Are the Lib Dems' policies really credible?

BigJonnyB

Joeskeppi wrote: »

The lib dems have had the benefit for years of being able to say all the right things knowing they'll never need to actually to action them. Now all of a sudden their nice proposals are being looked at in a bit of detail and it's apparent they don't stack up.

I've hardly seen any analysis of their proposals by other politicians. The tory supporting media are just throwing mud at Clegg. Where has the discussion been on removing investment banking from retail banking, or anything to do with europe? I'm not saying I agree with all their policies, but I can't see that they have really been looked at. They've just been dismissed in the entirely predictable party political manner without any thought whatsoever.

beer_tins

Regarding foreign aid, I wouldn't worry about it. People seem to think this is a hand out we simply give to developing nations. In reality, the vast majority of it is in the shape of loans (oh yes, loans are included!) and many come with conditions that the money is spent in the UK, or that the UK gets something back in return (use of land for an airforce base etc.).

Plainly, some of the other proposals don't stack up, though.

kennyboy66_2

Kohoutek wrote: »

• Increasing the foreign aid budget - why? We can't afford it.

Don't your beloved Tories propose to do this as well.

"We are committed to achieving the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income as aid by 2013"

Kohoutek

kennyboy66 wrote: »

Don't your beloved Tories propose to do this as well.

Not really beloved. I've never voted for them and won't on this election.

kennyboy66 wrote: »

"We are committed to achieving the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income as aid by 2013"

It's a shame the BNP and UKIP are the only parties that recognise that cutting foreign aid should come before raising taxes, cutting public sector jobs and increasing the public debt. I thought the role of a government was to serve its country, not foreign countries...

purch

If you vote Lib Dem and they don't win outright, Gordon Brown remains Prime Minister

Eh ??

Run that by me again.

So, if I vote LibDem and the LibDems don't win an outright majority, then Labour automatically wins the election ??? :eek:.........even if the Conservatives get an outright majority :eek:

Wow.............arn' elections fun :T

kennyboy66_2

1) A better potential Chancellor than Osbourne.
2) An acknowledgement that Health & Education can't be protected forever.
3) A long standing commitment to civil liberties long abandoned by Labour
4) Would struggle to do worst than current lot
5) Would struggle to wreck whole swathes of the country like Thatcher.


Add to the fact that they are hated by the Daily Mail, then they get my vote.

purch

1) And ?? Norman 'the Shuffler' Lamont would be a better choice than Osbourne :eek:

kennyboy66_2

purch wrote: »

Eh ??

Run that by me again.

So, if I vote LibDem and the LibDems don't win an outright majority, then Labour automatically wins the election ??? :eek:.........even if the Conservatives get an outright majority :eek:

Wow.............arn' elections fun :T

It's known as the last past the post electoral system.

The party that gains the least votes has to clear the mess up for the next 5 years.

The party that gets the most votes gets to appear on Have I Got News for You.

beer_tins

Kohoutek wrote: »

It's a shame the BNP and UKIP are the only parties that recognise that cutting foreign aid should come before raising taxes, cutting public sector jobs and increasing the public debt. I thought the role of a government was to serve its country, not foreign countries...

Why? We get interest on this "aid" to foreign countries.

Kohoutek

One's things for sure which may effect some people on here, the Lib Dems are not the party of property!

90% reduction in CGT allowance, rate changed to same as income tax
VAT of at least 5% on new build homes
Allow councils to use a special planning category for second homes, and apply higher council tax to existing second homes
Mansion tax