The main problems of England as I see things.

Ha ha. Absolutely - he is a loud-mothed selfish little creature, who costs us a fortune. But we love him.

Do you need to bring your cat up better?

This is an interesting debate, but we really should not attack each other. I am of a similar frame of mind to Parliament and vampirequeen, regardless of the odd typo, grammar mistake, or statistical misunderstanding in the thread.

We do remember better times, and the fact that the Thatcher woman was widely hated for her social destruction says it all. We left the UK with our new baby after her election in 1979, but I have kept in touch all the time. I like to think I can be fairly objective from this distance (Australia)

I also believe that the low tax, low wage, and open slather for big business has harmed society. Homeless people, beggars on the street, all hugely increased since Thatcher.

They are rarer here because it is a country rich in resources, but we too are fighting destructive Tory policies, and our Labour party in opposition is about as left wing as my cat. I am constantly ashamed of our government: the latest in their demonising of refugees, for instance, is to load the refugee review board with their own people, and remove the hugely experienced people currently in charge. But that is only one thing - they are destructive on education, climate change, health: the usual stuff.

I often worry about the fact our young people have seen nothing else.

What is needed is for the parties of the left to find a way, a modern way, to capture the imagination of people of all ages and lifestyles. Because I believe that many people, other than the true believers like me, or the very politically savvy in general, vote on feelings not facts.

Agreed, Lilygran.
Politics is about people.

Don't have to argue along party lines to be very interested in politics!

Funny, isn't it that those on the left perceive the BBC to be biased towards the right while those on the right perceive quite the reverse. Good old Auntie must be getting something right!

Good thing I am not English then. But as an English speaker I would appreciate Tories rather than Tory's

Well one of you certainly is, but to be quite honest, Lilygran, your political persuasion has never been obvious to me. Seriously.

Durhamjen but quite a few are, me and thee included. And boy! are we vociferous.

Mine would, if it could make a cup of Earl Grey tea.

Totally agree that parliament is way out of touch and has no real facts, but have to assure you absent that my vote most certainly would not have gone to any chimpanzee !

You need to provide hard, checkable evidence Parliament100. You cannot simply make statements and expect us to accept them as fact.

How stupid do you have to be Parliament100? Anyone with an ounce of intelligence would have realised the SNP could have put up a chimpanzee as a candidate and they would have got elected.

What, Lilygran!
Some are not interested in politics.
Are you going to join the coven?

Maybe not the right forum to argue that the English aren't interested in politics! Or the Welsh, Irish and Scots.

Heard on the local radio this morning that the Muslim group in Newcastle are going to make a meal tonight for the hundred homeless that they know of.

That seems quite a lot for one city.

I don't think that the BBC is right wing! Quite the opposite in fact!

Hyperbole has no place in informed debate. According to the Trussell Trust, 'In the last year, more than 1 million people were helped with three days’ food, including almost 400,000 children'. Not quite 1 million food banks. As for rough sleepers, statistics from the Crisis website give the lie to the notion that millions live on the street.

The Autumn 2014 counts and estimates suggested there were 2,744 rough sleepers on any one night in England -a rise of 55 per cent from Autumn 2010, when the figure was 1,768.

However, it should be noted that these figures are a snapshot taken on one night and fall well short of what local agencies report over the course of a year. In London alone, 6,508 people were reported sleeping rough during 2013/14.

When is that the gloss or the emulsion?

Parliament I have a passion for politics. I just don't have a passion for your misguided rants. Haven't you got an outlet that doesn't involve preaching to the converted?

With you Vampirequeen

There are nowhere near a million food banks in the UK, Parliament100.

At least get your facts right.

whenim64, The past 30 odd years in this country has created a huge rich and poor divide that's getting wider.

Millions of our old people are in poverty, millions live on the streets, and there are a million food banks round the UK. This is after 30 odd years of right wing rule with no policy at all.

whenim64, what would you like to hear to make you feel passion for politics ?. To motivate you.?

So 'we English are neither interested in nor motivated by politics.'

Has anyone watched this Old English Ivory paint as it dries? So exciting to see the subtle shades as they change. Can't wait to touch it to check it's not wet. Much more exciting than the mental gymnastics of political debate!

Oh dear, are we all walking around with blinkers on? No? Maybe we are all just old and stupid? I knew everything when I was 19 but then began to realise I actually didn't.