... to wonder if I'm the only Conservative voter on mumsnet? Is there anyone else out there or should I just go and hide my head in shame?

[freudianslips]

The title says it all. I'm not a toff. I'm just a normal mum and PhD student. I don't earn much and no-one in my family went to univeristy, let alone Eton. I'm getting the impression I'm in a tiny minority, possibly N=1. I haven't dared post on any of the political threads because I lack time and courage to be a lone voice of dissent. Anyone else out there or should I just accept that I sniff don't belong?

Of course you're not the only right-winger on MN - there are loads here, as far as I can see! You shouldn't be penalised for having political views - at least you have some, which is more than I can say for most of my RL friends.

As for me - let's say we kept back a bottle of champagne from our wedding against the day I hear Thatcher has passed on to her reward! I know that's not a very nice sentiment, and god knows, she's got dementia and probably doesn't remember what a corrosive, brutalising influence she was on British society throughout the 80's, but there we are.

So yes, I suppose that makes me a champagne socialist!

artlesschaos I wasn't mocking you, I just thought you had a valid point, you're not skirting the issue. Someone in power needs to be straight talking (doesn't matter what political party it is) and Gordon Brown AIN'T the man to be pulling the strings. For a start, he's so dour. Can he not smile a bit more, it may make him a bit more interesting to listen to.

We were taught to be afraid of two things as children:

The child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Margaret Thatcher.

I am a Tory - but have voted LibDem and Plaid in the past (protest votes).

My uncle stood the last two elections as a Tory candidate!

Oh and I'm far from posh, I'm as poor as a church mouse, I went to grammar school and "free" boarding schools and I'm in love with an East-End Glaswegian!

Ski - I'll put you down for thick then.

rofl - and you're a thick champagne socialist? OK then!

Wrt "school milk" I thanked Maggie every day for that. The bastard schools never chilled the milk so it was luke warm by mid-morning. boak. I used to try and hide my undrinkable milk with my hands but was always forced to drink it - even though I'd be in tears.

I could never bring myself to vote Tory. I have no faith in the Tories whatsoever.

A few reasons why:

I find Cameron unconvincing, smarmy and totally without principle.

I find most Tory politicians unconvincing, smarmy and totally without principle (OK, most politicans, but the Tories are the worst).

I think the vast majority of Tory policies look like reactive rush jobs hastily put together in some spin office somewhere and lacking any real substance.

I remember Thatcher.
I remember all of those horrid old fascsists (Tebbit et al )
I remember seeing Portillo lose his seat (yay!)
And did I say...I remember Thatcher?

I am also diametrically opposed to every single one of the core principles of Conservatism.

So.... I do think you're wrong/mad.

Yeeees...of course.

that's exactly why I vote SNP every year

Hullygully

So, I am thick and greedy.

You are ill informed.

we all have opinions, I prefer to be a little less abusive, but there we go.

I think Michael Portillo losing his seat was the best thing that ever happened to him, has actually made him a better person. Same happened to Ian Duncan Smith. It forced them to look beyond the traditional Tory stance.

"the 40% [income tax rate] doesn't kick in till 40K"

"Actually, it kicks in at over £37,400"

In fact, the first £6,475 you earn is tax-free (your personal allowance).

You pay 40% on £37,400+ of 'taxable income'. That means £37,400 ON TOP OF the £6,475 personal allowance. Which is £43,875.

Also those who disliked their school milk because it was too hot, too cold, too warm whatever, it was a necessity for some children.

ooh am so voting the C word, so you needn't worry - am fed up of working to support myself and my DC, then recieving nothing in return but grief from little twerps (love the word) who expect everything given to them on a plate and then moan that they don't get enough.

BTW I don't earn a great deal (under £10,000 pa) so feel very mistrusting of current gov who expect me to survive without handouts!

If I work and support myself so should someone with all the grumbly complaints that frankly should just be told to go out and try I refer to recent Channel 4 doc and the idiots there.

Pre Children I worked at the Daily Mail and have to say don't think it is a reflection on most fair tory voters - think more about riling up the whole country about a sad load of bollocks (left voluntarily BTW not fired!)Useless paper that doesn't reflect us non wanting to vote labour or lib dem tory voters. BTW think DM only puts headlines and stories that would make a good MN thread!

I think getting voted out wiped the sneer from Michael Portillo's face, I agree he was much more likable afterwards.

Oh and would like to point out the game of Shag, Marry and push off a cliff - don't know who the Lib Dem leader is but would have to shag him, Marry Cameron (looks like a good shag) and push merry gordon twat face brown off a cliff - what are your choices?

Oh god, I might be going to vote Tory but I don't think I could bring myself to shag one of them.

Would marry Mathew Parrish only he isn't an MP and is gay. Agree about Gordon Brown off the cliff, though Ed Balls comes a close second.

Anyone else noticed that Cameron and Osbourne sound so much less posh nowadays?

ParriS

HumphreyCobbler Oh yes! Love the fact that Samantha in £29 shoes but £500 suit - lets just say a good investment shall we?
Lets just say you have to shag one from one party, marry from anothe and push from the third. I know there are lots of other independents and frankly would shag and marry the departed Goldsmith just for the twinkle in his eye - and I have no idea what he stood for so don't start having a go but lets just say its time for a change and the little parties are never going to get there! (by that i mean the lib dems too - sorry!)

'scuse a newbie butting joining in but I'm a bit shocked at the number of responses that say 'my salary is going to be taxed X so I'm going to vote Y', surely a choice about who's going to govern a whole country can't come down just to such personal circumstances?

hoolahoop - yes it can, when your personal circumstances are just as crap as the freeloaders!

I agree Doodleydoo. Labour seems to only help those people who have no wish to help themselves..freeloaders.