What do you think of it so far?

[fallen-archie]

The general election campaign, has it enthused you to vote? Have you connected with a party or are you finding it all a bit limp?
I don't feel inspired by Cameron or Milliband, Farage peaked too early, the greens are very poor, Liberals are stuck with being in government with the Tories and many from the left cannot forgive that. The Scots think it's a football match which they can win.
Our nuclear deterrent should go according to many, the NHS is underfunded because we are all Sick, We have huge debt but want those who generate wealth to pay it off. Our roads are becoming similar to those in third world countries. Freedom of speech is being threatened daily by PC activists determined to swathe all in cotton wool. So who is addressing the problems, who will buck the trend and set us on a course toward a better society?

Vote for a new way

Vote for Sooty

[**caution**opinion_ahead]

I'd say the Conservatives have managed to get some things done (whether one agrees with the direction or not), despite having to water-down others to accommodate their coalition status, though I do agree that if you had more than 2 parties trying to work together, you could quickly get stalemate.

I think having an MP who represents a minor party can work fine.  Only last night I saw a member of the public interviewed who said she was voting for the current incumbent in her area as he was so good within the constituency, not because she actually supported the party he stood for and in full knowledge that this party would not come close to winning a majority. The candidate effective at a local level may not be so good at Westminster, and vice versa.  It cuts both ways.  

Nationalism is a big issue, and there is no easy answer.  Is the rise of the SNP a good thing or not?  Depends where you are standing, and whether you are thinking long or short term (as you point out).  The once-in-a-generation Scottish vote for independence may become a once-in-a-parliamentary-term, with all the attendant cost and uncertainty.  But, I don't think that creates a reason not to vote in this election (which was my point ^^^).

[astrologica]

The promises are coming thick and fast now! Mr Miliband is going to save the country and solve the immigration issue by employing another 1000 border staff, bringing in exit checks, and not allowing criminals to come here! Someone had better tell him that he cannot stop immigration from Europe while we are in the EU. He needs to get real..and tell the truth.

[**caution**opinion_ahead]

He is not alone.  Cameron and Clegg have been wheeling out extra inducments on an almost daily basis.  This is why I think that once the manifesto is published, that should be that.  The various parties should be planning ahead (and fully costing their pledges), not inventing things off the cuff to court various sections of the electorate.  

[malacandran]

The politicians are telling lies, to make people vote for them.

[margaret*e]

A politician telling thetruth, there's a novel idea, Astro.

It'll never catch on.

[astrologica]

Yes Marg*e....isn't it unusual? But Mr Farage is doing it again this morning.....warning of the dangers of immigration from Africa through Europe. Without doubt he will be causing much flapping of hands etc and will be accused of racism and scaremongering.
The European Union is becoming a very dangerous thing.

[bookhunter2007]

Farage trying to scare the elderly and gullible? Wonders never cease....

Earlier in the week a Polish family moved in at the end of our road. Since then it has rained TWICE. Co-incidence?

[astrologica]

Well.....isn't that a surprise? A reply from Bookhunter when someone mentions Mr Farage.😄😄😄

[malacandran]

If a Gipsy family had moved in at the end of your road,  you might have been burgled TWICE.

And not by co-incidence.

I await arrest by the Police.

[bookhunter2007]

---

@malacandran wrote:

I await arrest by the Police.

---

That's not good.  Was it your ISP that grassed you up?

[al**bear]

Checkout reason 2 in English version, compare to our version

[bookhunter2007]

That's Murdochracy for you. Maybe we should do away with elections and just let Rupert Scrotumface decide who runs the country?

[j_uk643]

I believe he thinks he does already.

As for Scotland, he's being pragmatic - better to retain sales in troubled times  than try to sell  a message nobody wants to hear

[bookhunter2007]

Meanwhile, in Kipperworld:

http://www.itv.com/news/2015-04-29/ukip-asks-police-to-investigate-the-bbc-over-have-i-got-news-for-...

UKIP should be charged with wasting police time imo

[fallen-archie]

The last thing we should have on the BBC is Satire or Top Gear or any programme responsible for poking fun and humour. 

Clair Balding needs to be given both those slots me thinks.

[******lynda******]

SNP are keeping back Barnett formula money from the Scottish people to enhance the appearance of cuts and make the Tories look worse, creating austerity where none need exist, punishing their own people. They have underspent £444 million they could be using for schools and NHS and old folk in need. They are blaming the Tories for cuts that SNP have made unnecessarily to win votes. I suppose, after they win all those seats, they will then release the cash and appear to be able to be suddenly generous as a result. They blame the state of the Scottish NHS on Tory cuts, even though it is devolved and they have money sitting there, unused.

Plus everyone forgets the French elected Hollande for his end to austerity policies, and he brought France to its financial knees till he had to U-turn. The SNP figures don't add up and they know it

[dark_castle1]

The SNP are only interested in one thing and that is independence and nothing else ! They are not interested in what the people of Scotland want or need and are proving it when Nicola Sturgeon said the independence of Scotland is not dead and buried.

Well Nicola the people of Scotland spoke and voted NO so take heed of what they said and think about them for once.

[**caution**opinion_ahead]

You make valid points.  It may all backfire, of course, as votes for the SNP are almost exclusively votes taken from Labour, which may keep Cameron in No.10.  Without the SNP drain on support, I have a feeling Labour would have squeezed through next Thursday.  As things stand, the loss of seats in Scotland may cost them dear.  

I predict some unseemly scrabbling for a share of power come next Friday.  

[merehazle]

Well I thought this was one of the best cartoons I have ever seen:

See Attachment.

[astrologica]

😄😄😄