• UK: Lib Dems become serious business - overtake Labour in ComRes poll, close in on Tories
    95 replies, posted
Here is the Liberal Democrat 2010 Manifesto. [quote] [B]Economy [/B] Liberal Democrats have said they are "committed to setting out the tough choices we are prepared to take so that we can balance the country’s books." Some of their key financial policies include: Breaking up the banks and getting them lending again Introducing a Banking Levy so that banks pay for the financial support they have received Setting a £400 pay rise cap for all public sector workers Restoring the link between the basic state pension and earnings [B]Health [/B] Key health policies include: Prioritising illness prevention Giving every patient the right to register with the GP they choose Cutting the size of the Department of Health by half Providing guaranteed respite care for the one million carers who work the youngest hours Prioritise dementia research Improving access to counselling for people with mental health issues Reforming payments to GPs Health Policy in depth [B]Education [/B] The party says that "very child is different, so schools need to be free to teach children in different ways and get the very best from them." Key education policies include: Cutting class sizes to ensure children get the individual attention they need Scrapping university tuition fees during first degrees Investing £2.5 billions in schools, targeted to help struggling pupils Axing the National Curriculum and replacing it with a slimmed-down 'Minimum Curriculum Entitlement' Scale back Key State 2 tests for 11-year-olds Creating a General Diploma to brings GCSEs, A-levels and vocational qualifications together Reforming league tables Guaranteeing Special Educational Needs (SEN) statements for all five-year-olds Giving schools the freedom to make the right choices for their pupils Improving teacher training by increasing the size of the both the Graduate Teacher Programme and Teach First Setting aside money for schools to increase the energy efficiency of their buildings Education Policy in depth [B]Tax [/B] Specific tax policies include: Raising the threshold at which people start paying income tax to £10,000 Freeing 3.6 million low earners and pensions from income tax completely Restricting Tax Credits Restoring the link between the basic state pension and earnings Introducing a Mansion Tax for properties worth over £2 million Giving tax relief on pensions only at the basic rate Taxing capital gains at the same rates as income Replacing Air Passenger Duty with a per-plane duty Closing loopholes that unfairly benefit the wealthy and polluters Reforming local taxation, including looking into scrapping the Council Tax [B]Europe [/B] Key European policies include: Working with Britain's European neighjbours to create thousands of new jobs Working through the EU for stricter international regulation of financial services and banking Keeping pressure on for reform of agricultural subsidies Campaigning for continuing reform of the EU budget Making the EU use its collective weight effectively in other areas of foreign policy Pushing for a co-ordinated EU-wide asylum system Promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy in Europe Boosting investment in clean energy by reforming the EU emissions trading scheme Working for the adoption of 'quick win' measures such as reducing the use of HFCs [B]Defence[/B] Liberal Democrats would "make the welfare of the men and women of our armed forces a priority." Their key defence policies are: Cancelling Eurofighter Tranche 3b Holding an immediate Strategic Security and Defence Review Ruling out the like-for-like replacement of Trident nuclear weapons system - planning to save £100bn Giving a pay rise to the lower ranks to bring them in link with other emergency services Doubling the rate of modernisation of forces' family homes Reducing the numbers of MoD staff and top brass officers Military action against Iran ruled out categorically Environment Key environmental policies include: Insulating all homes to a good standard within 10 years Setting a target for 40 per cent of electricity will come from renewable sources by 2020 rising to 100 per cent by 2050 Investing up to £400 million in refurbishing shipyards so they can manufacture offshore wind turbines Transforming electricity networks Launching a one-year Eco Cash-Back scheme Setting aside money for schools that want to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings Investing £140 million in a bus scrappage scheme to replace old, polluting buses Blocking any new coal-fired power stations Rejecting a new generation of nuclear power stations Environmental Policy in depth [B]Foreign[/B] Liberal Democrats would "put British values of decency and the rule of law back at the heart of our foreign policy" Specific foreign policies include: Increasing the UK's aid budget to reach the UN target of 0.7pc of GNI by 2013 Holding the G8 to its Gleneagles pledges on aid, including the 0.7pc target Working with other countries to establish new sources of development financing Supporting reform of global financial institutions such as the World Bank and IMF Supporting a global fund for social protection to help developing countries build viable welfare systems Pushing for a renewed international effort on debt Supporting 100pc cancellation of the unpayable debts of the world's poorest countries Supporting the establishment of an International Arms Sale Treaty Transport Key transport policies include: Investing £140 million in a bus scrappage scheme to remove old, polluting buses Cutting rail fares Making Network Rail refund a third of the ticket price where replacement bus services are used Switching traffic from road to rail by investing in local rail improvements Canceling plans for a third runway at Heathrow and any expansion of other airports in the south east Undertaking preparations for the introduction of road pricing in a second parliament Introducing a rural fuel discount scheme Transport Policy in depth [B]Business [/B] Specific policies for businesses include: Cutting red tape Putting an end to the 'gold-plating' of EU rules Reforming business rates so they are based on site values, not rental Allowing small businesses to choose to be taxed on cash flow Overhauling competition powers[/quote]
[QUOTE=carcarcargo;21412613]David Cameron stated he wanted to be nothing like Thatcher.[/QUOTE] Do you actually believe that? just take a real look at what they're planning to do if they get into power, i hope the liberal democrats actually get in Nick Clegg actually seems the only one who know's what he's talking about. [editline]04:02PM[/editline] [QUOTE=carcarcargo;21412679]I doubt that the Lib Dem's will be any better.[/QUOTE] true this country is in a bad way in many places and labour has screwed it up but tbh the best chance we have of not making it even worse is to have labour or liberal democrats in in my opinion.
British politics seem so much milder than American politcs, which mainly consist of slander and fighting.
[QUOTE=Rubs10;21427033]British politics seem so much milder than American politcs, which mainly consist of slander and fighting.[/QUOTE] Ha ha, watch Prime Minister's Questions.
[QUOTE=Rubs10;21427033]British politics seem so much milder than American politcs, which mainly consist of slander and fighting.[/QUOTE] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRAn_SB1Q9w[/media]
[QUOTE=thisispain;21429693][media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRAn_SB1Q9w[/media][/QUOTE] What? I saw laughter and smiling. Even though they're laughing at someone, it still seems so mild, if not comical and friendly. But I can't judge, I don't live there. Don't hurt me. By the way, the Liberal Party members are called Democrats or Lib Dems in the UK, the Conservative Party members are called Repubicans or Tories in the UK. Then what do you guys call members of the Labour party?
[QUOTE=Rubs10;21432947] By the way, the Liberal Party members are called Democrats or Lib Dems in the UK, the Conservative Party members are called Repubicans or Tories in the UK. Then what do you guys call members of the Labour party?[/QUOTE] Socialists.
[QUOTE=thisispain;21433077]Socialists.[/QUOTE] Thanks.
Though specifically New Labour couldn't be called that.
[QUOTE=Rubs10;21427033]British politics seem so much milder than American politcs, which mainly consist of slander and fighting.[/QUOTE] From seeing a few news reports covering the last presidential election in America I would agree with you. Our politics seems a lot less dramatic than yours does.
Cleggy <3
but i think there all arrogant up they're own arse twats, ah screw it ill vote lib dems since they seem to be fotm (ye im exercising my right to not really care any more
The Lib Dems always do well in the polls. They do shit in the elections. It is no coincidence that Leb Dems do well in University Towns. [editline]05:00AM[/editline] [QUOTE=thisispain;21422110]the tories are the ones who are not for socialism and are "moral" crusaders[/QUOTE] I think maybe you are thinking of New Labour [editline]05:01AM[/editline] [QUOTE=thisispain;21422896]Lib Dems should run an ad like this: "Liberal Democrats. Let's face it, you don't have many options left."[/QUOTE] Lib Dems are the attackiest of the attackiest parties. They've already done it. [editline]05:02AM[/editline] John Cleese isn't available at the moment, so they've had to rely on substance. [editline]05:03AM[/editline] Not that there's much. Getting rid of the £10,000 income tax will cost £16bn. They're really not up to it.
Don't try to cross British politics with American politics, it will make your brain explode.
Lib Dem's want to get rid of our nukes, that means I lose my job on the submarines, so fuck that Tories all the way now.
I don't like Lib Dem's stance on defence. Of course I am all for looking after our servicemen more, but they basically want to turn us into a pussy state.
Radio two said that they're now in the lead. That televised debate did wonders.
[QUOTE=Ccharlton;21442932]Lib Dem's want to get rid of our nukes, that means I lose my job on the submarines, so fuck that Tories all the way now.[/QUOTE] You could launch torpedoes where ships can't see you (nah, I'm joking. I know close to nothing about this.) [editline]10:51AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Emz;21434303]From seeing a few news reports covering the last presidential election in America I would agree with you. Our politics seems a lot less dramatic than yours does.[/QUOTE] Not if ITV can't help it.
[QUOTE=HubmaN;21444003]Not if ITV can't help it.[/QUOTE] ITN and friends are slowly becoming similar to the fear-mongering stations in the US. It's like watching a journalists integrity slowly die as his boss wants more Katie Price and kittens.
[QUOTE=RedSon;21444042]ITN and friends are slowly becoming similar to the fear-mongering stations in the US. It's like watching a journalists integrity slowly die as his boss wants more Katie Price and kittens.[/QUOTE] They still deserve my respect for Channel 4 News (and Setanta SN, now that I think about it), but I've always wondered how they've manage to operate so freely. (down the street, in the phone booth, password is "penis shakes". ITV centre is our next target. don't be square, be there.)
Why the fuck are the lib dems preventing the new generation of nuclear power plants. comeon clegg I thought you were intelligent.
I actually heard about this, .. on my completely legitimate connection to the BBC iPlayer :v:
[QUOTE=David29;21443281]I don't like Lib Dem's stance on defence. Of course I am all for looking after our servicemen more, but they basically want to turn us into a pussy state.[/QUOTE] A reduction on the stupid amount that we spend on trident will make us into a pussy state?
[QUOTE=A.C.I.D;21445359]A reduction on the stupid amount that we spend on trident will make us into a pussy state?[/QUOTE] Didn't I mention Trident specifically? No. Observe: Cancelling Eurofighter Tranche 3b - Yeah, it in't cheap, but the Tornado is getting old and it needs a more modern replacement. Holding an immediate Strategic Security and Defence Review - Don't disagree with this, but then again both the Conservatives and Labour have said they will do this as well. Ruling out the like-for-like replacement of Trident nuclear weapons system - planning to save £100bn. - Again, not cheap, but I like to live by the rule of "better to have and not need than to need and not have". Considering how cocky Iran is acting and how fucking retarded N. Korea is, I really wouldn't feel safe in the world without Trident. Giving a pay rise to the lower ranks to bring them in link with other emergency services. - Good, of course. Doubling the rate of modernisation of forces' family homes. - See above. Reducing the numbers of MoD staff and top brass officers. - Good, I suppose, but this largely relates to what David Cameron was saying about cutting waste. Military action against Iran ruled out categorically. - This is rather annoying, and mainly what I was referring to when I said it would turn us into a pussy state. While I agree that we shouldn't start acting like we can invade any country we want, the last time we simply ignored a country that started getting cocky resulted in a nice big world war.
The only one of that list other than trident that you don't like is ruling out military action against Iran. Lib Dems made a point of being the other party that opposed both the Iraq and (correct me if I'm wrong) Afghanistan conflict. Their a pacifist party. If Iran gets cocky then American will do the work for us, we don't need to follow them in like the faithful little puppydog that Blair made us into.
[QUOTE=smurfy;21412174]What? Lib Dems are about civil liberties and shit.[/QUOTE] The UK desperately needs this. I'm not British, but...go Lib Dems!
[QUOTE=smurfy;21414592]No hope for my constituency, we've been Conservative for 92 years.[/QUOTE] Vote Lib Dem anyway. It'll send your MP a message.
[QUOTE=David29;21446272]Didn't I mention Trident specifically? No. Observe: Ruling out the like-for-like replacement of Trident nuclear weapons system - planning to save £100bn. - Again, not cheap, but I like to live by the rule of "better to have and not need than to need and not have". Considering how cocky Iran is acting and how fucking retarded N. Korea is, I really wouldn't feel safe in the world without Trident. Military action against Iran ruled out categorically. - This is rather annoying, and mainly what I was referring to when I said it would turn us into a pussy state. While I agree that we shouldn't start acting like we can invade any country we want, the last time we simply ignored a country that started getting cocky resulted in a nice big world war.[/QUOTE] What can Tridant realistically do for us? N.Korea have very short range, practically outdated weapons, they're not a real threat to the west, apart from a barganing chip for more financial aid. All our nuclear weapons are submarine based.. meant to move around the globe. It doesn't matter if they're not the most advanced pieces of hardware, they're movable and they go boom. Even if we did spend billions on their replacement... so what? They're weapons we can't use by international law. If Iran or N.Korea nuked a neighbour, would we be nuking them back? Of course not. We'd be sending in strike forces to overthrow the leadership and installing a proxy goverment, if anything (Like in WWII with Japan and Germany). There are men and women fighting in Iraq with not enough equipment, and Labor/conversatives want to spend billions on weapons that are going to be used for nothing more than as signpost saying 'we have slightly better nukes than before'? IMO it's a pathetic use of Defence spending, when we could invest in more advanced, better equiped soliders and ships. Stuff that's actually usable in a war. N.Korea or Iran can't hurt you in your sleep, and they damn well know they can't use nukes offensively because it'll set the whole world at war with them.
[QUOTE=A.C.I.D;21447308]The only one of that list other than trident that you don't like is ruling out military action against Iran.[/QUOTE] Apparently you didn't read my post properly. I mentioned the Eurofighter as well, and pointed out that a number of their points that I did agree with were also being adopted by the Conservatives. So, in a choice between the Conservative defence policy and the Lib Dem defence policy, the Conservatives win. [QUOTE=A.C.I.D;21447308]Lib Dems made a point of being the other party that opposed both the Iraq and (correct me if I'm wrong) Afghanistan conflict. Their a pacifist party.[/QUOTE] There is a fine line between being pacifist and making us ill-equipped to properly defend ourselves. Remember that Britain has many overseas territories that are reliant on us for defence and we need to always be in a position to defend them if necessary. Don't say it won't happen, because it can and has done in the past. [QUOTE=A.C.I.D;21447308]If Iran gets cocky then American will do the work for us, we don't need to follow them in like the faithful little puppydog that Blair made us into.[/QUOTE] You do realise that what you are saying is completely contradictory, right? By relying on America to do everything for us we will become increasingly dependant on them and be even more of a puppydog than we are now. If you really wanted the UK to separate itself from the USA so badly, then you would better of with the UK actually increasing defence spending so that it could be entirely self-reliant, much as Charles de Gaul did with France.
I too, think we should throw hundreds of billions of pounds at international dick waving rather than putting it to good use.
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