Q6: Is £59 a week a reasonable pension?
Brown: No. We will be linking pensions to earnings from 2012. Free TV licenses, bus travel etc. are here... pension reforms are coming... including every worker having a works related pension.
Cameron: No. We should be giving you dignity and security in old age. We should up the pension fund... and we'll do it by asking men to retire a year later from 2016...
Clegg: Earnings link needs to be restored, immediately. So many other costs which the elderly have to confront, fuel for example.
Comment: Brown attacks others manifestos by saying that they are going to cut the free eye tests etc., Cameron condemns the accusations as lies & claims that Brown needs to withdraw his comments. Brown doing a lot of talking, but not working for him on this question. Clegg does well by seeing bigger picture of social care system, and that the leaders need to stop playing political ping-pong with this issue.
NB: Clegg undoubtedly the best TV personality of the three... how will that influence the outcome?!
Thursday, 22 April 2010
Election debate 5
Q5:How do you plan to restore faith in politics?
Clegg: You can sack your MP. Clear up party funding.
Brown: A vote can make a difference. Will give the right of recall. Wants a referendum on new voting system and on House of Lords reform.
Cameron: Anger about expenses fiasco (obvious statement...!). We should cut the cost of politics. Holding open primaries.
Comment: House of Lords reform is a bad idea... more comment on this issue to follow on this blog in the next week or so. All leaders are again saying much the same thing... the rhetoric is similar: we're bad, voters are good, use your vote and we'll clean ourselves up. Drastic rhetoric, but not necessarily any action in their words. Cameron wants people to take responsibility - his big society idea coming through (reluctantly I think he is onto something here...). Essentially it is this issue and the economic issue that we've heard the most in this election. Interesting how all the leaders are making comment without apologies, even if some are saying they are ashamed of the mess.
Clegg: You can sack your MP. Clear up party funding.
Brown: A vote can make a difference. Will give the right of recall. Wants a referendum on new voting system and on House of Lords reform.
Cameron: Anger about expenses fiasco (obvious statement...!). We should cut the cost of politics. Holding open primaries.
Comment: House of Lords reform is a bad idea... more comment on this issue to follow on this blog in the next week or so. All leaders are again saying much the same thing... the rhetoric is similar: we're bad, voters are good, use your vote and we'll clean ourselves up. Drastic rhetoric, but not necessarily any action in their words. Cameron wants people to take responsibility - his big society idea coming through (reluctantly I think he is onto something here...). Essentially it is this issue and the economic issue that we've heard the most in this election. Interesting how all the leaders are making comment without apologies, even if some are saying they are ashamed of the mess.
Election debate 4
Q4: Will you disassociate yourself from the Pope's moral policies, do you back the Pope's visit?
Cameron: Yes he support it. But he does not agree with the Pope on contraception and homosexuality. He agrees that people of all faiths do good work.
Clegg: Wife and kids are Catholic. Understands the depth of feeling in the catholic church and thinks that you cannot keep a lid on sin. He hope that when Pope does visit, that they will have dealt with the abuse... but that he does welcome the Pope's visit.
Brown: The abuse never goes and the church has to deal with these issues. But he wants the Pope to come to Britain as it is a great group in society... and that people of all faiths are good members of our society.
Comment: All thee leaders are poor on this question... all disagree with the Pope's doctrines on things like homosexuality and contraception... all agree that the Pope's visit is a good thing. All the leaders are forwarding a tolerant and accepting society, and are thus all falling for the silly cultural understanding of tolerance. Bad answers all through.
Cameron: Yes he support it. But he does not agree with the Pope on contraception and homosexuality. He agrees that people of all faiths do good work.
Clegg: Wife and kids are Catholic. Understands the depth of feeling in the catholic church and thinks that you cannot keep a lid on sin. He hope that when Pope does visit, that they will have dealt with the abuse... but that he does welcome the Pope's visit.
Brown: The abuse never goes and the church has to deal with these issues. But he wants the Pope to come to Britain as it is a great group in society... and that people of all faiths are good members of our society.
Comment: All thee leaders are poor on this question... all disagree with the Pope's doctrines on things like homosexuality and contraception... all agree that the Pope's visit is a good thing. All the leaders are forwarding a tolerant and accepting society, and are thus all falling for the silly cultural understanding of tolerance. Bad answers all through.
Election debate 3
Q3: What are you doing personally to tackle climate change?
Brown: I've been on trains not planes... only been on one plane this election. We've got a climate change act - first in the world. Wants to explore nuclear power and change our dependence on oil.
Cameron: Has proper insulation in his house... cheaper and greener. He has come out against the 3rd runway at HEathrow, going instead for high speed rail.
Clegg: He also takes the train, but is aware he cannot do enough and does not do enough. He finds it irrational that the plane tax system is on passengers, and not on planes. As that will cut down on unnecessary flights.
Comment: David Cameron has a private jet that is flying him around this election campaign, he has absolutely no credibility in this issue. Clegg comments that nuclear power will take too long to develop, instead we should develop mass insulation programmes. An interesting idea - nuclear energy seems to be still suspect. Brown stands by it. Clegg brings up the copenhagen summit... global problem and global response needed. Brown constantly tells us that Clegg is anti-USA... bizarre comment. Clegg responds using the magic words 'special relationship'.
Brown: I've been on trains not planes... only been on one plane this election. We've got a climate change act - first in the world. Wants to explore nuclear power and change our dependence on oil.
Cameron: Has proper insulation in his house... cheaper and greener. He has come out against the 3rd runway at HEathrow, going instead for high speed rail.
Clegg: He also takes the train, but is aware he cannot do enough and does not do enough. He finds it irrational that the plane tax system is on passengers, and not on planes. As that will cut down on unnecessary flights.
Comment: David Cameron has a private jet that is flying him around this election campaign, he has absolutely no credibility in this issue. Clegg comments that nuclear power will take too long to develop, instead we should develop mass insulation programmes. An interesting idea - nuclear energy seems to be still suspect. Brown stands by it. Clegg brings up the copenhagen summit... global problem and global response needed. Brown constantly tells us that Clegg is anti-USA... bizarre comment. Clegg responds using the magic words 'special relationship'.
Election debate 2
Q2: Will the UK take part in future multi-national operations against terrorists abroad?
Clegg: Basically yes. Then he goes onto claim that the Afghanistan was has not been done properly (helicopters etc.), slips in an anti-Iraq comment.
Brown: We are already in other countries. We are in these countries because the terrorists are linked to attacks in this country, so we musy eb involved to keep our streets safe.
Cameron: Wants to ask 'what's in the national interest?' What will keep us safe here? The closest to a 'no' as we've come tonight - but doubtful that he means it. Again comments on long term planning, equipment planning etc.
Comment: Brown defends his policy on the war. Clegg & Cameron pull up the problems that there have been in equipment terms and Clegg brings up the issue of Trident nuclear plans again. Brown comments that he loves the troops. Cameron quickly agrees. Clegg keeps harping on about equipment... Brown defends the war, saying that they have had to change tactics so many times in order to complete the mission - is he right? We won't know until we've talked to the Armed Forces... and even then there is difference of opinion. Cameron attacks Clegg's Trident ideas... both seem naive. Brown claims that Clegg needs to get real. Cameron agrees with Brown... there's a first.
Clegg: Basically yes. Then he goes onto claim that the Afghanistan was has not been done properly (helicopters etc.), slips in an anti-Iraq comment.
Brown: We are already in other countries. We are in these countries because the terrorists are linked to attacks in this country, so we musy eb involved to keep our streets safe.
Cameron: Wants to ask 'what's in the national interest?' What will keep us safe here? The closest to a 'no' as we've come tonight - but doubtful that he means it. Again comments on long term planning, equipment planning etc.
Comment: Brown defends his policy on the war. Clegg & Cameron pull up the problems that there have been in equipment terms and Clegg brings up the issue of Trident nuclear plans again. Brown comments that he loves the troops. Cameron quickly agrees. Clegg keeps harping on about equipment... Brown defends the war, saying that they have had to change tactics so many times in order to complete the mission - is he right? We won't know until we've talked to the Armed Forces... and even then there is difference of opinion. Cameron attacks Clegg's Trident ideas... both seem naive. Brown claims that Clegg needs to get real. Cameron agrees with Brown... there's a first.
Election debate 1
Q1: How should we tackle European interference?
Cam: In EU but not run by EU. Keep the £ & cut the red tape.
Clegg: On hand experience. Whole lot of things that we can't do on our own, therefore we need to be in the EU. We need to be together - we're better together!
Brown: 3 million reasons why we need to be in EU, JOBS. We are an influence in the EU... when we work together we are so much better.
Comment: Every candidate is hard line on the fact that it is in our interests to stay in the EU. Each argues that there is too much waste but that we need to be in it to be an influence. Cameron wants a referendum and harks back to when he tried to get one, but dropped it. He is rightly pulled up on this by Clegg. Brown is firm in saying that we need to solve the economic problem and as such he needs to work with the right people in EU and thus keep growth and jobs. Cameron is lambasted for joining a fringe group in the EU - and rightly so.
NB - Clegg looking confident, Brown looking better, Cameron looking frustrated.
Cam: In EU but not run by EU. Keep the £ & cut the red tape.
Clegg: On hand experience. Whole lot of things that we can't do on our own, therefore we need to be in the EU. We need to be together - we're better together!
Brown: 3 million reasons why we need to be in EU, JOBS. We are an influence in the EU... when we work together we are so much better.
Comment: Every candidate is hard line on the fact that it is in our interests to stay in the EU. Each argues that there is too much waste but that we need to be in it to be an influence. Cameron wants a referendum and harks back to when he tried to get one, but dropped it. He is rightly pulled up on this by Clegg. Brown is firm in saying that we need to solve the economic problem and as such he needs to work with the right people in EU and thus keep growth and jobs. Cameron is lambasted for joining a fringe group in the EU - and rightly so.
NB - Clegg looking confident, Brown looking better, Cameron looking frustrated.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
Sunday, 11 April 2010
Internet Resources
Below are a few Christian web-based resources that help in attempting to understand more about the election and the differing policies - thanks goes to numerous people who have pointed a number of these out to me......
The Evangelical Alliance
Care
The Christian Institute
SUSA
Also see (though not specifically Christian run):
Vote For Policies
Political Compass
Happy browsing! Hopefully these resources will be of value for deciding how to vote and whom to vote for. If you know of any more helpful resources, let us all know by popping them in a comment.
The Evangelical Alliance
Care
The Christian Institute
SUSA
Also see (though not specifically Christian run):
Vote For Policies
Political Compass
Happy browsing! Hopefully these resources will be of value for deciding how to vote and whom to vote for. If you know of any more helpful resources, let us all know by popping them in a comment.
Friday, 9 April 2010
When Caine Came...
So Michael Caine came out in support of Cameron's Tories (bringing headlines of 'I'm a Tory, not a lot of people know that.'), and specifically his plan to offer voluntary citizen service for all 16 year olds. An interesting proposal, a good idea indeed - but if voluntary will it work any better or reach any more kids than the Duke of Edinburgh? Yes, the government needs to act in this area, but I don't think this is firm enough. Make it compulsory.
Labour have continued with their courting of the Lib Dems. Lord Adonis (Labour Transport Secretary) has now come out calling for Liberal Democrat supporters to vote Labour in marginal seats in order to avoid a Conservative government. It makes some sense, the Lib Dems do have more in common with Labour than they do the Tories - but with Clegg's insistence that he will not be king maker (which, if we do have a hung parliament, he will. He won't be able to avoid it.) is it worth attempting to woo them this early on?
Also, Dragons' Den millionaire has done a uturn on Labour's NI tax. James Caan originally said the increase would cost thousands of jobs, but now says after looking at the figures closely he believes this to be the way forward. An interesting swing back in support of Labour's NI tax increase... I wonder how many more will come out in support now that one person has.
Labour have continued with their courting of the Lib Dems. Lord Adonis (Labour Transport Secretary) has now come out calling for Liberal Democrat supporters to vote Labour in marginal seats in order to avoid a Conservative government. It makes some sense, the Lib Dems do have more in common with Labour than they do the Tories - but with Clegg's insistence that he will not be king maker (which, if we do have a hung parliament, he will. He won't be able to avoid it.) is it worth attempting to woo them this early on?
Also, Dragons' Den millionaire has done a uturn on Labour's NI tax. James Caan originally said the increase would cost thousands of jobs, but now says after looking at the figures closely he believes this to be the way forward. An interesting swing back in support of Labour's NI tax increase... I wonder how many more will come out in support now that one person has.
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