Vote for Change

Well, the election of 2010 is now shaping up to be a classic. The first of the leaders' debates, and Nick Clegg's performance, has shaken up the polls in the most extraordinary way.

At the start of the campaign, the Lib Dems would probably have counted themselves lucky to hang on to the 62 MPs they currently have - now the aim must surely be higher.

Of course, there are still 3 weeks to go, and a lot can happen in that time - particularly in the two remaining debates. Of course, polls are notoriously unreliable, although there have been a clutch over the weekend suggesting this has truly transformed into a 3-way election. Of course, the higher profile of Clegg and the party will lead to higher scrutiny and greater attacks.

But... There is a real sense of a sea change in attitudes. A perception that the third party isn't just about making up the numbers and playing fantasy politics. A realisation that the political landscape can be changed, and changed permanently.

It really is time to Vote for Change. Not, though, for the Tories, but for the Lib Dems and a new future for British politics.

Andrew

10 things... Election Special

Following on from previous 10 things... postings, this one focuses on policies I would like to see implemented. Some of them are party-political, some of them are personal, some short-term priorites, others long-term aspirations:

1. A form of proportional representation introduced
2. A local income tax to replace Council Tax
3. An elected second chamber
4. An English Parliament within a federal UK, or at least the introduction of rules forbidding MPs from voting on legislation which does not apply in their constituencies. e.g. an English Grand Committee
   
5. A simplifed tax system including a raised personal allowance and capital gains tax at rates consistant with income tax
6. The introduction of index-linking for Inheritance Tax thresholds and the Annual and Lifetime Allowances for pensions
7. The UK meeting the UN target of 0.7% of GDP to be spent on overseas aid
8. The introduction of an ongoing scrappage scheme aimed at increasing sales of "greener" vehicles
9. Extensive reform of the European Union which places more emphasis on the Parliament and removes power from the commission
   
10. The establishment of a British Republic

I'm sure there could have been many others and while most of these are close to my heart, it's not necessarily a "top 10"!


Andrew

votematch

If you don't know which way to vote, this might just help you find out where sympathies are best placed. Based on a series of questions and the areas you personally prioritise, it rates how closely the policies of each of the parties match your own views.

If you do know what you want to vote for, this should provide confirmation!

Have a play, have a think and go out and vote!






Andrew

NICs vs. VAT

So, the main theme of the first view days of electioneering has been the proposed rise in National Insurance Contributions in April 2010 for those earning over £20,000 p.a.

The Tories have, they say, identified the opportunity for additional cost and efficiency savings which they propose to use to remove this rise for those earning under £35,000, arguing that the current proposal would be bad for employment levels at a time of recovery.

This is an argument that may have some validity, although the same arguments were made against the introduction of a National Minimum Wage. The hope would surely be, however, that by the time the tax is introduced the country will have had a year of growth and companies and individuals will be better positioned to deal with the increased costs.

There is, however, some doubt as to whether the additional savings (on top of efficiencies already announced in Darling's budget) are actually achievable. The willingness to commit these (if they do exist) to tax cuts rather than reducing the deficit smacks of opportunism.

Hanging over the argument is the suspicion that VAT may have to be raised by an incoming government. On this issue, the Tories have form, having done so early in Thatcher's first government despite election denials of this possibility.

The argument will be that made that "the books are worse than expected" and that VAT is a discretionary tax. The first point is nothing more than lazy politics but I find the latter argument somewhat disingenuous. While a number of essential items are either zero-rated or taxed at a lower rate, people still have to live and that means spending money on VAT rated items.

If VAT truly was a discretionary tax, raising it would have an impact on spending which may adversely affect what will hopefully be continued recovery. Instead, it is seen as a reliable and easy way to increase government income for which everyone will pay.

So, it seems that we now have a choice - NIC increases or VAT rises. Indeed, it's not impossible that we'll end up with both in due course!


Andrew

P.S. These entries are in orange for a reason - it's a not so subtle clue as to my voting intentions!

And they're off...

Well, the starting gun has been fired - there will be an election on the 6th May. At last, after months of phony electioneering, the parties can set about it in earnest. Indeed, they already have - the Tories were even out in force leafleting commuters at Bristol Temple Meads last night!

I love elections. Ever since I was a teenager, I've been interested in politics. Ever since I could vote, I've voted in every election and referendum I could. There is something about the voting process that I find almost magical. Presenting the polling card, getting ticked off, receiving the ballot paper, going into the booth, reading it through, marking my X next to my chosen candidate and then posting it in the box.

It's a solemn and responsible undertaking and I don't understand the majority of people who won't or don't vote. I respect people who don't vote for religious reasons and those who "actively abstain", e.g. deliberately spoil their ballot. It's apathy I don't get - it's just so defeatist and a form of self-fulfilling prophecy: my vote won't change anything, so I won't vote.

All that said, I'm not going to be going to a polling station this year. I'm not going to be entering the surreal world of canvassers and sealed boxes.

Don't get me wrong, though, I'm not throwing away my democratic franchise - it's just that as I will have just moved house, I'll be voting by post. I will reserve my judgment but don't believe sealing and posting an envelope will have quite the same resonance as going to the polling place.

Andrew