politicians sniping at each other

I haven't the faintest idea who I want to vote for. There is neither I leader I can admire nor a party whose policies I could support. But then neither do I want to waste a vote that was hard fought for.

Perhaps the ballot papers should have a box, as do some surveys, reading none of the above .

A political commentator has said that he has been shocked by the number of people who are so very disallusioned with the main parties. And thinks that all the smaller parties will do a lot better than usual.

I dont know why the parties dont talk to and about each other a lot better. I suspect that some if it is that they lack some self control to do this. And as absent says, they have to defeat the other parties as well as get across their own party points.

Good idea Anya, could well be a big shock for the politicians.
It seems to be all about scoring brownie points (or not) soontobe and not listening to what the opposition is saying and following a reasoned discussion.

I can't bear the run up to an election. The BBC loves any old election, especially an American one which takes more than a year in preparation. Just tell us the results the next morning! I switch off the radio every time they mention it.
What's the point in listening to any lying hypocrite of a politician? I don't believe a word any of them says.

apricot, you echo my own feelings. I've been heavily involved in politics for forty-odd years and have now had enough. It's all so predictable. I won't be staying up on the night - my losing sleep won't affect the results. I'm tuning my radio to Classic FM most mornings nowadays.

It's beyond annoying.

The problem is usually at PMQ's but if you ask a partisan question then you will get a partisan reply. The quality of both questions and answers should be raised. It's nothing new sadly it has been the state of play for years, it is the optimum chance to try and 'get one over' on your opponent.

Take the Labour back benches 'flapping their arms and making clucking noises' whilst Cameron was speaking. The Conservative MP for Blackpool Paul Maynard has cerebral palsy and he was being openly mocked by Labour MP's, utterly disgraceful.. When Ed Miliband stands at PQ's the Tory Lib Dem benches shout 'More, more' like a pack of hyenenas. All so b---y puerile.

The Speaker, Bercow, is a useless piece of work and should be given the boot too. He is so easy to read and has no control of the House, sometimes he let's bad behaviour run riot to make life uncomfortable for those he does not like and it is now so easy to know to who and when he let's it happen.

There must however be remembered there are excellent debates outside of PMQ's and that is when Parliament is at it's best.

At a table next to my MP at one of our local coffee shops this morning. He was bearing with admirable fortitude an interminable harangue from a constituent. Probably wished he was back behind his ministerial desk, but he does at least show himself in his constituency.

I wouldn't do the ruddy job.

Oh for the days of Lord Tonypandy who could keep control of the house and was respected by most MP's.

When we lived in Cornwall our MP was Matthew Taylor the liberal. He was very good and although we had frequent disagreements he would take the time to write letters detailing his reasons for how he was voting. Our present MP in Berkshire is a patronising idiot and will be getting no votes from me.

I've got a file of letters for my MP, and from those in government she has contacted to answer my queries. She's a very good constituency MP.

Sorry, from my MP, not for my MP.

Oh for the days of Lord Tonypandy...

www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/19/police-investigate-sex-abuse-claims-labour-peer-viscount-tonypandy

Yes, he sounds a charming character.

My MP is good as well - I had a letter from him only the other day telling me why he is and asking for my vote at the next election!

I think our MP is good enough and seems a decent sort of individual but frankly the thought of another 90 something days of this is enough to drive me to hide under the duvet!

Funny that Ana I've just had a letter from my MP too - the first communication since last election. Do they think we're fooled?

I couldn't agree more etheltbags1 but you do have to think about why they behave like this.

I think it has a lot to do with how they are reported. A clever quip gets on the news. If they keep repeating the same line, it gets repeated at some point (or several ) and they feel they are getting their point over. Lazy journalism and tight broadcasting mean that they have no time to explain a point without the "I'm sorry but we are running out of time".

Last Sunday, on the local portion of The Sunday Politics, we had two women from different parties being interviewed. They were allowed to talk. They agreed on some things and disagreed on others. When the interview was over I felt they not only had their own views but I knew what they were. I knew the nuances of these views too. I don't expect to hear this sort of conversation again as they will no doubt be pulled up by their parties for not attacking the other party constantly.

So who wants this man as the next leader of the Tory party?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/jan/30/boris-johnson-jihadis-are-porn-watching-wankers

I think he's sexy

ethel

Certainly charismatic leaders come across better and some people willbe more inclined to vote for them! Boris has it, some politicians do not.

I've seen Bojo in the flesh ...... fully-clothed I should add (shudder)

He is NOT sexy!

And he ruffles his hair before going on camera - that dishevelled polar bear look is carefully crafted.

Now, given a choice between Boris, Russell Brand and Ken Livingstone who would I vote for?
Before anyone posts, this is a hypothetical question.

The strange thing is that the Tory party cannot find anyone to replace him as mayor of London. Everyone they've asked so far says no thanks.

Probably because they don't want him as leader - keep him where he is!

riverwalk have you not heard that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Boris has the little boy lost look and his ruffled hair is so cute.

hmm, even Boris's hair is crafted.
Nothing , it seems, politics wise, is as it seems.