Election 2005

[Pete]

dear nick harvey gavin, you must be old

Well I'm not quite Methuselah. I was 7 when Thatcher came to power but all those things were talked about when I was a nipper.

oh well that's ok then. I *JUST* remember the end of Thatcher

[marksi]

dear nick harvey gavin, you must be old

Well I'm not quite Methuselah. I was 7 when Thatcher came to power but all those things were talked about when I was a nipper.

oh well that's ok then. I *JUST* remember the end of Thatcher

Gavin, given that you and I are about the same age, does the post above make you feel as old it makes me feel?!

[Gavin Scott]

oh well that's ok then. I *JUST* remember the end of Thatcher

Gavin, given that you and I are about the same age, does the post above make you feel as old it makes me feel?!

It did. Especially as it feels like Thatcher was in power for at least a century.

[johnnyboy]

I remember the sense of shock around Tynemouth College the day Mrs Thatcher resigned, both Gav and marksi. So we're definitely in the same age bracket.

Although I can understand the animosity for lots of things people had towards Thatcher, there's no doubt that she helped to create an entreprenuerial climate. When it comes to trying out new things and taking risks, I believe that the peoples of the four countries of the UK can not be beaten. And she helped encourage it.

We're far better off today per person, per family, than we were back in the 1970s. Of course, and I know, there's more to life than money, but money (especially taxes) helps oil the wheels.

Whereas Maggie was far from perfect, and I hated the 'poll tax', 'I'm alright Jack' and 'no such thing as society' episodes, I believe they were the evils of a necessary change for the better.

My hopes for the election. Despite being a natural Tory, I hope Labour get in and Brown becomes PM as soon as possible. I hope the majority is reduced from 160 to 20/30 so that the opposition voices do matter.

Labour only really became 'electable' when the Tories had a small majority, and I believe the same to be the case with the Conservatives this time.

[Nick Harvey]

Incidentally, there is no need to punctuate each post with a web address for the Conservatives.

Or Radio Caroline, for that matter, when BIG L is now available on Sky channel 940.

[martindtanderson]

Right then... please explain why there is no alternative to politicians lying, and do you not see some rather odd logic in your statement about the Lib Dems?

I can't personally imagine a scenario where we would have a perfect government, without deception, without scandals, without half truths and spin. Telling me not to vote Labour because they lied, doesn't equate to the notion that the other parties haven't or will not lie.

I would rather of been told the truth about the reasons for the war, I don’t think anyone can be happy about the confusion, but that doesn't mean I would have been against the war if I knew then what I know now. I am just a single insignificant person, so my voice is pointless, but this is my first chance to vote in a general election.

I do not like Conservative Policy; I do not like the Conservative Party's History. I am not privileged, my family struggles with getting food shopping every week, not to mention student fees, and our mortgage payments, but if we were under a Conservative Government, we would be worse off.

If I believed the Liberal Democrats stood a chance of rising to power, I may vote for them, but as it stands, we are better off under Labour, and eventually, when we are able to get out of our present bad patch, we may even benefit further from the sale of our house, the increased importance of new media and degree skilled jobs.

Tory bashing is a popular theme for many, I didn't take any interest in politics until Labour were elected in 1997, but I have talked with my parents about how things were.

We are a family of 5, and we were stuck in a 1 bedroom flat until Thatcher resigned. I can speak personally, but all of the Conservative leaders who have followed her, were uninteresting, incompetent, old fuddy duddies (excuse my childish description). Tony Blair may be privileged thanks to his public schooling, and his position as a lawyer, but he came from Islington, like me, his kids went to a primary school, near me... I share something in common, and that makes him more appealing.

Mr MdtA - that growth on the first of your chins does not in any way make you look less of a fat bastard.

I have not tried to say I am not overweight, and I think you may just be childish and a person with no redeeming features. I don't love myself, I don't try to be attractive, I am what I am, and if you don't like it, I’d appreciate you keep it to yourself, as it serves no purpose other than snatching a cheap laugh to compensate for the fact you obviously can't think of anything else to say.

[cat]

I have not tried to say I am not overweight, and I think you may just be childish and a person with no redeeming features. I don't love myself, I don't try to be attractive, I am what I am, and if you don't like it, I’d appreciate you keep it to yourself, as it serves no purpose other than snatching a cheap laugh to compensate for the fact you obviously can't think of anything else to say.

Here, here, Martin.

Much as I was not exactly erm... happy to see your Gaydar profile, I really do find this constant bullying - which is what it boils down to - of Martin quite worrying.

You wouldn't (I hope) go up to someone in a pub and say 'you're a bit fat, aren't you'. That would cause offence (and possibly a broken jaw) and the upset you cause would be obvious. I'd also hazard that most of you wouldn't say it to Martin's face. Yet for some reason it becomes acceptable practice to do it via this medium, when the offence is likely to be just as great.

I do think it's about time that the moderators on here, rather than joining in, stood up a little and made it clear that the sort of comments he suffers on here because of his weight are not acceptable.

[Gavin Scott]

I do think it's about time that the moderators on here, rather than joining in, stood up a little and made it clear that the sort of comments he suffers on here because of his weight are not acceptable.

The moderators; that is johnnyboy and I, are first and foremost members of the forum who post a fair bit. Comments we make to and about individuals are usually given in that context.

Very few people are censored for taking the piss as replies are usually forthcoming from the insultee (where's dictionary corner when you need it?). I would draw your attention to the sparkling repartee engaged by Cheese Head and other forum users which is of a similar nature. I felt that Martin had answered On-the-mark very well without intervention.

If you want us to start editing out the insults Tom, do let me know.

I warn you though, the blanket that is Metropol we have stitched between all of us will be nothing more than a thong by the time I'm done.

[Jamez]

Mr MdtA - that growth on the first of your chins does not in any way make you look less of a fat bastard.

I hope you're going to aplogise for that comment OTM. I know I've been a prolific mocker of Martin, but that's purely because he is a character, and I believe that without people like him and James Martin, this place would be poorer without them.

Admitedly, the mdta character is someone who I've created based on Martin. I even believe the low, drawn out voice that is used on those phone mocks is his, even though it's a a voice impression!

I know Martin is probably very different in person, than we perpetuate him to be, but that's just the satire of it all, and I hope Martin and everyone else who has been the subject of a mock of mine takes it in the good humour in which it was intended.

I have never been rude and down-right insulting to Martin as you have been above, and I think that you apologise for that unprovoked and offensive comment.

[Anonymous]

Spending must be slashed or taxes pushed up by £12 billion, Labour was told by global economic experts yesterday. The International Monetary Fund also warned that the Government,s view of the economy was too rose-tinted as it was growing at a far slower rate than official promises.

Remember the problems that Denis Healy had with the IMF!

[MarkN]

Out of curiosity, is anyone here Backing Blair? (click the link and read the site before replying, please! )