Who will you vote for?

[WideWebWitch]

I can't stand Bliar, really don't know what to vote, anyone else finding this hard?

Agree about Brown, there was sometihng in The Observer yesterday about Labour being concerned that Blair would cost them the election, particularly because women don't like him but that Brown would get them more votes. Bliar was a deliberate misspelling MTMML!

looks like one vote for Mikey then

Lib Dem. I could never vote Tory, because I vehemnetly disagree with so many of tehir principles. But I can't bring myself to vote for Tony any more - I think he has gone completely power crazy. So Lib Dem in the hope that Labour still get in, but without an overall majority so that they have to go with some Liberal policies to keep them onside.

Sobernow - tha tax raising policies are about the only Liberal policy I don't like. NOt because don't want dh to pay more tax, but because I just don't think they know what tehy are talking about - a 50% higher rate would probably be revenue decreasing because so many people would try to get out of paying it (by legitimate means), and it would damage the economic strength of the country. My dh for example has already said that if it comes in he would work for only 6 months of the year - enough to earn up to the limit - and then take 6 months off to play with his kids, rather than pay 60% (when you factor in NI) of any extra earnings to the government.

Aren't we meant to not say...I mean...isn't it... secret?

It doesn't have to be a secret, fastasleep. The great thing about it is that you can talk about who you support if you want to, but you can keep it a secret if you want to. No-one can force you to reveal your vote.

I'm with WWW. The idea of not voting Labour leaves me cold. The idea of voting Labour leaves me cold.

Definite vote for Labour.

I think Labour's done some fantastic things for the family - and this morning has announced that by the end of the next government we will get 12 MONTHS MATERNITY PAY! HURRAH! We have made MASSIVE leaps forward with our family provision - paternity leave anyone?

Labour has put more money into the NHS than ever before - yes it's not always had brilliant results but it's a learning curve and some things HAVE changed - waiting times are now incredible low. The Tories are quite clear that they would decimate the NHS.

Family tax credits are a bloody MARVEL for loads of families. And the minimum wage is also fantastic - the Tories will STOP the increases in the minimum wage by the way and tie it in with inflation (so it'll go up by about 2p a year then).

The thought of a Bush government in the US and a Howard government in the UK is frankly horrific.

Hey, can we have maternity pay for self-employed freelancers, per-lease?

I bet the Iranians are worried about that scenario too MP
I'm in a dilemma because the LibDem presence round where I live is pants and our Labour MP is an old-fashioned "proper" Labour man who opposed war in Iraq etc. He also always replies to my e-mails about world debt etc
By temperament and on previous form I am a LibDem because I too believe income tax needs to go up and their environmental policies are good. If they bother to field a candidate for me I'll vote for them again. If not, Labour, but for Clive, not Tony!

100 Labour Achievements in Europe

and Fifty Labour achievements since election in 1997

Read it and vote ladies!

MI: You ARE entitled to maternity pay - you just have to prove that you earned over a certain amount in any six-week period in the year before you claim (and you get to CHOOSE which six-week period this is).

MI: It's Maternity Allowance (which is the same amount). Assuming you're keeping your NI Contributions up to date you should be quids in.

MP, I've had that. It's 100 a week, just about.

Honestly, I've been through this twice, with the help of clever accountants too. A couple of measly grand both times. I funded both my maternity leaves - a measly four months, btw - out of my own savings.

Sorry, off-topic, will probably vote Labour, but still don't like Blair.

I'm sure Blair won't be in the top job for much longer

That's the one, £102 a week I think. (Same as SMP after the first 6 weeks, which is 90% on full pay.) Not bad though eh? Actually more than I earn most of the time... must have more babies.

Voted Labour last 2 elections - Lib Dem this time round.

Will NEVER vote Tory and Labour is just introducing all these wonderufl new things now as they're sh*t scared they're going to lose.

MI: Your standards are too high!

True, wftc and minimum wage are good. War in Iraq was bad. Trying to fudge committments on global warming is bad. Tony being despotic is bad. Gordon is better.

£100 a week is poxy!

Tricky isn't it? Still terrified of there ever being another Tory government, theoretically like Lib Dem but, hmm, just don't know, not sure about them being in power. Live in a staunchly Labour constituency so it's probably academic. Some Labour policies have been fantastic though - minimum wage, interest rates being controlled by B of E, WFTC transformed my life from just a previous existence. Love Brown, think he's the real family friendly socialist in the govt and think he could be next leader and that TB will resign in next term to make that a reality. But whether Brown would be so effective when centre stage I worry about. Would actually like Robin Cook as leader - no chance though.

So, can't waste vote on Green in Gen Election but cannot give any chance of a Tory win.

Don't understand any woman who doesn't vote though, makes me a bit and tbh.

Lib Dem

I'm all in favour of taxing very rich people!!

(As long as they dont all move away again...)

What does everyone think about the local income tax idea?

I agree council tax is not a perfect system but I would be very peed off if we got local income tax. If I have to pay more money than some toff who lives in a mansion but has a clever accountant and manages to keep most of his income offshore then I would be EXTREMELY pissed off.

Very good point fox.

Kind of agree with you foxinsocks.

I have some retired friends who complain all the time about council tax but then go to nice golf clubs, hmmm!