Sid Pollitt
5 February 2009
15:3014778#1
I read last week that a Rupublican Party supporting radio presenter in the US had caused a little controversy by saying that he hoped Barak Obama would fail. I'm not sure he was specific on what he wanted him to fail in, it was probably just a general negative comment. We here have had doom monger George Osborne [he is the Tory shadow chancellor at the present] saying much the same for months in regard to the UK economy, while not quite saying that he hoped government measures would fail his comments have made you feel that he would support sentiments along the lines of the UK is finished.
I personally think that most people on the street actually want to see the UK economy and people to weather the current recession and prosper, obviously some of these are on slippery pavements but they do appreciate that gritting etc is better than leaving the snow and ice to do their worse.
I wont say that I'm surprised to see that Alan Sugar is backing the government's push for creating more apprentice positions, at a time when it is no time for a novice Sugar probably feels that workers should get a chance to learn a trade. I am however surprised that Carol Vorderman is fronting the Tory maths review, because she took part in one the government commissioned, which reported less than a year ago. In June she said: "I am thrilled that at long last an official body is raising the spectre of our negative cultural attitude to maths, particularly in the media." This change of face may have something to do with the figure that she does not now get from Channel Four.
No doubt Vorderman will be paraded saying the government is failing or some such tosh, after she endorsed the government review and its recommendations - which are now being implemented.
I do feel that it is a great shame that the opposition, and its supporters, in this country appear to be putting party politics before the interests of our country, although I'm not surprised. The pound has started to rise in value over the past week or so and after today's interest rate cut it would appear that the Euro may come under pressure and you do wonder if Osborne who talked down the pound saying it reflected government policy will now say that the rise in the pound is down to the measures taken by the Chancellor in the PBR. He will not of course, he will just change his odious tactics to suit. There was a poll for the Daily Politics last week showing 23% supported Cameron & Osborne with 32% backing Brown & Darling on who is best to deal with the economy, if this lead continues I feel Osborne will get desperate. He'll probably get the long awaited sack I've been predicting but his actions will do politics in general much harm.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
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5 February 2009
19:1814796#2
Well for one Im hoping that Barack Obama wont fail, much social rebuilding is needed in the USA on many fronts, not least the Guatanamo Bay situation, the Healthcare situation and the tax corruption situation. Its so refreshing to see someone willing to tackle these injustices. Obama coming from a more social aspect deserves to be successful in the interests of a fairer society in the US. Its very much a society of have's and have not's. I would hope very few would wish to see him fail.
But yes Sid politics has gone that way and you can see it every wednesday on Prime Ministers Questions, when all David Cameron wants to do is to make Gordon Brown look bad, to make him look a failure, so that he in turn can slither into Downing St. Thats the only objective, there doesnt seem to be any urge or will to address the current crises. Its a sneery unpalatable encounter with no real positive productivity coming from it. Cameron to my mind has failed to capture the mood of the British Public who want a rally, they want a return to better times, and they want all parties to work for that. Not just to gloat over any kind of failure that the government might make. It is not possible for the government to get everything right in these difficult times, because to a huge extent we are pioneering where no man hath gone before.
But as for Osborne, well Im afraid poor George seems to have been airbrushed out of frontline politics. His head crops over the parapet still on occasion, but he is/was not proving effective grabbing media attention, and the labour old pros where sucking him in and spitting him out, so the Tories wheeled in the heavy hitting dinosaur Ken Clarke, an altogether more effective politician.
Although I see the poll you quote re Brown/Darling...I think overall though Labour are well behind in the polls. Are they dead in the water??
Sid Pollitt
5 February 2009
19:5614798#3
I'm not sure if Gordon Brown is in a 1979 senario or if he'll turn it around like Major did in 1992, only time will tell. I am glad someone else can see what I was on about re Osborne and his pals. I just wonder if they're like that Tory councillor type woman in Little Britain, you know the one who vomits when she hears someone that is unpalitable to her.
I just see them not liking say the announcement of good news and then cheering when they hear of job losses.
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
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6 February 2009
09:2214829#4
Well indeed it is a strange anomoly. Im sure all decent people politicians included wouldnt cheer at the news of job losses, but the strange situation is this...5million job losses and a cynic could see the opposition rubbing their hands with glee. All failure is good news to the opposition...which is one of the reasons politics has slipped into
disrepute. The more failure and misery we all go through, the more the opposition see it as a golden bonanza, as its the easiest possible route to Downing St.
Suppose for a minute, and it is a pipedream, but suppose David Cameron came up with a foolproof plan to fix all our current woes, wouldnt it be great in the interests of the wider country, rather than in their own power-gain interests, to say across the despatch box to GordonB..."look Gordon I have a great plan, Im anxious to share it with you, why dont we work together on this"
Politics would suddenly go respectable.
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
6 February 2009
09:4214831#5
PaulB
I have the same pipedream, if only they stopped their battles with each other and started working together for the sake of this country, it could become a reality. Common sense politics is what is needed now.
The problem though is both sides need to care about all the people, not just the few. There is too much selfishness and greed at the moment,
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
6 February 2009
14:5514836#6
I think that's the difference between working for the voters, or working for the votes.
Roger
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
6 February 2009
15:3514837#7
Roger,
Vote's/ Voter's are the same thing, along with people that have lost the will to vote. Every decent person living in this country deserves to be treated equally and fairly, common sense and balance have long been forgotten and must return, this will only happen when all parties learn to work together for all the people of this country.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"
Guest 660- Registered: 14 Mar 2008
- Posts: 3,205
8 February 2009
21:4414975#8
Gary, we do work closely with the Tories at DDC,but we look at the plans from a different view point,and this is/can be taken on board by the Council.Strong healthy debate from different view points is good.
Take Vic's pit thing,If I lived in St Margarets and they wanted to build a Coal mine then I might object,but if I was an out of work ex miner from Tower Hamlets I may be in favour.So we represent a wide ranging community from a wide ranging social conditions.
We don't argue just for the sake of it,we sometimes offer a different point of view.
If you knew what I know,we would both be in trouble!
Sid Pollitt
8 February 2009
21:4614977#9
I know what you mean Gary, I saw the Tories were today highlighting that there is a shortage of around 4,000 midwives in the country. The government is spending £330m over the next three years to address the situation. BUT, why were the Tories doing this? Does anyone think that if there was an election tomorrow, or on 26th Feb [that was the date the Tory whips were suggesting would be the general election date late last year, not because they thought it would be on that day but because they wanted to create, yet another, non-story so that their non-entities could get some air time] or at any other time for that matter, does anyone, think that the Tories would try to create more midwife jobs? Of course they wont, of course no one believes it, the only thing on their minds will be job cuts in the NHS, and in local and national government.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
9 February 2009
09:0715008#10
I think that's a fair analogy in many cases John; but some do go on don't they ?
The difference between voters and votes is where people are doing good, or rather doing their best, for their Communities/Towns/Cities/Country is helping their voters; those who just follow their party are chasing votes.
There's enough Government wastage without having to cut NHS spending; there may well be wastage in certain departments, but if that were found, then that waste could be put in other NHS areas.
Roger
Guest 671- Registered: 4 May 2008
- Posts: 2,095
9 February 2009
16:4115036#11
JHK
My apologies, I fell into the trap of enveloping everyone under same umbrella, in my last post. Of course there are many, fromm all parties, who work together and are doing the best they can to make a good job of it. I certainly agree it is healthy and natural for different ideas and opinions to be listened to and considered by everyone.
The problem is that SOME people simply don't care or can't bring themselves to care, about anyone but themselves. They can never see/admit their own failings and believe their ideas and opinions should be set in stone for everyone else to adhere to. I find that sad and senseless.
"My New Year's Resolution, is to try and emulate Marek's level of chilled out, thoughtfulness and humour towards other forumites and not lose my decorum"