Are we voting for policies or against them?

PurpleLass · 16-04-2005, 14:59

What I mean by this is - have you noticed that the political parties aren't talking about anything that they're proposing, all they're talking about is what the other party isn't doing. Like Michael Howard's little publicity coup with the pensions - it was all about what Labour have done wrong in the last 8 years and nothing about what Conservatives are planning to do about pensions.

All the advertisement hoardings are the same - Labour are using images of Maggie, Major and Howard to say how bad Conservatives will be and Conservatives are using hospitals and schools to illustrate how bad Labour have been.

I don't know about you but it would be nice if the candidates actually stood up and said what they stand for. I'd like to vote for a party that has policies I support instead of voting for a party because I disagree with what another party has done.

WillowTheWhisp · 16-04-2005, 15:01

here here!

And in addition I'd like to think they would be able to keep their promises if and when elected.

PurpleLass · 16-04-2005, 15:03

I think that's a bit too much to hope for!

Although, if we actually knew what we were voting for at least we'd have something to beat them with when they did start failing us.

Acrylic-bob · 16-04-2005, 15:33

This article appeared in The Times a few days ago and might be of some help...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...555081,00.html

lettie · 16-04-2005, 15:37

I have been lucky enough to miss any election debacle due to being away. I heard on the NZ news about our election date but that has been it. I have yet to switch on the telly and am not looking forwrd to the various party political broadcasts that we are now bound to get. I do agree that I would rather vote for somebody who has their policies on the table rather that parties who try to score points by bitching about each other...

Acrylic-bob · 16-04-2005, 15:47

Welcome home Lettie, we have missed you. Did you have a nice time? And did you bring us all a stick of rock back?

vorlon24 · 16-04-2005, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by lettie

I have been lucky enough to miss any election debacle due to being away. I heard on the NZ news about our election date but that has been it. I have yet to switch on the telly and am not looking forwrd to the various party political broadcasts that we are now bound to get. I do agree that I would rather vote for somebody who has their policies on the table rather that parties who try to score points by bitching about each other...

Lib Dem seem to be doing a pretty good job at the moment

cashman · 16-04-2005, 16:50

whichever party it may be i fear there is a massive differance between a policy,and the TRUTH. mind you i am a cynical owd git.

Bazf · 16-04-2005, 16:54

Do the politicians really belive the policys or are they just trying to get a job for 4yrs that pays well,lots of expenses and more time off then Sleeping beautys bedside light.

lettie · 16-04-2005, 16:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acrylic-bob

Welcome home Lettie, we have missed you. Did you have a nice time? And did you bring us all a stick of rock back?

It's nice to be missed. We had a great time and the piccies and commentary will be duly posted when I get round to sorting them out. The only place we actually saw rock was in the Dunedin tourist information centre, but it didn't look as good as Blackpool rock.

We didn't get to watch much tv over there, but did manage to catch the news every morning. Most of the news was southern hemisphere orientated and the big news was obviously the death of the Pope. Another snippet from down under was one of the NZ MPs calling one of his colleagues a 'slimey ******' which means the same thing down under as it does here. Everybody was 'p'ing themselves laughing, but their Prime Minister refused to accept his resignation as he gets the majority of the vote in his constituency and their general election is coming up soon too.

cashman · 16-04-2005, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bazf

Do the politicians really belive the policys or are they just trying to get a job for 4yrs that pays well,lots of expenses and more time off then Sleeping beautys bedside light.

i think some do probably the young new intake of candidates, but soon reality sets in-------

Margaret Pilkington · 16-04-2005, 18:55

The major parties all seem to have published their manifesto's. So you should be able to find out from these what each party is proposing to do if they get elected.
The other way is to ask the canvassers when they come round trying to tempt you to vote their way....that's if you see any canvassers!

Personally, I am cheesed off with the playground tactic of each party leader trying to blacken the character of the other party leaders......it is a bit like 'My dad is bigger than your dad' sucks yah boo!

Busman747 · 17-04-2005, 04:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PurpleLass

I don't know about you but it would be nice if the candidates actually stood up and said what they stand for. .

I must agree with this......but there are politicians out there that DO try and are open and honest.

Since Graham Jones has been a regular on the Accy web, he has shown himself to be a politician with no qualms about speaking his feelings and has been totally open about what he believes in locally and is not afraid to stand up and say "this is crap" to the duly elected council!

I wonder how many other politicians are brave enough to put themselves on the spot by participating regularly on a message board? Somehow, I can't see P.B. or Greg Pope doing the same!

(Yes I know Greg Pope had an "open evening" on Hyndburnlife, but all questions were monitored before going on the site!)

Thank you Graham..........

entwisi · 17-04-2005, 08:44

I actually saw GP in town yesterday! It is such a shame that these people think they can appear three weeks before an election and get people to vote for them. Where has he been the last 4 years?

I also agree with the original conetnt of this thread. I watched a 'Labour PP Broadcast' the other night. It didn't even mention teh word Labour, only what the Tories did. It shows that decency has gone out the window. Its not about what you are and what you stand up for only what you can attack your competition about. I doubt I'll see a canvasser up here in Bash. The Tories feel its safe so they don't bother and Labour think they can't win it so they don't bother either.

Margaret Pilkington · 17-04-2005, 13:46

Tim O Kane was going round Clayton last Sunday......posting Labour Party blurb through letter boxes........now my front door was propped back and I would have thought he would have knocked and wanted to canvass for the party.......but no......he hurried off down the street as fast as he could.