| The Campaign; The BBC's coverage of the campaign | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 25 Apr 2011, 18:37 (198 Views) | |
| Deleted User | 25 Apr 2011, 18:37 Post #1 |
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The Campaign is the BBC's coverage of all of the ups and downs of the campaign. Hosted by David Kerr who is joined by George Saxon. |
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| Deleted User | 27 Apr 2011, 16:09 Post #2 |
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David Kerr: Hello and welcome to the first episode of the BBC's new nightime political programme, which shall, financially and disaster-likeliness permitting! Chart the election campaign and the progress of each of the parties. A lot has happened in the first few days of campaigning, for quite a slow campaign... |
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| Deleted User | 1 May 2011, 12:03 Post #3 |
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David Kerr: And so the campaign is thoroughly under-way and we are now getting to the business stage. The opinion polls have become ever more important in each of the party headquarters in the City of London as the battle for each vote, and the major endorsers really heats up. Reports are coming in that the Socialist Labour Party stands to receive a few left wing endorsements which would really help their case for the public and have a massive effect on polling. We now have our young rookie reporter, Nick Robinson to tell us more about how the major parties have made their case so far in the campaign... |
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| Deleted User | 2 May 2011, 20:24 Post #4 |
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David Kerr:...Thank you for that Catrina, now we have in the studio joining us Mr MacDonald, Labour Leader and Paddy Ashdown the Leader of the Liberal Democrats for our live Economic Policy Q&A session. I'll be asking questions regarding economic policy to which both our guests will answer. Without further ado, we'll begin... First and foremost Gentlemen, thanks for being here. I should note to our audience that the BBC received a rebuke from Conservative Central Office and by that I mean the Prime Minister was busy with...I don't know what. Regardless, we shall soldier on, OK, first off, if David could explain what Labour are to the electorate and then Paddy if you could do the same? David MacDonald: Thanks David, it's a shame that Mr Martland can be here this evening. Regardless, New Labour are a new set of ideals. What I have done since becoming leader is present a progressive programme which is not constrained by dogma or doctrine but about aspriration. I believe that britain can be better, I want to ensure that we invest in public services, have a fairer tax system and close the gap between rich and poor. In short, The purpose of New Labour is to give Britain a different political choice: the choice between a failed Conservative government, exhausted and divided in everything other than its desire to cling on to power, and a new and revitalised Labour Party that has been resolute in transforming itself into a party of the future. Paddy Ashdown: Well, the Liberal Democrats are a new option for many as well. This is our first election since the Liberal Party and the Social Democratic Party merged and that has brought change. We are the true progressive choice, the third choice between an exhausted Conservative Party and a divided, immature Labour Party, intent on creating its own political destruction. We aren't sugar-coating anything, our manifesto proves that. We aren't promising the moon is just around the corner for Britain, we have looked at the problems the nation faces and analysed them. We know what needs to be done to address those problems and we shall, if elected to government. We aren't avoiding the difficult questions and choices for popularity's sake. The Liberal Democrats are providing real, solid and stable alternative to the big two that you can believe in. DM: Our own political distruction Paddy? well there is one key point that you are missing. new Labour are a new approach to politics as a whole. We have changed as a party. If I remember correctly the labour party endorsed my full programme. so clearly we aren't hitting the self destruct button. PA: Well, David. Your party can't seem to be able to stick with a leader for more than two months, if that isn't destroying your electoral chances then I don't know what is. It's quite clear that New Labour is just a simple rebranding exercise. DM: Therefore, can you please explain to me why people are supporting New Labour in the opinion polls and we are set to win a majority. I don't pay much attention to the polls as the only one which matters is on polling day. I'm not promising the Earth-I simply can't. What I am promising the public is a new alternative. the fact is that it isn't a rebranding exercise. It is a fundamental change within the Labour party. As for unstable leadership if my party win the election we will provide stable government. It is a mandate for 5 years- that's 5 years a government has to change things. Now, don't say its a rebranding but simply judge my party on what we achieve if we are elected as the next government. PA: David, people are supporting Labour. Not New Labour. There tired of the Conservatives and therefore believe Labour are the only one that can win government. That is because of Britain's biased electoral system, which is biased towards the two big parties. The Liberal Democrats can achieve government. However, there needs to be democratic and fundamental constitutional change to make our voting system fairer. DK: Now, let's not spend forever on the first question! The economy is in recession, how will you get us out? David, you can go first again. DM: Firstly, the most important thing is getting growth and lowering unemployment. The legacy of the Conservatives is one of high inflation and high unemployment. Now, what labour propose is that of a stimulis package which puts jobs at its core and about ensuring that businesses can grow and expland. We need investment for growth.One of our top priorities is to ensure that britain is able to do business and to regenerate industry, the small business sector and ensuring stronger manufacuring. We will regernerate industry through reopening of the coal mines and protecting british steel. But moreover, we want to see a britain which can do business with the world. We would scrap the start up rate of corporation tax so that you can invest your basic profits in your business. Then we'd reduce the small business rate to ensure that you have less to pay in tax so that you can invest and expand your company. We'd also set up an enterprise board to help provide you with advice and grants to grow your business. Although, we need to get Britain working again. that's why labour will hold a jobs summit within 6 weeks of taking office. This will initate and ensure a government which is serious in cutting the dole queues. All in all, New labour's jobs policies will create 1.7million jobs over 5 years and we are setting ourselves the target of cuttting the dole queues by a million by 1992, but besides all that we need to be sensible. That's why we'd impose a golden rle to spending so that we don't spend more than we need to in a good year so that the surplus can be used to stimulate the economy in a downturn. We believe that everyone is affected by the recession. And that everyone needs to keep money in their pockets as its vital that we ensure that you are helped in such difficult circumstances. We'd cut the basic rate of income tax by at least 1% and raise the income tax Personal allowance threshold to ensure you keep more money in your pockets. Because you worked had to earn it. You deserve to keep it. This recession is tough for all. But it is very very tough for the poorest in society. That's why new labour would introduce a minimum wage of £2 an hour and index it to inflation so that you are protected.Finally, we won't take any risks with inflation and we'd set an inflationary target of 2.5% and we will achieve this within 5 years because high inflation hits living standards hard and its highly unpredictible. In short we need to cut inflation and grow our way out. That's how we'll take Britain back from the brink. PA: Indeed, I agree with David in the respect that the crucial thing to get our economy going again is growth. And I also agree that unemployment must also be tackled. However, throughout the campaign David has talked endlessly about inflation, when high interest rates are throttling any shoots of recovery and growth in our economy, we must strike a balance but I have hardly heard David mention that problem, in fact I don't think he has once. New Labour are too busy trying to change themselves to win votes rather than sort the country's economic problems. Britain has been failing to invest in the future of our economy. New Labour have promised this and that and lots of stimuli packages but they haven't promised any for the sector that is in most need, British Manufacturing. It will continue to be neglected by Labour and Tory, but not by the Liberal Democrats. Furthermore, cutting taxes for businesses is all very well and good, but in times like these we should put a focus on helping families and consumers, they are the ones we need to be spending money before we can emerge from this recession strongly. However, what I find truly laughable is that David is talking about economic policy in a downturn before we've even got out of this one, what does that say about "New Labour's" aspirations for Britain? The Liberal Democrats shall introduce an emergency investment programme which will provide meaningful stimuli in infrastructure and the like. We will also give The Bank of England independent powers in terms of monetary policy`and we will control inflation and provide a stable climate for enterprise and industry. The Liberal Democrats are committed to making sure that Britain is a part of the shared prosperity that can only be provided by stable membership of the European Community. We will also enter Britain into the narrow band of the ERM. DM: Paddy, we said we'd make the Bank of England independent too. Furthermore, we need to see if Britain is suited to the ERM. What if it isn't? What type of bands would you be looking to enter the ERM at? PA: I never said you didn't, I merely stated that we are committed to that. May I also say that I have already told you what band we would enter Britain into the ERM at, the narrow band. DM: Will you give the people a say in entering the ERM or not? PA: David, if the people vote the Liberal Democrats into government then I think the people will have had their say. Entry into the ERM is a major pledge. DK: Let's move on, shall we chaps? Onto job creation, how would you go about doing that? Paddy? PA: Well, I have already said, we, should we be elected, will set up a massive emergency investment prgramme in infrastructure and public works in order to get people and companies working again. This will reduce unemployment by around 600,000 in two years. Our economic action in regards to monetary policy will create a stable environment in which people and businesses can do business in which will also create thousands of jobs. The Liberal Democrats are committed to more investment in education, which will help thousands of people, young and old attain meaningful steady employment. DK: David? DM: Well, if New Labour are elected we would hold a jobs summit within 6 weeks of coming to power. Half a million jobs will be generated in private industry and in the public sector by the repairingand building of the houses, the hospitals and schools, the transport improvements and sewers that the nation needs. This will be achieved by public investment and by reducing employers' National Insurance. Another 360,000 new jobs and training places will be created. These will provide new skills for young people and adults - with proper opportunities for women. A further 300,000 new jobs will improve the health and education services and the neglected community and caring services. The depleted customs services will be strengthened in the fight against drugs. The revenue and benefit departments will be staffed to increase efficiency. Also, we'd ensure that as more and more small firms open that we'd create jobs as well. DK: Unfortunately, due to the incompetence of the BBC executives we have ran out of time this evening but may I thank the two of you for joining us this evening and goodnight to you, Britain. |
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| Deleted User | 4 May 2011, 18:13 Post #5 |
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David Kerr: And that's a rap as they say in show business, the campaign is over and the people are going to the polls as we speak election night is on this very channel from 11pm, with all the action and reaction. Don't go to ITV! We hope you've enjoyed The Campaign and we'll see you again next election, goodnight. |
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2:28 PM Jul 11