UK General Election - What are the issues?

We all know that there has to be a general election in 2010 so what are the issues that will vex the British voters?

Some ideas:

MPs expenses?

The war in Iraq?

The war on Terror and operations in Afghanistan

Climate change

Banking crisis

Economy climate

Scumbags like the BNP has stir people's mind so much that i think the main issue that will vex the British voters will be of course immigration...

.. I don't think Immigrations is a big issue, but thanks to the xenophobic propaganda there will be enough brainwashed brits to make this the MAIN ISSUE..

.. It is too bad.. because there are so many other issues that should get more attention...

[edit on 26-11-2009 by Polynomial C]

Electronic mind control, would be my main one, for the election. I found out they use it in schools, in 1992.

I bet none of the election parties talk about these things, and they are issues that must affect us all.

Originally posted by andy1033
Electronic mind control, would be my main one, for the election. I found out they use it in schools, in 1992.

I bet none of the election parties talk about these things, and they are issues that must affect us all.

Do you have any evidence for this?

Originally posted by woodwardjnr
Do you have any evidence for this?

I live in london, and have been monitored since i was at school in 1992. Everyone i went to school with knew,a nd my family and all the people know its happening.

They did it first to absolutely destroy my life at school.

But the thing i am getting at is, that was 17 years ago, and do you think that they made this tech just for me, lol. Just imagine what these people are doing with this technology.

You see something that is a danger to all our lifes and personal freedoms, but people just found that it was great it was happening to me. But are these people dumb enough, not to know that they never made all this tech to destroy my life. I will never understand the stup1d nature of the mob.

I bet you will not hear anyone speaking about this is the election,and i will not be voting, as the system is false, and like america, we do not get a choice.

reply to post by andy1033


Oh for crying out loud Andy......

Again, no proof, just the same old tired story. Why would the Government go to all the effort of "trying to control your mind", especially when you were a kid?

Methinks the most likely explanation is your have some unresolved issues. But then, it isn't the first time you've mentioned this or that I've stated this.

As for the OP:

The main talking points of the election should be:

1. Immigration - This is an issue that needs addressing.
   
2. The budget deficit - The country risks bankrupcy if not brought under control
   
3. The benefit culture - And end to free money and paying social parasites to sit around doing nothing
   
4. Defence - Spending isn't near enough, given the scale of committments
   
5. Expenses - Politics is broken and needs reform
   
6. Europe - Where does the country stand on this?
   
7. England - Sorting out the unfair treatment of England within the Union
   

Hmmm, could all be a rather different in outlook by March, here goes, but as always I fear the 'main' parties will generally shy away and deflect the public from the really thorny issues...

1. The economy - the real historic failings, the real future issues (debt creation/reduction, age/demographic change, pensions, UK property prices, continued trend in loss of wealth (& GDP relative to other nations since peak of British Empire - see Worldmapper link ) whilst population ages, employment/unemployment, global re-positioning/vision...etc)

2. EU - the real reasons the UK is where it is. What really matters post Lisbon treaty? Is UK government/democracy appropriately shaped to fit it's role post Lisbon? How much are the UK voters/taxpayers prepared to pay for local/commons/lords theatre/traditions whilst its influence relative to the EU in their lives diminishes?

3. Poor/over legislation, excessive government intervention/dictation in everyday life, policing, justice system, loss of freedoms...

4. Preparedness for climate change impacts replacing or at least joining attempts to affect/reduce climate change as a priority (given increasing evidence and experience with the former alongside continuing disagreement/procrastination on the latter, and it's causes). What can we change to increase resilience to forecast changes/challenges: more extreme weather (hot and cold it seems), sea level rise, increased flooding, drought, heat waves, worldwide pressure on essential resources (drinking water, food, energy, war).

5. Emigration, brain/wealth drain (post new government's budget)...

[edit on 26-11-2009 by curioustype]

[edit on 26-11-2009 by curioustype]

[edit on 26-11-2009 by curioustype]

Its going to be a doozy I hope.

I am of a mind to remind everyone I know of voting age about the Parliamentary Expenses Scandall at every opportunity.

But theres not just that - the current Iraq War Enquiry is highlighting just what an absolute farce the whole "WMD" thing was, and how Blair et al led the whole country down the river.

Then theres the ubiquitous Peter Mandleson who should not be anywhere near public office IMHO.

Not only that but much discussion is needed on the fact that the UK does not have an industrial base any more, and instead has become a Service Industry Economy, something which is not sustainable over time, and could well have drastic repercussions on the economic standing of the UK in the coming years.

But hey, lets not forget the Banking crisis, the farce that is ID cards, "Tough on Crime, Tough on the causes of Crime" and a thousand other soundbyte phrases that turned out to be total bollocks.

Oh yes - tax, tax, tax, tax, tax and more tax. Driving has become the new smoking. Fuel duty keeps increasing. Road pricing is being considered and the travel networks have been allowed to decay to crisis point while the money raised is used to prop up the banking sector.

And then theres the reallydark side of this government - things like
Regulation of Investigatory Powers act which came in under a storm of protests from civil rights campaigners
The Hutton Enquiry which was a total whitewash by any standards and;
The Badman Review where the government stigmatised all home educators as child abusers in order to force compulsory registration on them.

People will be fooled into single issue campaigning by the big parties though. The main focus of the election won't be about a policy, it will be about a party - namely the BNP. Conventional politics has suffered an epic fail and the "big two" will look to cover up their massive incompetencies by doing what politicians do best - blaming someone else and diverting attention.

I'm hoping for some honest debate about proper political reform. I doubt it will come.

I am going to disagree with Polynomial C. I think we need to have an open debate on immigration and currently, the two parties that are likely to form the next Government want us to concentrate on other issues such as the economy, parliamentary expenses and The EU.

Not that the economy, parliamentary expenses and The EU are not seriuous issues.

Are we going to get any serious debate from the parties that want our vote? How many people are going to think about how they vote rather than just vote the same way they have voted in the past? Of course, there are always new voters at every election, but will they really focus on the issues, or vote as their parents have.

Just how are we going to have a serious debate with our local candidates? Public meetings? Soap box politics? Door step?

At the last general election, only one candidate knocked on the door and has a discussion with me. The rest? Not interested in asking for my vote. So how can we expect to have a serious debate with those seeking our votes? Do we think that the party machines want the candidates to have real discussion with the voters? My view is they do not as the candidates could be taken off message, and if I get any change, I will challenge any candidate on the issues that are important to me.

I honestly think if the Conservatives came off the fence & stood on a platform of withdrawal from the EU, reduced immigration, abolition of human rights legislation, 3 strikes and you're out in the criminal justice system, huge cuts in social security spending & civil service/local government administration, reduced taxation, increased defence spending and the restoration of capital punishment ... they'd win the election by an absolute landslide.

And they simply must make work pay. There has to be a financial advantage to working rather than sitting on your backside and watching the giros being delivered.

I don't know why Cameron isn't more assertive, why he's mincing about so much. If he doesn't pull his finger out we're heading to a hung Parliament at this rate.

I think most of the main issues have been covered, but I would also add Parliamentary and Electoral Reform.

The party system has failed us miserably.
It is this very system that has produced the problems highlighted in other posts.
Politicians pay more allegiance to Party line and whip and commercial self interest than they do their constituents who they allegedly represent.

We have allowed politicians to turn things around so that we let them dictate to us rather than they represent our wishes and best interests.

The main issue is that Labour have been rolling for a long time and people just want a change to freshen things up a bit.

The Conservatives have been broadly supportive of the Afghan situation and supported the Iraq conflict. They differ in their approach to the current economic crisis and the thought of "change" is probably more compelling rather than an agreement in what they will actually do.

Regards

reply to post by stumason


Immigration - This is an issue that needs addressing.

The budget deficit - The country risks bankrupcy if not brought under control

"The benefit culture - And end to free money and paying social parasites to sit around doing nothing

Defence - Spending isn't near enough, given the scale of committments

Expenses - Politics is broken and needs reform

Europe - Where does the country stand on this?

England - Sorting out the unfair treatment of England within the Union"


All of the above, i agree

Im still trying to find a party worth backing, they all seem worthless to me....

reply to post by Selahobed


If you agree with all of the above, check out my sig....

Who is that in your avatar btw, nice looking lass.

Originally posted by Polynomial C
Scumbags like the BNP has stir people's mind so much that i think the main issue that will vex the British voters will be of course immigration...

.. I don't think Immigrations is a big issue, but thanks to the xenophobic propaganda there will be enough brainwashed brits to make this the MAIN ISSUE..

.. It is too bad.. because there are so many other issues that should get more attention...

[edit on 26-11-2009 by Polynomial C]

So on a small , overcrowded island, where all services that have worked admirably in the past and have now groaned to a halt under the strain. Immigration would not be an issue with you ?
Thank God you do not represent any political party.

reply to post by stumason


Its me, and thanks

I have been ambiguous for a while, and am quite shocked at the difference in treatment from being ambiguous, to being me but that is off topic.

Anyway, as previous goverments have been on a program to sell off our soveriengty, the queen also being complicent. I think that unless the grass roots englishman wakes up and purposes to regain england, then we are doomed to be a bit player in a euro superstate. I just wish the so called men of england would rescue our identity away from those who through the failed experiment of multiculturism, and political correctness, diluted our nation...

Ok, so i am jewish, but my family have been here for 2000 years, so I am jewish by birth, but english through the grace of G-d, and family members including myself have served in the military so have more than earned a say...

We are a tolerant nation, but the country is full. And I am fed up with liberal PC morons who are soo offended by their own country, that celebrating christmas is almost a hate crime.....

Come on guys, you who do not hold your manhood cheap, take back our green and pleasant land from our euro opressors.

The immigrants are not the problem, the unelected EU is...

[edit on 053030p://f01Saturday by Selahobed]

[edit on 053030p://f27Saturday by Selahobed]

reply to post by Selahobed

arn't you the "redhead" from Girls Aloud, you wouldn't be the 1st uk pop star to grace ATS

reply to post by woodwardjnr


Noooooo, I work for a living

What has that got to do with topic anyway?

[edit on 053030p://f20Saturday by Selahobed]

reply to post by woodwardjnr


Hence the reason why i was ambigiguous for a while... Because im a woman is it right that you derail this thread, or take my comments seriously?

Imo the EU will be a huge topic of debate,and of course immigration, we are now the most overcrowded country in Europe.

Shame surveylance, loss of freedoms and over 500 new laws since NuLabour were elected will not come into the equasion.