Why are you dreading a Tory government?

[Swedes]

Social mobility under Labour has fallen to the levels experienced in the 1950s. That means if you are born poor, you remain poor and if you are born wealthy, you stay wealthy.

I heard this morning on R4 that the NHS is experiencing the worst funding crisis in its history.

I could go on but I'm sure you get my drift.
Labour have had over a decade to fulfill their promise that "things can only get better". It's time for a change.

Can you please give me a few good reasons why Labour should remain in office?

Tory = thick/ horrid or both.

What about the Labour Party? Their MPs generally get private health care, private school for their children, two homes, Blair went to the Eton of Scotland, etc. Politicians are privileged by nature. THeir motivations are I think power/prestige and also a desire to improve society in their way. I'm sure Norman Tebbit was every bit as passionate as Arthur Scargill, they just have different beliefs.

I don't think it's reasonable to judge people entirely on their backgrounds or what their predecessors did 25 years ago (if we did, Labour would not have been elected in 1997).

I think the problem for your party, SWC is that HG's observation are what many perceive to be the traits of the parliamentary Tory party.

I have many good friends who are commited Tories and all are good people. In fact one is my very loving DH! None are fascists or mean spirited. However, none of them have grown up in real poverty and I think that is what sets me apart. What shapes my views IYKWIM.

If I said 'your political party is shit because Caroline Lucas has mad riddler eyebrows' or 'your party is shit because Gordon Brown has a big fat arse of a face' you would think me insulting and unthinking wouldn't you?

I don't understand your post, Swedes. Sorry.

Ahy am I dreading a Tory government? Because I remember the last one.

What party do you vote for Hullygully?

"I really do not want Davie twat face cameron bossing us all about."

Apologies for the passive aggressive emoticon in my previous post.

Seeker - What specifically about the last Tory government. Otherwise we have this non-debate. I hate Labour because Michael Foot has terrible taste in car coats.

I don't think she was comparing his face to a twat, Swedes.

I just don't believe that the Tories care about those who cannot care for themselves.

Although I'm, like others, concerned about where revenues will be chosen to be raised with a Conservative government, oddly enough, I think the thing that worries me most is (and I know this will sound weird) the potential change in rhetoric and any consequent change in the "temperament" of public spaces.

I hated, hated, hated the 80s Conservative rhetoric and I do believe it had a profound effect on public life (though, obviously, that kind of "feeling" is hard to prove or disprove).

I sincerely hope that the Conservatives keep the verbal nastiness locked-up; it'll be interesting to see if they manage.

Ooh, you want specifics about the last tory government -
the poll tax,
the Falklands war,
"no such thing as society",
deregulating the financial markets,
selling off council houses,
shafting the miners,
anti-union legislation,
privatisation of bloody everything they could get their hands on
I could go on.

Jambutty - I agree the Community charge was badly thought out. Major rapidly replaced it with the Council Tax which was also criticised. But I notice Labour in more than a decade of power have not come up with anything fairer with which to replace it.

Council Tax is fairer and more like the old rates - you don't pay per adult. And, IIRC, they only replaced it because it was bringing them down and the Lords' opposed it.

Personally I'm dreading them because I could lose my job if they get in.

But, selfish thoughts aside, I agree with myredcardigan, the Tories don't care about those who can't care for themselves. Spot on.

Oh Hoochiemomdukes that's reminded me of a few more reasons...

The decimation of manufacturing in this country(IMHO). We don't make stuff any more because the tories stopped investing in our major industries and made it easier to make money by smoke and mirrors in the money markets.

Clause 28/section 26 - they renamed it so often we lost count, but it was the law that made it illegal to "promote" homosexuality in schools

about the only specific policy pledge Cameron has made is that people who inherit up to £1m won't have to pay tax.

Shows you exactly where his priorities lie...

Hoochie would it econfuse you even more if I said I agree with that as well?

PMSL