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[CyclopsRock]

That's interesting. I didn't actually know that. Looks like I need to have a word with my accountant lol. I work mostly from home as well, but have not been claiming any sort of rent, or even a percentage of it as expenses. Then again I plan on buying a new house soon, so presumably you can't do the same thing with a mortgage?

Oh no, you absolutely can. I think the idea if that you can claim back any cost that comes as a result of you running your business. So if you can justify that your house is larger than it'd otherwise be because of your business needs, you can expense that extra cost. Likewise if you need a better computer, better printer, better internet connection, use more electricity etc. It's basically impossible to police because, really, it's such a washy subject. As long as you don't take the piss, it's fine even when audited.

I'll translate that for non-Tories. The press is mainly right wing and controls the narrative. Combine that with a large percentage of the populace who don't question what's said and we have a situation where politicians of any stripe can say one thing, really be doing another and be pretty sure they're not going to get called on it at any time.

Lies and statistics is what you can expect from politics these days no matter who forms the government.

Yeah, god, you're right.

 

[War Peaceman]

I'll translate that for non-Tories. The press is mainly right wing and controls the narrative. Combine that with a large percentage of the populace who don't question what's said and we have a situation where politicians of any stripe can say one thing, really be doing another and be pretty sure they're not going to get called on it at any time.

Lies and statistics is what you can expect from politics these days no matter who forms the government.

This is an incredibly cynical and pessimistic viewpoint of people's ability to critically assess the world.

 

[nib95]

Oh no, you absolutely can. I think the idea if that you can claim back any cost that comes as a result of you running your business. So if you can justify that your house is larger than it'd otherwise be because of your business needs, you can expense that extra cost. Likewise if you need a better computer, better printer, better internet connection, use more electricity etc. It's basically impossible to police because, really, it's such a washy subject. As long as you don't take the piss, it's fine even when audited.

Yeah, god, you're right.

That's interesting. I'll look in to it. Funny thing is, the extra bedroom in any eventual house would be used purely as an office for business use either way. Same with the garage for company storage. Appreciate your responses.

 

[jimbobsmells]

*snip*

Yeah I'm aware that it's not as easy as tearing out pages. I work for a large American multinational who is based in the Caymens for tax purposes, and runs some business deliberately through Bermuda. I know the deal, and I accept the deal. I'd much rather have the companies expenses include my salary rather than a larger tax contribution. And I also enjoy those jollies aboard, Christ who wouldn't?
But I also have a friend who went ape-shit over Starbucks. "I'll never drink there again! Boycott!" Well guess what, I told him, everyone does it. Thing is it's a common and legitimate outrage thanks to the media and something that, now it's out of the bottle, will not go away without some effort for change by the next Government. Especially when you frame it in the context of a crack down on benefits. The difficulty is, like you say, one man's evasion is another man's sound practice. So how do you legislate that change? I have no idea.

 

[War Peaceman]

This is a great article by Paul Krugman on the UK election / economic situation. Well worth a read.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2015/apr/29/the-austerity-delusion

I love that he couldn't resist a dig at Niall Ferguson in there too.

 

[Goodlife]

one of the Tories promise if you only get benefits for the first two children, that will cure that overnight in theory, if it is for benefits

Do you know how much Child Benefit is per child?
£20 a week for first child, £13 a week for any further children.

Nobody is popping out kids for that extra £13 a week

 

[CyclopsRock]

Yeah I'm aware that it's not as easy as tearing out pages. I work for a large American multinational who is based in the Caymens for tax purposes, and runs some business deliberately through Bermuda. I know the deal, and I accept the deal. I'd much rather have the companies expenses include my salary rather than a larger tax contribution. And I also enjoy those jollies aboard, Christ who wouldn't?
But I also have a friend who went ape-shit over Starbucks. "I'll never drink there again! Boycott!" Well guess what, I told him, everyone does it. Thing is it's a common and legitimate outrage thanks to the media and something that, now it's out of the bottle, will not go away without some effort for change by the next Government. Especially when you frame it in the context of a crack down on benefits. The difficulty is, like you say, one man's evasion is another man's sound practice. So how do you legislate that change? I have no idea.

Yup, I agree entirely. It's also a tricky one because whilst the headline figures are high, if we assume that they're done in order to attract business (at least in the case of the tax code), then it's hard to know how much (if anything) those same loopholes are actually contributing in the form of jobs, local economic activity, and the tax that they do pay - not to mention the almost social aspects (like my made up attempt to boost activity in a specific area or sector). I have no idea on the methodology of the calculations so maybe they take all this into account, but I have a feeling that the £120bn figure isn't just a bundle of cash waiting to be knocked out of the tree.

In other news, this is quite interesting:

http://www.capx.co/nicola-sturgeon-and-ruth-davidson-are-miles-ahead-of-the-westminster-oxford-boys/

On why Nicola Sturgeon and Ruth Davidson are both so popular - because they aren't privately educated, Westminster-centric wankstains, basically. Then again, Brown's from Scotland and also not a privately educated posh boy and everything thought he was a total shit (and conversely, Boris is all those things and everyone slathers over his dick), so I think Sturgeon and Davidson actually are pretty exceptional in their own right. Plus they both have a sense of humour.

 

[nib95]

Do you know how much Child Benefit is per child?
£20 a week for first child, £13 a week for any further children.

Nobody is popping out kids for that extra £13 a week

Kind of scary when you put it like that. Just £13…

 

[Goodlife]

swings and roundabouts though, Labour will raise taxes but leave tax credits alone...

there is no winners here, it is all playing with numbers

There's a huge huge huge difference between raising taxes (especially income tax) and cutting benefits

 

[Goodlife]

Kind of scary when you put it like that. Just £13…

As a father of 3, who's wife is a stay at home mum, I've got to say it's a big help, but doesn't come close to the actual costs of another child.

 

[kitch9]

American here. Can someone explain why the projections are so high for conservatives? I see polls where they're basically neck and neck with Labour. Who is still voting for conservatives and why?

Also what do you guys think about Miliband being interviewed by Russell Brand? I like Russell a lot but I had no idea he was that kind of famous in the UK. What would be the American celebrity equivalent in terms of status?

Not sure about Miliband though, I agree with his fathers politics but is there any of that in Ed? Is he basically a centrist guy like Obama?

Why do people vote for the Republicans in the US? Your lot make our lot look like pussy cats.

A UK conservative is slightly right of centre and believes in less state not more. Labour by comparison is slightly left of centre.

There's not a lot between them in all honesty.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

Paying more tax or less tax aren't inherently bad things. It depends what those tax rises are paying for or what those tax cuts are being paid with.

Doss anyone feel as if this election campaign is existing only in the media and Scotland? I live in one of the most marginal seats and I've seen nothing at all besides the obligatory leaflets. It is as if politicians have forgotten about campaigning with the rise of the media and technology.

Yeah, pretty much my experience too. I mean, I had the usual bumf in the post but I don't feel engaged by local politicians.

 

[phisheep]

American here. Can someone explain why the projections are so high for conservatives? I see polls where they're basically neck and neck with Labour. Who is still voting for conservatives and why?

It's worth remembering that conservative over here doesn't mean the same as conservative over there. The whole political spectrum is different and there's not a whole lot of difference between our conservatives and your democrats. Not that you'd necessarily get that impression from the political rhetoric. Under the hood there's a lot of consensus this side of the pond at least between the major parties.

 

[CyclopsRock]

Labour just three points ahead of the Tories in new Scottish @IpsosMORI poll: SNP 54% (+2), Lab 20% (-4), Con 17% (+5), Lib Dems 5% (+1).

Hohoho. The Highlands will be blue once more.

 

[real_slime]

Man Labour have really fucked this up by the looks of it. I know there are all kinds of considerations and Scotland is 1/10th the population of England, but 59 seats a pretty substantial amount to sacrifice in the hopes of making certain English voters feel more secure voting for Labour - assuming that is the idea.

Who knows if that message even has much of an impact - plenty of English Labour voters like the SNP. I'd think it would also sour a lot of Scottish voters who could have gone either way on Labour or SNP - or are voting SNP for the first time - and that kind of thing may not be so easy to turn back around.

Are they really going to be able to turn around after the election and say 'okay so i know we said no deals but we didn't win at all so here's a deal'?. That would probably come off even worse.

 

[killer_clank]

Man Labour have really fucked this up by the looks of it. I know there are all kinds of considerations and Scotland is 1/10th the population of England, but 59 seats a pretty substantial amount to sacrifice in the hopes of making certain English voters feel more secure voting for Labour - assuming that is the idea.

Who knows if that message even has much of an impact - plenty of English Labour voters like the SNP. I'd think it would also sour a lot of Scottish voters who could have gone either way on Labour or SNP - or are voting SNP for the first time - and that kind of thing may not be so easy to turn back around.

Are they really going to be able to turn around after the election and say 'okay so i know we said no deals but we didn't win at all so here's a deal'?. That would probably come off even worse.

I don't think Labour's utter collapse has anything to do with the campaign they're running in Scotland or England per se, it's slow demographic change combined with the almighty realignment that was the referendum. Labour's vote share in Scotland had been steadily declining since the 90's, and the referendum sped that process up.

 

[Beefy]

I really hope they don't get even harder with the sick and disabled. My mate has insomnia, depression and anxiety (as I did but I am recovering). He only gets 4k a year benefits and is looking at a benefit freeze. I just hope Maximus are better then ATOS (doubt it), I hated dealing with them.

 

[CyclopsRock]

I don't think Labour's utter collapse has anything to do with the campaign they're running in Scotland or England per se, it's slow demographic change combined with the almighty realignment that was the referendum. Labour's vote share in Scotland had been steadily declining since the 90's, and the referendum sped that process up.

I dunno man, 50+ swings aren't demographic I think. Labour's problem was that in all areas other than independence, the SNP is more or less on the same page, only without the baggage that comes from forming a (central) government. Like you said, I think the referendum really brought that into focus.

What I think will be interesting to see is if they ever recover, either partially or fully from it.

 

[Tak3n]

Brand vs Miliband video is out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDZm9_uKtyo

 

[electroshockwave]

This is a great article by Paul Krugman on the UK election / economic situation. Well worth a read.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2015/apr/29/the-austerity-delusion

I love that he couldn't resist a dig at Niall Ferguson in there too.

Thanks for the link. Everyone posting in here should read this article. The fact that Cameron and Osborne are trusted on the economy is a joke. But then so is the media supporting the austerity narrative, the Lib Dems aiding the Tories and repeating that Labour's spending caused the downturn, and Labour themselves being unable to present a counter and now dancing to the tune set by the Tories.

 

[Goodlife]

Brand vs Miliband video is out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDZm9_uKtyo

Brand drinking water from that bottle is doing my head in

 

[Futurematic]

This is an incredibly cynical and pessimistic viewpoint of people's ability to critically assess the world.

Practically everyone who votes for the Republican Party is voting to be worse off (based on US federal and state economic performance under R or D government) because they either believe the GOP's lies or because they think hurting women and black people and the poor is more important than having healthcare and making more money or what not.

He's not wrong.


On topic: anyone know anybody that works for the Tories or Labour? Based on their performance so far, I would kill it running their communications shop. (I am Canadian, but would happily relocate.)

I also have no cognitive dissonance problem re: personal ideals and working directly against them, lol.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

Thanks for the link. Everyone posting in here should read this article. The fact that Cameron and Osborne are trusted on the economy is a joke. But then so is the media supporting the austerity narrative, the Lib Dems aiding the Tories and repeating that Labour's spending caused the downturn, and Labour themselves being unable to present a counter and now dancing to the tune set by the Tories.

I read the whole thing over lunch, but I don't think I really understand enough about economics to make much sense of it (the mechanics of it that is, obviously his message and conclusion is clear).

For example: "Standard macroeconomics said that cutting spending in a depressed economy, with no room to offset these cuts by reducing interest rates that were already near zero, would indeed deepen the slump". I don't understand this "offsetting" malarkey. So he's saying normally cutting spending leads to economic slowdown, but not if you also reduce interest rates so that borrowing is cheaper? So people spend more? But that since interest rates are already close to zero, you can't do that?

I need to send up the Crab-signal!

Edit:

Brand vs Miliband video is out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDZm9_uKtyo

I tried watching a little bit with subtitles on, but it translated (I'm presuming) "Lib Dems" into "Lip Dams".

Maybe I'll just wait until after work.

 

[electroshockwave]

I read the whole thing over lunch, but I don't think I really understand enough about economics to make much sense of it (the mechanics of it that is, obviously his message and conclusion is clear).

For example: "Standard macroeconomics said that cutting spending in a depressed economy, with no room to offset these cuts by reducing interest rates that were already near zero, would indeed deepen the slump". I don't understand this "offsetting" malarkey. So he's saying normally cutting spending leads to economic slowdown, but not if you also reduce interest rates so that borrowing is cheaper? So people spend more? But that since interest rates are already close to zero, you can't do that?

I need to send up the Crab-signal!

I'm certainly not an economist either but I think you've got the gist of it.

 

[Visualante2]

Brand vs Miliband video is out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDZm9_uKtyo

The little noise Ed makes when he's like "I disagree but allow me to retort" is really emblematic of how his attitude is half measured. I am tired of hearing politicians talking about difficult decisions, and questions on financial institutions. Wish Russell had pushed the NHS privatisation angle further.

The moment when Russell just crossed his arms and said "yeah..." while Ed waffled on about tax is how I feel.

 

[Beefy]

Brand drinking water from that bottle is doing my head in

Brand being Brand does my head in.

 

[Tak3n]

Brand being Brand does my head in.

lady on Sky News

" if you need Russell Brand to help you decide your vote then you should not be allowed to vote"

 

[Real Hero]

That interview was fine. People just like to hate.

 

[King_Moc]

lady on Sky News

" if you need Russell Brand to help you decide your vote then you should not be allowed to vote"

Well, it's better than listening to the sun.

 

[Spookie]

lady on Sky News

" if you need Russell Brand to help you decide your vote then you should not be allowed to vote"

Oh dear, lol.

As much shit as Ed is about to take I give him credit for willingly walking in to a Lions Den and attempt to tackle it.

 

[Mr Git]

Yeah, pretty much my experience too. I mean, I had the usual bumf in the post but I don't feel engaged by local politicians.

We've also had the usual masses of bumf in the post but the local Labour candidate (Cat Smith) has been pretty active with engaging with locals here. I met her recently although admittedly that was only 'cause I wanted to go meet Eddie Izzard as he was campaigning here with her. I believe he went along to campaign in Morecambe too, although not sure the turnout for that, but in Lancaster it was pretty high considering it was around midday in the middle of the week. The local tory just sends masses of post instead, addressed to myself and my brother (the tories think we're a couple which is actually quite forward thinking of them, if not quite amusing).

 

[Jezbollah]

I suspect that in five years time Brand will be making the very same video with the same arguments. I wonder what he thinks of the Union's influence on the Labour party..

 

[Moosichu]

This is a great article by Paul Krugman on the UK election / economic situation. Well worth a read.

http://www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2015/apr/29/the-austerity-delusion

I love that he couldn't resist a dig at Niall Ferguson in there too.

That is very interesting. Sadly, all the mainstream parties seem to have this huge fascination with the deficit that won't go away

 

[Goodlife]

That is very interesting. Sadly, all the mainstream parties seem to have this huge fascination with the deficit that won't go away

Tories want to make it a big deal as they want to cut the government, it's their thing and this has been a perfect opportunity for them.
Labour have to make a big deal of it because they have allowed the tories to dictate the tone. They are scared that as soon as they say "the deficit doesn't matter at the moment" people will agree with the Tories that Labour can't be trusted with the economy.

 

[CyclopsRock]

I think people would have a lot more sympathy with high deficits if it were infrastructural spending rather than cyclical.

 

[danwarb]

80% of vote participation is Scotland is crazy.

I'm 95% Labour and 94% Lib Dem based on that survey.

Spoiler

60% UKIP.

Quiz put me 12% Ukip, 98% Green and 97% Labour.

 

[pbsapeer]

I actually thought that ed came across okay in that interview.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

We've also had the usual masses of bumf in the post but the local Labour candidate (Cat Smith) has been pretty active with engaging with locals here. I met her recently although admittedly that was only 'cause I wanted to go meet Eddie Izzard as he was campaigning here with her. I believe he went along to campaign in Morecambe too, although not sure the turnout for that, but in Lancaster it was pretty high considering it was around midday in the middle of the week. The local tory just sends masses of post instead, addressed to myself and my brother (the tories think we're a couple which is actually quite forward thinking of them, if not quite amusing).

Eric Ollerenshaw? I've met him a few times. Very nice chap, makes a great G&T. He's gay, so certainly forward thinking on the issue of gay marriage!

I think he's pretty much resigned to losing the seat though. And this will probably be his last election anyway (he's 65), so maybe that would explain the lack of campaigning.

 

[Advent1s]

The distinct shade of yellow must be very intimidating for all parties concerned, it is also hilarious that people point to the the voting system that THEY GOT A CHANCE to change it to something else, as a problem.

Nice hypocritical nation as always.

 

[kitch9]

I read the whole thing over lunch, but I don't think I really understand enough about economics to make much sense of it (the mechanics of it that is, obviously his message and conclusion is clear).

For example: "Standard macroeconomics said that cutting spending in a depressed economy, with no room to offset these cuts by reducing interest rates that were already near zero, would indeed deepen the slump". I don't understand this "offsetting" malarkey. So he's saying normally cutting spending leads to economic slowdown, but not if you also reduce interest rates so that borrowing is cheaper? So people spend more? But that since interest rates are already close to zero, you can't do that?

I need to send up the Crab-signal!

Edit:



I tried watching a little bit with subtitles on, but it translated (I'm presuming) "Lib Dems" into "Lip Dams".

Maybe I'll just wait until after work.

There are a number of ways you can increase or decrease consumer demand in an economy. Increasing government spending or decreasing interest rates have the effect of stimulating demand for instance.

Normally, if we didn't have politicians that were retards, in a slump you would consider increasing government spending or decreasing interest rates to stimulate demand but unfortunately due to the nature of the last slump the position we were in meant we couldn't do one without the other potentially going the wrong way. If we increased government spending to stimulate demand there was a strong risk that it would spook the markets because of debt levels which would have raised interest rates and pushed demand back down. Effectively we could have spent a load more money we didn't have and achieved nothing. Interest rates were already low so that lever had already been pulled and not done much such as things were.

 

[CyclopsRock]

The distinct shade of yellow must be very intimidating for all parties concerned, it is also hilarious that people point to the the voting system that THEY GOT A CHANCE to change it to something else, as a problem.

Nice hypocritical nation as always.

But AV was even worse. I'm pretty sure that, had PR been on the table, people would have voted Aye. You shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, but AV wasn't "the good", it was "the shit".

 

[industrian]

So when will the SNP start standing south of the border? It wouldn't seem impossible for them to be successful there too.

I imagine that the best form of trolling would be to field a candidate in Berwick-upon-Tweed.

 

[tomtom94]

But AV was even worse. I'm pretty sure that, had PR been on the table, people would have voted Aye. You shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, but AV wasn't "the good", it was "the shit".

PR was what the Lib Dems wanted but the Conservatives made them compromise to AV, as I recall.

 

[Advent1s]

But AV was even worse. I'm pretty sure that, had PR been on the table, people would have voted Aye. You shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, but AV wasn't "the good", it was "the shit".

There is no 'perfect' system, FPTP was supposed to marginalise dumb ass parties like UKIP (sorry, IMO), it only failed in Scotland as people up here were done with the pure faecal waterfall that constantly falls from Labour/Conservative PR teams.

Everything needs a polish in what is an ancient turd we call "British Politics".

 

[MrChom]

But AV was even worse. I'm pretty sure that, had PR been on the table, people would have voted Aye. You shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, but AV wasn't "the good", it was "the shit".

AV would probably have lessened the need to vote tactically, mind. I vote Labour to keep the Tories out of my home constituency. I'd rather vote Lib Dem 1st and have that potentially flip over to Labour if necessary.

However I'd even more prefer larger multi-candidate constituencies each using PR!

 

[MrChom]

Everything needs a polish in what is an ancient turd we call "British Politics".

We have an outdated voting system for an outdated parliamentary system with outdated traditions pertaining to outdated concepts.

The fact that we STILL in this day and age have lines on the floor to PREVENT PEOPLE SWORD FIGHTING is insane.

 

[Mr Git]

Eric Ollerenshaw? I've met him a few times. Very nice chap, makes a great G&T. He's gay, so certainly forward thinking on the issue of gay marriage!

I think he's pretty much resigned to losing the seat though. And this will probably be his last election anyway (he's 65), so maybe that would explain the lack of campaigning.

That's the one! I gave up typing his surname and presumed no one would know anyway (it's the north, after all). Has he served you drinks before?! I'm gonna guess.. Tanqueray? I did know that he was gay, I also got similar letter treatment from the big Davey C so it must be some amusing Targaryen mishap at CCHQ. Didn't know he was that old though, so yeah that probably does explain it - even the postal bumflets are pretty standard party line stuff with nothing particularly local on there. But at 65 I'd probably give negative fucks.

 

[Billy_Pilgrim]

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local/breaking-news-blank-eastbourne-election-ballot-papers-stolen-in-van-theft-1-6716437

Conspiracies at the ready

 

[Colin.]

I noticed that some people posted results from isidewith on the previous page. If others are interested in trying out a political quiz, I'd recommend PositionDial. Quite thorough with the results it gives you, and I felt it was more accurate in my case, as it did with a few others I know.

One question that I've been pondering at the moment is when using your vote, should you use it on a better suited candidate (more experience, etc) or a party more in line with your own values? I suspect most would go for the former, but if a party has outlined intentions that you're not too keen on, the would-be MP would most likely vote in the same way. And thanks to FPTP, which candidate in your constituency has the better chance of winning is also something to keep in mind too.

 

[CyclopsRock]

http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local/breaking-news-blank-eastbourne-election-ballot-papers-stolen-in-van-theft-1-6716437

Conspiracies at the ready

That's where my mum lives. She keeps phoning me saying "Nige is gonna win, you wait and see!" I keep telling her a) he won't win b) he's in south thanet c) you're mental and d) UKIP will be lucky to get more than a few seats. I reckon she stole the van just to prove me wrong.