[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by joeysteele

For me I think he,Ed Miliband is at last hitting the right notes now, it will take great courage to stand up to the big 6 energy companies but I want him to do that.
They really nned a massive shake up and to be forced to consider their customers at all, since they show little respect to them now.
The weaknesses of this pathetic Govt. as to taking any action as to the energy companies is a part of why energy costs are allowed to continue to rise and take more and more of peoples incomes even when they are even using less!!
If this Govt showed the same force at getting at the greedy energy suppliers as it has against the weakest,poorest and most vulnerable in the UK then all would be a lot better as to the costs of energy probably.

As for voting for those aged 16, as was said by DanaC if they can marry, have children, begin building a home with a partner, have to pay bills, work and also maybe serve the Country in the armed forces, then absolutely why deny them the right to be able to vote in democratic elections in the UK.
During election time, usually, schools take part in a mock general election across the Country too.

It is the figure of 16 being reached that makes all else legal,it may well be at 15 many are able to well and truly act for themselves but the law says until they are 16 they cannot that is the difference there in my opinion.

Even on here though, when I first joined,there was one person then only 14 who in the main talked loads of sense as to politics.
He was well up on the workings of Govt and I took a lot of notice of what he had to say as I did lot's of much older members too.
Many young people I come across, talk a lot of sense and see things a lot more clearer than some others who are more politically active.

Also okay, maybe only around 40% of the 16 year olds may bother to vote, that however is not that far behind the voting figures generally for the so called more politically active older voters of the UK.

The point is when should someone have the vote.
For me that is when they, in law, are seen as able to make their own decisions and stand on their own 2 feet or should be able to.
That is set at 16 years of age and voting should not be denied to them,even if they choose not to use it.
I have a feeling however we may all get quite a surprise how many may in fact end up doing so.

I have nothing at all against what he plans to do Joey,but I have grave concerns as to why he's rolling them out now and all in quick succession,it smacks of desperation to me,they really need to THINK things through before saying such things,I don't care who runs this country as long as they at least TRY and get us out of the red and back on track,unfortunately I really don't think Milliband is the man to do it.

[joeysteele]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

I have nothing at all against what he plans to do Joey,but I have grave concerns as to why he's rolling them out now and all in quick succession,it smacks of desperation to me,they really need to THINK things through before saying such things,I don't care who runs this country as long as they at least TRY and get us out of the red and back on track,unfortunately I really don't think Milliband is the man to do it.

Hello Kazanne,I,until these last 2 years had great doubts as to Ed Miliband as PM,I don't now though.
If what he is saying are his real hopes and he does do them if he wins the election then he is virtually taking the words out of my mouth as to what he is outlining as policy as to what I would like to see.

It is too only a year or so until the next election, he has regularly been heavily slammed from the press and other political critics for not detailing policies.
Now he is,he is electioneering.
Of course he is electioneering, he is the opposition leader he has to do that.
To just sit back and do and say little would rightfully mean disaster for his party and to leave all policy announcements until the last few months would look like desperation.
The last election we had was a near 2 year long campaign as to the run up to it.

For me, these policies outlined this week by this conference, show at least here has been some research and consultation with those that matter as to the problems and a bit more thought as to the planning of the policies too.

He couldn't really leave things with just good speeches until next years conference, he had to now, (and really maybe should have done so more last year too), detail policies that all party workers, his MPs and Councillors can get to work on now and plan how they will play it out in over a years time.

I as you know have fully crossed the political divide in the last 4 years, I worry for the NHS,( one my real reasons as to who I vote for in the main),the energy rising costs and also for the weakest,poorest and most vulnerable in the UK if something isn't done or changed.
Very sadly however,I see absolutely no sign of any compassionate change from the present Govt. as to its policies.

Although now the pathetic Lib Dems are making more snidey comments as to the Conservatives and making more overtures to Labour to try to ensure if Labour miss out on an overall majority they have a chance of staying as a part of Govt after 2015.

I think to be fair to Ed Miliband,this week he has from all he has said,opened up strong likely debate on a range of vital issues and set a strong initial agenda as to the next election.
As the Opposition leader,he has to do that and for me I throw a lot of credit to him for the way he has done so this week.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Kazanne

I have nothing at all against what he plans to do Joey,but I have grave concerns as to why he's rolling them out now and all in quick succession,it smacks of desperation to me,they really need to THINK things through before saying such things,I don't care who runs this country as long as they at least TRY and get us out of the red and back on track,unfortunately I really don't think Milliband is the man to do it.

Because it's Labour's annual conference at the moment..

I think this is a good idea anyway, we now have fixed term elections for our parliaments so someone who is 16 in 2015 will not get any chance to have their say in who is running the country until they are 21. They will be subject to numerous policies during those 5 years that affect them directly and by that time they will be fully grown adults who might have been working full time for years, have their own place etc. There are plenty of politically aware 16 year olds and those who aren't won't bother to vote, just as a sizeable chunk of those already eligible to vote don't