The 2015 Popularity Contest (aka UK General Election )

[peteblue]

Surely they can't be over represented, is it not just a mathematical formula for the number of MPs per head of population.

In a previous post I showed that following just such a formula that Scotland had about 6 more than it should and Wales about 10. Northern Ireland and England were spot on.........

More Labour rigging.......

 

[peteblue]

The permanent secretary to the Treasury, Sir Nicholas Macpherson, has argued that the 2008 financial crisis was “a banking crisis pure and simple”, contradicting Conservative claims that it was caused by Labour overspending.

http://www.theguardian.com/business...-purely-a-banking-crisis-not-labour-overspend

That's right, and it was a certain G Brown who screwed up the banks.......

"Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, the chairman of the Financial Services Authority, suggested in an interview that HBOS could have been rescued with financial help from the Government, without the need for a takeover.
At the time of the merger - in which the Prime Minister personally intervened to ensure its passage - ministers repeatedly insisted that a union with Lloyds was the only way to save HBOS and the wider financial system from meltdown.
However, speaking to the BBC, Lord Turner said: "There could have been a different way of directly supporting HBOS and keeping Lloyds separate."
Lord Turner also disclosed that the FSA and the Treasury had known HBOS was heading for the massive losses that raised significant fears over the viability of the merged Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) since they were disclosed.
His remarks will increase the scrutiny on Mr Brown, who is facing mounting political pressure over his personal role in the crisis now gripping the British financial sector."

 

[Clint Planet]

The permanent secretary to the Treasury, Sir Nicholas Macpherson, has argued that the 2008 financial crisis was “a banking crisis pure and simple”, contradicting Conservative claims that it was caused by Labour overspending.

http://www.theguardian.com/business...-purely-a-banking-crisis-not-labour-overspend

And this is a MASSIVE, MASSIVE thing. Completely central to some people's decision of how they're voting.

Expect the Tory press not to mention it at all.

 

[peteblue]

And this is a MASSIVE, MASSIVE thing. Completely central to some people's decision of how they're voting.

Expect the Tory press not to mention it at all.

Not at all mate, its in the Guardian already.......

 

[The Esk]

That's right, and it was a certain G Brown who screwed up the banks.......

"Lord Turner of Ecchinswell, the chairman of the Financial Services Authority, suggested in an interview that HBOS could have been rescued with financial help from the Government, without the need for a takeover.
At the time of the merger - in which the Prime Minister personally intervened to ensure its passage - ministers repeatedly insisted that a union with Lloyds was the only way to save HBOS and the wider financial system from meltdown.
However, speaking to the BBC, Lord Turner said: "There could have been a different way of directly supporting HBOS and keeping Lloyds separate."
Lord Turner also disclosed that the FSA and the Treasury had known HBOS was heading for the massive losses that raised significant fears over the viability of the merged Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) since they were disclosed.
His remarks will increase the scrutiny on Mr Brown, who is facing mounting political pressure over his personal role in the crisis now gripping the British financial sector."

Mate, I have no idea how much you know or do not know about HBOS and Lloyds but believe me they were a complete mess at the time of the banking crisis, as were Barclays albeit to a lesser extent. RBoS not even worth mentioning.

Lack of regulation almost certainly, but what were the Tories wishing for at the time?

Spoiler: answer

less regulation

 

[Tubey]

The idea that Gordon Brown had anything to do with what the banks did is a pure fallacy - his only fault was not getting to grips with the rampant excesses when he still could. If the Tories were in charge at the time, the same thing would have happened, as they believe in even less regulation of the banks.

Labours' spending at the time was perfectly in line with growth really; they didn't spend too much, but they did fail to forecast a massive downturn in time to soften the blow. Hopefully lessons have been learnt, as they were a shambles by 2010, but any government we could have had would have been in the same boat.

 

[The Esk]

gas and oil will eventually become uneconomic

*gulp*

 

[peteblue]

Mate, I have no idea how much you know or do not know about HBOS and Lloyds but believe me they were a complete mess at the time of the banking crisis, as were Barclays albeit to a lesser extent. RBoS not even worth mentioning.

Lack of regulation almost certainly, but what were the Tories wishing for at the time?

Spoiler: answer

less regulation

Without Brown twisting the arm of Lloyds they would have been ok. Barclays were in the crap but wanted nothing to do with Brown and any bailout and sorted it themselves via foreign investment. RBoS was a basket case........there is a big difference between seeking less regulation and having incompetent regulation oversight........

 

[Seanjd]

Mate, I have no idea how much you know or do not know about HBOS and Lloyds but believe me they were a complete mess at the time of the banking crisis, as were Barclays albeit to a lesser extent. RBoS not even worth mentioning.

Lack of regulation almost certainly, but what were the Tories wishing for at the time?

Spoiler: answer

less regulation

Ooh I want to be able to do that spoiler thing...

 

[Clint Planet]

So basically:

• Banking Crisis global, not brought about by Gordon Brown or last Labour govt
• University tuition fees trebled - expect to leave uni with £45,000 debt (barrier for the poorest)
• Benefit capping has forced 50,000 vulnerable families out of London
• benefit sanctions have caused dozens and dozens of suicides
• The bottom and middle have seen living standards decline; the top have doubled their wealth since 2009
• The UN is investigating the UK in relation to its treatment of disabled people
• Food industry now regulated by, erm, itself. Well, that's going to work. See other industries for further madness.

Have I missed anything?

 

[The Esk]

Labours' spending at the time was perfectly in line with growth really; they didn't spend too much, but they did fail to forecast a massive downturn in time to soften the blow. Hopefully lessons have been learnt, as they were a shambles by 2010, but any government we could have had would have been in the same boat.

Exactly - in 2008 tax revenues were forecast to rise by 6% p.a. through to 2010. The deficit was caused by the £120 billion reduction in tax revenues post the credit crunch, not over-spending.

 

[The Esk]

Ooh I want to be able to do that spoiler thing...

you can, can't you?

 

[peteblue]

The idea that Gordon Brown had anything to do with what the banks did is a pure fallacy - his only fault was not getting to grips with the rampant excesses when he still could. If the Tories were in charge at the time, the same thing would have happened, as they believe in even less regulation of the banks.

Labours' spending at the time was perfectly in line with growth really; they didn't spend too much, but they did fail to forecast a massive downturn in time to soften the blow. Hopefully lessons have been learnt, as they were a shambles by 2010, but any government we could have had would have been in the same boat.

Brown screwed Lloyds, that's a matter of fact, what the Tories would have done is a matter of conjecture.......

 

[peteblue]

Exactly - in 2008 tax revenues were forecast to rise by 6% p.a. through to 2010. The deficit was caused by the £120 billion reduction in tax revenues post the credit crunch, not over-spending.

If only Labour and the other Political parties and the Press were aware of this............

 

[The Esk]

Without Brown twisting the arm of Lloyds they would have been ok