Reply to: The official "I was going to vote Cons but I changed my mind" thread

[expat]

Sovereign funds have been built up by a number of countries around the world from current revenue as a very sensible hedge to the future. Most directly comparable is that by Norway, with a much smaller economy, knowing oil was a time limited bonus, directed a decent proportion into a fund to be invested for the future of the country. This is now a huge source of revenue invested across the world and will continue to be so AND no they haven't had to live in poverty back home. Our share of the pie has been.....wazzed into the huge black hole known as the public sector

You are quite right about the one-time gift being squandered, though actually most of the oil wealth was spent during Thatcher and Major governments. There are those who say that's what funded their tax cuts. Whatever, it does have the effect you describe: whatever Brown might think will get him re-elected, you can be pretty sure that putting the top tax rate back up to 83% isn't it.

It might be that the Conservatives wanted the money to fund tax cuts, and Labour to fund public services, but again you are right, they both blew it. It was Callaghan's government that got the report in the 1970 on the potential oil wealth, and immediately classified it Secret in case it encouraged any discussion on what to do with it.

[lukemg]

Maybe it's the fault of the system we have in the UK, it encourages each government to spend everything and borrow more (which will have to be paid back over decades) to pay for improvements during that government cycle to cling to power (note - I don't mean the current bank bailouts, we had no reserves before that !). Sovereign funds have been built up by a number of countries around the world from current revenue as a very sensible hedge to the future. Most directly comparable is that by Norway, with a much smaller economy, knowing oil was a time limited bonus, directed a decent proportion into a fund to be invested for the future of the country. This is now a huge source of revenue invested across the world and will continue to be so AND no they haven't had to live in poverty back home. Our share of the pie has been.....wazzed into the huge black hole known as the public sector and now its running out we have jack to show for it and ongoing bills to pay. Both parties are responsible but only one thinks the sector can stay anywhere like the size it is now !! Recruitment freeze, 10% pay cut, money purchase pensions, get a real job if you don't like it (I bet they stay...)

[AtW]

And what strings will you be attaching?

I did not think of that, but now that you mention I might ask them to ensure that parasites on the backs of workers get outlawed by a new Act of Parliament

[sasguru]

I can't possibly comment.

Before your new colleagues kick you out, make sure you get a good pay-off.

HTH

[DodgyAgent]

I might make a sizeable donation in the future also.

And what strings will you be attaching?

[AtW]

Is this the same parallel future where MJ12 rules the cyberwaves?

I can't possibly comment.

[Ravello]

I might make a sizeable donation in the future also.

Is this the same parallel future where MJ12 rules the cyberwaves?

[stingman123]

Are the Monster Raving Loony party still going?

[AtW]

I bet the lib dems will be thrilled to know that they have your vote

I might make a sizeable donation in the future also.

[DodgyAgent]

Well, he fked up royally: they did not want to attack Brown in fear that he will get replaced by anyone else, but now Cameron is paying the price.

I reckon if there were no Lib Dems, then Nue Liebor would actually win the elections, no tulip!

Hence, I'll be casting my vote for Lib Dems - if anything this should help them get more popular votes, maybe the system will get changed after all because it is total bollox for a party to win massive number of seats in Parliament with less votes than other parties.

I bet the lib dems will be thrilled to know that they have your vote

[AtW]

the leader of the opposition would naturally think that it would be enough to be just that.

Well, he fked up royally: they did not want to attack Brown in fear that he will get replaced by anyone else, but now Cameron is paying the price.

I reckon if there were no Lib Dems, then Nue Liebor would actually win the elections, no tulip!

Hence, I'll be casting my vote for Lib Dems - if anything this should help them get more popular votes, maybe the system will get changed after all because it is total bollox for a party to win massive number of seats in Parliament with less votes than other parties.

[expat]

Fking Cameron - I was going to vote for him, but clearly there seems to be no difference between Nu Liebor and Cons, why does he expect to get votes?

It's not Cameron's fault. Normally after 13 years a government gets too big for its boots, stops listening to the people and starts thinking it was born to rule. If in addition the Prime Minister is not likeable and is unpopular, and the country is in recession, and in an unpopular war, the leader of the opposition would naturally think that it would be enough to be just that. No need for policies, just proclaim "I'm not him" and wait for your turn.

Unfortunatels for Cameron, this stable plan has been upset. That's why the Tory press is making arses of themselves trying to dish out any dirt they can on Clegg: because he is not part of the plan.

Frankly I'm inclined to vote LibDem on the grounds that its a vote against Rupert Murdoch.

[AtW]

Your post just shows you up as not really aware of the politics in the system. Cameron wont really give any specific details on how he will cut the deficit, wont really say how many divesity managers he will cut. Firstly if any of his specific plans get popular Labout will steal it. Second, if its unpopular he will lose those the votes of the people affected. Why lose the votes of the Diversity Managers by telling that he will cut them ?

And why would he cut costs if he is in power and wants to get reelected again? I don't think he'll be doing the right thing at all - he already pretty much ruled out VAT increase, which would have been best quickest way to deal with deficit tax-raising-wise.

I don't see much difference between Liebor and Tories - opposition should not expect to get elected by saying they will continue with policies of the previous Govt.

[fullyautomatix]

Your post just shows you up as not really aware of the politics in the system. Cameron wont really give any specific details on how he will cut the deficit, wont really say how many divesity managers he will cut. Firstly if any of his specific plans get popular Labout will steal it. Second, if its unpopular he will lose those the votes of the people affected. Why lose the votes of the Diversity Managers by telling that he will cut them ?

[TimberWolf]

I expect I will revert to Plan A and not vote for any of the sheisters.