2015 post UK election discussion

[Tree13]

I think that people who want to work should be able to find a job that can provide for a family without the need for handouts. I also think that child care should be subsidised so that working couples don't get punished for going back to work.

I agree with you completely. But back to the scenario in question please. Which of the five options would you advocate (with the fifth being the "some other idea not listed here" option) as the wisest move?

 

[Moomin]

I just hope to see Sharia Law take effect in the UK soon, we can make Britain great again.

 

[marty mcfly]

I think that people who want to work should be able to find a job that can provide for a family without the need for handouts. I also think that child care should be subsidised so that working couples don't get punished for going back to work.

It's good to see you've made up your mind then

Seriously - I think I know what you are trying to say and yea I agree.

 

[bring the ghost on]

Yes, she wasn't expelled.

If you can't see the difference between a single instance of sexism in the Lib Dems and countless instances of racism in UKIP, and why people think it's more likely that large portions of UKIP harbour racist views than Lib Dems harbouring sexist views, then you really need to stop being so biased and open your eyes.

If you agree with UKIP policies, why can't you at least turn around and say yes, the party has attracted a lot of racist nutters, but you find it regrettable?

 

[Seanjd]

We run one car between us - cheaper than the two we used to own and run. We ski every year. "Luxuries" means different things to different people though so sacrificing things you are happy to do without isn't really a sacrifice, is it? There's a thread elsewhere on the forum with people discussing their favourite aftershaves, and some people are talking about stuff that comes in at £100+ a bottle - I wouldn't spend money on that, for instance. Some people smoke, and I don't. There are too many examples to list. And what we are doing is investing in our child's future - if that's a sacrifice, then it's a bloody good one in my book.

We live within our means, run a car, go skiing most years, buy a house and save up towards private education. It's not "proving a point", it's making a choice and budgeting accordingly. The only advantage we have that others might not have is that Mrs Tree gets a discount on the school fees due to her working at the school. Even so, pre-prep fees are lower than prep or senior fees and within reach for any couple on £50k a year gross IF they wait a few years before having the first child.

The sacrifice we are making, if any, is that we have chosen to wait a couple of years before having our first child. As I said before, she only left uni five years ago and is 26 years old, so even this waiting does not feel like a sacrifice. If she had started having children the moment she graduated then she would have been satistically less likely to have even gone into employment.

Out of interest, and apologies if this has been answered previously, did either you or your wife go to private school? I am wondering if your decision on private schooling has been affected by your own schooling experiences at all. For example, I've known people to send their children to private school because they believe they received a poor education in state schools.

 

[marty mcfly]

If you can't see the difference between a single instance of sexism in the Lib Dems and countless instances of racism in UKIP, and why people think it's more likely that large portions of UKIP harbour racist views than Lib Dems harbouring sexist views, then you really need to stop being so biased and open your eyes.

If you agree with UKIP policies, why can't you at least turn around and say yes, the party has attracted a lot of racist nutters, but you find it regrettable?

Except if you apply that logic then how would judge the conservative or labour parties as a whole?

I'm sure there's some very bad people who also happen to be Labour supporters.

 

[Seanjd]

Except if you apply that logic then how would judge the conservative or labour parties as a whole?

I'm sure there's some very bad people who also happen to be Labour supporters.

I can't find the link, but I read some conclusive research which found that not one Labour supporter is a bad person.

 

[Jacob]

There was a good panel on The Daily Politics today..... two journalists and Labour MP David Lammy. Andrew Neil, Jo Coburn and the right leaning journo referred to Lammy's book regarding the future of the Labour Party saying how good it was. Lammy said hes not interested in being linked to the job. Ironically, considering their stance, they also said that the Tories did the right thing when they lost the election by keeping Michael Howard in situ to take the flak from the defeat and also by taking their time to let the leadership potentials prove their worth.....and thats why Cameron, virtually an unknown, emerged to apply a younger different type of leadership. The likes of Andy Burnham (who I rate) Harriet Harman, Yvette Cooper were dismissed as being too tainted with Miliband's regime.

 

[SNova]

If you can't see the difference between a single instance of sexism in the Lib Dems and countless instances of racism in UKIP, and why people think it's more likely that large portions of UKIP harbour racist views than Lib Dems harbouring sexist views, then you really need to stop being so biased and open your eyes.

If you agree with UKIP policies, why can't you at least turn around and say yes, the party has attracted a lot of racist nutters, but you find it regrettable?

I do find it regrettable, that those idiots sneaked into the party. Horrible individuals. However, many parties have these individuals, but they don't even make the news. Labour and conservatives have had people charged with racial abuse, but they won't be questioned over it on TV.

How do you think the media would have reacted if it were a UKIP man that made the hashtag killallwomen?

 

[bring the ghost on]

Except if you apply that logic then how would judge the conservative or labour parties as a whole?

I'm sure there's some very bad people who also happen to be Labour supporters.

They are parties with hundreds of MPs and counsellors and hundreds of thousands of members. Like anything on such vast scale, you will get bad eggs.

UKIP, even with their considerably smaller representation, have difficulty with racist members and candidates.

The reason is of course obvious - Farage admitted in his interview with Evan Davies that the party gas used provocative racial anti-immigrant language to gain popularity.

 

[Tree13]

Out of interest, and apologies if this has been answered previously, did either you or your wife go to private school? I am wondering if your decision on private schooling has been affected by your own schooling experiences at all. For example, I've known people to send their children to private school because they believe they received a poor education in state schools.

Mrs. Tree did. I didn't.

As a teacher, Mrs. Tree has experience working in both sectors.

Research indicates that, unsurprisingly, there are "good" and "bad" schools in both sectors - as far as you can rely on OFSTED or ISI (independent school equivalent of OFSTED) assessments.

 

[marty mcfly]

They are parties with hundreds of MPs and counsellors and hundreds of thousands of members. Like anything on such vast scale, you will get bad eggs.

UKIP, even with their considerably smaller representation, have difficulty with racist members and candidates.

The reason is of course obvious - Farage admitted in his interview with Evan Davies that the party gas used provocative racial anti-immigrant language to gain popularity.

Well I sort of agree. I don't think for a second they are like the Nazis (who where socialists for a start) but they're definitely copying their playbook to get elected and that's dangerous.

Farage is a bit of a media darling tit but the danger would be the person who comes after him. That said I think Carswell is a pretty decent guy and wants to move the party away from immigration and all that kind of rubbish.

 

[The Esk]

Ironically, considering their stance, they also said that the Tories did the right thing when they lost the election by keeping Michael Howard in situ to take the flak from the defeat

I agree totally with this, Miliband should have continued as Leader to allow the party some time and space. It would also mean that Labour could draw the post-election Conservative fire without exposing a new leader to collateral damage.

 

[tsubaki]

Are there any realistic prospective leadership candidates amongst female Labour MPs who aren't tainted by any links to the last Labour administration?

There arent any, which is somewhat mad given how much they go on about equality.

 

[Seanjd]

Mrs. Tree did. I didn't.

As a teacher, Mrs. Tree has experience working in both sectors.

Research indicates that, unsurprisingly, there are "good" and "bad" schools in both sectors - as far as you can rely on OFSTED or ISI (independent school equivalent of OFSTED) assessments.

Oh okay, your wife has worked in both settings. Yes, there are good and bad private and state schools. Am I right in assuming that she has come to the conclusion after working in both settings that private education would be best for your child(ren) in the future?