UK general election

[Master]

Theresa May has vowed to end the "injustice" of rising energy bills by promising a cap on standard variable tariffs in the Tory election manifesto.

The prime minister said the market was "not working", with vulnerable people worst hit by "rip-off" bills.

Industry figures have criticised the plan, first announced last month, saying it could lead to higher prices.

Labour, which offered its own bill cap ahead of the 2015 election, accused the Tories of "desperate stuff".

And the SNP described the proposal as an "election bribe".

Under the Conservative proposal, industry watchdog Ofgem would set a ceiling on default standard variable tariffs. These rates are used by seven out of 10 households and are often criticised as bad deals by industry watchdogs.

Mrs May suggested the move could save about 17 million customers up to £100 a year.

According to Citizens Advice, about 800,000 of the poorest pensioners and 1.5 million low-income families with children are on standard variable tariffs.

These households are paying an average of £141 more a year for a dual fuel gas and electricity bill than if they were on the cheapest deal, it said.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39852119

[Gandalf]

One thing I will say about life here and my bills is that it is cheap. Nationalisation works for key utilities. Rents are much cheaper too. Last year 650000 new homes were built too. If Corbyn gets in it can all happen. Internet comes through a company but it's cheap too and supersonic. It's like traveling through a worm hole. I like a lot of things out here and don't see why you can't have it too.

[Master]

Jeremy Corbyn has said wealthy elites are trying to "hijack" Brexit as he formally launched Labour's campaign.

Speaking in Manchester, the Labour leader promised a reckoning for "tax cheats, rip-off bosses and greedy bankers" if Labour wins the election.

But in a BBC interview, he declined to say whether he would categorically take Britain out of the EU if elected.

Asked by Laura Kuenssberg if he would go through with Brexit if there was a bad deal on the table, he wouldn't say.

The Labour leader earlier told activists that the question of whether the UK would leave the EU had been "settled" and the task now was to act in the national interest and not show "who can be toughest with Brussels".

Although the election was not about Brexit in itself, he said there was a clear difference between his approach and that of the Conservatives, who he said were prioritising narrow party interests.

In what the Conservatives dismissed as an "angry and divisive" speech, Mr Corbyn told activists that his mission was to transform Britain, saying "we have four weeks to take our wealth back and four weeks to show what kind of country we are".

Repeating his argument that the economy was "rigged" against ordinary people, he said a Labour government would take action against asset strippers, tax evaders and those who "ripped off workers and consumers".

"We have four weeks to ruin their party," he said.

Speaking afterwards to the BBC's political editor Laura Kuenssberg, he said that he was angry at levels of poverty and inequality in the country, which he believed were shared by the public.

"They are very angry. They see the growth of the super-rich and very wealthy corporations and they see their communities left behind. Their anger is palpable and I think we have to address that."

Mr Corbyn, who campaigned to remain in last year's referendum but subsequently voted to trigger the Brexit process, said the outcome of the 2016 vote was clear and the next government's job was to get a "good deal" on withdrawal.

But pressed on several occasions whether, as prime minister, he would allow Brexit irrespective of the kind of deal achieved, he declined to say.

"I don't know any more than you what is going to happen in the future but I do know that we are not approaching this from megaphone diplomacy. We are not approaching this from threats... our view is you have to talk to them, negotiate with them and recognise there is quite a lot of common interest."

If elected, he said his negotiating priorities would be guaranteeing tariff-free access to EU markets, ensuring the rights of EU nationals living in the UK and maintaining employment rights such as the working time directive.

"People know there's been a referendum and a decision was made a year ago," he said. "We have set out very clear terms for negotiations... we are negotiating a trade agreement with Europe and protection of the things we have gained from the EU."

In the run-up to Tuesday's speech, Mr Corbyn insisted he would stay on as Labour leader even if the party loses at the general election. He told BuzzFeed: "I was elected leader of this party and I'll stay leader of this party."

Although facing a challenge to win on 8 June, Mr Corbyn told supporters he was determined to show "things don't have to remain the way they are".

He promised decent homes for all, extra funding for schools and vowed to "draw a line" under privatisation in the health service, social care, energy market and the rail network.

Prime Minister Theresa May has attempted to portray the general election as being about Brexit, urging voters to strengthen her negotiating hand in talks set to begin next month.

Conservative chairman Patrick McLoughlin said Mr Corbyn was "too weak to stand up to the leaders of 27 EU countries".

"This angry, divisive and chaotic speech makes clear the choice at this election - strong and stable leadership with Theresa May, or uncosted, nonsensical policies from Jeremy Corbyn," he said.

"He didn't mention the deficit or controlling immigration - because he'd wreck our economy with higher taxes and more debt."

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who has promised a second referendum on any Brexit deal, said suggestions the UK's future in Europe was settled was "further proof" of Labour's "inability to stand up to the Tories on the most important issue facing our country".

The SNP said Labour's performance in council elections last week showed any talk of them forming the next government was "utter fantasy".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2017-39852719

[El Kabong]

He would say that wouldn't he?

[El Kabong]

Shorter: "Labour needs voters, voters are too racist for Labour"

[El Kabong]

The brilliant Christopher Hitchens who was anti-ALL-religion but there you have it....ahead of his time.

[brocktonblockbust]

Jeremy Corbyn
An old grey sod
Looks like a pixie
And smells like a cod

[Beanz]

The brilliant Christopher Hitchens who was anti-ALL-religion but there you have it....ahead of his time.

I have long been a fan of Christopher Hitchens, and certainly the most vocal of on this forum, in fact it was my comment to Bilbo on the day of his death defending Hitchens that clearly was one of the reasons for him leaving, but this clearly has nothing to do with the UK general Election.

I stand behind what he says here.

That is called consistency. I have never been a fan of blind multicuturalism or the rather fey and intellectually weak PC idea adopted by you and Brockton that everybody is equal.


That is not the same thing as showing people equal respect when they warrant it.

[brocktonblockbust]

You aren't remotely cognizant of a pittance of a crumpet so take your barmy bollocks and bugger off.

[El Kabong]

I have long been a fan of Christopher Hitchens, and certainly the most vocal of on this forum, in fact it was my comment to Bilbo on the day of his death defending Hitchens that clearly was one of the reasons for him leaving, but this clearly has nothing to do with the UK general Election.

I stand behind what he says here.

That is called consistency. I have never been a fan of blind multicuturalism or the rather fey and intellectually weak PC idea adopted by you and Brockton that everybody is equal.


That is not the same thing as showing people equal respect when they warrant it.

Go fuck yourself

[El Kabong]

You stand behind NOTHING Beanz

Why don't you stand behind "blind multicuturalism" IF you can't even tell if other cultures are better or worse? FLIP FLOP motherfucker You are either FOR the multicultural horsecrap or you think each nation has their own cultures and some might be better than others, which is it? Or can you even answer it? I doubt you will, the fucking audacity and smug attitude you have you clutch your fucking pearls and you whine YET you want to go on about blacks gypsies and white heroes get fucked, you're a piece of shit I'm fucking done with your drivel bother someone else

[Beanz]

I have long been a fan of Christopher Hitchens, and certainly the most vocal of on this forum, in fact it was my comment to Bilbo on the day of his death defending Hitchens that clearly was one of the reasons for him leaving, but this clearly has nothing to do with the UK general Election.

I stand behind what he says here.

That is called consistency. I have never been a fan of blind multicuturalism or the rather fey and intellectually weak PC idea adopted by you and Brockton that everybody is equal.


That is not the same thing as showing people equal respect when they warrant it.

Go fuck yourself

UK GENERAL ELECTION

You wanna talk about Hitchens or Islam go to the debate or culture thread

[El Kabong]

UK GENERAL ELECTION

You wanna talk about Hitchens or Islam go to the debate or culture thread

Because they aren't related at all ......you really are pathetic

[Beanz]

UK GENERAL ELECTIONYou wanna talk about Hitchens or Islam go to the debate or culture thread

Because they aren't related at all ......you really are pathetic

Only in the mind of two American Imperialists.

[Beanz]

The board is dominated by you pairs American bullshit and you don't even have the decency to let other people in the room talk. You are rude loudmouthed obnoxious simpletons,take it elsewhere there are plenty of threads for fucks sake.