Originally Posted by garinda (Post 780885)

More people in the U.K. vote in talent show finals, than they do in elections.

Britain may have talent, but it ain't got enough time to vote.

Perhaps elections in the future will be televised contests.

Thank you Dame Amy Winehouse, that was fantastic, and don't go anywhere. Join us after the commercial break to press your red button, and decide who YOU want to send to the Palace of Westminster.

The candidates, and details of how you can vote for them, if you liked their act, are at the bottom of your screen now.

See you after the break.

:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by g jones (Post 780852)

I agree Rindi. Forgive the phrase but I'm from around here! P*ssing in the same pot and it's probably as old as prostitution and taxes.

However today's politicians are taking £_telephone_numbers legitimately and much more on the side I suspect.

From all parties I find very few actually reflect or truly understand the area they represent mostly because it is University rather than life that gives them an advantage and it is money and wealth in the first place that provide the ability to get a good education. Not always but not far off always.

Originally Posted by Eric (Post 780873)

Maybe ... but with more accountability and immediacy, some, maybe many of those brassed off voters would feel as if they had more control over their elected representatives, would feel more involved. You never know. I've always accepted that voters have short memories ... but most can remember a year back. I know that there would be difficulties, but, what is in place now doesn't seem to be working all that well.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 780947)

I totally agree Graham, that's the reason why we should be represented by some one local irrespective of political colour. Ken Hargreaves worked tirelessly for the community before entering Parliament and has been doing the same since leaving Parliament, and I think he was respected by all sides of the political divide

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 780977)

I know what you mean, but if all local Conservative associations thought so parochially, John Major, Margaret Thatcher, or Winston Churchill would never had a seat, having no ties to the constituencies they represented in Huntingdon, Finchley, and Oldham/Northwest Manchester/Dundee/Epping/Woodford, respectively.

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 780947)

I totally agree Graham, that's the reason why we should be represented by some one local irrespective of political colour. Ken Hargreaves worked tirelessly for the community before entering Parliament and has been doing the same since leaving Parliament, and I think he was respected by all sides of the political divide

Originally Posted by andrewb (Post 780989)

I don't think somebody necessarily needs to be from the local area. It is no doubt a factor, but we shouldn't cast off the talents of non-locals solely on that basis. An outsider who moves into the constituency can still be an excellent constituency MP.

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 780983)

thats another damn good reason why they should have local ties.:D

Originally Posted by jaysay (Post 780947)

I totally agree Graham, that's the reason why we should be represented by some one local irrespective of political colour. Ken Hargreaves worked tirelessly for the community before entering Parliament and has been doing the same since leaving Parliament, and I think he was respected by all sides of the political divide

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 781004)

'SHAMED outgoing MPs will pocket £10million from taxpayers in “golden goodbyes”.


'About 100 MPs giving up their seats at the next election because of their expenses abuses will each receive severance payments of up to £105,000.'
Express.co.uk - Home of the Daily and Sunday Express | UK News :: Disgraced MPs to get £100k payoff

That should help keep their moats weed free, and duck islands in tip-top condition, at least for a while.

Originally Posted by cashman (Post 781010)

Funny, i never got sod all from any job i jacked.:rolleyes:

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 781013)

You should have defrauded the company you worked for, to benefit from such generous severance benefits.

;):D:(

Originally Posted by garinda (Post 781040)

At last, some good news.

At least one dodgy politican isn't going to benefit financially from his 'retirement'.

Expenses breach MP Harry Cohen could lose £65,000 pay-off | Politics | guardian.co.uk