the election, 2nd attempt!

[sara3]

I've re-posted this from "politics" to see what you newsy people have to offer :o)

right, I'm not really into politics and think most parties are full of empty promises and lies. I would like to vote with a level, informed head on, so can anyone suggest a site that tells it how it is? maybe comparing the differing views on policies for all parties, etc? please don't send me to a site for one party, it'll do my head in!

many thanks :o)

[DrFilth]

morning sara you have made a mistake on line 2, change most to all

[sara3]

thanks.. I'm just trying to get an answer but it keeps getting knocked off the New Posts, lol!

[DrFilth]

sara you will only ever get what someone else thinks is the right one.

[Gromit]

The election has not been called yet and some parties have not revealed their policies, so it is difficult to compare. In a couple of weeks, the BBC will do a guide to the parties.

If you cannot wait until then, her is Gromit's highly biased assessment:

LABOUR: Have been in Power for 13 years.

Pros: Before the banking crisis was a time of boom and they spent the countries taxes on new hospitals and schools and not on giving everyone a tax cut. They have experience and showed good leadership during the crash. No British savers lost any money or home during the banking collapse. There has been no mass unemployment mainly due to the Government putting money into the economy.

Cons: They have been in power a long time and may have run out of ideas. Saving the banks and peoples' homes and jobs has cost the country a lot of money, so we find ourselves in debt. The were the Government when we went to two wars.

CONSERVATIVES:: They have had several leaders since they were last in power, but stand a real chance of winning this time.

Pros: Say they will cut back on Government spending and will pay off our debt quicker.

Cons: They are inexperienced and have made a few wrong calls during the crisis. Large scale cutbacks could cause a lot of unemployment.

[Gromit]

LIBERALS: The Third Party. They are unlikely to win the election, but they may hold enough votes to decide whether Labour or Conservatives form the next Government.

Pros: The most credible and honest economic policy, and have an asset in their economic spokesman, Vince Cable.

Cons: Under the present system they will never win an election. Inexperienced.

FRINGE PARTIES:
Independents, UKiP, BNP, Socialists. Use these to protest against the main parties.

Pros: If there is something you feel strongly about, a protest vote can get it off your chest.

Cons: They are one issue parties and do not have an overall strategy. They tend to be at the extreme end of the spectrum.

[sara3]

thanks Gromit, that was really helpful. it's nice to know someone is paying attention!

when you say the BBC will do a guide, do you mean via their news website?

[Gromit]

Yes. The BBC is supposed to be impartial at all times but particularly when the election is called. Newspapers are biased and not a good way to decide who to vote for.

Here is what the BBC did for the last election. They will do something similar soon for this one.

http://news.bbc.co.uk.../issues/html/grid.stm

[sara3]

that's exactly what I'm after! thanks again Gromit, I appreciate it. I'll look out for the updated version on the BBC website x

[sara3]

I think I'd like Labour to do a tick list to see what they actually achieved against their earlier policies!

[modeller]

You have a problem Sarah the ABs who answer you will also be biased.The Pros and Cons mentioned by Gromit are different to those that would be presented by someone on the right.
If you look back over the last few weeks you will see from the Qs & As who are the extremists and judge any advice accordingly.
There are political questions every week which ABs debate quite vigorously so you can build up a picture of the political scene.
One thing you have to remember the so called political experts also disagree with each other so you can never get at the truth.

[Gromit]

modeller

I did label my answer as "here is Gromit's highly biased assessment:"

But I did attempt to answer sara3's question. I notice you did not.

Maybe you would like to give us your Pros for voting Labour and your Cons for voting Conservative?

[sara3]

thank you modeller, but what I was after was a link like the one Gromit kindly provided. I'll be looking out for the 2010 version on the BBC site.

Sara :o)

[modeller]

No Gromit there is no point in me giving Pros & Cons as all that tells sara3 is how I see the situation. That is not what she asked for.
I didn't quote a site that is entirely neutral , there isn't one, because as I said even the experts disagree.
However when I want to get a fairly balanced point of view I have a look at The Economist . So here it is if it's of any interest.
http://www.economist....cfm?story_id=15833546