Well, firstly, I can only say how it's formed my view. And yes, it has. After today's prime minister's questions and the budget speech it's 1-0 to Gordon Brown. The steady and sensible approach to the house of commons fronted by Alistair Darling and Gordon Brown fared more than well to the formless rant by David Cameron.
Labour clearly had the unfair advantage and could finally show the results of its past actions. And they were surprisingly good to hear. For instance, the unemployment rate is well below many of the other European countries and Labour can guarantee a job or training for anyone between 16 - 24 who has been out of work for more than 6 months. Stamp duty for first-time buyers has been abolished for properties up to £250.000 basically meaning that if you were to buy a house you can save approximatley £10.000. And a lot of the budget is predominately being re-couped from the rich and bankers. Very pre-election it has to be said but at the same time a very tempting prospect.
Perhaps a budget for the masses is clearly the key to winning votes. It will take a lot for a Conservative Government to topple that ideology, however, David Cameron did have a chance to make an impact as soon as the budget had finished. And the impression I got? Attacking attacking attacking - fair enough, Gordon Brown seemed to do a bit of that to George Osborne at the beginning of prime minister's questions - but absolutely no solutions. Unless this is part of some grand scheme by the Conservatives, how is a party supposed to win votes by not outlining any dividing policies?
I liked seeing a different side to David Cameron after the Trevor Macdonald interview. But I am now more interested in how a Conservative Government will affect my situation. It was a lively and at times, funny, response to the budget, however, had a sudden obvious lack of solutions. Labour's plans to get the money back through a 10% raise on the price of cider wont affect me, great, so then why didn't David Cameron say something like "we plan to make the money back by raising the tax on motorbike leathers" - yay, even better, I'll vote for him then. It just didn't happen, therefore, you leave us no choice.
Wednesday 24 March 2010
Monday 22 March 2010
The closest premier leaue title race for ages
I am feeling excited about something and the reason is the Barclay's Premier League. As a Chelsea supporter the next few weeks are going to be vital viewing considering how close the title race is this year. Having seen Arsenal's, Manchester United's and Chelsea's remaining fixtures, all the teams have quite an even run.
Recently, Chelsea have been under some pressure after the humbling defeat to our old manager's team Inter Milan. We deservedly lost this game to a more aware and motivated team most probably due to Mourinho's man management. However, I do not believe all the hype that has come off the back of that defeat that suggested Chelsea will never be as good as they were under Mourinho. On the contrary, I have seen Chelsea play some of the best football in the last few months than they ever have, barring, perhaps, the last few fixtures. The football throughout January was silky, fun to watch and direct even without our best player - Drogba - while he was playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
This has to be the Ancelloti approach and it is too soon to write Chelsea off. But let's consider the opposition, beginning with Arsenal. Where did they come from?
One minute they are completely off the radar, no hopers, next minute they suddenly climb into third spot. Right now, Arsenal can win it more logically on paper than either of the other two. They arguably have the easiest fixtures of all and no other team would just love to bring this trophy home more. After all the upset Arsene Wenger has suffered in the last couple of seasons this would put him right back up there with the best.
Now obviously there is another team that needs mentioning. The champions Manchester United. The thing they seem to be able to do is win. And that seems to get more done towards the end of the season. Rooney has shone without his past co-star Ronaldo - who continues to steal the show at Real Madrid - and could now be on course to match that record 42 goals in a season. Manchester United is going to take some stopping and, frankly, look the strongest contenders of all. But they still need to beat Chelsea on the 3rd April.
Note to self - book the 3rd April off work. Because that is easily the biggest game of the season. At this stage it has to be the team who works the hardest. Chelsea have old scores to settle, Arsenal need to reassert themselves and Manchester United need to just keep winning. It's up to the manager and players who comes out on top.
Recently, Chelsea have been under some pressure after the humbling defeat to our old manager's team Inter Milan. We deservedly lost this game to a more aware and motivated team most probably due to Mourinho's man management. However, I do not believe all the hype that has come off the back of that defeat that suggested Chelsea will never be as good as they were under Mourinho. On the contrary, I have seen Chelsea play some of the best football in the last few months than they ever have, barring, perhaps, the last few fixtures. The football throughout January was silky, fun to watch and direct even without our best player - Drogba - while he was playing in the Africa Cup of Nations.
This has to be the Ancelloti approach and it is too soon to write Chelsea off. But let's consider the opposition, beginning with Arsenal. Where did they come from?
One minute they are completely off the radar, no hopers, next minute they suddenly climb into third spot. Right now, Arsenal can win it more logically on paper than either of the other two. They arguably have the easiest fixtures of all and no other team would just love to bring this trophy home more. After all the upset Arsene Wenger has suffered in the last couple of seasons this would put him right back up there with the best.
Now obviously there is another team that needs mentioning. The champions Manchester United. The thing they seem to be able to do is win. And that seems to get more done towards the end of the season. Rooney has shone without his past co-star Ronaldo - who continues to steal the show at Real Madrid - and could now be on course to match that record 42 goals in a season. Manchester United is going to take some stopping and, frankly, look the strongest contenders of all. But they still need to beat Chelsea on the 3rd April.
Note to self - book the 3rd April off work. Because that is easily the biggest game of the season. At this stage it has to be the team who works the hardest. Chelsea have old scores to settle, Arsenal need to reassert themselves and Manchester United need to just keep winning. It's up to the manager and players who comes out on top.
Thursday 18 March 2010
Personality versus policy
David Cameron reveals his ideas to Trevor Macdonald today. A whole new side is shown during an interview on ITV. Before this, David Cameron was the guy who called Britain 'broken' , always appeared on a poster and hastened to attack Gordon Brown on anything.
He shows openness and a sense of humour during the talk. His wife Samantha gives her views on David referring to his posh background and good education. Shooting pool, reading a magazine and performing the washing up are just some of the activities David likes. However, the point of the interview was to show his character.
In today's celebrity-obsessed world, politicians catch on to the fact that people inquire of people and future Prime Ministers are no exception. An informed decision about the character of a person boosts any possible vote.
Yet, this begs the question whether personality is more important than policy? David Cameron is slower in revealing his policies than giving interviews. But will this prove fruitful? Pages of headlines account on the so-called bullying, pomp, opportunism and hypocrisy expressed by the candidates, but not a sausage about policy.
Encouraging young people to vote is important and creating personalities can do this. This is a hotly disputed race to a general election. Public interest in Jordan far out-grows public interest in David Cameron, a sad fact. But the UK's future direction lies squarely on Government shoulders.
He shows openness and a sense of humour during the talk. His wife Samantha gives her views on David referring to his posh background and good education. Shooting pool, reading a magazine and performing the washing up are just some of the activities David likes. However, the point of the interview was to show his character.
In today's celebrity-obsessed world, politicians catch on to the fact that people inquire of people and future Prime Ministers are no exception. An informed decision about the character of a person boosts any possible vote.
Yet, this begs the question whether personality is more important than policy? David Cameron is slower in revealing his policies than giving interviews. But will this prove fruitful? Pages of headlines account on the so-called bullying, pomp, opportunism and hypocrisy expressed by the candidates, but not a sausage about policy.
Encouraging young people to vote is important and creating personalities can do this. This is a hotly disputed race to a general election. Public interest in Jordan far out-grows public interest in David Cameron, a sad fact. But the UK's future direction lies squarely on Government shoulders.
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