Politics in Newbury; which way to vote at the forthcoming election Options

[Strafin]

Howdy,

I've been a Tory voter all my life and will continue to be one. The Tories have been very good to us pensioners. This year I should be able to get free TV license and of course heating. The economy is improving and I am concerned with Labour, if they should get back into power and cause havoc like they did under Blair and Brown. UKIP just want us to pull out of Europe and the Greens have lunatic policies. As for the Lib-Dems, they've disgraced themselves and are not really the answer to anything, unless you are a weeding smoking non thinker.

Don

That's a shame, i think it's quite immoral to vote Tory and you have even said that your reasons are quite selfish. I wouldn't vote Lib Dem either but I wouldn't dismiss their supporters quite so flippantly.

[HeatherW]

That's a shame, i think it's quite immoral to vote Tory and you have even said that your reasons are quite selfish. I wouldn't vote Lib Dem either but I wouldn't dismiss their supporters quite so flippantly.

That is a silly comment as all voters vote for selfish and personal reasons. When I vote I will look at what is best for me. Don't forget that politicians do what is best for them, their party and only then do they think of the people, but collectively and what they think is best.

[HeatherW]

I completely agree that the Lib Dems locally, and to a degree nationally, have sold out their values (if in fact they ever shared the professed values of their party), but I am still proud to be associated with those values, for standing up for the rights of the little man, and I'm ever hopeful that I will find other like-minded souls who want to build "a fair, free and open society on the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, in which no one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity." Not many of us around though.

But I'm intrigued to know what a "weeding smoking non thinker" is.

Probably they are a bunch of gardeners who do nothing other than sit around pontificating, smoking and talking about how to put the world aright. And of course admiring the collective works of their leader Chairman Nick Clegg.

[Strafin]

I don't think that's true, nor do I think it's a silly comment. I do think a lot of politicians sadly get corrupted by the system and the party machine as they progress in their careers, but the general public, I give a little more credit to.

[HeatherW]

I don't think that's true, nor do I think it's a silly comment. I do think a lot of politicians sadly get corrupted by the system and the party machine as they progress in their careers, but the general public, I give a little more credit to.

Do you? Which ones?

[Don]

I completely agree that the Lib Dems locally, and to a degree nationally, have sold out their values (if in fact they ever shared the professed values of their party), but I am still proud to be associated with those values, for standing up for the rights of the little man, and I'm ever hopeful that I will find other like-minded souls who want to build "a fair, free and open society on the fundamental values of liberty, equality and community, in which no one is enslaved by poverty, ignorance or conformity." Not many of us around though.

But I'm intrigued to know what a "weeding smoking non thinker" is.

Howdy Mr Kirby. I do apologise if I offended but it was my attempt at humour. And I meant 'weed' as in the Lib-Dems want to allow it. Concerning the Lib-Dems, I think they did a lot of damage joining up with the Tory's, not only to themselves but also for the Tories, who couldn't implement a lot of their policies because of Lib-Dem restrictions.

Don

[Don]

That's a shame, i think it's quite immoral to vote Tory and you have even said that your reasons are quite selfish. I wouldn't vote Lib Dem either but I wouldn't dismiss their supporters quite so flippantly.

Howdy Strafin,

I must reiterate what Heather said and that is we all vote for selfish reasons. I have worked hard all my life and it is nice to see a party that has us old folks at the top of their list.

Don

[Strafin]

With all due respect Don, I don't think you or Heather can speak on behalf of "everyone".

[Simon Kirby]

That is a silly comment as all voters vote for selfish and personal reasons. When I vote I will look at what is best for me. Don't forget that politicians do what is best for them, their party and only then do they think of the people, but collectively and what they think is best.

I think you're wrong on both counts. There are plenty of people who vote ethically for what they believe is right for the world at large, and there are politicians too who get into politics to make the world a better place with little thought for themselves.

[Simon Kirby]

Howdy Mr Kirby. I do apologise if I offended but it was my attempt at humour. And I meant 'weed' as in the Lib-Dems want to allow it. Concerning the Lib-Dems, I think they did a lot of damage joining up with the Tory's, not only to themselves but also for the Tories, who couldn't implement a lot of their policies because of Lib-Dem restrictions.

Don

Ah, weed-smoking - no offence taken. As it happens I would tend to decriminalise all recreational drugs, though I'd go to some effort to help people avoid their use too - and for what it's worth I'm not a pot-head, but I see that criminalisation creates more harm than it prevents, and I see better ways of discouraging harmful and antisocial behaviour.

As for the Lib Dems inhibiting the Tories, I think that's likely to be a good thing.

[Andy Capp]

Howdy Mr Kirby. I do apologise if I offended but it was my attempt at humour. And I meant 'weed' as in the Lib-Dems want to allow it. Concerning the Lib-Dems, I think they did a lot of damage joining up with the Tory's, not only to themselves but also for the Tories, who couldn't implement a lot of their policies because of Lib-Dem restrictions. Don

What do you think the Tories were prevented from doing?

[Biker1]

What do you think the Tories were prevented from doing?

Increasing the Inheritance Tax Threshold?

[Andy Capp]

Increasing the Inheritance Tax Threshold?

Thanks Biker1, mind you I was hoping to get a reply from our new preelection member!

Inheritance tax is a good one in that it is big on principle but affects few, not that it is a harmless tax of course!

[On the edge]

The inheritance tax issue is again an interesting one. Arguably it's just gesture politics; playing with the percentages! One political supermarket says 'x' percent, the other says 'y'! How about a reward card that you can produce at the Polling Station to go with it?

Has any party said 'we will significantly simplify the tax system so that it's hard to avoid and easy to understand' ? Ooooh no, might scare some people.

[On the edge]

Sorry, duplicate post!

[Andy Capp]

I understand that Inheritance Tax affects a relatively small amount of people, but because it is emotive, has a profile that it possibly doesn't deserve.

[On the edge]

I understand that Inheritance Tax affects a relatively small amount of people, but because it is emotive, has a profile that it possibly doesn't deserve.

Yes, would go with that! It's been causing an issue since 1906 at least and to give the Liberals their due, they've stuck with it.

[gel]

It kicks in when Estate is over £325,000, which is more than the value of many owner occupied homes in this area, so penalises those in the South disproportionately as normal.
I think its current level is totally unjustifiable, and is just part of socialist's desire to re distribute any wealth earned by others, as they deem fit.

Obviously whilst living of course they taxed you when you earnt it & when you spent it.

[On the edge]

It kicks in when Estate is over £325,000, which is more than the value of many owner occupied homes in this area, so penalises those in the South disproportionately as normal.
I think its current level is totally unjustifiable, and is just part of socialist's desire to re distribute any wealth earned by others, as they deem fit.

Obviously whilst living of course they taxed you when you earnt it & when you spent it.

That's now real politics. Do we keep it, because it serves it's original intention; wealth redistribution or do we scrap it, because it's an infringement of personal freedom. Tinkering with the rates simply increases of decreases the number of people we define as rich.

[Spider]

What do you think the Tories were prevented from doing?

I used to support the Lib-Dems so I am no fan of theirs. But are you saying that the coalition with the Tories made no difference and they would have done the same with or without them? I do not think so. I think you question is naive or you are just playing games. For a start the Lib-Dems stopped them going too far right. The tax policies were influenced by the Lib-Dems (at least in some cases). I also believe that Cameron, who is of the left of his party, was glad of the Lib-Dems. Otherwise he would have been held hostage to the right of his party. Then there is the boundary changes, which were stopped by the Lib-Dems.