Wendy Alexander on Newsnight

[Cambo_Jambo]

Always nice to see her get a kicking on Newsnight!

 

She is an absolute joke of a politician. If anybody is watching it, I think you

 

might agree.

 

Discuss!

[yvonnejambo]

Makes me glad Im a nationalist. She is dismal I almost felt sorry for her there

[Cambo_Jambo]

She is completely out of her depth as the leader of what should, theoretically, be Scotlands biggest political party. I used to be Labour but the Nationalists are quite frankly miles ahead just now.

[yvonnejambo]

She hasnt got a clue what she wants, it seems she wants a referendum to try and dupe the SNP she is frankly barking! Or is it she doesnt want a referendum how many times was she asked and did she actually ever answer?

[Cade]

Not a bloody clue.

 

What a joke.

 

Labour could be finished in Scotland after her performance over the last few weeks.

 

And Scotland still detests the Tories.

 

The next General Election could be very very interesting.

[upthehill]

Just Salmond on Hard Talk on BBC News 24, he is a smarmy git, but streets ahead of wee Wendy I'm afraid.

[Denny Crane]

What an absolute joke she's turning out to be. A flip-flopping chocolate lieutenant if ever there was one. The irony is she could well be Salmond's trump card if she is still the Labour leader come the referendum!

[Peebo]

Wendy Alexander embodies everything that made me vote against devolution, and continues to make me abstain from voting in the Scottish Parliament election. She is absolutely useless - reminds me a lot of Boris Johnson.

[Cambo_Jambo]

When you watch her floundering about it is ridiculous. I wasn't the biggest fan

 

of either Salmond or SNP but it is difficult to argue with the

 

performances both are putting in. If the Tories get in at the next General

 

Election then I think Scotland would be extremely close to independance!

 

Just now, I'm not sure if thats good or bad.

 

Alex Salmond, President of Scotland

 

OR

 

Prime Minister David 'nae substance' Cameron and his group of touchy-feely

 

'were not scary' elitist old Etonian stuffed shirts.

[number16]

did brown not suggest the general election would be held in 2009, which is looking more and more likely to be a conservative victory.

 

i wonder why wendy alexander doesn't wish to wait until 2010 for an independence referendum.

[Doctor FinnBarr]

She never did answer the question did she?

Paxton would,ve still been asking her now!

[deesidejambo]

Her ridiculous gamble has further damaged Labours overall credibility. What an absolute joke of a politician. She should head down south and join the remnants of the "Blair Babes" who are all drowning in their mediocrity.

 

When things go well they of course can take the credit but now things turn bad they have resorted to blaming it on the previous Tory Gov't. Sorry - I won't fall for that pathetic excuse

 

"New" Labour - gtf - you are a disgrace

[Boris]

 

"New" Labour - gtf - you are a disgrace

 

 

They are. But surely David "Dave" Cameron's Tory party are not a credible alternative?

 

Politics in general in this country is mediocre.

[Coco]

They are. But surely David "Dave" Cameron's Tory party are not a credible alternative?

 

Politics in general in this country is mediocre.

 

Some people in the Cameron party are starting to talk about interesting things. Michael Gove is not a very appealing politician, but perhaps other ways of organising the education of our children are better than the failed ways of the 1970s onwards. Cameron, Hague and Osbourne are more impressive than Brown, Milliband and Darling on the big issues.

 

They are scared of bringing up the central issue for the next 20 years though - how to dismantle the public sector bureaucracy and waste built up in the last 10 years. It will not be a popular message when it does come.

[deesidejambo]

They are. But surely David "Dave" Cameron's Tory party are not a credible alternative?

 

Politics in general in this country is mediocre.

 

Agreed. I will probably vote SNP in future just out of sentiment. I used to vote SSP until that tw@t Sheridan blew it.

[Cambo_Jambo]

I don't think Labour down south is that bad to tell you the truth. They were always going to take a massive hit when the economy nose dived.

 

I just think that the Labour party has made a complete mess of their vote in Scotland. A place where you could put a bucket of Tom Tit up for vote in certain areas and it would get elected if it had a red rosette.

[Toggie88]

First Minister's Questions is going to be a massive cringe this week - Salmond will rip her to shreads. Wendy must be dreading it already.

 

I wonder what's going through the heads of labour activists just now.

[upthehill]

They are. But surely David "Dave" Cameron's Tory party are not a credible alternative?

 

Politics in general in this country is mediocre.

 

With 44% of the vote in the elections last week (the only reliable poll) to the Liberals 25% and Labours 24% it seems that David "Dave" Cameron's ARE a credible alternative. Our countrymen voted for them in massive numbers.

 

At the moment we do have mediocre politicians in this country though, who recognises the leaders of the Liberal Democrats? Or even knows their names? Not many! Same for cabinet & shadow cabinet, not many are recognisable, maybe we need Spitting Image back to inform the public in general.

[Chester™]

Last weeks elections although good for the Tories, could be seen as a protest vote against the current government. Its doesnt necessarily mean they are seen by the public as a "credible alternative". It can be looked at a message to get the Labour idiots to get their fingers out.

 

As for Wendy, well where do we start? She is the worst leader I think ive seen of a party and that includes the likes of Ming Campbell and Michael Foot. She is totally inept as a politician and is a truly awful public speaker. My aunt has had the displeasure of working with her on a number of occasions and she thinks she is the most incompetent politician she has worked with in 25 years of working with them. The longer she stays in power the better it is for the SNP. The main problem is, the Labour Party in Scotland are too arrogant to notice it.

[Cambo_Jambo]

I would love Spitting Image back. Too young to enjoy it the first time round but I would love it now!

[Cambo_Jambo]

Last weeks elections although good for the Tories, could be seen as a protest vote against the current government. Its doesnt necessarily mean they are seen by the public as a "credible alternative". It can be looked at a message to get the Labour idiots to get their fingers out.

 

As for Wendy, well where do we start? She is the worst leader I think ive seen of a party and that includes the likes of Ming Campbell and Michael Foot. She is totally inept as a politician and is a truly awful public speaker. My aunt has had the displeasure of working with her on a number of occasions and she thinks she is the most incompetent politician she has worked with in 25 years of working with them. The longer she stays in power the better it is for the SNP. The main problem is, the Labour Party in Scotland are too arrogant to notice it.

 

The main problem for Labour is they have nobody who can even be counted as a real politician. When you look at the Liberals, Steven is doing a really good job, as is Goldie at the Tory's. Salmond has a strong team in Him, Sturgeon, Swinnie and even Fiona Hislop. Who would step up for Labour?

[Toggie88]

The main problem for Labour is they have nobody who can even be counted as a real politician. When you look at the Liberals, Steven is doing a really good job, as is Goldie at the Tory's. Salmond has a strong team in Him, Sturgeon, Swinnie and even Fiona Hislop. Who would step up for Labour?

 

MacAskill as well - he's done a magnificient job imo.

 

Angus Robertson, the leader at Westminster, is also a great public speaker and perform's very well down south.

[Drew Busby !]

She never did answer the question did she?

Paxton would,ve still been asking her now!

 

Should have seen here on Channel 4 News two nights ago. Krishnan Guru-Murthy ripped her up for erse paper after she was unable to answer a straight question after he gave her 4 attempts to do so.

 

As a nationalist myself, she's the biggest gift to the SNP and to the cause of independence that I can remember since I first voted in 1979

[maltese jambo]

Last weeks elections although good for the Tories, could be seen as a protest vote against the current government. Its doesnt necessarily mean they are seen by the public as a "credible alternative". It can be looked at a message to get the Labour idiots to get their fingers out.

 

As for Wendy, well where do we start? She is the worst leader I think ive seen of a party and that includes the likes of Ming Campbell and Michael Foot. She is totally inept as a politician and is a truly awful public speaker. My aunt has had the displeasure of working with her on a number of occasions and she thinks she is the most incompetent politician she has worked with in 25 years of working with them. The longer she stays in power the better it is for the SNP. The main problem is, the Labour Party in Scotland are too arrogant to notice it.

 

 

Don't agree its a protest vote; surely that would have entailed a record low turnout/significant amounts of spoiled ballots?

 

Instead, there was a record turn out in London and it was a fairly comfortable victory for the conservatives.

 

People are opening their eyes now.

[John Findlay]

Wendy Alexander. Chosen as leader of New Labour in Scotland on the strength of giving birth to twins and having a column in the Daily Record telling everyone all about it.

 

 

 

John

[Chester™]

Don't agree its a protest vote; surely that would have entailed a record low turnout/significant amounts of spoiled ballots?

 

Instead, there was a record turn out in London and it was a fairly comfortable victory for the conservatives.

 

People are opening their eyes now.

 

Protest votes dont work by not turning up. They are done to show dissatisfaction in current administrations. Turnour was always going to be high in London due to sheer hatred of Livingstone.

 

While I agree people are getting wise to Labour, protest voting runs a lot deeper than simply not turning up.

[Boris]

With 44% of the vote in the elections last week (the only reliable poll) to the Liberals 25% and Labours 24% it seems that David "Dave" Cameron's ARE a credible alternative. Our countrymen voted for them in massive numbers.

 

At the moment we do have mediocre politicians in this country though, who recognises the leaders of the Liberal Democrats? Or even knows their names? Not many! Same for cabinet & shadow cabinet, not many are recognisable, maybe we need Spitting Image back to inform the public in general.

 

You admit that the shadow cabinet is mediocre but say that Cameron and his acolytes are credible. Hmm....

 

Do you genuinely believe that the English and Welsh voters had an ideological epiphany and switched to the Tories? Of course they didn't it was a standard we hate the Govt, mid term blues type protest vote.

 

That isn't to say that the Tories are not popular, but my point is that people seem to switch from Labour to the Tories like kids waiting for the late Mike Reid to shout "A g, a g, a ggooooo!!" on Runaround.

 

The Tories have not from what I can tell you, and I follow politics quite keenly, actually come out and said what their policies actually are!

[Cheile]

Wendy Alexander is the SNP's best asset at the moment. I hope she stays as Labour leader in Scotland for years. After she is dumped by her party, she could make a fortune in the porn movie industry with that mouth of hers.

[Toggie88]

You admit that the shadow cabinet is mediocre but say that Cameron and his acolytes are credible. Hmm....

 

Do you genuinely believe that the English and Welsh voters had an ideological epiphany and switched to the Tories? Of course they didn't it was a standard we hate the Govt, mid term blues type protest vote.

 

That isn't to say that the Tories are not popular, but my point is that people seem to switch from Labour to the Tories like kids waiting for the late Mike Reid to shout "A g, a g, a ggooooo!!" on Runaround.

 

The Tories have not from what I can tell you, and I follow politics quite keenly, actually come out and said what their policies actually are!

 

I would hardly describe switching between two centre parties, a ideological epiphany. Both parties are so ideolgically aligned now, that it's became a natural switch.

 

You aint one of those who claim to be socialist, yet votes Labour are you?

[Boris]

I would hardly describe switching between two centre parties, a ideological epiphany. Both parties are so ideolgically aligned now, that it's became a natural switch.

 

You aint one of those who claim to be socialist, yet votes Labour are you?

 

 

Read what I posted again to understand the context of what you highlighted.

 

My point was that there is no ideological difference and therefore to suggest that the Tories are credible alternative is nonesense.

 

FYI I have voted Labour once, and once only.

[Toggie88]

Read what I posted again to understand the context of what you highlighted.

 

My point was that there is no ideological difference and therefore to suggest that the Tories are credible alternative is nonesense.

 

FYI I have voted Labour once, and once only.

 

Sorry mis-read your comments. They may not be voting based purely on ideology though, and although ideologically the two parties are very much the same - one may offer better policies.

 

 

 

After Brown's performance at PMQ's, Wendy is Donald Ducked. I'm praying she stays as leader but wouldn't be surprised if she's gone by tomorrow morning.

The day that New Labour died.

[Jambo66]

The Tories have not from what I can tell you, and I follow politics quite keenly, actually come out and said what their policies actually are!

 

In a funny kind of way, that is precisely what makes them credible. In previous mid-term periods, they said too much about what they would do. The most that Labour can throw at them now is that they haven't produced any policies. That is easily brushed aside by saying that they still don't know how big a mess things will be in at the time policies really do matter - 3 weeks before a General Election.

 

My take on what happened last week is that it is now for the Tories to throw away a return to power next year (or the year after). People will now believe they are a credible party of power because so many have voted for them in a major election.

 

If the Tories win the Crewe by election, the bandwagon may become unstoppable.

[Cambo_Jambo]

Been busy revising for an exam (Scottish Politics funnily enough) so I only just

 

caught the news today. First Ministers Questions is going to be a riot

 

tomorrow! I like the way that all the major parties still don't seem to have the

 

grasp of trying to attack the government rather than Labour. Having said

 

that, it's an absolute duck shoot concerning the Labs these days.

[Therapist]

She is an absolute joke of a politician.

 

Agreed. She's plug ugly too.

[blairdin]

Labour are bollock deep in it.

 

Brown's refusal to back a referendum in the Commons this afternoon makes her postion untennable (excsue my spelling). Right now, the best thing the SNP have is the indecisive imploding Labour party. If Alexander is still in a job next month, I will be amazed.

 

I voted SNP last May. I'm delighted I did and like what they have achieved to date.

 

However, I don't believe outright Independence is an option for Scotland. If Labour don't get their fingers out, that's where we heading...

[murdo_b]

MacAskill as well - he's done a magnificient job imo.

 

Angus Robertson, the leader at Westminster, is also a great public speaker and perform's very well down south.

 

I did vote SNP for the first time last year and have been impressed with most of the ones put in charge of anything.

 

Its just my impression but the SNP politicians seem like they have worked in the real world unlike the Labour politicians who went to university trained as lawyers and then became politicians.

[heartgarfunkel]

Wendy Alexander. Chosen as leader of New Labour in Scotland on the strength of giving birth to twins and having a column in the Daily Record telling everyone all about it.

 

 

 

John

 

Plus, she talks really fast, therefore she must be really intelligent. And her brother's a **** who has learnt to slow down his speech, and is also not very bright. I worked in the Scottish parliament at the turn of the last century, and she (along with 'saint' Donald Dewar) was one of the most ignorant, arrogant barstewards to us minions who worked there. She even looked down on the Coatbrig mafia lowlife (Kerr, Lamont, Gillon, McCabe etc etc) who treated us like dirt.

 

I am loving the way that she and sell-out Brown are handing Scotland into the hands of the SNP and independence.

[Denny Crane]

Anyone watching Gordon Brewer make mincemeat of Labour's Ian Gray? I'm in stitches here!

[Toggie88]

Plus, she talks really fast, therefore she must be really intelligent. And her brother's a **** who has learnt to slow down his speech, and is also not very bright. I worked in the Scottish parliament at the turn of the last century, and she (along with 'saint' Donald Dewar) was one of the most ignorant, arrogant barstewards to us minions who worked there. She even looked down on the Coatbrig mafia lowlife (Kerr, Lamont, Gillon, McCabe etc etc) who treated us like dirt.

 

I am loving the way that she and sell-out Brown are handing Scotland into the hands of the SNP and independence.

 

Funny you should mention that - the place was buzzing with chat about her, media scrums every 10 minutes and even security were bitching about her. Apparently she doesn't even acknowledge anyone, won't open a door by herself. One of the guys told be she came up to the door on the phone and just stayed outside on the phone until the security guard go out his seat came over and opened the door for her. As she came in, with the phone to her ear, it started to ring

 

She's hated by everyone in the Parliament...except on the SNP floors were she's treated like a god

[Beverley]

referendum?

 

 

bring it on

 

;)

[speedbump]

First Minister's Questions is going to be a massive cringe this week - Salmond will rip her to shreads. Wendy must be dreading it already.

 

I wonder what's going through the heads of labour activists just now.

 

Did you see last week? NS and WA playing don't answer the question. A complete joke.

[Toggie88]

Did you see last week? NS and WA playing don't answer the question. A complete joke.

 

NS completely knocked WA on her arse with the school stuff - it must just be cringe after cringe along the Labour corridors every Thursday.

 

I'm looking forward to the media scrum after FMQs...if Wendy's still leader.

[billco98]

In a funny kind of way, that is precisely what makes them credible. In previous mid-term periods, they said too much about what they would do. The most that Labour can throw at them now is that they haven't produced any policies. That is easily brushed aside by saying that they still don't know how big a mess things will be in at the time policies really do matter - 3 weeks before a General Election.

 

My take on what happened last week is that it is now for the Tories to throw away a return to power next year (or the year after). People will now believe they are a credible party of power because so many have voted for them in a major election.

 

If the Tories win the Crewe by election, the bandwagon may become unstoppable.

 

Oh, I can't wait.

 

Yes, their will be tax reductions. That's the easy bit.

 

 

But what do you think will be the result? Well, here's a wee list for starters.

 

• Rising inflation
  
• Rising interest rates
  
• Rising unemployment
  
• Rising rate of bankruptcies
  
• Back to 'stop-go', 'boom and bust' on a big scale
  
• Neglect of public services and infrastructure.
  
• Recession
  

 

I'll go with Alex Salmond who is a real Social Democrat. Alex Salmond could put Dave 'Flashman' Cameron in his pocket. Another 20 years of Tory misrule - no thanks. Some folk either did not live through the last Tory regime's tenure or are too young to remember. I'll take Independence any day rather than suffer that prospect.

[John Findlay]

Oh, I can't wait.

 

Yes, their will be tax reductions. That's the easy bit.

 

 

But what do you think will be the result? Well, here's a wee list for starters.

 

• Rising inflation
  
• Rising interest rates
  
• Rising unemployment
  
• Rising rate of bankruptcies
  
• Back to 'stop-go', 'boom and bust' on a big scale
  
• Neglect of public services and infrastructure.
  
• Recession
  

 

I'll go with Alex Salmond who is a real Social Democrat. Alex Salmond could put Dave 'Flashman' Cameron in his pocket. Another 20 years of Tory misrule - no thanks. Some folk either did not live through the last Tory regime's tenure or are too young to remember. I'll take Independence any day rather than suffer that prospect.

 

I've lived through Macmillan, Wilson, Heath, Wilson, Callachan, Thatcher, Major, Blair and Brown as Primeminister of the UK. To a person I dont think any of them have done any good for Scotland whatsoever.

 

So I vote independence purely for the fact I can then feel as a Scot I am participating in making our own mistakes and our own pats on the back.

 

Basically when it goes tits Scots are to blame and when it goes great Scots are to blame again. Simple I know but it's how I like it.

 

 

 

John

[Boris]

Oh, I can't wait.

 

Yes, their will be tax reductions. That's the easy bit.

 

 

But what do you think will be the result? Well, here's a wee list for starters.

 

• Rising inflation
  
• Rising interest rates
  
• Rising unemployment
  
• Rising rate of bankruptcies
  
• Back to 'stop-go', 'boom and bust' on a big scale
  
• Neglect of public services and infrastructure.
  
• Recession
  

 

I'll go with Alex Salmond who is a real Social Democrat. Alex Salmond could put Dave 'Flashman' Cameron in his pocket. Another 20 years of Tory misrule - no thanks. Some folk either did not live through the last Tory regime's tenure or are too young to remember. I'll take Independence any day rather than suffer that prospect.

 

 

Hehehe

 

But don't you just know that David "Dave" Cameron and his fag* Osborne will simply blame all of that on the previous administration? That's what British Governments do!!

 

*- note: not being homophobic but rather an allusion to an archaic pecking order that I believe exists in certain Public Schools

[cosanostra]

Oh, I can't wait.

 

Yes, their will be tax reductions. That's the easy bit.

 

 

But what do you think will be the result? Well, here's a wee list for starters.

 

• Rising inflation
  
• Rising interest rates
  
• Rising unemployment
  
• Rising rate of bankruptcies
  
• Back to 'stop-go', 'boom and bust' on a big scale
  
• Neglect of public services and infrastructure.
  
• Recession
  

 

I'll go with Alex Salmond who is a real Social Democrat. Alex Salmond could put Dave 'Flashman' Cameron in his pocket. Another 20 years of Tory misrule - no thanks. Some folk either did not live through the last Tory regime's tenure or are too young to remember. I'll take Independence any day rather than suffer that prospect.

 

I'm no expert on economics by any means, but from what i can gather inflation is rising any way, interest rates will have to rise to prevent more inflation, public services are pretty much being ignored now any way and the present goverment hide unemployment by massaging figures, making unemployed participate in courses with little hope of getting a job and call them jobseekers instead of unemployed.

 

Seems to me that no matter who gets into Westminster, you get the same thing. I'd also rather have an independent Scotland than suffer those tossers.

[maltese jambo]

Oh, I can't wait.

 

Yes, their will be tax reductions. That's the easy bit.

 

 

But what do you think will be the result? Well, here's a wee list for starters.

• Rising inflation
  
• Rising interest rates
  
• Rising unemployment
  
• Rising rate of bankruptcies
  
• Back to 'stop-go', 'boom and bust' on a big scale
  
• Neglect of public services and infrastructure.
  
• Recession

I'll go with Alex Salmond who is a real Social Democrat. Alex Salmond could put Dave 'Flashman' Cameron in his pocket. Another 20 years of Tory misrule - no thanks. Some folk either did not live through the last Tory regime's tenure or are too young to remember. I'll take Independence any day rather than suffer that prospect.

 

One could argue thats the situation we are in now anyway....The employment figures always take a while to catch on with current economic climate, and i dont think i even need to debate over 'rate of bankruptcies.

 

Besides; do we really feel that us being taxed to the teeth has really produced acceptable results? I dont care what anyone says the health service is a shambles still and as for the police...i've never actually seen a policeman on a street....the only time you see them is after the crime is committed...not good enough.

[Jambo66]

Oh, I can't wait.

 

Yes, their will be tax reductions. That's the easy bit.

 

 

But what do you think will be the result? Well, here's a wee list for starters.

• Rising inflation
  
• Rising interest rates
  
• Rising unemployment
  
• Rising rate of bankruptcies
  
• Back to 'stop-go', 'boom and bust' on a big scale
  
• Neglect of public services and infrastructure.
  
• Recession

I'll go with Alex Salmond who is a real Social Democrat. Alex Salmond could put Dave 'Flashman' Cameron in his pocket. Another 20 years of Tory misrule - no thanks. Some folk either did not live through the last Tory regime's tenure or are too young to remember. I'll take Independence any day rather than suffer that prospect.

 

Who says there will be tax reductions? The Tories certainly haven't.

 

As a matter of interest, the first Tory Budget in 1979 cut the basic rate of tax by 3%, but increased VAT from 8% and 12.5% to a flat rate of 15%. In other words, the Tories don't always reduce tax.

 

Contrast that with the statement which can be made about Labour which is that they don't always raise tax. This government has raised ?7bn in tax from everyone's pensions. They have also raised NI contributions for everyone. They have also raised income tax for 5.5m low paid workers in this country. They have also borrowed billions under PFI which makes us all think that they have invested in infrastructure. In fact, we will all have to pay even more in tax to repay these "loans" over time.

 

As far as I'm concerned, history will not be kind to Gordon Brown as chancellor, and nor should it be. His policies have put us in a position where if there is a recession, this country will be hit harder than just about every other industrialised nation. This is the Chancellor who sold 400 tonnes of the UK's gold reserves against the advice of the Bank of England and cost the country ?2bn.

 

Inflation is rising already. As a result of the half-hearted way in which GB gave the Bank of England additional control over monetary policy, the Bank is unable to cut interest rates. Why? Because it is legally obliged to act in such a way as to keep inflation within the targets set by the government. In other words, it is not able to cut interest rates in the way that the Fed has in the US to try and keep the economy going. If the interest-rate policy results in higher unemployment - tough.

 

The unemployment figures are kept artificially low by the simple expedient of not counting anyone who is on incapacity benefit. As we fall into recession, it will become more and more difficult for the true figures to be hidden.

 

Bankruptcies are already rising.

 

Boom and bust? You are having a laugh. It is odds on that we are about to have the biggest bust since Denis Healey went cap in hand to the IMF in the 1970s.

 

Throwing billions of pounds of taxpayers' money at public services and infrastructure does not equate to a notion that this government has looked after public services. Root and branch reform was and is needed of public services. That has been the case as long as I can remember - whichever party has been in power. Did teachers in England and Wales go on strike last month because this government is looking after them so well?

 

Recession - just around the corner.

 

I am not saying the Tories will be any better (or worse), but the fact is that the current government is failing in so many ways that people will almost certainly kick them out at the next general election. Frankly, they deserve to be kicked out.

[billco98]

One could argue thats the situation we are in now anyway....The employment figures always take a while to catch on with current economic climate, and i dont think i even need to debate over 'rate of bankruptcies.

 

Besides; do we really feel that us being taxed to the teeth has really produced acceptable results? I dont care what anyone says the health service is a shambles still and as for the police...i've never actually seen a policeman on a street....the only time you see them is after the crime is committed...not good enough.

 

Let's get real. I'm not Gordon Brown's biggest fan but the facts are he has improved public services and infrastructure. I'm a Social Democrat and proud of it. Unfortunately New Labour was constituted to sweeten the pill for Middle England who are predominantly Tory minded. I don't think it was necessary to go as far as they did.

 

Most people, including most floating voters, back in 1997 knew the game was up for the Tories with schools, hospitals, the railways, etc in a state of dilapidation after years of neglect by them. Unemployment was at unacceptable and unsustainable levels. The country needed a government prepared to tackle these issues. They also new that Tory tax giveaways, used to bribe the electorate, were crazy when schools, hospitals, etc. were crumbling around them and the services provided there were being short changed. I think people are still aware that tax cuts will only wreck improvements which have been achieved and these are substantial.

 

Teachers, doctors and nurses who saw their salaries slip to derisory levels under the Tories have achieved substantial increases over the last 10 years. When were you last in a hospital? Don't believe anything you read in the Daily Mail and similar rags. My experience is that hospitals up and down the country have undergone massive improvements with more still required.

 

Our railways are thirty years behind those on the continent. The French are already raising the standard of the TGV which will result in widening the gap. The Tories not only (stupidly) privatised the railways but even managed to botch that up; even many Tories agreed with that. The railways have improved despite the calamitous privatisation due mostly to billions of pounds of public investment. Passenger levels are the highest since 1946. It is essential that these improvements are continued and the railways expanded, including the construction of TGV style high speed lines from London to the North of England and Scotland. What will the Tories do – cut the investment and reduce the size of the network – just wait.

 

There has also been ten years of stability and growth in the economy which has not been hampered by a blinkered, self interested and short sight Tory at the helm. Business has prospered despite several episodes of overseas economic turmoil.

 

Social Democratic policies are the best for maintaining and developing sound public infrastructure and services for the public good and as the base of a sound business economy. The Tories are not interested in the general well-being of the country. They are all about self. ‘No such thing as society’, said Maggie. Oh,yes? Stupid woman! :mad:

 

Just look at Scandinavia, Germany, France and Spain where Social Democratic parties are a respected arm of the political scene in those countries. It is no coincidence that they also have infrastructure and services that are the envy of this country. Tax levels are higher than they are in this country but are seen as justified in order to provide high standards.

 

Until England realizes that Social Democracy is the best way forward the future of the UK as a political entity will be on the slippery slope to oblivion.

 

Middle England has had a collective bout of amnesia – they forget the Tory mayhem at their peril.

 

I gave them one more chance but am now convinced that Scotland’s future is to seek independence and go our own way in the world. I am convinced that would be the best outcome for our people.

[billco98]

Who says there will be tax reductions? The Tories certainly haven't.

 

As a matter of interest, the first Tory Budget in 1979 cut the basic rate of tax by 3%, but increased VAT from 8% and 12.5% to a flat rate of 15%. In other words, the Tories don't always reduce tax.

 

 

 

This expedient was to transfer the tax burden from direct to indirect taxation.

You seem to have forgotten about the further increase in VAT to 17.5%.

You also seem to have forgotten that they did away with the top band of income tax so that the rich would fall into the 40% band.

 

What about VAT on domestic fuels which the Tories introduced and were happily going to apply at 17.5% until their was a rebellion and they reduced it to 5%. What about the other stealth taxes that they introduced along the way including the fuel price escalator?

 

The late John Smith was accused by many of losing the 1993 General Election for Labour because of his intention, as shadow chancellor, to raise the tax burden of the rich.

 

New Labour saw that as a step too far unfortunately leaving it to the Liberals, to their credit, to advocate that very move.

 

What get's me about the Tories is this - just how bad do the strategic infrastructure and public services have to get before they realise that the good of the country is directly affected. Our cousins on the continent worked that out many years ago and the benefits are staring us in the face. I know a few hypocritical Tories who have upped sticks and moved to France in order to benefit from the superior public services. Sums them up quite nicely.

 

We need to get real on taxation as a nation. You can’t have it both ways complain about the level of taxation on the one hand and moan about the standards of services, etc on the other.

 

Yes, I agree there has been wastage and that has to be addressed. But to suggest that the vast bulk of what has been invested over the past 10 years has been a waste and unnecessary then I question your motives.

 

When it comes to critising Gordon Brown for selling our Gold cheaply then can you tell me just how much of our reserves were squandered by Wee Norrie La’mont on Black Wednesday? I think you will find that Brown’s error pales into insignificance alongside that debacle.