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sorry but petrol prices are controlled by the government, in that they tax it at the highest percentage in the free world. 85% of what you pay goes straight to the tax man, prices have risen by some 20=25p a litre recently and Brown is getting around 17p of that ! Who is benefiting most ???
And they still say they may jack them up by 2p soon. Time for a revolution,
What on earth leads you to believe that the British government controls the cost of oil?? The increases in cost at the pump are a reflection of the increasing cost of oil.
Tax on petrol is actually lower in real terms than it was in 2000. There are also very powerful reasons why Gordon Brown should hold the line. The consequences on the budget would be dire, not to mention that global warming hasn't gone away just because of the increases on a barrel of oil. People should be nudged towards more fuel efficient cars, and the government should also show that it won't be bullied into lowering the tax by the British public.
work on two beliefs.
1. that politicians always lie and
2. they are in ploitics for the benefit of themsleves not the public.
then you will see where they are coming from.
Ian, when haulage companies start going broke because they cant afford the astronomical prices -which the government could reduce- the country loses revenue,taxes and has to spend out on uneployment benefit.
I see from the weekend papers we are spending millions on child benefits to foreigners because they can claim from any country in the EU and of course we pay more so it benefits them to claim here. So we are paying taxes to raise kids in Polands etc. Thats where we could be making savings by ruling our own finances rather than letting Brussels.
work on two beliefs.
1. that politicians always lie and
2. they are in ploitics for the benefit of themsleves not the public.
then you will see where they are coming from.
Ian, when haulage companies start going broke because they cant afford the astronomical prices -which the government could reduce- the country loses revenue,taxes and has to spend out on uneployment benefit.
I see from the weekend papers we are spending millions on child benefits to foreigners because they can claim from any country in the EU and of course we pay more so it benefits them to claim here. So we are paying taxes to raise kids in Polands etc. Thats where we could be making savings by ruling our own finances rather than letting Brussels.
So I have another question. If New Labour has abandoned many of old labour's principles (ie is no longer socialist). Does that leave a void for the Lib Dems to fill? (ie, could Labour be so damaged that the Lib Dems may become a viable opponent to the other two parties?)
So I have another question. If New Labour has abandoned many of old labour's principles (ie is no longer socialist). Does that leave a void for the Lib Dems to fill? (ie, could Labour be so damaged that the Lib Dems may become a viable opponent to the other two parties?)
not socialist??? labour is still VERY much socialist. they have relaxed their control on big businesses and in some ways cater to it now so in that sense they lean to the right, yes, but in terms of welfare, NHS, and public services they are almost as far left as you can go and in the worst possible way.
the whole state sector in the UK is a cumbersome bureaucratic nightmare and the NHS is for all intensive purposes a complete joke. the welfare state has become ENORMOUS and the middle class is being taxed to death to prop it up.
I was referring to a previous post for my knowledge of the issue by Lincolnshire:
Quote:
Simple answer is they don`t. Before Labour added the NEW prefix it may have been true. These days Labour are, as most who know anything about British politics will agree, on the centre right. Anyone who associates New Labour with socialism has either no idea of British political history, or, is so used to living under a right wing regime they consider anything even slightly left of Bush to be socialist.
I honestly have no idea what's correct. All I know is that Labour is to the left of the conservatives, and that apparently the Lib Dems are to the left of Labour (?)
I was referring to a previous post for my knowledge of the issue by Lincolnshire:
I honestly have no idea what's correct. All I know is that Labour is to the left of the conservatives, and that apparently the Lib Dems are to the left of Labour (?)
I can only comment in the context of being born here and living here for over 50yrs. In my younger days I was what could be called an activist. I was a shop steward as my Father and Grandfather before me were. I was encouraged to have an interest from a very young age [10 ?] . When I was young and stupid I read only The Socialist Worker and The Morning Star. Now I`m old and stupid I do cast my net to aid my opinions much wider.
Through it all one thing has certainly come to light, as I think it does for most when they reach a certain age. That is: No Philosophy, No Political Party, and certainly No Individual has ever held the monopoly on Common sense.And nor will they. Something I think those with a decidedly schoolboy view of politics, especially those of a country that is foreign to them, would do well to remember. Anyone with only a couple of years experience of a place can`t honestly profess to have even scratched the surface when it comes to knowledge. Political attitudes here are far more complicated and deep rooted than anyone who forms opinions based on TV news [as good as the BBC is] and a daily paper, can ever be expected to understand.....My opinions are as before by the way...
Last edited by LINCOLNSHIRE; 06-05-2008 at 10:53 AM..
So I have another question. If New Labour has abandoned many of old labour's principles (ie is no longer socialist). Does that leave a void for the Lib Dems to fill? (ie, could Labour be so damaged that the Lib Dems may become a viable opponent to the other two parties?)
I can't see the Lib Dems overtaking Labour because people,on the whole, vote for their party regardless of policy. Sure some people will change their vote depending on the direction of the wind but most are implacable.
This isn't a reflection on Labour voters or the UK, but of all parties in all countries (in my opinion). Personally I would scrap all political parties because I put them alongside religion for causing problems in the modern world.
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).
