Election result

Easy to say GET OVER IT if you're comfortably off, healthy and happy with your lot. If you're at all vulnerable, like wondergran and many others, and you fear that the Tories' record and election promises show that the welfare system that you depend on will be cut still further I think it's a reasonable question for her to ask.

I too liked Ed Miliband Eloethan but I think we are in a minority. I hate the way he was vilified for his looks and personal characteristics. Disgusting bullying behaviour by the press.

Oh dear magpie123 - your political leanings are as clear as mine are, you will vote one way, I'll vote another.

As for GET OVER IT - I am in the fortunate position of having worked all my life, we own our home and have paid into pension funds so we have income that is over and above the basic state pension. I could say "I'm alright Jack/Joan" because I'm in such a fortunate position. Not everyone is though and that's why I can't just get over the fact the government has a mandate to continue slashing and burning public services. Don't be vulnerable, don't be sick, unemployed, mentally ill - the list is endless. I'm currently fortunate in being prescribed expensive medication that keeps me well and mobile. I do hope the NHS continues to fund it for me but there's a bit of fear as I am in an older age group and not in work that I may end up on a scrap heap with a lot of other people

Exactly the attitude I would expect!

x posts there night owl and I'm with you on Ed Milliband.

Liking EdM is beside the point. On a personal level, I'm sure I'd like him too, but I think he was a rotten Labour leader.

Why is the teasing of him as mentioned any worse than that on Spitting Image of politicians various? Or even Yes, Minister? You don't go into politics if you're a fragile flower.

I voted at the referendum but I didn't vote for change because there had been no discussion about the various forms of PR systems that were available and because the system that was being put forward was, in my opinion, not a good one. I think if you want people to engage in politics and to make big decisions such as changing the voting system you should provide enough time for proper consultation and discussion. That didn't happen - the vote was rushed through - and I think that is why many people didn't bother to vote - because they didn't understand what they were voting for and what the full implications were.

Even if the boundaries are changed, our present system will not properly represent those who do not wish to vote for the "mainstream" parties.

One of the arguments against PR is that it has the capacity to allow extremist political parties into power. That is something which concerns me but I suppose that's what democracy is and, hopefully, the vast majority of the British people would not be drawn to such parties.

I think any voter who votes for a party just on the grounds that it benefits him/her personally, even though it may substantially harm other people is, by definition, selfish. I remember that half way through the five year term people were asked in a TV discussion programme whether they would be changing their vote at the next (this) election. One woman said that she had voted Labour previously but because she had now started a small business - a dancing school - and had received some sort of business subsidy - she would be voting Conservative next time. That was the only reason she put forward - that it had benefited her personally.

Of course, some people may genuinely feel that, in the long run, a party's policies will benefit everyone even if they are painful at the outset. In my experience though, those who are are keen on this argument are generally in a fairly comfortable position themselves and are unlikely to be substantially affected by most of the cuts being made.

The Conservative Party has never been a party of "the people" - it was formed to protect the interests of a very privileged minority and it has opposed almost every progressive proposal put forward, including the establishment of the NHS. It is largely paid for by financial institutions, big business and wealthy individuals and that is who is, in my view, it represents.

Even if the boundaries are changed, our present system will not properly represent those who do not wish to vote for the "mainstream" parties.

Why?

If 50% of votes are for This Party, they should get 50% of seats. If 5% of Votes are for That Party, they should get 5% of votes. How would the 5% not be represented?

Sorry, replace one of those votes with seats.

so Eloethan - we are all selfish if we did not vote labour but saints and selfless if we did.
everyone votes for the party they feel most represents their views (they may disagree with some of the policies but overall - that is why)
no party benefits me personally over any other
I have a small income, pay tax and council tax and support benefits as a safety net.
the labour party was never a party of the 'people' it was formed out of the trade union movement and the working class until they 'morphed' into Tony Blair's nulabour

To those people who are afraid of what tories might do as regards benefits, including housing benefit.

I just cant see that the tories are are going to have people out on the street without a roof over their head.

For a start, I cant see that it would be in their own party interest. They want to get back into power in 5 years time.

And secondly, although I think it is true that some politicians, and indeed some regular tory voters do not have a whole heap of compassion, I do think that there are many many others that do.

Thirdly. They are concerned about their image around the world. That is part of the reason why they give out money in foreign aid.

soon- we already have increasing numbers of "people out on the street without a roof over their head". Part of the reason for that is the bed room tax.

Each and every society is going to have a number of people, who, for whatever reason, have got into financial difficulty, with however much money they have.

How much is the number increasing? If there is a population increase, which there is, then there is going to be a proportional increase in the number.

I have not seen or heard of large increases in this[though I dont always see everything that other people see, media wise].

I help run a drop in centre for people with mental health illnesses and I help out at a family centre where advise and support is given . Have been very worried for a woman with two children, her husband lost his job , had problems finding work , finally got a zero hours contract job at a chain store, one less unrnployed , another 'hard working family man' he had five hours work some weeks, sixteen some weeks, a few weeks he had two hours. They were in a private let, fell behind with rent , given notice to get out, council offered a woman and children only bedsit for the wife and little ones , he had to find his own accommodation. He developed severe depression, he hanged himself , they were a lovely happy family, I have been working hard to support her , now I know I needn't worry, I just say - get over it

I am trying not to get too involved in general politics for the next year or so, as I dont see the point.
But if people are genuinely worried about the tories, then that is a different matter.

Do you have any solid, non-scaremongering, facts and figures or links to official reports to back up that assertion please Iam64 that the changes in housing benefit are putting people out on the street without a roof over their heads?

I may be thought of as a selfish, uncaring and unsaintly person (this time round at least) but I do intend to write to my MP re this. I see nothing wrong with a person being encouraged out of a large house which they no longer need or can afford into something more suitable which they can afford in an area they are comfortable with. However, if people are being living out on the streets with no roof over their heads because they are losing their benefits which help pay for their larger house and there is nowhere for them to go then I think this is an area where the new government needs to do an urgent re-think.
I will lobby my MP but I need to be able to back up with actual figures.

I voted for what I believe is best for the country not for any selfish interests. I voted for TB and did not expect a war or such outrageous price increases.

I agree AnnieBach, that "getting over it" is not thinking through implications to people at all.

Ps I should add that I live under a Labour administration which is responsible for a lot of the public services here so it is sometimes difficult to judge.

Anniebach we would need to know a lot more about the background to that story before we could pass any comment.

Hear! Hear! magpie23. The thought of a Labour government with a weak leader propped up/held to ransom by the SNP, was probably more than a lot of people could stomach! That and the economy which Labour historically seem to manage to wreck certainly swung it for me, and No, it wasn't the Conservative's pointing out this fact, I, and I suspect a lot of folk managed to work it out for themselves!! So, a collective sigh of relief all round in this household.

I hope a labour supporter will start a thread on choice of new leader - well I mean please will a labour supporter start a thread

Whatever people's political views can we please explode the myth that Labour wrecked the economy. There is so much information available that proves how wrong this analysis is, if you look for it. You can go back as far as you like but the fact is, the economy is pretty much the same whether in Labour or Conservative hands. This is purely propaganda fed by the largely Tory controlled press.

Why does it have to be a labour supporter?
People who do not vote labour can be quite fair-minded.

It's a pity Alan Johnson ruled himself out previously.
My dad would have had a lot of respect for him but would have been totally bewildered by the likes of Ed Miliband!

Anniebach

Start one yourself.

I have mentioned it but if the reply had any thing to do with it only Labour supporters look like they will be allowed to comment. That ain't going to happen but it is interesting to speak of the leadership contenders for all 3 parties.

I guess UKIP is going to be Suzanne Evans but there could be a challenge even there. Will Natalie Bennett survive?

The whole SNP thing was a load of rubbish. Ed Miliband gave an assurance that he would not enter into any sort of coalition or "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" deal with the SNP and I believed him. He would have been absolutely hung out to dry by the media - and the electorate - if he had done such a thing.

The fact is the SNP would have voted with Labour on a lot of their policies anyway because their policies were similar. They would not have supported cuts and Labour would have had to depend on other parties for support in that event. If the Tories and other parties, would not give their support to the cuts proposed (which is highly unlikely - unless they decided to be unashamedy opportunistic), then eventually there would have had to have been another election.

It was a ploy that the Conservatives used - backed up by most of the media - to frighten people into voting Conservative, and they fell for it hook, line and sinker. I think it is shameful that the Conservatives were prepared to further damage the relationship between England and Scotland and create such animosity just to improve their own party's chances.

It would be god if wondergran could keep us informed as to how things are for her over the next few years. If things do improve I am more than happy to hold up my hands and say 'I was wrong' with regards to what this government will do to the most vulnerable members of society, as since I retired, I am out of touch with regards to other peoples lives. I've often felt that politics is very black and white whereas a lot of it is more about grey areas; perhaps why I always found the LibDems to be the jiminy crickets of the political world. I very much hope they regroup and become the voice of reason that they always used to be.