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I think this must be a first. It also would be good to have an MP who is a genuine fan of a lower league club, and not some plastic fan who doesn't give a shit about the positives lower league football can produce.
I doubt Mark will reference his support of his hometown club in his green campaign, but I think it is well worth mentioning!
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 18:27 - Feb 17 by flyerdale
Mark I wish you all the best of luck but I won't be moving my vote over to the Greens as I will begrudgingly voting for Labour again as I feel Rochdale is more of a marginal seat than some believe and we need as many seats as possible to get rid of those anti working class bafoons the tories at Westminster. I agree with a lot of the Greens policies but not on some others.
I'm hoping the recent shift in interest in the greens from labour will wake up the powers that be at labour HQ and take the party back into the hands of the normal working class not the political elite. We are stuck with Milliband as leader and need to push on with him now, I just hope he gets shut of people like Tristram Hunt if he were to form a government (probably with the SNP) that man is a fool.
I understand where you are coming from, flyerdale, though obviously I disagree, and many thsnkd for your best wishes. If everyone, who believed in GP polices voted that way, we would win many seats. Obviously the majority will vote Labour or whoever to keep the Tories out, similarly, UKIP will lose a lot of votes, back to the Tories, as an anti Labour vote. There have been a lot of surveys done, that when people just go for what they believe in politically policy wise, the Green's policies come out as the most popular.
UKIP will NOT be putting a lot of effort trying to dislodge the current MP, as he is their kind of man, that's why they have tried to recruit him. He knows though he would only get elected as Labour candidate. Don't be surprised to see a defection AFTER the Gen Election.
You are sadly wrong to believe that Labour can be moved back to it's working class roots. The political elite, including Blairites, have an iron grip on the party.
I see a rainbow alliance after May, Labour in coalition with the SNP, Plaid Cymru and a couple of NI parties.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:09 - Feb 17 by TalkingSutty
Interesting comments regarding the Monarchy, thank god you are in the minority.
Fair enough. Most of the thriving modern economies are fully democratic, nowadays. This is a fairly conservative country, therefore the population would need a lot of convincing to move away from a monarchy. I am convinced though, if we were to have a referendum, during the debate, people would see the benefits of moving towards full democracy.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 18:27 - Feb 17 by flyerdale
Mark I wish you all the best of luck but I won't be moving my vote over to the Greens as I will begrudgingly voting for Labour again as I feel Rochdale is more of a marginal seat than some believe and we need as many seats as possible to get rid of those anti working class bafoons the tories at Westminster. I agree with a lot of the Greens policies but not on some others.
I'm hoping the recent shift in interest in the greens from labour will wake up the powers that be at labour HQ and take the party back into the hands of the normal working class not the political elite. We are stuck with Milliband as leader and need to push on with him now, I just hope he gets shut of people like Tristram Hunt if he were to form a government (probably with the SNP) that man is a fool.
How on earth can you have a Labour MP with a name like Tristram. What you need are more names like Dennis Skinner, The beast of Bolsover.
A large VAT Dave
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Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:32 - Feb 17 with 1942 views
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 18:11 - Feb 17 by 1mark1
See that's the thing. Some people are believing newspapers regarding Green Party policies instead of finding out the facts themselves. It's like trusting the Morning Star to give a favorable review of Tory policies. And pro Labour papers will also do their best to get their readers to be against the Greens, so they don't turn away from Labour.
I will read the policies. I'm undecided who to vote for this year if at all. I wouldn't really describe myself as a socialist, but I do have a green conscience and am fed up of the prospect of government blue or government red with a cigarette paper between what they both actually do when in power.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but it must frustrate you that you will stand such a slim chance at winning a seat. Given the lib dems recent record of jumping into bed with the Tories and the whole Cyril smith case I'd imagine they can kiss goodbye to ever winning a seat here again. That makes Rochdale a safe labour seat, regardless that the majority of the electorate here won't vote for them (I'd imagine anyway). I'm a big advocate for proportional representation - it works well in Europe and elsewhere. The campaign for PR in the uk was killed off by choosing IMO one of the most flawed options in AV and labelling the idea as a lib dem brain child. The public punished the lib dems and didn't understand the proposal.
Good luck with the campaign and I'll think about giving you my vote.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:31 - Feb 17 by ArthurDaley
How on earth can you have a Labour MP with a name like Tristram. What you need are more names like Dennis Skinner, The beast of Bolsover.
A very good man is the Beast. Once packed out a public meeting at our magnificent Town Hall, and I had the pleasure of his company, when we went to pick him from his home. Has a degree in economics, and would make a far better Chancellor than Ed Balls, and the current holder of the position.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:26 - Feb 17 by 1mark1
Fair enough. Most of the thriving modern economies are fully democratic, nowadays. This is a fairly conservative country, therefore the population would need a lot of convincing to move away from a monarchy. I am convinced though, if we were to have a referendum, during the debate, people would see the benefits of moving towards full democracy.
Why don't we just sell up shop? Get rid of our history and heritage and everything that other countries look on us with envy.
There are currently a minority of very evil people causing terror around the world who would love nothing better than to see countries like England dismantling its history/Royal Family etc. They would love that, its what they want.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:37 - Feb 17 by 1mark1
A very good man is the Beast. Once packed out a public meeting at our magnificent Town Hall, and I had the pleasure of his company, when we went to pick him from his home. Has a degree in economics, and would make a far better Chancellor than Ed Balls, and the current holder of the position.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 18:54 - Feb 17 by 1mark1
After a proper review of what's needed to properly DEFEND the country, then it will be known how much will be required. Any military personnel losing their jobs will be given decent redundancy payments and full help in finding alternative, employment.
Regarding keeping the monarchy, or not, it is a matter of OPINION that it is better than having a republic. Personally I would rather be able to vote out my head of state, rather than having one reliant on being born to a particular family. It would certainly be no more expensive having an elected head of state, probably be cheaper, but it is the principal of democracy.
The group UKIP belong to in the EP only has 48 members, compared to the the two biggest groups, 221 and 191 . In fact it is the SMALLEST group in the EP. The pro European parties easily out number the anti Euro parties as far as elected MEPs from the UK. http://www.elections2014.eu/en
Yes many people turn out to see those occasions involving the Royal family ( and many don't support in anyway) , but many opinion polls are showing a closing gap between those wanting the current system or those wanting a republic. If there was a referendum, it may well be the case the public would choose Republicanism.
As far as the current Royal palaces, they would probably be kept as tourist attractions, just like Tower of London etc, people would still visit. In FRance , Russia and other places that no longer have a monarchy, former royal palaces etc are visited by many people. I personally think keeping all of these buildings as tourist attractions would be the best option. And even IF the odd ex Royal premises was bought by a Middle Eastern Prince, it's nothing like what we have now in which a MASSIVE part of our economy, fuel and power is run by foreign billionaires.
It's your OPINION that I and the Greens are out of touch, that charge could be laid at your Party's door.
Don't forget , but the Tories have also been part of running the Council over the years, as well as Libs and Lab, and quite frankly, all of these parties are well and truly part of the capitalists.
"Any military personnel losing their jobs will be given decent redundancy payments and full help in finding alternative, employment." I suppose you'll pay them that citizens Income you haven't costed.....oh no looks like you've ditched that. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/green-party/11383801/Greens-ditch-citiz
"Personally I would rather be able to vote out my head of state, rather than having one reliant on being born to a particular family." I'd rather have a head of state that does nothing and contributes to the net income of the nation than one that adds yet another level of complexity to the political system creating yet more bureaucracy that will ultimately cost us needless amounts of money for yet another politician nobody asked for. And you just know it would end up being Boris!
But if you want to argue principles of democracy, why don't we start by getting out of the EU so that people we didn't vote for will no-longer be able to override our courts? Because regardless what group you belong to in the European Parliament, the fact remains that we only have a 9% say over what happens there, a number that is due to go down as more countries join.
"But many opinion polls are showing a closing gap between those wanting the current system or those wanting a republic." Got a source for that? Because when I looked at the last poll conducted in 2012, support for the Monarchy was at a 15 year high at 69% in favour. That's a better margin than any political party has had in decades. The awkward moment the people you're saying are unpopular are more popular than you.
"it's nothing like what we have now in which a MASSIVE part of our economy, fuel and power is run by foreign billionaires." Let's get Fracing then....oh no wait you don't like the idea of lots of cheap fuel that's actually cleaner than the fuel we're currently using and would create thousands of jobs (Especially in towns like Rochdale).
"but the Tories have also been part of running the Council over the years" The Conservatives have only ever been in control for one term during the post-war era.
I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them.
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Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:49 - Feb 17 with 1893 views
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:32 - Feb 17 by 1mark1
These are OPINIONS not facts, viewpoints of people who BELIEVE capitalism doesn't exploit workers, and who BELIEVE socialism doesn't work.
If they're just opinions then lets hear your response, you should be able to logically refute all the points made in the videos if they're just opinions.
[Post edited 17 Feb 2015 19:53]
I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them.
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Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:54 - Feb 17 with 1871 views
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:35 - Feb 17 by DomDale
I will read the policies. I'm undecided who to vote for this year if at all. I wouldn't really describe myself as a socialist, but I do have a green conscience and am fed up of the prospect of government blue or government red with a cigarette paper between what they both actually do when in power.
Please don't take this the wrong way, but it must frustrate you that you will stand such a slim chance at winning a seat. Given the lib dems recent record of jumping into bed with the Tories and the whole Cyril smith case I'd imagine they can kiss goodbye to ever winning a seat here again. That makes Rochdale a safe labour seat, regardless that the majority of the electorate here won't vote for them (I'd imagine anyway). I'm a big advocate for proportional representation - it works well in Europe and elsewhere. The campaign for PR in the uk was killed off by choosing IMO one of the most flawed options in AV and labelling the idea as a lib dem brain child. The public punished the lib dems and didn't understand the proposal.
Good luck with the campaign and I'll think about giving you my vote.
Cheers, Dom Dale. Yes please do read the policies.
I agree the Libs have no chance, for the reasons you have alluded to. UKIP will be favorites to come second, but it is really a question of people needing to vote what they believe in rather than voting to for something they don't really believe in to keep something else out. UKIP will probably split the anti Labour vote, so if you want to vote for Green, you will not see a Tory or Ukip win Rochdale, but you might see us coming through the middle.
I believe there should be more of a PR system, combined with the present system. Maybe have 400 constituencies with a first past the post elected, MPs, with the rest being elected, on a Regional basis, on PR, possibly based on Euro regions. Obviously each MP, would have a much bigger constituency to look after.
Please go with your heart. Vote for what you believe in.
Any idea that fracking is cleaner or safer than power sources we have now, and will bring jobs to Rochdale, is as realistic as getting 74 virgins to have fun with if you blow yourself up for an imaginary friend who you read about in an ancient book that says the Sun revolves around the Earth.
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Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:57 - Feb 17 with 1861 views
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:55 - Feb 17 by Sandyman
Any idea that fracking is cleaner or safer than power sources we have now, and will bring jobs to Rochdale, is as realistic as getting 74 virgins to have fun with if you blow yourself up for an imaginary friend who you read about in an ancient book that says the Sun revolves around the Earth.
74??? I was undecided when it was 72, but that swings it.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:49 - Feb 17 by Birchy915
If they're just opinions then lets hear your response, you should be able to logically refute all the points made in the videos if they're just opinions.
[Post edited 17 Feb 2015 19:53]
Sorry, I don't have the time to refute arguments put forward in a video. I have seen both before, and definitely have no wish to see them again.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:41 - Feb 17 by TalkingSutty
Why don't we just sell up shop? Get rid of our history and heritage and everything that other countries look on us with envy.
There are currently a minority of very evil people causing terror around the world who would love nothing better than to see countries like England dismantling its history/Royal Family etc. They would love that, its what they want.
It's really not that long ago that ancestors of Lizzy were making poor young men all over Europe kill each other in the millions in ridiculous games of war. Go into any town or village and you'll find memorials to back me up. The monarchies of Europe have committed far more atrocities here than the fundamental Islamists such as ISIS I'm assuming you refer to.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:55 - Feb 17 by Sandyman
Any idea that fracking is cleaner or safer than power sources we have now, and will bring jobs to Rochdale, is as realistic as getting 74 virgins to have fun with if you blow yourself up for an imaginary friend who you read about in an ancient book that says the Sun revolves around the Earth.
Funny that because we've been fracing (there's no "K") in the UK for 60 years and nothing bad has ever happened. Weird how nobody told you about that isn't it.
Popular messageboarder standing for Rochdale at the Election in May! on 19:49 - Feb 17 by Birchy915
If they're just opinions then lets hear your response, you should be able to logically refute all the points made in the videos if they're just opinions.
[Post edited 17 Feb 2015 19:53]
I haven't watched the videos as I already have my own opinions. Which are, we need to decide if we live in a Capitalist society. If we decide yes then Socialism doesn't work in my view - you can't have both.
Looking ahead, this GE is shaping up to be the most interesting one I can recall. I hope 1Mark1'S prediction of a Labour coalition with the SNP, the Welsh and the Irish doesn't come to fruition, as ordinary English folk won't stand for that type of governance. I think in that scenario there would have to be another GE.
Sadly though, and some on this thread have demonstrated that they vote using stereotypes, which may once have been true, but are no longer. Like football, politics evolves, and it would be refreshing for voters to consider what's what, before voting (and I think the majority still do, but it's a slim majority).
For example, I'm not sure if I want us in or out of Europe* as I've not studied the pros and cons. But I know there's a debate to be had. Once the debate's been had I'll know which way to vote.
*Probably out, so we don't get force fed dull meaningless European football on the telly between teams I can't pronounce, never mind spell!
Any opinions on that article? In my opinion many scary policies.
Well now we know what Natalie Bennett was smoking during her 8 years doing 2 degrees and a Masters and 4 years being a "journalist" in Thailand (chief foreign sub-editor at the Bangkok Post). Anyone who is seriously taken in by this pile of un-costed, hippy-dippy clap trap needs a long stay in a dark room. Other green policies (and yes I have read their 2014 EU elections manifesto) include:
Phasing out VAT - so that's just £110 billion to find then (2014 VAT revenue)
Introduction of the European financial transaction tax (just because the UK will pay most of it)
Regulation of Pension funds - Hey its not their money but nanny state knows best!
Setting up Municipal Banks and workers given "rights" to buy the companies they work for..( I cant wait for Farnell and Co to set up the "Bank of Rochdale - what could possibly go wrong?")
De-prioritise airport and roads infrastructure spending (that's Whitworth Road buggered)
Oppose the extraction of natural resources -so we just have to buy them from the Russians!
The break-up of monopolistic supermarkets (there go thousands of Tesco jobs)
End cruel factory farming practices (but no mention of stopping Halal slaughter).
The right of all to NHS healthcare, irrespective of where they are from... Welcome to the UK - this way to the hospital.
Asylum seekers arriving in Europe to choose in which country they wish to apply for asylum in... the French will be pleased.
Recognise the Cornish people as a minority nation. "Ooh arr Ooh arr is you got your passport my dear"?
Support Scottish independence because government ought to be closer to people. So now we know who their MP will be siding with.
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