The Great Debate UK
Politicians need to get a grip on what matters
-Alison Steed is editor and co-founder of the personal finance website for women MyMoneyDiva.com. The opinions expressed are her own.-
The battle lines are already being drawn in this election year. Although none of us knows for sure when the election will be, there are signs that “May” is going to be a significant month.
Winning the hearts and minds of the nation is key winning an election, and as it stands, there is plenty of work to be done there for all parts of the community. A televised debate for the first time in the UK will change the way the election is fought, although it seems slightly pathetic that our politicians want the debates “themed” so they can swot up on the answers beforehand.
No doubt we will hear the same platitudes trotted out about the need to return to “family values” and that “educashun” is paramount, that “schoolsanhospitals” need more cash than they are already getting. With the country’s national debt rising by around 4,835 pounds a second cuts are needed, and are being talked about, but are unlikely to win votes.
The politicians we deserve?
- Laurence Copeland is a professor of finance at Cardiff University Business School and a co-author of “Verdict on the Crash” published by the Institute of Economic Affairs. The opinions expressed are his own. -
The unending saga of MPs’ expenses has to be seen in perspective. Of all the dishonest things that politicians do, inflating their expenses is about the least damaging. At their worst, they lie to us whenever they think it politic to do so and knowingly favour policies which suit their own interests rather than those of the country. How can this happen? After all, in a democracy the interests of government are supposed to be aligned with those of the electorate, aren’t they?
