Benefit Changes and Local Elections

Muttleythefrog

The bottom line is British people are largely apolitical... even vast numbers of those who vote only do so out of a sense of tradition and loyalty...stick a monkey in a suit with a red rosette and they'd be elected in Hartlepool...lol. I was interested to note (from memory) that in my ward the Tory candidate got 80 odd votes.. yes 80 odd votes. In 6 years living here I've never seen any material or presence from a Tory... I wonder if the candidates even bother voting for themsevles. The differences between the major parties is actually very minor... they stand for pretty much the same ideals and only fractionally have differing opinions on how to approach implementing those ideals. At local elections I suppose whipping up interest is hard.. and people seem to vote on national matters... rather a shame because I live in a ward with an outstanding Lib Dem presence that can't do enough for people on an individual basis... they've lost their seat to a labour candidate who looks incredibly young. Amusingly I note that I grew up in what is now the only Tory ward in South Tyneside I understand... the Tory candidate got bitten by a dog during campaigning and so was in hospital for the count... perhaps an indication that even the pets up here can spot a Tory crook sneaking around... although looking at him he might have been confused for another dog.
http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/local-news/local-elections-2012-conservatives-hold-cleadon-east-boldon-with-their-candidate-in-hospital-after-being-bitten-by-dog-1-4514651

Anubis_2

Muttleythefrog wrote: »

The bottom line is British people are largely apolitical... even vast numbers of those who vote only do so out of a sense of tradition and loyalty...stick a monkey in a suit with a red rosette and they'd be elected in Hartlepool...lol. I was interested to note (from memory) that in my ward the Tory candidate got 80 odd votes.. yes 80 odd votes. In 6 years living here I've never seen any material or presence from a Tory... I wonder if the candidates even bother voting for themsevles. The differences between the major parties is actually very minor... they stand for pretty much the same ideals and only fractionally have differing opinions on how to approach implementing those ideals. At local elections I suppose whipping up interest is hard.. and people seem to vote on national matters... rather a shame because I live in a ward with an outstanding Lib Dem presence that can't do enough for people on an individual basis... they've lost their seat to a labour candidate who looks incredibly young.

I think apathy also plays a part. I always say though if you don't vote you have no right to moan who is in power.

EvieSaver

Anubis wrote: »

I think apathy also plays a part. I always say though if you don't vote you have no right to moan who is in power.

This would be true if you could know what the party you vote for is planning on doing. They say one thing before an election and do the opposite after. Votes based on lies are worthless. Politicians aren't trusted. This is why I think lots of people don't vote.

mazza111

I'm ashamed to say I didn't vote this time.

Didn't receive polling card through and had been laid up with a migraine all day, by time I got out and about to tesco that day, I noticed the polling stations closed!

Blah!!!

anguk

BigAunty wrote: »

Maybe the apathy is because while there are significant changes and flaws in the new benefits system, the public generally thinks it a revision to the system is well overdue.

When Beveridge drew up the welfare state, I believe he based his policy on the belief that there would be around 3% unemployment, not the 9% of the present day with millions in part time employment.

Also, he envisaged a 'hand up' system of temporary assistance so not the one where nearly 3 million of working age were drawing Incapacity Benefit, meaning some cities had 1 in 5 of their working population on IB, often for many years.

He couldn't envisage the high cost/low wage economy which has produced a benefits trap where quite bizarrely many households with children are actually better off if they work less.

He also expected that most people would die within a couple of years after retiring, he didn't expect them to still be alive and well and still drawing a pension 20 years after they retired. Pensions are the biggest cost to the welfare state followed by child tax credits, the sick and unemployed are way down the list. Almost £6 out of every £10 of welfare spending goes on pensioners and children:

State pension - 36% of welfare bill
Child tax credit - 10%
Other pensioner benefits - 6%
Child Benefit - 6%
ESA - 4%
Income support - 4%
JSA - 3%

http://m.ippr.org/articles/56/8893/budget-2012-breaking-down-the-benefits-bill

taxi73

I'm afraid I didn't vote either but that was due to having the same 3 parties and there not being any difference between any of them.Every politician is in it for themselves rather than the electorate.There is nothing democratic about this country any more.

Boots888

George Osborne today on the lack of votes and low turnout

"We understand people are having a tough time" but...but..but..."we've heard what people are saying" "we have to focus....education... health....crime... welfare - things that really matter to people" - Pathetic

Re: thier mass loss of support - He also said they'd have to "take it on the chin" - well thats unacceptable.

One of the few comments of many to come over the days ahead on their catastrophic election results, diagnosing why this "crisis" has come about.

The writing was on the wall, BIG, BLACK, RED, UNDERLINED etc

Give it a few days and it will all be forgotton - those that didn't bother to vote will all be moaning again about the state of the country and how unfair it is they're being targeted (that's now every minority group in the UK = everyone)

Well, they missed the opportunity to get out and have their say so shouldn't complian and certainly shouldn't expect any changes that might have benefited them had they voiced themselves.

So here we go again, round and round in circles for another few years.

I'm hoping the youth will get back out on the streets and demand changes!!

Long live the youth of tomorrow!!!

zagfles

Boots888 wrote: »

George Osborne today on the lack of votes and low turnout

"We understand people are having a tough time" but...but..but..."we've heard what people are saying" "we have to focus....education... health....crime... welfare - things that really matter to people" - Pathetic

That's what they always say. I remember Tony Blair and Gordon Brown saying similar things mid-term when they were being hammered in local elections.

Re: thier mass loss of support - He also said they'd have to "take it on the chin" - well thats unacceptable.

One of the few comments of many to come over the days ahead on their catastrophic election results, diagnosing why this "crisis" has come about.

The writing was on the wall, BIG, BLACK, RED, UNDERLINED etc

Give it a few days and it will all be forgotton - those that didn't bother to vote will all be moaning again about the state of the country and how unfair it is they're being targeted (that's now every minority group in the UK = everyone)

Well, they missed the opportunity to get out and have their say so shouldn't complian and certainly shouldn't expect any changes that might have benefited them had they voiced themselves.

So here we go again, round and round in circles for another few years.

I'm hoping the youth will get back out on the streets and demand changes!!

Long live the youth of tomorrow!!!

I doubt they'll take to streets if they can't even be bothered to vote!

Boots888

I doubt they'll take to streets if they can't even be bothered to vote!

No-ones depending or expecting the young to bother voting. It's not until you're older and have conformed somewhat to society that you go out and tick a box at a poll station:p

Best to take direct action and create some chaos!! That's the way to do it when you're young and fearless:T