Who will make a decent mayor? Page 16

quote: I don't know Ken well personally, but I know a person (whom I do trust explicitly), who does know him well personally, & she says he is only out for himself & his own ego.

Well, with such devastating evidence, I'll certainly never vote for Ken again. Does your friend have any more voting advice for us?

PS - the Olympics will be incredible regardless of your views on sport. The city in 2012 will be even more vibrant than it is now, regeneration will have occured and the benifits will be felt by generations (for example better transport, facilites in deprived areas, leisure facilites for youths etc...) Take Manchester as an example of the positives sport can bring.

Quote: Barbs @ May 3 2008, 10:42 PM BST

PS - the Olympics will be incredible regardless of your views on sport.

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Very true. Not, however, in the way Coe hopes.

Quote: David Chapman @ May 3 2008, 1:12 AM BST

For a so-called leftie, Livingstone never really seemed to abide by the democratic process.

He always did what he wanted.

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Only just read this post. I love the thought that lefties have anything remotely to do with democracy!

No I find Ken as charmless as any one else, a bullying, unrepentant operator.

Where as I've always rather liked Boris, funny good natured, and a rare clever witty voice in British politics.

There's lots of people I don't like in politics, who I'd vote for, because they do a good job.

I don't expect my GP to be charming, nor my bank manager hilarious. Such an attitude is blankly stupid.

As a weasel, it's astonishing how with a 2 year hate campaign by the Sun, and the Standard just how little any one's ever found to stick on him. It's probably because he is jsut a competent civil servant, who didn't get everything right.

As for BJ his plans and policies are just populist, flim flam. An unaffordable CCTV system for buses, and ending knife crime with 440 new officers?

About the only good thing that can be said for him, is as ever he will do what he is told. By David Cameron, who seems to have a modicum more sense than Brown.

And demcoratic process's ? Which gouvernment ever has? Jerry mandering is an ancient and noble art.

Quote: Aaron @ May 3 2008, 10:57 PM BST

Very true. Not, however, in the way Coe hopes.

Only just read this post. I love the thought that lefties have anything remotely to do with democracy!

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Obviously just an innocent child during the thatcher wars then.

I never said anything about the right-wing.

But the left are undoubtedly worse.

There is no right or left wing. It's now just mainly a mish mash of bollocks. The problem with politicos these days is that they're all so f**king stuck up their own arses, can't say this or that for fear of offending someone and being catapulted out of a job that it's f**king painful. Question Time? Avoid the f**king answer time. They have no opinions. They have no spine.
You may hate Enoch Powell or Tony Benn but when did you see a politician actually stand up for what he believes in and hang the consequences. Best thing that's happened for ages is the backbench revolt. But they'll get it through. Grease a few palms examine a few expense accounts you f**king watch. They may have to swallow an amendment but they'll take it and move on.
Rant over. Am going to lie down now.

Quote: roscoff @ May 4 2008, 1:16 AM BST

The problem with politicos these days is that they ... can't say this or that for fear of offending someone

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Correct. This is true of society as a whole though. It's all very well to want to avoid offending people, but there's always going to be one group who are insulted or angered by what one says, so why people pussyfoot around issues so much is beyond me. That kind of protectionism is stifling debate and progress, both in society and politics, as you say. Thoroughly depressing.

(And no, this isn't about "political correctness GONE MAD?!1?"!"" shit.)

Quote: Aaron @ May 4 2008, 12:58 AM BST

I never said anything about the right-wing.

But the left are undoubtedly worse.

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That's just niaive tosh!

Whilst I have been disappointed by the undemocratic attitudes of Ken's administration and the power crazed years of the Blair Government, neither could be described as lefties.

Historically though, the very ideals of each political persuasion tell us the truth. There may have been some extreme cases, i.e. various communist regimes where democracy was non existent, but surely you are not claiming that the numerous right wing regimes have a better record? The 'right' have contested every attempt at democratic reform ever introduced!

In terms of the generally not too far from centre ground Governments this country has enjoyed for many years, I see little difference: Unfair to point the finger in one direction: Equal at least.

I can never help myself from returning to the very basics of political ideals>

Left wing > We believe that people should have an equal chance and will endeavour to act to ensure that opportunity for all. We are, however, completely shit at it and our idea will remain fundamentally flawed until we manage to address the issues of automatically attracting the incompetent and the inherent weakness that we are all out for ourselves really, by nature.

Right wing > We believe that everybody should be free to progress in life as they wish. The cost to others or effect on other peoples' lives are irrelevant: We don't give a shit about that. It doesn't matter if it involves something immoral - look at us! We've nicked all of your State assets! If you happen to be less capable or not so fortunately born - please f**k-off and die - oh hang on, no don't cos we need you for a few things!

Far left > Something to do with a butterfly?

Far right > Sorry, we don't have anyone who can actually write.

Liberals > Actually, we're not sure. All of the above but we do have someone who can write and we quite like butterflies.

Ta

Very true in so many ways.

Very well put thing, agree alot.

It's worth remembering Blair got Labour in 10 years ago by conciousely jettisoning socialism. In the same way Cameron will almost certainly get in this time, by copying Blairite policies.

It's called consesnsus politics, it's all about copying what the other side are doing, and giving people what they seem to want.

The problem for Labour is Brown, is both clumsy, and bad at it. Hence the truly cringe worthy 10p tax debacle.

The trouble with Labour at the moment is that Brown built himself up as this super-hero chancellor, but now he's PM there's this huge economic downturn, and it's become increasingly apparent that he was merely sweeping mistakes and problems under the carpet, not fixing and stopping them.

Quote: Barbs @ May 3 2008, 10:42 PM BST

quote: I don't know Ken well personally, but I know a person (whom I do trust explicitly), who does know him well personally, & she says he is only out for himself & his own ego.

Well, with such devastating evidence, I'll certainly never vote for Ken again. Does your friend have any more voting advice for us?

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Read it again Sam. More carefully this time.

The was no advice from her to you.. There was no advice at all, just stating MY opinion and how it was derived from someone elses opinion, FOLLOWED by observation by ME.

I mean the idea that either party do anything other than reflex jump, to the latest poll, survey, or blog sweep is laughable.

Labour did well for 10 years, because the economy did well. When property prices dropped, and easy credit starts to dry up, people started to realise just how stupid Tax Credits are.

Talking about Labour and Conservative is going to seem very old fashioned, very soon.

The actual hard core value parties (Respect, UKIP, etc), just look so dated.
It's interesting that Left list (the left wing of Respect, gadzooks!)
is talking about a £7.25 ph London minimun wage.

A few years ago it would have been 3 day weeks, and general strikes.

Quote: sootyj @ May 4 2008, 12:27 AM BST

As for BJ his plans and policies are just populist, flim flam. An unaffordable CCTV system for buses, and ending knife crime with 440 new officers?

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Isn't that what they should be if we vote them in?

It's all so depressing, the only reason I voted at all was because my Grandad died defending my freedom. We end up 60 years later with these shower of spineless, incompetant bastards.

What is the point? It's so depressing.