General Election 2024

[Onelife]

The reality is they're the only two who can win, so a vote for anyone other than Tory is in effect a vote for Labour. A disgruntled friend of mine wants to "punish" the Tories - his word - but is voting LibDem. My theory is he's doing it so if Labour cock it up he can say he didn't vote for them!

I would only bet with your money on this happening but if Reform UK continues its surge and takes votes away from labour, we could just see a pact between Reform UK and the Conservatives in an attempt to hold onto power…. Remote chance, but a possibility.

[Ray Scully]

I wonder whether a cross party alliance would ever be able to manage the economy to the satisfaction of a majority of the electorate. Certainly neither of the 2 main parties have managed it during my lifetime.
I somehow doubt it, because the electorate's expectations are way In excess of the acceptable taxation level.
I know that socialists do believe it is possible to tax the rich, sufficient to provide enough tax revenue to significantly improve the living standards of the poor. If that were true, why has no socialist govt so far managed to achieve this nirvana?

Because the wealthy power brokers make sure it can't happen . Perhaps a revolution is the answer

Ray, I don't believe the wealthy prevent it by any means other than the fact that the numbers remaining as tax payers would prevent the tax collected from being anywhere near adequate to finance the country. Resulting in them losing the next election.
Let's face it the UK electorate are a lot like P&O cruisers, they want the best services, but are not prepared to pay Saga prices to achieve it.

John
2023, the richest 50 families in the UK held more wealth than half of the UK population, comprising 33.5 million people. If the wealth of the super rich continues to grow at the rate it has been, by 2035, the wealth of the richest 200 families will be larger than the whole UK GDP.

[david63]

Well that was an hour and half of my life I will not get back - what a waste of time. we learnt nothing other than they are more at home in the school playground shouting at/over one another.

The problem is that that format does not work - with seven participants at the most they have around two minutes per question which is nowhere near enough - they could/should have spent the whole time on one or possibly two questions.

Anyway I am off today to buy up all remaining stocks of magic money tree because the way they were all talking last night there is going to be a big demand for them.

[Onelife]

Because the wealthy power brokers make sure it can't happen . Perhaps a revolution is the answer

Ray, I don't believe the wealthy prevent it by any means other than the fact that the numbers remaining as tax payers would prevent the tax collected from being anywhere near adequate to finance the country. Resulting in them losing the next election.
Let's face it the UK electorate are a lot like P&O cruisers, they want the best services, but are not prepared to pay Saga prices to achieve it.

John
2023, the richest 50 families in the UK held more wealth than half of the UK population, comprising 33.5 million people. If the wealth of the super rich continues to grow at the rate it has been, by 2035, the wealth of the richest 200 families will be larger than the whole UK GDP.

We have the means to get rid of one of the richest families in the UK

[towny44]

Because the wealthy power brokers make sure it can't happen . Perhaps a revolution is the answer

Ray, I don't believe the wealthy prevent it by any means other than the fact that the numbers remaining as tax payers would prevent the tax collected from being anywhere near adequate to finance the country. Resulting in them losing the next election.
Let's face it the UK electorate are a lot like P&O cruisers, they want the best services, but are not prepared to pay Saga prices to achieve it.

John
2023, the richest 50 families in the UK held more wealth than half of the UK population, comprising 33.5 million people. If the wealth of the super rich continues to grow at the rate it has been, by 2035, the wealth of the richest 200 families will be larger than the whole UK GDP.

Ray, how do those stats compare with other countries, ie are we significantly different to other countries.

[Stephen]

Ray, I don't believe the wealthy prevent it by any means other than the fact that the numbers remaining as tax payers would prevent the tax collected from being anywhere near adequate to finance the country. Resulting in them losing the next election.
Let's face it the UK electorate are a lot like P&O cruisers, they want the best services, but are not prepared to pay Saga prices to achieve it.

John
2023, the richest 50 families in the UK held more wealth than half of the UK population, comprising 33.5 million people. If the wealth of the super rich continues to grow at the rate it has been, by 2035, the wealth of the richest 200 families will be larger than the whole UK GDP.

We have the means to get rid of one of the richest families in the UK

Talk like that can get you in the tower.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Well that was an hour and half of my life I will not get back - what a waste of time. we learnt nothing other than they are more at home in the school playground shouting at/over one another.

The problem is that that format does not work - with seven participants at the most they have around two minutes per question which is nowhere near enough - they could/should have spent the whole time on one or possibly two questions.

Anyway I am off today to buy up all remaining stocks of magic money tree because the way they were all talking last night there is going to be a big demand for them.

I don't understand why a programme for the whole UK includes two parties most of us can't vote for even if we want to. And equally any discussion of health, for example, is irrelevant to them because Westminster doesn't set health policy where they live. (Though despite that the SNP tried to blame the failure of the NHS under their rule in Scotland on Westminster austerity. Even though they get more money per head than the rest of the UK.)

But ignoring politics who would you rather chat to at a dinner party? Angela or Penny. I know my answer.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The reality is they're the only two who can win, so a vote for anyone other than Tory is in effect a vote for Labour. A disgruntled friend of mine wants to "punish" the Tories - his word - but is voting LibDem. My theory is he's doing it so if Labour cock it up he can say he didn't vote for them!

I would only bet with your money on this happening but if Reform UK continues its surge and takes votes away from labour, we could just see a pact between Reform UK and the Conservatives in an attempt to hold onto power…. Remote chance, but a possibility.

But Reform won't take Labour votes. They're a far right party. That's as likely as Tories voting Communist.

[david63]

But ignoring politics who would you rather chat to at a dinner party? Angela or Penny.

Based on last night's performance there is no way that I would be able to get a word in with either of them!

[david63]

That's as likely as Tories voting Communist.

And how many times in an election has the unthinkable happened?

[Mervyn and Trish]

But ignoring politics who would you rather chat to at a dinner party? Angela or Penny.

Based on last night's performance there is no way that I would be able to get a word in with either of them!

I had the impression they're not bezzie mates.

[Mervyn and Trish]

That's as likely as Tories voting Communist.

And how many times in an election has the unthinkable happened?

I think even Keefie with his record for picking winners could get a safe bet on this one!

[david63]

I think even Keefie with his record for picking winners could get a safe bet on this one!

Not sure about that

[Mervyn and Trish]

Anyway, if we can keep them away from killing one another I reckon Penny is the one for a civilised dinner party. Angela more for getting off her face at the Karaoke.

In cruise terms Penny for drinks in the Crows Nest before an Epicurean dinner. Angela for Brodies.

[barney]

Anyway, if we can keep them away from killing one another I reckon Penny is the one for a civilised dinner party. Angela more for getting off her face at the Karaoke.

In cruise terms Penny for drinks in the Crows Nest before an Epicurean dinner. Angela for Brodies.

Brilliant
I can’t get Mrs B into Brodies.
She’s even reluctant to walk through on the way to somewhere else.
Me, I quite like it. Generally the best choice of beer.
The equivalent on Ambition was The Cavern.
We went in there once, when she did line dancing in the day while I had a pint of Guinness.
She’s more of an Andersons type of gal.

[Onelife]

I’m inclined to agree with David in that none of the participants had enough time to present a structured response to any of the questions posed.
I know its rude to make comment about a ladies appearance but I don’t think the make up artists did Penny any favours with how they did her make up. On a positive note she looks like she has shed a few pounds.

[Mervyn and Trish]

Anyway, if we can keep them away from killing one another I reckon Penny is the one for a civilised dinner party. Angela more for getting off her face at the Karaoke.

In cruise terms Penny for drinks in the Crows Nest before an Epicurean dinner. Angela for Brodies.

Brilliant
I can’t get Mrs B into Brodies.
She’s even reluctant to walk through on the way to somewhere else.
Me, I quite like it. Generally the best choice of beer.
The equivalent on Ambition was The Cavern.
We went in there once, when she did line dancing in the day while I had a pint of Guinness.
She’s more of an Andersons type of gal.

Trish's maiden name is Anderson. She thinks she owns the bar

[Mervyn and Trish]

I’m inclined to agree with David in that none of the participants had enough time to present a structured response to any of the questions posed.
I know its rude to make comment about a ladies appearance but I don’t think the make up artists did Penny any favours with how they did her make up. On a positive note she looks like she has shed a few pounds.

I'm more worried about who advised Angela on the dress!

[Onelife]

I’m inclined to agree with David in that none of the participants had enough time to present a structured response to any of the questions posed.
I know its rude to make comment about a ladies appearance but I don’t think the make up artists did Penny any favours with how they did her make up. On a positive note she looks like she has shed a few pounds.

I'm more worried about who advised Angela on the dress!

I believe he had an invitation to an after-debate fancy dress party.

[oldbluefox]

I gave up on the debate. Too many saying what they thought the audience wanted to hear. I found them patronising towards those putting the questions and meanwhile everybody else was shouting at each other. I flicked over to the football and that was lifeless. At least those in the debate looked as though they were still breathing.
Too many on the podium to have any chance of meaningful debate especially when two of them were only interested in their own country rather than the country as a whole.

[oldbluefox]

In all of this the unions are maintaining an eerie silence.

[Onelife]

In all of this the unions are maintaining an eerie silence.

I believe they emerge every five years, although in this instance it will be 18 years.

[Onelife]

In all of this the unions are maintaining an eerie silence.

I believe they emerge every five years, although in this instance it will be 18 years.

...or even 14 years

[Stephen]

Any advance on 14.

[Onelife]

Any advance on 14.

If they don’t do any better than when they were last in power I’ll give it 5