Here is a selection of the comments from DP viewers on our show and the world of politics.
DEAR DP: THE DOs and DON'TsSome comments from our viewers are read out on the lunchtime show on BBC Two and many more will be added to this page.
Have a look in the box on the right for guidelines on which comments will - and won't - be used here.
Views can also be left on Andrew Neil's blog which is updated several times a week.
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CHRISTMAS RECESS
As we are off-air until January 5, this page will be updated less frequently. But we will catch up on the best of the letters when we return.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 18
Dear DP,
Thanks for some brilliant shows this year.
Happy Christmas.
David Deakin, London
gordon brown is a joke....he is spending money we dont have!!!!!!! he should get his act together and sort out this country now!!!!!!!!
DAVID WILSON, CUMBRIA...TAKING HOURS TO GET AROUND MY TOWN, BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE ANY BRIDGES!!!!!!!!!
david wilson, workington
I am a big fan of the show but watching the three studges (mcnulty and co) was like three children behaving badley.
Mcnulty(labour) Exspenses cheat telling everyone how disonest they are
opic(libdems) silly as allways
Concervtive don't know who he was
Please don't waste your prograMme with such fools
yours hopefully
Stephen Arrowsmith, Helgoland Germany
THURSDAY DECEMBER 17
Dear Daily politics Team, Happy Christmas to you all. Never imagined i would ever be interested in politics, it was the duck house that did it.
Sorry if i have offended anyone, as i didnt intend to, and i have promised Gordon Brown that i would keep my nose out of things from now on, and i think i have already caused enough trouble, but did enjoy it at times, ha ha. Watched the show today, and enjoyed it, Hope you all have the best christmas ever, and thanks , you helped me more than you know. lots of love
maxine, Wigan
Sorry to see Anita leave- she will be missed. Please send all good wishes for the future event!
Greta Waldron, PeterboroughUK
Everyone seemed to be a bit punch drunk today - thought it all got out of hand.
Irene Morrison, Dundee
Dear Daily Politics,
I would like to wish everyone in front of the camera and behind the scenes a very happy Christmas.
Thr presentation is pitched just right for a daytime politics show. It is informative and entertaining. The whole reporting team comes over with insight and humour. I especially look forward to Nick Robinson's appearance on a Wednesday. I know he will say something new and important but without being portentous or stuffy.
Thank you for providing my noontime break. I wish everyone a prosperous new year especially Andrew. The French economy needs him!
Best Wishes from
David Rowe Wem, Shropshire
What the hell are the producers of this programme trying to prove? That the country is not in a mess thanks to Labour. Instead they have three M.Ps answering stupid questions. Including one who was found guilty of fiddling his expenses.
Get a grip!!!.
fred G Kells
The climate change summit is one of the most important meetings in world history. On his return, Gordon Brown should be addressing a full "House" and thus the people, on the success or failure of the summit. Instead MPs are on holiday and the people have to rely on the media for the results. Shame on all MPs.
Ken Cross, Bridgend, Wales
McNulty trying to take the moral high ground! You couldn't make it up! Has he finished doing up his "parents" house yet at our expense?
richard, Beckenham
Why do they say that? I passed the 11+ but by then the gramma school system had been abolished (it was used as a general ability test in my school at the time), but I went to one of the worst upper schools.
Why? Because those MPs that passed their 11+ abolished the grammas and left people with only the option of living in the right catchment area or better buying the education for their children.
People like me didnt get the start of the 11+ to gramma school people. I even have a problem spelling grammar.
Andy
The so-called Class war brought forward by Labour is a sad indictment of those in Labour, they have effectively said that their voters are of the lower classes.
As the gap between rich and poor has widened it seems they intend it to continue!
Maurice, Northumberland.
"The playing fields of Eton" is Labour's unbeatable trump card !
Edward Wheatley, Norfolk
40% of the Cabinet went to fee paying schools. Why do you not mention this? And what about their wealth too?
Garth R A Wiseman, London SE11
the national debt this is just good house keeping belongs to all of us, so instead of allowing to go on for generations why not ask all working people to invest in their childrens future and pay an addiontional 1,000 pound a year for the next for years. this is just good house keeping.
peter ryan, whitley bay, tyne and wear
Interesting to see McNulty. (Not sure Opik is without sin, dont know the Tory, is he Dangermouses sidekick, name escapes me)
But come on BBC is he the right man to be there when you keep having a go at expenses.
No honour or shame
And shame on you and him BBC, it makes the expenses seem a trivial issue.
A Question for them
WHICH YOU GAINED THE MOST FROM EXPENSES
Sean Williams, Dukinfield, cheshire
Such gaiety in the Daily Politics studio today, from our esteemed MPs! Still no contrition.
Hilary Wood, Marple Bridge. Stockport
In July 2008 the then Speaker, Michael Martin put about 18 proposals for reform of MPs' expenses to the House of Commons, which included ending London MPs being able to claim for second homes. Mr Tony McNulty voted against and then it was revealed that he claimed for a second home that his parents lived in.
His reaction was that he was in favour of reform!! So why didn't he vote for it then?
Now the ex-Speaker is gone and you parade Mr McNulty on your programme.
Something wrong here, surely?
Barry , London, UK
Dear sirs
Why have you allowed tom mcnulty on your show?
You should NOT have allowed him on .............I am surprised that andrew would agree to this
DISGRACEFUL
William Hammerton
How pathetic to see the three MPs on todays show squabbling amongst themselves and how bad manned to ignore the request of the hosts to be quiet and not all talk at once.
This seems to be getting the norm over recent weeks.
Ken Anderson, Disgusted with MPs behaviour, Valencia, SPAIN.
Tony McNulty, talk about Westminster being out of touch it would seem you are hand in glove with them, disgraceful giving this man air time.
Boc Church, Beaumont France
The whole thing about climate change is lost in politics.
Thats why all the sensible people are outside the hall demonstrating and all the idiots are inside trying to fudge yet another compromise.
It was these same politicians who got us in this mess.
it was Gordon Brown who destroyed the peoples faith in recycling and energy conservation by turning it into more government TAXES.
Which were never used to help the ecology.
The most glaringly obvious ecological disaster is the motor car engine.
This is even now supported by governments worldwide as a necessary boost to employment and the economy.
The failure for any government to follow up on the plans for an INTEGRATED TRANSPORT SYSTEM in the UK has increased the building of roads and vehicles.
In fact it was this GOVERNMENTS POLICY to get freight off the trains and on to the roads to increase employment and road building.
So why should the population have to suffer the petty ignominy of daily recycling when the government is the worst polluter.
In their offices, their life styles and their policies.
You cannot expand economically and save the planet.
You have to change the whole system.
Politicians are just ignorant fudgers, they're time is over.
Vernon Moat, Exeter
I SAW GREEN CUSTARD BEING THROWN AT LORD MANDY WHILST I WAS VISITING MY MOTHER-IN-LAW IN POLAND - IT WAS ON POLISH NATIONAL TV NEWS AND MY WIFE AND I ROARED WITH DELIGHT !!!!!
IAN PAYNE [WALSALL]
It is already in the economy that interest rates on our gilts are being pushed up
Even the BBC blog stephanomics has picked up and reported that. The BBC is not normally in the forefront of this kind of news
M Thompson
Probably missed the boat, but could you drop a word in any of your guests' ears about a peerage for Peter Tatchell, since he is now having to stand down as PPC for Oxford East as a result of health damage suffered thanks to beatings from the Moscow police and Mugabe's minders. I don't think I'm the only one who considers that he still has plenty to contribute and could do this best from within Parliament.
Hello to my MP Keith Simpson, by the way. A good MP (even though he's a tory) who has endless patience with even the most barking of his constituents.
See you up the chimney,
Giulio Napolitani
Very rarely do I switch off a regularly watched programme....I have, though , today.
Humour yes, but jaw-droppingly banal is something else altogether.
Almost as bad as "the comedians" on the Royal Variety performance.
Bah!...Humbug!
TGM (Geoff) Beard Winton Bournemouth Dorset
Do the likes of McNulty and Opik have no sense of self-awareness? These two fiddlers, admittedly McNulty being the more egregious example, would have withdrawn in shame from public life if they had. Politicians really are a class apart aren't they?
Mike, Harpenden
Were Tony Blair's expenses investigated in the same manner that applied to all the other Members of Parliament?
John Beckinsale, Wickford, Essex, UK
Considering a British judge passed an arrest warrant for lzipi livni (pardon my spelling) for war crimes, why is david milliband trying to change the law in order to prevent instances like this from happening? Surely the warrant would have been granted on reasonable grounds and not just on a whim and i thought it was part of the geneva convention to follow these leads towards prosecutions on matters of human rights.
Why are people suspected for war crimes being allowed to influence our laws simply because they're high ranking officials of another country? What happens should our laws be changed and miss livni be convicted of war crimes at a later date?
Am i the only person seeing a potential criminal trying to influence our laws and getting away with it or am i missing something here?
Frank Mills, Crawley
Will you please convey to pensioners who have sufficient to eat a Happy Christmas but to the 2.5million who live below the bread line and the 25,000 who die prematurely every year from hypothermia every effort is being made to get this country to adapt Christian, Civilised and humanitarian policies and relieve them of their suffering
A happy Christmas to the BBC staff .
Bernard Wright, Failand Bristol
From time to time various trades unions seem to be doing their best to destroy British industries. We have seen this happen in the motor-cycle, coal, and motor industries, and now a trades union appears to be determined to destroy British Airways. Is it possible that some of these trades unions may be financed by foreign competitors ? They are the only ones who ever benefit from this destructive union activity.
Tony Lawrence
gordon brown is a joke....he is spending money we dont have!!!!!!! he should get his act together and sort out this country now!!!!!!!!
DAVID WILSON, CUMBRIA...TAKING HOURS TO GET AROUND MY TOWN, BECAUSE WE DONT HAVE ANY BRIDGES!!!!!!!!!
david wilson, workington
Please tell Andrew Neal that, in the sense he has been using it, this year is not the end of a decade.
A dceade is ten consecutive years so in that sense he's correct BUT but as the end of the 200?s then there is still one year to go. I'm sure he can count up to ten so start now from one..........see what I mean.
Brian Thomas, Farnborough, Hampshire.
As you discussed briefly yesterday something needs to be done about PMQ's.
Some MPs, in particular Gordon Brown, seem to think it's a Party Political Broadcast.
The Daily Politics seems to think it's entertainment.
Shouldn't it be an opportunity for MP's to gather information from the Prime Minister and perhaps hold him to account?
Inane 'questions' such as that yesterday from the MP for Glasgow NE which boiled down to 'Is the Government's policy better than the opposition's' and also the later one about Tweedledum and Tweedledee are a complete waste of time.
As Gordon Brown is so fond of lists perhaps there should be a list of phrases which he would not be permitted to use, including 'the party opposite', 'did not support us', 'before 1997' etc.
If the speaker thinks that the PM has ducked the question then maybe the MP should be permitted to reply.
Peter, Ringwood U.K
The labour party conveniently forget that they have two wealthy non dom supporters -Lord Paul of Marylebone who as Deputy speaker of the Lords has recently had to step down whilst his expenses are investigated and Lakshmi Mittal the apparently the wealthiest person in the UK who donated £2mn to the party and was involved in the cash for influence acquisation.Could you balance the situation by reminding your participants and listeners to this fact. Regards John Wotherspoon
john wotherspoon, Falkirk
Why are you talking about "the end of the decade"?
EVERY year is the end of a decade.
But if we're talking about calendar decades, any logical conception demands that they should run from 'xxx1' to 'xxx0'.
Where did you learn to count ANYTHING from 0 to 9?
Have you got 0-1-2-3-4 fingers on each hand?
BRIAN MARTIN, WATERLOOVILLE, Hants.
DAILY POLITICS replies: It's generally accepted the 80s ran from 1980-1989, the 90s from 1990-1999, so the 'noughties' decade surely runs from 2000-2009?
Not many people would describe the 90s as running from 1991-2000 etc.
But as you will see from many comments below, there are many people who have a more mathematical view on decades.
Well done Andrew. It is refreshing to see someone asking hard questions of the global warming lobby.
Notice how the MP you questioned never addressed the questions you asked him?
I have seen this repeatedly, with the global warming mob. They insult and denigrate anyone with a different point of view, but do not expect to have to justify their point of view by the production of mere evidence.
Keep it up Daily Politics,I can watch your show with the confidence that you will always ask the questions that MPs find awkward and not just go along with the crowd.
Mr Brown`s answer, as always is to give OUR money away to others with no regard to his own citizens.
john h, lancashire
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16
Yes if they agree to have the aid tied to population user friendly reduction where necessary. The Zambian delegate was eloquent in her desire to be given money but unfortunately the BBC interviewer failed to mention Zambia's gigantic fertility rate (5.64 children per woman - 2000-2005, Pocket World in Figures, The Economist) Without tackiling population issues the Copenhagen talks will be to no avail. D. Anthony
I am sorry I missed your show today, particularly as Greg Clark was with you, but I would like to offer some comments on climate change. What are the fools doing in Copenhagen? The Zambian Environment Minister accuses the developed nations of generating pollution and demands compensation. Gordon Brown steps forward to scatter more of the money we don't have. Carbon Dioxide is not a pollutant. It is produced naturally in large quantities in the atmosphere. However at the level of 385parts per million (the commonly quoted level) it cannot even begin to control the temperature of the other 999,615 parts per million of the atmosphere. There is just not enough of it and, as it is always a gas, it is not capable of carrying the necessary large quantities of heat. All the schemes being developed to capture and store it will be very expensive and totally unnecessary. We already exist in a "low carbon economy", whatever the politicians say. The Greenhouse Gas which does control the temperature of the Earth's climate is water vapour. Not only is there more of it, it contains latent heat taken in as it evaporates from water to vapour. We all know it is there. Just look at the clouds which are formed when the vapour gives up its heat and changes back into water(droplets). Regards, John M. Dent
I was not sure if William Hague's performance on PMQT (16/12) was meant as a joke or that he was really concerned about the Israeli / Palestinian peace process. The Shadow Foreign Secretary could have used any legalistic excuse to change the law to prevent Israelis travelling aboad from being arrested for crimes against humanity but to coldly and cynically use Peace Process as an excuse could have only been to curry favour with Jewish Lobby because Britain beside many warm words has done nothing to promote the peace process yet and is probably, judging by history, not going to do anything in future. So the Shadow Foreign Secretary could have had on his mind not the peace process but Lord Kalms and his sloshing millions some of which, no doubt, will again be redirected into Conservative coffers. Like Tony Blair, William Hague knows who butters his millions and like a lot of small men is not ashamed to do anything for politics and/or money even sheltering political mass murderers. W. Rachfal, London SW17
Although Harriet Harman had nothing of any consequence to say today, one might have our Foriegn Secretary would have the manners to stop talking CONTINUOUSLY to Peter Hain. Then - manners maketh man.
A D Greenwood, New Milton UK
On today's programme, 16th December, 2009, Andrew Neal said that this was the last Prime Minister's Questions of the first decade of the 21st century. As the first decade of the 21st Century ends on the 31st December, 2010, can I assume that there will not be any Prime Minister's Questions next year?
Terence Goodwin, England
I was disappointed that Andrew Neil was so dismissive of Vince Cable's questions. First, He asked a question that Harriet Harman was simply unable to answer. Then, he openly accused Lord Ashcroft of being a non-dom. Worth prompting a comment from the panel, I would have thought!
John Russell, Reading
Please can Andrew Neil start asking questions on global warming without demonstrating his ignorance on the topic.
Assuming he has researchers who are commpetent and does not ask questions based on his reading and believing! only the "sceptics " websites he really should check his "facts"
The "Swedish professor" obviously this is ex Prof Morner is not the best authority on global sea level rise.
A cursory google gives the facts .
This is another example of sloppy tendentious approach by Neil on climate change.
I suspect that he is so used to being lied to by politicians that he thinks everyone lies even the IPPC and all the majority of experts in the field and all national scientific bodies .This really is quite a conspiracy.
M Roberts, Nottingham
Good wishes for confinement & birth to Anita Anand who is the best of the BBC Politics presenters - we do hope you will return to Daily Politics show.
John & Gabrielle Howe, (regular fans of the Daily Politics each day & Thursday's This Week)
How about the 4 Rs - reduce, re -use, recycle and repair.
SD Little, BSc, ARCS
I watched the comments on Cadbury. Astonishing!
Initially: BAA was taken over by Ferrovial which could not meet the conditions of its bonds and could have had to sell the lot if the bond holders had insisted on keeping to the original covenants. And look at the airport chaos which ensued when run by, effectively, a bust company. P&O ports was sold to Dubai ports - also now bankrupt - but will be bailed out by Abu Dhabi. But what about the future development of our ports. That is now in the hands of the government of a small middle eastern state which is bust. Our Nuclear industry has been sold off to the French government, and this is because our government does not understand science so they would rather be rid of it and stop spending the money - illustrated further on your programme Most of our steel industry will be closed over the next few years as it is now in the hands of Mittal - Tata. Once steel plants are closed they will be almost impossible to resurrect. But, if sterling collapses - the probability is high - then the only option will be to pay a very high price for imported steel. And of course, most of our railway rolling stock are now manufactured abroad. Regarding Cadbury, your contributors all seemed to be falling over themselves to establish their faith in the wonders of the free market. To understand that they all inhabit a nonsensical mythological non-reality and not the real world, one has only to ask two simple questions.
Derek Coggrave (edited)
as i was going through the channels you were just on about muppets well i have no further comment realy it did look as if i was watching the muppets!! does charles clark ever shave for a mp he looks scruffy!!!
alan c, north yorks
I am getting a bit narked over Andrew's tactic of tabling the lastest megafact from the climate sceptic blogs, and then wacking his hapless and usually scientifically clueless guests with the 'Aha, well how do you explain this then...'.
Not surprisingly, they don't have a clue about the answer. Give them or their researchers 10 minutes on the net, and you can usually find reams of counter stuff to the sceptic megafact Andrew has just flung into the ring.
If you are going to add to the climate change facts debate, why don't you do a proper job ? The issues of untangling tiny signals out of the noise is complex and worthy of serious time and study: Andrew's tactics of simplify, exagerate, and 'well it must be a conspiracy' just serve to get in the way of bottoming out on anything.
Start doing your damn job properly
Regards
Simon Fedida, London, UK
I was fascinated to watch your report on whether as a country we should be so open to foreign takeovers following the recent bid by Kraft for Cadbury's. This is quite ironic since my deep rooted opposition to unfair takeovers comes from Nestle's takeover of Ronwntree Macintosh, another choclate manuafacturer with a philanthropic tradition. Thathcer allowed this to happen despite the Swiss govt golden share in Nestle which would prevent any reverse takeover by Rowntree. So much for Margaret Thatcher's non interventionist stance despite Nestle golden shares being a distortion of market forces.
I also have some concerns with foreign takeovers of our utility industry. I work in this industry and is now heavily owned by French EDF and two german companies, E.on and RWE. The result is a loss of many jobs in the UK with repatriation to Europe, particularly with E.ON and its HQ in Dusseldorf. These jobs were well paid (not low paid supermarket jobs) where people would be spending these well paid wages in the local economy now lost to spending in Europe. In addition, we should recognise that these well paid utility workers living in Europe are paid from the gas and electricity bills of UK residents who have little choice but to buy German or French electricity.
Try buying any large French company and it is certain that the French Govt would intervene to say NON irrespective of what the EU Commission says. The French Govt intervened to save Alsthom from falling into the hands of Siemens (a German compamy) making it a Euro dimension for the EU competition Commission to rule on and the EU Commission was toothless against the French Govt.
I wish your report had been more thorough by covering these sorts of points.
Damian Johnson, Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Science funding is all well and good if they use it in the right way. Instead of their "Spin out companies"going to sites on Green Belt they should be recycling old Factories and industrial units where jobs have been lost!
After all it is Scientists that are talking about "Climate change" so they should not be adding to the problem!
As for highly educated people they will expect more money to be able to pay back their mountain of debt,so that is why our industry is going abroad to get cheap labour!We need cadbury's and British industry to stay otherwise how are people going to be able to pay their mortgages or be able to live!Go shopping!!!!! etc!
Sad York has lost Rowentrees,Terry's,British Sugar! all those redundant sites that could be used for "Science City York"
Everyone including the Chief executives,bankers,politicians, have got to take a wage cut to get us out of this mess!
s Hawkswell, York
TO ALL AT THE SHOW... IVE JUST NOTICED THAT THE TORIES.. DAVID CAMERON.. HAVE MADE A WORTH WHILE DECISION.. AS TO HELPING ENERGY/CLIMATE CHANGE...BY MAKING ALL HOUSE HOLDS MORE EFFECTIVE.. AND THE SAVINGS ON THE HEAT BILL WILL BE CUT AS TO THE WORK WHICH IS DUE.. HOPEFULLY STARTING NEXT YEAR.. I.E. LOFTS BEING WELL INSULATED. AND CHECKING THE WHOLE PROPERTIES FOR ANY DAMP OR MOLDS WITHIN THE PROPERTY... AS IM A SUB CONTRACTOR PAINTER.. MYSELF.. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE TORIES THAT AT LAST SOMETHING IS BEING DONE... ESPECIALLY FOR THE OLDER GENERATION, WHO LIVE IN A PAULING CONDITIONS.. AS IVE SEEN IT MYSELF.. AND EVEN THE COUNCIL OF THIS COUNTRY CANT BE BOTHERED TO DO THE REPAIR WORK NEEDED.. AND WHAT IS DISCUSTING IS THAT " LABOR DECIDED TO PAY OUT FREE FUEL MONEY " WHICH IN THE CONDITIONS THAT THESE PEOPLE LIVE IN ITS NOT MAKING ANY IMPROVEMENT.. JUST WASTING MY TAX AND IT COULD BE USED IN THE WAY THE TORIES ARE THINKING OF DOING.. WHICH WOULD BE WELL SPENT.... JUST MAKING PEOPLE MORE ILL BY THEM LIVING IN THESE PREMISES BREATHING THE DAMP AND MOLD.. AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES... WHICH FOR SO LONG " LABOR " HAVE DONE NOTHING... PLEASE PASS ON MY FULL SUPPORT TO THE TORIES.. DAZ....... IF THERE WAS A CHANCE COULD YOU PUT FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO THE POLITICIANS.. I.E.. AS ID LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY... AS I CANT SEE ANY POLITICIAN COMPLAINING HOW THEY LIVE... AS ITS ALL PAID FOR BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.. PAYING TAXES...... AND THEY LIVE IN THERE NICE COMFORT ZONES....
DAZ, west midlands
Gordon Brown should stand down as leader of the labour part and the job should be given to Charles Clarke. Charles is very eloquent and well versed in what the voter wants. he has his finger on the pulse of public opinion.
Harriet Harman, Alan Johnson and the Rest of the Gordon Crony brigade are Dinosaurs who have their own agenda which they persue regardless of our opinions.
Come on Charles Clarke get yourself elected or see labour wither away to the realms of obscurity.
John, Chester
What is left of 'British' SFA
Water - French, Twinning Tea - Poland, Jaguar L/R - Indian, Newcastle Metro - German, New Tyne Tunnel - Frence, Steel - dead or might become Indian (Mittal).
Britain as a whole - EUSSR.
All Britain has is a history and is currently no place for the British!
The Monty Python Parrot means much more than it did!
Maurice.
At last! talking about how we progress as apposed to how we cut! todays feature was excellent and so important if we are to survive with a 70,000,000 population.
Ellis Hart
I love the incoherence of criticising PMQs for its theatricality, when the imaginative roots of representative government came from seventeenth century reflections on the classical theatre!
As a young woman, I am delighted that the first decade of the twenty first century has closes with Harriet Harman leading the house. Let's not fool ourselves that the theatre of politics has ever been any different, but it matters a great deal that "The Brothers Grim" are being rebutted by a successful, inspiring female politician, who does not back down on women's issues, despite the fact that it would be politically strategic to do so. Why do we always focus on what she does wrong, and ignore what she does right?!
warmest wishes,
Sophie Donovan, Cambridge
DR COX IS RIGHT--THE VERY SMALL UK BUDGET FOR RESEARCH IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY MY DAUGHTER EMIGRATED TO THE US AND NOW DOES HER NUCLEAR PHYSICS RESEARCH AND LECTURING IN TENNESSEE NOT ESSEX!
MIKE JONES, BENFLEET,ESSEX
More money for science!!!! we're more reliant on new tech. now due to the lack of industry... and to save the world from us
Rob Burnham, Greenleys, Milton Keynes
In your top five I think you should have found space for when George Osborne called Gordon Brown an analogue poliction living in a digital world. It was after a pre budget report in 2006 if my memory serves me right. thanks
John James, Luton
There is no way will we get to know the full depth of debt until the day a new Government takes office.
I sincerely hope that all will be exposed then, because I am sick to the back teeth of those who are content to now spend the money of unborn kids, which is precisely what the current Government are doing - it's disgusting and immoral.
Maurice, Northumberland.
Politicians always want to focus scientific research into projects that will lead to immediate returns. If that policy had been followed in the early part of the last century it might have missed quantum physics the basis of all today's micro-electronic industries, computers, TVs, mobile phones, cameras, etc.
Peter, Oxfordshire, UK
When will people get it right ? There are 10 years to a decade, not 9. As there was no year zero BC or AD, then, by definition, 2000 was the last year of the 20th century and not the first year of the 21st. Therefore there is still 1 year left to go for the ist decade of the 21st century to go.
James Johnston, Montrose, Scotland
I thought decades ended with a zero, or how can a new decade begin with a zero rather than a one.
I know misguided people decided that a new millennium should begin with a zero but surely we have a right to expect such an intellectual programme as The Daily Politics to try to amend the stupidities of innumerate administrators.
With kind regards
Terry Thomas, Mardy, Abergavenny
Global sea levels rose 360ft from the depths of the last ice age 16,000 years ago. Global sea levels have remained fairly constant for the last 5000 years but is now rising again at about 2.8mm per year. Research on the dynamics of melting ice is ongoing but each estimate has increased the likely rise by 2100. It is now realised that ice sheets don't just melt but break up and flow more rapidly as the world heats up.
Peter, Oxfordshire, UK
Will someone tell Andrew that the first decade of this century has another year to run! The first decade will end on 31 December 2010.
D R Drew, Cwmffrwd Carmarthenshire
The emailer who asked for 'spontaneous questions and answers' on PMQ needs his/her head testing! It's chaotic and rowdy enough as it is. With 'spontaneous' Q & A it would be a riot (in the bad sense).
Frederick Robinson, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex
half an hour tue.'s & thurs.'s... the prime minister should be accountable to the people
PMQ's should be on tuesday's and thursday's so i can enjoy your lovely program
Rob Burnham, Greenleys, Milton Keynes
A Neil has just announced the end of the last PMQ of the first decade of the century - are there to be none in 2010?
Robbie Murray, Norwich, UK
1.5billion to aid 'developing countries'on top of what is already committed, 1.5billion needed to provide helicopters for our troops to fight 'terrorism'. due the math, buy the helicopters and not put the momey into other countries corrupt politians, we've enough of our own.
Neil Wheatcroft, derbyshire
The banks are saying people can make a money transfer rather than use cheques if they ban them. This is another con for the banks to make more money out of the public, you pay a charge every time you transfer money from one bank to another of a few pounds, while if you account is in profit, then you pay nothing to send a cheque. It will the public who pays yet again.
Patrick, northampton
Sir, After watching the recent programme presented by David Attenborough on " How many people can live on Earth" which highlighted the horrific projections of the exponential population growth over the next fifty years it makes any efforts on controlling climate changes appear futile.
Why is it that world leaders will not mention the subject of population growth.
D Adams
SO much for well paid and educated. What a disgrace our Parliament truly is.
Jaclyn, Bristol.
I have just heard your question about the the Cabinet's pay over the last decade. I was outraged with the response by Harriet Harman and would like this investigated into as pay increases like that when we have been suffering is not was the public should hear. Maybe her salary should be investigated as she is probably not suffering like half the British public or has she got a teflon coat on to - also has she paid back all of her expenses yet!
William, Malvern
war crimes and ms livni: could the house be getting nervous about mr blairs ability to travel in the future.
war criminals should be arrestable anywhere.
tony booth, reading berks.
The DWP is a mess. Apart from spending so much money on medicals for people on ESA so that they can tick some boxes and input information (the algorithm Andrew mentioned during This Week) the lunacy continues after the sham trial, sorry Tribunal (more money), when an appellant has their appeal rejected.
I received my letter the day after the Tribunal in November but Methyr BDC has not received any notification yet. This means that I cannot move over to JobSeekers Allowance which I want to get back on to ASAP (I am not doing my health any favours by dealing with ESA any more). More unbelievably I am supposed to provide a sick note for a month to allow the Tribunal paperwork time to be processed.
Did I miss something or was the whole reworking of sickness benefits supposed to put an end to frivolous use of sick notes?
Andrew Hessen. South East Wales
Why are both main parties closing ranks to prevent politicians being at risk of arrest under ICC warrants. If it's good enough for the President of Sudan to be indicted, why not politicians from Israel or the UK. If politicians in the West or their friends are to be immune the whole legal process is a joke
Julian Block, Cambridge.
Labour has built new schools so that they can raise the money through PFI's, to fix old schools the money comes from local funds... so they bash down good schools rather than marginally increase funding to existing stock????????????
Rob Burnham, Greenleys, Milton Keynes
Harriet Harmon and her colleagues make me sick. I have paid tax in England for 52 years and do not have a vote like many tens of thousands of us who live oversease. Representation/Taxation? What rubbish
Paul Harris, Brehan, France
The former Israeli foreign minister may have been unable to visit the UK, but the pro-Israeli lobby is certainly here in full force with William Hague using 5 out of his 6 questions to advance Israeli concerns.
Harman is her usual shrill self. As much of a hindrance for Labour as Osborne is for the Tories. Vince the winner is this last PMQs.
Saleem Usmani, London
harriet harmon has un unnerving knack of grating on the populous. she is so shrill and sounds like a nail down a blackboard. thought william hague and vince cable asked very good and insightful questins today.
stacey lowe, haltwhistle
Harriet Harman's attempt to portray Gordon Brown as the prime motivator of the Copenhagen Conference,
single handedly leading the other world leaders into a bright new future, would be laughable if it weren't so pathetic. Does she visualise his leadership of the global community in Copenhagen being achieved in the same fashion in which he recently sought to lead Britain out of the current economic crisis ahead of the rest of the world. If that is her hope for the conference, it's dead in the water already.
Gareth Unwin (YORK)
Harriet Harman is behaving appallingly. She is abusing Parliament and TV coverage of it in order to make a 30 minute party political broadcast rather than addressing issues of state and the name calling that she is resorting to epitomise the devaluing of British political life in the eyes of the public.
Adrian, London
hellp. how does harperson get encouraging signs hat the economy is still fragile and when will parliament discuss govt. actions and not the opposition merry christmas,
arthur newsome
A fairly boring PMQs today well, so far. One point I would like to make, no wonder this country is in such a state when it is being governed by the rabble represented by HH today. We deserve better.
Robin Kirkham
Andrew. The BBC are a disgrace. The Climate Change Data Scandal at UEA, Michael Mann and other researchers has had no detailed reporting by the BBC The report to USA The House Rep.by Prof. Edward Wegman etal detailing the data errors in the climate reports is a scandal. This issue would make a good investigative program and report by you JAM
John A Murray, London
Simon Hughes perpetuates the erroneous view that the decade ends this month.
Is there any chance that we could find representatives who understand the calendar ? The first year of a decade ends in 1 as there was no year '0'; the decade ends with the year ending with a ten - i.e xx10, xx20, etc.
John Brown, Hinckley, Leic., Eng.
Jobseekers Allowance - Citizens Advice and Housing Benefit are inundated with people being pressurised into seasonal Christmas work lasting 2/3 weeks. The advice from the Jobcentres is incompetent as claimants then lose run ons on Council Tax and Housing Benefit unless they are then out of work for 26 weeks after rapid reclaims of JSA after Christmas! Typical spin and rotten behaviour emanating from the Government. They just do not understand or care.
PETER HART, BECKENHAM KENT ENGLAND
Hariet Harman is so much better than Brown, at least she answers the question and makes this program so much more entertaining to watch, she answers without the vile
Y Lacey, Rye
Harman has just said : 'no representation without taxation'.
I'm pretty sure Alan B'stard said that one when he was trying to justify taking those on benefits out of the democratic system. Is Harman fighting the Conservative non-doms? Or positioning herself to defect to the Tory ulra-right before the election?
She might be a shrewder political operator than we've thought!
Richard Jennings, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
It seemed we were going to get a PMQ that was more akin to being business like rather than punch and judy, But no, Harriet Harman's answer to William Hague's last question was totally rediculous.
And politicians are surprised that there is no confidence in politics!
Yann Bomken, Oakham
Harman is doing all right in standing in for Brown at Prime Minister's Questions, but look at the empty spaces on benches on both sides of the Commons.
Peter Lynam, London
What a petulant performance from Harriet Harman.
Why can't she answer the questions put by Hague and co. in a civil voice.
Philip McArthur, Stratford upon Avon
Prime Minister questions today shows why we should overhaul the total electoral structure, the point scoring makes a mockery of those people genuinely suffering financial hardship due to the mis-management of our countrys resources. Brown is like most people who get into debt because they can't stop spending until someone takes await their credit cards
Michael McEgan, Aylesbury
Bit of an anti-climax. Harriet Harman as usual handled the questions well and is still a much, much better performer than Gordon Brown. On her "No representation without taxation" is a line taken from Alan B'Stard in the New Statesman. My favorite PMQs moment over the last 10 years was from June 2004 when Michael Howard was the Tory Leader and he had a pop at Chris Bryant by using the Beach Boys song "help me Rhondda".
Have a good holiday period and I look forward to your return in January.
Iain Whiteley, Manchester
What a shambles. When is someone going to ask Lord Ashcroft instead of trying to score brownie points about someone's status? It is boring... move on and ask the man responsible. If he's not paying domicile taxes, get out.
Jaclyn, Bristol.
Climate change deniers?
Another insult from the queen of PC Miss Harperson
The term should be banned along with golliwog and Paki
Laurence Escreet, Hull
Isn't it interesting that the Labour Party claim that foreign leaders like Zippy Livini must be free to come to London for discussions free from the implementation of International Arrest Warrants when General Pinochez wasn't ?
Is it one rule for Israel and a different one for the rest of the World ?
Jonathan Oakton Redditch
Was I hearing things or did Harriet call William Foreign Secretary?
Hilary King, Bletchley
Don't you guys at the Daily think that if the world scientists are saying there is real danger of Climate change coursing phenomenal damage to the planet and human health, then you have a reasonability to communicate that to your viewers rather than making pathetic and ignorant attempts to challenge the science.
Why don't you put the effort in, read some of the IPCC reports, think about what they are saying and then ask informed questions about the science rather than relying on what Climate change deniers with clear vested interests tell you to say.
It would be nice if we could all carry on regardless. However those of us with children or 60 plus years left to live on this planet want to see this climate catastrophe averted. Every person you assist in the delusion of climate change denial is crime.
Those of us who have looked at the data and understood the consequence are literally terrified that we won't be able to shock the rest of the population into the realisation that this is real! It does need action and if we don't sort it out our existence will be significantly impaired. Why aren't you screaming at conference negotiators, telling them to do what ever it takes to get a deal? How much do we have to risk? What are we willing lose to maintain a planet worth living on?
Alex Baines-Buffery, London
Just watching David Hague at pm,s qt. I strikes me that he is representing the interests of Israel not the opposition party to our woeful govt. ( I am not a supporter of any side re gazza etc it just seems very obvious who contributes to Conservative funds from his questions)
Joe Domican, Woolwich
Tomorrow's headline. Harriet Harman reads out prepared answers from typed sheet. Riveting.
ps Good luck to Anita, and festive wishes to all of you lot at DP.
Allan McInnes
what a farce PMQ's has become.
Harriet Harman was obviously reading prepared answers. Why cannot questions and answers be spontaneous?!!
eve, rugby
Why does Gordon Brown think he has the right to lead the world in everything and distribute more of our money than any other European country, be this in wars or the climate change debate.
What is he trying to prove? When will he realise that we are a fallen country and not a world leader any more.
We must be the laughing stock of the world
Keith Gardner, Bournemouth
OH dear what a sight on the government front bench, "harriett harperson and sideshow bob" and this for the last pmq of the decade, shesh.
It does show you exactly what this government thinks of parlimentry srcutiny
G Phillips, Sussex
Can you ask Greg Clark, my MP, why he needs to claim over £23,000p.a. for a second home?
I have been unable to get an answer, perhaps you can?
Andrew Taylor, Tunbridge Wells UK
Er, if Nick Robinson remembers the occasion then surely he should also remember that the "purple powder" incident was in May 2004, not Nov 2007 as you stated. Still, school's soon out so Merry Christmas to you all.
Mr Pedant, London
Gordon Brown decides not to do today's PMQs and run away to Copenhagen, that's because he's a chicken who doesn't want to take heat on the pre-budget statement.
Dariusz, London
Very sorry to hear Andrew announce this is the last programme of the decade as this means you won't be on our screens next year. A sad loss to our democracy.
The decade ends next year on 31st December 2010 and not this year.
Matt Preston, Croydon
We are not the owners but the keepers to this planet, we need to get population under control with or without the effects of global warming. Further to pollution problems over farming will destroy the environment, as the oceans are being over fished
Rob Burnham, Greenleys, Milton Keynes
I think you'll find that at decade is ten years not nine. It is only after the completion of ten years that a decade will have elapsed.
By all means check this with Sir Patrick Moore.
Yours sincerely,
Clive Bone, Bideford EX39
Contrary to popular belief, this decade will not end until the last second of December 2010. So this is NOT the last PMQs of the decade.
Philip Cooper, Torquay
If you want to have a serious discussion on the evidence/science of climate change have some experts present don't paraphrase them!!
Rob, Sutton
We live beside the tidal River Severn. Next year the highest tides will be about a 0.3 metre higher than last year and 0.7 metre higher than two years ago.
Next year it is lower.
Tides and average sea levels change with the lunar cycle.
Tad Stone, Berkeley, Glos
To avoid the irritation of two presenters pronouncing Copenhagen differently, why isn't there someone with the authority to decide, in consultation with the Danes in this case, one agreed pronunciation in all cases. Many years ago, I heard that it should be pronounced like "haven". Seriously, get it right so that we mean get it right,
Ally, Ayr.
Why did Neil make his comment "Al Gore and his false hockey-stick" ?
He has the entire resources of the BBC (whether science or news services) to check that this claim is a so-called "zombie-fact", i.e. one that has been killed off but keeps on coming back.
The IPCC and US National Acedemy have demonstrated that the claim that the "hockey-stick" is false and that its continued reincarnation merely demonstrates the PR nature of the anti-Climate Change supporters instead of any scientific basis.
Phil Gollin, East Molesey, Surrey
Although William Hague was spot on, doesn't Harriet Harman give the impression that she is too tired these days and wishes to be unloaded of any burden that she has of becoming Tony Blairs successor ?
Wishful thinking aside, shouldn't Gordon Brown (having extablished his incompetence of economic affairs even when in Opposition), should leave the science of climate change to the experts, ignore political interference on the IPCC, and stop presenting his ideas as being anything other than the ideas of a Flat Earth Ignoramus ?
Yes... Climate Change is important, but if you examin the evidence with more critical astuteness than you have to do, then you would accept that the jury is still out.
Rebecca Pidgeon
When I got my last energy bill, both my electricity and gas usage was lower than my previous bill, yet I have ended up paying more because the energy companies have hiked up the prices. This is not helpful.
William Johnson-Smith, London
Good morning,ive just seen Yvette Cooper telling the daily politics how because less people are claiming jobseekers it is a sign of improvement.
I worked from leaving school for 21 years in the same job then due to the credit crunch got made rediundant in august.I have savings over £16000 because i put away money for later in life but i have been told after 6 months of claiming job seekers it will be stopped.
There are a lot more people in my position and because we are no longer able to claim the figures will look good.
I hope Ms Cooper has something to say on this.
Mr Anderson, hartlepool
Encouraging green transport why put up VED(road tax) on motorcycles one mode of green transport
jeff, cleveland
Weel done Andrew! Keep asking the Climate Alarmist the awkward questions!
Ian Amess, Surbiton
It doesn't help when those on the climate change side of this argument do not want to enter into an open debate and people like Porritt have said on camera that anyone who disagrees with global warming should be treated the same as holocaust deniers (its on youtube)
G Phillips, Sussex
It was mentioned earlier in the program that we should all save energy by using less. I believe we could make a large contribution to energy saving by turning off all the office lights which are left burning all night. Just look at London's skyline any night.........
Bill Norrie, Richmond North Yorkshire
We have now seen the ultimate in brain-washing - a global conference about a non-fact.
This planet has warmed and cooled for millions of years, long before man appeared.
How did this panic ever get going, that warming was due to man?
And once people make a career out of it, they won't let go!
It is the same with teaching reading. The BDA offers accreditation for 90 hours of lectures etc. when IN FACT dyslexics have to learn just the SAME alphabet, the same blending, the same letter-groups (sh, ow, ea) as everyone else!
What happened to common sense?
The media, especially TV,. Have a lot to answer for.
Government is far too big. The best government governs least.
We should close down whole departments (starting with the DCS that has presided over decline for 60 years).
Will you continue to provide a platform for "professionals" when the need is for common sense?
Mona McNee, Whiston L35
The combination of the pomposity of the politicians and the manner in which you are reporting the Copenhagen summit sounds like they are in disagreement over the temperature setting of the thermostat control.
Mike Trew, Trowbridge, Wilts
Surely they won't have the election in March as it would shorten Gordon's Prime Ministerial opportunities... and the Conservatives would be in Government potentially before the Lisbon treaty comes into full force in May?
Rob Burnham, Greenleys, Milton Keynes
My forecast on Copenhagen
1 Words will be cobbled together that satisfy everyone and no one.
2 Gordon Brown will spend more of our money, than any other country.
Terry, Dibden Purlieu
Re Job seekers.
can your illustrious guest please explain where some one like myself who has had 6 months Job Seekers now gets nothing, as his wife works.
Where do I come in the statistics
Derek H Burns, Glasgow
When watching BBC covering Gordon Brown's preamble this morning, he mentioned the need to protect sovereign island states, due to climate change. The last time I looked at a globe the UK is an island, unless of course the effects of climate change have advanced somewhat rapidly.
M Smith
The Job Seekers Allowance figures are distorted.
Anyone out of work who has ISAs or other savings totalling more than £16,000 is not allowed to claim.
In other words, it does not pay to save when you are in work because if you lose your job you will be penalised.
How many unfortunates come into this category ??
Mrs. Shirley Saunders, Shanklin, Isle of Wight
IF YOUR ON UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THREE MONTHS YOU NO LONGER GET UNEMPLOYMENT BENIFIT YOU GO ON TAX CREDIT IF YOU R OVER 60 YOU GO ON TAX CREDIT SO Ms COOPER AGAIN TALKING RUBBISH LOKE THE REST OFF THIS LOT TWIST THE TRUTH TO SUIT US
RAY HALL CROYDON
it is absolutely incredible that those at Copenhagen are arguing over .5 of a degree of global warming. the idea that we have such fantastic ability to control the climate to such a microscopic degree is absolutlely laughabable and incredibly conceited of mankind. the earths climate is far more than us and will do what it wants to. copenhagen is just so much hot air and according to the greens that's not hat we want . ha ha
richard
Harriet the flapper ....
Just not really up to the big job when the boss is out for the day!
Simon / peterborough
Harperson as always reminds me of an overpromoted Secretary whoose ability to get the minutes out on time has resulted with her having to make pronouncements on subjects she does not understand. Strident, humourless, fact free, and partisan in the most stupid way.
Bill, Doncaster
A deal on climate change would do far more damage than good. Personally I hope the talks fail. We did not need over 100 political leaders and their entourage to travel to Copenhagen. If they really believe in manmade climate change, they should have organised a mega video conferencing event. Can we generate electricity from all their hot wind? Their claims to carbon offset are a joke.
I believe that the climate varies naturally. We have just woken up to the fact that the climate is less stable than we thought. We would be better off spending the money to cope with the variations: stop building on flood plains etc.
If mankind has had an effect, it is the out of control population growth. This needs to be urgently addressed before we run out of resources.
Were the dinosaurs responsible for the very high CO2 levels in their time?
Can someone explain why Mars does not see global warming? It has a lower density atmosphere but a much higher proportion of CO2. It actually has a higher CO2 concentration than the earth. Could it be the lower water vapour content that makes the difference?
Jean. Malvern.
Dear Andrew et al
So the Prime Minster will not be at the last PMQs of 2009!!
I wonder why?
Has he 'bottled' it yet again, with too many difficult questions to face?
Does he want to upstage Ed Milliband at Copenhagen?
Or, being early does he want to be seen greeting all the other Heads of State when they arrive on Friday to show that he is the "Leading Saviour of the World"
Sincerely
Colin Peacocke, Oxford.
Forty years ago I worked for the original American Computer Consultant - John Diebold. My assignment was to design and install all the Computer Systems on the QE2.
Only 2 satellites existed sky at that time - one Russian and one US. I went to Trinidad - the only place I could see both at once every day at 4pm.
Using school Geometry - the Properties of a triangle - it was easy to program my exact position in the World. My computer program worked.
Two motor driven radar parabola aerials were fitted on the QE2's bow and stern to give the Angles and I knew her approximate length. I could predict the exact position of the ship to an accuracy of half the width of its beam.
As Cunard's Consultant I suggested that they register their ownership of the original Global Position Navigation system.
I was invited to join Cunard in 1968 as their Computer Director. At that time Sir Basil Smallpeice was Chairman, Captain Treasure Jones QE2 Captain, the late Brian Cocup Operations Director, and John Prescott worked as a QE2 Cabin Steward and Seaman's Union Leader under me for the next two years.
Later under the Chairmanship of the late Lord Mancroft we made the first direct voice transmissions to New York bounced off a satellite and in conjunction with Southampton University helped to develop most of the spy-in-the-sky type systems in use today.
President Obama can prove the exact cause of the present change in our Climate by viewing the temperature, geographic, photographic, infra-red, and many other ways that we have taken our observations for civil and military reasons over the past 40 years. Our best option is to realise that we cannot overcome the changes in the physical shape of Planet Earth. We must move populations into safer locations and not allow them to inhabit parts of the World that will be overcome by Oceans or are situated along the fault lines that cross the Globe. Use the skills learnt from building Oil Pipe Lines over vast distances to carry new Water Pipe lines to all arid countries to enable the poorest and weakest to survive and prosper.
Alan Taylor-Smith, Westerham Kent
I am an unemployed scientist.
I was a research scientist working in one of the government research establishments that was privatised into QinetiQ in 2001.
I was made redundant at the end of September after 28 years, during a restructuring exercise. The reason: cuts in MOD funded basic scientific research.
Politicians claim that they need scientists. Having seem how many experienced scientists have been thrown onto the scrapheap in recent years, I do not feel that existing scientists are valued. Why do we need more?
I am pleased to report that my son saw the light and is studying economics at university (having got A grades in maths, further maths and physics at A level).
Jean, Malvern
Dear All
As a pensioner, I am still suffering from the abolition of the 10p tax, I wil not now be receiving the additonal £1.75p per week rise that I thought I was, just the basic £2.25 per week, and I can bet anything that come the budget the winter fuel allowance will be abolished. I am therefore looking forward to the climate change. I may not have to stay in bed to keep warm again!
Seasons Greeting to you all
Gina
I find it sad and disturbing that Gordon Brown is at the climate conference when he has at least two ministers there and the country is in such a mess. He always seems to leave when difficult questions need to be answered.
Kind regards
Tim Penhale
Of course job seeker allowance claims are dropping, they are being moved off onto incapacity benefit to massage the unemployment figures!
Dariusz, London
Dear Andrew & team,
Well perhaps the time that the PM actually answered a question without diverting it back to the opposition? Oh yeh thats right it never happened!!!
Perhaps in the next decade the PM will answer a question - we live in hope, it is Christmas.
Many Thanks
Kathy in Northamptonshire
Yes it does matter who owns OUR companies, this is why America believes that they can ORDER us to do their bidding, but it does need a poodle politicain/s to accede OUR DEMOCRACY to a foreign power, so that they can circumvent democracy.
B.Threlfall.
The best present anyone could wish for this Christmas is an election. How much more do we have to take of this fanatically controlling, tax mad party? I am tired of listening to rhetoric, they do not understand business unless it's throwing tax at them!
Jaclyn, Keynsham
Government policies succeed, yes people who should be claiming have ceased claiming because the hurdles placed on the system, make the jumps not worth the effort.
Derek
I was claiming Jobseekers Allowance, then as I reached 60 years of age, i was "encouraged" to clain for Pension Credit, which I did, I no longer am a statisic in the jobless figures, why not?
DEREK TOASE,
Gordon Brown said 'We have fifty days to save the world'? Is this the same Gordon Brown who affirmed the Dodgy Dossier? Agreed with WMD's in Iraq? Saved the world from financial ruin? Claims to have a pragmatic strategy in Afghanistan? And maintains we (the UK) are on the road to recovery? I think the only person we have to save the world from is..........Gordon Brown and his platitudes.
Albert Roy, Bow, London
If you can tell me how many Companies in this Country that are still UK owned, I bet it would only take the fingers of one hand. Just another thing that this Government has left slip through their fingers. Anita, best of luck with your addition and can I wish everybody on the show and associated with it a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year - Yes it is Christmas still in this Country but for how long??
Derek Of monmouth
Dear Andrew and Team, First of all, best of luck to Anita for the coming baby. Then, what is it with Andrew that all his lovely ladies desert him? Daisy rushes off to get married, Jenny finds the Bank of England so appealing and now Anita thinks motherhood is more rewarding!! You should employ me instead ..... I won't rush off to get married (I've been a wife for 25 years), the Bank of England wouldn't have me (my background is in good old fashioned safe secure building societies) and as for having a child, well, I might look great for my age but there is a 6 (just) at the start of it! I wish you all a well deserved break, although how we will keep our sanity with you off air is difficult to envisage. Thank you for providing us with the most balanced, thought provoking, sensible programme on TV. You will be missed.
Philippa J Levey, London
Dear Politic Team . Can you tell me why the Labour Goverment keeps lying about the economy and the cuts that Darling hints about , and Gordon Brown the Clown keeps denying , aided by his .Balls up minister .The two dream up Policy's and two days later have to do a U turn , either cancel them out altogether or rearrange them so they are not effectual and not worth the paper the are written on . No wonder we are teetering on the edge of disaster caused by this unelected buffoon. J. Devis
How was Brown allowed to duck out of the last PMQ's of the decade just so that he could add to his air miles? Which idiot commissioned McNulty to appear tomorrow? As tax and licence fee payers, surely we have given this self-opinionated berk enough money already, without the gift of another large BBC fee!
Robin Biddiscombe, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Dear Andrew, I find it strange that nobody I have heard, has ever discussed the amount of carbon emissions being produced in the manufacture of wind turbines, I would be interested in the comments if you were to ask your guests. Thank You. S. Haydock.
Can we persuade Andrew and Quentin Letts to stand for Parliament. What a breath of fresh air they would be?? H.Dawkins
Gordon Brown's legacy will not be that he gave £1.5 billion (that we've not got) to help climate control but that his ambition and over-weening pride has brought the country to the brink of bankruptcy!!!
Marion Tutt, Ringwood Hampshire
the better i get to know politicians, the more i find myself loving dogs.
mike rodway, christchurch dorset
The "new" 20mph idea is fine - it works well in the USA. However, the one big difference is that in the USA, they actually monitor traffic movements via the police. In the UK, any such moves will get the same reaction as it does for 30mph, red traffic lights or mobile phone usage - self interest takes priority over the law. In other words, the only time the law works fully is post-incident. Cynical ? Yes, and of course we have to make an effort, but sadly it's the reality of UK driver mentality today. We need to adopt the safety approach of aviation with our driving to really make a difference but we don't understand that concept, do we ? Robert Leivers, Church Stretton
This week Gordon Brown has committed £20m to a new High Speed Rail link in Kent; £150m on roadside explosive disposal and £1b on new Chinnock helicpters for Afghanistan and now £1.5b to the Copenhagen Climate Conference (£300M more than Germany and France). It is only Wednesday morning with a long week ahead to spend more. Where is the money coming from with the UK £178B in Debt. Is this the end for a man who is so used to Spend Spend Spend. Lock him up in the Tower.
Chris Smith, Eastbourne
Surely the biggest conrtribution to "GLOBAL WARMING" is the masssive increase in the world´s popuatiion, with massive land clearances etc.to feed these people So if all those people who are worried about climate change stopped producing so many children it would be a big help! And if the governments are so worried about the problem ban smoking throughout the world (and matches).
I will not be holding my breath (although that might help). Regaeds, Norman Maddison
Norman Maddison, Andorra
I would like to ask any Lib, Lab or Con:- Is it to the advantage of the people of Redcar or Britain to have a vast area of land covered by a mothballed steelworks?
Gerald bower, Sheffield
I was pleased to see the recent more balanced debate between Prof Singer and Prof Watson.
Can we please see more discussion with a more balanced and impartial agenda on the BBC, compared to the very biased view we have seen from the BBC in favour of manmade global warming.
Dr G. Luxford, Northamptonshire
TUESDAY DECEMBER 15
1. I believe the opposition never sees the real state of the books until elected which makes it difficult to say exactly how they can budget.
2 In this Afghan war on the Taliban no one seems to tackle the problem of arms. Who is supplying the Taliban - if they have no source of explosives etc they might be defeated more easily. Do we assume the weaponery is supplied by Iran?
Patrick O'Callaghan, St Ferme France
What a complete hypocrite Philip Hammand and his Tory Party are regarding the nom domicile issues of their main benifactor. Another example of the Tories demonstrating that they "haven't got it"!!!!
Gordon Huchison, kirkcaldy
I don't mind the concept of tax evasion - push the envelope of legislation until it is changed if required. However, I cannot accept that someone legally not domiciled in the UK for tax reasons (but actually resident)can have the right to form and enact laws for the rest of us. Check the HMRC flow charts for domicile and you see that non-doms are either short termists or basically foreign nationals - neither attribute lending itself to being suitable for government.
Noel Edwards, Grays, Essex
It would be nice if HRH led by example. What car? How many Mansions and palaces for 1 family? How many flights? Its like the Bishops all talk no action. we need good shepards! sorry sir I am being constructive with my critismn.
ellis hart, tarleton, lancs
With the defecit in defence spending due to the poor public finances shouldnt we pressure bankers into using their bonuses this year to sponsor all or part of a helicopter to support our troops? In ye olden days the wealthy of Britain were great philanthropists funding buildings for the public good. I think that this would be a very visible sign of bankers understanding and contrition and avoid the tokenism of trying to tax bonuses which we all know they are well placed and have the skills to dodge. Just an idea, doubtless which will fall on deaf ears.
Colin Capner, Bristol
Re Sir Ian Blair's appearance on todays show (15.12.09) and the advertisement of his book by the BBC/Andrew Neil - I hope the Beeb haven't been charged an appearance fee by said guest - his opening sentence and then the following comments certainly don't warrant a fee for turning up do they? And if the Beeb did pay him out of their budget - they didn't get their moneys worth - and - didn't he appear either last week or two weeks ago - is he having problems selling his book?
L Gedge, High Wycombe, UK
Simon Cowell during full Newsnight interview - available on the BBC website - is currently thinking about setting up a 'referendum' audience participation show prior to the next General Election. Have you got him lined up as a guest yet on DP?
D. Coumbe, Dover UK
I have read and watched countless shows on terrorism and islamic fundamentalism.
The government should be more firm with them .Instead of appeasing them and bending over backwards to always accomodate them and thier whims they should be stricter ...if they want to live as they do in Pakistan, let them go back there and any other islamic country they come from..in the UK they should embrace change and integrate .Let us live in the UK and this world in peace !!
sirat, Derbyshire (edited)
I object to this levy of £6.00 a year, on top of the vat of 17%, I am blind, and don't get on with the internet.
This is another tax, and should be done away with, as quick as it was introduced.
To the elderly, unemployed, and disabled, £6.00 is a lot, it might not sound a lot to anyone else, but if your out of work it will matter a great deal.
K Harvey Thatcham.
I don't mind the concept of tax evasion - push the envelope of legislation until it is changed if required. However, I cannot accept that someone legally not domiciled in the UK for tax reasons (but actually resident)can have the right to form and enact laws for the rest of us. Check the HMRC flow charts for domicile and you see that non-doms are either short termists or basically foreign nationals - neither attribute lending itself to being suitable for government.
Noel Edwards, Grays, Essex
With in the first dozen or so words on the piece, Muslims are described as a race - sorry folks but Muslims do not constitute a race, try again!
Afghanistan justified by Politicians to keep terrorism off our streets - funny stuff.
Where next Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, Iran etc. etc.
The country as do other Western countries have ONE choice - Ban Islam or live forever more with the threat!
I find that the following description covers western governments very accuratly:
Dhim·wit (dïm-wît) - A non-Muslim member of a free society who unwittingly abets the stated cause of Islamic domination. A dhimwit is always quick to extend sympathy to the very enemy that would take away his or her own freedom (or life) if given the opportunity.
Then happy to be:
Dhim·mi (dîm-mî or zîm-mî) - An Islamic term that refers to a subjugated non-Muslim person living in a Muslim society. Second-class status is confirmed by the legal system and dhimmis do not share the rights of their Muslim rulers.
Unless the West wakes up as Geert Wilders has, then the Ideology of Islam/Muslims will rule just as it now does in the Maurice Ridley
Legislation is now required to limit strikes to one day at a time, with no next one within 7 days. This will inflict enough damage on any organisation Private or Public to make negotiations speed up.
George J.C.Meacock, Chalfont St Peter
Defence Cuts. I do not understand why there is resistance to doing the big radical things needed.
We can keep our defence policy and operations right on track, as they are today, by merging the RAF into the other two services - both have air arms.
A cut of 20,000 RAF people is possible. The whole will save £3.5bn and nought will change operationally. If anything it will be more efficient.
Ask any serviceman in the Navy, Marines or Army - the RAF is known to be bureaucratic and inefficient.
We lose historic regiments - we can lose the 91 year-old RAF. Some of its traditions and names can be kept on.
But we can do our business smarter - and we must.
Lester May, Camden Town
If you go into a war then it seems obvious to me that the Defence Budget should increase not be cut. Operations costs should be completely separate from the normal Budget.
Peter., Birmingham
Why, when a news item relating to terrorism is announced, is it necessary for the BBC to immediately and invariably cut to images of police officers wielding guns. There are many, many aspects to terrorism cases and the police investigations into these cases. As a serving police officer I am getting sick of seeing these articles immediately associated with armed police - the articles themselves often do not concern armed police operations. If the public are constantly bombarded with images of gun-toting officers in these articles then I believe they will begin to automatically associate the two subjects, which is both inaccurate and generally unhelpful. Is this done because an image of a police officer sat in an office sifting through thousands of documents, hours of CCTV footage, or using the photocopier is not as glamorous and exiting as images of police officers on armed patrol - despite forming a far greater proportion of police anti-terror operations? This is supposed to be BBC news, not 'worlds wildest police videos'.
Serving Police Sergeant, Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Don't forget about G20?
And the East European METs Most Wanted list?
And all the Russian Mafia who come and go with ease?
And Soca's Serious Crime efforts against the Big Fraud and Drug Baron's?
Martin
do u realize there will be no defence spending because i have been told by people in the know the american economy is about to go in to freefall. they cant beleave it didnt happen back in september, ,and that will bankcrupt us aswell
denis monaghan, London
So we have to cut MOD budgets but not overseas Aid or EU Contributions - Hilarious.
Maurice, Northumberland.
It's what the military has come to expect from Mr Brown, a man who said ''a pound spent on defence is a pound wasted''.
Lets hope we don't get into a fight like the falklands again....
It's only going to get worse wiith the next defence review.
Dave Lisle, Forres, Scotland
since the RAF has no independant role any more why not scrap it and absorb air services into the army thuis saving billions?
G Phillips. Sussex
We are sacrificing our Country's overall defence to fund the war in Afghanistan - for what ?
We should pull out immediately !
As for motor-mouth Mcshane - for God's sake save us from this hire a lip !
Edward Wheatley, Norfolk
These cuts will leave our brave forces naked and vunerable at the hands of the enemy - the defence budget should be the last port of call for cuts !!!!! This government are putting our nation in utter and total danger militarily and economically and that is the BOTTOM LINE !!!!!!!!!
IAN PAYNE [WALSALL]
Re proposal for 'free' social care.
Dear All, the Gov propose a 'free' social care for disabled people but are going to take away their I.B. and/or D.L.A and give councils the power to supply 'free' help to people over 65 inc washing toiletries etc. This benefit was given to disabled people to allow them to hopefully have a better quality of life. However the Gov are denying this although the health secretary has proposed this. Hope you will investigate this. Yours Colin Miller
C Miller, Milton Keynes Bucks UK
No CRB checks on foreign nationals living here. So this pointless bureaucratic scheme is just a tax raising excercise offering no protection to our children. What is the point of Ed Balls?
Paul Wilson, Brighton
in 2006 shortly after retiring after 30 years in the met my wife, angela sadly suddenly died, sir ian took time out to write to me and our son with his condoloncses. this was during a very intense period for the commissioner. the man is a gentleman. can you please pass on my regards.
les highton
Why not use a 'wide buy' like Alan Sugar to do a proper job for the Government and be its senior Buyer for goods and services?
Ron Clarkson, Frinton on Sea
There have been 5 different Defence Ministers in 5 years. Is it any wonder that the MoD is in a mess when there is in no stability at the top.
Gary Mitchell, London
Graphics on possible MOD cuts.
The plural of Tornado is Tornadoes, and not as you spelled it.
GM Walker, London
I am suprised the number of police recruits who dont make it through training is as low as you say.
I am beginning to think there are no police left as the only people in uniform on the streets where I live are either traffic wardens or Blockwarts (pcso).
Stephen Yale, Manchester
so a billion pound order for new chinnook helo from boeing,..sounds good for our troops in afghanistan, but is it true that only 3 new helo are being bought ,the rest are rebuilt second hand ex u.s. army veteren airframes.can the ministers be asked if this is true or we are actually getting 1 billion pounds of new(new build) chinook helo
David Allwright
I keep seeing pictures of Ed balls hanging around children. Has this man been checked out and licenced or is this another case where MP's are not required to follow the rules?
Ken Brown, Nottingham
Would the MoD not benefit from one particular cut in costs and expense, that of the salary of the Defence Minister himself, given his recent failure to rescue the Chandler family from capture by Somali pirates. It is now known that the Royal Navy and the Marines were close and able to effect a rescue if Bob Ainsworth had issued the command. He didn't. His craven stance has meant the Chandlers have spent over a month in captivity while the pirates demand a £4 million ransom. Mr Ainworth's incompetence to supply the army in Aghanistan is one thing. But given the title of his office, and that he plainly failed to 'defend' the Chandlers, would we the public not better enjoy the saving of his salary if he were to go now?
Albert Roy, Bow E3
Confirming my views sent to you some weeks ago the press this morning shed more doubt on climate change. quote "No proof that human activity is to blame" if this is so why am I paying £210 tax on my car for less than 2000 miles a year???
Frank Munro,
Why don't we let Simon Cowell run the country?
Perhaps he could do a better job than the Marxists, crooks and incompetents we've got now.
At least he might generate some money for a change and stop us going bankrupt.
Why have we outsourced all our manufacturing? We need to start being wealth producers again, not just wealth managers. We are too reliant on the financial sector which is about to be outsourced to France, courtesy of the EU.
God save us from these political buffoons and morons.
P Cooper, Nr Croydon
I heard today that we are buying more Chinook helicopters for use in Afghanistan in 2014. Are we still going to be in Afghanistan in 2014? Is this just to satisfy the critics? If so it is very expensive and it is our money.
David Rowe Shropshire
If the Talaban and al Quaida are now able to tie-up NATO Forces, and influence UK defence spending for the short and medium term (without a defence review for over a decade), have Ainsworth et al been out-manoeuvred, but haven't the vision to see it or the inferences and options for other actions?
W Stephens, Derby/uk
I wonder if you could ask?
If it had been one of your close relatives who had been shot dead by the police instead of Jean Charles de Menezes, would you have accepted the inquiry into the incident as closure? and also,
At what point would you have ever considered the actions of the Met to be your responsibility and resigned? Why did it take a cross word from Boris to see you off to the comfort of chat show couches?
Regards
M Thompson
When the likes of Philip Hammond are sent out around the studios to bluster and fail to answer questions directly, or worse, claim to be totally unware of matters of prime concern, it's no wonder the credibility (and hence voting gap) between the Tories and Labour is narrowing.
Just more of the same dodging of key questions that we've suffered with Labour for the past 12 years.
Anyone sent out to state the party line in this very uncertain style just helps to undermine confidence that these people are any different from the rest.
If being a politician is about avoiding giving direct answers to questions of public interest (PMQs a prime example), perhaps they're not the right people to be responsible for answering to the voting public - is this where we're all going wrong when even now MPs fail to understand why UK folk have so little faith in politicians ?
Perhaps party manifesto promises should be timeline scheduled and form a contract of employment so that failure to meet the promises by the due dates should prompt an election ? Or failure to mention the full implications of all intended tax changes in a PBR or Budget Statement be deemed to be misleading the nation ? Now that's more like honesty of intent.
Robert Leivers, Church Stretton, Shrops.
The Greek prime minister announced a crackdown on corruption and tight controls on spending on Monday but disappointed market-watchers expecting more decisive measures to reduce the budget deficit. George Papandreou told trade unionists and business groups that public sector workers would receive real wage rises next year in spite of Greece's deteriorating public finances, the FT reports. Does this mean 'Corruption [In Greece & Britain] is alright in the 'Good times?? Kind Regards, Arthur Wright.
MONDAY DECEMBER 14
It might be a good idea to feature this threat to humanity's continued existence! Oceanic collapse isn't just deadly for sea-life. Serious behaviour change might give us a chance.
All the best,
Susan Chapman
Is your programme, along with others at the BBC, in danger of becoming a gossip shop - rather than a factual politic programme?
jcopleston, uk
Hi i thought that the attitude of all was not good for a programme i watch always as i thought it was just lets bash a tory. Philip Hammond i thought gave a decent explanation regarding there plans for reform on non doms, and instead was critisised continually and barely being allowed to put his point across. There is a problem that huhne did not even know if there was any in his party and that labour have made one a privy counsellor who has vowed to contribute to labour at the next election lets be fair to all.
John Ross
It is bad enough having to tolerate Andrew Neil's persistent daily interruption of interviewees but it was even worse today when he added to this by allowing the windbag Chris Huhne to constantly interrupt the contributions of Philip Hammond, making the whole discussion almost a complete farce. The only time Neil intervened was to talk himself rather than to just tell Huhne to shut up!
colin bigger, Mayfield, East Sussex
SOMETHING NEVER CHANGE.!!!
BA AND THEIR UNION ARE RUINING THOUSANDS
OF PEOPLES HOLIDAYS.
( THEY RUINED THE CAR INDUSTRY, THE COAL INDUSTRY ALL MANUFACTURING.
GREAT , SOMETHING'S NEVER CHANGE.
THERE I WAS WANTING TO EMIGRATE.
NOW I CAN'T FLY.
HAPPY BA STAFF, GO TO HELL YOU GREEDY PEOPLE.
JOIN THE M.P'S , THE BBC OVERPAID PEOPLE , AND THE BANKERS.
DISGUSTING , IMMORAL, GREEDY PEOPLE. IMPORTANT !
KLAUS IRRGANG, CHESHIRE
CRB checks: I am about to have my 5th CRB check in 2 years: for previous work in a primary school, secondary school teacher-training,two temporary FE college part-time jobs commencing in 2010 and as a parent looking after foreign exchange students. What a waste of money!
Rosemary Sanderson, Stroud Gloucestershire
Dear all at Daily Politics,
Just to say an excellent show today. Intelligent, insightful and amusing.
I just cannot fault the formula and the participants. So thank you for the very best political analysis on TV, unsurpassed in other media.Please, please keep it up through 2010!
Rgds,
M E Pummell, Nanpantan
General question, please can someone buy Gordon some boxing gloves this christmas, just so he cannot get the nations credit card out of his wallet, it looks to me that he is determined to paint DC into a corner making promises neither he or the conservatives can deliver.
Do we really have to support the whole bl--dy world?
Sorry for a monday morning moan!
Paul, Chester
Why not take the non-dom question further. Why should anyone, Ashcroft and Goldsmith cases in point, who has dodged paying taxes through legal hopes in this country although they are born and bred Brits, ever be allowed to legislate on the taxes paid by the honest working man who has always paid his dues? They should be barred from Parliament and the Lords for life and not be allowed to enter those institutions just because they have 'regulated' their situation. It's a disgrace and insult to the public.
Richard McCarthy, Bristol
The problems is that tax matters are regarded as confidential. In some countries, this is not the case, anyone's tax status can be accessed. That change would sort out a lot of things!!
Nancy Blake, Hull, U.K.
About CRB checks: surely the cases of Ian Huntley and Vanessa George (and many others) demonstrate that CRB checks are pointless? A person has to have been caught at some stage before they might even appear as a sex offender, and we know that even some who have don't show up.
Statistically, more children are at risk from their own family members than from strangers, and what the government needs to be doing is to explain to people what people are LIKE. Most people are kindly-inclined towards children; we want to pick them up and cuddle them when they hurt, whether they're ours or someone else's: it's natural. The present law is fostering an atmosphere of mistrust between ordinary adults for the sake of the fact that - as ever - there are a few rotten apples in the barrel.
Life is not - in any respect - risk-free.
Peter Holdroyd, Norwich UK
No-one knows what Cameron stands for? Like they knew what Blair stood for when he was elected?
Allan
Neither Ed Balls nor the media had its facts right about Soham in the first place. Ian Huntley was Caretaker at Soham College, NOT the Primary School. He had worked well there for 2 years with no hint of improper interaction with the teenage girls, because he was happy in both his job and in his relationship with Maxine. The tragedy occured when two young girls whom he did not know, but who did know Maxine, arrived at his door at a time when he was upset, angry and anxious that perhaps Maxine would leave him and return to Grimsby. He was an emotionally flawed man, and this cataclystic situation led to a horrific tragedy, and no one will ever know exactly what occurred. This is not an excuse, it is an explanation which neither the GOvernment, media nor the public understood. Their families were having a good time at their Barbeque and had not linked in with the girls for 5 hours that afternoon. That is were child protection begins.
Sheila Kinsella, Bath UK
What an odious little man Chris ? is. No wonder them Lib Dems cannot attract new voters. Keep up the good work Chris you are signing your own death warrant
Bob Elliott, Ponteland
I am glad that someone mentioned that Ian Huntley's connection with Holly and Jessica was not through being a caretaker but as a partner to their teaching assistant. All partners of teachers and teaching assistants should have a criminal check if we are to base law on the tragic case of Soham. These checks should be available to Head teachers so they can make an informed risk assessment.
David Rowe
Is there any chance the people on the showwill stop talking over one another. This is terrible viewing as one cannot make out what is being asked or answered.
Tony Walker, Midlothian
Everyone is talking at once so no-one is being heard. Very disappointing.
Sue Shaw
This is the proposal I have put through the Scottish Parliament Petitions committee it was agreed to progress it through the parliament by the committee
1. Immediate action that can be taken: As soon as a child has been referred to social services for suspected abuse/neglect, members of the extended family i.e. grandparents, uncles, aunts elder brothers, sisters not living in the family home should be criminal record checked and an agreed safe guardian appointed to enable the fast, safe and least traumatic removal of the child into a safe zone but still within the family system if the need arises. That is, if police, social worker or health worker believe that the child has been abused between visits or they believe the child is in imminent danger. The child would remain in the care of the safe guardian whom would have parental rights and responsibilities for the child until the case has been brought before the courts.
2. Longer term solutions. Any parent to be, who are known to be users of illegal drugs must be given help to come off their addiction and be monitored during pregnancy if they are not drug free at birth the child should be removed and put into the care of a safe guardian as above. If they are drug free they should be monitored for a further 2 years with random drug tests taken place during this time.
Whilst in the care of a safe guardian the parents will have regular supervised contact with the child as an incentive to beat their habit but under no circumstances are they permitted to have unsupervised contact whilst still addicted to illegal drugs. Those who have been convicted of drug related crimes should have the addiction aspect placed on their medical records to insure that when pregnancy does occur the health authorities can be aware of the drugs issue
allan petrie, dundee
Surely anyone who stands for parliament or enters the Lords should have been domiciled for at least 5 or even 10 years. We don't want a bunch of carpetbaggers making the rules. How do they know what the country's like if they haven't fully experienced it for a reasonable period?
G. Kennally, London
Well, well, well!
What on earth is going on at thre good old BBC?
It seems like an outbreak of common sense at long last!
First of all, we get the lovely Jo instead of the giggling schoolgirl with the whining voice....
THEN.... we also have one of the most respected journalists of our time, Peter Oborne instead of the usual annoying lefties!
Oh what joy! Thank you, Daily Politiics, for an early Christmas present!
Please keep up this standard!
Regards
Doreen
Amazing that the rest of the country is being inflicted with more of Ed Balls' paranoia. One of the most recent paedophile rings was actually in Scotland. Overkill, as usual from this Government, in its last throes of power.
Helen in Hunstanton
Sir, As soon as the Law gets involved with volunteering then its the end of it! The Volunteer becomes liable! No This No that! You are liable! risk assesment! ambulance chasers! liability? from,
Ellis Hart
Child Protection.
I really cannot believe the supine way that so many are accepting the Ed Balls Dangerous Men Act.
Nine million - that's 9,000,000 - men will now be required to be screened by the government in order to go about their normal and decent lives. Their private information, together with any slurs, unfounded allegations, intrusive investigation of their lives, all will be held on yet another database. And we know the record of such colanders. Then they will be tracked for the rest of their life by these nameless and unaccountable bureaucrats.
Why is no one saying NO to this latest piece of destruction of liberty and trust in our Country?
Andrew Taylor,
When you cover this today, I hope you will also refer to the situation of Lord Paul. He is a Labour Party Donor, rewarded by being made a Privy Councillor, and is a non dom multi millionaire.
The Labour Party is living in a greenhouse on this one.
Peter Hawkes
With Ed Balls recent legislative disaster suggests legislation is either not check before being passed or the Government is run by a bunch of amateurs who only excel in expense claims.
Brian Edmonds, Farnham
This is typical of Labour's loyalty to our troops.
Pat them on the back, then take away the finance to ensure they get what is required to defend this country.
As I have said before, a Labour Government is no friend to the troops who we call on to defend us in times of need.
Derek Of monmouth
Ring the church bells Gordon Brown ("a man with massive intellect") has discovered "roadside bombs" and will "reprioritize government spending" you can't pull the wool over his eyes for long. Roll about laughing!!
jim, Borders
Hi all I would just like to answer the question as to what DC has not sealed the deal as you put it. The general public while wanting change are not fools and can see that as painful as cuts will be in public spending under Labour they would be twice as bad under a conservative government. People will look at their current situation and measure it against what it would be like under Conservative rule and they will realise how well off they have become in the last decade.
Nicholas Butler, Aylesbury
It has without doubt damaged aid to youth and other services.
Any amount of checking will never pick up every offender.
Note drugs/immigrants/and many evaders of checking procedures that we know happen.
Once the cost becomes over the top and damaging as will always happen when well meaning efforts are made and idiots warp and twist these ideas to their own ends then it is time to get rid and think again.
R. Whting West Sussex
WEEKEND DECEMBER 12-13
Re gordon Brown spending the night with our troops in Afghanistan; that is what's known as 'a snake in the nest'. How low can Brown stoop pretending he is seriously interested in our brave troops by spending the night in one of the safest locations! The lowest form of spin.
Nigel Coole, Southampton
Dear Daily Politics, There can be no more serious issue than the mounting concern among people who work with asylum seekers and medical professionals of the harm to children caused by detention. Is it possible to have Phil Woolas on the programme during the week to answer for this dreadful abuse of the rights of children?
Graham Ullathorne, Chesterfield
Dear Daily Politics, i have had to put to on pause, senond time this week i have been on a Submarine, the first was back in the 80s, when i used to do the mums hair of one of the lads, in the Navy, and learn learnt then how secret there misssions were, and how no one could know where they were. And you cant be yellow , to do that job, what, carrying Missile, i feel even more sorry for them now, no wonder the have to hide away, probably so no one sees the state of the Submarine, thought i was back in time, especcialy having see, the computers ect, wernt they like that on thurderbirds, or where thunderbirds more updated. Nothing like in Ncy, or has that stuff not been invented yet.
Its discusting, they they are at the bottom of the Ocean , in what looks like a ols tin can., And there are the bank bosses getting masive big bonuses, thats after they gave to much money away to people who cant pay it back, leaving the country on its knees. ind you, since we have no shipping anymore, and nothing to sell, looks like this country hasnt got much , no mills no factorys, nothing , and no future at this rate, cut spending, not all of us have money to spend, my mother buying my food yesterday, on i could get in more debt, provi loan or some thing, then pay back a pound a month, as i cant afford it. The social get the most back, 7 pound odd a week.
And how many times those loans get sold on, how can a bank sell some one elses loan on, wasnt there money to start with, or did they get bonuses on them too, any way, any way, i have asked King NepTune, to keep you safe, and my father was a sea man, lots of love you fan Tom
maxine, England
How can Mr Brown consider this country to be rich? When your borrowings are in excess of 75% of your income you are insolvent. I would also like to know where this £1.5 billion is coming from or will he require us to fund it by another stealth tax?
John Lax, Denny Scotland
Is it any wonder there are Climate change sceptics. We are told repeatedly via the media, drive five miles less to cut CO2 emissions.
Then we have the spectacle of hundreds of freeloading politicians with their limo's, descending on Copenhagen and don't forget the thousands of airmiles incurred. That's why we have sceptics!
Roy Farnden, Chessington, Surrey.
In 2003, with Saddam Hussein playing cat and mouse games with UN inspectors, and the UN itself unable to come to a united decision, it was essential to find out once and for all WHETHER Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction.
Nobody, not even Tony Blair, could have known categorically if those weapons did or did not exist in Iraq.
In the event our troops and others found none, but this in no way undermines the essential effort TO FIND OUT.
We need to remember that what we DID find were Iraq's GRAVES of Mass Destruction.
Malcolm Everett, Saltdean, Brighton
When the Government announced the reduction in VAT to 15%, they increased petrol and diesel duty accordingly. When the return to 17.5% VAT was announced in the Pre-Budget Report, there was no mention of a corresponding decrease in the petrol and diesel duty.
Is this another hidden long term tax increase?
Why does nobody question this underhanded tax increase?
Clifford Jones, Talwrn/Llangefni/ North Wales
I've had enough Irwin Stelzer. He's had far too much influence in the past and it's time that we heard some different views from America. Someone who isn't paid by the usual think tanks.
Jim Wright, Hastings
regarding the bankers, would the investment bankers have necessarily known that mortgage brokers had arranged mortgages for people who could not afford them? would the investment bankers known which mortgage holders were going to lose their jobs? If the investment bankers could not have known the details then how is the bank crisis their fault? Was it not the lack of regulation regarding the giving of credit which caused the crisis?
Also regarding climate change which is going to cost a lot of money, if the artic ice cap melts well does not ice when it melts reduce in size? And did not Archimedes shout 'Eureka' when he realised the displacement of water? Surely if the ice caps melt there is going to be less water not more?
Mrs E Morris, Ulverston Cumbria U.K.
(Old) Labour, New Labour, what's the difference? I hate to say this, 'honesty'. I never thought I would say that about any 'Labour' party.
Denis Healy was Labour through and through, but he was honest. New Labour is built on lies and deceit.
Was he thinking of the Country and being honest delivering his budget, absolutely not it was full of lies and deceit. New Labour Co-founders,
Blair, Brown, Mandelson, and Cambell obviously think we are going to fall for it again. Think on!
Roy, Chessington, Surrey.
Iraq is the perfect example to show how of the media, in fact The BBC, can corrupt information and actually rewrite history.
The BBC journalist's obsession with Iraq has already shown it to be completely obsessed with distorting the facts as they were in 2002, to their own ends.
The complete lack of memory of what was actually going on at that time means that they appear to be fighting a battle with today's hindsight and yet omitting all the other arguments that were available at the time.
There were possibly twenty reasons that we went into Iraq.
It was the media that turned "The Reason for the Invasion" into WMD.
It was the media that then made "the Failure to find WMD." The reason that we shouldn't have gone into Iraq.
So they made up a story which wasn't true.
And then they used it to bring down a British Prime Minister in a time of war.
History will show this obsession with Iraq as a media meltdown and the end of BBC News as a valid objective source of information.
Vernon Moat, Exeter
A petition has been started on the No10 website asking the PM to either force the resignation or sack defence minister Quentin Davies who asked the taxpayer for over £12,000 to fund repairs to his second home while soldiers were spending their own money to provide body armour.
michael clark, London
So, Mr Blair thought it was ok to invade Iraq even if there were no WMDs, because of? Saddam was a tyrant!
Iran has a tyrant, Zimbabwe has a tyrant, why not invade them? Was it worth the deaths of our soldiers, and the thousands of Iraq's that perished. It seems we had our own tyrant!
Roy Farnden, Chessington, Surrey.
I saw one of the so called experts being interviewed on BBC news today, Sunday. During this he was asked what about his own carbon footprint caused by his excessive air travel around the world on the subject.
His reply was along the lines that it was Ok as he would offset that. Never told us against what or for that matter how.
Could you please ask one of these "experts" to explain, in words of one syllable, just how this takes place and how it works?
I would have thought that the only way to mitigate anyone's production of carbon would be to curtail, drastically, those actions causing the problem. But no doubt I am being naive!!
Strikes me as being a giant con.
John Lang
FRIDAY DECEMBER 11
I agree with the comments scrap the mug slot it really is an irritant to an otherwise very enjoyable show which I avidly watch every day.
JohnRC, BASINGSTOKE
I am sure that the "Forge Master" will be JUST a little fed up today. The Furnaces are just getting cold forever and he will have to find a job on supermarket till! The goverment meanwhile are set to lend foreign countries £ Billions . Steel ! PHORRR! who wants that dirty thilthy carbon spewing blasted Furnace with a foot print bigger than the original "BIG FOOT YETI" ! Na! shut em down we don't need steel, rusty scrap! The Prince will have his rain forests and be able to go on his trips ay! He will help pay won't he? Still at least the world will be a bit cooler when the Blasted furnace cools and the oceans wills drop by .0000000001 mm in ten thousand billion years. The people then will be very thankful then when they find the fossil of the forge master with his TESCO till!!! from,
Ellis Hart, Tarleton, lancs
Please ask Mr Mlliband why he or anyone else needs to be in Copenhagen. If all these people are so concerned about carbon footprints etc. then use technology for video conferencing, or is the chance to look important and scoff one's face irresistible.
Roy, Chessington, Surrey.
For goodness sake what's with all the hand wringing and endless chatter concerning dogs, dangerous or otherwise. To drive a car you need to clearly demonstrate competence, pass a test and be suitably insured and pay the appropriate road tax. Similarly, to fly an aeroplane you need to fulfil almost identical parameters. Make owning a dog exactly the same, with the appropriate fees due on all valid parameters. Overnight, dogs that are clearly dangerous will be impossible to own, as insurance will be impossible to obtain, especially if the potential owner(s) are unable to demonstrate competence, therefore will not have the appropriate owners licence. An added bonus to a system of licensing/insuring will be that it will be self funding if appropriate fees are charged. Bona fide owners/dog lovers should have little objection to such an ownership system and 'dangerous' dogs should become a thing of the past.
Nigel Fenwick
In total MPs claimed £10.7 million in Additional Costs Allowance in the 2008 financial year. Of the 587 MPs who made a claim, some 60 received the maximum £24,060. If my suns are right 10.7 million divided by 587 = approx £182,282 each , So where did the rest of the money go ? Or who got the rest of the money? answers please to the metropolitan police
james cooper
I goggled at one MP's claim on your show about how much he would need to pay for a night at an hotel. £90, indeed! Even so an hotel would work out cheaper as accommodation charges would apply to only (one hopes) those late-night sitting sessions during a Parliamentary session for long-distance MPs genuinely stranded in town. I don't think claim-back of any monies expended by MPs is a good idea. Too tempting for some, obviously. Couldn't a favourable block booking be worked out with a medium priced hotel via a Parliamentary accomm. office? Or an MPs hostel be provided with basics-only paid for by the State. If extras are wanted the MPs would have to pay for them. Abuse of the expenses system must not be possible in the future.
June Gibson. NW London. UK.
hello i was watching the show when you were talking about the dangorous dogs.
i owned a pitbull and after own two staffordshire bull terriers that are sadly now passed away. i now own a dogue de bordeaux all the dogs i've owned have been well behaved no problems what so ever . i do agree with some parts of the guys on the show were saying. yes its younge lads that have these breeds and make them bad.with banning the pitbull whats happening now is they will breed a staffordshire bull with a bigger breed to make them powerfull like bull mastiff or dogue de bordeaux and what happens then they are making a bad name for other dogs.its a loosing battle what i think should happen is have a dog liciense for all breeds and people who are interestd in certain breeds be tested and checked . they should bring a law out that young lads that want these breeds should not be aloud and if they do have one they should be find heavely or prisoned
darren annette, cambridgshire
With regards to your feature about 'dangerous dogs', my husband and I have recently adopted a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross from Battersea Dogs' Home. Despite the nervous looks he gets from some passers-by, he has proved to be a gentle, friendly and very trainable dog. If you can train a Border Collie to not herd why can't a 'fighting dog' be trained to not want to play-fight and fight? This is a social-class prejudice. The comments made by Lord Baker highlight this scary fact and demonstrate the unfair condemnation not only of the dogs themselves but of the inner-city communities they are being associated with. Responsibility for dog behaviour lies with the owner and management of ownership with the Government and police.
Laura Hely Hutchinson, London
I want to make a comment about dog legislation....
I don't the name of the man so against certain breeds of dog, but I am fuming over his intent to have certain breeds made extinct because the irrisponsibilty of there owners.
I myself own a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and she is the most loving animal you will ever meet. she Loves both my boys, and has done so since there birth... even sitting by the front door waiting for my 3 yr old to return from nursery.
HOW DARE he think he has the right to decide which breed of dog should live or die... who does he think he is??? GOD!!...
ANY DOG that is bought up in a house of violence and neglect, or taught to be vicious will be just that, vicious.
All that needs to be done, is to have these animals placed into the right homes, people who know the breed and can be trusted to bring them up right.
Have a few selected breeders who can place the dogs into these trusted homes...
there are to many animals disappearing from this world to have a know all like this man decide another breed should die out.
A fuming house wife and dog owner.
Mrs Langford, London
As some one who has been bitten by a dog when I reported it to the police they said tell the dog warden as it is nothing to do with us. The dog warden says it's nothing to do with him.
Don't care!!!
The simple answer is make it LAW that all dogs in public must wear a muzzle. If not it is taken and destroyed.
Martin Lewis
All dog owners have to register their dogs with the local Council here in Northern Ireland. Why not in the rest of the UK.
Vincent McLaughlin, Omagh
Dogs on Council Estates ( class war talk!) er excuse me er What are Hounds Trained for on Large Lords estates and do they pose a threat to village pets? er Yes they do! its the Coincil bit that winds me up ! The LORDS SPEAKING
Ellis Hart
You say people are fed up with the subject of MPs' expenses. Not so. I think people like myself ae still incensed but have ru run out of things to say, especially as we see that no-one takes any notice.
All the Party leaders so far make lots of hrmh-ing noises but we haven't seen any action.
It's letting the wrong-doers fill their boots before they go - and how as those who stand down will clear a nice sum in "resettlement" allowances, plus their generous pension.
The reforms mooted for next year are still too weak and watery.
My own MP has got away with doing nothing meaningful for 10 years and now we have practically bought his retirement house he's bow out with about £70,00 on top of all.
JG. NW11.
On this Dog issue, why doesn't the government introduce a dog license, in similar lines to a pet passport
Adam Scoggins, Milton Keynes
MPs are immoral and must be made to make restitution to our coffers! The worst offenders are those who operated flipping - sorry they are second to Andrew Mackay and his wife who really took as for mugs!!
Where is Guy Fox now!!
Frank Begbie, Dalkeith Midlothian
Gordon Brown loves to blame bankers for the problem. He is the one who allowed them to operate in a cavalier fashion and therefore he is totally to blame. He is too much of a coward to admit it.
bram humphries, newport, south wales
How can MP's not have known that they were claiming things they shouldn't have, then to whine about paying it back. they are nothing but a bunch of criminals.!!
JENNY FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
The Tories lost a lot of ground when cameron reneged on the Lisbon Treaty referendum
Brian Lynch, Brentwood
You should ask - "Do you trust George Osborn ?"
Do the super-rich Tories understand the problems of ordinary people ?
Would Cameron be better off without him ?
Edward Wheatley, Norfolk
What I don't understand is how Politicians can legislate against bankers bonuses/excesses straight away but have failed to legislate against politicians expenses/excesses as expediently. Can someone ask a politician this question?
Bhupinder Singh, Bedford
On expenses.
I find Jacqui Smith's £250 DVD player shocking. I paid £35 for mine last week.
Also, why exactly do I pay for Gordon Brown's Sky Sports?
Lisa, Durham, UK
Why is it you still hear politicians talking about their allowances in this expences scandal, swhy do they assume it is thier right to claim this, are they paying 40% tax on those "allowances then, or are they tax free too ??
barrie clarke, Poole Dorset
There is only one person fit to run the economy responsibly and that is Captain Mainwaring of Dad's Army. Absolutely no dodgey lending allowed and no bonuses expected.
Michael Malleson, Tavistock, Devon
WHERE DOES GORDON BROWN GET OF GIVING OVER A BILLION POUNDS TO THE COPENHAGEN SUMIT, IF OTHER COUNTRIES START THE TREND, FAIR ENOUGH. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THEY FIND THIS MONEY FROM, WOULD IT NOT HAVE BEEN COURTIOUS FOR IT TO BE MENTIONED IN THE BUDGET? HE GIVES AWAY MONEY KNOWING FULL WELL HE DOESNT HAVE TO PAY IT BACK HIMSELF, THAT BURDEN IS LEFT TO THE REST OF US, THIS IS A RUBBISH GOVERMENT THAT INHERITED A GOOD ECONOMY AFTER THE TORIES AND HE HAS PERSONALLY BROKEN THIS COUNTRY IN THE LAST 12 YEARS
simon green, southampton
Why do mps get food allowance every month ??
John, Falkirk
That's what you get for sucking up so publicly to Gordon Brown when you've ratted on your constituents, you get to live at 'Turncoat Towers', ring any bells ?
Richard Alun-Jones, North Wales
An MPs scam you never mention is that although they get an unreceipted per diem or mensa for food, they dont actally pay for the food they consume. The House of Commons restaurant according to the quality press is trying to get them to pay what they owe. Thousands of pounds apparently.
Roger Brunskill, Twickenham
When will Andrew Neil remember that he is supposed to be politically neutral.
His manner shows clearly his past association with the Conservatives. Will he 'come out' and tell everyone he was in the past employed by them?
Bob Milton, Pevensey Bay
Is Gordon Brown determined to completely ruin this country? The more in debt we become, the more money he wants to either spend or give away (£1.5 billion being the latest).
For goodness sake someone, take the cheque book off him!
ken brown, nottingham
MPs Expenses
Assuming about 100 MPs took liberties with their expenses, for example,
100 × £100,000 = £10,000,000
After they give themselves a salary increase of £40,000 each
Over 600 × £40,000 = £24,000,000
I make that an incurrence of £14,000,000 extra payment from the public purse?
I'm sure you can investigate not using approximations.
Maybe they should all be given a Strad each.
It's a hard life with 3 months hols a year.
Sievert Rasmussen
Never mind the MPs and their expenses. What about the inflated salaries in the Councils? Here we have a Chief Exec. (formerly called Town Clerk) who is just resigning from his post of £174,000.p.a. to take up a one-year position with a neighbouring Council @ £190,000. after which he will be taking early retirement (age early 50s) on a 50% pension paid by the sucker council tax payers FOR EVER. As far as we know, we are probably paying the previous Chief Exec who probably also took early retirement, for the rest of his life and in all probability, the one before. Meanwhile, in the face of 'cuts' old people in the district will have to forego having their hands and faces washed so these fat cats can have the cream. If MPs are worth only £65,000 a year how come some anonymous nobody in the Town Hall (beg your pardon, Civic Centre) can get £190,000 a year? Have we all gone mad?
Ruth Robinson, Thirsk, England
We have all become used to the art of "trying to read between the lines "
When our Chancellor of the Exchequer stands up in Parliament and delivers what should be the most important speech for months, we, the public are just being conned and have to wait until the "experts" like the OFS can translate.
We have become far too used to this confidence trickery and NEED AN ELECTION NOW !!!
Ron Clarkson, Frinton on Sea
The BBC should be very careful when it starts reporting on Pre Budget reports. This morning we had a university professor talking about A RUN ON THE POUND. The BBC have responsibility to the public. When Northern Rock issue first appeared we had cameras outside all the time showing Queues of people withdrawing money when infact their money was safe! A run on the pound is the last thing we want. However a weak pound can give us business abroad with exports. The BBC should aso think what would happen if there was a run on the pound ? YOUR JOBS IN THE BBC WOULD GO!!!!
Ellis Hart
THURSDAY DECEMBER 10
Which is Gordon Brown's first home?
It surely cannot be Downing Street or Chequers.
He has made claims for a flat in Westminster and his constituency home.
Bill Boyd, London, SW16
A solution to the claim of many that MPs are just in it for themselves would be to link their pay to such indicators as the average wage and, e.g. a percentage of the minimum wage. In such a way the efforts of MPs would be targetted not only for their own benefit but for the benefit of those that they are supposed to serve. For instance, an example might be that an MP's salary could be linked to say 3 times the national average wage but no more than 10 times a percentage, say 80%, of the minimum wage (based on a 40 hour week with 5 weeks holiday). This way, the endeavours of the MPs is focussed on creating a fairer society for the people of the UK and there would be no voice to those that say that MPs are purely in it for themselves.
PS: Garlic does wonders with a bell tower.
Merry Christmas to you all on the team...
Steve Thornton, Folkestone, Kent, UK
My PVR regularly watches your mid-day programme and more often than not I catch up with it later in the day - alongside Jon Snow and Paxo. As a long term Guardian/Observer reader I've turned, post crunch, to the FT as a better source of informed analysis and comment - not least to catch up with Gillian Tett's award winning anthropological insights into to the irrational, mystical rites underpinning the evangelical pursuit of unworkakable and utopian free-market concepts - untempered by any other social/political considerations. I was intrigued therefore by the inclusion of the FT editor as chair-side commentator on today's programme. But fascinating as it was to see your three main party representatives squirming on the public finance indebtedness peg on which, in office, they would frankly all have impaled themselves - it was disappointing that in effect no time was allowed for the FT's editor, Lionel Barber, to put their pre-election spin into perspective. Why did you invite him?
Geoff Rubenstein
When will Neill stop asking questions which demonstrate that he thinks he has some kind of special knowledge that will cause the complete collapse of the position of the person being questioned.and then when the question is answered not listen to the answer.
This particularly true in the climate change debate!but is true of economic affairs when he is equally obviously out of his depth.
M Roberts, Nottingham
Hi Andrew
I watch your program daily and thoroughly enjoy it.
When I watch it my 6 year old passive Labrador, Holly, usually snoozes at my feet. However today for the first time ever when you were showing the caricature of Alastair Darling the Chancellor, she started growling and then got up and went to the screen with her nose about an inch from him and still growling profusely, eventually barking at him. I wonder, from all the comments there has been regarding the PBR, does she know something we don't?
(She is available as one of your expert contributors for a fee of a few biscuits!!)
Love the program and thanks for asking the searching questions we the public are so denied these days by the media
Peter Shaw, Heysham Lancs
After reading a cross section of the latest comments, I am amazed that no one has mentioned the fact that bankers do actually generate some money, whereas public sector employees do not. Why should they hide behind the bankers bonus issue when clearly they are just as guilty of stealing tax payers money. Prohibit public sector bonuses and also prohibit any public sector salary exceeding that of the Chancellor; certainly not more than the Prime Minister, after all most of them are just as incompetent.
Raymond Jones, Modbury, UK
has ever there been a case when so much was owed by so few who lost many millions of savings people hoped would see them through their old age ,and miilions losing their jobs and having services cut and wages restricted to pay for their errors,and what do they get big pay off in bonuses others can only dream of ,and they think we should be gratefull ,such hardship impossed on those who have little to hope for by the time it is all sorted put if ever is most of us will be gone to meet our maker ,and our children left clean up the mess, those resposible should lose all their assets to help pay for their mistakes .in some parts of the world they would either be in prison or would have been exiled
CLIFF, northampton
With reference to the Public Spending cuts announced by the Chancellor Alistair Darling as published in a BBC website article of today: "A further £1bn will come from cuts to public sector pensions ..."
What is not announced is from where this £1bn Public Spending cut to the pension fund will be financed. Presumably it JUST transfers directly to the Council-Tax payer for there has been no mention of cuts to Public Sector Pensions!
Cllr Brian Cakebread, Coulsdon West Ward, London Borough of Croydon
Gordon Brown, class warrior, claimed £1,932.50 for a domestic servant, £175 for a gardener, he paid back £500 for painting a summer house, we still pay his Sky Sports. He isn't slow in burdening the taxpayers for his dry cleaning and laundry either. No wonder we are in debt, A servant? and he thinks Cameron is a toff.
Skysports? why on earth does he think its acceptable for the taxpayer to fund his TV viewing, he has no connection at all with the rest of us surfs at all.
Roy Farnden, Chessington, Surrey.
Mr Arbuthnot can only be forgiven his garlic claims if he has had to close an encounter with Mr Mandleson. Perhaps we should douse westminster in the stuff and we may finally be free of him.
Lee, Bristol
Why are we so surprised that the differential in the gilts market has arrived.
This government has berated the traders over their bonus entitlement (which they have earned according to contract). They are taxing them at 50% for political reasons.
Who is the government need to manage the government gilts?? hey its the traders they are about to tax.
I cannot believe the sheer incompetence of this government.
David Rhys Davies
To say that he is going to save £2.5Bn by efficiency saving in local govt. is outrageous. That is just making sure the councils make all the redundancies.
Chris Clark, Worthing
Re the MP who claimed £20,000 for repairs to his Bell Tower. Was it a large chap named Ben?
Graham Jones, Bristol
wakey wakey daily politics. Is it any wonder that our kids cannot grasp basic arithmetic when you go on about a "half percent increase in national insurance" when you should be talking of half a percentage point- a very different animal methinks (and I hope you do to really)
andrew williams, darlington uk
Politicians and their hangers on may want the public to forget about expences and now promote the idea of public apathy. This is wishful thinking we haven't. When we have 170 candidates for a constituency seat, why should we pay more in salary?
Stewart Hardy, LEIGH ON SEA ESSEX UK
Make it and hour, scrap the stupid mug and then you will have more time to grill this lot of corrupt MPs and people will see why and how they can vote them out.
A Wallace
How can anyone suggest that MPs should get a huge pay rise when public servants are going to be limited to 1% (and, at the lower grades haven't had much more than that for the last 2-3 years unlike MPs) Also ordinary public servants cannot make huge expenses claims (& in most cases small ones) either. Nor do they get massive payouts when they leave their jobs. Maybe MPs should also be subject to compulsory redundancies to reduce the public sector wages bill. Perhaps Parliament should be moved out of London & the south east to save money as well. Then we might get politicians who are interested in the country not ones who just want to line their pockets.
Mrs V Smith, Broadstone, Dorset. UK
The Jokes are getting complex, I had never heard of or used a Garlic Peeler
I trim and crush with a Heavy Knife or use my squeezer!
I suppose a peeler saves the smell or something?
Martin
Hob Nobs and Trouser Presses!
"Chris Huhne MP's worth a few bob
With a penchant for the odd Hob Nob
Isn't it rude
That we pay for his food
When he doesn't even do a good job!"
And are we the public supposed to be impressed that he had the "honesty" to pay up for the trouser press that he put on his expenses? If I or anyone else had the audacity to put such an item on our expenses we would probably be fired!
Tim Schofield, Southampton
Why not give them a base salary of £120K, but only pay them a proportion in line with the percentage of the electroate that ACTUALLY VOTED FOR THEM.
i.e. 60% turnout, 50% voted for MP => Salary = £120K x .6 x .5 = £36K
More voters and more votes = more money.
Martin Griffin, Baldock
How can polititions want a raise in their wages because of loss of expenses. Minimum wage is about 12,000 and they earn 65,000. They have completely lost touch with the common man. And how many were honourable enough to resign when caught out on expenses, precious few.
caesar, Newbury
If it's any consolation to the current MP's I will not be voting for any of them at any price!
Nor will I be voting for any of the three main Parties no matter who stands, and I doubt I am the only one whose made that decision. In my case it will be for the BNP for a multitude of reasons!
Maurice, Northumberland
£100,000 pa will put MPs even further out of touch with the problems of their constituents and encourage career politicians - the curse of democracy !
Edward Wheatley, Norfolk
What an unimpressive, and inaccurate, analysis of the tax on bankers' bonuses by your 'expert' from the FT.
I've got no time for Messers Brown and Darling, but to suggest that this step is a reversal of Brown's previous call that banks should be allowed to recapitalise is nonsense.
Mr Darling made it perfectly clear that if the banks chose to retain profits and recapitalise their balance sheets he would not impose a windfall tax.
That they believe their employees somehow merit a bonus when the industry as a whole is a basket case, and the taxpayer will be burdened for year sto come as a result of their previous greed and stupiity, beggars belief.
Hit them, and hit them hard.
Peter Smart, Nottingham
Why should politicians in Westmister decide on any reforms?
They have forfeited the right.
Stephen Gash, Carlisle
For just following the orders of the whips?
About the same as an ordinary soldier who follows orders - less an amount because MPs are not being shot at.
David
All MPs should be asked before they next stand to make a declaration that they will only make claims that they can fully justify without saying 'it complies with the rules'
Ron Etherington, Huddersfield
You must be making this up! Oh no your not Will they be sacked like any of us? No, They will be allowed to go with a comfortable "resettlement grant"
It is beyond dreadful, it is acutely distressing that politics has come do this - or was it always thus?
David
Most of Alan Keen's documents are blacked out so cannot be read, but I did notice that not only am I paying his electric and phone bills, I am also paying his Tesco's bills as well! Can I come round for a free lunch on the taxpayer Alan? And I'll vote for you, NOT!
Phil Munter, Feltham, Middx
Alistair darling made no ref to how he would deal with the annual borrowing or the total UK debt . What actually is the current total UK debt.
P J Thompson , Whitley bay
The Million Dollar question - where would we be without the Daily Telegraph?
Rules state that expenses "wholly/exclusively" incurred - all MP's should be charged with fraud. Hiding behind deliberately ambiguous rules does not change that fact.
I love politics, but I'm sick of it!
Anthony, Peterbro
I wish that you could have found time on your programme yesterday for the whole of Vince Cable's speech.
Your edited highlight missed out the most important part.
Paul Underwood, Ruislip, Middlesex, UK
I would remind you that Northern Rock was bailed out in September 2007. It has taken a damned long time for our leaders to decide that we need measures to get out of debt!
Gerald Bower, Sheffield
What a cynical and disingenious PBR. The measures contained fail totally to address the size of the cuts in individual departmental budgets outside of those which Labour are apparently "protecting" Why won't they tell us?.The Government is laying out projections but giving no flesh to these.This is a cynical attempt to do two things:
Firstly to convince the electorate that things could be worse under the tories,and secondly to draw the tories into making spending commitments that the Labour machine will then invent scare stories about.
This is the politics of Gordon Brown laid bare.Far from a moral compass the man is prepared to plot and scheme to the last.His concern is not this country but his party.Labour should be ashamed
Winston, Wolverhampton
Next time you let Laim Byrne claim the Govt built hospitals and schools in the good times so now we don't have to build them again, plse ask him if we paid for them at the same time or if we are now paying for them. The answer is that our kids will still be paying for them while reflecting on the new labour Creed; BORROW and Spend
How did you let him off the hook yesterday ?
tony, coventry
Front line public services can reduce cost and improve performance using the same value management and lean methods found in the best of industry. Where front line public services have tried these methods they work well but the inertia of successive governments has prevented their wider usage.
Clive Bone, Chairman, Institute of Value Management, London SW1
Watching the BBC programmes on the pre election budget was like watching ferrets fighting in a bag!!!. Kirsty lashing out in each direction. Loved it!!!.
R. whiting West Sussex
Why is it that after all this time not only has not one single MP been arraigned in Court, for what if any of us mere mortals had attempted we would have been arrested immediately and more than rightly found guilty of a criminal offence, but it is being suggested that there is no need to take any notice of the findings of Sir Christopher Kelly? Both these matters seem to be quietly swept under the carpet as no-one, whether that be people in authority or the media - such as yourselves - have made any comment on the fact.
Johnathon Clifford
After watching the BBC2 programme on the PBR I switched to SKY News where they pointed out that the 50% tax on bonuses over 25,000 will not apply to bonuses already agreed. Does this mean that none of them will pay, as surely the bonuses are already agreed in their contracts, only the amount is to be declared.
Michael Mowbray, aylsham, norfolk
Well the Government PBR is an insult to our intelligence. This whole economic mess is caused by the Government and the Tory's have no real answers and Lib-dems are a joke. Britain could pay off the debt Brown has condemned us too simply by leaving the EU. Britain pays £14.9Bn p.a. to Brussels and the on costs of EU regulations run into c.£60Bn per annum, if we then abolish all the EU inspired quangos we have another £1,00Bn+ to spend on debt reduction, stimulate our economy and reduce tax, Why does the BBC not put this to the established parties????
Lee Slaughter, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire
You were too easy on Liam Byrne yesterday. The PBR was as blatant a piece of election propaganda as I've ever seen. It was also cynical in that the sweeteners were scheduled to come in before the next election, and the nasty bits (NI increases etc.) after. I hope that the Tories undertake, if possible, to scrap the proposed NI increase as it is a tax on jobs, a disincentive to employment and a further burden on anyone in the country who earns over £20,000. It will also hit the NHS which is one of thew country's biggest employers. How does that square with protecting 'front-line' services?
david kidd, bury st edmunds
Love the show - genuinely, great stuff!
I am perplexed by headlines such as 'Darling Soaks the Rich…. And the rest of us too'
Surely, the whole terms of engagement vis-à-vis taxation have to be either redrawn or explained. Paying more in tax, equitably, is honest, good, and civil-inded. If you earn more you should pay more into essential services/ provisions/institutions.
The main problem is that Tory/Labour and Lib Dem are working in a value-free vacuum. If the polity functions even near perfectly, then citizens should have a moral duty to invest in the system. The problem is that the UK is inherently politically ignorant. The electorate, or at least a majority, would base their votes on ephemera such as (historically): is it time for a change/ the unions are too strong/ the bankers are too strong/ it's time for a change/it's time for a change/the leader is bald (delete as applicable)
I have lived in Germany since 1992 (for reasons I cannot go into here as my wife is posssibly listening). But Germany is more civic-minded, Greener, less petty, and more willing to see the bigger picture than the UK. It has its faults - the 'Wurst Case Scenario' is the hegemony of a petty-minded bourgeoisie - something all too evident here in Bavaria - but there is the feeling that Germany is 10-20 years ahead of the curve in terms of many of the things that matter to people on a daily basis. I am no economist, but it was explained to me once that the reason for this was that, for example, 15% of GDP in Germany was spent on healthcare and social services etc.
The bigger picture in the UK is surely that a massive change has to be made. Part of that is higher taxation (for all). And that should be met with equal grace.
David
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