[Archived] Election

[jim mk2]

When I have said all things Conservative are good? I think Conservatism particularly One Nation Conservatism is closet to my thoughts and feelings but that's not to say I support it all. Anyway, Churchill summed it up perfectly for me; 'Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery'.

When it comes to wasting money I think Labour and their supporters should stay very quiet for a very long time.

As a member of the ruling aristocracy Churchill would say that wouldn't he ? The question is why people like you identify with and vote for people like him. "One nation Conservatism" is a myth perpetuated by the ruling classes to fool the ignorant proletariat into keeping them into power. So you have been well and truly duped - well done. Labour's good work in renewing and revitalising the country's infrastructure and public services over the past 13 years was money well spent - my only complaint is they did not spend enough. And if you want a good example of Tories wasting money look no further than the bodged rail privitisation by Major's government and the throwing away of national assets such as the telecomms, electricity and water industries by Thatcher. And I would be very careful about getting into a debate about MP's expenses - it was Tory MPs who were claiming for new chandeliers, keeping the moat clean and cutting the hedges round their tennis courts. By then that OK because they're your sort of people aren't they ?

[koi]

You're nothing if not funny Jim, I'll give you that.

You should be grateful there's 'duped' people liked me in the country, just imagine if we were all like you and your Guardian readers standing high and mighty on your mountain of arrogance and superiority who'd pay the bills?? Luckily there are 'duped' people like me who make the money to pay for your extravagances.

By the way I don't have a 'sort of people', I don't like to put people into little categories. Unlike you Jim I don't like to be labelled and I take each person as I find them. If you want more footsoldiers for your class war then don't look at me, no chip on my shoulder I'm afraid.

[koi]

Oh yeah and if you want to talk about waste Jim, just look at 13 years of Labour government. And don't even mention selling assets; where's the gold? what about pensions? And for a Labour supporter to get high and mighty on expenses is just ridiculous, Hazel Blears anyone? Oh and privatisation, who has privatised more public work and jobs Jim (including the botched attempted privatisation of RM?, Thatcher and Major combined or Blair and Brown combined?? I'll give you a clue; the answer includes and unelected leader of his party and unelected PM. I could go on all night but what's the point, you have an amazingly high opinion of yourself and those who agree with you yet have amazing contempt for those who don't. I'd be better having a discussion with my koi.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Well that didn't take long did it ? Normal service has been resumed. Millionaire Con-Dem minister resigns after being caught with his hand in the public purse- well I never. This was the guy that was telling us we'll have to tighten our belts this week, that if you work in the public sector get ready for the bullet. What a hypocrite,did he really need £40k that badly ? Why didn't he just write a cheque ? When you get a double first at Cambridge morality and ethics musn't be on the sylabus. He's only bailed out now because he thinks he may sneak back in next time . I've got news for you pal- there won't be a next time for you so scuttle back to the City where you belong

[Tris]

Well that didn't take long did it ? Normal service has been resumed. Millionaire Con-Dem minister resigns after being caught with his hand in the public purse- well I never. This was the guy that was telling us we'll have to tighten our belts this week, that if you work in the public sector get ready for the bullet. What a hypocrite,did he really need £40k that badly ? Why didn't he just write a cheque ? When you get a double first at Cambridge morality and ethics musn't be on the sylabus. He's only bailed out now because he thinks he may sneak back in next time . I've got news for you pal- there won't be a next time for you so scuttle back to the City where you belong

Two weeks ago, the beaten "bigot"-belittler Gordon Brown stood on the steps of 10 Downing Street and literally offered to get into bed with the likes of David Laws ... ... egged on by the unelected Labour trough snouters - Campbell, Mandelson and Adonis. Had that warped attempt to cling on to power actually worked, then it would be the same David Laws resigning today, as a Lab-Dem Chief Sec to the Treasury. And let us not overlook the fact that the entire period under scrutiny for that individual took place under the watchful eye of Blair and Brown's failed administration.

Meanwhile, Alistair Campbell is milking the election aftermath disgracefully, using a Question Time appearance and then multiple press releases this weekend to get free publicity for his book - which blows open the depth of the chasm at the top level of the failed Labour government, and takes the chance to undermine certain candidates in the Labour leader race. It was ever thus - Ed Balls obviously doesn't have a free quango post lined up for Campbell.

If he had any balls he'd have fought the General Election as a Labour candidate, instead of profiting from the party's defeat to maximise his own profile and sell his book. Champagne socialism is alive and thriving ... and however long the pathetic moaning goes on from the beaten hypocrites, the new government will just get on with fixing the friggin mess they've inherited. They will now do that without David Laws, forced out because of his wish to keep his sexuality and private life - private. I thought his resignation statement was the most dignified and most tragic moment in politics for many years. I wish David Laws all the best.

And now Labour, the champions of equality, are crowing?? TySh - you should be ashamed of your party, if not of your own comments.

[RibbleValleyRover]

They will now do that without David Laws, forced out because of his wish to keep his sexuality and private life - private. I thought his resignation statement was the most dignified and most tragic moment in politics for many years. I wish David Laws all the best.

And now Labour, the champions of equality, are crowing?? TySh - you should be ashamed of your party, if not of your own comments.

I thought it was tragic as well, not only in terms of his private life but also from a national point of view. He was the ideal man for that job imo. I have been really impressed with his polished performances in recent weeks and because he was part of the orange-booker section of the Lib Dem's I was confident he was willing to make the cuts that are necessary. Cameron will be very disappointed and saddened to have lost such a talented politician whose ideology is very similar to his.

I don't think this is the last we have seen of Laws (if he decides to stick with politics), if he is cleared of no major wrongdoings then Cameron and Clegg hinted today that he might come back at some point.

Cameron's letter on the BBC:

"Thank you for your letter tendering your resignation from the government, which I accept with sadness.

The last 24 hours must have been extraordinarily difficult and painful for you.

You are a good and honourable man. I am sure that, throughout, you have been motivated by wanting to protect your privacy rather than anything else.

Your decision to resign from the government demonstrates the importance you attach to your integrity.

In your short lime at the Treasury, you have made a real difference, setting the government on the right path to tackle the deficit which poses such a risk to our economy.

I hope that, in time, you will be able to serve again as I think it is absolutely clear that you have a huge amount to offer our country."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10191743.stm

[tashor]

Well that didn't take long did it ? Normal service has been resumed. Millionaire Con-Dem minister resigns after being caught with his hand in the public purse- well I never. This was the guy that was telling us we'll have to tighten our belts this week, that if you work in the public sector get ready for the bullet. What a hypocrite,did he really need £40k that badly ? Why didn't he just write a cheque ? When you get a double first at Cambridge morality and ethics musn't be on the sylabus. He's only bailed out now because he thinks he may sneak back in next time . I've got news for you pal- there won't be a next time for you so scuttle back to the City where you belong

Homophobic sad barstewards of the world unite - Tyrone is your master - lick his balls and rejoice...............

[jim mk2]

Well that didn't take long did it ? Normal service has been resumed.

And this friggin well didn't take long either.

http://www.guardian....way-budget-cuts

Dft spending axe falls in its first swoop on where else but the North west, the region deprived of cash and investment under the previous Tory government and now about to suffer again as the Tories prepare to finish off the destruction they caused 20 years ago. London and south east is benefiting from billions and billions of investment through Crossrail, Thameslink and the Olympic infrastructure projects yet some modest schemes to improve important yet rundown major stations in the north are immediately given the chop. Tory governments are renowned for public squalor that Labour valiantly try to correct with increased public spending and the same miserable cycle is about to start again. Pity the moderate David Laws has gone - hopefully Guardian journalists can uncover some skeletons in the cupboard of George Osborne.

[Ozz]

Victoria Station improvements Axed

The worst station in Britain, words that could easily be mine, but are not, has had the long proposed funding for re-development scrapped in Dft cuts.

[stuwilky]

They will now do that without David Laws, forced out because of his wish to keep his sexuality and private life - private.

Sorry Tris, whilst I feel sorry for the chap, he has to resign for stealing from you and me.

He could have keep his sexuality quiet without stealing our money.

[tcj_jones]

Why do some people have to post, after contributing little or nothing in the way of debate, just to insult and berate others?

I'll read this thread with interest (mainly because I live in the South-East and I'm keen to read debate relating to the North-West) but I won't start laying into somebody personally because of their political convictions, especially when they support one of the three main political parties in this country FFS! If we're to talk of declining standards (see Admin thread), then posts accusing others of being homophobes simply because they object to politicians effectively stealing from them can only be a contributing factor.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Sorry Tris, whilst I feel sorry for the chap, he has to resign for stealing from you and me.

He could have keep his sexuality quiet without stealing our money.

Correct. The guy is a Multi-Millionaire who probably doesn't know exactly how much money he's got, yet he still he needs another £40k of our money. It's nothing to do with his sexuality but it's everything to do the fact that he's a money grabbing little toe rag. By all accounts his homosexuality was common knowledge in the Commons so I don't go for his lame excuses.

[philipl]

I think this is the most accurate comment made on the Laws issue.

[koi]

Laws did the right thing in resigning, he needs to get away from the headlines. However, unlike many of the former government Laws is talented and if someone as corrupt and vile as Mandleson can return then someone as capable as Laws should, only difference is Laws wont rely on been given a seat in the Lords.

I don't know why people are crying over cuts, if the last government hadn't have handled the economy so bad we'd be in a much better state. Still, if you're happy for the spending to continue then may I suggest you need to seriously study the state of nation and get a grip on how perilous our situation is. I'll be worse off no doubt, my missus is a nurse and she'll be worse off that I'm sure but it has to be done and done fast.

Interesting to see the HoL list; Brown banged on about a fully elected house yet has increased Labour's numbers with idiots like Prescott, just another example of the complete and utter lies that fell from Brown's mouth, hypocrite hardly begins to describe it.

By the way, I don't condone Laws and when push comes to shove he's a Lib Dem so from a party point of view he's their problem, but what he 'stole' pales into insignificance compared to the billion the last government stole, will anything be done over that? will Blair be brought to justice? Oh, and if you actually look at what he did many Labour MP's did exactly the same and was cleared, so no one has the right to jump on their rather high horse over this. And lets not forget Labour have four MP's facing criminal proceedings over their expenses and want the tax payer to foot their legal bill, how much is that 'stealing'???

[koi]

It's just taken me ages to wipe my dinner of the laptop - I spat it out when Jim talked about Tory 'public squalor'. How a Labour supporter can talk about public squalor is beyond me - actually it isn't, they are the experts.

I think this is the most accurate comment made on the Laws issue.

I read that last night and it's too true. It's sad that an MP feels they can't be 'out', hopefully that will change.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

One thing that does puzzle me is why it was the Torygraph that blew the whistle. Maybe the neanderthal right aren't too pleased with the coalition after all. Ayway we've got another Lib-Dem lemming only too keen to take the blame for the Tory cuts, Osbourne must be loving this.

[RibbleValleyRover]

One thing that does puzzle me is why it was the Torygraph that blew the whistle. Maybe the neanderthal right aren't too pleased with the coalition after all. Ayway we've got another Lib-Dem lemming only too keen to take the blame for the Tory cuts, Osbourne must be loving this.

The Telegraph hates Cameron and wants the coalition to fail so Cameron is booted out and a dinosaur is put in his place. Torygraph? For some time the paper has been more like 'UKIPgraph'.

[koi]

The Telegraph and many at the Mail don't like Cameron as RVR mentions above. One of the main reasons I hoped Davis would get a job was to keep the enemy closer so to speak.

Tyrone, Tory cuts can only be blamed on one party mate and it's not the Tories or the Lib Dems

[koi]

Victoria Station improvements Axed

The worst station in Britain, words that could easily be mine, but are not, has had the long proposed funding for re-development scrapped in Dft cuts.

Can I asked why you titled your link 'Victoria Station improvements Axed'? Surely that suggests that no improvements will be made?

Reading the article clearly states that the improvements totalling £30m will not be getting £5m from the DfT, that leaves £25m. So may I suggest that there will be no 'axing' but a scaling down as mentioned in the article or more likely sourcing alternative funding. You have to question why, when the country is in such a perilous state the DfT sees fit to throw £50m around. You also have to question why the Thameslink secured so much funding under Labour??

It still all comes down to one point; we can't afford the spending, simple as.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

The Telegraph and many at the Mail don't like Cameron as RVR mentions above. One of the main reasons I hoped Davis would get a job was to keep the enemy closer so to speak.

Tyrone, Tory cuts can only be blamed on one party mate and it's not the Tories or the Lib Dems

Do you think the electorate will see it like that in X years down the road ? A little lesson for you - The electorate only blames, it never rewards .

[philipl]

The electorate did a pretty decent job of blaming Thatcher for 30 years.

I think the Tories are going to have quite a field day blaming stuff on New Labour because the illiberal control freakery of the just departed Government means there is going to be an avalanche of stuff to come out about them. Simply widening and opening the terms of reference and disclosure of the Chilcott Inquiry is going to let a lot of cats out of the bag. And Cameron has set up how many new bodies whose job it is to look into... there were at least on his day 1 in office.

On a different tack, Bill Maher on the imminent death of political lying.

[Flopsy]

Anyone complaining about Laws's fiddle should first condemn all the labour ministers that did just as bad, or worse, but werent sacked. Sion Simon to name one.

Also why did Gordon Brown need a second home allowance all the time he was in government?

[koi]

Anyone complaining about Laws's fiddle should first condemn all the labour ministers that did just as bad, or worse, but werent sacked. Sion Simon to name one.

Also why did Gordon Brown need a second home allowance all the time he was in government?

Sion Simon, how much was it again? about £40k to his sister for rent was it? What about Harry Cohen, former Labour MP for Leyton I think, £100k claimed for second home expenses I seem to recall. Lets not forget multi-millionaire Woodward claiming £100k towards a mortgage on a million pound plus flat. We could also mention the lovely Hazel Blears, the Keen's, Geoff 'I can guarantee there are WMDs' Hoon, the wonderful Mr Vaz...the list goes on and on.

I would also like to point out to those Labour supporters on here who are criticising Law that it is three of their own MP's who are facing criminal action. Glass houses and all that....

sorry, those MP's have also claimed legal expenses courtesy of the tax payer, how much has that cost I wonder?

[jim mk2]

The expenses scandal will forever be remembered for the largesse of the Tories.

Who can forget former Tory minister Douglas Hogg, who infamously claimed £2,200 to have his moat cleared at his 13th century Lincolnshire mansion ?

Or Sir Peter Viggers, whose gardening claims of £30,000 included one of £1,645 for a "duck island" ?

Worst all was Anthony Steen, who blamed public jealousy for the revelations that led to his decision to stand down at the election.

Steen spent nearly £90,000 of taxpayers' money over four years on his second home, a £1m country manor house, including paying a forestry expert to inspect at least 100 trees in the grounds.

"As far as I am concerned, I don't know what the fuss is about," said the greedy Tory @#/?.

The Tory backbencher said his critics were "jealous" because he lived in a large house that resembled Balmoral and had trees in the grounds that needed lopping.

Steen insisted his behaviour had been "impeccable", saying: "What right does the public have to interfere with my private life? None."

So there you have it. A typical Tory. I'm all right jack and stuff you lot.

And people voted for them. And everyone was very pleased.

[broadsword]

Didn't realise it was a competition to see who's bent, but not quite as bent as the other lot.