How many votes did you get at the last election... 0?

I wasn't involved with politics in 2010...

bingo.

Was the first time for me and a great learning experience, especially when you realise these 'professional' politicians we've seen here in Newbury are nothing more than people kept by large trust funds or wealthy spouses. One thing is for sure, in my short dabble in politics, I've never tried to rig an election, never pushed for personal headlines and never used politics to gain commercial or financial advantage.

Interesting to note Sarah Teather Would Rather 'Poke Her Eyes Out' Than Join Labour. Seems to be a common theme with the Lib Dems denouncing links to Labour which would make a Lib-Lab coalition less likely.

Give him time, give him time.

Sorry Adrian, what I should have said was, please give examples of decisions that are currently made nationaly, that should be made more local?



So if you get into power, what will you do. Leave the EU?


Do you have any policies in mind?

My thoughts are that things run by a central government are things that are most practically shared by the whole country - rail networks, power distribution, roads, defence, strategic goals etc. The rest should be down to the region - this includes the creation of an English parliament and a reworking of the current UK parliament system. If, for example, West Berkshire wants to have the highest standard of housing in the country, we should be allowed to mandate it.



No. The EU has it's faults, but it has it's advantages too. Greens work throughout Europe to move to a consensus agenda, focused on sustainability, peace and community. I would not advocate the Euro though for the UK. At this time, I cannot see how it would benefit the country and would just move many of the decisions points from the UK to the EU.



Greens world wide believe that the people have an individual and collective responsibility to ensure sustainability, human rights and social justice. One policy that may open the debate a bit more is to achieve greater equity between the UK and non-Western countries - in the longer term, I would look to progressively reduce UK immigration controls and tackle the source of the problem directly (this is a simple statement with a lot behind it!)

Now lads, this is getting good. Some real proposals for a change.

Not that common - Labour's candidate for TVP police commisar was a Liberal before the coalition.

Ummm and given that the successful candidate is now intent on increasing spending without any real justification, suspect he is as well.

OK, I asked for examples, and you have given one. I see highest standard as more expensive. More expensive means fewer of them. I also believe that the government is or has removed legislation that moves towards a greater quantity of higher standard housing. Developers are usually eager to build 'high quality housing'. It is more lucrative.


I don't really see much here that is different to that which is currently in place.



Have you examples of the 'source of the problem'?

What immigration controls?

At election political parties have manifestos. In those manifestos they lay out their plans if they are elected to govern this country. The Lib Dems came third, while the Tories didn't get a majority to govern on their own. As all Manifestos were rejected parties had to start afresh and work with other parties. This meant re-looking at what they wanted out of their manifestos. The Lib Dems didn't lie but had to renegotiate want they wanted, and so did the Tories. They then settled on a compromise. That is what happens when parties don't get a majority. So I say to you again; where did we lie?

To your second point. Principles are no good without power. In power we can do more good than we can outside.

I think therefore you have answered the original question then? They gave up all their principles to obtain power!

Answer me a question. How is any party supposed to achieve change without power? What are principles but an empty cup? I am not one of those people that talk about principles and then stand on the side lines watching the world go by and moaning. Let us be honest. Those that have sacrificed principles for power have achieved more. Just look at Labour and the Tories.

Clegg has admitted that the Fib Dems lied about Tuition Fees. Remember the song??

as often as any other political party. ie when is prudent for them to do so.

I do believe you have now confirmed what we have always suspected - never trust what a politician utters - they are only in it for one thing power! And to obtain it they will say, do or promise anything to get it and then completely renege on the deal when they obtain the power they crave.

He actually said that we shouldn't have made the promise in the first place. Which is something totally different.

I think you are being sweet and naive here. Politics is a ruthless game. Those that are more determined achieve more. Those that are sweet and nice vanish without trace. The Lib Dems learned an important lesson when they formed a coalition with the Tories. It is ok making sweet and nice promises when you've got no chance of power, but when you have then it is time to get real.

I agree that politics is about being "ruthless" but you do talk some crap sometimes.