk free after a few years in a comfy jail.

3. They let millions of immigrants in who don't contribute to society

4. They underfund schools, hospitals.

5. and lots more!!

Also it's surprising how little you know about politics because i know all this and i'm only a Teen.

how can you improve education and the NHS by cutting taxes? 'make scroungers work' - what??! they will break promises like every political party always has. immigration is being slowed and isn't the disgrace people make out - everyone should be allowed to go where they like in their lives. as for 'making this country a better place', i think you'll find it's just about the most comfortable, developed and safest country in the world.

[sdb]

9. Will make better laws.

is that a joke?!?!

[Finnegan]

[BigGibbo]

Ever heard of Independent Candidates.

Well he said if there was an election tomorrow & I am unaware of any independant candidates in the running now?! & thought that was more of an american thing anyway?!

[Zingari]

Looks like we have some BNP on the march!

i'm pretty sure there are people considering voting for them ( including FT posters)because the main parties keep avoiding the issues that affect the poorest communities ;

i'll continue to vote labour but i can see why so many feel the need to vote for extremists

Up to one in four people say they're thinking of giving their vote to the British National Party according to research. Is it about race or rage?

The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust says it's because people are disappointed with the main political parties and the BNP's captialising on it.

Jobs, housing and immigration were the main reasons people said they'd consider supporting the far-right group.

Critics say the BNP are just racists but the party says that it's standing up for the British community

[Webbo]

Are they fielding a candidate in Charnwood?

[BigGibbo]

i'm pretty sure there are people considering voting for them ( including FT posters)because the main parties keep avoiding the issues that affect the poorest communities ;

i'll continue to vote labour but i can see why so many feel the need to vote for extremists

Up to one in four people say they're thinking of giving their vote to the British National Party according to research. Is it about race or rage?

The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust says it's because people are disappointed with the main political parties and the BNP's captialising on it.

Jobs, housing and immigration were the main reasons people said they'd consider supporting the far-right group.

Critics say the BNP are just racists but the party says that it's standing up for the British community

Hitler & Stalin where right wing I doubt they confessed to some of the plans they had until they got into power if anyone believes there going to get more honesty & less disappointment out of Nick Griffin & the BNP they are f@cking stupid.

[placidcasual]

Hitler & Stalin where right wing I doubt they confessed to some of the plans they had until they got into power if anyone believes there going to get more honesty & less disappointment out of Nick Griffin & the BNP they are f@cking stupid.

Stalin was right wing?

A genocidal maniac he may have been, but he was not right wing.

[davieG]

Well he said if there was an election tomorrow & I am unaware of any independant candidates in the running now?! & thought that was more of an american thing anyway?!

Well there wont be until it's announced but I still would vote for them in preference to the discredited main parties. Besides I believe there were in excess 50 different parties at the 2005 election so for you to assume that 'other' automatically means BNP does you no credit.

[DB11]

Tories 100%

They will sort this country out:

1. slow immigration

2. cut taxes

3. make scroungers work

4. be harsher on criminals

5. Won't make promises and break them like Labour

6. Improve schools

7. Improve NHS

8. Won't tax pensioners pensions.

9. Will make better laws.

10. Will put the British first, not foreigners (and no I'M NOT RACIST)

Basically make this country a better place

Why not to vote for labour:

1. They tax everyone so heavily to poay for people who can't be arsed to work.

2. They let criminals walk free after a few years in a comfy jail.

3. They let millions of immigrants in who don't contribute to society

4. They underfund schools, hospitals.

5. and lots more!!

Also it's surprising how little you know about politics because i know all this and i'm only a Teen.

Or you believe everything to Tories tell you?

[Zingari]

Hitler & Stalin where right wing I doubt they confessed to some of the plans they had until they got into power if anyone believes there going to get more honesty & less disappointment out of Nick Griffin & the BNP they are f@cking stupid.

i don't agree with anything they stand for, but we have created a new underclass that obviously does, and preaching to me or any other observer that sees we have massive cultural problems won't change that.( ie don't shoot the messenger)

maybe they are stupid but it will not preclude them from voting

[Brainy]

Or you believe everything to Tories tell you?

Who does believe anything the government tell us?