British Election Fever - How will you vote?
POSTED BY: Zoot
UPDATED: Sunday, April 17, 2005 22:46
VIEWED: 6802
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I host foreign students in my home for a good part of the year so I am affected in a pretty direct sort of way. A lot of people in the area around the school do the same, some of the larger houses hosting two, three or even four at a time (we have three at the moment).
When I was young my home town had a fishing fleet and a very limited night life (pubs, discos). Now there are cafe-bars, micro breweries, international restuarants and the like. On the downside manufacturing industry is vertualy nil so in the last thirty years a pretty much 180 degree turn from manufacturing to service industry has taken place. Is this a good thing? I'm not sure.
Am I going off topic here? if so, my apologies.
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Quote:
Originally posted by oldenglanddry:
I host foreign students in my home for a good part of the year so I am affected in a pretty direct sort of way. A lot of people in the area around the school do the same, some of the larger houses hosting two, three or even four at a time (we have three at the moment).
When I was young my home town had a fishing fleet and a very limited night life (pubs, discos). Now there are cafe-bars, micro breweries, international restuarants and the like. On the downside manufacturing industry is vertualy nil so in the last thirty years a pretty much 180 degree turn from manufacturing to service industry has taken place. Is this a good thing? I'm not sure.
Am I going off topic here? if so, my apologies.
I like off topic - its interesting to see where a conversation goes - down curious little cul-de-sacs etc. .. .
How old are these foreign students? Must be quite interesting having new faces all the time - but I can imagine that if they're hormonal teenagers with dificulty communicating it could get old quite quickly . . .
In my home town we've never seen a micro-brewery or an international restaurant - everything is directed at tourists and shuts around 10 p.m. - speaking as someone who for many years lived in London and got used to the ability to call out for a pizza at three a.m. and, of course, Pret - I find it all rather retro and scary . . . Plus I can remember finding it odd when visiting other towns in my youth that the majority of people walking the streets were not neat little crocodiles of Japanese tourists led by a woman in a head scarf waiving a furled umbrella!!
Windsor is a mightly odd town!!
I'm not sure whether the turn from manufacturing to service industries is a good thing but guess a lot of these workplaces are a lot cleaner and healthier (except KFC) and you gotta do what you gotta do to make a living!! Still a nice bit of traditional grimer industries is always heartening!!
Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.
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Quote:
Originally posted by oldenglanddry:
I know England is a small country but two Browncoats in Kent on the same thread is down right creepy.
I am Kentish born and lived there for twenty-nine years, the last four were in Thanet (Westgate-On-Sea)! I had to move to Lincolnshire three years ago due to work.
I have no idea how I will vote, but I will definately not vote labour. They have no respect for the citizens of this country and seem to think we are idiots. My families quality of life has suffered since they came into power.
I'm waiting to see how the the Lib Dems and Tories stand on taxes, NHS, etc.
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Let's see.
The youngest student we had was 11 (Chinese girl, one of 4 that stayed at the same time), the oldest in her mid fifties (a Thai teacher)and all points in between.
Most of them have been great, espescially the Japanese. They seem to come to England because we have a history and i apreciate anyone who is interested in our history. Actually we had a phone call earlier this evening from a Japanese girl who stayed with us last year. She phoned from Tokyo just to celebrate the fact that it was the aniversary of her coming to our house. The Japanese take politeness to an altogether different level.
We have had the odd stroppy one but all in all its been a good experience and has'nt got old yet. It's also wierdly gratifying when we have one that cries when she leaves because at least we know that she has been happy.
Getting back on topic slightly it occured to me yesterday why my own personal apathy was becoming so intense. I think a big reason is that I am becomming (dare I say it?)repulsed by the slimeyness of our politicians more than i ever was in the past, even in my active days. Even if i was a believer in Labours policies I am very much turned off by the fixedly smiling baby-kissers that are forcing themselves to ascociate with joe-public just so they can shaft us for the next four years.
We know they are all lying so why do we let them get away with it?
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It appears the election will be delayed somewhat...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4406453.stm
Likely to no great effect
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Quote:
Originally posted by GinoBiffaroni:
It appears the election will be delayed somewhat...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4406453.stm
Likely to no great effect
I know!! Who'd have thought we'd have a papist for priminister?!?
As politics is supposed to have NOTHING to do with religion - especially catholicism (people have been beheaded for less!) am not sure why its necessary to delay the announcement jsut 'cos an 84 year old chose to kick the bucket . . . .
Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.
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And my invite to Charles and Camilla's wedding will be worth a fortune now it's got the wrong date on it.
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Quote:
Originally posted by oldenglanddry:
And my invite to Charles and Camilla's wedding will be worth a fortune now it's got the wrong date on it.
He he he!! Very true! But am slightly annoyed myself as will now not be able to go in to my local town to shop on Saturday as usual - as Windsor'll be full of people trying to see the royal re-wedding . . .
Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.
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Quote:
Originally posted by Zoot:Quote:
Originally posted by oldenglanddry:
And my invite to Charles and Camilla's wedding will be worth a fortune now it's got the wrong date on it.
He he he!! Very true! But am slightly annoyed myself as will now not be able to go in to my local town to shop on Saturday as usual - as Windsor'll be full of people trying to see the royal re-wedding . . .
Okay, I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm
armed.
Perhaps there wont be as many as you might think, the apathy over the wedding is almost as high as that for the election. Still I might try to sneak in so that when they get to the "just cause or impediment" bit I can claim to be Charlies love child by Mama Cass.
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