Who will you be voting for? One week to go, has your mind changed from last time?

[blade1889]

Yeah the heroin addicts I worked with that had long term addiction regretted it. Much like anyone who does anything that has such a negative impact on their lives regrets it. Someone who is addicted to cannabis will probably regret the first time they touched it, same for a drinker and same for someone who has problems with gambling.

I wish I never touched alcohol to be honest. The majority of people though use drugs at some point in their life without any problems at all and many of them on a fairly regular basis.

Yeah there are safe needle exachanges, that was partly what I worked in and I included them in the overall system that could really reduce harm from drug use. Regulating drugs is a very small part of the actual vision we have but it is a vital part and without it drugs will remain more dangerous than they need to.

Yes Education is vital and actually an effective deterrent to drug use compared to the law IMO. It needs to be honest though and not simply saying "DONT DO IT YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING AND DIE" because as most people find out when the experiment that isn't strictly true and you doubt everythig else you are told.



This is the exact reason why I want drugs properly regulated. Has the current punitive system been any help to people that find themselves in trouble? That's why Portugal changed their system into one that treats it as a health problem rather than a criminal matter, so that people who do find themselves in trouble can get help sooner.

The current system where we criminalise drug use and keep it in the hands of drug dealers was a experiment in itself. When Reagan announced the "war on drugs" it was not done on evidence and nothing like it had been attempted before so it should be reviewed as the last 60 years have been a chorinc failure.

Then I could go on to talk about the effect this has on a global scale such as Mexico and the Philippines but I will go far to off topic and there is a drug policy thread further down.

I will happily send you some links over PM though and of course if you have a search through google you will find loads of information. Sometimes it is better to find your own way rather than have someone bombard you with their own stuff.

Definitely agree with that! Have to ask though, is cannabis addictive? My housemates constantly swear it isn't so surprised to see you've said it is!?

Cant disagree that education is always the best way forward. Merely telling someone not to do something will just make then want to do it more. Has to be done by people that have experienced it IMO too and not just a teacher who probably cant have much of a balanced debate on it.

The last bit made me smile too. So many different sites give such different information. About 2 months ago there seemed to be a new study into the effects of cannabis posted by 'I fucking love science' every week, each one contradicting the one that came before it.

 

[Techno Natch]

Yeah cannabis is addictive on a psychological level and it was also explained to me that it is phsycially addictive. That was a long time ago so the details are hazy for me so I'd need to look it up before I declared that fact.

However although there is psychological addiction to cannabis the people who experience serious withdrawl problems is relatively low I think. Still for the people that are affected by them they are just as serious as any other drug withdrawl.

It does make me laugh when people say Cannabis isn't at all addictive when they smoke it every day. Anything you use every day is going to give your body an uneasy ride when you cut it out.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

He's a staunch right-winger, I'm not going to get him to see reason so there's no point mate.

I am not a staunch right winger I put myself in the floating group, can switch either way if needed.

but since one of the big main financial aspects for independence the oil had a bad collapse during the period since I think that would have been disastrous timing for a new small country, one which really would not have been wanting to ask for assistance so early.

So would have led to some big problems, but people seem to have forgotten that already.

 

[SALTIRE]

They have things in place for when the oil price plummets, they've been doing this a long time you know. Alright there has been job losses in certain companies, but it is starting to pick up again, no thanks to blessed Cameron and his cronies.

 

[The Southbank]

Pretty much been Labour all my voting life (apart from 2010 when I didn't vote), but *take a seat*..... I'll most likely vote Tory this time around so Miliband and his champagne socialist pal Russell Brand don't get anywhere near ruining the country again. I don't particularly like the Tories, but the Greens won't make any head way, so I've got no choice but to vote for Cameron to ensure Miliband doesn't get anywhere near No.10.

 

[SALTIRE]

 

[ccfctommy]

Voted already for Labour by post.

 

[Alty]

There remains a shred of doubt in my mind, but I think I'll go for Labour on the day.

One of my biggest hopes for Thursday is that the vote shares to seats won ratio is as fucking mental as possible so that electoral reform becomes irresistible.

 

[Veggie Legs]

Yep. UKIP are quite likely to get over 10% of the vote and only one seat, Lib Dems get a similar vote share and 25 seats. Ridiculous.

 

[Alty]

Yep. UKIP are quite likely to get over 10% of the vote and only one seat, Lib Dems get a similar vote share and 25 seats. Ridiculous.

Which one? Clacton?

Still fancy them to do a little better than expected. 4-5 seats.

 

[Veggie Legs]

Those numbers weren't meant to be that specific. I actually think they'll hold the two they have but not win any more.

 

[Captain Scumbag]

^ I think Farage will narrowly lose in Thanet. I expect Carswell to hold. Not sure about Reckless.

If that happens, best outcome for UKIP (assuming Nigel is true to his word about quitting) is probably Carswell as leader. Which would be interesting.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

It'd be pretty funny if Farage didn't get elected after all this. I can't see him standing down that easily though.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Farage failing to win would probably make the night for me. Would be glorious. I think 3 seats would be a decent return for UKIP tbh. Clacton's the only one they're really nailed on for. I think that Farage will probably win South Thanet, but it'll be a close race, while Reckless may find it tough to retain Rochester. Thurrock and Castle Point seem to be the only other seats that they're really in the running for.

I've pretty much decided to vote Green. There's still a very slim chance I might vote Lib Dem as they're the second party here and the race has been quite tight in previous elections. However, the Tories have a decent majority at the moment and I can't really envisage that changing this time around. I think the Lib Dems have probably been unfairly maligned in coalition but some of the criticism is just and I feel quite loathe to vote for them while the Orange Bookers retain their stranglehold on the party.* I feel similarly unenthusiastic about Labour - it's easy to harbour some fairly substantial reservations about them as it's not been very long since they were last in power. I think Miliband has a few half-decent policy ideas but I also feel they've been a fairly underwhelming opposition. I don't think all of the Greens ideas are workable (nor are a lot of them half as barmy as many people would have you believe), but I like their overall platform more than any of the other parties and I think it's probably time we embraced some bold ideas.

*I'll still vote for them in the borough council elections, think this ward might be quite tight

 

[Alty]

Farage failing to win would probably make the night for me. Would be glorious. I think 3 seats would be a decent return for UKIP tbh. Clacton's the only one they're really nailed on for. I think that Farage will probably win South Thanet, but it'll be a close race, while Reckless may find it tough to retain Rochester. Thurrock and Castle Point seem to be the only other seats that they're really in the running for.

Haven't seen polls for individual constituencies lately, but are they in with a shout in places like Great Grimsby or Boston and Skegness?

I know pollsters are very clever and make adjustments for certain factors, but with the demographic of UKIP's support being mainly older (and therefore less likely to take part in online polling surveys) and the general hysteria about the party (therefore making it seem socially unacceptable to say you're voting for them in a face-to-face interview) I do wonder whether UKIP's support is being consistently underestimated.

I agree with Scummers re Carswell taking over. And if that happens, I think there will be less talk about immigration and more about national sovereignty and a global libertarian outlook.

 

[smat]

Which constituency are you in, PP?

 

[Ian_Wrexham]

^ I think Farage will narrowly lose in Thanet. I expect Carswell to hold. Not sure about Reckless.

If that happens, best outcome for UKIP (assuming Nigel is true to his word about quitting) is probably Carswell as leader. Which would be interesting.

Reckless will lose. That's not even close. UKIP will win Clacton, potentially Thurrock and if they have a good night South Thanet too. Reckless could even finish third.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I have to admit I'm still 100% unsure now as to who i'll vote for, I was swinging to Labour (from Tory last time around) but I watched the Welfare debate yesterday and hmm it slightly pushed me back to Tory.......even if they are quite devious in their lack of honesty the Labour woman seemed to be clueless.

but have too many conflicting views in head at present, to be honest I think Lib Dems would suit may preference of being in the middle ground, but with Carlisle a big swing seat of Lab/con at present and by a small percentage its a wasted vote and should go to one of main 2.

conservative wise I sort've think they have done well the last 5 years, gave country some stability, will grow jobs, they for me deserve a second go, they still have plans to sort out the financial mess which is good, but working for a Council I have to worry that their further big cuts could cost me my job, plus working for a Council I know further cuts could well collapse a lot of big services in the whole country and that could have a catastrophic effect on the overall economy down line.......could we in the end cull things far too much is my fear.

Labour side I don't care about the previous time they were in, if I did I'd take into account the old Tory governments......they can all change and do deserve other attempts. I feel maybe we should now invest more and grow rather than keep cutting, I like their view on upping the wage and I am also one not interested in leaving Europe. On flip side I do worry that maybe we could rock the boat of our current stability with the change, plus they do still come off abit clueless, but then its harder to gain real information when in opposition. it would of course be better for my job and better for people in respect of all the mass cuts......that positivity could help grow country more.

Then add in I've moved for first time in Feb but its renting so who is best for in a years time me going to buy a home, plus I've a Girlfriend who is an 'evil Czech Immigrant' well who has been here 6 years and is heading towards being a UK national, but at present isn't, plus she's only just leaving Uni this summer so which party is best in terms of A: Her getting a job here, B: having less problems and C: reducing the fear and intimidation they get here.

for all I'd rather not a clamp-down on Europe, maybe if they have the votes and the break off, it will ease down all the frustration and fear which she can feel uncomfortable with.

hmmm lots of things for either way......can you vote both??

 

[.V.]

I'll be voting Green in a safe Tory seat. Though I have thought it may be better to vote Labour as an anti-Tory vote as a large number of Labour votes across the country may help the narrative of Labour having a mandate to rule if they don't get a majority on Thursday.

Our electoral system is a right old mess isn't it?

I was going to vote Green but hadn't thought about Labour needing to prove a mandate, so might vote Labour instead now.

 

[Cheese & Biscuits]

Apparently the Tories are planning £12Bn in welfare cuts over the next parliament.

https://twitter.com/LabourSean/status/595884485360627713?s=09

It really pisses me off that the section of people that these cuts would hit are seen as fair game by the Tories. Now, of course, this may be bollocks (especially given the source) but it seems to be in line with their previous cuts so it's not too far fetched to believe it.

Could never vote for such a heartless group of people.

 

[Red]

It's pretty much a given that cutting or freezing out of work benefits is generally acceptable by a lot of people because an 'I'm alright Jack' mentality is pervasive among a lot of people in work. Everyone is rightly concerned about what they might do with disability benefits, but a commentator on the Daily politics show the other day reckons as part of the £12b cuts the Tories will be cutting working tax credits. This might or might not be true, but if they get and do this then I hope all people on low wages that voted for them will be satisfied.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Haven't seen polls for individual constituencies lately, but are they in with a shout in places like Great Grimsby or Boston and Skegness?

I know pollsters are very clever and make adjustments for certain factors, but with the demographic of UKIP's support being mainly older (and therefore less likely to take part in online polling surveys) and the general hysteria about the party (therefore making it seem socially unacceptable to say you're voting for them in a face-to-face interview) I do wonder whether UKIP's support is being consistently underestimated.

I agree with Scummers re Carswell taking over. And if that happens, I think there will be less talk about immigration and more about national sovereignty and a global libertarian outlook.

Great Grimsby looked to be a viable seat for them a while ago, but the last constituency poll I saw for the seat had them trailing way behind Labour. I think it's probably gone as a realistic target. Boston & Skegness is a good shout actually - I'd probably be inclined to predict a Tory hold but I think UKIP will be in contention there.

Shy 'Kippers, eh? It's possible. As you say, the pollsters and their methods are pretty sophisticated these days, but they do seem to have had a little bit of trouble predicting how the party will do and there is a noticeable difference between telephone and online polling - the companies showing higher UKIP scores are all online. It could be a sampling problem, it could, as you suggest, be the interviewer effect. At the same time they do all seem to be detecting the same downward trend in UKIP support - as with the Greens they've only dropped off a % or 2 in recent weeks but it does look like they're being squeezed a little bit. I suppose we don't have long to wait to find out...

Which constituency are you in, PP?

Guildford. It's a pretty reliably Tory seat for the most part, but it was incredibly close in both the 2001 and 2005 elections (the Lib Dems nabbed it in 01 before the Tories nicked it back in 05). Less rabidly blue than most of Surrey then, but it wasn't particularly close last time around, and I don't expect it to be this time either.

Going to be keeping a close eye on my/your old stomping ground. I think Ed Davey will hang on in Kingston & Surbiton but with a reduced majority. Imagine Goldsmith will probably retain Richmond Park with increased levels of support (think he's probably been quite a good MP, much as I'd prefer not to admit it).

 

[smat]

Ah okay. I'll be voting in K & Surb again, cos when you're a water rat with no fixed abode it's a real hassle to register to vote properly. Will be voting for Davey again (despite pontificating about the Greens to my dwindling social group for about three months).

 

[ZianfrancoGoal]

I'm going to be voting Lib Dem because the guy running in my constituency claims on his website to be a prince and an "Enterentrepreneur"

 

[SALTIRE]

I don't think I could handle another 5 years of the Eton boys club in charge again fucking the whole of the UK up. Wish some more of us had backbone and we wouldn't have to bother about them, but c'est la vie as they say.

 

[Alty]

I don't think I could handle another 5 years of the Eton boys club in charge again fucking the whole of the UK up. Wish some more of us had backbone and we wouldn't have to bother about them, but c'est la vie as they say.

Dislike of a political party is no reason to destroy the country you mug.

 

[The Paranoid Pineapple]

Ah okay. I'll be voting in K & Surb again, cos when you're a water rat with no fixed abode it's a real hassle to register to vote properly. Will be voting for Davey again (despite pontificating about the Greens to my dwindling social group for about three months).

Ha, I can imagine. I'd stick Ed a vote if I was in K & S too.

I did vote in Kingston council elections as recently as last year but my parents moved house and out of the area in January (bastards) so my ties are now pretty much severed. Richmond Park was my old parliamentary constituency though as it encompasses quite a lot of north Kingston (the boundaries always seemed quite weirdly drawn to me).

 

[Captain Scumbag]

Probably won't bother. In East Lothian, where none of the parties I like have a hope in hell. Stopping the SNP achieving a clean sweep is about as good as my realistic goals get, but that means voting for Labour. And the Nats are going to win big and plunge us back into constitutional uncertainty for the next fuck knows how many years anyway, so taking part just seems a bit pointless. Will probably stay in and investigate moving to Canada.

@ Ian_Wrexham
What's happened with Reckless, then? I haven't been following it at all.

 

[Red]

The Greens are ahead of the Tories in our poll.

 

[Alty]

Probably won't bother. In East Lothian, where none of the parties I like have a hope in hell. Stopping the SNP achieving a clean sweep is about as good as my realistic goals get, but that means voting for Labour. And the Nats are going to win big and plunge us back into constitutional uncertainty for the next fuck knows how many years anyway, so taking part just seems a bit pointless. Will probably stay in and investigate moving to Canada.

@ Ian_Wrexham
What's happened with Reckless, then? I haven't been following it at all.

Just spotted this which is quite interesting.