General Discussion

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jan/24/ed-balls-labour-will-run-budget-surplus

What an idiotic statement. Ed Balls has no credibility to lose but how stupid do you have to be to say this?

Did you actually read the whole article?  Did you understand it? There's minimal differential between what Balls and Osborne are both saying re. budgetary surplus. There's plenty of difference though in how that's going to be achieved - Osborne just wants to slash and burn public services to reduce the growing national debt, Balls wants the top earners to contribute more. 

@Mrs C, yes I read it. my point obviously is that ed balls is very stupid to come out with such lies.

There is no way that a Labour Government will ever balance the books and surely there isn't anyone stupid enough to think it could ever happen.

Been listening to a London radio phone in ..interesting call from an accountant.

He said to really make things grow it would be better that everyoine paid 33% tax ..that would help low paid and encourage people to do better and stay in busimess and keep employing people.  Another comment which is so true. 'up the tax did not work in the last and previous Labout Governments and business left the UK.  It is good anyone can earn now 10,000 and not get taxed.  Will Ed stop that?

Sooner the electorate realise that the only people the m.p's are concerned about is themselves the better. Every time a G.E. comes round people flock to the poles to get their party in based on zero facts, but lots of hot air. The time is now to demand that proportional representation is adopted before the next G.E. The other item is for cameron to stop holding the electorate to ransom over an IN/OUT referendum on the E.U. after the next election, if he gets back in, and do it now! You know if he gets back in he has no intention of fulfilling anything he promises. How naive sheeple can be.

@OLD FART, what you've said may well be correct. However, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. So it is best to run your own business and get rich.

Mrs C, Im quite suprised I actually agree with one of your postings

@wondering, an accountant would say that, hes in business to save peoples money

Maybe Ed will go the France route and make it 75% tax

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25541739

@Paul, are you a tory councillor or perhaps planning to be one. people form there own opinions over what political party they wish to support (if they do want to support one) with out your tory rantings all the time, is wondering your/partner /secretary as well. i do not support any party but want this bloody government full of rich eton/bullingdon bullies out asap, what the answer to a future government is ive no idea, but we could start with a party of compassion. instead of bashing the sick,vunerable and poorly paid workers all the time.

@roberta. so just because i have a different opinion to you, you have to keep going on about what i say. better to post something a bit more interesting.

Anyway you're right about the Tory Party they can't understand what it is like to worry about how you're going to buy food for the family. Same does go for the other parties.

To me when you say compassion I just see it as a statement against the spending cuts, but the cuts are required to reduce the deficit. Can't go on racking up this huge debt. I'm not saying the spending cuts are completely right. For instance, why cut Soliders, the NHS and other vital services and at the same time go on about a 250mph train network. (Which probably is needed, but is there a cheaper option?)

However we as a country do need to make some form of progress, cannot just spend money on the social, as we'll end up being the poorest country on Earth.

I see the Labour Party's ideas as all about now and no future for the Country. Whereas the Tories do think about people bettering themselves, possibly running a business and employing people and investing in the future.

So I choose Tories as the least worst.

@Paul have you ever been to a poor country and i mean a poor country like South Yemen,  Sudan you should go and have a look it might broaden your perspective this country will never be poor whatever party is in power.

@Paul - done that. that's why i came down to the west country to get away from the rat race. devon is a lovely part of the country. although i fear this quest to build so many homes for those that are unable to support themselves without handouts is wrong. don't get me wrong i believe everyone should have the opportunity to have their own home, but give people the opportunity to do so. that is development of industry and commerce, real training and support for real jobs. a country needs a solid foundation to build on and i'm afraid the british government is building on sand and has their head in it as well.

Proper Social Housing should be built, not this nonsense of allowing developement with a small quota of affordable homes

Will be traveling to Gloucester on Thursday to have dinner with Ed and looking forward to it.

The Foreign Office advise against travelling to Yemen and Sudan. Anyway I don't require a broader perspective.

You should go talk to any business, the FSB, the CBI or other person or organisation giving people jobs and see how disastrous a Labour Government is.

http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/home/2013/06/bumper-book-government-waste-exposes-120-billion-wasteful-spending-4500-household-uk.html                                                                http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/27/chuka-umunna-50p-business_n_4672175.html?utm_hp_ref=uk                                                                                                                                     here you are Paul get your teeth into this

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/mehdi-hasan/were-margaret-thatcher-an_b_4679432.html?1390915143                                                                                                                                        some revealing statements here

What we need to do is give all the leading parties a lesson they wont forget in a hurry so vote BNP that would make a few stand up and take notice of the people

@FredBassett, yep good idea. I'd do that.

If Ed Balls and George Osborne are such financial wizards how come both their parties

funds in such a state.

Did Ed Balls assisted by Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling help the Bankers put us into

this bloody mess,and now Eddy has all the answers.What BALLS.

OLD FART, An in-out referendum on Europe would be a tragedy because the British people are told nothing about the positives of Europe.  Only the negatives care of the Sun and the Mail

@warrior - i can only give my own opinion. in an ideal world were everyone helps each other rather than themselves and there is no criminality. the e.u mandates would be good. although the world is made up of a mix of humans, some who are kind and giving, those who wish to be left alone and then there are the predators. predators being criminals, multi nationals and certain governmentswho feed of the majority of law abiding and caring citizens. all i see is hard earned taxes going out to look after everyone but the u.k. and idealistic and dangerous mandates/laws imposed on the u.k. that cause more harm than good.

We do not need this weight around our neck with the economic shorfalls dragging us down even further. The only way this country is going to heal is by cutting back on memberships we do not need and serve no positive actions to this country. How far this great country has fallen in just the past 100 years. Our fore fathers would weep if they knew.