Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
sid,i just dont trust the torys on tax issues.
vic,coming out of europe wont make any differance to job cuts,it will only isolate us evan futher.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Harry - do get a perspective!
Howard - actually the proportion of the economy taken in taxation reduced over the Thatcher years. You may be mixing up with the fact that the 10% highest earners ended up paying more tax when the tax rates were reduced.
Under Labour in the 1979 the basic rate of income tax was 34p (35p at one time).
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
barry
i am referring to the actual tax collected by the government.
incidentally you must have been cheered by the financial times coming out in support of the blues after backing the reds in the last 4 elections.
i listened to the editor, his opinion was that gordon was a better "crisis manager" than he had been given credit for, but thought the blues had some good ideas.
his main worry was the inexperience of the leading blues.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Howard - no I am talking about exactly that - the porortion of the national income taken in tax, all taxes.
Yes that is good and the Economist declared for us a few days earlier as well for the first time since 1992.
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
Barry why the insult, there are a lot like me that are unhappy with Labour but not sure if they can trust the Tory's again and a good number will not even vote.
You are blue to the core and I doubt you will ever see any wrong in what they have done in the past but as I said many do and that sort of attitude will not win them back.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
harry
the nasty party issue still lingers in the background.
would be better if policy too precedent over personal insults.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
Walking round doing some final canvassing yesterday, there were quite a few people who said they had been Labour voters all their adult lives, but felt so let down by Brown they just couldn't vote for them any more.
One of them worked with Gwyn on the ferries, but now (as with the others) have very strong worries and concerns about immigration, the economy, crime etc. so I said you're talking like a Conservative and he said I guess I am - another convert.
Comparisons with Maggie Thatcher and now, are unrealistic; times have changed, Britain has different needs and concerns.
Don't forget all the bad things that have happened through a Labour Government - throughout the last 13 years; we do need a change and a fresh start, but not one of the left-wing Lib-Dems, a strong Conservative Government will bring the change necessary.
Roger
Guest 648- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 258
Read the Mail today .The family who live on benefits and the father admits to drinking everyday Two daughters also on benefits .This goes on all the time and whether you like it or not in Dover District
I believe in helping people but some just take the mickey I was brought up in the belief you only had children if you could afford them
Yes Gordon Brown will get these peoples votes because they are terrified the Conservatives will take their benefits away .
Elect a Labour government and those who have pride do a good days work ensure their children receive a decent education and you will be ro bbed to pay for those who never work or indeed want to work ...
People who drain the NHS by running to the doctor for minor ailments .Dependant forever on the nanny state or should I say Gordon state .On this forum many of you moan about the state of Dover Town well you have had thirteen years of Labour and a Labour MP .We who are on the DDC know how government have squeezed and squeezed local government .
Look around Dover today and think very carefully .What do you see .many many young people out of work .Many Many young mothers with more than one child .
Children leaving school with low qualifications .Roads in a terrible state No A2 dualing .
People from other countries living in poor conditions .
THis is thirteen years of nanny nanny state Big brother watching
.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Harry - 'get a perspective' - an insult, come off it, its no more than a suggestion.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
susan
you do make me smile with your factual inaccuracies, people that spend their lives on benefits do not vote as a general rule.
how does running to the doctor for minor ailments become a political issue?
Howard, I think Sue is implying an attitude prevalent amongst the 'benefits' class. She has a valid point but expresses it in such a way as to probably deter more people from voting Tory than encourage them to do so. I once workd a contract in a Job Centre and saw first hand some who came in to claim. Whilst there is no denying some were genuine job seekers, a good many were, quite frankly, only looking for any excuse not to work, but collect maximum benefits. Sad to say, they were mainly young people whereas the genuine claimants tended to be 40 plus.
Harry, I think 13 years of lies and spin following on from the 17 years of Tory rule has obviously left you in a quandary. I shared that dilemma for a short while and came to the following conclusions:
1 Labour - dishonest from day one, proven by reading their 1997 GE manifesto. Have shown very poor fiscal wisdom from the start, where Gordie sold off our gold reserves for a song, plus the attack on our pensions. We have worked all ourt lives and strived to get enough behind us to enjoy as best we can what is most likely to be a poverty stricken old age. Labour has devalued our pensions more than any government in my lifetime, and I don't thank them for it. The raid on pension funds was not a manifesto pledge and quite frankly I feel mugged and cheated. Ergo, no vote from me at the GE.
2. LibDem - unproven and what appear to be socialist ideals allied to leather sandal wearing policies that just don't add up financially. I reckon they will make a decent opposition, but not a government, yet.
3. UKIP - I've given them airtime purely because I respect Vic. Could I vote for a party just to the left of the BNP? I don't think so.
4. Conservative - Think they are dreadfully weak on substance and that is why their share of the polls isn't improving. The Tories have a history of dishing out tough medicine which usually works, however, they have no concept of treading lightly or being compassionate. The soft words are fake and make my stomach turn. However, I wish they would, of all the party's, stand up and tell us the truth of what we are about to face. However, the Tory track record on sorting out the mess left by Labour is really good and for that reason I trust them to lead us into calmer seas again. Sadly, they don't appear to learn any lessons on humility and will cause themselves no end of grief as a result. That is their fault, no-one elses.
Well, that's my view Harry. I suggest ignoring the arrogance/lack of humility and voting for the one party who know how to handle finance. Good luck.
Guest 644- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 1,214
This is semi-interesting - I'm not sure what you politically charged chaps will make of it (probably not a lot). Us voters in Dover have the voting power of 0.311, which is slightly higher than the national average of 0.253. This is because Dover is considered a fairly safe seat. Dover has a potential 71,500 voters.
Well I never.
http://www.voterpower.org.uk/doverVic that number you mentioned seems to be getting bigger as the election gets nearer . Everyone noes taxes need to go up in some form , People still remember the early nineties , Dc has a tough job convinceing us we can trust the blues .
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
excellent post from sid there, summed up the parties quite fairly and accurately.
i would only take issue with his description of ukip.
nothing remotely racist in their policies.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
I agree Howard, I don't think UKIP are racist at all - unless I'm missing something.
Roger
Guest 667- Registered: 6 Apr 2008
- Posts: 919
Thanks for your words of wisdom Sid which have helped. Voting Conservative is in it's self not an issue as I have voted that way for a number of years on Council elections.
My problem with the General Election however is that big word Trust. I accept hard decisions will have to be made and I know the Conservatives will not shy away from making them but as you say and I know they do lack in compassion for those that suffer due to their hard policies.
Still I have found some perspective as Barry puts it (I accept it was not an insult Barry) and I will be there voting tomorrow.
I always do vote, you see I remember when you were old enough to die for your Country but not allowed to vote in it, well not until you were 21. .
You're a top bloke Harry. Good on you.