Vote Lib Dem ?

[olddutch]

Nick Clegg claims a vote for the Lib Dems could spell the end of the political ''stitch-up'' between Labour and the Tories which has lasted since the Second World War. The Lib Dem manifesto, launched today, is built around ''four steps to a fairer Britain''. These are:

Fair taxes, including the promise to raise the income tax threshold to £10,000

A shake-up of the education system, cutting class sizes and targeting £2.5 billion at struggling pupils;

Economic reform, including breaking up the giant banks, separating their investment and High Street operations, investment in infrastructure and ''honesty'' about the ''tough choices'' to cut the deficit;

Constitutional change, including the power to sack corrupt MPs, reform of the voting system, an elected House of Lords and a Freedom Bill to restore civil liberties.

I am a floating voter - even a non voter - but after listening to Vince Cable and Nick Clegg this morning, out of the big 3 parties I find their Manifesto the Fairest, best presented and most substantial about how to make the savings to reduce the £167 billion deficit. I believe the LibDems are the fairest and most trustworthy party out there at the moment - their policies are Not completely to my liking but seem way Best of the Big 3

Anyone agree or disagree ?

[R1Geezer]

The libdems can say what they like they are never going to have to deliver.

[Davethedog]

It doesn't make economic sense.

If you try to break up the banks they and thier jobs will move abroad - You will have many little banks all with the ability to go bust at any time taking your money with them. Remember that before WWII there were lots of small banks and they got swallowed up.

If you cut classes thats fine but you will need more staff how does that sit with cutting public spending?

Tough choices fine but what are these tough choices.

They realise that they are not going to be elected so they can say what they want.

A liberal government would be a change but as you can see they can lie with the best of them.

[R1Geezer]

I don't see why it's a "stitch up" either, I mean are they having a go at the public for being too dim to vote lib dem or something?

[youngmafbog]

As you said R1, the lib dems will never have to answer to the public for failing as they wont get the chance to have a go.

Its all just hot air.

[R1Geezer]

They seem to imagine that the only reason they have not been in power is the fact that the public have the audacity to not vote for them. Surely some sort of Lab/Con conspiracy to keep them out! It completely passes them by that most of the public think they are a useless sh0wer of sh1te who agree with the last person they spoke to. Bless!

[Old_Geezer]

They are always claiming a chance to get rid of the 2 party system we have, But what do they want to replace it with; a system that ties parties more effectively into the political system, when the real benefit would be to get rid of them altogether. And if that wasn't bad enough, they are pro EU, presumably because they'd rather someone else made the decisions for our nationals, so they wouldn't have to. No, none of the credible candidates are in a party which has a vision that is worth supporting. But no change there then.

[anotheoldgit]

These manifestos are not worth the paper they are printed on.

They should be a legal binding document.

I notice they have not mentioned a curb on immigration or getting tough on crime.

[jake-the-peg]

The way the lib dems are gaining popularity in this term is quite interesting.

The more votes they take the better the chances of a hung parliament in which they'd play a key role.

If they can negotiate a good enough deal with one of the parties they'll get a chance to show that they have people who can deliver.

That could break the confidence deadlock for them.

It all hangs on what sort of deal Clegg can broker after the election

And with all due respect AOG - I don't think Clegg cares too much about your vote - any more than the BNP cares about mine - you'd probably vote Labour before Liberal

[Zeuhl]

///it's a "stitch up" either, I mean are they having a go at the public for being too dim to vote lib dem or something? ///

I thought the issue the LibDems have with the FPTP system is that people do vote for them but their share of the vote is under represented in terms of parliamentary seats?

[R1Geezer]

yes that's the system we have. Do you think the libdems would change it to PR if they were to win under this system? Nope neither do I!

[jake-the-peg]

More to the point Geezer can they persuade anybody they go into government with to change it or at least hold a referendum on changing it as price of that support.

If it happens parliament would change forever - they would have to convince people that having MPs from the BNP, the Green party and UKIP etc would be a good thing and a price worth paying.

Government would become more collaborative.

Personally I think we should have the debate

[Zeuhl]

///Do you think the libdems would change it to PR if they were to win under this system? ///

Geezer - i think they'd have to; if only to ensure they would have a chance in subsequent elections when the pigs weren't airborne.

[KingOfMercia]

All smoke and mirrors my friend, their economic policy makes no sense - immigration wouldn't change - the infastructure in this country is at breaking point as it is. they proport to support proportional representation - but if they got into power (NO CHANCE) they wouldn't change things! Lib Dem=wasted vote

[jake-the-peg]

Their economic policy makes no sense?

Please expand on that - much of the country seems to have more faith in Vince Cable than the other contenders.

Love to hear what you object to

[jake-the-peg]

Sorry I hate assertions that aren't backed up

http://www.channel4.c...or+chancellor/3594762

[modeller]

If you reduce class sizes from 30 to 20 , which has been suggested , you would need a 50% increase in teacher numbers and 50% increase in the number of classrooms and all the facilities that go with them . In many cases it would require new schools. The cost would be astronomical.

[olddutch]

The crucial issue for me is genuine electoral reform which gets politicians to do more of what WE want instead of them acting as blue and red elected dictatorships under the present system - meaningful electoral reform is the key to us (the much ignored and frustrated voter) having some chance to truly influence all political matters - inc.Immigration, Europe,War,MPs expenses,NHS,Tax.

A Libdem vote would be most likely produce a hung parliament. Hopefully, a hung parliament would bring meaningful electoral reform into existence or closer at least. I think, that PR - in some form to be determined - is necessary and better than the current voting system where we have too little say or no say at all about government policy.

Electoral reform that includes regular referenda, Initiatives, mass public petitions and voter responsive PR is, I believe, something to be hoped for and worked towards. It may take years and years - it may well never happen - but to give us any hope of real democracy such reform needs to be pursued. Otherwise we will be forever stuck with the hobsons choice of tweedle dum or tweedle dee dictating to us.