Off Topic Politics Thread

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That's somewhat disingenuous. The Boundary Commission is an independent body set up to keep (amongst other things) constituencies at a similar number of voters. People move, so boundaries need to change and there is a review about every ten years. The last one was in 2007 so it's around the time for another review.

To say the review is in order to improve their chances is bending the facts to suit an agenda somewhat.

Vin

[Edit: from Wikipedia:
Once a Commission has completed a review, it submits a report to the appropriate Secretary of State who puts forward legislation to the Parliament implementing the recommendations. Parliament may approve or reject these recommendations, but may not amend them. If Parliament approves the recommendations, then the Sovereign signs an Order formalising the boundary changes which are to be used at the next general election. Any by-elections use the pre-existing boundaries.

Although for many years the legislation gave the Secretary of State power to modify a Commission’s recommendations, this power was never exercised. This separates boundary making by a combination of structure and convention from those elected from the resulting electoral areas, thus significantly reducing any scope for gerrymandering.]

To say I am being disingenuous implies that I actually know what I am talking about, and am trying to deliberately pull the wool over people's eyes.
I am only repeating something, that has oft been stated, including on Question Time, without it being challenged as being inaccurate.
This is why, in an earlier post, I said that I would like a truly independent body to outlay the pros and cons, of staying in the EU, as there are already too many, for want of a better phrase, urban myths regarding how things work/are, causing confusion.
I bow to your superior knowledge, with regards to this, which highlights why this is a good thread - I have learnt something I didn't know.
 
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I'm another "I don't know" and don't particularly care how any politician votes because they've each got their own agenda. Like St Badger (and others) I'd like impartial facts and figures, not emotional rhetoric. What worries me is that so many people will vote as they think being out of Europe will keep those useless foreign Johnies off our shores and that will be their only reason.

Can I also say, as a pretty new member, that this is one of the most sensible, mature forums to be a part of. OK, there have been sulks, there have been slight upsets but what I like is that people here are willing to apologise if someone gets upset, are supportive during sad times and make me laugh on a daily basis, so thank you :emoticon-0137-clapp

Thank you for that......The saints Forum has a good reputation throughout not 606. They also know that it doesn't pay to step over our guide lines. As we are proud of the way we are allowed to debate without the insulting that is so prevalent on other boards. Also nice to see another lady poster. We are always interested in the fairer half point of view on footy matters. Just ask Fran........now I've gone and done it.<laugh>
 
The whole thing will be driven by racism hidden behind the agenda of immigration. I was talking to some people in Andover the other day who were telling me immigration was destroying the country. Goodness knows where they got that idea from. It certainly wasn't from first hand experience. You don't see a black face or an eastern European anywhere near the place. We live in a vibrant exciting cosmopolitan city with people from all over the world and Southampton is the better for it. What really worries me is what will happen to all my friends who have decided to live in France and Spain, my cousin moved to Italy only 18 months ago what will happen to her. What about my nephew who has married a young French girl and has two children. What about my very good friends among whom there are Spanish, Hungarian and Germans? Are we going to kick them out? I like to take the ferry to France for a holiday and serious food and wine shopping. What will happen to all those German cruise ships that come into Southampton and bring jobs and prosperity to Southampton? I have become a true European and the tragedy is that the whole EU edifice will be brought down by the little Englander mentality and racism and it fills me with horror. I am already convinced that I can do nothing else but vote to stay in for the sake of my friends, my family and my prosperity.

Bloody hell st g I agree yet again on most of what you say here. It's gotta be some sort of record!! I'm still a don't know though.......
 
People say leaving the EU will stop us wasting money, but I am sure it could be wasted just as readily by people in the power in this country...I think an out vote would hurt research, science and academia (funding grants etc.), possibly farming too.
 
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Every single phone survey to-date - asking people how they plan to vote - has revealed more 'remain' voters than 'leave' voters.

Either there's a lot of passive/quiet 'remain' voters (which I suspect is the case), or a lot of people who want to leave the EU don't have telephones. :)


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Every single phone survey to-date - asking people how they plan to vote - has revealed more 'remain' voters than 'leave' voters.

Either there's a lot of passive/quiet 'remain' voters (which I suspect is the case), or a lot of people who want to leave the EU don't have telephones. :)


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I think in the main people don't like change and only do so when pushed.
A few people do pay attention to UKIP about the issues of being in Europe, but ultimately I don't suspect anyone has had their personal lives adversely effected by our EU membership and most of us take the advantages we've gained from being an EU member for granted.

I have not made my personal decision yet and will try and take in all the evidence I can and hope my bullshit filter serves me proud. Currently if the vote was tomorrow, I would remain....I don't like change!
 
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T Also nice to see another lady poster. We are always interested in the fairer half point of view on footy matters. Just ask Fran........now I've gone and done it.<laugh>

I started getting insulted at the "half point of view on footy matters" (women can know and love football as much as men, you know etc etc) then realised it was "fairer half". :D :D
 
The whole thing will be driven by racism hidden behind the agenda of immigration. I was talking to some people in Andover the other day who were telling me immigration was destroying the country. Goodness knows where they got that idea from. It certainly wasn't from first hand experience. You don't see a black face or an eastern European anywhere near the place. We live in a vibrant exciting cosmopolitan city with people from all over the world and Southampton is the better for it. What really worries me is what will happen to all my friends who have decided to live in France and Spain, my cousin moved to Italy only 18 months ago what will happen to her. What about my nephew who has married a young French girl and has two children. What about my very good friends among whom there are Spanish, Hungarian and Germans? Are we going to kick them out? I like to take the ferry to France for a holiday and serious food and wine shopping. What will happen to all those German cruise ships that come into Southampton and bring jobs and prosperity to Southampton? I have become a true European and the tragedy is that the whole EU edifice will be brought down by the little Englander mentality and racism and it fills me with horror. I am already convinced that I can do nothing else but vote to stay in for the sake of my friends, my family and my prosperity.
The immigration issue apart, I don't think that any of the other things you mention should be affected. But therein lies the problem, we actually have no way of knowing what the outcome would be should we vote to leave.

As for immigration, we are pretty much a nation of immigrants so immigrants themselves aren't the issue. The problem is one of benefits. Many people come here willing and able to work but some don't. Even those who do are entitled to maternity leave, for example.

I was talking with a Pole recently, a very nice and conscientious chap I should add, and I asked him why he thought so many east Europeans choose to come to England. He said, well you like a drink; imagine you are walking down a road with 6 pubs in it. One of the pubs is offering free beer. Which one are you going to choose?
 
We are relying on a population that didn't vote for One Direction on the X Factor or the best dancer on Strictly. We're doomed I tell you.

Add to this, the biggest selling national newspapers in order are: The Sun, The Daily Mail and The Mirror. The people reading these intellectual sources of information will have a great affect on the result. This is why I really don't like the idea of the referendum.

I rarely show my political hand, however I do have a concern on what the effects on my job could be should we vote "out."