Naz17

If you don't mind answering, was it you who used it?

Harrow West (my constituency) which voted Labour is definitely not "rough-arse".

Yes I agree with a lot of what you written there.

Nah you can't make a judgement on what my views mean based on one paragraph on an internet forum. Lack of compassion for who? I have never voted Tory and I don't believe this is a Tory-exclusive way of thinking. If there were people I knew who were suffering I'd want to help. I just don't think things are as bad as Labour made out. They should have focused on being more positive than negative.

It matters because relating to incidents make them more real. For example, as harsh as this sounds the tragedy that happened in Nepal killed thousands of people. I felt sad about it but it didn't affect my day. Conversely, one person who I know dies, and isn't just a statistic, that will upset me for a while and rock me. So incidents that happen to people you know have more of an effect on you and will more than likely affect how you vote. So when people say voters are selfish for voting Tory...well maybe they just don't know anyone that they can relate to who are suffering? Hand on heart when I sit back, I can't think of anyone in my friendscircle or family or community who are using food banks or have been negatively affected by this government. Actually having said that, I have a cousin who has struggled to find a job after university but it's not like Labour were offering a better economic solution than the Tories so it's a mute point.

This is what I find most interesting. You say "By contrast, I think a lot of people in Tory areas have it relatively easy. In the South East you only have to fart to get a job, if you want a better job than they one you've got that's probably around the corner too. Wages are better, prospects are better, and with the exception of the barmy London housing market, it's probably easier for them to put money away and have some savings, they can rely on themselves because they have enough wealth and prospects to do so - they probably don't NEED the state in the same way, so in their mind it's just something that exists to cut the grass and empty the bins. " But the south east (London especially) is where Labour made all their gains! That seems at odds to the stereotype.

1) That's too simplistic. As a Health Economist I know how misrepresentative statistics such as A&E waiting times can be. It's also not the best measurement of overall health service quality. 2) That food bank stat is wrong. https://fullfact.org/factcheck/economy/food_bank_number-40853 Have you needed the NHS in the past few years? If so, how was it? Do you use a food bank or do you know anyone that does? My point is that maybe the statistics aren't painting an accurate picture of reality (for various reasons).

He'd win the election if he was running for it.

I don't agree about your bankers comment. The banking sector is huge. Maybe the top execs will be living in Chelsea etc, but the majority will be commuting from Greater London (like Harrow where I live). That holds true for the financial sector in general - banking, accountancy, insurance etc which are all really jobs based on money and profit. I agree about your second point and that finance isn't everything. I'm saying perhaps things aren't as bad in terms of "everything" as all the negativity Labour espoused seemed to portray. For example, their biggest argument was the "privatisation" of the NHS...but what if that hyperbole didn't actually reflect a poorer service to patients? In my opinion Jeremy Hunt has been a much better Secretary of State for Health than Burnham was (note, only Hunt, not Lansley). I can ultimately only look at myself and my surroundings and my life and my community actually are doing pretty well. I remember 5-10 years ago crime was a big issue in parts of my area and London in general. I don't see it as an issue at all anymore where I live. Whether that's because of the government or not I can't say robustly, but a naive and simple approach would be to carry on if it ain't broke.

It has to be Chuka Umunna next. By far the best candidate. Wonder what the odds are on him being a PM?

I'm surprised as everyone else about the Tory majority. Makes me think - is the state of this country really that bad? For all the doomsayers, maybe the UK citizens as a whole don't have much to complain about? Interesting question. Also interesting was how Labour blitzed the Tories in London. Isn't London suppose to be stereotyped as the city where Conservative-based ideology is at most home? The "bankers" and where all the wealth is going? Yet Labour actually made gains in London.

Tragic news.

This is what I'm trying to say. Both leading organisations like the IMF and commentators have basically condemned the coalition's economic policy.

The IMF initially recommended austerity (like the coalition government put in force). They then realised austerity is bad economic policy for countries in recessions and changed their stance to be anti austerity. So my point is that both these commentators (referred to earlier) AND the IMF are explaining how bad current government policy is. They're both doing the same thing. So "listening to the IMF" can't be the reason why not enough of the public aren't seeing through the austerity narrative.

But the IMF agree with the conclusion that austerity (as enacted by this coalition government) is bad economic policy just like the commentators.

Guess the religion you follow will determine what is meant by "Pray for Nepal". Not all believe in man in the clouds who orders stuff around.

Genuinely heartbreaking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_9Da0OKoOA A reminder...how the f**k did we lose that match? Need much better finishing on Sunday. A mauling is due.

Same team as against City. No mercy. Finish them. Sub-Zero Fatality.

I really, really want to win this...by at least 3.

Man needs to get a grip. He's in an extremely privileged person relative to arguably 90%+ of the world's population. A hugely well paid job, an enjoyable job at that which isn't the monotonous 9-5 routine, in very good health, young with his whole life ahead of him and has great friends around him (not sure about his family life). Getting worked up by a few trolls is such a waste of energy.

Sterling no power? Ok then...

Got a feeling Gerrard will be involved.

Where's the Burnley thread? We play in 9 hours. Edit: 1 minute too early.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6BOBe__D4k Brilliant game from him.