Metropol

Dr Lobster* wrote:interesting titbit from the budget:

"The decision to slap VAT on more regular purchases is another stealth tax on middle and lower income families," said the party's Treasury spokesman Owen Smith.

"It will increase the price of a haircut, a bacon sandwich, a sausage roll or a caravan holiday. These are the kind of changes which will hit families in the middle."

i haven't had a haircut for over two years, who's laughing now.

I pay over £30 for a haircut.

Its crazy, yes, but for that price I get a head massage and a fantastic soul-enriching moan/chat to Andy, my hairdresser.

It works out at a penny per follicle probably, but who's counting, right?

Well lets be honset, its not been easy on the government this week, yet the opposition has done very little to do anything. Talk is now that Eds days a number: If he cant win London he going to be out: If ken wins the mayor he will also be out!

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/leftw ... its-c.html

Scottish elections is anyone guess!

I think Ed should stay to ensure Labour remain a complete laughing stock.

Anyone placing bets on the next government being a Conservative Respect coalition?

Yet at present, Labour have had a fairly consistent run of leading in the polls, with some post-Budget numbers up to a lead of 10 points.

Ed may not be winning the popularity contest, but the Tories and the LieDowns are winning the unpopularity contest.

I have nothing positive to say about Ed.

Ed is very clever and speaks with conviction regardless of the subject matter. The trouble is, a leader he is not. Also it's not like it can be said he was the best of a bad bunch when the leadership was decided - regardless of what you thought of New Labour, David Milliband would have been a much stronger leader of the party.

Or should I say, would still make a much stronger leader of the party. His public profile has become more pronounced and he is talking about direction and strategy for the Labour party. Without doubt he is sowing the seeds should the leadership issue become a real talking point. At the moment, Ed hasn't done that much wrong but then he hasn't done that much right either. But the polls showing an anti government swing towards Labour so that will be enough for him to hold on at this stage. Labour also tend to be loyal to their leaders - bar a few outspoken critics - they're not fond of chucking them out as much as the Conservatives.

What does everyone make of David Davis?

I reckon he's the Tories' secret weapon. I think it's strange how he made such a public declaration before the election that he wanted to sit on the sidelines. His image is the total opposite of the current leadership, and I could see that resonating well with voters once the 'nasty' things the government wants to do are over and done with.

Btw - Ed Milliband just gave a speech and constantly referred to the audience as "friends". Just urgh.

iSon wrote:Ed is very clever and speaks with conviction regardless of the subject matter. The trouble is, a leader he is not. Also it's not like it can be said he was the best of a bad bunch when the leadership was decided - regardless of what you thought of New Labour, David Milliband would have been a much stronger leader of the party.

Or should I say, would still make a much stronger leader of the party. His public profile has become more pronounced and he is talking about direction and strategy for the Labour party. Without doubt he is sowing the seeds should the leadership issue become a real talking point. At the moment, Ed hasn't done that much wrong but then he hasn't done that much right either. But the polls showing an anti government swing towards Labour so that will be enough for him to hold on at this stage. Labour also tend to be loyal to their leaders - bar a few outspoken critics - they're not fond of chucking them out as much as the Conservatives.

My comments were purely in relation to his role as leader.

After all, you, I and several others here are clever and speak with conviction - but that's not the only standard required for the function he's supposed to fulfil.

In recent weeks there's been a litany of terrible stories out of Coalition HQ of the kind that whould have an effective Labour leader foaming at the mouth. Selling off of the motorways, fattening of the Post Office ahead of flogging, the scandalous selling of Prime Ministerial access, the dangerous gambit of fuel stockpiling ahead of the financial year end... but when I did hear anything from Ed, it sounded opportunist and hollow.

Conversely, I watched David Miliband on Sunday AM last weekend, and I felt more inspired to take an active interest in the Labour movement than I have for many, many months.

I certainly don't think we should go though a second Coac term to wait for Ed to lose and step down. That's a hell of a high price to pay.

There's been NO GROWTH in the UK. The fact that we've maintained low borrowing rates up until now will soon become irrelevant when we fail on our deficit reduction targets. We'll be downgraded one way or another unless we can create some jobs and get people off benefits.

After all, we don't have much left to sell.

David is hotter, yes.

Clegg gives me the dry boake. Certainly now he does.

Doesn't anyone get reminded of this when talking about the Miliband brothers?