The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[SNova]

Phrased badly.

What makes you think that immigrants are a drain on our resources?

Whilst in the EU it is pointless to even debate on mass immigration because we can't control it even if we wanted to.

 

[peteblue]

Phrased badly.

What makes you think that immigrants are a drain on our resources?

Obviously the vast majority of immigrants are aiding our economy and they should be welcomed, providing they are not taking a job that should have gone to someone in the UK. There are also legitimate asylum seekers to whom we should offer support, and there are also no doubt some immigrants who seek just to live off our taxes. While it is nice that we allow true asylum seekers support we cannot possibly allow uncontrolled numbers to arrive without it affecting the current population.......let me ask you, why do you think that the UK can afford uncontrolled immigration......

 

[peteblue]

I'm not sure we should be looking to some of those countries for inspiration on how to deal with immigrants.

Have you seen what's happening in South Africa then.......in fact which countries in the world do have an open door policy and how is that working out.........

 

[SNova]

I think our voting system is ridiculous. SNP are likely to have around 48 seats whilst their vote percentage is likely to be a mere 3.8%.

 

[The Esk]

I don't trust Labour with the economy. Every Labour government has left office with the country in deep financial crap. In 97 Labour inherited a well run economy and as usual screwed it up which helps no one............

Pete, this is a line trotted out by those that oppose the Labour Party time and time again. However it is simply untrue.

Interestingly there is very little difference to chose between the economic performance of both major parties. If you look at levels of Government debt relative to GDP (a well established measure used by economists) you will find that since the creation of the Labour Party the Conservatives have increased debt relative to GDP 4 times election to election, and reduced debt relative to GDP 8 times. Contrary to popular belief Labour's record is 3 increases and 6 reductions.

Just to squash another misconception, the New Labour Governments of 1997 and 2001, recorded lower debt to GDP figures than they inherited ( 30.58% and 33.8% against an inherited 41.93% in 1997) . The 2005-10 figure was higher (53%) but was caused by the collapse in Corporation tax receipts in 2008 and 2009.

One last misconception - Thatcherism, for all the pain it inflicted on much of the country and particularly the industrial heartlands of the Midlands and the North only managed to reduce public debt from an inherited 43.61% of GDP to 40.14% when Major took over, and this is despite record production from the North Sea and the flogging of the family jewels (privatisation).

 

[SNova]

Obviously the vast majority of immigrants are aiding our economy and they should be welcomed, providing they are not taking a job that should have gone to someone in the UK. There are also legitimate asylum seekers to whom we should offer support, and there are also no doubt some immigrants who seek just to live off our taxes. While it is nice that we allow true asylum seekers support we cannot possibly allow uncontrolled numbers to arrive without it affecting the current population.......let me ask you, why do you think that the UK can afford uncontrolled immigration......

According to some controlled immigration is racism.

 

[chewee]

Following on from Thatcherism - what about Black Wednesday (Cameron was Norman Lamont's special advisor that day)? There seems to be a mental block when people suggest the tories are good with the economy.

 

[daylightrobber]

Obviously the vast majority of immigrants are aiding our economy and they should be welcomed, providing they are not taking a job that should have gone to someone in the UK. There are also legitimate asylum seekers to whom we should offer support, and there are also no doubt some immigrants who seek just to live off our taxes. While it is nice that we allow true asylum seekers support we cannot possibly allow uncontrolled numbers to arrive without it affecting the current population.......let me ask you, why do you think that the UK can afford uncontrolled immigration......

Because I don't think we're at the numbers yet where it is detrimental to the country. Not even close. Economic immigrants will follow the money. Once there are more attractive options they will go elsewhere. As will plenty of our own.

All the main parties are treating the immigration issue in a reactionary manner, following the increase in support of UKIP. The UKIP message is a dangerous one. It is racism via subterfuge, scare tactics, lies and deceit. It is backwards thinking and has no place in our society. It is destroying community cohesion and spreading fear where there is none.

 

[daylightrobber]

According to some controlled immigration is racism.

Depends who's control you are looking at. UKIP have no issue with white, western immigrants but seem to with those from Bongo Bongo Land.

 

[peteblue]

Pete, this is a line trotted out by those that oppose the Labour Party time and time again. However it is simply untrue.

Interestingly there is very little difference to chose between the economic performance of both major parties. If you look at levels of Government debt relative to GDP (a well established measure used by economists) you will find that since the creation of the Labour Party the Conservatives have increased debt relative to GDP 4 times election to election, and reduced debt relative to GDP 8 times. Contrary to popular belief Labour's record is 3 increases and 6 reductions.

Just to squash another misconception, the New Labour Governments of 1997 and 2001, recorded lower debt to GDP figures than they inherited ( 30.58% and 33.8% against an inherited 41.93% in 1997) . The 2005-10 figure was higher (53%) but was caused by the collapse in Corporation tax receipts in 2008 and 2009.

One last misconception - Thatcherism, for all the pain it inflicted on much of the country and particularly the industrial heartlands of the Midlands and the North only managed to reduce public debt from an inherited 43.61% of GDP to 40.14% when Major took over, and this is despite record production from the North Sea and the flogging of the family jewels (privatisation).

But you have to agree that Labour in 97 inherited a much better economy than either the previous incoming Conservative government or the current coalition did from the previous Labour regimes......

 

[peteblue]

Because I don't think we're at the numbers yet where it is detrimental to the country. Not even close. Economic immigrants will follow the money. Once there are more attractive options they will go elsewhere. As will plenty of our own.

All the main parties are treating the immigration issue in a reactionary manner, following the increase in support of UKIP. The UKIP message is a dangerous one. It is racism via subterfuge, scare tactics, lies and deceit. It is backwards thinking and has no place in our society. It is destroying community cohesion and spreading fear where there is none.

Well, when do you think we will reach the numbers, and what should we do at that point ?........

 

[daylightrobber]

Have you seen what's happening in South Africa then.......in fact which countries in the world do have an open door policy and how is that working out.........

Relatively speaking, Sweden & Ireland have both done pretty well out of it.

 

[daylightrobber]

Well, when do you think we will reach the numbers, and what should we do at that point ?........

Not panic.

 

[SNova]

Depends who's control you are looking at. UKIP have no issue with white, western immigrants but seem to with those from Bongo Bongo Land.

Ukip want an Australian point style system.

 

[daylightrobber]

Ukip want an Australian point style system.

Yep, sure they do.