Itv leaders debate.

[Foxholer]

I am afraid a United States of Europe does not sit comfortably with me. It certainly was not what I voted in favour of back in 1975.

A federal Europe subsumes too many national characteristics and identities.

I certainly agree with you on that. That's waaaay too far. But by the (strict) definition of 'Federalism', the EU has been a federation (note the lack of capital) since Maastricht was ratified! It's just the balance of authority granted to central/divulged bodies that is being argued about!

 

[Foxholer]

Nicola sturgeon says she is going to end austerity by having a modest increase in spending across the board.

Fine. Ok. I get that.

But what confuses me is that she is going to reduce the country's deficit while this spending splurge is going on.

Can anyone explain to me how that works?

I believe it's the equivalent of a company investing in capital equipment or another plant - in the hope/expectation that more sales/greater efficiency will result. Growth should mean more exports, taxes and less benefits to pay, therefore reduced deficit. Whether it happens is a completely different story, especially for a 'left-leaning' government, but quite a good (non-)answer!

 

[lobthewedge]

I believe it's the equivalent of a company investing in capital equipment or another plant - in the hope/expectation that more sales/greater efficiency will result. Growth should mean more exports, taxes and less benefits to pay, therefore reduced deficit. Whether it happens is a completely different story, especially for a 'left-leaning' government, but quite a good (non-)answer!

So I'm guessing a more accurate stance for the snp to take would be we're going to increase spending, the deficit and debt is likely to increase for a few years, but hopefully, and with a bit of luck, the "investment" will pay off and at some point in the future we may see a return on it.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

The funniest clown often gets the loudest applause and cheers at the circus too!

Pretty desperate reply that:lol:

I was surprised by the applause and cheering as I thought she was off form last night.
Remember it was from a politically balanced audience.

 

[Hobbit]

So a vote for the SNP is a vote for a Labour govt. Why not just vote for Labour, and give them a decent working majority in Westminster...?

 

[Spuddy]

So a vote for the SNP is a vote for a Labour govt. Why not just vote for Labour, and give them a decent working majority in Westminster...?

Minority governments are more accountable for their actions

 

[Adi2Dassler]

Sturgeon was poor last night, Murphy was nearly as bad and Davidson was probably the best.

The audience ( tache man apart) were equally as insipid.

 

[CMAC]

Sturgeon was poor last night, Murphy was nearly as bad and Davidson was probably the best.

The audience ( tache man apart) were equally as insipid.

echoes my thoughts exactly. (Tache man removed it halfway through- very weird behaviour)

 

[Adi2Dassler]

echoes my thoughts exactly. (Tache man removed it halfway through- very weird behaviour)

STV told him to remove it...I though Nick Nolte had taken an interest in Scottish politics!

 

[CMAC]

Pretty desperate reply that:lol:

I was surprised by the applause and cheering as I thought she was off form last night.
Remember it was from a politically balanced audience.

just to clarify, the rapturous applause and cheering only came from a small section (twice), I'm guessing SNP supporters but I could be wrong

 

[CMAC]

STV told him to remove it...I though Nick Nolte had taken an interest in Scottish politics!

I was hoping it was David Cameron who would do a 'reveal' at the appropriate time

 

[Adi2Dassler]

I was hoping it was David Cameron who would do a 'reveal' at the appropriate time

Some felt in bore an uncanny resemblance to Johan Lamont

 

[Doon frae Troon]

So a vote for the SNP is a vote for a Labour govt. Why not just vote for Labour, and give them a decent working majority in Westminster...?

No no no you have got that wrong.
A vote for SNP will put Cameron in power
According to Labour.

A vote for the SNP is actually a vote for the SNP [simples.]

 

[Foxholer]

So I'm guessing a more accurate stance for the snp to take would be we're going to increase spending, the deficit and debt is likely to increase for a few years, but hopefully, and with a bit of luck, the "investment" will pay off and at some point in the future we may see a return on it.

Something like that. I think they'd be hoping for a quicker payback, but any failure would be fobbed off with the usual political twaddle 'it takes a little time to percolate through'!

I'm very sceptical about the ability of any government to really 'manage' the economy. It's too much like a balloon in that a prod or squeeze in one place produces a reaction somewhere else - but they can't be sure where. All they can really do is inflate or deflate the overall thing! The overall economy very often improves 'in spite' of government interference rather than 'because' of it!

 

[Adi2Dassler]

It does sound plausible, that increasing spending on infrastructure creates jobs/taxes.Combined with revised taxation policies and taking a slightly longer view to tackle deficit and debt it kinda makes sense to me.And given we've seen cuts do nothing but create more debt, it's worth considering the options.

 

[Hobbit]

So a vote for the SNP is a vote for a Labour govt. Why not just vote for Labour, and give them a decent working majority in Westminster...?

No no no you have got that wrong.
A vote for SNP will put Cameron in power
According to Labour.

A vote for the SNP is actually a vote for the SNP [simples.]

Sooo, if the current % points remain the same come election time, Labour have a 0.6% advantage and maybe a lead of just a few seats. The lovely Nicola said that she would support Labour. Ergo a vote for the SNP is a vote for a Labour govt.

And back to the original question, why not just vote for Labour and give them a workable majority?

 

[Adi2Dassler]

And back to the original question, why not just vote for Labour and give them a workable majority?

Keep them honest, like the LibDems have done with the tories

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Speaking of honesty....

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-secretary-alistair-carmichael-i-5465414.

I wonder if the enquiry result will be after the election.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Sooo, if the current % points remain the same come election time, Labour have a 0.6% advantage and maybe a lead of just a few seats. The lovely Nicola said that she would support Labour. Ergo a vote for the SNP is a vote for a Labour govt.

And back to the original question, why not just vote for Labour and give them a workable majority?

I thought it would be pretty obvious that the SNP puts Scotland's interest first.
Labour treated Scotland as a branch office for decades and also said some pretty stupid things during the referendum.
eg Armed border patrols/ forced to drive on the right [right this time]

Looking at some of the Scottish political boards this morning there is some comment about Sturgeon loosening her anti Tory stuff.
Becoming a bit tiresome as the Thatcher years were 30 years ago now.

 

[CMAC]

Speaking of honesty....

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politics/scottish-secretary-alistair-carmichael-i-5465414.

I wonder if the enquiry result will be after the election.

who cares- old news now- more important and interesting things in the Election. Move on.