Labour and the Tories have disenfranchised me

Starmer has been, and he will be again, by proper interviewers and experts who can constructively challenge political leaders. Have you read Reform’s manifesto - if so you’ll know that it makes Labour’s look like a work of genius. Don’t allow your dislike of Starmer to colour your judgement of Farage’s capabilities. He needs scrutiny of his own policies before he would have any credibility to scrutinise any other party leader - he is the epitome of all mouth and no trousers as far I’ve seen so far

Hear hear Casdon👏👏👏

I am suitably inspired, but primarily concerned that the current Tory government will be gone. No amount of being inspired by the Greens will achieve that. I live in the neighbouring constituency to N. Herefordshire, where indeed the farmers would vote for a Tory monkey. Where we can get them out, we must.

Luckygirl3

Franbern

The First past the vote system is dreadful, and whilst we have that there is no way is the UK a democratic country.

If there are smaller parties standing in a constituency who may nearer reflect a voters wishes, then vote for them, do not be mislead with this silly idea of 'strategic voting', which only perpetuates the FPTP system.

If the is really no-one on thE ballot paper who you feel you can vote for then still go, collect that voting slip, cross them all out putting clearly NONE OF TH ABOVE.

Do NOT JUST NOT VOTE.

My first votes were cast in 1964 - for the very first time since then I will not be voting Labour as the Labour Party has one out of existence (despite one still falsely using that name).

Over the past five years, as the Tories have continually moved to the right, so Starmars' party has then moved into the space they left. Starmars' party is now virtually identical to the Conservative party as it was before Johnson.

My vote is going to the Greens.

Strategic/tactical voting does not perpetuate the awful FPTP system (which I agree is undemocratic) - it plays that system in order to get as near as possible to the wishes of the populace. No-one wants to have to do this, but what other option is there when so many constituencies finish up with an MP for whom the majority of the electorate did not vote?

A vote for the Greens (however much you agree with their policies) is a vote down the pan, especially in areas (like most) where they stand no chance of winning. Similarly with other small parties.

It is a travesty of democracy when we are forced to play the system in this way.

Unless you live in Brighton, North Herefordshire, Bristol central or east, Isle of Wight, Dulwich or Sheffield.. please don't give up hope.. The Greens manifesto is quite inspirational..

Germanshepherdsmum

I simply want to see Starmer properly grilled and put on the spot. That hasn’t happened yet. His manifesto is full of lies and half-truths and he knows it. Farage doesn’t pull his punches. I think he would do a good job of exposing Starmer and his party for what they are.

Starmer has been, and he will be again, by proper interviewers and experts who can constructively challenge political leaders. Have you read Reform’s manifesto - if so you’ll know that it makes Labour’s look like a work of genius. Don’t allow your dislike of Starmer to colour your judgement of Farage’s capabilities. He needs scrutiny of his own policies before he would have any credibility to scrutinise any other party leader - he is the epitome of all mouth and no trousers as far I’ve seen so far.

GSM did you watch the 2 party leaders being interviewed by Beth Rigby? She absolutely gave Keir Starmer a grilling.

Gsm why on earth can’t the Conservative Party ask the right questions of Starmer? Why expect Farage of all people to step in where Sunak should be leading?

I simply want to see Starmer properly grilled and put on the spot. That hasn’t happened yet. His manifesto is full of lies and half-truths and he knows it. Farage doesn’t pull his punches. I think he would do a good job of exposing Starmer and his party for what they are.

Germanshepherdsmum

I don’t like Farage but I would like to see him questioning Starmer.

I’d be fine with that, as long as it’s four way, as Reform are in third place, with the Lib Dem’s very close behind them and set to win a lot more seats - but I’d much rather Farage faced the same level of scrutiny that Sunak and Starmer did in the leaders interviews. He’s not undergone any tough scrutiny regarding his policies yet, and that is what is needed.

ronib

Casdon far be it from me to judge the medical profession… but the holiday entitlement does include Bank Holidays as an extra and I don’t think that was mentioned?

It’s the national minimum for bank holidays ronib, all employees in the UK get it? I also mentioned that doctors get the same total leave entitlement as nurses, and had split between annual leave and bank holidays? I don’t know what you’re driving at, can you explain?

I don’t like Farage but I would like to see him questioning Starmer.

Meanwhile Farage is demanding a debate with Starmer, as Farage is the self appointed next leader of the opposition. So from a party with not one elected mp, to the main opposition in one fell swoop. Remarkable.
I hope voters remember this dire period in our democracy once it’s all over.

Casdon far be it from me to judge the medical profession… but the holiday entitlement does include Bank Holidays as an extra and I don’t think that was mentioned?

Franbern

The First past the vote system is dreadful, and whilst we have that there is no way is the UK a democratic country.

If there are smaller parties standing in a constituency who may nearer reflect a voters wishes, then vote for them, do not be mislead with this silly idea of 'strategic voting', which only perpetuates the FPTP system.

If the is really no-one on thE ballot paper who you feel you can vote for then still go, collect that voting slip, cross them all out putting clearly NONE OF TH ABOVE.

Do NOT JUST NOT VOTE.

My first votes were cast in 1964 - for the very first time since then I will not be voting Labour as the Labour Party has one out of existence (despite one still falsely using that name).

Over the past five years, as the Tories have continually moved to the right, so Starmars' party has then moved into the space they left. Starmars' party is now virtually identical to the Conservative party as it was before Johnson.

My vote is going to the Greens.

Strategic/tactical voting does not perpetuate the awful FPTP system (which I agree is undemocratic) - it plays that system in order to get as near as possible to the wishes of the populace. No-one wants to have to do this, but what other option is there when so many constituencies finish up with an MP for whom the majority of the electorate did not vote?

A vote for the Greens (however much you agree with their policies) is a vote down the pan, especially in areas (like most) where they stand no chance of winning. Similarly with other small parties.

It is a travesty of democracy when we are forced to play the system in this way.

ronib

Casdon plus of course Bank Holiday entitlement 8 days this year? Not too bad?

Not sure what you mean ronib, do you think professional staff should get less than that?

Franbern

The First past the vote system is dreadful, and whilst we have that there is no way is the UK a democratic country.

If there are smaller parties standing in a constituency who may nearer reflect a voters wishes, then vote for them, do not be mislead with this silly idea of 'strategic voting', which only perpetuates the FPTP system.

If the is really no-one on thE ballot paper who you feel you can vote for then still go, collect that voting slip, cross them all out putting clearly NONE OF TH ABOVE.

Do NOT JUST NOT VOTE.

My first votes were cast in 1964 - for the very first time since then I will not be voting Labour as the Labour Party has one out of existence (despite one still falsely using that name).

Over the past five years, as the Tories have continually moved to the right, so Starmars' party has then moved into the space they left. Starmars' party is now virtually identical to the Conservative party as it was before Johnson.

My vote is going to the Greens.

Mine too Franbern,, though how our candidate will replace Caroline Lucas is to be seen..

Casdon plus of course Bank Holiday entitlement 8 days this year? Not too bad?

ronib

Casdon

GPS are self employed ronib.

Casdon salaried gps?

This is the annual leave entitlement for doctors employed by the NHS at all grades for you ronib.

www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/leave/annual-leave-entitlement/doctors-annual-leave-entitlements

Salaried GPs entitlements almost exactly mirror the entitlements for nurses I outlined above.

The First past the vote system is dreadful, and whilst we have that there is no way is the UK a democratic country.

If there are smaller parties standing in a constituency who may nearer reflect a voters wishes, then vote for them, do not be mislead with this silly idea of 'strategic voting', which only perpetuates the FPTP system.

If the is really no-one on thE ballot paper who you feel you can vote for then still go, collect that voting slip, cross them all out putting clearly NONE OF TH ABOVE.

Do NOT JUST NOT VOTE.

My first votes were cast in 1964 - for the very first time since then I will not be voting Labour as the Labour Party has one out of existence (despite one still falsely using that name).

Over the past five years, as the Tories have continually moved to the right, so Starmars' party has then moved into the space they left. Starmars' party is now virtually identical to the Conservative party as it was before Johnson.

My vote is going to the Greens.

Germanshepherdsmum

My son’s heating is fuelled by oil - no other option in the village - and the house has an oil-fired Aga (installed by previous owners). This is not an unusual situation in the countryside - we have no gas in our village. Gas is cheaper than oil but it is unavailable to a great many people, who have no option but to use oil.

I doubt that most people live in a well-insulated modern house. A huge amount of the housing stock is old and incapable of being well-insulated.

I know. I once lived in a house in a village where there was no mains gas, but most people don't have oil.

Look around you, at the amount of new building (people are always complaining about it) and the number of houses which have been built in the last 20/30 years.

I'm well aware that some areas have crumbling housing stock, but most homes can be well-insulated and have mains gas.

You have not been disenfranchised by any party; the majority of MPs are like the one you describe; just put more thought and consideration into your choice than you normally would do. But to refuse to vote is cowardly; a broken political system will not be repaired by the electorate withholding their votes. Get out there and campaign for what you believe in; do not succumb to apathy.

My son’s heating is fuelled by oil - no other option in the village - and the house has an oil-fired Aga (installed by previous owners). This is not an unusual situation in the countryside - we have no gas in our village. Gas is cheaper than oil but it is unavailable to a great many people, who have no option but to use oil.

I doubt that most people live in a well-insulated modern house. A huge amount of the housing stock is old and incapable of being well-insulated.

Germanshepherdsmum

We would indeed be in the hands of amateurs with Labour. Do they seriously think that electricity prices are the biggest factor in most people’s fuel bills? Many millions rely on oil and gas to heat their homes and cook, and of course run petrol and diesel vehicles - but whilst saying that we must be independent of foreign powers for fuel, they will grant no new licences for North Sea exploration. Too many are being taken in by the hype and seemingly cannot think it through. I would love the opportunity to grill Labour on their plans.

Electricity prices are the biggest factor in most people's fuel bills. And, yes, I know some people have oil or other forms of fuel.

I have electricity and gas. My central heating and water are heated by gas, as is my hob. My electricity bill is currently twice my gas bill, so it is the biggest factor in my fuel bill. My electricity standing charge is about a third of my total electricity bill.

Obviously, my gas use increases during the colder months when the central heating is switched on, but my total electricity bill is still higher.

I live in a standard, well insulated modern-ish house. I suspect most (ie more than half of people) are like me.

Most of the Labour Shadow Cabinet members have had a great deal of experience in parliament. Just as the Conservatives who took over from Labour 14 years ago had had experience in Parliament during the Labour years.

More to the immediate points, how many Conservatives currently in the government are trusted by the electorate. I've read the manifesto and took part in one group about whats needed NHS wise.

The Labour manifesto isn't actually drastically planned, its very moderate steps forward. They've already made clear to the doctors they aren't going to get the 35%!

I trust the costings adequately.

""As an ‘insider’, I would expect you to have the answers" no, I don't pretend to be au fait with details of all policies so not
going to start on the huge issue of controlled immigration and big scale migration tho there is of course L Party policy in the manifesto and broadly agree with the fast processing and investment and involvement in anti people smuggling pan European initiatives.

If we are to discuss it I'd happily join a thread on it, but its interesting that none has been started or iirc raised on this thread.

(Its interesting its also not raised as frequently as it might be on the big TV debates except by one issue Farage - I don't know if its avoidance or greater immediate concerns)

Casdon

GPS are self employed ronib.

Casdon salaried gps?

My DD is a senior nurse practitioner and she certainly doesn't get that many holidays.