UK General Election 2010

[gopprogressive]

Yeah, though it still a long time till the election and anything can happen. Plus, I think the election is Cameron/the Conservatives to lose.

[bluetory]

Yeah, though it still a long time till the election and anything can happen. Plus, I think the election is Cameron/the Conservatives to lose.

Indeed. Did you see this article? http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article7044185.ece A hung parliament may not be out of the question, but are the Lib Dems expected to be that weak?

[gopprogressive]

The Lib Dems' fortunes seem to have turned south from their highs in 2005. I have heard that the party hasn't really put out a clear or coherent alternative to Brown and Cameron after Kennedy and Campbell left, and their current leader Clegg's "Orange Book" platform seems basically like New Labour or the Green Tories. And with the Iraq War over for Britain- and with Barack Obama in the White House, the Lib Dems' major advantages have gone away.

Anyways, I'll work on revising the issues and post them here when finished.

[matvail2002]

The real poll will be on election day!

However, as I am following closely the coming election in the UK, I have a few thoughts about the situation now:

-Cameron is not doing well with some of the Conservative base. Let's say also that the Labour Party is more popular than it's leader.

-Indeed, the Lib Dems will have some rough times, even that they could return to the wilderness especially with the a national party in the 15-20%. I read somewhere, however that it is possible that they are trying to switch the party base to a more liberal/pro-free market (in the European sense) and social liberal base, because the anti-war movement is virtually dead.

-Third parties will be interesting to watch. The BNP seems to a have a constant electorate with the Greens having a high fluctuation between polls. However, not sure that the UKIP will switch to the Tories if Cameron change his approach on Europe.

-In Wales, I think that Plaid will not make a lot of gains, due to the relative unpopularity of the government of Wales, and this that the Conservatives could make some gains in Wales.

-Scotland is becoming more and more like Quebec, if you are following Canadian politics. However, I am thinking that the electorate in Scotland is becoming more and more polarized between nationalists and unionists and that the SNP will have some difficulty having new voters, with Labour keeping the urban vote and the Conservatives having a shot at winning a few seats. The Lib Dems will maybe keep a few seats in Northern Scotland, but I think that this would be difficult to make any gains as the party don't have a leader from Scotland.

For the last poll, I heard numerous times that you cannot make a good conclusion with only one poll and especially from only one polling agency and this with the Lib Dems numbers that seems awfully low.

[matvail2002]

Indeed. Did you see this article? http://www.timesonli...icle7044185.ece A hung parliament may not be out of the question, but are the Lib Dems expected to be that weak?

In the UK political system, a hung parliament (you don't call it a minority government?) is not a good thing, and this especially if a nationalist party become a kingmaker. This had happened before in the late 70's with big consequences for the parties that had participated in this alliance.

I also, cannot see a Lab-Lib alliance, because even through they have some similar policies the relations between the two parties have not been very good (or even hostile at some point) since 2003.

[gopprogressive]

Apparently the SNP may poll very poorly, as the SNP government's popularity has bottomed out so I will have to factor that in.

[matvail2002]

But, where will go the SNP vote in the primary secondary conversion, as this is generally a protestant vote?

[gopprogressive]

But, where will go the SNP vote in the primary secondary conversion, as this is generally a protestant vote?

It looks like their votes have shifted to Labour, since some have said that the reason why there has been an uptick in Labour's polling is due to the decline of the PC and SNP vote as well as the shift of "flaky voters" in England to Labour due to good news regarding Brown's perceived economic management.

[gopprogressive]

@issues

Asylum and Immigration

Balanced Budget

Devolution

Economic Management

Education

Environment

European Union

Families

Government

Law and Order

Military

National Security

NHS

Northern Ireland

Pensions

Post Offices

Tax Policy

Unemployment

@end

@issue position descriptions

// left to right, 1 - 5

//Asylum and Immigration

Open-door immigration for all, especially from developing world. (GRN,RES,AL)

Make immigration easier. More rights to asylum seekers. (LIB,SNP,PC,SF)

No change to numbers allowed into the UK. Increase enforcement. (LAB, IND, SDLP)

Impose more limits on immigration. Admit fewer asylum seekers. (CON,UKIP,UUP,DUP)

Non-white immigration is bad for Britain. Increase deportations. (BNP)

@

//Balanced Budget

Repudiate the debt as it is capitalist exploitation. (RES,SF)

Budget deficits were necessary to prevent economic collapse. (LAB,GRN,SDLP,PC)

Cut wasteful spending but no cuts to vital public services. (LIB,SNP,IND,DUP,AL)

Reduce government spending and reform welfare entitlements. (CON,UUP,BNP)

Impose draconican austerity measures to balance budget. (UKIP)

@

//Devolution

Full independence to Scotland and Wales. (SNP,PC,SF)

Increase devolved powers for Assemblies and local councils. (LIB,GRN,RES,SDLP,AL)

Devolution is working. No change to responsibilities. (LAB,UUP,DUP)

Devolution needs to be cut back. More powers for English MPs. (CON,UKIP,IND)

Devolution is a threat to the Union, no Scottish and Welsh powers. (BNP)

@

//Economic Management

Establish a socialist economy, nationalise all banks and tariffs on trade. (RES,SF,PC)

Nationalise select banks, install financial aid to restart lending. (LAB,GRN,SDLP)

New regulations on banking industry. Job creation but avoid inflation. (LIB,SNP,AL,DUP,IND)

Focus on fighting inflation, privatise banks when recovery imminent. (CON,UUP)

Allow collapse of banks, tighter monetary policy and repudiate bailouts. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Education

Radical education reforms so family wealth is not an advantage. (GRN,RES,SF)

Invest in state schools. Higher teacher pay and smaller classes. (LIB,PC,AL,IND)

Stay with reforms such as specialist schools and city academies. (LAB,SDLP,SNP)

Bring back grammar schools and tough discipline for disruptive pupils. (CON,UUP)

Greatly increase discipline and set up a school vouchers scheme. (UKIP,BNP,DUP)

@

//Environment

Environmental protection is the #1 priority. No nuclear power. (GRN,RES,SNP,PC)

Begin a "Green tax shift" to discourage emissions and pollution. (CON,LIB,SF,ALL)

Encourage recycling, carbon emission cuts and clean transport. (LAB,SDLP,IND,UUP)

Support a better environment, but not at a cost to British industry. (UKIP,DUP)

Climate Change is a hoax. There's no threat to our environment. (BNP)

@

//European Union

Europe should be supported as a bulwark against US imperialism. (SF,RES)

Support the Lisbon Treaty. No need for a referendum. (LAB,LIB,PC,SNP)

Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but fight for democratic reform. (GRN,IND,ALL)

The Lisbon Treaty is a threat to British sovereignty. (CON,DUP,UUP)

The UK should withdraw from the European Union. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Families

End poverty. Focus new benefits on non-traditional families. (GRN,RES)

End child poverty. Invest in child care and expand family benefits. (LAB,PC,SF)

No cuts to family benefits and make child care more affordable. (LIB,IND,DUP,ALL,SNP)

Provide tax relief for families and 'welfare-to-work' programs. (CON,UUP,UKIP)

Deny family benefits to homosexuals, single mothers, and fornicators. (BNP)

@

//Government

Labour has betrayed socialism. UK deserves a real left-wing government. (RES,GRN,PC,SNP)

Stay with the Labour Government and Gordon Brown's economic management. (LAB)

A coalition government is needed to help make more sensible decisions. (LIB,SDLP,ALL,IND,DUP)

Labour has failed and UK needs change with Conservative leadership. (CON,UUP)

The Conservatives are too liberal, we need a nationalist government. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Law and Order

Support restorative justice, and reduce sentencing. (SF, RESPECT, GRN)

Reduce poverty to fight crime. Focus on rehabiliation. (LIB,ALL,SDLP,PC)

Tough on crime, but also tough on the causes of crime. (LAB,IND,SNP)

Create an elite anti-crime squad, and increase sentencing. (CON,UUP,DUP)

Establish mandatory minimums, and bring back capital punishment. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Military

Withdraw from NATO. Replace military with Ministry of Peace. (SNP,PC,GRN,SF,RES)

Reduce the defense budget. Phase out military commitments. (IND,SDLP)

Stand with President Obama and his moderate foreign policy. (LAB,LIB,ALL)

Redouble our efforts in Afghanistan. Rebuild armed forces. (CON,UUP,DUP)

Restore defence budget to 1980s levels. Crush Islamofascism. (BNP,UKIP)

@

//National Security

Repeal all current infringements on civil liberties. No Police State! (RES,SF)

Repeal post-2001 Anti-Terrorism Laws. Protect civil liberties. (LIB,GRN,PC,SNP,SDLP,ALL)

Support current detention and surveillance powers but repeal ID card scheme. (CON,UKIP)

Support a national ID card program. Expand terrorist detention to 90 days. (LAB,UUP,DUP)

Impose racial profiling and allow execution of terror suspects. (BNP)

@

//NHS

Dramatically increase funding. End private sector interference. (PC,SF,RES,IND)

Increase funding, scrap targets and private initiatives. (LIB,GRN,SNP,BNP,SDLP)

Introduce more choice, combined with performance targets. (LAB,ALL,DUP)

More internal markets and private finance in the NHS. (CON,UUP)

Completely privatise the NHS and move to an American model. (UKIP)

@

//Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland should unite with the Republic of Ireland. (SF,RESPECT)

Long-term peace will require more concessions and RUC reform. (SDLP,GRN)

We support the peace process. Devolve policing authority. (LAB,CON,LIB,ALL,IND,SNP,PC)

Take a tough line with Sinn Féin. No devolved policing. (UKIP,UUP,DUP)

Sinn Féin is a bunch of terrorists; return NI to majority rule. (BNP)

@

//Pensions

Citizens pension for all, rises in line with average earnings. (SF,RESPECT,PC,IND)

Provide help to the poorest pensioners. Increase basic provision. (LAB,SNP,SDLP,GRN)

Restore pensions-earnings link. Cut council tax burden. (ALL,LIB,DUP,BNP)

Support private pensions and reduce reliance on public funds. (CON,UUP)

Scrap the state pension, provide tax breaks for private schemes. (UKIP)

@

//Post Offices

Restore local post offices closed by the government. (IND,SF,RES,PC,SNP)

Invest and modernise PO's for easier customer access. (LIB,GRN)

Royal Mail losing money with each closure. No more closures! (CON,UUP,DUP,BNP,SDLP,ALL)

Planned closures of PO's due to losses and fewer customers. (LAB)

Close all PO's and reform Royal Mail interlinked with banks. (UKIP)

@

//Tax Policy

Return to pre-Thatcher income tax rates. Wealth tax on the rich. (SF,RES,PC)

Top tax rate of 50% and consider further tax increases. (LAB,SDLP,GRN,SNP)

Bring back the 10p Tax Rate but raise indirect taxes. (LIB,ALL,IND)

Reduce income and business taxation across the board. (CON,UUP,DUP,BNP)

Move to a flat income tax. Abolish the estate tax. (UKIP)

@

//Unemployment

Establish alternative socialist economy to eliminate unemployment. (RES,SF,PC)

Nationalise failing industries and protect the welfare state. (LAB,GRN,SDLP)

Improve workforce retraining and promote new business development. (LIB,ALL,IND,SNP,DUP)

British jobs for British workers, and make UK more business-friendly. (CON,BNP,UUP)

Scrap the failed welfare state and enact radical free-market policies. (UKIP)

@

[matvail2002]

Can we be sure that marginal seats will swing?

[gopprogressive]

Can we be sure that marginal seats will swing?

I think so, party strengths usually trump incumbency in the UK- unlike in Canada or the USA where incumbency or "localism" can trump national party swings, with some exceptions.

[Gorgotha]

A lot of those issues are basically aspects of "the economy" How about substituting one of the economy issues for Lords Reform or voting reform (ie first past the post vs PR) to give a bit more breadth to the range of issues?

I also think more thought needs to be given to the impact of the expenses scandal. Rolling it into Integrity may work but how can we model the effect of the expenses scandal on individual seats? My view is that this is primarily where it is going to play out - individual MPs being challenged by independent "honesty" candidates or smaller parties like the Greens and UKIP.

[gopprogressive]

I'm going to use integrity for the expenses scandal. As for the MPs that are still running who have been rocked by the scandal will be downgraded to 1-star status, which usually works well for modeling "scandal-ridden" or weak incumbents.

It doesn't seem that Lords Reform or Voting Reform have really become major issues, and previous scenarios (1997 and the 1980s ones) will/have cover/ed the issue.

[matvail2002]

I think that voting reform is indeed a secondary issue. The Tories and Labour is for the FPTP and the other parties are for PR.

Is the Icesave debt repayment is also an issue?

Also, which MP are the most popular regionally or locally?

[matvail2002]

I think so, party strengths usually trump incumbency in the UK- unlike in Canada or the USA where incumbency or "localism" can trump national party swings, with some exceptions.

As a Canadian, I am surprised that incumbency was not that important. In Canada, there are an important number of people which are voting for the candidate than for the party, as swings are sometimes important when a candidate retires.

For the Tories marginals, I think that will swing because their national vote is higher than in the last election, but I am not sure where the Lib Dems vote will go if their national vote is weaker. The Greens, the UKIP and even the BNP can also have a spoiler effect for some seats. Also, the change of boundaries for some ridings, can sometimes give unpredictable numbers.

[RFK/JFKfan]

Some suggestions for attributes:

Gordon Brown:

Leadership - 3

Integrity - 3

Expeirence - 5

Issue Famiilarity - 4

Charisma - 2

Stamina - 3

Debating - 3

David Cameron:

Leadership - 4

Integrity - 3

Expeirence - 3

Issue Famiilarity - 3

Charisma - 4

Stamina - 4

Debating - 3

Nick Clegg:

Leadership - 3

Integrity - 3

Expeirence - 3

Issue Famiilarity - 3

Charisma - 3

Stamina - 4

Debating - 3

Lord Pearson:

Leadership - 3

Integrity - 3

Expeirence - 3

Issue Famiilarity - 4

Charisma - 3

Stamina - 3

Debating - 4

Nick Griffin:

Leadership - 4

Integrity - 2

Expeirence - 3

Issue Famiilarity - 3

Charisma - 3

Stamina - 3

Debating - 3

[gopprogressive]

Sounds good. I'll use Gaffney's map for now...

[HarryBarclay]

I think the issues are great, for the most part. Just a couple of comments:

Current Issues

Balanced Budget - Very much an American political phrase - I don't know if I've once heard it mentioned here in the UK in terms of politics. A better issue name might be Spending Cuts, which fits well with the issue descriptors and is very much the political buzzword of the minute.

Families - I liked the inclusion of this; it's something Cameron's making a big thing of.

Government - Not sure about this one. It looks more like a Labour Voters = YES; Non-Labour Voters = NO type issue. ie Not really an issue at all.

Post Offices - This is just not going to be an election issue, as far as I can tell. Really.

Possible Alternative / Additional Issues

Iraq - This issue is still on going, and one of the main reasons for decline of Blair / Labour popularity.

Drugs - Still some chat about legalisation going on, especially with the rise of 'legal highs' such as mephadrone, etc.

Suggested Leader Attributes

Brown - I think it's unfair to give him any less stamina than Cameron. He's been at this game a long time and is one hell of a campaigner. (I'd love to give him more than a 2 for charisma - having met the man I know he's great face to face - but I just don't think it can be justified on a national scale...)

Clegg - Experience should be 2. Being leader of the Lib Dems is just one step up from being leader of a pressure group and no way equal to being leader of the opposition.

Pearson - Same - down to 2.

Griffin - Experience down to 1 - He's never even been an MP. Issue knowledge down to 2. Debating to 2 (if you don't believe me, watch the BBC Question Time with him - he can barely string a coherent sentece together, let alone a logical one.)

On a separate note, I'd really like to see (if possible) the possibility of the same simulation but with different leaders, especially as all the polling data indicates that labour could still win under anyone but Brown. How about adding Harman / Johnson / Mandleson?

Hope all that helps.

HB

[gopprogressive]

I put the post offices issue in there since a lot of the by-elections seemed to concern it, and a number of opposition MPs have made fodder out of the government's post office closures. It'll very a very low profile issue though.

And would you guys put Cameron at C or CR on Families? I figured he would be CR due to his promise to put Iain Duncan Smith in charge of government affairs on the issue, but I could be wrong.

Government is in there just to account for the line of attacks or defense of Labour's 13-year rule (similar to how in 1997 the corruption and sleaze issue is used for the Tories).

And I'll rename the Balanced Budget issue perhaps "Budget and Debt" as the Tories (and others) have really blasted Brown/Labour on the issue.

I decided not to put drugs in there as an issue as the Labour government backflipped on Cannabis (as apparently did the Independent), and even the Lib-Dems seem to have been avoiding the issue as a topic (only the Greens and the left-wing parties seem to be talking about legalization and only a few at that).

I'll also put the party positions on the issues as I have them, please check above.

Also, I'll add in RESPECT as Gaffney did not include it in his scenario.

Top Issues (3):

Budget and Debt

Economic Management

Government

Secondary Issues (5):

European Union

Environment

Families

Unemployment

Asylum and Immigration

Tertiary (6)

Law and Order

Military

National Security

Northern Ireland

Education

Tax Policy

Low-profile (4):

Post Offices

Pensions

Devolution

NHS

[matvail2002]

Is the Scottish National Question a secondary issue, especially with the SNP problems on that and their intention to make a Scottish Bloc if there is a hung parliament?

I also agree with Mr. Barclay that legislation on designer drugs could be an important issue.

Clegg should have 3 at stamina and I am not sure about Griffin stats. Was he ever elected somewhere at a local position? If not, he is more like a leader of a pressure group.

Balanced Budget - Very much an American political phrase - I don't know if I've once heard it mentioned here in the UK in terms of politics. A better issue name might be Spending Cuts, which fits well with the issue descriptors and is very much the political buzzword of the minute.

BTW, north of the American border, this is now the number one issue.

For the alternate leader, I would see Boris Johnson, George Osborne and Ken Clarke for the Tories. Chris Huhme for the Lib Dems and Nigel Farage for the UKIP.

[gopprogressive]

The devolution issue contains the Scottish question, and I plan on shifting Scotland and Wales from CL to C on the issue to account for the backlash against them.

I'll add in all except Ken Clarke (as his Euro-philia would prevent him from becoming leader). I'll add in those others however. I'll put Salma Yaqoob and George Galloway as the leaders of RESPECT.

[matvail2002]

Is RESPECT and Galloway can still win their seat because of the relative death of the anti-war mouvement?

Also, will you put RESPECT L on everything?

[gopprogressive]

I'm not sure how well RESPECT will do. I'll have to look and see if there are any polling on the subject. I doubt the party will do well due to the death of the anti-war movement and infighting among the party leadership- but you never know, the UK Muslim immigrant community is alienated from the major parties, so it wouldn't be surprising if they do manage to hold onto their single seat.

COALITIONS:

CON

UUP

PC

SNP

LIB

ALLIANCE

[Gorgotha]

Labour and Plaid Cymru are in coalition in the Welsh Assembly. If Labour get so close to an overall majority that Plaid could push them over the top, it's possible that they could form a coalition or at least some kind of voting agreement in the Commons.

[gopprogressive]

@issues

Asylum and Immigration

Balanced Budget

Devolution

Economic Management

Education

Environment

European Union

Families

Government

Law and Order

Military

National Security

NHS

Northern Ireland

Pensions

Post Offices

Tax Policy

Unemployment

@end

@issue position descriptions

// left to right, 1 - 5

//Asylum and Immigration

Open-door immigration for all, especially from developing world. (GRN,RES,AL)

Make immigration easier. More rights to asylum seekers. (LIB,SNP,PC,SF)

No change to numbers allowed into the UK. Increase enforcement. (LAB, IND, SDLP)

Impose more limits on immigration. Admit fewer asylum seekers. (CON,UKIP,UUP,DUP)

Non-white immigration is bad for Britain. Increase deportations. (BNP)

@

//Balanced Budget

Repudiate the debt as it is capitalist exploitation. (RES,SF)

Budget deficits were necessary to prevent economic collapse. (LAB,GRN,SDLP,PC)

Cut wasteful spending but no cuts to vital public services. (LIB,SNP,IND,DUP,AL)

Reduce government spending and reform welfare entitlements. (CON,UUP,BNP)

Impose draconican austerity measures to balance budget. (UKIP)

@

//Devolution

Full independence to Scotland and Wales. (SNP,PC,SF)

Increase devolved powers for Assemblies and local councils. (LIB,GRN,RES,SDLP,AL)

Devolution is working. No change to responsibilities. (LAB,UUP,DUP)

Devolution needs to be cut back. More powers for English MPs. (CON,UKIP,IND)

Devolution is a threat to the Union, no Scottish and Welsh powers. (BNP)

@

//Economic Management

Establish a socialist economy, nationalise all banks and tariffs on trade. (RES,SF,PC)

Nationalise select banks, install financial aid to restart lending. (LAB,GRN,SDLP)

New regulations on banking industry. Job creation but avoid inflation. (LIB,SNP,AL,DUP,IND)

Focus on fighting inflation, privatise banks when recovery imminent. (CON,UUP)

Allow collapse of banks, tighter monetary policy and repudiate bailouts. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Education

Radical education reforms so family wealth is not an advantage. (GRN,RES,SF)

Invest in state schools. Higher teacher pay and smaller classes. (LIB,PC,AL,IND)

Stay with reforms such as specialist schools and city academies. (LAB,SDLP,SNP)

Bring back grammar schools and tough discipline for disruptive pupils. (CON,UUP)

Greatly increase discipline and set up a school vouchers scheme. (UKIP,BNP,DUP)

@

//Environment

Environmental protection is the #1 priority. No nuclear power. (GRN,RES,SNP,PC)

Begin a "Green tax shift" to discourage emissions and pollution. (CON,LIB,SF,ALL)

Encourage recycling, carbon emission cuts and clean transport. (LAB,SDLP,IND,UUP)

Support a better environment, but not at a cost to British industry. (UKIP,DUP)

Climate Change is a hoax. There's no threat to our environment. (BNP)

@

//European Union

Europe should be supported as a bulwark against US imperialism. (SF,RES)

Support the Lisbon Treaty. No need for a referendum. (LAB,LIB,PC,SNP)

Referendum on the Lisbon Treaty, but fight for democratic reform. (GRN,IND,ALL)

The Lisbon Treaty is a threat to British sovereignty. (CON,DUP,UUP)

The UK should withdraw from the European Union. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Families

End poverty. Focus new benefits on non-traditional families. (GRN,RES)

End child poverty. Invest in child care and expand family benefits. (LAB,PC,SF)

No cuts to family benefits and make child care more affordable. (LIB,IND,DUP,ALL,SNP)

Provide tax relief for families and 'welfare-to-work' programs. (CON,UUP,UKIP)

Deny family benefits to homosexuals, single mothers, and fornicators. (BNP)

@

//Government

Labour has betrayed socialism. UK deserves a real left-wing government. (RES,GRN,PC,SNP)

Stay with the Labour Government and Gordon Brown's economic management. (LAB)

A coalition government is needed to help make more sensible decisions. (LIB,SDLP,ALL,IND,DUP)

Labour has failed and UK needs change with Conservative leadership. (CON,UUP)

The Conservatives are too liberal, we need a nationalist government. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Law and Order

Support restorative justice, and reduce sentencing. (SF, RESPECT, GRN)

Reduce poverty to fight crime. Focus on rehabiliation. (LIB,ALL,SDLP,PC)

Tough on crime, but also tough on the causes of crime. (LAB,IND,SNP)

Create an elite anti-crime squad, and increase sentencing. (CON,UUP,DUP)

Establish mandatory minimums, and bring back capital punishment. (UKIP,BNP)

@

//Military

Withdraw from NATO. Replace military with Ministry of Peace. (SNP,PC,GRN,SF,RES)

Reduce the defense budget. Phase out military commitments. (IND,SDLP)

Stand with President Obama and his moderate foreign policy. (LAB,LIB,ALL)

Redouble our efforts in Afghanistan. Rebuild armed forces. (CON,UUP,DUP)

Restore defence budget to 1980s levels. Crush Islamofascism. (BNP,UKIP)

@

//National Security

Repeal all current infringements on civil liberties. No Police State! (RES,SF)

Repeal post-2001 Anti-Terrorism Laws. Protect civil liberties. (LIB,GRN,PC,SNP,SDLP,ALL)

Support current detention and surveillance powers but repeal ID card scheme. (CON,UKIP)

Support a national ID card program. Expand terrorist detention to 90 days. (LAB,UUP,DUP)

Impose racial profiling and allow execution of terror suspects. (BNP)

@

//NHS

Dramatically increase funding. End private sector interference. (PC,SF,RES,IND)

Increase funding, scrap targets and private initiatives. (LIB,GRN,SNP,BNP,SDLP)

Introduce more choice, combined with performance targets. (LAB,ALL,DUP)

More internal markets and private finance in the NHS. (CON,UUP)

Completely privatise the NHS and move to an American model. (UKIP)

@

//Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland should unite with the Republic of Ireland. (SF,RESPECT)

Long-term peace will require more concessions and RUC reform. (SDLP,GRN)

We support the peace process. Devolve policing authority. (LAB,CON,LIB,ALL,IND,SNP,PC)

Take a tough line with Sinn Féin. No devolved policing. (UKIP,UUP,DUP)

Sinn Féin is a bunch of terrorists; return NI to majority rule. (BNP)

@

//Pensions

Citizens pension for all, rises in line with average earnings. (SF,RESPECT,PC,IND)

Provide help to the poorest pensioners. Increase basic provision. (LAB,SNP,SDLP,GRN)

Restore pensions-earnings link. Cut council tax burden. (ALL,LIB,DUP,BNP)

Support private pensions and reduce reliance on public funds. (CON,UUP)

Scrap the state pension, provide tax breaks for private schemes. (UKIP)

@

//Post Offices

Restore local post offices closed by the government. (IND,SF,RES,PC,SNP)

Invest and modernise PO's for easier customer access. (LIB,GRN)

Royal Mail losing money with each closure. No more closures! (CON,UUP,DUP,BNP,SDLP,ALL)

Planned closures of PO's due to losses and fewer customers. (LAB)

Close all PO's and reform Royal Mail interlinked with banks. (UKIP)

@

//Tax Policy

Return to pre-Thatcher income tax rates. Wealth tax on the rich. (SF,RES,PC)

Top tax rate of 50% and consider further tax increases. (LAB,SDLP,GRN,SNP)

Bring back the 10p Tax Rate but raise indirect taxes. (LIB,ALL,IND)

Reduce income and business taxation across the board. (CON,UUP,DUP,BNP)

Move to a flat income tax. Abolish the estate tax. (UKIP)

@

//Unemployment

Establish alternative socialist economy to eliminate unemployment. (RES,SF,PC)

Nationalise failing industries and protect the welfare state. (LAB,GRN,SDLP)

Improve workforce retraining and promote new business development. (LIB,ALL,IND,SNP,DUP)

British jobs for British workers, and make UK more business-friendly. (CON,BNP,UUP)

Scrap the failed welfare state and enact radical free-market policies. (UKIP)

@

Does this sound accurate to everyone?