Off Topic Political Debate

What you don't seem to grasp, is that every time you try to divert the subject, it becomes clearer that you cannot really find a plausible argument to support your government.

 

It is you that has the need to divert attention away from your iffy chosen government for some strange reason.

When any sane person takes a look at the only plausible political opposition party, the Labour Party, it is clear their is no sensible alternative to the Tories.

 

I do not have a vote for the government in France, so have no say in the matter. Once again you are doing the same thing as normal, choosing to talk about the Labour party, who you may have noticed that I do not support any more than I do the current government that it is only clinging desperately to power by buying support from another party that I could not support either. I know it must be confusing for you not knowing if you should follow Moggy or Bone, but it might be helpful to the visitor to know just what you do believe in.

 

2.7% for a MP, 1.5% or less for those who work for them. Above inflation rise for a MP, a pay cut in real terms for the workers. Says it all really.

 

The plausible argument for supporting the Tories is the lack of any alternative, this should be obvious to most. Probably why the UK electorate keeps on choosing the Tories and why they lead the opinion polls most of the time.

 

The least worse argument. Ever thought about campaigning for something you do believe in rather an accepting a second rate option? Maybe you don't wish to think outside the boundaries of what the Tories offer you, but there can be a better life for many if the few who already have more than enough are reigned in.

 

I, along with many, have numerous reasons to prefer the Tories, I was just trying to make it simple for those that flip flop or lack political direction.

 

I hope they're not "reigned" in...it took us centuries to get rid of absolute monarchs

 

I suggest that those who choose to change the way that they vote, have actually thought about what is being offered, rather than just accepting that the candidate wearing a particular coloured rosette should be elected. Many people that I speak to both here and in the UK are extremely unhappy about both main parties. Some are natural Tories and used to vote for them, and the same about the Labour party. The problem is that the Tories now have adopted the screw the less well off, see comment about MPs pay, while wanting to protect the richest, and the Labour Party has moved too far to the left with a leader who has no grasp of organisational skills.
We live in a world that is constantly changing, and at an ever increasing speed, so those who stick to the old mantra of always voting for the same party are the ones who are lacking political direction, by not accepting that new ideas are now constantly required.

 

What it is to have a man of words as a member of this forum.

 

I will freely admit that having lived here for more than ten years spelling in English has become more of a problem. Reading French everyday, something I can do quite well, when writing in English I often have to think twice about what my fingers have produced. How many times do I or Mme ask about how to spell a common English word? It becomes quite confusing when a French word, spelt the same as an English one, has a different meaning. I think that my brain could do with a dustbin or trash can so that I could supprimer or delete some things that are not required, and free up some space.

 

You often quote odd individuals are who are unhappy with the two main UK political parties. In reality they scooped 80% of the votes at the last election with both having their highest vote share for decades. After France's disastrous attempt to find a 'new' way with Macron and the Lib Dem's returning to a small protest party, there seems little evidence of change in the foreseeable future. The new anti-Brexit group will fizzle out after Brexit happens. With FPTP your vote will invariably be wasted.

 

You I know are quite happy to accept everything as it stands, the voting system, MPs getting above inflation pay rises while those who work for them get effective pay cuts, people on pensions losing out by £7,000 pa in some cases, but I do not believe in social injustice or a government that tries to prevent the population from engaging with it, and having a say. I speak to many people, most of them professionals or businessmen as I still have my contacts from before I retired, and the dismay at the way that this government is performing is 100%. You do not wish to question anything, whereas my contacts have thought things through and have changed. Until you start to accept that things your government are saying should be questioned, you will be stuck in yesterday, and not keeping up with the current world.

 

I thought you didn't approve of Eton educated Toff's running the country.

 

Oh I'm sure MPs in some EU member states get paid more whilst their inhabitants are using unflushed public loos for their protein intake. Or that's what SH and our far right wing interloper from Sunderland will tell you.

 

I am against guys like Cameron packing his cabinet with old school friends simply because of his previous contacts. I am not against privately educated candidates with obvious talent. Prejudice against a person's background is unacceptable.

 

I do not agree with everything the Tories do but it should be clear to most that there is no alternative at the moment. Can you tell me where your constant whinging is making a practical difference ?
You are obviously speaking to the wrong people, the Tories remain the preferred political party in the UK by business and the electorate.

 

You've obviously done some research, although very easy to spot the Brussels gravy train.

 

The smaller the political parties become the more extreme they will get Frenchie. In the 60s or 70s when the Tories had around 2 million members a fringe group such as the ERG would have had no influence whatsoever. The combination of plummeting party size together with our first past the post system is like an accident waiting to happen - and the accident is happening now.

 

The ERG group consists of mainstream right of centre politicians, no different from Tory MP's in the past. They just believe the democratic decision to leave the EU should be respected.

The Labour Party has massively increased it's membership but is now controlled by a small faction within, momentum. The LP accident is unfolding daily by party resignations and suspensions.