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Lee GriffinAbout Lee: Former students' union president and intermitent blogger since the turn of the century, who's aim is to promote objective thinking and a break from partisan politics when discussing the issues of the day. Contact him.

Mon 9th Jun 2008

If you were to ask me what I believe the real problem with Labour is right now, and their gloomy looking future after the recent YouGov poll, I would say that it isn't the 10p fiasco, it isn't fuel prices, it isn't energy bills, it isn't council tax, and it isn't Gordon Brown. Well, at least not individually, it's all of it all more that sums up to one whole that is of greater concern that its parts...it's perception over take home pay and just how much we're being bled dry by various different outlets of our hard earned.

So, what better for Labour and their popularity than to truly start solving this disparity, or at least to make solid and honest attempts to ensure that no-one is under any illusions that the Tories (or anyone else) are actually going to be able to manage the economy better? For me the best place to start is with our energy prices, a subject that the government clearly feel is a priority given the announcements made on the 30th of May. Don't be fooled though, if you're hoping for a cure to the ever booming gas and electricity prices then you'll be sorely disappointed by this latest official announcement.

If I were in charge what would I ask for...nay, demand? I would say that the government needs to demand reform of the pricing structure of Gas and Electricity in this country. It is quite simply like living in bizarro land to see energy companies blathering on in their adverts about how much they care about the environment and just need us (the customer) to change our ways to be eco-friendly, when their pricing structures proportionally benefit those that waste energy and can afford to do so. It is this proportionality of value for energy that is so irking.

If you'd like to read more about my issues with energy pricing structures and what I would like to see happen in the future, please read on by following the link below!

Tue 27th May 2008

News is coming out that one potential route to "overcome" the issue of MP expenses and the outcry over what they spend their money on is to...well...properly hide their actions from us so we can't outcry any more!

However this isn't the worst of it, as they are saying they'd like to do this by giving every MP £23k "for their second home", in a move that would both mean that receipts and accounts would seemingly not have to be kept for what they are spending our taxes on, but also meaning some MPs will receive more money every year than they usually spend on their housing needs, effectively wasting even more of our money on what looks amazingly like a pay rise.

Thu 7th Feb 2008

2012 logo redesigned to say Well, I say it's an idea but really it's just returning the world to its right place. None the less, the Conservatives coming out with a statement that they would "transform" the lottery would be great news for local communities around the UK, charities, grass roots sport and therefore the general populations sense of charity.

In short the government is cherry picking the good will of the nation using the lottery to fund projects that the government want to fund, in particular the 2012 Olympics at the rather oxymoronic detriment to grassroots sport...damaging the development of athletes that may eventually play in the games in 4 years time...and to help line the pockets of people earning a god damn shit load of money, and it is time for that to stop.

Fri 14th Dec 2007

I don't want this place to become a haven for lambasting the BBC's poor quality of news reporting, but sometimes I'm just in one of those moods. In fact I'm not sure if the quality is necessarily that bad all told but my yearly head-cold is making me distinctly grouchy wink

First up in this potential repeat series is local news for me about Bristol's waste problem. Apparently it is getting worse, though no studies have been cited whatsoever as of course with the BBC biased sources of information are perfectly acceptable. What gets me though is that there is no reporting whatsoever into Bristol City Council's inability to deal with the waste problem. On the nights I go out I usually end up sharing a pizza from Pizza Palace, a pizza takeaway holding up the end of a row of about 4 or 5 takeaways, across the road from at least three officially council licensed fast food vendors that seemingly have no obligation to bring waste management solutions along with their trailers. The council is happy to pick up their rent but not the responsibility for picking up the rubbish they haven't made provisions for it seems.

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Latest Politalks:

So what the hell is going on, Labour are slumping in the polls and yet those most naturally in their shadow able to take their place (the Lib Dems) are failing to capitalise in the polls. And even though the Tories are enjoying high times so much they must think it's the 80's all over again (in more ways than one) they have failed to deliver one serious or credible attack against the government that would show them to be the true heir's to the throne. So to speak. Anyway, on with this weeks Politalks. NSFW as usual, transcript can be found if you go through to read more!

(Wed 30th Apr 2008) SUBSCRIBE
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