[Archived] The General Election 2015

[K-Hod]

Hope you can take this a little more seriously K-Hod.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32726171

Osborne..............

The "old model" of running everything from London is "broken" and has unbalanced the economy, he will add. A Cities Devolution Bill will be in the Queen's Speech later this month. Speaking in Manchester, the chancellor is expected to say that trying to run everything in the country from London has "made people feel remote from the decisions that affect their lives. "It's not good for our prosperity or our democracy."

You two will no doubt be pleased because he is addressing your major criticism directly. I realise actions speak louder than words but if George Osborne does exactly as he says then by taking notice of the nation and the North in particular will ensure they win the next election as well.

Thanks Captain Obvious

But seriously, there's much to be done to address my concerns, if the country becomes less London-centric then it's a start.

[yoda]

Thanks Captain Obvious

But seriously, there's much to be done to address my concerns, if the country becomes less London-centric then it's a start.

Manchester will be the centre of this northern power house, have you had a look round what is happening in Manchester lately.

Completely transforming itself.

[thenodrog]

Meanwhile the in-fighting, back biting and general jostling for power amongst the losing parties is mounting to a crescendo. How odd that Miliband, Farage and Clegg were all being praised to high heaven by the very people that are now plunging knives into their backs just a week later........ or then again perhaps not, these are politicians that we are talking about after all.

To (very) loosely quote Billy Connolly 'The qualities required to be a politician should preclude anybody from ever becoming one'.

Thanks Captain Obvious

But seriously, there's much to be done to address my concerns, if the country becomes less London-centric then it's a start.

So that's one more tory vote come 2020.

[K-Hod]

Manchester will be the centre of this northern power house, have you had a look round what is happening in Manchester lately.

Completely transforming itself.

I have yes, Salford as well looks a far cry from what it used to be! (Assuming that comes under Manchester's remit, despite being its own City).

Manchester is a great place to visit (and no doubt to live), but then there are so many good Cities in the North to visit.

[thenodrog]

I have yes, Salford as well looks a far cry from what it used to be! Manchester is a great place to visit, but then there are so many good Cities in the North to visit.

I thought they all suffered from a Tory instigated lack of investment? Talk about shooting your own argument down in flames! Best to make your mind up K-Hod.

[K-Hod]

I thought they all suffered from a Tory instigated lack of investment? Talk about shooting your own argument down in flames! Best to make your mind up K-Hod.

That was the North in general Gordon, doesn't stop these Cities being good places!

That's the frustration, these Cities are great, but could be so much more if funding wasn't so skewed in London's favour- is that better?

[Gav]

That was the North in general Gordon, doesn't stop these Cities being good places!

That's the frustration, these Cities are great, but could be so much more if funding wasn't so skewed in London's favour- is that better?

He's never been out of Bburn K-Hod I wouldn't waste your time.

As for this Northern Powerhouse it's a clear attempt to try and woo Labour voters in an area of the country that the Tories simply can't win support.

I'm not going to dismiss the proposal out of hand, but it'll be interesting to see how this pans out, and just what's actually put on the table by Gideon and his mates.

[thenodrog]

Guess so. My only objection to making these cities greater is that shops and businesses in provincial towns suffer. Howvere that isn't a Tory fault it's just progress and changing times.

He's never been out of Bburn K-Hod I wouldn't waste your time.

Kinell! Altogether now, to the strains of Lord Haw Haw, "Bastwell calling...... Bastwell calling'.

[yoda]

I have yes, Salford as well looks a far cry from what it used to be! (Assuming that comes under Manchester's remit, despite being its own City).

Manchester is a great place to visit (and no doubt to live), but then there are so many good Cities in the North to visit.

Salford is a separate city and the Salfordians will let you know in no uncertain terms

I was thinking more on the other side of the city centre, places like Eastlands, Ancoats, Newton Heath etc, all being redeveloped with some very chique residential accommodation too.

If you were an irregular visitor to the city centre and say your last visit was 10 years ago you would think you had come to a different city. The Castlefield Conservation Area and an almost complete regeneration of the retail sector as examples.

The football clubs are rank though

[Gav]

Kinell! Altogether now, to the strains of Lord Haw Haw, "Bastwell calling...... Bastwell calling'.

You seem to have a real issue with Bastwell Gordon? Why?

The last time you tried to explain this it was because you struggled to find a pub, so let's have something better this time around please.

[Al]

t's fine to try to make Manchester a centre for the North but let me tell you about a company that we started in Manchester 15 years ago or so. We saw a need for an internet centre where the different telecom companies and ISP's could interconnect in an area where dark fibre was available. We had backing from Venture Capitalists. What we sold ourselves as was a potentially large company based entirely in Manchester.

Well eventually the company took off and is now a FTSE 250 company. 3Ms then made an offer for the company that the shareholders couldn't refuse and what do you think they did with it? You've guessed right. They moved the head office to London. The Manchester premises are still there but the whole thing has lost it's charm. I cried all the way to the bank!

You seem to have a real issue with Bastwell Gordon? Why?

The last time you tried to explain this it was because you struggled to find a pub, so let's have something better this time around please.

Can't think. Can you?

[ABBEY]

Manchester will be the centre of this northern power house, have you had a look round what is happening in Manchester lately.

Completely transforming itself.

shutting our office there and moved me to nobberville.

[K-Hod]

shutting our office there and moved me to nobberville.

You must save some brass on fuel going there from Rishton though?

[yoda]

shutting our office there and moved me to nobberville.

What is the reason for the move ABBEY ?

[ABBEY]

You must save some brass on fuel going there from Rishton though?

NOPE, LOST EXPENCES

What is the reason for the move ABBEY ?

Someones brainwave to shut Manchester down and move everyone to Preston or Leeds

[K-Hod]

NOPE, LOST EXPENCES

Someones brainwave to shut Manchester down and move everyone to Preston or Leeds

Blast! Though I imagine the expenses would have been granted because Rishton to Manchester is a bit of a trek, whereas Rishton to Preston not as much! Still though....

[ABBEY]

I can get back in same time from ashton as I can at night from preston.

[K-Hod]

Getting out of Preston at peak times is a massive issue!

[Al]

Getting out of Preston at peak times is a massive issue!

So is getting out of Manchester. I know from experience.

[K-Hod]

So is getting out of Manchester. I know from experience.

As do I Al, brutal!

[ABBEY]

Ashton is WAS ok ...if you know how .

[Jock]

Has Ed's stone been found yet?

[yoda]

Has Ed's stone been found yet?

The new Edstone

[yoda]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32726171

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32720462

[jim mk2]

Gideon is a politically driven chancellor - everything he does is intended to strengthen the Tories and weaken the opposition. This devolution plan and "northern powerhouse" nonsense is another example and a political trap that Manchester and other cities should be extremely wary of.

Obsorne is chomping at the bit to devolve power because it is a smoke-and-mirrors attempt to shift the blame for cuts in services to the localities. If the good people of Manchester or Liverpool or wherever complain about, for example healthcare, or lack of acute cancer provision, he will be able to say it's nothing to do with central government but it's a problem for the (usually Labour-run) local authority which has not spent wisely the money that was given to them.

It will be a clever trick of blaming a deliberate ideological Tory policy of cutting the state on some hapless local authority when in fact there was never adequate provision transferred from central government to the local council in order to run a decent healthcare provision.

I hope the cities in the north of England queuing up for some sort of devolved authority realise what a poisoned chalice they will be taking. If they are going to be running the likes of local healthcare, transport and the like then they must see that the level of funding provision is adequate before power is transferred to them.