Who you all voting for?

[Flynny]

One can only assume from the Tory silence on their policies that they intend to present a facade of what they want the voters to believe - that a Cameron Government would be like MacMillan or Heath. Anyone with more than half a brain (ie. most non-Tories) knows that this is not the case. For an idea of what Cameron would be like, think Thatcher with expensive moisturiser, dangling on strings controlled by Norman Tebbit.

Yes the Tories are riding high but not on a wave of enthusiasm for Tory policies. What I suspect they are trying to do is to try and get elected without telling us anything about their policies at all, and then if they do they would have carte blanche to impose those ideologically motivated cuts that they always make. They would also be able to make decisions to suit the myriad of shady donors who have been waiting for payback on their investments. If you think Labour is unpopular, wait until the third year of a Tory government - if the electorate are daft enough to vote them in.

What are the Labour Party's policies, then?

[l444ry]

What are the Labour Party's policies, then?

Tut, tut Flynny..... why are you so anti-Labour if you know not their policies?

Let the horses mouth do the talking.....

[Flynny]

Tut, tut Flynny..... why are you so anti-Labour if you know not their policies?

Let the horses mouth do the talking.....

That's him explaining what he's done, which incidentally I think has been pretty alright. It's not their policies. The Tories lack policies only as much as Labour or any other party. A Tory government would stand for increased decentralisation of power and increased personal responsibility - policies I find attractive. David Cameron seems decisive and confident. He's made these policies ever clearer (see here)

I'm not a Tory on principle in any way shape or form, if anything I'd self-identify as left-of-centre, but thanks to their gleeful jump into authoritarianism the parliamentary Labour party are more right-wing than the Tories at the minute on the issue that troubles me most - personal liberty and centralised government.

[Edmund]

Labour party are more right-wing than the Tories at the minute on the issue that troubles me most - personal liberty and centralised government.

You've been speaking to Thracian haven't you

[Thracian]

As opposed to the Tories, who used the benefit of North Sea oil revenues over nearly 20 years to invest in public services which were the envy of the world..

Oh come on!. Are you saying that a PM who is the former Chancellor could not have invested wisely on world markets and turned enough money to have his own pot?

Gold was an obvious punt even to a layman like me. It would have paid handsomely, and so he was advised.

But no, the arrogant control freak elected to sell half of our nations gold in and around 2002 at exactly the time when he should have been increasing our holding steadily so that he could cash some of it in about now and reap huge benefits.

Even since September gold has doubled in price and to levels previously unheard of. That was his "North Sea Oil" but he knew better than his advisers and poured it down the plughole of massive debt.

So stop making lame excuses. Like all other Prime Ministers he's been dealt his hand and it's no fault but his own that he's played it all wrong.

[Guest Bilo]

That's him explaining what he's done, which incidentally I think has been pretty alright. It's not their policies. The Tories lack policies only as much as Labour or any other party. A Tory government would stand for increased decentralisation of power and increased personal responsibility - policies I find attractive. David Cameron seems decisive and confident. He's made these policies ever clearer (see here)

I'm not a Tory on principle in any way shape or form, if anything I'd self-identify as left-of-centre, but thanks to their gleeful jump into authoritarianism the parliamentary Labour party are more right-wing than the Tories at the minute on the issue that troubles me most - personal liberty and centralised government.

This.

I do not consider myself a typical Tory voter at all. My background is about as working class as it gets, yet I feel no desire to vote Labour whatsoever. As decisive and confident as Cameron seems to be, Brown looks the absolute opposite and inspires very little faith. Across the despatch box on a Wednesday, Cameron takes Brown apart on a weekly basis, looks far more 'in control' of his party and does not seem afraid to make difficult decisions. Brown has encountered rebellion from his own MPs but looks powerless to do anything about it, his version of despatch box debate appears to be little more than dryly reading some of his own government's statistics about how brilliant his government is, and how awful the last Tory government was (only 12 years ago now Gordon) and he has been made to look completely out-of-touch with the public mood on more than one issue by a man who has had one of the most privileged upbringings in the House of Commons.

The civil liberties record of this government has been awful, as you have touched upon. From ID Cards to the Serious Organised Crime Act and Prevention of Terrorism Act, our civil liberties have been chipped away gradually since 9/11, and these developments have gathered pace since 7/7. Bizarre for a government whose previous leader stated that the introduction of the Human Rights Act into British law was his 'proudest achievement.'

My only worry is that Labour will not only lose the next General Election, but end up being absolutely massacred. A government with a huge majority is not always the best thing for democracy, and can make the task of the opposition turning over the deficit at subsequent elections very difficult. The sheer scale of Labour's victory in 1997 is the reason we are still stuck with this unpopular government 13 years later, and I can't help but feel that we may be saying the same things about the Tories 10 years from now.

[Ultra]

Cameron may indeed appear "decisive and confident". Given his upbringing, one would expect nothing different.

But the message he delivers is nothing new - tax cuts for the wealthy, savage service cuts for the many.

Don't be fooled by the rhetoric on civil liberties either. Phone-tapping and employment blacklists were regular features of the last Tory period of office and with Cameron pledging to restrict workplace rights even further, there's little sign that this will change.

In addition, his isolationist foreign policies, which have been denounced as too extreme by governments in France and Germany which would normally be seen as his natural allies, may earn him a few favourable headlines in the tabloids, but would severely weaken our standing in Europe and the world in general.

But at least he'd maintain defence spending - if only so he could rely on the troops to help him out, as they once did for Thatcher on more than one occasion.

[Lovejoy]

UKIP or Tory, haven't decided yet.

[Flynny]

Cameron may indeed appear "decisive and confident". Given his upbringing, one would expect nothing different.

Check number 1, class swiping.

But the message he delivers is nothing new - tax cuts for the wealthy, savage service cuts for the many.

Savage is a matter of opinion. Where has he said he'll cut taxes for the wealthy at all? They even said that they might not put the top tax rate back to 40% - a measure plenty of people across all parties would have little problem with.

Don't be fooled by the rhetoric on civil liberties either. Phone-tapping and employment blacklists were regular features of the last Tory period of office and with Cameron pledging to restrict workplace rights even further, there's little sign that this will change.

Reference to former governments, hooray again. Genuinely interested about the workplace thing, can you link me up?

In addition, his isolationist foreign policies, which have been denounced as too extreme by governments in France and Germany which would normally be seen as his natural allies, may earn him a few favourable headlines in the tabloids, but would severely weaken our standing in Europe and the world in general.

The same France and Germany who were sceptical about his fiscal stimulus? I bet you weren't so happy to quote them then.

But at least he'd maintain defence spending - if only so he could rely on the troops to help him out, as they once did for Thatcher on more than one occasion.

For a start, I'm almost certain I remember the news reporting him having said that that "not even defence would be immune to cuts under a Tory government", like it was the sound of a sacred cow being slaughtered. Secondly, another lazy swipe at a former government - you can't help yourself. Is this the only reason anyone votes for Labour anymore?

[Jon the Hat]

Cameron may indeed appear "decisive and confident". Given his upbringing, one would expect nothing different.

But the message he delivers is nothing new - tax cuts for the wealthy, savage service cuts for the many.

Don't be fooled by the rhetoric on civil liberties either. Phone-tapping and employment blacklists were regular features of the last Tory period of office and with Cameron pledging to restrict workplace rights even further, there's little sign that this will change.

In addition, his isolationist foreign policies, which have been denounced as too extreme by governments in France and Germany which would normally be seen as his natural allies, may earn him a few favourable headlines in the tabloids, but would severely weaken our standing in Europe and the world in general.

But at least he'd maintain defence spending - if only so he could rely on the troops to help him out, as they once did for Thatcher on more than one occasion.

Given his upbringing one would expect nothing different? What planet are you on? He is decisive and confident becuase he is an intelligent man who has risen to the top of the Conservative party by building consenus and winning respect of his party. Brown on the otherhand managed to bully people into not standing against him when he stood for the leadership of the labour party.

Your lot have just increased National insurance by 1%, impacting everyone and masked it with a top rate income tax increase which will encourange an exodus of the best and the brightest from our shores. Brilliant plan.

You can talk about rhetoric on civil liberties, but we can look at Labour's record over the last 12 years. Not a leg to stand on there have you?

The debt mountain Labour are leaving us with unfortunately is going to mean that all services will be cut or restricted in future. The massive waste caused by overspending costs even more to get rid of, especially with the gold plated pensions and redundancy packages bloated public sector is "entitled" to. Even when they do wants cost control they get it wrong - note Surrey County Council being foreced to spend £1.2m rebilling council taxpayers to reduce bills by £1.6M what a waste.

[Matt]

I really ain't got a clue who to vote for, People are saying vote out the bad well in my eyes there all fooking bad, they've all done wrong, not just labour, not just conservatives, not just the big parties!

Vote out the bad? Looks like no-one will be voting for any parties then...

BNP/UKIP look like they have bad promises, looks like things could go quite bad under their policies, but are Labour and big more mainstream parties any better? What difference have they made over previous years? What differences will they make in the future? Full of false promises again.

That doesn't mean i'll be voting BNP or UKIP as I said I really ain't got a scooby doo, possibly might not even bother - oh dear, I 'won't have a voice' then, but they don't fooking listen or make any differences anyway.

[Fosse Boy]

I really ain't got a clue who to vote for, People are saying vote out the bad well in my eyes there all fooking bad, they've all done wrong, not just labour, not just conservatives, not just the big parties!

Vote out the bad? Looks like no-one will be voting for any parties then...

BNP/UKIP look like they have bad promises, looks like things could go quite bad under their policies, but are Labour and big more mainstream parties any better? What difference have they made over previous years? What differences will they make in the future? Full of false promises again.

That doesn't mean i'll be voting BNP or UKIP as I said I really ain't got a scooby doo, possibly might not even bother - oh dear, I 'won't have a voice' then, but they don't fooking listen or make any differences anyway.

If you don't agree with any party then spoil your ballot. At least then you're doing something to show your dissatisfaction. Staying away proves nothing.

[Matt]

If you don't agree with any party then spoil your ballot. At least then you're doing something to show your dissatisfaction. Staying away proves nothing.

Good point actually.

£ £ £.

[Ultra]

Given his upbringing one would expect nothing different? What planet are you on? He is decisive and confident becuase he is an intelligent man who has risen to the top of the Conservative party by building consensus and winning respect of his party.

Something of course Brown never did, while he became the longest-serving Chancellor in history, playing a key role in three successive Labour victories....

Meanwhile the "intelligent" Cameron was a close aide to Tory Chancellor Norman Lamont during the ERM fiasco, when interest rates yo-yoed up and down and sent the country into a panic.

Brown on the other hand managed to bully people into not standing against him when he stood for the leadership of the labour party.

Plenty of people were keen on a leadership contest. Unfortunately the system devised under Brown's predecessor meant it didn't happen. Too many people were persuaded by the "unity" argument and believed no credible alternative existed.

Your lot have just increased National insurance by 1%, impacting everyone and masked it with a top rate income tax increase which will encourange an exodus of the best and the brightest from our shores. Brilliant plan.

Typical Tory hysteria about even the most modest of steps towards a fairer tax system. If the "best and the brightest" have to be bribed to stay here ,then they really aren't worth bothering about.

You can talk about rhetoric on civil liberties, but we can look at Labour's record over the last 12 years. Not a leg to stand on there have you?

The Human Rights Act (which Cameron opposes) and the repeal of the vile Section 28 are signs that Labour are still more progressive than the Tories. If the latter had had their way, the death penalty would still be in place and both abortion and homosexuality would still be outlawed.

The debt mountain Labour are leaving us with unfortunately is going to mean that all services will be cut or restricted in future. The massive waste caused by overspending costs even more to get rid of, especially with the gold plated pensions and redundancy packages bloated public sector is "entitled" to.

These things are never seen in the private sector, of course. Does the name "Sir Fred Goodwin" ring a bell?

Our economy is one of the biggest in the world (Labour helped keep it that way). It can and will withstand a spell of turbulence. The fatcats in the City of London helped to create the current mess. It's only right that they should play their part in clearing it up.

Even when they do wants cost control they get it wrong - note Surrey County Council being foreced to spend £1.2m rebilling council taxpayers to reduce bills by £1.6M what a waste.

Remind me - who brought in (for partisan political purposes) capping rules for local authorities in the first place? Are they going to scrap them if returned to office? Thought not..

[Webbo]

Something of course Brown never did, while he became the longest-serving Chancellor in history, playing a key role in three successive Labour victories....

The way things are I'd keep quiet about that if I were you.

[Webbo]

The Human Rights Act (which Cameron opposes) and the repeal of the vile Section 28 are signs that Labour are still more progressive than the Tories. If the latter had had their way, the death penalty would still be in place and both abortion and homosexuality would still be outlawed.

Seriously, don't you ever get embarrassed about the amount of shit you spout?

[Thracian]

Seriously, don't you ever get embarrassed about the amount of shit you spout?

There'll be no changing the lad. Socialism has been in his blood from birth and he'll stay committed to the cause whatever.

[Fosse Boy]

Got my voting slip through today, still not sure who to vote for in the Euros though.

Probably going to vote Lib Dems in the council elections though, given that the other options are the big two (who I don't feel represent me at all), a one trick pony (UKIP) or a bunch of fascist cunts (BNP). Plus, the Lib Dems seem to be on the side of poncy students like myself more than any of the other parties...

[l444ry]

BNP to get colour chart as global warming turns Britons darker.

Former pop star and alleged kiddie botherer, Michael Jackson, stunned fans today when he announced that he was to join the British Nationalist Party.

In a further twist, Party Leader Nick Griffin was sensationally booted out, after returning from holiday with a tan.

Party spokesman, Bob Skinhead said today, "Rules is rules, If you're not white you don't get in." Asked if the BNP had any other policies other than being white, Mr Skinhead replied, "Nope."

When our reporter pointed out to Mr Skinhead that Mr Jackson used to be black and showed him the 'Off the Wall' album, a clearly confused Mr Skinhead replied, "Oh bollocks!."

The BNP has been under pressure recently, after the unseasonably hot summer meant that many sunbathing members were ejected from the group. The 'Tan ban' has upset many stalwarts of the party and things look set to get even worse as global warming means that Britain is heating up.

A leading scientist told us last night, "As the world gets warmer, many Britons will get darker. This obviously poses problems for groups such as the BNP and they may need to come up with some sort of colour chart, like what you get in B&Q when choosing paint."

[Lamby]

Tories

No idea what its for though, oh the joys of my first time voting