General Election 2015

[Hampster Gull]

That's another question. The UK needs a balance of private ownership, private renting and social housing. The latter I'd like to engender as a real viable long term life-style alternative to buying. At present there is way too much private renting. Cut back on this and build more social housing.

Given the property shortage rather than cut back on private supply I would add social supply.

 

[simmo]

It really depends on how it was applied. The Scottish referendum shows that people of all ages WILL get involved with politics when they know their votes make a difference, with an 85% turnout and fantastic democratic discussion and campaigning.

AV was not successful because it is not an issue that a majority of people can relate to, I would guess that most people don't even understand what difference it would make to politics.

I agree that if minor issues went to to referendum, it would not work - nor would it if it became a regular thing. I would propose something like this - if a large number, for example, 500,000 signatures were achieved in a petition, then the mandatory referendum would be held - this would guarantee that it is a major issue that seriously needs addressing, it would minimise the frequency of referenda, and equally it would get a good turnout and passionate democratic response.... and cannabis would finally be legalised, consequently decriminalising millions of people, saving lives and significantly boosting the economy.

You can't just espouse referendums on damn never every subject and then ignore the fact that in the one UK nationwide referendum in the last 5 years there was a 42% turnout.... you talk about healthy debates etc but how the hell are you going to drum up interest for every single subject, people will very soon just say. Oh no not another vote.

Your example was about the legislation of cannibis, in reality what percentage of the people over the age of 50 do you think this effects and is a big issue? I would say less than 1%. It is so obviously something that is close to you, but to me it is totally irrelevant. You ignore my fact about a lot of people not actually being that interested in politics full stop. Let me say this again 1/4 of our population does not even vote in a general election every 5 years.

In respect of your idea about a petition that is so open to abuse. I could get you 20 different signatures in 30 minutes right now they would all be different names but they would all be in my handwriting.

 

[Hampster Gull]

That's another question. The UK needs a balance of private ownership, private renting and social housing. The latter I'd like to engender as a real viable long term life-style alternative to buying. At present there is way too much private renting. Cut back on this and build more social housing.

Given the property shortage rather than cut back on private supply I would add social supply.

Edit - it was so important my phone sent it twice

 

[Triggaaar]

The UK needs a balance of private ownership, private renting and social housing. The latter I'd like to engender as a real viable long term life-style alternative to buying.

Social housing is not meant to be an alternative to buying. If you'd like a long term life-style alternative to buying, it's probably better to call that something else, so as not to confuse the issue.

So what you want is for the government to buy and build properties that they then let out at below market rate, and the bill get picked up by the tax payer. I'm not sure it's much of a vote winner.

At present there is way too much private renting.

Why do you think there is too much?

 

[beorhthelm]

Given the property shortage rather than cut back on private supply I would add social supply.

arguing the toss over private or social nature is a massive distraction from the cronic lack of any supply. we need to overhaul planning process, effectively force communities to accept new development, though bribes or coercion, so they can get built. 18mth i think it takes currently to from planning to breaking ground. if we say authorities at parish/district/county level have to submit areas earmarked for development with implicit outline permission, communities can determine where it will be acceptable to them, otherwise they cant object.

 

[Gwylan]

I would propose something like this - if a large number, for example, 500,000 signatures were achieved in a petition, then the mandatory referendum would be held - this would guarantee that it is a major issue that seriously needs addressing,

Nearly a million and a half people signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of Jeremy Clarkson. Are you seriously suggesting that public money should be spent on organising a vote for the re-employment of a highly-paid TV presenter?

 

[simmo]

It really depends on how it was applied. The Scottish referendum shows that people of all ages WILL get involved with politics when they know their votes make a difference, with an 85% turnout and fantastic democratic discussion and campaigning.

AV was not successful because it is not an issue that a majority of people can relate to, I would guess that most people don't even understand what difference it would make to politics.

I agree that if minor issues went to to referendum, it would not work - nor would it if it became a regular thing. I would propose something like this - if a large number, for example, 500,000 signatures were achieved in a petition, then the mandatory referendum would be held - this would guarantee that it is a major issue that seriously needs addressing, it would minimise the frequency of referenda, and equally it would get a good turnout and passionate democratic response.... and cannabis would finally be legalised, consequently decriminalising millions of people, saving lives and significantly boosting the economy.

Other problems with your petition idea that you may not have thought of....let us play through a scenario....500,000 signatures sign a petition to bring back the death penalty.

It goes to a public vote as you espouse and on a 20% turnout hanging is brought back.....it transpires that 2 years down the line someone whom is innocent of a crime is hanged.....

Then there is another (counter) petition where 500,000 signatures are now opposed to the death penalty and then that goes back to another referendum on the same subject....it is flipped back again on a 25% turnout to no death penalty......

Then 3 months after that there is a terrorist outrage that kills hundreds of people and there is another petition to bring back the death penalty again.......and on a 30% turnout it is brought back again and so on.

The situation is that short term events will effect the law of the land.

Also, let me throw in another one....lets reduce the retirement age from 65 to 50. How many people do you think are going to sign that petition. It's a no brainer everyone pretty much is.....its a win for everyone under 65.

Off course then by your scenario it goes to a referendum and it is voted as law....but can the country afford to now have such a large percentage of the population that will be retired?

 

[Titanic]

Nearly a million and a half people signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of Jeremy Clarkson. Are you seriously suggesting that public money should be spent on organising a vote for the re-employment of a highly-paid TV presenter?

That clearly is not something within the remit of HM Govt, is it?

 

[spring hall convert]

You can't just espouse referendums

Referenda.

Anyone arguing that technology couldn't be more effectively harmessed to make democracy more direct is being a bit silly. As usual Mustafa is being attacked at the extent of his argument but there is some merit in what he's saying.

I'd suggest looking at it in local Government where turnouts are awful but direct democracy could see people genuinely change things in their communities.

 

[Gwylan]

That clearly is not something within the remit of HM Govt, is it?

A publicly owned body whose head is appointed by the government is not within the government's remit?

And if you were to take the view that it's not: the petition could be presented in such a way that it was. For example, "it should not be illegal to dismiss an employee for assault if there were reasonable cause for the assault eg lack of hot dinner" That's about framing a law - that surely by your definition fit into the government's remit

 

[Gwylan]

Other problems with your petition idea that you may not have thought of....let us play through a scenario....500,000 signatures sign a petition to bring back the death penalty.

It goes to a public vote as you espouse and on a 20% turnout hanging is brought back...

And to bring out the Swiss argument again. Suppose that just before the vote on hanging, there was a referendum on membership of the EU - a massive majority wanted to stay in. Then there's the hanging vote and we re-introduce capital punishment - which is not compatible with EU membership. So in one referendum we vote to stay in and another we vote to stay out; in other words, the result of one of the referendums is ignored. In which case, why have them?

 

[Ernest]

If Labour had come up with a policy like the Tories have today with their 3 days paid leave for voluntary service the Tories would have attacked them from here to Christmas. Listening to that FAT BUFFOON Eric Pickles on the Politics Show just shows that they really haven't a clue with this campaign and the look on his face when reminded that people could do 3 days paid work for Trade Unions under the proposal was PRICELESS.

#bigsocietybigshambles

 

[Gwylan]

Listening to that FAT BUFFOON Eric Pickles on the Politics Show just shows that they really haven't a clue with this campaign and the look on his face when reminded that people could do 3 days paid work for Trade Unions under the proposal was PRICELESS.

According to the BBC, the proposal doesn't cover trade union activities

 

[Ernest]

According to the BBC, the proposal doesn't cover trade union activities

It's being rewritten as we type, they didn't realise that till it was pointed out.

 

[Ernest]

Rail fare policy , another uncosted Tory policy going to cost £1.8billion, oh dear.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

If Labour had come up with a policy like the Tories have today with their 3 days paid leave for voluntary service the Tories would have attacked them from here to Christmas. Listening to that FAT BUFFOON Eric Pickles on the Politics Show just shows that they really haven't a clue with this campaign and the look on his face when reminded that people could do 3 days paid work for Trade Unions under the proposal was PRICELESS.

#bigsocietybigshambles

Big Society, thanks for the reminder as I had completely forgot about that. Remind me what it is again?

 

[Ernest]

This will cheer you up [MENTION=409]Herr Tubthumper[/MENTION]

You gov poll 9-10 April

Lab 35%
Cons 33%
UKIP 13%
LD 8%
Greens 5%

An interesting turn round from a Tory lead and now in line with all the other polls showing a Labour lead

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

This will cheer you up [MENTION=409]Herr Tubthumper[/MENTION]

You gov poll 9-10 April

Lab 35%
Cons 33%
UKIP 13%
LD 8%
Greens 5%

An interesting turn round from a Tory lead and now in line with all the other polls showing a Labour lead

This has cheered me up. Thank you.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

Tories announcing increase in IHT threshold to £1m.

At least they are consistent.

 

[drew]

Tories announcing increase in IHT threshold to £1m.

At least they are consistent.

Cue some of the blue rinse brigade applauding a policy that won't even affect them!