Quote from danowat :

If the cons manage to wangle their way into power come Friday morning, I'll be seriously looking into emigratting to a different country

I hear Greece is nice this time of year. Obviously the EU and Euro, which the Lib-Dem seem to love without question, has done wonders for their country. Their socialist government right now is really working for the people as well.

If lab and Lib get in power that's what we'll have to deal with with NO upside. We'll get the SAME with Tories... except there is an upside at the end of the tunnel (and then Lab will get in again and waste all the hard work of others again!!!)

I love how the Tories slag Labour for the economy.... they didn't notice how Greece or Iceland are doing then? Or do Labour control Greece and Iceland now?

It's a big joke, the main parties (exception of Lib Dem [to my knowledge so far]) slag each other off, why don't they realise the average vote actually HAS a brain and wants to vote on something where a remote bit of intelligence was used instead of basically just "LOOK AT GORDON BROWS FACE AND VOTE TORY TO GET RID OF IT" I also love the campaign posters, where they show Browns face and say HE ruined the economy all on his own.... I think the Tories just think everyone are mugs, I have to admit, when talking to the public I find Cameron to be more convincing, but it makes no difference who gets in the main seat with regards to the economy, because only UKIP could solve it and I really dont think they will get a seat.

Quote from BlueFlame :

I love how the Tories slag Labour for the economy.... they didn't notice how Greece or Iceland are doing then? Or do Labour control Greece and Iceland now?

Labour's economic mistakes could be greater than Greece or Iceland. Even the EU have now warned that the UK faces a bigger debt crisis than Greece. Brown has messed up BIG TIME... but that's quite typical of Labour regimes.

Quote from JO53PHS :

You don't want to get on the wrong side of the BNP heavies

I have to be honest, I do like an MP (or in this case potential MP) who isn't affraid to kick so prats arse. Prescott got my support after he beat the shit out of some chap who threw eggs at him. If it wasn't for the fact this chap was BNP (and not in my area), I'd have to vote for him.

I bet those guys are wishing they never tried to play the hard man now though. They'll never live down the day they got a kicking from a fat guy in a suit. XD

Of all places to stand for BNP, why Barking? :doh:

Is it legal to refuse to have my voting number on my slip (so that no-one can tell that I've voted and who I've voted for)? Can I just ask the people at my local polling station not to put my number on my card? Will my vote still count?

Someone's voting BNP.

Quote from pearcy_2k7 :

Someone's voting BNP.

Heh, wouldn't even consider it if there was a local candidate. I just think there's something wrong with people being able to see who you've voted for. I realise there's a need to stop people from voting multiple times (so the people at the polling station can cross my name off the list when I vote) but I don't want anyone to be able to see who I've voted for (which they can do by cross-referencing your polling slip with your voting number) and I don't want outside agencies knowing whether or not I've voted.

Just add 3 extra people to your household next time and do a postal vote on their behalf.

Quote from amp88 :

Is it legal to refuse to have my voting number on my slip (so that no-one can tell that I've voted and who I've voted for)? Can I just ask the people at my local polling station not to put my number on my card? Will my vote still count?

It is against the voting regulations (and in fact law) to have any identification marks on your voting card. You need to report your polling station to the commission.

I remember a few years ago there was a village where you couldn't put your vote in the box without one of the helpers looking at your card. A lot of fines and arrests were issued for voter intimidation (if you didn't vote who they wanted you to your life was made misery).

[edit: Also, your ballot paper would be rejected because you could be identified. So you everyone who votes there has a wasted vote.]

Quote from P5YcHoM4N :

It is against the voting regulations (and in fact law) to have any identification marks on your voting card. You need to report your polling station to the commission.

The voting card has a number, this number is noted against your name on the register when you get the card. This is how votes are traceable to individuals.

Removal of the number from the card makes the slip invalid.

It has been rumoured that in the past, MI5 has taken an interest in people who have voted for certain parties, eg Sinn Fein.

Quote from P5YcHoM4N :

It is against the voting regulations (and in fact law) to have any identification marks on your voting card. You need to report your polling station to the commission.

Yep, that's what I thought too, but I read this article last night which says:

Quote :

When people get into the polling centre they have to give their voter number (or name and address if they don't have their polling card). Their name on the electoral register has a tick put next to it to say that their vote has been used. The polling slip (the thing you put your cross on) has the individual's voting number put on it before it is marked by the voter.

...which made me think otherwise. However, when I voted this morning they didn't put any number on my polling slip and I believe it was just taken from the top of a pile, so it seems like it was un-identifiable.

Quote from Bean0 :

The voting card has a number, this number is noted against your name on the register when you get the card. This is how votes are traceable to individuals.

Removal of the number from the card makes the slip invalid.

It has been rumoured that in the past, MI5 has taken an interest in people who have voted for certain parties, eg Sinn Fein.

I meant voting slip. Yes, your card needs to have your number so they can make sure you're registered to vote, but the slip should be free of any markings that could identify you otherwise it gets placed in the rejected pile. This stems from the days when MPs would pay people for votes and use signatures as a way to know who to pay.

Quote from amp88 :

Yep, that's what I thought too, but I read this article last night which says:



...which made me think otherwise. However, when I voted this morning they didn't put any number on my polling slip and I believe it was just taken from the top of a pile, so it seems like it was un-identifiable.

That article doesn't sound accurate. Maybe I have been mislead, but the slip should be free of any markings. The only exception being the list of candidates and your cross next to their name. If my slip had my polling number on it. I'd refuse to use it as it detracts from the whole secrecy aspect.

Quote from Intrepid :

Labour's economic mistakes could be greater than Greece or Iceland. Even the EU have now warned that the UK faces a bigger debt crisis than Greece. Brown has messed up BIG TIME... but that's quite typical of Labour regimes.

You think Brown screwed the economy all on his own? You really are naiive... not to mention that it was going to happen anyway, regardless of who was at the metaphoric 'helm'.

It was banks lending money to people and other banks even when they would never be able to pay it all back that caused it, as far as I understand. Have you noticed how all those 'consolidate you debts into one monthly payment' adverts have quietly dissapeared from the TV?

The Labour government could've brought in closer economic regulation to help put the brakes on it all, but then that probrably wouldn't be conservative enough for some.

Quote from 5haz :

It was banks lending money to people and other banks even when they would never be able to pay it all back that caused it, as far as I understand. Have you noticed how all those 'consolidate you debts into one monthly payment' adverts have quietly dissapeared from the TV?

The Labour government could've brought in closer economic regulation to help put the brakes on it all, but then that probrably wouldn't be conservative enough for some.

The banks lending was a consequence and not a cause of the crisis. There is a total lack of a fundamental understanding of the crisis in the whole of the UK

In essence fiat currency is not a (true) conservative product and the fact we have a central bank issuing all these notes at an artificially low rate. Add in fractional reserve banking and then you get a ton of crazy loans and it all goes tits up. It's pretty simple stuff. The problems are much more fundamental than this so-called bank 'de-regulation'. Of course if you fall for all the BBC propaganda on this then sure I can understand why your views would have been moulded this way. Stephanie Flanders bbc.co.uk blog is an entertaining if somewhat erratic read.

You have to remember it was hard line conservatives like Jim Rogers, Marc Faber, Peter Schiff that have continually warned for many years now that we were heading for a big crisis. The UK media chose not to present these views. It was the 'conservatives' warning everyone... but they must have been crank pots right? The yanks are a tad bit smarter than us tho.

The left (and right) in the UK went along with this false economic growth though and we really should have listened to those warnings.

The reason Labour did jack diddly squat was because they were getting to much tax revenue from the banks buying votes with silly increases in public spending. Champagne Socialism at it's best!

Quote from JO53PHS :

You don't want to get on the wrong side of the BNP heavies

Haha! Look at the guy with a hoodie. Thinks he is all gansta and when they start fighting he is like "crap! What do I do?!".

Quote from JO53PHS :

You don't want to get on the wrong side of the BNP heavies

Outstanding

Believing the Exit Polls lis like saying Hispania will win the Spanish GP this weekend.

I hope we don't get hung parliament. If we do the country is ****ed.

I'm hung like a parliament.

Quote from GFresh :

Outstanding

Smashing

Quote from niall09 :

I'm hung like a parliament.

like a fat old man full of hot air