Genuine question for Tory voters

[Bluebeedee]

Really not asking this in a goady way- I just want to know if anyone has changed their mind over the last few days of TM refusing to do any interviews/debates. I don't think Rudd did anything positive for the Conservative party with her appearance on the debate the other night and what I have seen of TM, she seems like she might actually be having a bit of a breakdown?

Totally agree with you Effic. I don't think DH and I should pay any more tax, especially if it's just going to be pissed up the wall by Labour clowns. It's fine to vote Labour if you're poor though because it's morally superior.

thanks for your reply effic , I'm sure there is truth to what you say, and I know the left (myself included) do like to take the moral high ground and it can come across as patronising and sanctimonious for sure.
But I do think the fact that the Labour slogan is 'for the many and not the few' does mean that people do buy into that. Anecdotal I know but most Labour supporters I know are fairly high earners and are happy to pay more in taxes to prevent what's happening to people in the video I linked to.

ffaux, I believe everyone votes in their own self-interest. I benefit personally from some Conservative policies, although would actually benefit more overall from Labour policies.

Generally my principles align closest currently with the Conservative party in the UK. My local MP has also done a hell of a lot of good for his constituents, so I vote for him and what he can do for our local area.

Of course the stories in that article are awful. I always try to read a number of different sources with different political leanings and biases to get an overall feel of what is happening in the UK, as well as in my local area.

@ffauxlivia But I'd like to hear positive reasons for a Tory vote rather than just 'because Labour/Corbyn/Abbott are so awful'.

I don't have a reason apart from that I believe they are the least worst realistic option for the country, for the medium term, while we slog through Brexit. There was no viable alternative. I voted with a heavy heart.

faux I don't vote for the good of the whole country any more than the average Labour voter. However, I believe that the Tory's fiscal policy is the best on offer and without a strong economy, we all sink (and the poorest sink fastest and furthest).

Your second question is obviously goady. What I will say is that the Guardian makes a similar contribution to balanced journalism as Pravda did in Soviet times. I also believe that reform of the welfare system is needed if it is to be sustainable in the long term. I could write an equally emotive piece about the appalling treatment I received from the NHS under Labour, when money was hosed at it (and most of it went on pay rises and stupid management vanity projects). However a collection of anecdotes proves nothing.

thanks red

thanks young. I really don't mean to be goady. I appreciate your points about Guardian bias and anecdotes

Red- interesting answer. Part of the reason for my voting preference is down to local MPs too.

There are so many defensive and rude responses on this post so it's good to see something that doesn't resort to personally insulting other posters or just using the "anyone but corbyn" line.

No change of mind here either.

Effic.... You nailed it for me!

There is bias on both sides faux. The reason I assumed your question was goady is because of the MN refrain that those who vote Tory delight in the suffering of the poor. I worry a great deal about individual hardship and see a lot of it through my voluntary work. However, a strong economy is needed first and foremost and that means making tough decisions about welfare spending. I actually respect TM for making those tough decisions and was impressed by her initial stance on paying for elderly care (pre u-turn!) even though I would be at risk of losing out financially.

Exactly blue. I was hoping for the thread I tried to start to be about asking genuine questions and listening, to try and understand each other, rather than just screaming insults. There's a great Reddit one called Ask Trump Supporters where I have learned a lot. I may not agree with people but it's interesting to hear intelligent reasoned answers.

I'll admit that my heart's reaction upon watching that video is to think that the Tories are evil and people who support them must be horrible. Of course my head knows that 50% of the country are not horrible, neither are my Tory supporting family and friends. So I want to understand rather than judge. And the couple of posts above do help with that, thanks!

Admire her for not attending that ludicrous playground scrap. Amber lost her father 2 days before debate so was under par. Not changed my mind.

Took - you chose those jobs. You chose to have a child. You chose those bills. Do you think others who made different choices should subsidise you?

Many do. The fact that child benefit not the parents has to cover all the costs says a lot. Financially providing as parents seems to have escaped many sadly.

Admire her for not attending that ludicrous playground scrap. Amber lost her father 2 days before debate so was under par.

She wasn't particularly under par (although it would have been perfectly understandable if she had been) she was outgunned and outnumbered and even had she been the most charismatic, persuasive eloquent politician on that stage it wouldn't have mind the blindest bit of difference.

The whole thing was an utter farce, and anyone who bases their vote on how Corbyn or Sturgeon or anyone else 'performs' in these pathetic skewed and staged TV 'debates' and 'interviews' should take a bloody good look at themselves.

Ooh, didn't they do well - must mean they deserve my vote.

What utter bollocks.

I believe the Tories are better for everyone because without a strong economy we can hep no-one.
The truth is the mega-rich 1% come here and pay some taxes due to our lowish top rate. It has been followed all over the world, along with lower corporation taxes, because evidence shows it brings in more money. higher tax rates bring in less money.
The top 1% have been getting poorer since 2010, including paying much more tax (often due to reductions in pension tax relief)
On poverty this article shows the truth and measure.
Relative poverty is measured as less than 60% of median income, absolute poverty (in the UK) is measured as less than 60% of 2010/11 median income. On all these measures poverty is lower today than in 2010.
The Tories have increased NHS spending in real terms since 2010, as well as education spending in real terms since 2010. Even with planned spending freeze in Education, it will be higher in real terms than in 2010 by 2020.
There is record employment, much lower unemployment than in Europe.
These are the facts, not what some hysterical people put out there. Is life perfect, no, but it is getting better and will continue to do so under May.
I believe that if Corbyn wins we will need IMF support before 2022.

Why are people so convinced TM will be a great negotiator for Brexit? What has she ever done to imply that she will be anything other than a disaster? She is indecisive, tetchy and downright incompetent. Is is because of that ridiculous 'bloody difficult woman' comment? Is that all she's got?

And why are people so quick to forgive her mind-boggling hypocrisy, such as when she had the nerve to say JC should be worrying about Brexit rather than going on a debate. He was only doing that because of the crass and shameless U-turn she performed in calling the election in the first place.

I am so sick of all the Diane Abbott comments. Just what is it about BJ (partly to blame for the whole Brexit mess, treating the country like a toy to argue over), MF (seriously nasty), PH (may as well not be there), JH (has to be kept out of the way for his own safety) et al that fills you with such confidence. Just what?

I would love for some Tories to come on and give their reactions to the Thant debacle and TM's reaction to it today, and for her embarrassing reaction to Trump's actions today. Are you still proud and happy to vote Tory because, er, Diane Abbott?

I'm ordinarily Tory but I really really like Jeremy Corbin. I think he's certainly better than TM, I welcomed a woman PM with open arms but she has been a massive disappointment.

I love the way I have been labelled hysterical and ridiculous on here for quoting from the British Medical Journal and Barnardos.

You seem to think you have a monopoly on truth as a tory voter and everyone with a different view is naive and simple.

Nope. I dont think TM is a very good performing monkey on Tv but she is miles better at getting things done than Corbyn with his gangs of clowns.

If that was directed at me took you are doing a great job of making yourself look simple without my help. Your position is one of self-interest (as is mine), the difference is that I am honest enough to say it whilst you bleat and whinge about the entirely foreseeable consequences of your life choices.

she is miles better at getting things done than Corbyn

What has she got done?

caroldecker NHS spending might be going up 'in real terms' but is it going up in line with the demand for services? If you seriously want a more nuanced and informed view on public health spending (and why we are miles behind our European neighbours) why not look at the King's Fund reports.

Life is getting better under May...good grief.