The 2015 General Election

[Demitri_C]

Just watched the Greens video above. Wow she will get destroyed at TV debates. Some of those policies are absolutely awful. I think they are actually worse than UKIP. Not punishing those who believe in the methods of IS and other terrorist orgnisations? 

 

That policy as well about giving people money per week is also a very crap idea

[Mantis]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31079026

 

Labour has vowed not to feature Prime Minister David Cameron on billboards ahead of the general election.

The party said it would not use negative personal campaigning, focusing on issues rather than personalities.

Opposition election strategist Douglas Alexander said the Conservatives were preparing to spread "fear and smear".

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that claims in Sunday newspapers that Labour's campaign was in trouble were "rubbish".

"They tell you much more about the agendas of the newspapers than the agenda of the Labour Party," he said, adding that Labour was "going on to victory".

Among negative headlines in the papers was criticism of Ed Miliband from a leading business chief who said a Labour government would be a "catastrophe" for the UK.

Stefano Pessina, acting chief executive of Boots, said in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph that Mr Miliband's agenda was "not helpful for business, not helpful for the country and in the end, it probably won't be helpful for them".

He did not elaborate on which specific policies of the party he disliked but told the newspaper: "If they acted as they speak, it would be a catastrophe."

 

In response, Paul Kenny general secretary of the GMB union, said "this is the same boss who used private equity to take Boots private and move the domicile off shore to stop paying corporation tax since 2007".

Labour's pledge on posters follows the 2010 election campaign, in which it used Mr Cameron's face on a number of billboards and also online.

In one, he was shown as TV detective Gene Hunt alongside the message: "Don't let him take Britain back to the 1980s."

The image was later rebranded by the Conservatives with the slogan: "Fire up the Quattro, it's time for change."

In a message to party members, shadow foreign secretary Mr Alexander wrote: "The Tories have now bought up hundreds of billboard poster sites on high streets across the country for the months of March and April to run their negative personalised adverts.

"It already seems clear that in their campaign the Tories intend to spread falsehood, fear and smear.

"They will seek to avoid open debate and scrutiny. The Tories will dig deep into their donors' pockets - and plumb new depths - in their desperation to cling on in government."

 

A spokesman told the BBC that focusing on "issues, not personalities" did not preclude the use of Mr Miliband's image in Labour's own campaign, however.

Political opponents may also appear in digital campaigns, which has not been ruled out by Labour, said BBC political correspondent Iain Watson.

He added: "Labour admit they have very few resources to pay for billboard campaigns in any case and are stressing their emphasis on individual contacts with voters."

Mr Miliband has recently been featured in a Conservative Party campaign, in which he appears in a mocked-up Downing Street scene alongside SNP politician Alex Salmond and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, with the caption: "Your worst nightmare just got even worse."

Labour also confirmed that while discussions on the format of TV election debates continued, Mr Miliband would debate with whoever else is invited to take part.

In Douglas Alexander's Andrew Marr Show appearance, SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon's comments on last week's show - that she wanted to see a Westminster Labour government which depended on SNP support - were put to him.

He said: "Of course she would affect that's what she wants, although I personally think she may well actually want an in-out referendum on Europe and a Tory government because those would be the most propitious circumstances for further independence in Scotland."

He also said that voting SNP rather than Labour in Scotland could result in a Conservative government - and not Ms Sturgeon's preferred option - because the party with the most MPs at Westminster would be likely to get the first chance to form a government.

 

Well this is hardly a surprise. Even Labour recognise where their biggest weakness is.

Edited February 1, 2015 by Mantis

[villaajax]

 

 

I turned it off after one and a half minutes. Their policies may or may not be practical, but listening to Andrew Neil butt in constantly is a torture I'm not prepared to deal with.

 

I dare you to watch it all

 

I'll watch it all if you can defend Labours stance on the TTIP. You want mad ideas, that one is mad, bad and dangerous.

 

 

Ah, but Labour...

 

Maybe you can help me out because you seem to know all of the details but I just cannot find an official Labour stance on TTIP.

 

From what I can gather, the general feeling is of concern over this whole deal, it could give a big boost to the economy, help businesses, bring down prices for consumers. But, the potential disadvantages of TTIP do well outweigh the positives.

For one thing, no way should public services be part of the deal, which is exactly the reason why Labour put forward a bill to exclude the NHS from being part of any deal and would not support public services being included.

They are also against ISDS which is a ridiculous idea. Large companies are able to sue under current laws but ISDS would likely throw up petty lawsuit after petty lawsuit. They are also against the lowering of food, safety and environmental standards.

 

Overall it seems to be more anti-TTIP in its current form from everything I've read including many quotes from MPs and MEPs.

 

So, speaking of "mad, bad and dangerous ideas", please in return, defend Green's plans to strip back the MoD to what would essentially be a home guard, open the borders and allow people to join terrorist organisations if they wish.

[blandy]

I just cannot find an official Labour stance on TTIP....

 

 

Labour supports TTIP, which has the potential to bring significant benefits to British consumers, workers and businesses, with a projected increase in UK national income of up to £100 billion over a decade. We will continue to monitor its progress, in particular with regard to the impact TTIP may have on vital national policies and services, such as the NHS. This is a red line for Labour MEPs, and we will not support TTIP if the NHS is not protected.

We must remain vigilant to ensure the government does not use international trade agreements as a tool to undermine our public services, including the NHS, or expose them to the full force of EU competition law. We must ensure patients are always put first. Labour MEPs have also voted for environmental, health and employment legislation to be safeguarded from corporate legal challenges and will continue to argue against investor-state dispute settlement in TTIP.

Response of Labour, in writing, to 38 Degrees question on their stance

[villaajax]

... According to 38 Degree's campaigns intern Rachel Oliver, not of the Labour Party.

 

 

Jude Kirton-Darling MEP, Labour's European Parliament spokesperson on TTIP, said:

 

"We have been making the case to the government, the Commission and US negotiators that having ISDS in TTIP is not a good idea. We must now turn to MEPs from across the political spectrum to try to build a majority in support of our call to remove it from TTIP.

"We have the power to veto any TTIP if it does not meet the requirements we believe are essential to creating a fair deal for Europe. However, this power is a blunt instrument and must be handled with care.

"Rather than dismiss legitimate concerns, the UK government should be defending them. Labour MEPs have been consistent in raising the need for a full exclusion for our public services and protection for our standards and rights.

"We are working to build a strong consensus to ensure that this is defended in the European Parliament's position in May."

David Martin MEP, Socialists and Democrats Group spokesperson on TTIP, added:

"A good TTIP has the potential to create much-needed jobs in Europe and improve growth rates, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises which often find it difficult to trade across the Atlantic.

"By removing ISDS, fully protecting public services and maintaining the EU's high regulatory standards, we could build a strong consensus for a positive TTIP.""

 

From Labour MEPs

 

'Supporting' in the sense that they can see the good that can come from TTIP, as I mentioned in my last post, but they are being proactive in trying to block the damaging parts of this deal. Pushing through the anti-privatisation of the NHS bill. Opposing any lowering of standards, as I already said and the main thing for me, opposing ISDS.

 

There is a big difference in 'supporting' the deal by looking it over rather than blindly rejecting it, and working towards something that would protect our services and industries and work out as a good deal in our interests and 'supporting' it by pledging to put 'rocket boosters' under the deal to push it straight through without a thought for the serious damage this deal could cause in its current form.

[blandy]

There is a big difference in 'supporting' the deal by looking it over ...

There's a bit difference between "supporting" and "keeping an open mind, until the big (or fine) details are finalised"

 

They are basically for it, but want to exclude the NHS. As a stance some will agree, some won't.

Interestingly, when politicians are careful with words, it's worth looking at the detail - they haven't said "we are against it unless..." they've said "we support it but...."

 

That's a bit wolly and weasely in many people's views

[villaajax]

 

There is a big difference in 'supporting' the deal by looking it over ...

There's a bit difference between "supporting" and "keeping an open mind, until the big (or fine) details are finalised"

 

They are basically for it, but want to exclude the NHS. As a stance some will agree, some won't.

Interestingly, when politicians are careful with words, it's worth looking at the detail - they haven't said "we are against it unless..." they've said "we support it but...."

 

That's a bit wolly and weasely in many people's views

 

 

Would you prefer they just commit to a straight yes or no answer on a huge issue like this?

[blandy]

I'm not overly fussed what they say VA. I just think they're either kind of hiding a bit their basic enthusiam for it (with one or two caveats on the NHS). They're being (as they mostly are) timid. it's what they do that's more of an issue, and this signals "not enough by a long way" to me.

 

I suspect that they know it's unpopular, to say the least, with masses of people, but they're also aware that big Plcs love it.

 

It's another one of these "what do you actually stand for, any more?" areas.

 

We know the tories will shaft ordinary people, making up the majority of the population. Labour used to be about these ordinary people. There are parts of labour that still are, but somehow, their party is scared of just saying so and acting so.

 

TTIP is all about big business getting things even easier. That's IMO a bad thing. The unfettered (and soon to be more unfettered, if TTIP goes through) course of globalism and global trade has been beneficial to a few CEOs and the mega rich, and bad for everyone else and the planet, when it's all weighed up.

[tonyh29]

 

 

We know the tories will shaft ordinary people, making up the majority of the population. Labour used to be about theese ordinary people. There are parts of labour that still are, but somehow, their party is scared of just saying so and acting so.

 

 

I think you'll find they are referred to as "Hard working ordinary people " nowadays

[blandy]

I think you'll find they are referred to as "Hard working ordinary people " nowadays

you know that's one of my pet peeves. No one spoken to or of by any politician is just called by one name - they're all "our wonderfull nurses", "our brave soldiers" , "hard-working public servants" etc. or if you're on the tory right, then "scrounging/workshy/socialist whatevers". Obviously CEO's and the rich are "outstanding".

[tonyh29]

 

I think you'll find they are referred to as "Hard working ordinary people " nowadays

you know that's one of my pet peeves. No one spoken to or of by any politician is just called by one name - they're all "our wonderfull nurses", "our brave soldiers" , "hard-working public servants" etc. or if you're on the tory right, then "scrounging/workshy/socialist whatevers". Obviously CEO's and the rich are "outstanding".

 

 

 holidaying teachers  , lazy students  , yoghurt knitting Guardian readers  .... it just never ends

[krisagg75]

off topic i know but if cameron can get lambert sacked he'll get my vote.

[chrisp65]

it's nice to be able to say 'feckless holidaying teachers' without being lectured on it

[OutByEaster?]

I think Labour's official stance on TTIP right now is "Oh shit - they've spotted us, perhaps there's still time for us to back out."

[bickster]

So, speaking of "mad, bad and dangerous ideas", please in return, defend Green's plans to strip back the MoD to what would essentially be a home guard, open the borders and allow people to join terrorist organisations if they wish.

Not going to bother as its stupid but as the Greens will at best be a very minor partner in a coalition government, this doesn't concern me much.

[MakemineVanilla]

This cartoon seems to sum up the choices.

 

 

I particularly like the detail of Miliband trying to figure out how to shoot fish in a barrel.

[PaulC]

I was tempted to choose UKIP but I can't stand virtually all their policies so makes no sense voting for them. Labour again I guess!

[villaajax]

I was tempted to choose UKIP but I can't stand virtually all their policies so makes no sense voting for them. Labour again I guess!

 

Out of interest, what tempted you?

[bickster]

I was tempted to choose UKIP but I can't stand virtually all their policies so makes no sense voting for them. Labour again I guess!

 

Out of interest, what tempted you?

They weren't Labour

[Jon]

 

I was tempted to choose UKIP but I can't stand virtually all their policies so makes no sense voting for them. Labour again I guess!

 

Out of interest, what tempted you?

 

That Farage chap. He seems to like a pint. Also, maybe he was a big fan of Saturday Superstore back in the 80s