ecuk268

If she was so wonderful, why did her own party stab her in the back and boot her out?

The above quaintly phrased post shows that we don't need expats coming on here and talking b*llocks. We're more than capable of doing that ourselves.

Strange that Churchill got booted out in 1945. You would have thought that he would be re-elected easily. It would be interesting to hear from someone who was around at the time what the feeling was in the country that led to Attlee's government.

Have you got any hard evidence for this vague generalisation. You sound more like the Daily Mail with every post.

Absolutely. Very easy, although if you look at the map the grid system falls apart somewhat in South Manhattan which, being the oldest part of the city, is not so organised.

We were told to be wary of Alphabet City (Avenue A, Avenue B etc) on the Lower East Side. This was a few years ago and I believe that it's been somewhat gentrified now.

The subway is cheap and efficient but walking can be interesting. I'd recommend the Empire State day and night if the weather's good. Statue of Liberty's OK but it faces away from the city so the views aren't brilliant. Central Park is a peaceful haven. New Yorkers are very direct but we found them friendly and helpful - the English accent helps. Never felt nervous either walking around or on the subway. Just be sensible as you would in any large city. If you like shopping, Macy's has everything and Barnes and Noble is the largest book shop in the world. The exchange rate isn't as good as when we went but there are still bargains. It's a great city, don't ignore the small districts like Soho and Chinatown - loads of interesting shops and restaurants. Be warned - New York meals are huge - forget your diet and enjoy.

Nationwide is a building society not a bank. It does not have shareholders and therefore is not profit-driven. What it can do is build up it's reserves so it can lend to more people.

Cuba also has a higher literacy rate than the USA.

It's a bit difficult to prove a negative. I would say that the onus is on you to provide evidence that it happened.

How did the Labour government benefit from the Poll Tax riots? They were in 1990. Soon after the Tories kicked Maggie out and John Major won the '92 election and scrapped the Poll Tax. Regarding re-cycling, Southampton City Council are proposing to reward those who re-cycle. So I'll be nicking stuff from my neighbours bin. The more you re-cycle, the less your council has to pay for landfill.

A few years ago I drove a company Audi which had a manual sunroof. The handle broke so I went to the local VW-Audi dealer to get a new one. The price he quoted seemed rather high and I said so. He said "you could get a VW one for half the price". When I asked what the difference was he said "None, they think that if you can afford an Audi you can afford to pay more".

Decent company, Novatech. I've been in IT for nearly 30 years so I know my way round a PC. Phoned them up pretending to be a newbie, but they didn't bull**** me, They just gave sensible advice and explained all the options.

The original poll tax replaced the old rating system which was based on the rateable value of your house. This was deemed unfair on single people who lived in big houses and so paid more than large families in smaller properties. The Tories changed things so that it was based on the number of occupants which, despite my left-leaning views. I thought was a better idea. However this triggered the riots and the government gave in and we're back to a tax based on the value of your house.

I met her once. She's a lot shorter than you think. Also met Denis who, despite his political views, was a very pleasant chap.

Unemployment in 1979 was apporx 1.5M (or 4%). It rose steadily under the Tories to a peak of 3.2M (12%) in 1983. It was actually higher because they changed the way the statistics were recorded. The was a dip to 2.1M in 1989 and then it rose back to 3.0M in 1993. When Labour came to power it was about 2.2M and has since fallen steadily to today's figure of 1.5M despite the Tory claims that the minimum wage would be disastrous for employment.

The problem we have is that any party who were willing to do what's actually required probably wouldn't get elected. If you want good services - health, education, public transport, you have to pay for them. These things have to run as public services and shouldn't be expected to make a profit. Look what's happened to buses since privatisation - far fewer services. Rail - the highest fares in Europe and we don't want to go the way of the USA with healthcare. France is a good example - world-class in all of the above but they pay a fair bit more tax than us.

Probably because they were a "nice" middle-class couple. If they'd been from some grotty council estate, the papers would have slaughtered them.

"The majority"?? Have you got statistical evidence to back up that rather vague statement?

Michael Foot was a million miles from Brown/Blair. i suggest you go away and read some political history. He was of an era before spin doctors and politicians having their pictures airbrushed. He was one of those characters who would look scruffy even in the most expensive of suits, but, in a debate, he would wipe the floor with most of today's lot.

Indeed. A true socialist who was often in trouble for his refusal to compromise his beliefs. In the 60's he refused to serve in Harold Wilson's government due to his opposition the the Vietnam war and membership of the EU. Formed a rather strange alliance with Enoch Powell to oppose plans to abolish hereditary peers. Also a brilliant orator. Can't think of anyone who comes close to him in that department.

Because the decision to join the EU was the policy of the Tory Government of the time. Labour had their doubts so held a referendum to make sure. There's nothing to stop any party having withdrawal from Europe in their manifesto. The problem with referenda is that where do you stop? Withdrawing from the EU? Abolishing the monarchy? Fluoride in the water? There's no clear role for referenda in the British Constitution. If a large majority are so against the EU, you would expect UKIP to have many more MEPs.

Um, yes we were. Ted Heath took us into Europe in 1971 and, in 1975, Harold Wilson's government held a UK-wide referendum, the first ever. There was a 65% vote in favour on a 67% turnout.

We should have the Albion Band marching round the perimeter with 2 blokes holding a big canvas pocket that you throw pennies in. If you can remember the above, you're of mature years. Probably be banned now 'cause of 'elf 'n safety.

According to the latest polls and the usual pattern of the gap between the parties narrowing just before the election, we're heading for a hung parliament. So, who will that nice Mr.Clegg get into bed with?