No I don't mind if you vote tory (Sponge might have something to say about it tho ).
I agree it is such a shame the parties' policies have almost merged but I think labour has done so much good with tax credits and the nhs compared to what it was like here in the 80s with high unemployment and people left on the scrapheap. Although I do think the Tories are a different party now than they were then, just like Labour of 97 were different to the 70s (they had to be to get elected). I'm not sure it will be exactly the same whichever party gets in because the Tories are always going to support business at the expense of workers (IMO). labour brought back in lots of good trade union legislation which Thatcher had smashed which was also a good thing (although didn't go far enough imo), that's something the Tories wouldn't do, so I think there are some big differences between the parties still.
Spider, that was a very nice thing to say , it is always nice to know you don't just think I am a twonk . I have strong views but realise there is always a POV I haven't heard/considered and always try/hope not offend anyone (not easy on MN!).
Essie, hilarious about Plaid! I heard one of them on the radio this morning and was nodding my head along to everything he was saying (something about jobs but I forget exactly what )
Rolf, hope the boobs feel better. It's scary isn't it about the mobile phones, something we never had to worry about. It's not that I think she is in a bad school or that if she was in private school she wouldn't be getting into 'situations', it's more the area she lives in, people don't work, they have no aspirations, no one goes to university. It will be a miracle if my niece gets any GCSEs. At least at private school they are getting qualifications. My sister (niece's mum) went through a big rebellion stage at 16 and thought my lower-middle class parents were snobs (eg 'all my mates get to sit in front of the telly to eat their tea, why can't I?). So at 16 she moved out onto a council estate, got no qualifications and has lived in the area ever since. She seems to like it though to be fair!
I didn't tell you about my croup drama - you may have seen it on FB. Theo had these awful struggling to breathe episodes (almost like asthma attacks) so the nurse gave me an emergency appt at the gp for 6.30pm Tues - when I turned up there were no GPs there, they had all gone home! So we had to take him to gp on call - he has croup. Just calpol/ibuprofen and he is fine, it should clear up ina few days but it does sound scary esp in the night!
That reminds me I must ring the surgery to complain!