If you were Prime Minister what would you do!

I'd get rid of cronyism it just contributes to the general malaise that hangs around both sides of the political spectrum. I'd certainly do away with internships these pre suppose that you have the means to support yourself whilst working for nothing, and on top of probable student debts already accrued. I'd try and make MPs more in touch and representative of their electorate. I'd come out of the Human Rights Act immediately. I'd stop trying to fool everybody that the Euro crisis will be sorted out when it seems almost inevitable that a number of countries will default on their debts. I'd look at the education systems in countries such as Finland, Netherlands, Canada and Germany and then try and implement some of their teaching practices here, I understand Finland have one of the highest literacy rates in the world and the UK seem to have let a lot of our children down in this respect. I would do all I could to stop the abuse and neglect of the elderly in care homes and hospitals.

Bagitha, Oh dear, I was only answering greatnans question actually. I am sorry you have associated the word bully to greatnan personally. I would like to reiterate my emphasised point "We put in our twopenneth in what should be a relatively easy manner in the spirit I hope it is intended ".

As you quite rightly say greatnan expresses strong views no-different to myself or ninnynanny then.

Pogs - I don't really mind your calling me a bully, shallow and stereotyped, although it is not forum etiquette to make personal remarks about another member. I think you will find I have reserved my criticism for the publishers of the DM, not its readers. I try to be courteous at all times whilst expressing my opinions.
I have said many times that I read the on-line version because it amuses me to see what headlines they come up with and also because I like to see what 'righties' (is that the equivalent of 'lefties'?) are up to.

MY 'pet' issues are racism, sexism and homophobia and the demonising of the people who have to rely on benefits for one reason or another. I like to highlight examples of such bigotry wherever I find it.

Thank you for your support bagitha and soop, it is much appreciated.

Thank you Greatnan- you have my support too. Surely the OP was aware that her views would be very controversial in the very least.

Thank you, juragran. She may just have been stating her true opinion and possibly expected most members to agree with them.

Firstly, I'm pretty sure ninnynanny didn't expect most members to agree with her views, and secondly, POGS didn't accuse Greatnan personally of being a bully. Surely this has got out of all proportion, with various members leaping to the defence of others, when all that has been expressed is a personal opinion?

Quite right, Anagram, and that is all that I expressed too. As other members felt the need to show their support for me, I presume they also thought that POGS remarks were addressed at me.
Fortunately, I rarely get upset by anything said on a forum. Sticks and stones.........

No the O.P. was not aware her views would be controversial!. If you read what was said there was definately no accreditation to one person, no name was mentioned, it was my thoughts on the collective response.

I am very saddened and shocked to be accused of contravening 'forum etiquette'.

For the sake of keeping the spirit of forum to a friendlier nature I APOLOGISE TO THOSE WHO I HAVE OFFENDED.

Now can we get back to the question asked in the first place, PLEASE!

You haven't offended me, POGS, and your apology made me smile - it reminded me of my teenage grand-daughter's 'Sooooorrry'.

Good morning! (well it is here and DS's alarm went off at 5.30, by mistake)
If I was prime minister I would drastically cut the amount of legislation. At the beginning of the term all the ministers rub their hands and start drafting enormous bills that are aimed at getting votes in the next election - whether change is needed or not. Huge costs are incurred. My DH is involved in one small bit of one of the current bills. There are, he estimates, over 100 civil servants working on this one small aspect. (over a couple of years) I personally doubt that it will make any difference to the issue. It is just "trying to come up with new ideas" territory. Cut legislative time to 1/3 of current. Let ministers concentrate on the day to to day business of running things better, rather than differently. Ban the word "reform". i.e. tinkering for the sake of it.
If any ministers want to change something they would have to run proper trials, wait for the evaluation to come in an assess the evidence.
I noticed the queen played for a laugh in her recent speech when she mentioned the number of bills she had signed.

Agreed, Jess. I sometimes think that the Queen could do a better job running things - she has seen them all come and go.

i like the queen. she gets on with the job, quietly.

OK, pogs. Understood . I guess it was the "Dear Greatnan" that threw me — unnecessarily, thankfully.

I am sorry If I am treading on any toes as I have not read the thread, but have had a glass or two....... but if I was Prime Minister .....I feel if we had more women in government things would be done with more speed, more efficiently and done to benefit the majority and not the rich minority, and this country would be in a better position.

As Prime Minister I need to help the Grandparents and Parents who are cut off from their Gc and DC.

It would be good if we had some efficient women in the cabinet, but Blair's Babes were a useless lot in general. We need some women of the calibre of Bessie Braddock, Edith Summerskill and Betty Boothroyd.

Yes we need strong women!

Glassortwo, men or women their sex is irrelevant to me I'd settle for politicians with integrity regardless of sex, colour, ethnicity, sexual orientation or religion. It seems this quality is sadly lacking amongst the career politicians we have on offer.

Thank you glassortwofor your intention as P.M. to help Grandparents and Parents denied contact.
You would definitely have my vote!

Mine, too Maniac! We do need many more people to come forward and speak up for grandparents who are denied contact. I only had to endure this for just under a year and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy - it's like learning that your child has disappeared off the face of the earth and you have no idea how to resolve it yourself. I watched my son go downhill and he was so distraught and grieving for his son. Happily, he now has access and is in a much stronger position, but he is picking his business back up as it nearly folded when he couldn't work because of his distress - last week, he did 15 hour days most of the week, except for when he was meeting his son. He'll get back on track, but it has been enlightening to see the effects of having contact denied, and the distress that ricocheted through our family. I hope many more grandparents in this position will soon be reunited with their grandchildren.

Panic !

Anyone who says there are easy solutions to the current problems must be deluded.

If I were PM I'd have a face lift, have my teeth fixed, surround myself with hair, fashion and make-up artists, drink a lot of champagne and stand very close to DH in photo opps as (a) he is so-oo handsome and (b) I would need to be propped up at all times.

On a serious note I would not prance about on the world stage pretending we still have an empire. I would try and solve problems at home as a priority, starting with the most disadvantaged.

I would also sack George O (that comes under the priorities heading).

Barbara Castle, too, Greatnan.

The real problem is that anyone who wants to be Prime Minister is usually wholly unsuitable and anyone who would be suitable usually doesn't want to be.

ninnynanny hopefully your views are a joke and you are teasing us all. If not blimey and how horrible.

Ninnynanny's entitled to her opinions, dorsetpennt, whatever you might think of them....

If I were prime minister I would be creeping away embarrassed with my tail between my legs!