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The great deceit at the heart of debate about public spending is that for the years following the 2010 election it would have been any different under Labour. Ahead of that election, Alistair Darling said "Labour's planned cuts in public spending will be "deeper and tougher" than Margaret...

Because I take personal responsibility. The failure of the business was entirely my fault, made a bad investment. You move on. In the end, I just about managed to pay everyone off so didn't owe anybody, I managed to get new jobs for my two employees and can now sleep at night. And, what I...

The public sector has been under massive strain, but there are clear signs that we are emerging from a period of economic strife and that the corner has been turned. The key question in this I guess. Tax revenues are up, unemployment is at record lows, foreign investment is high, especially in...

No, of course there was a public-sector pay freeze, that's documented fact. What there isn't yet in any indication that below inflation pay rises are planned during the next parliament, which is what you're suggesting with the comparison with military spending, where the budget has been...

Oh come on, you're better than that. High school debating society stuff. They're proposing to increase expenditure faster than inflation across many departments, not just defence. Military spending as a proportion of GDP has fallen under this government from 2.5% to 2.1%, it's lowest in...

Is that a serious comment, surely not? If so, that's incredibly condescending. Are you suggesting that people from ethnic minorities should all subscribe to the same world view and not think for themselves? If an Asian small business owner votes Conservative because, rightly or wrongly, they...

Tony Benn was of his time, it is very crude to try to place him politically by modern standards and sensibilities. The world is a different place, the division between right and left is blurred and increasingly meaningless. The world has never been smaller. Money flows across borders...

I don't need educating on anything. The arguments for and against private schools are older than you or I and are well understood. Of course they bestow an advantage on those who attend, who would argue that point? But, to abolish them would make no sense and would be motivated by ideology and...

On the issue of tuition fees, you mention participation. Surely that is a laudable aim, and it is somewhat cynical to suggest this is largely about reducing youth unemployment, even if that is an inevitable (and not undesirable) consequence. Since tuition fees were introduced, participation...

The thing is, this country needs a strong and able Labour Party, it just that in my view we don't have that right now. My rant above, and it was a bit of a rant, will inevitably lead some to conclude I am a blue flag waving activist, I'm really not, I was just trying to cut through some of the...

I'd say the arguments I put were the definition of centrist, but it depends on your perspective I guess. Pointing out, and applauding, that the minimum wage is relatively high and has been increased above the rate of inflation several times in recent years is not right wing. Pointing out, and...

And there it is. It didn't take long for the 'far right' mud-slinging to start. I think it says more about the shift in your position to be honest. My views haven't really changed since I voted for Blair in 1997.

The bit about paying more tax came right at the end and was a bit of a throwaway comment, but it does suggest you actually you read it all :happy: Corbyn, McDonnell, Abbott, Thornberry - yes, notably less competent than their Tory equivalents in my view, but that's not to suggest I have posters...

So many people trying to make a reasoned case for a Labour vote on here, it's very surprising and somewhat out of step with the national mood as I see it, which I suspect will deliver nothing short of a thumping Tory victory. Whatever misgivings people may have about another five years of...

Definitely. I would never usually swerve an away game like this because it's always the case that if you keep your head down you'll be fine, but I've decided not to take the lad to this one. I used up my 4 season tickets to get 8 tickets for mates up there for a weekend on the lash. It'll be...

I can usually get from the car park next to the Roost to Ash Green in 35 mins, but yesterday was a nightmare. Roads normally clear were clogged up because of temporary lights on Garrison Lane, so it took longer than usual, but I guess other routes were fine.

I know, schoolboy error on my part. I know nothing on the nature of the deal, only that there is one and that it's all set for Jan. The problem I have is that a few on here know who I am and will therefore know exactly where this came from so I can't share details. I'm saying nothing more, not...

Ah man, I immediately regretted posting that and was just about to edit it. I can't say too much, just that it was all agreed weeks ago. Certain contractual issues meant we had to delay the date. Of course, if it doesn't happen then you're more than welcome to call me a c-unit, but I'm assured...

Totally agree. I'm no fan of the Ricoh, and although the B&A is a decent enough place to have a drink, it's hardly your archetypal football boozer. I do think people overstate the 'lack of pubs' line though. There are plenty of options, even if they don't provide the sort of experience you get...

That's exactly what's going to happen. The link was opened up ahead of the wholesale redevelopment. Most units are on short-term lease and there will be CPOs issued in the near future. One side of Hertford Street will be flattened and rebuilt, the roof will go and the street will be returned to...