General Chat

I voted and I am happy with this government, they are not the kind of socialists I would prefer and a milked down Tory goverment but the best tory government we have ever had. Davex

We now have one of the most succseful economys in the world inflation is none existent unemployement is low we are all better off what more do you want

Valerie says she is moving to France because we have too many petty regulations here. Wait till you get to France, they have a law or regulation, or two, for everything. David

Yep, me. And I wish all you people would stop voting in Tony Blair. Len

I'd like to know why it is so expensive to live in the UK compared to Europe or the USA. Nothing much is done to punish villans, so that situation gets even worse. Hospitals are the filthest places to be in. Tax is unbelievable. I could go on and on. Jo.

Wendy, I applaud your reasoning and uphold your right to vote whichever way you see fit. When it comes to actually DOING something about changing the face of politics, at local level, you won't find many people like myself who go to public meetings and actually stand up and ask questions challenging those who spout the Party line (of whatever colour) and putting them on the spot. I spent several hours on election day in the local party HQ helping to get a man elected who has put countless hours and a great deal of effort into improving the lives of local people. He's a local resident, he's young, extremely well-informed, committed to worthwhile causes and enthusiastic in his approach. He's won his seat in the Commons with a large majority, and those of us who know and believe in him are sure he's destined for great things. Our outgoing MP was a minister in Blair's cabinet. She lived miles away and spent little time in her constituency, unless there was a photo opportunity to be gained. Her communications with local residents left us in no doubt that she was completely out of touch with what's happening in this area. It was no surprise, but a great relief, when she was soundly beaten in the election. If your life is improved by a Labour government, good luck to you, but for many others of us they are a disaster. Good job we're best buddies, or it could be hampers at dawn! LoL ;>))) CB >|< XX

You will never please all the people all of the time. I love this country. I agree with Wendy. Look around you and be thankful. We are all so lucky. No wonder the Australians call us whingeing poms. I think they have a point. Jean.

I believe that one of the things that puts off people from becoming involved is that they have found that nothing they do will change anything. Take the example of new housing. Anyone who lives in the seouth-east of the country has only to outside their front door to see that there is neither the space nor infrastructure to add to the population in the area. Local Councils (the elected representatives of the people) oppose it. Government (in the person of John Prescott) tells Councils they must permit a certain number of houses anyway. A new airport or airport expansion is planned. An enquiry comes out against it. The inquiry results are overturned by Government. Voters in Scotland get their own parliament. Scotland still returns MPs to Westminster who vote on Engish matters which are devolved in Scotland, where English MPs have no say. Electoral boundaries are left unchanged, so that there are 50,000 voters in some constituancies and 70,000 in others. Therefore one party can win more seats with fewer votes than the 'loser'. If you work hard you pay taxes. If you shirk you are given money & housing. I am sure yoiu can add your own examples. No wonder apathy reigns.

Roxanne, What is it that everyone wants? I just don't understand. I will admit that I am not materialistic. I live in the greatest cosmopolitan city in the world. I am lucky enough to have a roof over my head. I live on a pension which is stretched at times I'll admit. I have access to the National Health Service which is free at source, my grandchildren are well educated in State schools. I don't drive but public transport, where I live, is wonderful. Perhaps I am just very lucky to live where I live but I can honestly say I think this Government has served me well. Jean x.

Brian, With you all the way! Jean, I'm very glad to see that you're content with your lot and I hope you continue to enjoy life. :>) From my point of view, Labour's policies haven't helped me to climb the ladder from a poor start in life, and although we haven't reached retirement age yet, many people we know who have are being denied the pensions they've worked hard for and paid contributions for on the promise of a decent standard of living in their old age. That's partly due to poor performances on stock markets worldwide, but mainly due to Gordon Brown's tax raid on pension funds. Young people now are being told to expect to work until they're 70, which is grossly unfair, and many of them (my son, aged 26, included) can't afford to move out of the family home. They stand no chance of being able to afford to buy a home or of getting onto a Council waiting list, let alone of actually getting a Council flat. I resent Gordon Brown taking money from pensioners, then giving bribes to teenagers to stay at school, and I resent the vast amount of money spent on the NHS which just goes into funding more and more 'managers' and administrators, when it should be going to pay nurses decent salaries and to provide more doctors, so that those we have are not stretched to breaking point. It would be different if the same standards of healthcare, policing, fire service, transport, etc applied throughout the country, but they don't. London is very well provided for, but there are vast differences in provision of public services, and that's why people complain. I don't want a life of extravagant luxury, I'd just like not to have to worry about the future and to be able to enjoy the things I've worked hard for, and gone without, for over many years. I don't see why we should be penalised just because my husband has worked his way from being a junior office clerk to a well-paid job. We've always paid our taxes and only ever received child benefit for our one child. We're now told our Council Tax is likely to increase 'according to ability to pay'. There are 3 of us in our household. We use fewer public services than many other households, yet we'll be expected to pay more than others. I don't see that as fair, especially after the way our Council has behaved towards us. I also resent very much the way in which the Labour government practises 'cronyism', so that all the PM's friends are given high office. CB >|<