Coalition Government - can it work?

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 09:12

Can a Coalition work?



This arrangement will either collapsebefore the end of the year or will possibly shape the future of politics for generations to come.

I think if they can put there party differences to one side and get on with the job Britain can become Great again.



Here's hoping!

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 09:18

No1, i think they will struggle to put there party differences aside, they are just to far apart.



David wants a bouncy castle & Nick wants Punch & Judy )

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 09:18

morning bill, i think they have to make it work, there is too much at stake, interesting times ahead i hope xx

jamestalbot


Joined: 20/12/2009
Posts: 958

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 09:26

Could it be any worse than our last government, we will have to see.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 10:21

Details are now starting to emerge of the policy negotiations the Conservative/Liberal Coalition agreed on to form a historic new Government last night.

These include a substantial increase in the capital gains tax (CGT) paid on so-called "non business" assets such as second homes and shares, in order to cut income tax for lower paid workers on the first £10,000 of earnings.

From April 2011, there will be a "substantial increase" in the tax-free allowance for earnings. At the same time, CGT could rise from 18% to 40% or even 50% on the sale of some assets.

 

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 10:25

The new administration will also scrap Labour's planned rise in National Insurance but some of the benefits will also go to reducing income tax thresholds for lower earners.

The Liberal Democrats have also agreed not to block the Tories' proposed tax break for married couples, although they will not support the policy. This could mean it is still introduced.

All these tax changes, as well as proposed cuts of £6bn to public services, will be unveiled by new Chancellor George Osborne in an emergency Budget within the next 50 days

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 10:32

Lilly, did you know that George Osborne, the new Chancellor, is a member of the old Anglo-Irish aristocracy, being heir to the baronetcy of Ballentaylor in Co. Tipperary, Ireland?

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 10:37

hi bill, i did not know that and thats the next county to my home one. xx

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 10:54

Lilli, he may be a relation if yours - give him a call! )

Troodo


Joined: 12/06/2008
Posts: 1002

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 11:49

6 billion savings in the first year. Am I right in thinking that Darling pleged ten times that amount to the EU just a few days ago? Was that legal?

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 12:28

Hi all,



Ireland has had coalition governments of continuously since 1989. Some have been effective and stable. The one most people remember fondly was the 'Rainbow' coalition from 1993 to 1997 consisting of three parties. Their combination of fiscal rectitude and social welfare reforms are largely credited with creating the conditions that allowed Ireland to flourish until 2008 when the wheels came off. The previous and current Fianna Fail led coalition are being blamed for squandering the excellent fiscal position we had largely because they listened to the bankers.



The UK coalition will I predict be stable. Why? Because when Mr. Osborne and his yet to be named Lib Dem deputy discover just how bad the exchequer figures are, the UK will need to cut back even more than the £6bn already announced. The govt. will be so unpopular that neither party will dare go back to the electorate so you will have a "hang together" mentality. They will stick it out for the full 5 years.



Let's s

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 13:16

Msge.11. Last para. I think I agree with you, especially when when ALL of us discover "just how bad the exchequer figures are". Yes, this new govt. will be unpopular because of the deep cuts to public spending they'll have to make but if they can (unlike the previous lot) keep the electorate informed as to the necessary whys & wherefores and be honest & upfront, bringing all of us on board, there could be a 'shared' mentality as well as a 'hang together' mentality which could prove constructive, rather than destructive. I think we're all aware that tough times lie ahead and belts will need to be tightened. Needs must, and essential policies 'in the national interest' will have to be implemented first so that investors can regain confidence in a stable UK economy even with huge debts. I certainly don't envy this new coalition govt. the task that lies ahead. Cameron & co can do it - if we give him the chance to do his job.

vadiev


Joined: 29/08/2009
Posts: 204

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 15:18

"be honest & upfront"



We're talking about politicians here they don't know the meaning of the phrase!!

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 15:27

Another election within the year.

AJ

malsancak


Joined: 23/08/2009
Posts: 2874

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 16:26

the currency market doesn't seem to like the Tory/LibDem government, £1=2.26TL at the moment, a 1.2% drop on the day. We haven't seen the 45p lira for a long time and it's creeping towards that.

HAPPY FEET


Joined: 18/07/2008
Posts: 416

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 17:35

Cameron and Clegg are to record When Two Tribes Go To War .

swannee7


Joined: 21/08/2009
Posts: 394

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 19:09

Msges. 13 & 14. Old-style politics & politicians under the corrupting influence of some Labourites. This new govt. is promising a new style of politics, more openness and accountability - things that have been lacking for God knows how long. They're still in the throes of forming a joint Cabinet. Give them a chance to implement the reforms that are necessary. Nobody said it would be easy.

ang1706


Joined: 28/01/2009
Posts: 570

Message Posted:
12/05/2010 19:29

I hope it will work, mainly because as mentioned above- it has to.

They have inherited a lot of problems and there will be so so so many more bubbling under the surface, I hope that they DO show the country a different type of politics and that we do not go back to the ways that unfortunately we have become acustommed to.

I hope we have seen the last of Mandelson, Campbell and Hain as its right to move away from the 'murky spin' of these vile characters. Brown to his credit tried but had to bring back Mandelson for his spin and way he manipulates every situation but glad to see that as I said is a thing of the past.

Yes I have misgivings and this is not ideal but if it can get us back on our feet and show the electorate an honest form and explanations then lets endorse it.

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
13/05/2010 00:28

"and show the electorate an honest form"







Yeah , so fresh clean and pure,not like all these corrupt Labour politicians cheating the taxpayer on expenses.



I see 'second home Pickles' is Communities minister, in charge of making sure local government cuts back on things like ,wait for it, 'expenses'.Good choice ,poacher turned gamekeeper.



While I hope a coalition will work ,can we please stop pretending all these Libdem/Con politicians have just arrived from heaven to replace their old corrupt colleagues. This year they are going to save me ,last year they were stealing from me.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
13/05/2010 12:40

What ever happened to the Conservatives claim of 'clear blue water' emphasising the political differences between them and the other two parties....



Will it work? Who knows how many concessions will have been agreed and will be honoured?



Can't see PR being introduced even if there is a referendum.

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
13/05/2010 23:19

i agree with Message 18 - I too lived through it.

Having trained disabled people for many years I have found that people who are genuinely disabled want to work and be treated the same as abled bodied people. They strive to get into jobs and will don anything they can to succeed. I once taught a young girl who lacked confidence so much she would not look you in the face but looked at the floor. She had a distorted face and hands - on one had she had 3 stumps and on the other 2 1/2 stumps. She told me she wanted to be a typist. So we worked out how she could touch type with the (fingers) stumps she had and she worked hard at it. i also trained her to run a reception and meet people to give her confidence. She ended up typing at 42 words per minute and is now working in a local authority library dealing with the public. She is typical of the disabled people I have worked with. They are disgusted when they sit next to the 'scroungers' moaning about their 'bad back' again???

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
13/05/2010 23:21

It has just been announced on the news that the Coalition Cabinet met today and they cut their own salaries by 5% and froze if for 5 years.

thats a bloody good start!!!!!!

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
13/05/2010 23:26

It's not a big deal to be fair. How much are they on - £80k - at 5%, that's £4k, less the tax they would have paid and it works out at just over a couple of grand.



Now if they would have cut their salaries by 20% that would have been justified.



Don't forget they get expenses on top of all this.

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
14/05/2010 16:53

its a start - don't knock it!!!!!!!

and don't forget to multiply that by 5 as it is frozen for 5 years.