Reasons *not* to vote conservative today

[RosaMolesworthemburg]

What the tories say and what they really mean

'tell me, would a Tory Gov't had let the banks fail?'

Um, its a worldwide recession if no one has noticed?

rosamoles - thanks for the paper - you have made my mind up for me.

if you want the country to sink into poverty, becuase that's the way they like it, it makes you dependent and gives them the control they crave, vote Labour

if you want to have obstacles in your path to stop you succeeding, vote Labour

if you want to be taxed to the eyeballs, or as they so cheerily say "until the pips squeak", vote Labour

if you want to see your hard-earned money blown on hairbrain schemes, vote Labour

if you want to carry on paying the £200,000 salaries and the pensions of an army of jobsworths, vote Labour

if you want to live in a country full of petty rules and regulations, vote Labour

if you want your politicians to ignore your concerns, and to call you a bigot, vote Labour

if you like being fined for putting your bin out on the wrong day, vote Labour

On the other hand, if you're not keen on the above, would prefer a brighter future, believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel, then there's only one choice, vote conservative.

they wont reform the election process- I hate the system we have atm which ,eans sme votes are worth more than others- I was going to vote tory but I can not for this reason (my vote means sod all in this tory consituancy

MrsVidic, spot on, changing the voting system is vital, but I just don't believe it will happen unfortunately

"until the pips squeak"? Can't remember who said that but I seem to remember learning about it in our school History lessons - hardly a current Labour politician.

I won't vote Tory because
a. they believe that lower taxes for those who are successful and prosperous is more important than spending to protect the welfare of those who start off disadvantaged in life.
b. their candidates ranked climate change 19th out of a list of 19 important issues. Try explaining that to our children in 30 years time when it's too late to un-screw up our planet.

I won't vote Tory because they want to penalise single parents.

I won't vote Tory because they want to give tax breaks to the rich.

I won't vote Tory because they introduded Section 28 and David Cameron backs the Tory candidate in Stroud who thinks that gay people can be ' cured'.

I won't vote Tory because they opposed the minimum wage.

ChocolateMoose, taxing the struggling middle-classes "until the pips squeak" has been Labour's policy since time immemorial. The current crop of Labour politicians are too slick to say it in public, it's when they get into their chauffeur driven cars that they let it all out and gleefully talk about taxing the bigots until the pips squeak. Some of the jumped-up apparatchiks have been overheard screaming "let them eat cake" as they speed past the bigots on their way back to their all-expenses paid flipped homes.

I won't get into climate change here, as it is a huge subject, and can become very emotive when people find out they have been deceived. But try explaining to our children in 30 years' time, why they are living in poverty, unable to afford to drive or fly, scratching a living from the land, as industry has been decimated and progress set back centuries, whilst the Labour bigwigs swish by in their gas-guzzling limos and jet off to international conferences to impoverish people even further. How will we answer our children when they say why didn't you stand up, why have you bequeathed us only misery? Will our only answer be, we're sorry, we were stupid, we believed the liars, just as we believed Blair's 45 minutes dossier.

ArcticRoll, you are right, they were wrong about the minimum wage. But they have now changed and changed on Section 28. You are right they will give tax breaks to the rich, but I'm not sure they will penalise single parents. They are not perfect, but they are better than the alternative.

UM, yes peppa. it is a global recession and the banks played a huge part in that. ergo the Tories like Labour owuld not let them fail. the wealthy (banks, corporations, big businesess) are the biggest props of the Tories.

they would not let them fail hence we would be int he same shit we are in now, despite who was in charge.

except, they would have never invested in the people like labour has done in the last 12 or so yrs so the poor would be in deeper shit.

like someone already said they won't reform the electoral process.

I voted for the party that is the only one willing to talk about reform. 2 weeks ago.

the crux of the problem in the electoral process.

If you want a double dip recession vote Tory (they plan to cut early and cut hard...it's the early bit that will screw us particularly badly).

Molesworth - thank you for posting that letter.

Those economists are right. I just don't get why that hasn't been out there in the mainstream when people have talked about Labour's record on child poverty.

They have done well. We need more.

And and and cutting back too much, too quickly is the way to end up in depression, not recession.

Folks - there have been ridiculous posts on here, channelling "economists" saying this, and that, well, here are some real, proper, serious economists. If that sort of thing sways you.

I am still a floating voter (believe it or not although I'd better hurry up and decide!)

But I won't be voting Tory because

1. Murdoch - especially James - implications for BBC
2. Inheritance tax breaks to millionaires
3. marriage tax allowance / transfer
4. Thatcher - dh's family was personally affected by her
5. Their schools policy - allowing VI parents to set up schools

other reasons too but they are my main ones.

Inheritance tax cuts for the rich are indefensible under these economic circumstances. Those of you on this thread who are voting tory: explain to me how this policy can be justified?

Right there is the single policy that tells us what the tories are about.

"...whilst the Labour bigwigs swish by in their gas-guzzling limos and jet off to international conferences..." and whilst the Tories buy duck houses.

Molly I'm undecided too.

Been Labour all my life but am very worried about the economy. I just don't believe that borrowing more money is a safe way to proceed.

And yes, bailing out the banks increased the national debt hugely ( I pray to God we get that back), but it does not account for all of it.

Labour don't seem to be worried at all. They are still proposing more spending. That must mean more borrowing. How will we pay it back? When will we pay it back?

I don't want to vote tory...seriously don't think I can, but why won't anyone in Labour explian cogently why borrowing and the possiblity of down grading our credit rating, is not a problem?

I won't vote Tory because they do not believe in helping the poorest and most vulnerable in society.

I won't vote Tory because their plans for the Big Society will benefit the sharp-elbowed middle classes much more than those in most need.

I won't vote Tory because of their tax plans and their offensive rhetoric about those who have "worked hard all their lives" being able to pass their earnings on to their children. Worked hard all their lives, eh? And what about all those nurses, teachers, bin men, supermarket checkout people who have also worked hard all their lives but haven't made a million?

And - finally - I won't vote Tory because I grew up in Bradford in the 1980s and I saw Thatcherism in action. The rub is, I take no pleasure in voting Labour either, since this government has wasted so many opportunities to change society for the better.

Litchick, I could have written your post. Labour don't seem to care much about the deficit do they. My brother in law is an economist and he reckons that it is better that we rein in spending now and we all take whatever pain that entails because the UK will recover quicker and then life will improve

The alternative of defaulting on the debt and losing our credit rating is worse and will result in poor long term prospects for the UK. I am really worried about whether my children will be able to get jobs and enjoy the quality of life as adults that we do now if Labour get back in. Also, my family have a successful business that would be welcomed by other countries if we decided to emigrate, but I recognise that not everyone has the option open to them if things go pear shaped for the UK. Feel quite depressed typing this actually

I normally vote green, but for this election I'm voting tory because I think they have the best track record for managing the economy well and that's the single most important thing that needs to be sorted out over the next few years.

Anyway, off to go and cast my vote now...

flockwallpaper, I've been down the polling station. Unlike all previous years there was a queue of us lined up to vote. I said "blimey, a queue, we must all be desperate to vote the rascals out", and everyone agreed with me. Be prepared to stand in line, the citizens are out in mumbers, taking the only chance they have to send Labour packing. Our voting system is a farce, our democracy is not perfect, but you could see how pleased the people are that at least we have some small say in things. Make your voice heard, "vote the rascals out".

Some fair points re: concern about the economy here. And look, I'm not telling anyone to vote labour, just giving reasons not to vote tory.

Imogen, take a look at that letter posted near the beginning of the thread re: the reduction in child poverty during labour's tenure.

The rich/poor gap will grow massively under the tories. That frightens me.

Claig, will the tories reform the electoral system if they win today?