Ask a Tory

[andrewb]

I've noticed a bunch of anti-conservative sentiment here that I feel is unfounded.

There's the whole issue of Thatcher. Sometimes it feels like the only reason people are not voting Conservative is because of what she did or how she went about it, 30 years ago. Can we please talk about present day issues, surely they are what count.

I've noticed some people who just dislike Tories, with no real explanation. Is this a Thatcher issue or are there more underlying reasons, such as disagreement with policy?

If you have issues with the Conservatives as they stand today, a party who has been forced to change after 11 years of Labour, then air them here, let me respond and tell you how I feel about it.

I'll answer questions as honestly as I can because I want people to discover what the modern Conservatives are actually about.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by Cyfr

I've noticed a bunch of anti-conservative sentiment here that I feel is unfounded.

Which differs from the Labour bashing you constantly do on here how?

Unfounded?

It's called democracy.

We, yourself included, are allowed to speak their mind.

Happily, unlike some, I'm not a member of any political party, and therefore have no hidden political agenda.

[andrewb]

Originally Posted by garinda

Which differs from the Labour bashing you constantly do on here how?

Unfounded?

It's called democracy.

We, yourself included, are allowed to speak their mind.

Happily, unlike some, I'm not a member of any political party, and therefore have no hidden political agenda.

Firstly, I don't object to people airing their views, or I wouldn't have created the topic. As for a hidden agenda I wouldn't have asked for people's opinions if I didn't believe in political transparency.

I believe opinions should be backed up, so if you feel I've acted out of line on any criticisms then please supply the evidence where I've misrepresented Labour and question me on it.

I started the thread to encourage honest, harsh and direct questioning. If you have a question, feel free.

[Rosencrantz]

I'd like to ask how David Cameron plans to address the lack of enthusiasm the modern electorate displays in politics. I was looking at the statistics for local elections in Manchester recently and the voter turnout was less than 30%. I get the feeling modern politicians patronise those who care about issues and pander to people who wouldn't vote in the first place. It really frustrates me, and I don't see Cameron's tactics as being particularly encouraging (not that Labour's have recently either).

I've always believed that those who vote for the candidate they'd like to have a beer with should drink a beer and leave the voting to the adults. I don't think modern Conservative policy addresses this problem, and instead indulges it. How do you feel about this?

[shakermaker]

For one, I have a big problem with the Tory leader David Cameron. He swans about the media acting like such a caring person - all the while not really saying anything politically strong. But wait - I thought that this Tory party, allegedly, is a new style Tory party that wants to bring about BIG changes to the New Labour ways we have become accustomed to?

The example that springs to mind is what I saw when I was flicking channels a few weeks ago. It doesn't really matter whether you saw it or not as he is the same in every TV appearance. I put ITV on and I saw Mr Cameron on 'This Morning'. Oh he was lovely; listening to people's sob stories, nodding his head sympathetically, giving incredibly helpful* sentimental statements for change in Britain... urgh.

To me, his leadership of the Tory party gives me the impression that the only challenge they put towards New Labour government is that it's not Tories in charge. It seems to me that the Tories would be doing more or less the exact same things just with a different spin. Every mission statement is so ambiguous, every criticism so obvious, every word just bland and meaningless.

How you don't see beyond his act is beyond me mate.


* (incredibly meaningless and vague)

p.s. This post is coming from a person with no party bias at all. Yes, I did like Gordon Brown when he first stepped into Blair's shoes, but that affection has eroded. He's lost the backbone he promised.

[garinda]

Ok, two questions.

Are you in favour of the weighted candidate lists that Cameron brought in, which has resulted in a larger representation of women, ethnic minorities, and gays, or do you think the best qualified person for the job should be selected for a seat?

The new Tories: out of the blue - Telegraph

Question two.

Are the Tories really in favour of equality for all, when a recent poll of Conservative M.P.'s revealed that...
'on several key questions Tory MPs are deeply divided. For instance, against the view of Mr Cameron, just 46 per cent of Tory MPs agree that gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples, with 54 per cent disagreeing. For comparison, 83 per cent of Labour MPs and 92 per cent of Lib Dems agree.'
Have they really changed, or are will they say anything in the hope of once again forming a government?

Tories still not won over by liberal social attitudes - Times Online

[garinda]

Blimey, this ask a Tory a question is long winded.

Twenty minutes is too long to wait for an answer.

I'll try and contain my eagerness to see the answer to my question tomorrow.

New technology!

Bah, humbug....it's only as quick as Cyfr can type.

[shillelagh]

Would i be better off under a tory government?

Dont forget im on long term benefits.

[andrewb]

Originally Posted by Rosencrantz

I'd like to ask how David Cameron plans to address the lack of enthusiasm the modern electorate displays in politics. I was looking at the statistics for local elections in Manchester recently and the voter turnout was less than 30%. I get the feeling modern politicians patronise those who care about issues and pander to people who wouldn't vote in the first place. It really frustrates me, and I don't see Cameron's tactics as being particularly encouraging (not that Labour's have recently either).

I've always believed that those who vote for the candidate they'd like to have a beer with should drink a beer and leave the voting to the adults. I don't think modern Conservative policy addresses this problem, and instead indulges it. How do you feel about this?

I think we have a huge problem with political disengagement. I only need to murmur that I study Politics and peoples faces drop.

I think we should start by devolving more powers to local government, allowing them to have greater control and flexibility. Along with this we need genuine transparency, so we know who is responsible for what, and where the money is going. Transparency is a huge problem, so many people distrust politicians, and so many people have no idea who is in charge of their road upkeep, or who is responsible for something as basic as emptying the bins in the park.

I think people can see through politicians who are all style and no substance. You might have noticed the criticisms in Cameron's first year as leader. He was trying to change the party itself, and had no real policy, making him an open target to the delight of Blair and the papers.

You're right. I don't think either the Conservatives are doing anywhere near enough to promote participation in non-general elections. Another idea I have is to have an even number of councillors per local ward, and have elections constituency wide, rather than having the rag-bag situation of current where some peoples wards are up for election while others are not. People won't feel engaged if they don't always have the chance to vote.

[andrewb]

Originally Posted by shakermaker

For one, I have a big problem with the Tory leader David Cameron. He swans about the media acting like such a caring person - all the while not really saying anything politically strong. But wait - I thought that this Tory party, allegedly, is a new style Tory party that wants to bring about BIG changes to the New Labour ways we have become accustomed to?

The example that springs to mind is what I saw when I was flicking channels a few weeks ago. It doesn't really matter whether you saw it or not as he is the same in every TV appearance. I put ITV on and I saw Mr Cameron on 'This Morning'. Oh he was lovely; listening to people's sob stories, nodding his head sympathetically, giving incredibly helpful* sentimental statements for change in Britain... urgh.

To me, his leadership of the Tory party gives me the impression that the only challenge they put towards New Labour government is that it's not Tories in charge. It seems to me that the Tories would be doing more or less the exact same things just with a different spin. Every mission statement is so ambiguous, every criticism so obvious, every word just bland and meaningless.

How you don't see beyond his act is beyond me mate.


* (incredibly meaningless and vague)

p.s. This post is coming from a person with no party bias at all. Yes, I did like Gordon Brown when he first stepped into Blair's shoes, but that affection has eroded. He's lost the backbone he promised.

I hope I've covered your post in the previous reply to Rosencrantz, if you feel I've not adequately responded to something, please expand on it and I'll try again.

[BERNADETTE]

Originally Posted by shillelagh

Would i be better off under a tory government?

Dont forget im on long term benefits.

Ask A Tory or any other politician but don't hold your breath for a direct answer

[andrewb]

Originally Posted by garinda

Ok, two questions.

Are you in favour of the weighted candidate lists that Cameron brought in, which has resulted in a larger representation of women, ethnic minorities, and gays, or do you think the best qualified person for the job should be selected for a seat?

The new Tories: out of the blue - Telegraph

I am a complete believer in the best person for the job getting the seat. The lists Cameron put out were completely optional, to force constituency party members to vote on all women vote lists as Blair did, completely undermines women in politics.

Originally Posted by garinda

Question two.

Are the Tories really in favour of equality for all, when a recent poll of Conservative M.P.'s revealed that...
'on several key questions Tory MPs are deeply divided. For instance, against the view of Mr Cameron, just 46 per cent of Tory MPs agree that gay couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples, with 54 per cent disagreeing. For comparison, 83 per cent of Labour MPs and 92 per cent of Lib Dems agree.'
Have they really changed, or are will they say anything in the hope of once again forming a government?

Tories still not won over by liberal social attitudes - Times Online

At face value it would seem that Conservative MP's are not in favour of equality for all. I'd like to know more about the poll however, as the way it is written could well indicate gay marriage, not civil partnerships. I'd like to see one conducted in direct reference to civil partnerships.

Personally I believe that people should be able to do what they want. It's not the states role to tell people who they can and can't have relationships with and I think Labour have got it completely right with civil partnerships, allowing gay couples to be recognised by the state.

I do think the party has changed. I don't adhere to this position of 'are they just saying it to get in power' no matter which party is accused of it. If a party puts forward a good policy which is therefore popular with the electorate, then fair game to them, because electing them will get that policy into government.

[andrewb]

Originally Posted by shillelagh

Would i be better off under a tory government?

Dont forget im on long term benefits.

I'd need to know more about your situation to answer the question really. Such as why you're on benefits, your living status, etc.

[shillelagh]

Originally Posted by Cyfr

I'd need to know more about your situation to answer the question really. Such as why you're on benefits, your living status, etc.

Long term incapacity benefit. Registered disabled. Live on my own. What else do you want to know? Part time employed.

[blazey]

I struggle to see how this thread isn't just ANOTHER reason to draw upon the negativities on the Conservative Government, so I think this thread is pretty stupid, especially as the person answering the questions may have done his politics assignments but he still has no real ground as a Tory...

I don't think anyone 100% backs a political party and its policies. I for one am against the Tory notion of saving the post offices, but still I vote Conservative, so the fact that there are differing views within the party regarding homosexual marriage is hardly surprising is it? I'd be a bit concerned if an entire party of politicians shared the same views about everything, it'd suggest that they're either lying or they aren't focusing on enough issues, at least that's what I think.

I also think that one person on a forum dominated by everything but tory voters who claims to be able to answer everyones questions in general about the Tory government is naive, and the amount of time people have had to wait for responses pretty much shows this.

Now look, you've turned the tory supporters against you, whatever next?!