Ed Milliband has to go....

[Barry Fish]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/ed-miliband/9028869/We-need-a-bigger-public-sector-says-Ed-Miliband.html

The guy has no consistency and really can't get his message straight...

First he is against the cuts...

Then he agrees with the cuts...

And now he wants to increase the public sector further...

FFS...

[t8yman]

He is one of the few people in the world I cant even bear to listen to. His voice just grates on me. And what he actually says is usually utter crap.

the final nail in the coffin for me was

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZtVm8wtyFI

[Alcatraz]

He's well out of his depth. But I'm beyond caring about Labour politics now

[kaosmark2]

http://www.telegraph...d-Miliband.html

The guy has no consistency and really can't get his message straight...

First he is against the cuts...

Then he agrees with the cuts...

And now he wants to increase the public sector further...

FFS...

[lost]

[grumpyhack]

As long as Ed is facing him Cameron can sleep soundly. The worry is I can't really see anyone else in Labour's present ranks who could both rattle Cameron and also appeal to voters.

[kaosmark2]

David Miliband isn't that likable. He's got a policy geek style that appeals to people who pay attention and listen to the depth of what he says, but he's not innately likable for everyone.

There is a serious lack of talent in the Labour ranks...

You look at the Tories and they have big hitters everywhere... Ken Clarke, Ian Duncan Smith and William Hague are three massive figures who Labour have no answer for really...

[grumpyhack]

Anyone who worked for BAT and is that heavily into jazz is probably going to be good company. If you judge politicians by would you like to spend a weekend with them at a festival there's not many I'd care to have along from the current bunch.

[Rufus Gwertigan]

To be fair I think he has a point. Manchester City Council have laid off thousands of staff like many of Councils. However recently they have taken on swathes of young people on apprenticeship schemes for projects they have around the city e.g. Building works at the Town Hall and IT projects. They are not paying apprentice rate either (about 100 quid) but are paying £230 a week which is good for a young person. Now apprenticeships are aimed al the youth but open to all. It is no stretch of the imagination that similar schemes can run across other public sector areas.

[kaosmark2]

if they're what count as talent, then it's anybodys game

[kaosmark2]

is that it.. that's what makes them better?

[kaosmark2]

then Caroline (Lucas) is a political giant, and the Greens should walk the next election

(which isn't going to happen)

[grumpyhack]

The sad thing is that most people vote out of self-interest. (Actually, even sadder is that so few people vote at all). Tony Blair was right when he said that Labour had to appear to Essex Man. Much as I have great respect for Caroline Lucas I fear that we need a lot more education before Middle England recognises the importance of green issues.

[abdoujaparov]

They're better than the rest because they're not professional politicians. They have some sort of vague hint of real world experience.

[kaosmark2]

do they bollocks, Ken Clarke has been an MP for over 40 years, he qualified as a barrister in the 60s but hasnt practiced since 1970. Ian Duncan Smith is an ex-Guards officer, who has been a professional politician for 30 years. William Hague was a management consultant for a couple of years, then because a professional politician in the late 80s. Clarhe and Hague went to Cambridge, IDS went to Sandhurst

in my opinion they're pretty thin on real life experience in any sense of the term that would be understandable to 95% of the population of the UK. And as for not being professional politicians, that's just nonsense I'm afraid

[Pogues Mcgogues]

Ed Milliband realy let me down. I didn't vote for him first (but second) however I knew when I was voting, I was in reality picking him as my Milliband. Before he had a sniff at this he was well liked from people who knew who he was, and he was good and seemed fresh. He's listened to too many advisers and fucked himself up; Jim Murphy et al!

[kaosmark2]

you're Milliband... ?

[Pogues Mcgogues]

Well with AV for labour's internal elections it was always going to come down to a choice between David Miliband and Ed Miliband. Which of the two you picked higher was the more significant than who you put first.

[Pogues Mcgogues]

I get that. I didn't understand your reference to 'my' Milliband. I do no

[abdoujaparov]

Relatively.

[kaosmark2]

compared to who? Prince Phillip?

[Kowalski]

Labour are simply unelectable, it'll take many years for them to get over the Bliar years. There's definitely space for a new credible centre left party but I doubt it'll happen.

And Duncan Smith is useless IMHO.

[pink_triangle]

Elections are generally won by swing voters in the middle of the country. I think these people are generally more swung by the party leader than the actual leader. I personally cant see them seeing ed as a potential primeminister, I tend to lean towards labour and I cant either. My prediction for the next election is another hung parliament with conservative the largest party. Then again Im not sure there is a leader amongst labour ranks who could win the next election either.

[grumpyhack]

Many people traditionally always vote for the same party - Labour or Conservative. Many seats are either rock solid Tory or Labour. So the outcome of elections is determined by the small handful of 'floating voters' in marginal seats. If we could just identify that handful, probably numbering a few thousand, and ask them to decide we could save ourselves all the cost of elections and still get the same result. (Takes tongue out of cheek, ducks and waits for flack).

[kaosmark2]

I can't believe how many time people fail to realise just how popular Tony Blair was... He won three terms and could of quite possibly won a fourth term...

Outside of people who just default hate him because of Iraq his popularity is massive. The right wing press, and anti-war lot, like to make out he some sort of hate figure... but then look at the 2005 general election, after Iraq had stained him... Majority of 66 won...

Anyone with half a brain can see that spending and reforms went to shit under Brown... While under Blairs watch they where far more restrained.... Brown fucked up "New" Labour by taking it back to the roots that the people have almost always rejected...