Smashing The Coaltion

[The Devil's Point]

I know it isn't wise to post this, but I have had about enough.

 

Scotland has a tremendous legacy of Liberalism, and we remain proud. However, we were told that we would all be in it together, yet the demonisation of benefit claimants, and the continuation of outrageous payments to bankers clearly shows that it is not the case.

 

We were told that Liberal Democrats in government would help hold back the worst excesses of the right wing. We were conned, and the blame has simply been shifted to the disabled and the vulnerable.

 

I am no longer prepared to walk by on the other side. I will always be a Liberal, and a Democrat, but the time has come to stand up and say no to this.

[hamiltonjag]

I think as a result of the coalition the Lib Dems are now a non-party in Scotland. A wasted vote. I feel for the good people I know in that party (members and [former?] supporters). I don't believe for one second that there will be any sort of rebellion against the coalition from within the Lib Dem ranks, The party's over. End of. And I find that kinda sad for a party whose principles were, until a couple of years ago, to the left of New Labour.

[kni]

I know it isn't wise to post this, but I have had about enough.

 

Scotland has a tremendous legacy of Liberalism, and we remain proud. However, we were told that we would all be in it together, yet the demonisation of benefit claimants, and the continuation of outrageous payments to bankers clearly shows that it is not the case.

 

We were told that Liberal Democrats in government would help hold back the worst excesses of the right wing. We were conned, and the blame has simply been shifted to the disabled and the vulnerable.

 

I am no longer prepared to walk by on the other side. I will always be a Liberal, and a Democrat, but the time has come to stand up and say no to this.

 

How would you define liberalism? The Enlightenment liberalism of Adam Smith, David Hume and Adam Ferguson?

[kni]

I think as a result of the coalition the Lib Dems are now a non-party in Scotland. A wasted vote. I feel for the good people I know in that party (members and [former?] supporters). I don't believe for one second that there will be any sort of rebellion against the coalition from within the Lib Dem ranks, The party's over. End of. And I find that kinda sad for a party whose principles were, until a couple of years ago, to the left of New Labour.

 

The Liberal Democrats are very different to the party of Cobden, Bright, Gladstone and even Grimond. They were anti-state liberals who detested socialism.

[The Devil's Point]

How would you define liberalism? The Enlightenment liberalism of Adam Smith, David Hume and Adam Ferguson?

 

No, the Liberalism of Grimmond and Steel.

 

The politics of Roy Jenkins and Shirley Williams, and the wise words of Ming Campbell and Charles Kennedy.

 

I would run into machine gun fire for Charles Kennedy, but sadly it was not to be. Probably one for the celeb thread, but spending time in his company has always been mindblowing for me. I think he was the greatest leader Britain never had.

 

It's so easy to slag of politicians, but unless you've been up there and had a go it's hard to really appreciate what it is like.

 

I think George Orwelll got so much scarily right in "1984". Above all, I hope to see a future which involves debate, argument, and sometimes even pitch invasions and fighting.

[hamiltonjag]

The Liberal Democrats are very different to the party of Cobden, Bright, Gladstone and even Grimond. They were anti-state liberals who detested socialism.

'n' whit?

[Meister Jag]

 

I would run into machine gun fire for Charles Kennedy, but sadly it was not to be. Probably one for the celeb thread, but spending time in his company has always been mindblowing for me. I think he was the greatest leader Britain never had.

 

 

Please don't take offence, but I haven't laughed so much in ages. Siege Siege 00 was banned, you should be sectioned! Would you seriously die for a political leader?

 

P.S. Nothing against Charlie K; was probably the wrong time for him to take the job.

[The Devil's Point]

Would you seriously die for a political leader?

 

Yes, just as millions gave their lives under Churchill in the second world war.

 

Politics is life, and anyone pretending it doesn't matter is a fool

[Jaggernaut]

No, the Liberalism of Grimmond and Steel.

 

The politics of Roy Jenkins and Shirley Williams, and the wise words of Ming Campbell and Charles Kennedy.

 

I would run into machine gun fire for Charles Kennedy, but sadly it was not to be. Probably one for the celeb thread, but spending time in his company has always been mindblowing for me. I think he was the greatest leader Britain never had.

 

It's so easy to slag of politicians, but unless you've been up there and had a go it's hard to really appreciate what it is like.

 

I think George Orwelll got so much scarily right in "1984". Above all, I hope to see a future which involves debate, argument, and sometimes even pitch invasions and fighting.

 

I'd echo those sentiments. But I also hope to see a future which is free of the academic scourge: falsification of data, and plagiarism. I believe that it could happen.

 

You may say I'm a dreamer.

 

But I'm not the only one....

[Meister Jag]

Yes, just as millions gave their lives under Churchill in the second world war.

 

Politics is life, and anyone pretending it doesn't matter is a fool

 

Glad you cleared that up... But I don't quite recall Charlie boy taking on the forces of Nazi Germany. I suggest you seek help or even get some life experience. The liberals won't save society. More likely to promise the earth and then suck off the highest bidder. Sorry, they are a political irrelevance. You will no doubt be upset by this comment and I will no doubt apologise; but only after I've heard more on what the liberals can do to save us all. Over to you...

 

I'm not holding my breath as I still can't stop laughing.

[kni]

'n' whit?

 

Not sure what you mean by that comment.

[kni]

No, the Liberalism of Grimmond and Steel.

 

The politics of Roy Jenkins and Shirley Williams, and the wise words of Ming Campbell and Charles Kennedy.

 

I would run into machine gun fire for Charles Kennedy, but sadly it was not to be. Probably one for the celeb thread, but spending time in his company has always been mindblowing for me. I think he was the greatest leader Britain never had.

 

It's so easy to slag of politicians, but unless you've been up there and had a go it's hard to really appreciate what it is like.

 

I think George Orwelll got so much scarily right in "1984". Above all, I hope to see a future which involves debate, argument, and sometimes even pitch invasions and fighting.

 

You don't know much about Charles Kennedy or the LDs/SDP.

 

Grimond and Steel were/are very different in their political views. Jo Grimond was almost Gladstonian, a free marketeer, and was not a fan of the Social Democrats (Gang of Four) who were opportunist refugees from Labour.

 

I knew Charlie Kennedy at University when he campaigned vigorously to keep the Men's Union separate from the Queen Margaret Union. At the time, women were only allowed in for dances on a Saturday night.

 

Kennedy also campaigned successfully to keep the GUU out of the National Union of Students when most of the Scottish universities left it. There is much, much more to tell...

[Meister Jag]

Glad you cleared that up... But I don't quite recall Charlie boy taking on the forces of Nazi Germany. I suggest you seek help or even get some life experience. The liberals won't save society. More likely to promise the earth and then suck off the highest bidder. Sorry, they are a political irrelevance. You will no doubt be upset by this comment and I will no doubt apologise; but only after I've heard more on what the liberals can do to save us all. Over to you...

 

I'm not holding my breath as I still can't stop laughing.

 

I think I owe you a wee apology TDP, I was a bit OTT with some of my comments. Apologies for any offence or hurt caused.

 

My problem with the liberals (in their current form and as created by the political opportunists who split from the old Labour Party) is that they seem to agree that the British people must be made to pay for the economic crisis through years of cuts and austerity. In my view, just another pro-capitalist party who are really just Tories in all but name.

[kni]

I think I owe you a wee apology TDP, I was a bit OTT with some of my comments. Apologies for any offence or hurt caused.

 

My problem with the liberals (in their current form and as created by the political opportunists who split from the old Labour Party) is that they seem to agree that the British people must be made to pay for the economic crisis through years of cuts and austerity. In my view, just another pro-capitalist party who are really just Tories in all but name.

 

Cuts? Austerity? Public spending has risen in real terms, i.e. more than inflation, since 2010.

[Meister Jag]

Cuts? Austerity? Public spending has risen in real terms, i.e. more than inflation, since 2010.

 

So you're now telling me that there are no cuts and no one in the public service has lost a job? What planet are you on?

 

It has been well reported that there has already been a fall in living standards unmatched since the 1920s, with the average worker losing around £4,000 in real terms over the last three years.

A study from the Resolution Foundation states that typical family earnings for those on low-to-middle incomes will not return to 2008 levels for another decade in 2023. But even this is probably guesswork. Others have suggested the austerity regime could go on for decades. “This has not been a normal recession and it will not be a normal recovery”, but maybe the Bank Of England Governor, Mervyn King, doesn't know what he's talking about.

 

State borrowing is greater than before, despite “front loading” the cuts. Your mate George Osborne has been forced to declare two more years of austerity measures and an extra £10bn “savings” in June. Public investment has now slumped by 25%, while new housing starts have fallen by 11%; this is the lowest level since the worst of the crisis in 2009. Yet despite this, with tax revenues falling, borrowing is increasing. Look for a likely run on the pound. Even the fu**ing IMF are urging the government to slow down. Yet what are the liberals doing? You've guessed it, sweet f*** all. Too busy sucking up and enjoying their wee bit of power.

 

But to challenge your statement, public spending in 2011-12 was £694.89bn - compared to £689.63bn in 2010-11. That may look like an increase but once inflation is taken into account, it is a real-terms cut of 1.58%, or £10.8bn. Easy to play with stat's isn't it! Not so easy when you're one of the 750,000 public servants who will be looking for a new job; or left working in the public sector and stressed out their tits.

Edited April 18, 2013 by Meister Jag

[The Devil's Point]

I knew Charlie Kennedy at University when he campaigned vigorously to keep the Men's Union separate from the Queen Margaret Union. At the time, women were only allowed in for dances on a Saturday night.

 

He may have got that one wrong, but he was right on Iraq.

[kni]

George Osborne is not my mate. I'm not a member of any political party and have not voted since 2005.

 

I have several members of my family who work in the public sector - gold-plated pensions, flexi-time, 4 foreign holidays a year. If that's stressed out to their tits, I'll happily take it.

Edited April 18, 2013 by kni

[Blackpool Jags]

Clegg is the LDs' Blair: a mendacious narcissist of the lowest order. Alternatively, he is the Morton of the political spectrum: acts like he's a respected powerhouse, when in fact he's won fcuk all!

[kni]

Clegg is the LDs' Blair: a mendacious narcissist of the lowest order. Alternatively, he is the Morton of the political spectrum: acts like he's a respected powerhouse, when in fact he's won fcuk all!

 

And what about Cable? Labour councillor in Glasgow, defected to the SDP, LD MP for Twickenham and now Business Secretary in Cameron's cabinet.

[GrantB]

The real tragedy is that the previously centre party that was the Lib Dems have been replaced down south bu UKIP.

[kni]

Really? The Lib Dems have pretended to be anti-EU in their South West strongholds, especially in Cornwall.

[Blackpool Jags]

 

 

And what about Cable? Labour councillor in Glasgow, defected to the SDP, LD MP for Twickenham and now Business Secretary in Cameron's cabinet.

 

He gives me the impression he's a wee bit confused: he's either the ADHD wean of the family - eg the anti-Murdoch outbursts - or he's a co-pilot in the cockpit of the coalition's fiscal and business strategy helicopter.

[kni]

^ Cable is a typical narcissistic opportunist. Check out the value of his and his wife's properties - just below the £2m for his beloved "mansion" tax.

[GrantB]

Really? The Lib Dems have pretended to be anti-EU in their South West strongholds, especially in Cornwall.

 

Perhaps but nationally they have occupied the centre ground of politics. Now they have been replaced with UKIP who are about 1 step away from the BNP

[Blackpool Jags]

I have to admit there are far too many upper-middle class Labour figures whose wealth and properties are embarrassing beyond description; that fiend Blair made this 'respectable' within the party. I will gladly rejoice when he finds a bucket to kick, a la the current debate around a certain controversial figure's demise.