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Sounds an equally valid argument as to why Thatcher remained in power for so long whilst she and her government bled the nation and its services dry.
Wrong again. Labour are shitting themselves because there aren't enough jobs overall. And they can't figure out how to generate more.
I did, and I'm very glad. I don't need to sit the exams, the statistics speak for themselves. Why would I want to be associated with a farsical system? Why do you think that several of the major independent schools are considering a switch to the IB?
Apart from a small number of exceptions (Oxbridge, Warwick, LSE and Bristol), standards are being lowered all over the country.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/3117020.stm
Touche. :rolleyes:
I'd agree that most people aren't interested in politics per se. However they are interested in the state of the health service, education, public transport and other public services in themselves and as it affects their daily lives. So where politics can be said to enter peoples lives Labour is reflecting their concerns and spending more on providing decent public services.
Because the snob appeal of the A-Level has gone because the "commoners" are now taking it in increasing numbers, sadly it's a common attitude at many independent schools. Also you only said "considering" when they actually switch you might just have a point. :rolleyes: And it's not for me to say if you wouldn't be able to cope with the depth of A-Level studies.
Do you include Cardiff in that assessment?
Funny that article says nothing about standards being lowered. What it does say is that the "snob appeal" of the universities you mention is leading to a high number of rejections because students are not applying to universities that score the same or higher ratings with the same grade offers, in other words snobby students are getting rejected because they won't apply to universities that have been found to be just as good.
Not especially. I never went in for the whole WMD thing. I just saw the valid argument for gaining control of a valuable economic resource.
please squat tom ...you of all people must be able to shed light on what tory policy is ...should they by any chance gain power.
come on ...what are conservative policies for the 21st century ...
This is where I get my information from: http://www.conservatives.com/party/policydocuments.cfm
http://www.conservatives.com/campaigns/
Straight from the horse's mouth, as it were.
Yes. There are certain departments at Cardiff that are among the best in the country, but have low entry requirements. Apparently, there just isn't the interest in Wales' biggest uni. Or perhaps it's because it's for a science-based course, rather than something 'useful' like meeja stoodys. :rolleyes:
You know, the one where Labour got their arses kicked.
You know, the one where the votes rejected the Tories.
You know, the one where the votes showed that they prefer the Lib Dems over the Tories, even when they are really disillusioned with Labour.
Shouldn't you be more concerned that Labour lost one of its strongest seats? The NHS won't be able to function very well on just hugs and hand-wringing.
The Tories had a very high number of votes for an area that is traditional very Socialist.
The Liberal Democrats never have, nor never will be, a serious opposition. Besides which, history is littered with surprise by-election wins that have not developed into anything significant.
It should also be noted that 'Comedy Terrorist' Aaron Barschack registered 37 votes. People are stupid.
No they won't, you're right.
But then which party suggested that 1p should go on income tax, to help pay for the NHS? Sounds like coldhard cash to me.
Certainly better than the bullshit ideas that the Tories are suggesting for the NHS.
Bollocks, but if that consoles you then feel free to tell yourself that.
What they got was a reminder that they are possibly the most ineffective opposition in a generation.
Check history and you will find them having formed a Govt in the past.
Note also that even when the votes are disaffected, they don't turn to the Tories. That should be a BIG worry to you. The Tories still came third.
No, 37 people are stupid.
NB Do not assume from my comments that I am a Lib Dem supporter.
The Tories have not had much strength in Brent for nearly 20 years. Political commentators were expecting a much lower count.
They simply saw the Tories as an extremely unatractive party. In fact their vote went down by 2%.
If the Tories cannot make gains- let alone winning the seat- at by-elections (the time when opposition parties do perform better), and specially at a time when discontent with the government is at its highest level ever, then when will they do?
Don't let your fascination for the Tories blind you. Last night result was bad, bad bad for the Tories whichever way you look at it.
It wasn't good news for the Tories, but it certainly wasn't as bad as expected. It's certainly a lot worse for Labour.
I wanted the Tories to do better to be honest. I am delighted that IDS is the leader of the Party, and I wouldn't want him being replaced by someone who might actually attract votes.
It certainly wouldn't hurt to have a leader who is more enigmatic and media savvy.
Interesting that someone who so vociferously attacks the Blair govt for its spin and lies should wish to be duped further by Tory spin.
Obviously you dont care how truly bankrupt the Tory agenda is so long as it's packaged with more media savvy. :rolleyes:
Funny, I don't remember saying that. :rolleyes: I don't think that IDS needs his own Alistair Campbell, I just think that he needs better public recognition. Big difference.
You keep telling yourself that. As has been said their vote fell by 2% despite all the crises affecting the government. Also the turnout was abysmal which artificially lifted the Tory percentage of the vote because Labour voters are more likely to stay at home. They didn't even run Labour a close second, they got approximately half Labour's votes.
To be honest the Tories are in a worse state than Labour ever was in the 80s. Labour won by-elections in the 80s, Labour had leads in the opinion polls mid-term, Labour was seen to have the best policies on the public services.
Incidentally, throughout the 60s/70s period of Labour dominance the Tories were able to win by-elections such as in 1968 in Walthamstow or in 1977 in Ashfield in Nottinghamshire. Specifically relating to Brent, the Tories had control of the council for most of the 90s, held the seat in their 1983 landslide and ran Labour a close second in 1987.
I wouldn't be so complacent if I were you. I'm not the biggest fan of the Lib Dems but even I can see they are steadily increasing in the opinion polls long term, as are their seats not just in Parliament but in councils, the European Parliament and the devolved assemblies (Incidentally where in Scotland and Wales they aren't just the opposition, they're the government.)
Three words. Clutching. At. Straws.
I have a University degree and it has been absolutely no use at all in helping me get a job. I would have been better off going to college and learning a trade. Skills and knowledge alone won't create wealth. We need to get the right skills and knowledge in the right places. The economy won't work if everybody is a media studies graduate. We need a large pool of labour to do basic jobs like driving trucks and laying bricks.
The way things are going we are going to have a significant number of people with degrees doing menial jobs.
Anyway, back on subject I think Oliver Letwin should be the next Tory leader. He does at least seem to be a bit more media-savvy than IDS. And his surname could be used as a rallying cry "Let (us) Win!"