lefties 7:compare the tory.com

[HerHonesty]

sorry couldnt think of anything else. gideon in charge of the economy..

It's hard to argue against an elected Lords without sounding anti-democratic. However it is not without it's downsides. First it will be full of third rate career politicians. The most talented politicians will stand for the Commons, if they fail they'll consider Europe, if they fail they'll consider the Lords. We will loose the large proportion of independen. Non political peers as they'll never get elected. The Lords will loose it's distinguishing strengths and become a poor shadow of the Commons.

Second it will cost more. Peers aren't paid now.

Third, BeenBeta is wrong that it's just a revising chamber at the mo. Bills start off in both Houses and the Lords powers are considerable. Those powers will need reviewing to stop a power struggle btw two elected chambers. If the powers are reduced (as they will be) there will be no effective check on the Commons which will be bad when a gov has an overwhelming Commons majority.

Avocadoes - are you my dh?

We were discussing this on Saturday - and you are he ... !

May also minister for women/equality

Well, that's OK, then.

@ "Rainfall levels have been lower on average under Labour than Tory governments"

I'll have a look at that thread then Nympha

please can someone explain trident to me?

Like a beginers guide to conservative policy and labour policy?

Someone at No10 taking delivery of a new Jag. Very symbolic.

Gove apparently to be Schools secretary

That's interesting Avo, was trying to think that through last night.

Don't get me wrong, I am glad they have at least one woman in the cabinet (so far!) but her voting record is not great.

She is for a reduction in abortion limit, need for father and mother in IVF.

Was also against the lowering of the age of consent for gay sex.

Let's hope she was just whipped on those votes!

Trident-nuclear sub-seen as waste of money by some, good defence by others. I would be in camp A but I live in an area that builds them and would be wiped out if they shut.

Oh Dear to May. (Don't think she can have been whipped on the abortion vote Ewe, aren't they usually free?) And tacking on the WOmen/Equality portfolio is just piss-taking - what is it, a paper round?

Yes still think elected 2nd chamber is the only decent democratic thing to do tbh. Maybe the public will recognise it as a chance to elect non-party animals - there are so many public figures I'm sure the public would love to get in there. Will it still be via constituency?

Don't like the idea of reducing numbers of MPs. From what I know of MPs they're hideously over-worked and could do with fewer constituents, not more. Another thing in favour of STV IMO.

Oh yeah, I think you're right pol, depressing.

Afua Hirsch saying 'Human rights act probably safe now as Ken Clarke described Tory plans to scrap it as 'xenophobic and legal nonsense' back in 2006'. Thank heavens for Clarke.

Yvette Cooper has ruled herself out - guess that means Balls is going for it

Huhne says AV referendum vote in the HoC won't be free - will Cam whip the Tories through to support it?

I'm not sure about Cooper's decision being based on domestic politics (ba-boom) - wonder if she thinks she could be a serious future contender, but doesn't want to shoot her bolt? Or am I being wildly optimistic?

PW sorry, I realised after I posted that you didn't necessarily mean that she's stepped aside specifically so Balls can run, of course.

Don't think you're being wildly optimistic at all onebat, she just said as much herself on BBC News. She said it wasn't the right time in her life for it at the moment, which I think is probably true but give her 5 or so years, she could be great!

am i alone in feeling pretty despairing about the prospect of david milliband as new party leader? he seems to have a lot of support (notably on bbc just now from the odious caroline flint...urgh she's awful)

just marking place again so I don't get lost.

Yeah, scrapping the HRA can't really be done as the UK is a signatory of the ECHR, and the HRA just means that the UK courts are able to use it in domestic legislation. Surely even the Tories can see the benefit of regulating one's own judiciary?

Guardian saying banks are fearful that they will be broken up and punitive levies imposed by Cable. Wa-hey!

'David Bulk, City commentator at BGC Partners...''The thought of Vince Cable as Treasury Secretary fills me with horror. This is nightmare material and I must head to the chemist for some barbiturates.'

Anything that makes a self-styled City commentator squeal like a pig sounds like it's going to be good news to me...