The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[The Cowboy]

true also.

Does anyone think the SNP should be invited on?

Not sure my TV has subtitles, so probably not a good idea.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Have the debates without Camoron, who does he think he is?, just have an empty stand where he should be on the stage to underline the fact he's running scared.

It will hurt him more not being there with regards to public opinion on him.

They were probably inspired by Clint

 

[Blue 1]

true also.

Does anyone think the SNP should be invited on?

Yes. To one debate, like with UKIP and the Greens. They may well be the third largest party in Westminster after May.

 

[The Esk]

Shall have to keep an eye out in the news over the next hour or so.

The EU released its Public Consultation Document today on TTIP. There has been a record 150,000 responses, 97% of which were against the proposals.

However the EU in its wisdom have said they will continue the negotiations with the US and engage in additional consultations for TTIP.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

The EU released its Public Consultation Document today on TTIP. There has been a record 150,000 responses, 97% of which were against the proposals.

However the EU in its wisdom have said they will continue the negotiations with the US and engage in additional consultations for TTIP.

I'm sure. We've seen in this very thread that logic can get over-run by hysteria. Looking at the EU notes on negotiations though, there appear to be nothing in them that remotely suggests that the doomsday scenarios people are panicking about will come to pass. Indeed, most of the concerns have text explicitly addressing each concern and stating that they won't come to pass.

It seems a confusing mixture of people who quite often want to see much more power and responsibility given to a group of people, failing to trust those same people to do the right thing.

 

[Milk]

Yes. To one debate, like with UKIP and the Greens. They may well be the third largest party in Westminster after May.

In that case, got to have Plaid Cymru ......... and of course the Official Monster Raving Looney Party (to bring sense & perspective to the debate). One glorious day, OMRLP will hold the balance of power. You read it here first

 

[Clint Planet]

To be expected really. I dare say most of us could have guessed at those results even without Ashcroft's survey. I mean was it any different before the last election?

I believe it was, yes.

 

[peteblue]

We should not let him dictate anything, go ahead without to show what a coward he is, his insistence on having the Green's involved is not fooling anyone, he should be more concerned with going head to head with Milliband and Farage and getting the better of them, that's what a proper leader of the current government would do.

Why should he go 'head to head' with Farage who is not even an elected MP. Cameron has nothing to lose by not debating with Farage, Milliband and the other fella........

 

[toffee matt]

We should not let him dictate anything, go ahead without to show what a coward he is, his insistence on having the Green's involved is not fooling anyone, he should be more concerned with going head to head with Milliband and Farage and getting the better of them, that's what a proper leader of the current government would do.

Green party has more members than ukip is currently out polling the Lib Dems regularly and has an elected MP.

I agree that Cameron's intentions are obvious but if UKIP are in this debate the greens should be involved too.

 

[roydo]

Why should he go 'head to head' with Farage who is not even an elected MP

Bloody good point that. Never even occurred to me. Is the leader of The Greens an MP still?

 

[hullefc]

http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/january/tradoc_153000.3 Public Procurement.pdf

"Sensitive or controversial issues
We're not currently aware of any issues which
are especially sensitive or where people have
raised specific concerns.
We want to open up public tendering markets
on the basis of rules on transparency and nondiscrimination
similar to those that apply under
EU law.

TTIP will not affect public authorities’
• ability to choose to outsource a public
service or produce it in-house".

Factsheet on Public Procurement

In this chapter, we want to enable EU
firms to:
• bid for a larger share of the
products and services which US
public authorities buy
• compete with US firms on the
same grounds".


'Corporate wolves will exploit TTIP'

"Anti-TTIP campaigners claim one million people have signed a petition against the deal, mainly because of worries that it could open the door to US health companies running parts of the NHS. This has been firmly denied by the UK government and the European commission, who have said public services are explicitly excluded".

The Tories and the European Commission are lying through their back teeth as is shown in their own documents.

"The government claims TTIP could benefit families by £400 a year through cheaper prices".

I'm still waiting for the thousands of pounds I was supposed to benefit from North Sea oil. Ah but this 'benefit' 'will happen'. There goes them pigs, yet again, flying in the clouds.

If the the Tories and Institute of Directors are for it, that is sufficient to send the alarm bells ringing that the rest of us will get shafted big time.

 

[Blue 1]

Bloody good point that. Never even occurred to me. Is the leader of The Greens an MP still?

No. Caroline Lucas used to be the leader of the Green Party but is still an MP.

Natalie Bennett, the current leader of the Greens, isn't.

 

[roydo]

No. Caroline Lucas used to be the leader of the Green Party but is still an MP.

Natalie Bennett, the current leader of the Greens, isn't.

Ahh, ta, but both have more democratic "credit" to be in a TV debate with the PM than Farage. Who basically has about the same as me. It seems.

 

[peteblue]

Bloody good point that. Never even occurred to me. Is the leader of The Greens an MP still?

I've no idea tbh, and wouldn't even know her name, but this head to head malarky is now just becoming a TV stunt where the TV can pick and choose who, what and when. Get out of the TV studio, get around the bloody country and talk to people. Tell them what you stand for, answer questions and we can make our mind up. This bloody Xfactor political nonsense should be consigned to the dustbin. Just because it's good telly doesn't make it good politics......we vote for a party not a leader like the US do......

 

[roydo]

I've no idea tbh, and wouldn't even know her name, but this head to head malarky is now just becoming a TV stunt where the TV can pick and choose who, what and when. Get out of the TV studio, get around the bloody country and talk to people. Tell them what you stand for, answer questions and we can make our mind up. This bloody Xfactor political nonsense should be consigned to the dustbin. Just because it's good telly doesn't make it good politics......we vote for a party not a leader like the US do......

Oh sure. Its flaming useless really.

That said, Clegg certainly got a boost last time round. Not that it did much good long term!