Agenda 2019

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/30/camerons-question-time-performance-smooth-smiley-but-unconvincing#comments A televisual reminder of why this election is the worst thing ever Career politicians I watched "Question Time " last night and at the end of the 90 minute programme, my opinion, that the politics of the traditional parties of this country has become nothing more than a patronising appeal for votes, was vindicated. Moreover, even at the last live televised exchange, the "Party leaders" could not bring themselves to depart from the negative "don't vote for him" rhetoric that has plagued this campaign (and many others before, it just happens that this was the worst one) from day 1. At one point, a member of the audience, clearly exasperated by the endless negativity from the parties asked why the candidates would not explain what they were going to do and why people should vote for them, rather than trying to ru...

 The faces of British politics 2015. Take your pick I have not voted for many years, since just before Blair, Mandellson, Campbell and Brown destroyed the Labour Party in fact. From being an active party member, CLP chair, Council Group Leader, PPC, and a number of other posts, I became party less, as no political group matched my views on society or any of the other issues which I considered to be essential. It was not a case of me deserting the Labour party, but more the Labour party deserting me as it lurched off to the ri ght in pursuit of perceived popularity and electoral victory at any price, rather than political belief. I never subscribed to the argument that being in politics was about winning elections at any price rather than campaigning for a fair and democratic society where people were more important than corporations and collective well being was more important than greed and self interest. There is however a political manifesto in thi...

  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/exclusive-ed-miliband-to-the-rescue-of-the-middle-classes-as-labour-leader-says-costofliving-crisis-will-be-at-heart-of-election-manifesto-9242442.html Ed Miliband: Cost-of-living crisis will be at heart of general election manifesto                     Ed Miliband: Pledges and promises Some years ago, there was a belief amongst many people in this country, that the only time  you see politicians around your local area was at election times. They were everywhere. Knocking on your door for a quick "Will you vote for me?" conversation on your door step, outside one or other of the local supermarkets on Saturday mornings with their placards and leaflets and very eager to shake your hand or kiss the baby as you went in with your trolley. All the candidates, helpers canvassers could be seen crossing and recrossing the housing estates and moving up and down the leafy ...

  http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/even-a-vote-for-nick-clegg-is-better-than-not-voting-8930814.html "Even a vote for Nick Clegg is better than not voting" says John Rentoul. John Rentoul. "Independent"   Refusing to vote, stems not from voter apathy, but from the cynicism and hypocrisy of politicians of all parties. A vote, even for Clegg (perhaps the most hypocritical of all the motley collection on offer) as you suggest, indicates an endorsement of the party or the policies proposed. The "party manifesto" has only ever been (with the possible exception of the 1945 Labour Party manifesto), an inducement to place your "X" in a particular box on the ballot form.The reality is that following the election, manifesto commitments are discarded because "it is not possible to implement them during this parliament due to mess left by the previous administration". The government of whatever political positi...