The term 'Broken Britain'

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Cameron seems to have started up the 'Broken Britain' bandwagon again. Just wondered what everyone thinks of the phrase? What do people think it should be used for?

Cameron is cleary using it to scaremonger the electorate into getting him into power...

I think that 'Broken Britain' is a fine phrase to describe how we as an electorate we have grown tired of petty, immoral, unethical and foolhardy politicians - and the adverse effect that has on participation (esp amongst the young).

I have put my thoughts here

Fine piece in the Guardian too

Just keen to hear on what people think the correct use of the term 'Broken Britain' is....

[breadandcheese]

Cameron seems to have started up the 'Broken Britain' bandwagon again. Just wondered what everyone thinks of the phrase? What do people think it should be used for?

Cameron is cleary using it to scaremonger the electorate into getting him into power...

I think that 'Broken Britain' is a fine phrase to describe how we as an electorate we have grown tired of petty, immoral, unethical and foolhardy politicians - and the adverse effect that has on participation (esp amongst the young).

I have put my thoughts here

Fine piece in the Guardian too

Just keen to hear on what people think the correct use of the term 'Broken Britain' is....

In every election, the opposition talks of a fractured society or things not working, so it's nothing new that the Tories are doing this. In fact, all the election slogans I can think of where the opposition has won power have been based on the general theme of the incumbant government failing in their duty to produce a cohesive society. "Britain isn't working" - Tories, "Britain deserves better" - Labour, all slogans that implied britain was broken and needed fixing by a new government that went on to win the election.

[davieG]

This is a problem – without participating, I don’t believe an individual has the right to voice criticism. If you choose not to vote, in my opinion you lose the right to protest.

Disagree by voting, whichever person you're voting for you're saying in effect that your happy with the current set up and the people that are endeavouring to become MPs especially if that's a sitting MP.

By not voting I'm saying loud and clearly I don't trust or respect any of you and you've done nothing to convince me otherwise.

I will therefore continue to abstain and criticise especially the self serving approach of MPs, rather than the policies of the respective parties.

[lou]

Not a Cameron fan in the least but do think this country is in the shite now.

Ferral youths killing eachother on a daily basis and no one bats an eyelid.

Strikes starting to pop up all over the place

Debt spiralling out of control

Fuel prices are beyond a fecking joke

No money for education or the health service

Forces desperately stretched and under equipt.

Only problem is I cant see who is going to fix it out of this current crop of parties?

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Disagree by voting, whichever person you're voting for you're saying in effect that your happy with the current set up and the people that are endeavouring to become MPs especially if that's a sitting MP.

By not voting I'm saying loud and clearly I don't trust or respect any of you and you've done nothing to convince me otherwise.

I will therefore continue to abstain and criticise especially the self serving approach of MPs, rather than the policies of the respective parties.

thats a fair point - would you cross an empty box on the ballot paper?

For me thats a better way of showing angst.... be interesting to see how many people did that if they introduced i

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Not a Cameron fan in the least but do think this country is in the shite now.

Ferral youths killing eachother on a daily basis and no one bats an eyelid.

Strikes starting to pop up all over the place

Debt spiralling out of control

Fuel prices are beyond a fecking joke

No money for education or the health service

Forces desperately stretched and under equipt.

Only problem is I cant see who is going to fix it out of this current crop of parties?

It does seem that we do lack real alternatives - gone are the days of real ideological politics in the mainstream.

Youths killing each other on a daily basis is a bit of an exageration tho isnt it?

[lou]

It does seem that we do lack real alternatives - gone are the days of real ideological politics in the mainstream.

Youths killing each other on a daily basis is a bit of an exageration tho isnt it?

Not really..... Do you not watch the news much? Isnt many a day goes by that some kid hasnt been stabbed or shot somewhere in this country. Granted it barely makes the radar much but I notice these things.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Not really..... Do you not watch the news much? Isnt many a day goes by that some kid hasnt been stabbed or shot somewhere in this country. Granted it barely makes the radar much but I notice these things.

I agree that it seems the frequency of these incidents has risen - but still on a daily basis?!

[davieG]

thats a fair point - would you cross an empty box on the ballot paper?

For me thats a better way of showing angst.... be interesting to see how many people did that if they introduced i

Do they count them or even announce them as part of the results? They and the media certainly notice the decline in the number of voters probably why they want to reduce the voting age. If more people abstained it might actually force them into doing something a bit more radical and sharpen up their act, and acting seems to be the only thing they're half decent at.

There also needs to be a shake up in the Civil Service who seems to get massive rewards and Knighthoods for just being there based on the programmes recently aired on TV.

[lou]

I agree that it seems the frequency of these incidents has risen - but still on a daily basis?!

You dont think a young person gets murdered on a more or less daily basis in this country? Maybe not in Bournemouth granted

[Budweiser]

Not a Cameron fan in the least but do think this country is in the shite now.

Ferral youths killing eachother on a daily basis and no one bats an eyelid.

Strikes starting to pop up all over the place

Debt spiralling out of control

Fuel prices are beyond a fecking joke

No money for education or the health service

Forces desperately stretched and under equipt.

Only problem is I cant see who is going to fix it out of this current crop of parties?

I agree with this. Let alone the fact we've let in the floodgates for immigrants. This country is in a complete mess, no exaggeration really either! The benefits system in this country makes me sick, half the kids these days look as if they will be claiming benefits in a few years, and why should we be funding them because they've no motivation, ambition in life other than to harrass the average Joe in the street to buy them some fags or thieving women's handbags for pennies? They aren't punished harshly enough by the system either, they'll probaby be given an ASBO, but their probably proud of that.

Disgrace. Kids these days have no respect.

Immigration in this country has become a huge problem, don't get me started on that though.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Do they count them or even announce them as part of the results? They and the media certainly notice the decline in the number of voters probably why they want to reduce the voting age. If more people abstained it might actually force them into doing something a bit more radical and sharpen up their act, and acting seems to be the only thing they're half decent at.

There also needs to be a shake up in the Civil Service who seems to get massive rewards and Knighthoods for just being there based on the programmes recently aired on TV.

They don't publish spoilt ballot papers, they mention how many at the count but thats it. I think if people actually participated and ticked an empty box it would serve what you've just mentioned. Getting people to participate could become a very important issue - people die in places like Iraq when they try and vote, just think people should realise how lucky we are to be able to exercise an opinion...

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

You dont think a young person gets murdered on a more or less daily basis in this country? Maybe not in Bournemouth granted

I honestly don't think a young person gets murdered everyday. It may seem like it at times. Do you read the Daily Mail?

[purpleronnie]

I honestly don't think a young person gets murdered everyday. It may seem like it at times. Do you read the Daily Mail?

We still have one of the lowest murder rates in the world.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

I agree with this. Let alone the fact we've let in the floodgates for immigrants. This country is in a complete mess, no exaggeration really either! The benefits system in this country makes me sick, half the kids these days look as if they will be claiming benefits in a few years, and why should we be funding them because they've no motivation, ambition in life other than to harrass the average Joe in the street to buy them some fags or thieving women's handbags for pennies? They aren't punished harshly enough by the system either, they'll probaby be given an ASBO, but their probably proud of that.

Disgrace. Kids these days have no respect.

Immigration in this country has become a huge problem, don't get me started on that though.

There are benefits of immigration. It is a fact that a lot of young people aren't motivated. A guy said on Question Time last night he advertised a cleaning job - 200 people applied, only 6 of which could speak English. While that might be shocking in many ways - it also goes to show that young people in this country aren't prepared to do a job that they deem beneath themselves. It might not be ambitious to apply for a cleaning job, but everyone has to start somewhere.

The benefit system is a product of the thought that government should make society fairer - while I broadly agree with that sentiment, there is an obvious and what has turned into a massive problem in people exploiting it. I've been on the dole in the last few years - part of the condition is to apply for a certain amount of jobs per week, but thats almost impossibile to regulate. It does invite for what of a better term 'spongers'...

Anyway - lets hope for a better second 45!

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

We still have one of the lowest murder rates in the world.

We do - that is a fact. I work closely with a leading Professor down here, he told me that for every man that gets murdered here - 16 get murdered in the USA. For every women that gets murdered here - 12 get murdered in the USA.

Also interestingly - altho I haven't got it to hand I saw some stats that suggest £ for £ we have one of the most superior health systems in the world. We don't invest as much as many, but seem to be punching above our weight. The NHS may have its misgivings, but as a whole its a darn sight better than it used to be...

[frenzal]

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15452811

Decent article on the issue from a couple of months ago.

[purpleronnie]

There are benefits of immigration. It is a fact that a lot of young people aren't motivated. A guy said on Question Time last night he advertised a cleaning job - 200 people applied, only 6 of which could speak English. While that might be shocking in many ways - it also goes to show that young people in this country aren't prepared to do a job that they deem beneath themselves. It might not be ambitious to apply for a cleaning job, but everyone has to start somewhere.

The benefit system is a product of the thought that government should make society fairer - while I broadly agree with that sentiment, there is an obvious and what has turned into a massive problem in people exploiting it. I've been on the dole in the last few years - part of the condition is to apply for a certain amount of jobs per week, but thats almost impossibile to regulate. It does invite for what of a better term 'spongers'...

Anyway - lets hope for a better second 45!

Immigration is a necessity, and the whole floodgates arguement is nonsense. Many other countries have a much higher percentage of immigrants (legal and illegal) than us.

But they are an easy target used by the less knowledgeable.

[purpleronnie]

http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15452811

Decent article on the issue from a couple of months ago.

The bad old days

The broken Britain of legend is one where danger stalks the streets as never before. In the real Britain, the police have just recorded the lowest number of murders for 19 years. In mythical broken Britain, children are especially at risk. Back in real life, child homicides have fallen by more than two-thirds since the 1970s. Britain used to be the third-biggest killer of children in the rich world; it is now the 17th. And more mundane crimes have fallen too: burglaries and car theft are about half as common now as they were 15 years ago. Even the onset of recession has not reversed that downward trend so far.

Just shows you eh?

Ask most people on the streets they'll state the opposite and site the reason why they are leaving the country, usually to one with higher murder rates.

People do seem to always think the worst of Britain I don't know why? Maybe its the weather.

[Smudge]

By not voting I'm saying loud and clearly I don't trust or respect any of you and you've done nothing to convince me otherwise.

That's your prerogative but I don't think anyone in power, is listening you do nothing.

I suspect that most people feel that their vote is redundant if the options aren't acceptable. I remember feeling the same after George Bush's first term, my choice was more of the same or John Kerry, I chose Kerry as the best of two evils. If I hadn't voted, I would have felt that I was just giving Bush a "shoe-in"; at least I negated someone's vote for him.

[purpleronnie]

I don't understand why someone wouldn't vote surely there's something one party has to offers that you agree with? and if you don't believe they are genuine in their policies maybe we shouldnt have a government alltogether, that would work.

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Immigration is a necessity, and the whole floodgates arguement is nonsense. Many other countries have a much higher percentage of immigrants (legal and illegal) than us.

But they are an easy target used by the less knowledgeable.

couldn't agree more pal

[Wasyls Pec Deck]

Just shows you eh?

Ask most people on the streets they'll state the opposite and site the reason why they are leaving the country, usually to one with higher murder rates.

People do seem to always think the worst of Britain I don't know why? Maybe its the weather.

that and the fact moaning is central to our way of life, that and queuing. Very rarely do we hear positives...

[Daggers]

That's your prerogative but I don't think anyone in power, is listening you do nothing.

Don't reckon anyone listened to your Kerry vote either, Smudgy.

[Smudge]

Don't reckon anyone listened to your Kerry vote either, Smudgy.

Shut up you and get them boxes packed.