UK 2015 General election

[MGR1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-32194320

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2...tland-32146800

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...itics-32202273

https://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchp...-Scotland.aspx

An interesting summary of public opinion in Scotland on what the important issues are in this election.

A rating of one being bad, ten good:

8.2 - Increase the minimum wage for over 21's from £6.50 to £7.85.

7.9 - Guarantee that old age pensions will rise over the next five years.

7.7 - Stop energy companies from raising prices for the next 20 months.

7.4 - Introduce a tax on homes worth more than two million pounds, i.e. the Mansion Tax.

7.2 - Increase the top rate of tax to 50p in the pound for those earning more than £150,000 a year.

6.3 - Increase spending on public services even if it means the deficit isn't eliminated by 2020.

6.3 - Put a cap on the total amount paid in welfare benefits to a household.

5.7 - Reduce the amount the government borrows by cutting spending rather than increasing taxes.

5.2 - Charge better-off older people for some things which are currently free.

4.6 - Eliminate the deficit by the end of the next parliament in 2020 even if it means reducing spending on public services.

4.0 - Reduce taxes even if it means cutting public services.

Very nuanced, as Brian Taylor said on Reporting Scotland.

Mike.

[MGR1]

Here's some more info on this Scottish public opinion poll commissioned by BBC Scotland:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2...tland-32194983

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2...tland-32194983

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotlan...itics-32216428

Here's the complete list of what voters in Scotland believe is important:

Full results of poll, ranked from highest to lowest:

1. Increase the minimum wage for those aged 21 and over from £6.50 to £7.85 per hour (8.2)
2. Guarantee that old age pensions will rise over the next five years (7.9)
3. Stop energy companies from increasing prices for 20 months (7.7)
4. Ensure authorities cannot access personal data unless an individual is suspected of taking part in an illegal activity (7.6)
5. Introduce a tax on homes worth more than two million pounds, commonly known as the Mansion Tax (7.4)
6. Give the Scottish Parliament the power to increase benefits and old age pensions (7.3)
7. Increase the top rate of tax to 50p in the pound for those earning more than £150,000 a year (7.2)
8. Give the Scottish Parliament full control of welfare benefits (7.1)
9. Stop immigrants from the rest of the European Union from claiming welfare benefits until they have been in the UK for at least four years (6.8)
10. Give the Scottish Parliament full control of income tax (6.8)
11. Give the Scottish Parliament control of all areas of policy apart from Defence and Foreign Affairs (6.5)
12. Bring the railways into public ownership (6.5)
13. Increase spending on public services even if that means the deficit doesn't get eliminated by the end of the next Parliament in 2020 (6.3)
14. Put a cap on the total amount paid in welfare benefits to a household (6.3)
15. Impose a limit on the number of people coming to live in the UK (6.3)
16. Increase the amount spent on the armed forces (6.2)
17. Hold a referendum to ask people whether they wish to stay in or leave the European Union (6.1)
18. Reduce the amount the government borrows by cutting spending rather than by increasing taxes (5.7)
19. Hold another referendum on Scottish independence within the next five years (5.6)
20. Charge better-off older people for some things which are currently free to all older people (5.2)
21. Eliminate the deficit by the end of the next Parliament in 2020 even if that means reduced spending on public services (4.6)
22. Reduce taxes even if that means cutting public services (4.0)
23. Renew and upgrade Trident, Britain's nuclear deterrent (4.0)

Opinions on tax and spend:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2...tland-32211457

The poll strongly suggests that:

• Scots want spending increases more than they do tax cuts
• are relatively unconcerned about eliminating the deficit
• are happy to see the rich pay more in tax.

Mike.

[Oberon]

A picture speaks a thousand words...

[STEED]

That lot came off that bus?


UKIP slides in the polls, oh hang on it Tory Toff Lord Ashcroft at it again.

Just another example don't trust the polls, don't let the polls make your mind up.

[ExFishermanBob]

Indeed - as Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish First Minister) pointed out, the SNP currently have 6 seats, so even 7 would be an improvement (let alone the polls' predicted 30 to 50).

Having looked at Mike's list, Labour really need to up the ante if they want to retain their seats in Scotland: much of that list would have been in their manifestos of old (I know some are now). They are stuck (as are the Conservatives) between what is popular in Scotland vs what (apparently) appeals in England / Wales / NI

This is the most interesting election for a very long time (and I remember 1974)

[STEED]

Anyone catch the Scottish debate last night? Far more life in that one and once again my vote goes to Nicola Sturgeon SNP, she wiped out the greens, liberals, UKIP, conservatives no problem only labour put up a half hearted fight only to be knocked down.

[STEED]

So far this election has for me been nothing more than a wet paper bag. I get this feeling Labour have thrown the towel in with their lack luster performance, and the Tories just as bad banging the same old slogan drum. As for the Liberals are they campaigning? Hardly seen them in the news, what is going on?

UKIP chasing the woman vote by removing VAT on tampons.
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/ukip-looks...2.html#GvGxWxC

Greens seem to me vanished into the woods smoking pot.

[BossMark]

I think the Tories have lost the plot, if that's they all they can do is name call then lets hope it comes back and bites them in the bottom...........

[ExFishermanBob]

Originally Posted by STEED

So far this election has for me been nothing more than a wet paper bag. I get this feeling Labour have thrown the towel in with their lack luster performance, and the Tories just as bad banging the same old slogan drum. As for the Liberals are they campaigning? Hardly seen them in the news, what is going on?

Same feeling here - I suspect both have just decided to wait and see what happens with the smaller parties to work out whatever coalition they can.

I am surprised that nobody has come out with anything regarding the policy that dare not speak its name: a devolved parliament for England. I know it breaches the Treaty of Union, but treaties can be renegotiated (and I don't think Scots would say 'No'). Mind you, as it would diminish the power of Westminster, I suppose it's not appealing.

[STEED]

Sausage roll gate

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...on-jimmy-white

I was wondering when the election would become silly season and we're off with this one.

I don't care if the Tories gave out cucumber sandwiches or Labour handing out pie and chips or the Liberals pizza slice none of this is going to make me vote for them. Its not a bribe its free food!

PS: That goes for all of them and I mean all of them, even you the Greens if you handed out lentil soup.

[STEED]

Originally Posted by STEED

I really feel this needs to be done..

Wednesday Parliament is dissolved
Thursday General Election

So we don't have all this BS lies guff kissing babies look at me rubbish anymore.

Right on STEED.

[MGR1]

Originally Posted by ExFishermanBob

Same feeling here - I suspect both have just decided to wait and see what happens with the smaller parties to work out whatever coalition they can.

I am surprised that nobody has come out with anything regarding the policy that dare not speak its name: a devolved parliament for England. I know it breaches the Treaty of Union, but treaties can be renegotiated (and I don't think Scots would say 'No'). Mind you, as it would diminish the power of Westminster, I suppose it's not appealing.

Personally, I think a fully federalised UK with England having it's own parliament is the only practicable solution to the current constitutional mess.

The question is, do the people of England really want one and all the extra bureaucracy that goes with it?

Mike.

[STEED]

Labour's manifesto is out

http://www.labour.org.uk/manifesto

Bad poll for Labour if you go along with it.
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/...cm-poll-labour

Conservatives a six-point lead

Conservatives 39 (+3)
Labour 33 (-2)
Lib Dem 8 (no change)
Green 7 (+3)
Ukip 7 (-2)
Others 5 (-3)


BBC Poll of Polls April 13th
Conservatives 34
Labour 34
Ukip 14
Lib Dem 8
Green 5
Others 5

[STEED]

I just checked the candidates in my area for the general election and at the moment only two!

LibDems and Greens!

No word on Con/Lab/UKIP....

Full house on the District Elections
Con/Lab/Libs/Green/UKIP

[BossMark]

Tory manifesto out this morning.............