The General Election Thread

[judrop]

Goodness me ! I turn my back for a few months and LOOK what happens ! For most of us life is a series of ups and downs, I can remember times when my children were small that I could not afford to buy tights for myself because I chose to buy nappy liners for them instead, hard times. When I feel hard up these days it does me good to remember that.
Everything is relative.
Keeping horses/hunting, lots of our friends do, as a small child I was " blooded" and found it repulsive, however I also live in the countryside and know what the lovely cuddly fox can do to a chicken run.
Hunts on the whole do a good job in the management of the countryside. People who do not understand how the countryside functions,often make judgements based on ( in my opinion) miss placed sentiment.
Yes it can be barbaric ( ever seen a domestic moggy with a bird ?), however I know a young ( ish ) man who spent 15 years studying foxes and their place in the countryside , he has written papers on the subject,and he came to the conclusion that in keeping fox numbers down there is no better way than hunting with hounds, other ways, eg shooting/gassing, would not be as effective or indeed humane.
Enough waffle, BEHAVE CHILDREN !!
P S , if you now think you know where my vote lies HA HA think again !! :wink:

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: I don't buy tights, or clothes hardly at all for that matter - prefer to spend that cash on house stuff. It is all relative, and about priorities.

Nice to see you judrop. I'm really confused now, though, about whether fox-hunting does or doesn't help reduce numbers. Does anyone know for sure?

These figures are on that foxy website:

"Before the Hunting Act 2004 banned hunting with hounds in England and Wales, each year registered hunts killed between 21,000 and 25,000 foxes i.e. they account for about 5% of the overall fox mortality in a year. About half of these foxes were cubs killed before the main hunting season began and therefore, highly likely to die anyway as cub mortality is very high."

I read that, and I think 25,000 foxes is a whopping number of hen-munchers.

 

[LadyArowana]

:lol: I don't buy tights, or clothes hardly at all for that matter ..........
.........................................on that foxy website:

A shameless attempt at getting Gervase to return :lol:

 

[Schoolmarm]

Hunts on the whole do a good job in the management of the countryside. People who do not understand how the countryside functions,often make judgements based on ( in my opinion) miss placed sentiment.
Yes it can be barbaric ( ever seen a domestic moggy with a bird ?)

The countryside management? Am very curious how the hunt manages the countryside.

I have a farm and usually have my own flock lambing so am well aware of the issues.

Cats are instinctively barbaric, are you saying that hunters can't help it? It is just the hunter's instinct?

The hunt near me can never find a fox and bring their own. That is how great they are at managing the countryside.

Just to bring it back round a bit seeing as it is my fault it is so off topic. This year is the first year I have told my husband and three children to read up on the other parties and make their own decision. Previously I have brainwashed them all to vote conservative.
I have told them that purely because of hunting.
I also said that far better informed people on here couldn't agree so what chance have we got.

You couldn't get anyone more strongly conservative than me usually, I have fallen out with my Mum in the past because she is staunchly labour.

 

[middi]

As I am a foreigner and i cant vote in the General Election I have no right to voice my opinions and be taken seriously so I am sending you all something someone sent me

Why we are in DEEP trouble... The population of this country is
approximately 60 million.
32 million are retired.
That leaves 28 million to do the work.
There are 17 million in school or at Universities.
Which leaves 11 million to do the work.
Of this there are 8 million employed by the UK government.
Leaving 3 million to do the work.
1.2 million are in the armed forces preoccupied with killing Osama Bin-Laden, and fighting in Afghanistan ..
Which leaves 1.8 million to do the work.
Take from that total the 0.8 million people who work for Local County Councils. And that leaves 1 million to do the work.
At any given time there are 488,000 people in hospitals or claiming Invalidity Benefit.
Leaving 512,000 to do the work.
Now, there are 511,998 people in prisons.
That leaves just two people to do the work.
You and me.
And there you are,
Sitting on your ass,
At your computer, reading jokes.
Is it any wonder that we are in such a mess and that I am stressed out through trying to cope on my own?

NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM ALSO SITTING ON MY ASS SO NO ONE IS DOING ANY WORK AT ALL!!!!

 

[Flyfisher]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

As I am a foreigner . . .

No, you've got it wrong Middi - we're all Europeans now. :wink:

 

[LadyArowana]

No, you've got it wrong Middi - we're all Europeans now. :wink:

Apart from the Swiss, who have very nice customs and immigration people that forgive you for being ignorant of the fact.

 

[OddJob]

:lol: :lol: :lol:

As I am a foreigner . . .

No, you've got it wrong Middi - we're all Europeans now. :wink:

No we're not.
:evil:
You speak for yourself.
I'm British and a Tory and proud of it.
European my ar*e!

 

[middi]

You can be anything you like.

I want to be an Earthling.

 

[middi]

.....thinking about it, Has anybody thought of the " EARTHLING PARTY".

 

[biffvernon]

I'm British and a Tory and proud of it.

It shows.

 

[Pford75]

Surprised noone has commented on last nights debate....have we all had enough of the election already? :wink:

 

[biffvernon]

Ed Miliband and Franny Armstrong roadshow live now at http://www.ageofstupid.net/edandfranny

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Gosh, I go silent for a few days and all sorts of things happen.

I really do hope Gervase comes back. He is one of the real experts round these parts, and his views are very genuinely held. (utterly wrong politically, but genuinely held! :wink: )

Carole, I know foxhunting is an important issue to you and many others, but you need to remember that Cameron has not undertaken to repeal the ban, but to allow some time for a free vote. Maybe we can get a more realistic and workable piece of legislation after a free vote. I don't expect it to be top of the list though - there is the whole mess of the economy we are inheriting to sort out. For my part, I think foxhunting has its part to play in pest control and the way that the countryside is managed to facilitate the hunt. The hunts I've been to have drawn all classes and walks of life to participate - but there is no doubt that the red coats come predominantly from a certain "class". So do golf clubs, polo matches, or darts. So what? :?:

As for last night's debate - I know I am biased ( :roll: ) but I saw:

* a very positive Prime Ministerial David Cameron - who looked and sounded ready to "roll up his sleeves" and lead.;
* an unrelentingly negative and desperate Gordon Brown (who seems incapable of grasping that people might not see the world his way - reference the contempt he poured forth on a life-long socialist grandmother who had the temerity to mention immigration amongst a long list of other questions;
* a slick Nick Clegg, but who was flaky and uncertain on policy. How quick did he try and distance himself from his manifesto commitments on the Euro and an amnesty for illegal immigrants?

I doubt last night was a game changer; but the momentum is now with Cameron and my prediction a couple of weeks ago of a Cameron majority government are looking realistic.

It's sure going to be a fun night next Thursday - much is unpredictable and I think all sides will have some surprises. For me - the one I am looking for is Ed Balls' face when he loses - will this be the 2010 "Portillo moment", or will it be Darling, or even Jack Straw? 8)

I'm watching it on Sky in HD (with my 3D glasses on too for added realism!!!)

 

[Flyfisher]

While walking down the street one day a Member of Parliament is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

'Welcome to heaven, 'says St. Peter.' Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we ' re not sure what to do with you.'

'No problem, just let me in,' says the MP.

'Well, I 'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.'

'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the MP.

'I'm sorry, but we have our rules.'

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly, nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realises it, is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises....

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

'Now it's time to visit heaven.'

So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realises it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

'Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.'

The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: 'Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.'

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above. The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.

'I don't understand, 'stammers the MP.' Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?'

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, 'Yesterday we were campaigning.....today you voted.'

 

[Schoolmarm]

FF brilliant, absolutely brilliant :lol: :lol: :lol:

- but there is no doubt that the red coats come predominantly from a certain "class". So do golf clubs, polo matches, or darts. So what? :?:

Well, it is PRO-HUNTERS who always say it is a class issue. I just think it is cruel, inefficient and pointless.
Golf, polo and darts don't kill animals for fun.

Anyway there were 4 votes coming from here and they would be tory votes but three are going on an emergency job in Belfast and I purposely didn't sort out proxy votes by the deadline.
I will go and spoil my paper for the second time ever. Or I might just vote Greens.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Lovely joke FF :lol:

Robin, you see you can't leave us- it just falls into chaos!

 

[Penners]

FF brilliant, absolutely brilliant

Seconded!

Well, thirded, anyway.

 

[Jill]

Reading through some of this thread last night made me smile and brings back lots of memories of a horsey work colleague of mine. For once i'll agree with Joce.

I don't say the really poor can afford it, but I do go along with the view that people imagine the horsey world to be posher and richer that it really is.

My colleague is definetly working class, like myself, and often turns up at work straight from the horse field where she has been poo picking, seeing her walking through the lab in her boots as she has forgotten her shoes isn't something a posh person would do, nor would they come to work in the jeans that were splattered with the same muck. She does it as she has a real love of horses, I think she's mad as she came off and broke her back, and is lucky to be here.

Back to the election, its all too confusing for me, they are like managers at work, you just can't believe any of them. Now which one is the most fanciable?

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Well, thirded, anyway.

Hold on Penners, don't give up just yet - under PR we've got to count the second and third preferences of those who weren't first.

You may well turn out to have been first.

Or fourth.

:roll: