I have made my mind up!!

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Member for

13 years 9 months

Posts: 8,306

I have made my mind up, that come the Election, iin a few weeks time, I am voting for UKIP.

Now you lot, tell me why I should NOT....:D

Jim.
Lincoln .7

Original post

Member for

14 years

Posts: 4,996

I wouldn't be so brave as to try :)

I don't think you will be alone.

Member for

17 years 10 months

Posts: 3,778

Its not for us to tell you who to vote for

Member for

12 years 11 months

Posts: 6,535

Jim,

You've probably noticed I'll be doing the same

Member for

14 years 11 months

Posts: 894

If voting made any difference, they'd ban it. How many MPs are voted in by a minority of constituency voters? How often has the party which wins power, actually received the majority of votes?

Member for

11 years 5 months

Posts: 11,141

Well indeed and certainly a vote for UKIP is a vote for Europe since anything other than a Tory majority is a pro-EU vote without any question.

If that's what people want fair enough but it's not want I want.

Member for

12 years 8 months

Posts: 851

I won't be, nor will anyone that I know who has expressed a preference. This may change of course. Them, not me, but even then I think it unlikely. Unfortunately I live in a dyed in the wool tory constituency, so my MP won't be the person I vote for either. In fact, I have never had an MP that I voted for in the 30 odd years I have been voting. The only person that I have voted for in an election that actually got in was via the proportional representation in the European elections. I will always vote however, because if I didn't , how could I moan about the idiots others elect?

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Member for

11 years 2 months

Posts: 3,650

Hi All,
Jim,
You have made the right choice IMPO but like Trolly Aux has said not up to us to persuade you either way, the other parties have had chances and blown it every time as always promising A/B/C and giving you E as after their in power, while you the electorate cannot do anything till four years down the line. I can honestly say that this may be the last time I vote because I feel so let down by previous governments that have won and this last lot what a shambles, I am tired of seeing our armed forces expected to make do with the cheapest equipment rather than the quality, I am tired of seeing money spent on equipment that will in all likely hood be outdated by the time it enters service as examples the F-35 white elephant with a massive black hole for dosh and do we really need two carriers that will have allegedly U.S sailors on board because we do not have enough to man them ourselves that despite allegedly mothballing one ?
I ask how the hell are you meant to inspire enlistment when you pay them a pittance, take the gear they need away add to that when they have completed their service are treated as a piece of rubbish and discarded without to much help.
On top of all that you have all the other problems with the NHS/Emergency services/Infrastructure through out the U.K. scandals of greedy MP's with their snouts in whatever trough they think will make them quick financial gain, then when caught out saying they never did anything wrong and being allowed to resign instead of being sacked from wherever they are employed, while everyday folk are treated abysmally with below inflation pay rises,given zero hour contracts poorly paid jobs along with all their rights being slowly withered away etc.etc.etc.:mad:
Charlie,
I always thought Mr Farage wanted us out of the E.U. ? How can we possibly stay in the E.U. when it is not a level playing field the U.K. follows the E.U. rules lip a besotted teenager follows and does what the girl of his affection wants despite him being told she is using you.

Geoff.

Member for

11 years 5 months

Posts: 11,141

Geoff - yes you are right but since he hasn't a cat in hell's chance of doing anything more than gain a few seats at the likely expense of Tory candidates the result will be more seats for the remaining parties all of which are pro-EU.

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Member for

11 years 2 months

Posts: 3,650

Hi All,
Cahrlie,
Many thanks for clearing that up, it is a shame that he has had so much negativity with some of his candidates looking like complete morons and not to mention the recent C4 docu-drama along with all the mud slinging it's not looking to bright, I fear what I can see happening is a ConLab government unless UKIP gets a last minute torrent of votes, both leaders have said they will not share with UKIP such a shame you have to feel for him as he actually speaks his mind like most of us want to but never do because of the various labels that would be hung around our necks just have been done with Mr Farage. :apologetic:

Geoff.

Member for

12 years 8 months

Posts: 851

what I can see happening is a ConLab government unless UKIP gets a last minute torrent of votes

Geoff.

The latest polls published today suggest no majority, labour 34%, conservative 34%, UKIP 14%, but labour probably will have largest number of seats by a small margin, so a labour led coalition currently statistically most likely.

Member for

18 years 7 months

Posts: 1,376

I'm seriously considering voting for UKIP, not because I'd want them to win (and they haven't a cat in hell's chance of that anyway) but purely as a protest against the refusal of the big three parties to even seriously discuss the immigration issue. I know some people here find it uncomfortable, but whether they like it or not, immigration is a major concern to a lot of people in the UK and our elected representatives are not only failing in their duty by turning their backs on it, but also playing into the hands of extremists by making them seem like the only people who are listening.

Member for

17 years 6 months

Posts: 9,739

I am tired of seeing money spent on equipment that will in all likely hood be outdated by the time it enters service as examples the F-35 white elephant with a massive black hole for dosh and do we really need two carriers that will have allegedly U.S sailors on board because we do not have enough to man them ourselves that despite allegedly mothballing one?

If you want to guarantee having a carrier available at all times you need two minimum; a carrier refit lasts about two years and cannot easily be abandoned half-way through...

...if Argentina had waited six months to invade the Falklands HMS Hermes would have been unavailable!

If you think the F-35 is a 'white elephant' which fighter should the RAF / FAA be buying?

Member for

17 years 6 months

Posts: 9,739

...the other parties have had chances and blown it every time as always promising A/B/C and giving you E as after their in power, while you the electorate cannot do anything till four years down the line. I can honestly say that this may be the last time I vote because I feel so let down by previous governments that have won and this last lot what a shambles...

Has it ever occurred to you that the elected government cannot give you more than they are giving you?

Given that the main preoccupation of any government is maintaining popularity to get re-elected surely they would give you (and everybody else) everything that they possibly could to keep you happy so you'll vote for them?

There are two problems with this; everybody wants different things and many things are completely out of the control of the government.

Basically if you want a better NHS or Armed Forces you (and everybody else) has to pay more tax.

If you think the 'last lot' were a shambles.....who would you have voted for that would have done better?

Member for

16 years 11 months

Posts: 338

For the first time I really don't know who will get my vote. I know who won't. The rest of them are all talking out of the wrong orifice to a certain extent.

Member for

11 years 5 months

Posts: 11,141

Two months ahead of the vote I cannot see the polls count for much.

And I think it highly arguable that we can buy ourselves a better NHS. Throwing good money after bad is irresponsible. Massive reform is what's needed. But defence is another matter.

Member for

17 years 6 months

Posts: 9,739

Not sure I'd describe funding the NHS as 'bad money'...

...and of course, like anything else, we could improve the NHS by spending more money on it, but, you'd have to spend a lot more money on it before you'd see, or rather the voters, would see a tangible improvement. And it's a tangible improvement that the voters would be unwilling to fund through increased taxation!

Member for

14 years

Posts: 4,996

Hi All,

.......>> Both leaders have said they will not share with UKIP

Geoff.

I believe UKIP have said they will not do any deals with Labour, but may with the Conservatives. (If indeed it comes to that)

I also believe that at the by-elections, UKIP took votes from Labour as well as the Conservatives.

Although Cameron still comes out with the mantra : That a big vote for the UK Independence Party could lead to a
Labour victory at next year's general election.

Member for

11 years 5 months

Posts: 11,141

CD - there we part comnpany. Successive governments hase chucked billiions at the NHS because they are all petrified of reforming it. Whereas what it needs desperately is a complete reform in line with the realities of life in the 21st century. It is overmanaged and overstaffed with non-clinical staff, and supports a grossly inflated drugs bill for starters.

The original Beveridge model is totally outdated now and to try to maintain the belief that we can continue to provide across the board care free at the point of use is both misguided and irresponsible. If only the Tories had the guts to deal with the NHS problems as IDS has dealt with social care we might actually be able to afford to defend ourselves.

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 16,832

Jim. That's all very interesting. But you don't actually say why you have come to this decision.

Moggy

Member for

17 years 6 months

Posts: 9,739

Successive governments have chucked billiions at the NHS because they are all petrified of reforming it...

I agree with much of what you say; the NHS is expensive, over-managed and overstaffed, but it is also the ultimate political poison chalice. Even UKIP have backed-away from statements Nigel Farage made about privatisation and medical insurance funding.

Serious NHS reform would take decades, cost billions before it saved a penny and would inevitably lead to criticism for almost every quarter, and it would be a gift to any opposition party.

Even Tony Blair, who increased NHS spending massively, fell foul of the unions and the public opinion when he was perceived to be 'reforming' the NHS; and that was during the 'boom' years!