Conference of Conservative thinking, Lets blame Gordon Options

[lordtup]

So Ken ( hush puppy ) Clarke rants on that an incoming Conservative government will inherit the biggest debt crisis that this country has seen since the war , which is basically down to the incompetence of the present Labour one .

Very prophetic Ken , but where were you when the banking industry was running cavalier with our money ? Don't recall to many politicians of any party looking over the battlements and shouting foul .
We can all be wise with hindsight , but I have great deal of reservation about voting for a party that will make us all pay for something that was out of our control . While I appreciate that it is going to be tough to start with , as a non committed voter I am looking for leadership to stimulate our manufacturing base in order to get back to normality not stringent tax hikes so the idle rich can carry on regardless .

Comments please

[Hugh Saskin]

Me, too, lordtup - I just don't trust any of them, including a political party who currently has this windbag as a chairman:

'On 26 March 2009, Pickles appeared on the political debate programme Question Time in Newcastle upon Tyne. While discussing the controversy over Tony McNulty, Pickles admitted he claimed a second home allowance as he lived 37 miles from Westminster and therefore needed to leave his constituency house at 5:30am in order to get to Westminster for 9:30am given that he tended to get home at midnight or 1am. He went on to say that it was 'no fun' commuting into London from where he lived. In response to Pickles' comments that he "had to be there [the House of Commons] on time", Question Time host David Dimbleby replied "Like a job, in other words?" prompting some amusement amongst the audience.'

[Guest_Bill1_*]

Me, too, lordtup - I just don't trust any of them, including a political party who currently has this windbag as a chairman:

'On 26 March 2009, Pickles appeared on the political debate programme Question Time in Newcastle upon Tyne. While discussing the controversy over Tony McNulty, Pickles admitted he claimed a second home allowance as he lived 37 miles from Westminster and therefore needed to leave his constituency house at 5:30am in order to get to Westminster for 9:30am given that he tended to get home at midnight or 1am. He went on to say that it was 'no fun' commuting into London from where he lived. In response to Pickles' comments that he "had to be there [the House of Commons] on time", Question Time host David Dimbleby replied "Like a job, in other words?" prompting some amusement amongst the audience.'

I saw that Hugh, what a plum he looked. I've never laughed so ironically!

[Iommi]

Parties tend to 'lose elections, rather win them', to 'coin a phrase'.

What we have seen, for quite some time now, 'big' businesses have greater clout than is healthy. Illustrated by things like the banking crisis and energy companies (oil, gas, etc) that are able to take the pish out of the consumer and there is little a Government can do about it; Conservative or Labour.

None of the main parties have demonstrated they have learned lessons that might enable them to prevent a similar banking crisis to the one recently from happening again.

[regor]

Puzzled I am.

The bankers, city traders etc got us into this mess.

The banks now say they are making profits again and want to pay bonuses to their people.

When this is questioned they say that all of the bad apples have gone, only the good guys work in the banks now therefore they deserve their bonuses for making a profit.

But hold ye hard one minute.

Most of these "profits" are the result of taxpayers money being thrown to the banks as a lifeline.

Now all the politicians line up and say "The taxpayers will have to suffer until the economy becomes good again!"

Why?

Seems to me the taxpayers are blameless in this disaster. They are the only people who have shouldered all of the burdens and are now told they are going to get another kicking from the Political/city/banking triumvirate of evil doers.

[On the edge]

.......Seems to me the taxpayers are blameless in this disaster. They are the only people who have shouldered all of the burdens and are now told they are going to get another kicking from the Political/city/banking triumvirate of evil doers.

Not quite blameless - we've simply gone on voting for and supporting these people. How many of us have been to shareholders meetings and questioned the salaries paid at the top? How many of us have spoilt ballot papers with appropriate remarks, How many of us have refused to fill in stupid forms etc. etc etc. Now many of us have made any stand at all? I think we all know the answer! We richly deserve what we've got.

[lordtup]

We seem to be , politically speaking at least , wedged well and truly between the devil and the deep blue sea .

While being quite true that most of the electorate vote for the "other " party on the premise of preventing the bad guys getting in , and it would be nice to have someone of integrity to stand for the privilege of public office , I can't help thinking that we have got the government , present and future , that we deserve .

We have all been guilty of looking after our own interests to the detriment of excluding the needs of society in general . We quite happily accepted the good times despite knowing that it wouldn't last and turning a convenient blind eye to the the singular lack of steerage by the present Westminster incumbents . It is a big cop out to suggest that they are in charge and we have no say . We are the custodians of this sceptered isle and the politicians , far from being our masters , are in fact our servants and should behave so .

The general election next year will present us with the best opportunity yet to replace this rancid bunch of cretins that call themselves public servants , with bodies that will behave in an altruistic manner and reflect out wishes for an environment fit for all .

It is no use waiting for election day and placing a random cross next to "the other guy " because that will mean four more years of the same . We need to find a local person ( not gender specific ) who at face value will represent our wishes , and who we can elect as an independent member to Parliament . If enough constituencies take this route we can finally dispose of the old party system and have true representation .

Any suggestions for candidature ? ( previous applicants need not apply )

[On the edge]

Good point! Lets start looking and perhaps arm twisting..

[TallDarkAndHands...]

mmmmmmm......

Let me think.

A banker in the 'West' shuffles none existent money about and claims they've made £17 billion pounds and pay's bonuses of £3 billion pounds. When they have not 'made' anything or done anything of note.

A state like China MANUFACTURES GOODS from raw materials and sells them for a profit on the open market.

Which Country is going to end up with all the money / power?

I wonder.............

[JeffG]

On a smaller scale, but using exactly the same argument, you could say that it's immoral for anyone who backs a winner in a horse race to receive a payout.

The winnings are paid for by all the losers, and I've not heard of a poor bookmaker. The bookmaker then pays taxes which benefits the economy.

[Iommi]

On a smaller scale, but using exactly the same argument, you could say that it's immoral for anyone who backs a winner in a horse race to receive a payout. The winnings are paid for by all the losers, and I've not heard of a poor bookmaker. The bookmaker then pays taxes which benefits the economy.

What we had though, was a system that paid-out handsomely regardless of whether it won or not.

[JeffG]

What we had though, was a system that paid-out handsomely regardless of whether it won or not.

I agree. Bonuses (deserved or not) aside, my point was that you still contribute whether you actually make something or not. The whole service industry is based on that. There doesn't have to be a physical end product.

[Iommi]

I agree. Bonuses (deserved or not) aside, my point was that you still contribute whether you actually make something or not. The whole service industry is based on that. There doesn't have to be a physical end product.

TDAH does have a point, without the raw materials (or goods) you cannot add value, which is what I think you are referring to. The UK is about added value and it is a very dangerous place to be long term.