Labour getting things right, Tories getting things wrong: discuss!

I think the glory years of the 1970s are a misnomer (as you presumably intended). However our economy is now dangerously reliant on the unstable financial sector and for all the problems of the manufacturing industry they were not glorified casinos betting on everyone else's future. Since all this was shut down in the Thatcherite economic miracle (not) we have had record balance of payments deficits

But i still perhaps naively believe they can return to their roots in the socialist/Union movement.

Yes, wouldn't that be marvellous!

Back to the glory years of 1970s British 'industry'.

And a for good measure.

Boris Johnson trying to argue that introducing protection for tenants in fixed rent contracts will "drive people out of the rental market" HA what planet is he on.

White = shite !

I am also interested in labours apparent move leftwards.
It is long overdue. The left was totally abandoned under New Labour, leaving a gaping space and Ed Miliband has had years to re-claim that space. He has left it too long paying more attention to the wealth-and-business lobbiests during these years.

All trust in politics has gone imo. I basically wait with baited breath to see what happens.

Interesting to see the usual Tory white about businesses and the wealthy leaving Britain in their droves. Good i say! If the wealthy all leave, their influence leaves with them. Bring the NHS (etc) back into true public ownership, scrap the PFI's (brought in by New Labour not True Labour) that are destroying the system.

New Labour screwed up big time. But i still perhaps naively believe they can return to their roots in the socialist/Union movement.

Gibbering: I don't think I have fallen for "Tory propaganda" as you assert, any more than you have fallen for left-wing propaganda, which is something I wouldn't personally have chosen to say. Please can we assume that both of us have the ability to think for ourselves?

I stand by what I believe, particularly relating to my experience of working during the 1970s and the years we spent as the "sick man" of Europe (not my phrase). A thriving Labour led economy would not have needed a $3.9 billion bale out in 1976 from the IMF to stop it going bankrupt.

I see the Eurostat figures over time (which I have actually sourced) showed a negative currency balance under the last Labour government as well. The UK has notoriously - at least ever since I first voted in 1964 (you had to be 21 to vote then) - had balance of payments difficulties though that particular stat, along with inflation, loomed much larger as an election issue in the 60s and 70s than it does today.

I am pleased to hear that Spain and Italy appear to be dragging themselves out of the mire at last. But would I swop the UK economy for theirs? Nah.

Fyi my closest match politically are the greens and they are who I intend to vote for this time.

We should all be thankful that they haven't got a hope in hell of getting into power.

Have you seen their economic policies?

They really are utterly bonkers. How on earth they expect their wealth tax to reap £20-40bn per year is anyone's guess.

The French have a much more savage wealth tax and that raises around £4bn and is set to decline as wealthy people continue to leave the country.

The greens would very quickly run out of other people's money to waste.

IDS should be in jail.

Tax thresholds raised....generally agreed to be a liberal policy.

Bedroom Tax? Sounds like Tory polics.

TOXIC benefit sanctions Soounds like Iain Duncan Smith (Was he the quiet man?)

Tis sad that cameron offered IDS another ministry at last reshuffle and IDS said "No way, Dave" Interesting if he shud have the clout to pull it off

But can he make the computer system work? A lot of big govt computer systems have failed. Anyone know why?

This childish idea of 'good' and 'bad' makes me despair .... People always read newspapers and seek out 'info' which support the views they hold.

This idea of good and bad - the fact is the shadow parties can promise and offer the world and make big statements - it never comes to anything and is just hot air.

One person doesn't make the political party - there are all factions to consider in a party and I don't think there is too much separating the big two like before.

...while millionaires get tax cut

That's a Labour red herring you've fallen for.

The 50p rate was only brought in just before the 2010 election.

Why didn't Labour bring it in sooner if it's a fair and just way of raising money to give away?

Labour had also stated in their manifesto that they would not increase income tax rates but they still did it.

One thing is for sure, OH and I will start avoiding all the taxes we possibly can if the 50p rate is reinstated. That's something we have never done before. In fact, until last year we didn't even use ISAs but I'm determined that if Labour get in they will have as little of our money to waste as possible.

Shelly, learn how to debate ideas without insults. No one knows everything.

Haha. Brilliant. You certainly seem to think you know everything regarding comparisons between your beloved Labour Party and the Conservatives.

You've started this thread with no intention of debating anything whatsoever. Pathetic.

Of course the Tories are the nasty party. Just as in 1979 in 2010 they were voted in after Labour crashed the economy and the Tories have to shovel up the detritus.

"Dear Chief Secretary, I'm afraid that there is no money. Kind regards and good luck." (Liam Byrne). Would he have left that note for Ed Balls?

I really wanted Labour to win in 2010 so they had to do their own dirty work for once. Yes, it was the bastard bankers who proved a mess too far - but some contingency left in the treasury coffers would have help a bit.

Now it looks as if we may repeat the whole cycle.

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." That Einstein bloke knew a thing or two.

Labour didn't say they would not ban 0 hour contracts Labour have said they will bring in new rights -

an employee who has worked regular hours for 3 month will be intitled to a fixed hour contract, if wanted,
Ban employers expecting employees to be avaiablle on the off chance there will be work,
Won't be made to work for only one employer
Eployees who have their shifts changed at short notice they will recieve compensation from their employer.
Exploition is what some employers are doing.We all know when a 0 hour contract works and when it doesn't. The above will help

Except perhaps, the 60% of people who actually like zero hours contracts??

Does it really matter about whether politions smile in the right places?

Policies are what will affect lives.Labour policies on the NHS,0 hour contracts,paying interns etc etc will make a good impact on ordinary peoples' lives.

Tories have proved in the last 5 years what they are about,food banks while millionaires get tax cut. Tutuion fees trebled under them. Promising 12 billion cuts-these things will really matter when election is over. Cameron's (shifty) smile won't change that

Theyre damned if they do and damned if they don't.

I personally don't support the raising of the personal allowance - I think it risks disenfranchising people. People will much more likely hold their public servants/services to account when they can see that direct taxation is coming from their pay packet to pay for them.

I'd much rather see a personal allowance and then a flat tax (for income, capial, etc.) intorduced.

I've lived in some pretty 'colourful' places over the years. I know from personal experience and observation that Labour's (perhaps well intentioned) policies have an utterly devestating effect on those they profess to want to help.

Tories have raised substantially the personal tax allowance which benefits massively the working poor.

Labour screwed over the working poor in every way imaginable.