The Tories are gonna get in, it's inevitable do you care? Is there an upside?

[TheDullWitch]

Oh why not have the election NOW. Let the buggers get in, show their true colours, become universally loathed, then get kicked out after one term. Come on, let's get on with it!

Sorry Bobbing Benefit fraudsters Yes I accept that

Britain has got awful over the last few years, but I am sceptical that the Tories could turn back the tide.

Isn't anyone else appalled that they have made alliances with far right wing groups in teh european parliament?

One of the biggest issues facing us at the moment, imo, is the rise in lack of tolerance, which is being pushed by Labour under the guise of promoting equality. Can the Conservatives reverse this, and do they want to?

good post edam

erm harry i think that maybe you should go back and read some of users posts... then you really will be seething.

harryharpie - my post was a sarcastic response to usersrlosers post about paying his/her taxes to support people on benefits. It might have been rude and a little out of order but I'm pig sick of people thinking they own other people because they are on benefits. Especially when the person is not even paying much tax.

thanks, policy. I fear for the NHS when if the Tories get in. But Labour is far from perfect - far too much money wasted creating artificial 'markets' in healthcare.

Yes, I know. On welfare and health it just seems to be a case of Bad vs Worse. I've been doing some digging around on mental health policy and some of the stuff I'm finding out about a) what Labour has been doing and b) what Tories will do is just - and very little difference between the two.

BUT THERE'S MORE CHOICE THAN JUST LABOUR OR CONSERVATIVE!!!!

What is with this strategic voting? It's mad! What is wrong with voting for someone you want?

Make a 'none of the above' option and let's all only vote for people and policies that we actually want!

Heh. Sorry Curiosity. I'm hoping for a hung parliament myself - wouldn't mind seeing the LibDems hold the balance of power at all. And Ladbrookes recently installed the Greens as the favourites to win Brighton Pavilion at the GE.

Strategic voting is bonkers; the one sure way to ensure the majority don't get what they want.

I think no party should be allowed to be in power for more than two terms. How that could be worked in practise beats me, though.

I'd like a hung parliament as well

But I get the value of strategic voting: where we are Lib Dems freely admit they can't get a seat so put up candidates fopr the whow (I was asked to be one, as was dad back home-scared himself silly by almost getting in PMSL). Anyway, here it is Tory or labour; if dropping my normal A N Other vote meansds Tories get less of the balance of power I might see why I would consider that, it's be a close call.

As it happens I'd be truly if the Tories get in here, though I do wonder what will happen at the Assembly, as that seems to have at least as big an impact on our day to day.

Oh, I know. God forbid that they would consider increasing income tax, or even reverse their £2 billion inheritance tax break for estates up to £1m. Much better to increase a tax that hits the poorest the hardest.

Why is strategic voting bonkers? Frustrating, yes, but why bonkers?

Well, when the VAT rate was cut to 15%, the tories were saying this was tinkering around at the ages and won't make much difference to most people. But when there was a rumour that VAT was to be raised to 18% after the 15% period, the headlines (DM, naturally) were all about Labour's Tax Bombshell. So, a 2.5% drop is "insignificant" but a 0.5% rise from 17.5% is a "Bombshell" I wish they'd make up their minds.

edam, thanks for that. I am very interested (although currently somewhat ignorant) in how the NHS was, is and will be funded as I do want to retrain as a midwife (maybe?). However, my point is just that sweeping statements about babies dying may not be helpful. I'm sure you also know how much money and resources have been wasted in the new NHS IT system - from what I've heard, a terrible, expensive joke. All I know is that I don't trust the current government and think they are shaky on their principles. Will a David Cameron government be worse?

So, that's what it's down to - bad or (possibly) better or (possibly) worse.

I am now depressed!

Link to the Tory health policy document on this page, fact fans. Would be interested to hear your take on it, edam.

Hi, just got back from swimming, will have a look at that.

NHS IT system is indeed a very sour joke.

The IT thing (like most of these issues, when you know a bit about them) is hugely complex. DP works in one specialised area of health IT provision (for public and private healthcare providers). His area isn't one of those that has occasioned much controversy - but he has said that there are huge discrepancies between how much individual trusts pay for exactly the same programs and services. One way in which the introduction of markets has failed the NHS?

Riven, I'd be interested to see the report in the DM you're talking about. I would say though, that as far as I know the DM don't write the Conservative's economic policies, and it's more than likely to be 'one of the options under consideration'.

I actually saw something to the effect that whichever party gets in, 20% VAT is a possible option the other week. And last year, leaked documents from the pre-budget report show that rather than reducing VAT to 15%, Alistair Darling was looking at potential rates of 18 and 20%. Can't find the actual report I wrote, but found this as first link on Google.

oops - I meant 'the actual report I READ'. I'm not normally one for writing for the World Socialist Web Site

Whilst I'm on my soapbox, by the way, I just wanted to make a point about this inheritance tax thing.

As far as I'm aware, the current inheritance tax threshold is around £375,000. So if you have a house worth more than this, you currently have to pay 40% on any value over this amount.

Surely, then, if the Conservatives raise the threshold to £1m, this is going to benefit more than 'the top 2%' of people? I know house prices vary massively depending on whereabouts in the country you live, but it's got to be more than 2%?

I think it's just a way of spinning it really, and the Conservatives haven't convinced people yet. Say 'we're going to have a tax break for anyone who isn't a millionaire, and pay for it by taxing people who currently don't pay the taxes they should', it sounds a lot better!

If you have a house worth more than £375,000 you don't have to pay a penny in inheritance tax. However, if you drop dead, your heirs may. Given they are getting a huge gift that they have in no way earned, a little light taxation seems fair enough to me.