| NEWS |  | | | | BUSINESS | | | | FEATURES | | | | SAINTS | | |
|
|
|
Tories unveil £8m hit list of cuts and savings
A SAVAGE hit list of cuts and savings worth more than £8m has been unveiled by Southampton's ruling Tories to balance next year's council budget.
One leading opposition politician accused the Conservative of launching a "massive attack" on families leaving some services "stripped back to the bone".
The budget package would result in a 2.99 per cent council tax rise next year - the lowest in the history of the unitary authority.
The bill for an average B and D household would increase by about £34 from £1,135 to £1,169.
A total of 99 jobs, including 33 vacancies, would be axed alongside £2.7m of service cuts.
The schools budget will be slashed the most with a cull of 48 jobs.
Funding will be withdrawn from play services and those to tackle badly behaved children.
The city's 14 secondary schools will lose £580,000 of "social inclusion" grants while a residential unit for the most troublesome youngsters will be shut down.
Tories claim schools should make up the cutbacks from direct Government grants.
Family centres will be effectively merged into Sure Start children's centres.
Leisure and cultural services also take a heavy hit.
Tories plan to go ahead with a proposal to axe free swimming for under-sevens. It will affect almost 5,000 children who signed up to the popular scheme, launched in 2006.
Oaklands Leisure Centre will close at weekends, from 11.30am on Saturday, while St Mary's Leisure Centre hours will be reduced.
Three cricket pitches and four football pitches will also be closed.
The Turner Sims concert hall, Nuffield Theatre, Art Asia and City Eye, will all see their grants slashed.
Only the council reliant Mount Pleasant Media Workshop will survive art grants cuts.
Elsewhere neighbourhood partnerships, seen as an ineffective "talking shop" by Tory chiefs will be scrapped and more cash and support given to residents' associations.
The £173m budget - which will need the backing of opposition councillors to pass - would also bring in a controversial and costly ten per cent council tax discount for over 65s households.
Council tax for special constables would be scrapped.
Tory Cabinet member for resources, Councillor Jeremy Moulton, said: "Despite the chronic underfunding of Southampton by the government the Conservatives are keeping our promise to deliver a real terms reduction in council tax.
"This is the lowest council tax increase ever, we are delivering real value for money for the taxpayer and we have shown that we have listened carefully to the views of residents.
"We have undergone the most wide-ranging and comprehensive consultation ever and taken on board the vast majority of things that residents have told us are important."
But Labour group leader Councillor June Bridle said: "Their proposals give a small handout to few pensioners at the expense of massive attack on families."
She added: "Some services are being stripped back to the bone. They are leaving some small amounts of money which means services are almost unviable."
Liberal Democrat group leader Councillor Adrian Vinson said: "It's a bad budget A budget of gimmicks and stunts which hits key services.
"It's poor value for money and will adversely effect every citizen of Southampton."
Unison branch secretary Mike Tucker added: "It's the highest ever number of people in post threatened with redundancy. They are making political choices to sacrifice jobs and services to buy the votes of over 65s."
Residents will face an extra £1m of charges for council services.
Charges will be introduced for replacement bins and fridge/freezer collections, while those for museums and car parking go up. The renowned oral history unit will be axed.
Little used bus routes will be axed as the council withdraws subsidies from operators.
About half the total savings will come from efficiencies.
Some U-turns were made to proposals in a draft budget published in October. They followed meetings with affected groups and organisations.
Cllr Bridle accused the Tories of causing unnecessary stress.
She said: "People who use these services have been put through hell. It's a disgrace all the pressure that has been put on people just to play political games."
The popular Ropewalk Neighbourhood Advice Centre, which gives help relating to housing, landlords and tenants and welfare benefits, was spared any cut.
The Cobbett Road library survives another round of cuts after more protests and petitions although four others - Burgess Road, Woolston, Thornhill and Weston libraries - will face closures at quieter times.
A ten per cent hike in charges for non-residential care was scrapped following a billing fiasco that meant about 1,400 disabled and elderly didn't get their bills for up to four months.
A community language service which teaches ethnic minorities their native language and lets them get a GCSE in it will see its budget trimmed rather than axed.
The proposed cut attracted the most objections, more than one third made to the council.
The council received 1,035 responses to the Conservative's draft budget.
Unions will face a less harsh reductions in funding.
A U-turn on cuts to the hours of free bus travel for over 60s had already been announced with extra funding to retain full eligibility in the city for disabled passengers and their companions.
Cuts at a glance
| Efficiencies | £4.4m |
| Income | £1.03m |
| Cuts | £2.75m |
| Total Savings | £8.17m |
Click the links below to see the full list of cuts, broken down by directorate
9:00am Saturday 26th January 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Manimal, Southampton on 9:16am Sat 26 Jan 08
At last, a council truly in touch with the majority of Southampton's residents- decent people trying hard to do the best for their families.
I work hard to bring my kids up and so should those who take the easy option and let the authorities do it for them. Let's not forget it was Cllr Bridle who introduced Inclusion into our schools, and look at the results!
If people have any sense they'll endorse these proposals as a victory for working people (real Working Class people). The Tories are the party for the 'working' man, not the striking man Mr Tucker.
At last, a council truly in touch with the majority of Southampton's residents- decent people trying hard to do the best for their families.
I work hard to bring my kids up and so should those who take the easy option and let the authorities do it for them. Let's not forget it was Cllr Bridle who introduced Inclusion into our schools, and look at the results!
If people have any sense they'll endorse these proposals as a victory for working people (real Working Class people). The Tories are the party for the 'working' man, not the striking man Mr Tucker.
Posted by: Lonestar, Southampton on 9:44am Sat 26 Jan 08
the alternative is a massive increase in council tax and more waste. Brave and correct decision i think. We saw what Labour did to the city.
the alternative is a massive increase in council tax and more waste. Brave and correct decision i think. We saw what Labour did to the city.
Posted by: alpine_saint, Soton on 9:55am Sat 26 Jan 08
Great plans. Let's cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...
Great plans. Let's cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...
Posted by: Mills, southampton on 9:56am Sat 26 Jan 08
Good job Tories, its about time we stop funding liberal nonsense. The last 11 years of Labour rule in London has destroyed the fabric of society and turned England into a Socialist state where people believe living off the tit of the government is a right.
Good job Tories, its about time we stop funding liberal nonsense. The last 11 years of Labour rule in London has destroyed the fabric of society and turned England into a Socialist state where people believe living off the tit of the government is a right.
Posted by: Daz, Southampton on 10:06am Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]alpine_saint[/bold] wrote:
Great plans. Let's cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...[/quote] Even when there facilities for the "youth" of the city, they still prefer to raom the streets causing vandalism and problems. Well done Tories a step in the right direction ! However, i fear it'll take a while to put right what the other loonies have undone
alpine_saint wrote:
Great plans. Let's cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...
Even when there facilities for the "youth" of the city, they still prefer to raom the streets causing vandalism and problems. Well done Tories a step in the right direction ! However, i fear it'll take a while to put right what the other loonies have undone
Posted by: concerned, soton on 10:14am Sat 26 Jan 08
wake up southamptn people the reason we got these cuts coming in is because the councillors gave themselfs a massive 12% pay raise.as usaul its the weakest person who gets hit next time in election dont vote cons
wake up southamptn people the reason we got these cuts coming in is because the councillors gave themselfs a massive 12% pay raise.as usaul its the weakest person who gets hit next time in election dont vote cons
Posted by: Observer on 10:14am Sat 26 Jan 08
A great decision.
I learnt a long time ago that, if you are in a hole and its getting deeper STOP DIGGING.
For the past 11 years Labour have had a chance to test out the theory of 'inclusion', trying to take responsibility from where is should be (with parents) and manging it themselves (at no small cost to us the taxpayer). IT HAS NOT AND WILL NEVER WORK. YOU HAVE TRIED IT. STOP DIGGING.
What about using the money to benefit those parents and families that do a good job with their kids?
Well done Southampton council
A great decision.
I learnt a long time ago that, if you are in a hole and its getting deeper STOP DIGGING.
For the past 11 years Labour have had a chance to test out the theory of 'inclusion', trying to take responsibility from where is should be (with parents) and manging it themselves (at no small cost to us the taxpayer). IT HAS NOT AND WILL NEVER WORK. YOU HAVE TRIED IT. STOP DIGGING.
What about using the money to benefit those parents and families that do a good job with their kids?
Well done Southampton council
Posted by: 601, London on 10:39am Sat 26 Jan 08
This one of the most bias peices I've read in along time.Using words like Savage
"A SAVAGE hit list of cuts ...."
The £173m budget - which will need the backing of opposition councillors to pass - would also bring in a controversial and costly ten per cent council tax discount for over 65s households."
Why controversial and costly, they could've just as easily described it as fairer and socialjustice. But I don't live in Southampton.
This one of the most bias peices I've read in along time.Using words like Savage
"A SAVAGE hit list of cuts ...."
The £173m budget - which will need the backing of opposition councillors to pass - would also bring in a controversial and costly ten per cent council tax discount for over 65s households."
Why controversial and costly, they could've just as easily described it as fairer and socialjustice. But I don't live in Southampton.
Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 10:51am Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]alpine_saint[/bold] wrote:
Great plans. Let\\\'s cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...[/quote] What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We've seen these feral gangs of "bored" kids and this "boredom" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can't think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn't matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it's what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can't even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that's been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.
alpine_saint wrote:
Great plans. Let's cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...
What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We've seen these feral gangs of "bored" kids and this "boredom" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can't think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn't matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it's what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can't even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that's been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.
Posted by: Sam, Bury on 10:52am Sat 26 Jan 08
This exemplifies why Tory councils are always the best run. I agree with 601 about the media bias here - You wouldn't hear 'Loony left councillors said..."
This exemplifies why Tory councils are always the best run. I agree with 601 about the media bias here - You wouldn't hear 'Loony left councillors said..."
Posted by: Observer on 11:11am Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Andy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]alpine_saint[/bold] wrote: Great plans. Let\\\'s cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...[/quote] What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We've seen these feral gangs of "bored" kids and this "boredom" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can't think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn't matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it's what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can't even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that's been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.[/quote] Agree with all your points here. Well put.
Andy wrote:
alpine_saint wrote: Great plans. Let's cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...
What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We've seen these feral gangs of "bored" kids and this "boredom" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can't think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn't matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it's what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can't even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that's been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.
Agree with all your points here. Well put.
Posted by: Jeanne, Southampton on 12:32pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Observer[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Andy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]alpine_saint[/bold] wrote: Great plans. Let\\\'s cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...[/quote] What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We've seen these feral gangs of "bored" kids and this "boredom" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can't think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn't matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it's what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can't even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that's been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.[/quote] Agree with all your points here. Well put.
[/quote] [quote]quote[/quote]
Observer wrote:
Andy wrote:
alpine_saint wrote: Great plans. Let's cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...
What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We've seen these feral gangs of "bored" kids and this "boredom" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can't think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn't matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it's what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can't even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that's been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.
Agree with all your points here. Well put.
quote
Posted by: Jeanne, Southampton on 12:35pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Jeanne[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Observer[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Andy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]alpine_saint[/bold] wrote: Great plans. Let\\\\\\\'s cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...[/quote] What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We\'ve seen these feral gangs of \"bored\" kids and this \"boredom\" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can\'t think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn\'t matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it\'s what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can\'t even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that\'s been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.[/quote] Agree with all your points here. Well put.
[/quote] [quote]quote[/quote] [/quote] Couldn't have put it better myself - the parents need re-educating then hopefully everything else will follow.
Jeanne wrote:
Observer wrote:
Andy wrote:
alpine_saint wrote: Great plans. Let\\\\'s cut services for the youth of this city so they are more bored and have more time to go on vandalism sprees that cost a fortune to repair, simply to bribe the blue-rinse brigade into voting Conservative. Sweet...
What a stupid post from Alpine Saint. We\'ve seen these feral gangs of \"bored\" kids and this \"boredom\" is the excuse they put up when questioned about anti their social behaviour. Clearly it fools some people though. The truth is that thanks to the attitudes of their parents they are thick and uninspired not bored, and because they can\'t think of anything more imaginative or constructive to do it doesn\'t matter what the council put in front of them - their first instinct will be to trash it. There is already plenty to do but it all involves putting a little effort in. If you do want to blame anyone else blame their parents not the council for Gods sake. What facility do you envisage the council providing anyway that by itself would suddenly turn them into excited, inclusive contributing young adults? Organised Sports? Theatre? Youth Club? Scouts? No me neither. (Riding aimlessly round a skatepark is not sport by the way) Antisocial yobs hang around street corners because it\'s what they like doing and where they like being, and because they are lazy, sullen and uncommunicative they can\'t even think of anywhere better anyway. Causing trouble is an amusing little diversion if the opportunity for vandalism comes along. But people like you have to completely absolve them of any responsibility in order to seek some blame far away. Great idea, that\'s been proved to work well eh? And as for that stupid blue rinse crack, even your prejudice is 30 years out of date. You don;t have a single solution other than to blame a tiny section of society that if anything is the major victim of the problem you describe.
Agree with all your points here. Well put.
quote
Couldn't have put it better myself - the parents need re-educating then hopefully everything else will follow.
Posted by: alf tupper, southampton on 12:35pm Sat 26 Jan 08
this social inclusion policy has produced a army of morons,well done,now for the birch for the untold cost and misery they,ve caused others.[bold]bold[/bold]
this social inclusion policy has produced a army of morons,well done,now for the birch for the untold cost and misery they,ve caused others.
Posted by: foodog, soton on 12:53pm Sat 26 Jan 08
What the conservatives are doing is what they do best attacking those least able to defend themselves. They did it in the 80's and they are doing it now. Exclusion has never solved social problem it alienates and causes resentment. How is ending free swimming for under sevens a good thing. Throwing children on the scrap heap is not the answer. It make me ashamed to be an adult reading these posts.
What the conservatives are doing is what they do best attacking those least able to defend themselves. They did it in the 80's and they are doing it now. Exclusion has never solved social problem it alienates and causes resentment. How is ending free swimming for under sevens a good thing. Throwing children on the scrap heap is not the answer. It make me ashamed to be an adult reading these posts.
Posted by: Derek, Dibden Purlieu on 1:40pm Sat 26 Jan 08
Perhaps this may be a wake up call for people who have grown used to being given hand outs without putting in any effort to earn them.
Perhaps this may be a wake up call for people who have grown used to being given hand outs without putting in any effort to earn them.
Posted by: Andy, Locks Heath on 1:47pm Sat 26 Jan 08
Then be ashamed. Actually I hear you and I agree with you about a lot of the service cuts, but regarding the exclusion point you've got to make provision for the 99% of society who are NOT self-excluded. You can't just just keep trying to include those who by their behaviour don't want or deserve to be included otherwise they eventually ruin the society you are trying to encourage them to be in. Also you can't just legitimise bad behaviour in someone because they are poor - that insults a lot of good people. People excluded from society often need to learn that they have to put something of themselves in to get something outin return - Feral youth can't just sulk and assume everything is someone else's fault and not their own. Bad Lad's Army on Channel 4 was a fantastic example of how you can get people back on track - it's called national Service and it doesn;t have to involve guns.
Then be ashamed. Actually I hear you and I agree with you about a lot of the service cuts, but regarding the exclusion point you've got to make provision for the 99% of society who are NOT self-excluded. You can't just just keep trying to include those who by their behaviour don't want or deserve to be included otherwise they eventually ruin the society you are trying to encourage them to be in. Also you can't just legitimise bad behaviour in someone because they are poor - that insults a lot of good people. People excluded from society often need to learn that they have to put something of themselves in to get something outin return - Feral youth can't just sulk and assume everything is someone else's fault and not their own. Bad Lad's Army on Channel 4 was a fantastic example of how you can get people back on track - it's called national Service and it doesn;t have to involve guns.
Posted by: Sensible Resident on 2:02pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]concerned[/bold] wrote:
wake up southamptn people the reason we got these cuts coming in is because the councillors gave themselfs a massive 12% pay raise.as usaul its the weakest person who gets hit next time in election dont vote cons[/quote] Concerned,
I'm afraid but the echo did a brilliant spin job on allowances as well as the proposed budget!
2006-2007 Allowance: £10,293
2007-2008 Allowance: £10,649
They received an increase of £356 a year, which equates to just over 3% and is thus just under inflation. Total cost to the taxpayer was therefore £17,088 (48 councillors) not the £2.75 million in cuts.
Brilliant spin job by the echo, saved only by their table at the bottom of the page which point out that of the £8 million saving, only £2.75 million is actually from cuts!
Good job on the Conservatives, this has been a long time coming!
concerned wrote:
wake up southamptn people the reason we got these cuts coming in is because the councillors gave themselfs a massive 12% pay raise.as usaul its the weakest person who gets hit next time in election dont vote cons
Concerned,
I'm afraid but the echo did a brilliant spin job on allowances as well as the proposed budget!
2006-2007 Allowance: £10,293
2007-2008 Allowance: £10,649
They received an increase of £356 a year, which equates to just over 3% and is thus just under inflation. Total cost to the taxpayer was therefore £17,088 (48 councillors) not the £2.75 million in cuts.
Brilliant spin job by the echo, saved only by their table at the bottom of the page which point out that of the £8 million saving, only £2.75 million is actually from cuts!
Good job on the Conservatives, this has been a long time coming!
Posted by: Paramjit Bahia, Southampton on 2:07pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]foodog[/bold] wrote:
What the conservatives are doing is what they do best attacking those least able to defend themselves. They did it in the 80's and they are doing it now. Exclusion has never solved social problem it alienates and causes resentment. How is ending free swimming for under sevens a good thing. Throwing children on the scrap heap is not the answer. It make me ashamed to be an adult reading these posts. [/quote] You are absolutely right. Sadly it was the failure of New Labour's leadership to stick with good old Labour values that provided first the Lib-Dems and then the Tories the opportunity to get into power and start swinging the Thatcherite axe again.
By the look of it sadly we are in minority on this site today. If most of the views expressed get translated into votes in May it will be a sad situation.
foodog wrote:
What the conservatives are doing is what they do best attacking those least able to defend themselves. They did it in the 80's and they are doing it now. Exclusion has never solved social problem it alienates and causes resentment. How is ending free swimming for under sevens a good thing. Throwing children on the scrap heap is not the answer. It make me ashamed to be an adult reading these posts.
You are absolutely right. Sadly it was the failure of New Labour's leadership to stick with good old Labour values that provided first the Lib-Dems and then the Tories the opportunity to get into power and start swinging the Thatcherite axe again.
By the look of it sadly we are in minority on this site today. If most of the views expressed get translated into votes in May it will be a sad situation.
Posted by: Paramjit Bahia, Southampton on 2:18pm Sat 26 Jan 08
Nothing surprising after all they are the Tories.
Last time they were in power at national level many of us lost our jobs and locally damaged lots of services.
For few years in Southampton when Alan Whitehead was the Labour leader some Tory destruction was reversed. He has remarkable ability of leadership, which his successors have miserably failed to match.
[bold]In my view (No doubt some NuLab lot will disagree) their leadership has behaved no better than Conservatives, kept on cutting services and behaved arrogantly, so hardly surprising they lost control of the Council.
I get the impression that their leadership is control freak, they have lost touch with the ordinary people and have either driven hard working and principled people like Parry Macmillan out of the party or have isolated people with exceptional ability like Alan Lloyd. I am told that they will not even allow hard working and out spoken Alan Lloyd become a candidate for election.[/bold]
On the bright side they still have very able Cllr Denis Harryman and some hard working councillors like Don Thomas Simon Letts and Chris Kelly. But their current leadership doesn’t appear to use these assets properly.
I don’t blame the Tories because it is the personality obsessed NuLab Group that through its failure has provided Conservatives the opportunity to cut our services.
I hope there will be some decent Socialist Party or Green candidate in my ward otherwise I will have to write ‘None of these‘ on my ballot paper
Nothing surprising after all they are the Tories.
Last time they were in power at national level many of us lost our jobs and locally damaged lots of services.
For few years in Southampton when Alan Whitehead was the Labour leader some Tory destruction was reversed. He has remarkable ability of leadership, which his successors have miserably failed to match.
In my view (No doubt some NuLab lot will disagree) their leadership has behaved no better than Conservatives, kept on cutting services and behaved arrogantly, so hardly surprising they lost control of the Council.
I get the impression that their leadership is control freak, they have lost touch with the ordinary people and have either driven hard working and principled people like Parry Macmillan out of the party or have isolated people with exceptional ability like Alan Lloyd. I am told that they will not even allow hard working and out spoken Alan Lloyd become a candidate for election.
On the bright side they still have very able Cllr Denis Harryman and some hard working councillors like Don Thomas Simon Letts and Chris Kelly. But their current leadership doesn’t appear to use these assets properly.
I don’t blame the Tories because it is the personality obsessed NuLab Group that through its failure has provided Conservatives the opportunity to cut our services.
I hope there will be some decent Socialist Party or Green candidate in my ward otherwise I will have to write ‘None of these‘ on my ballot paper
Posted by: Sheitma Pance, Soton on 2:45pm Sat 26 Jan 08
Great plans and not a moment too soon!
The only way to get this country vback on it's feet is to CUT SPENDING drastically and INCREASE EFFICIENCY!
If this means a few casualties along the way then so be it.
We have GOT to get away from the expensive New Labour Borrow and spend policies and the attitude that people that don't nother to work deserve support.
I for one will be voting tory in the next electuion.
Great plans and not a moment too soon!
The only way to get this country vback on it's feet is to CUT SPENDING drastically and INCREASE EFFICIENCY!
If this means a few casualties along the way then so be it.
We have GOT to get away from the expensive New Labour Borrow and spend policies and the attitude that people that don't nother to work deserve support.
I for one will be voting tory in the next electuion.
Posted by: mr.southampton, Southampton on 4:20pm Sat 26 Jan 08
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face.
Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut.
To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems.
We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence.
Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face.
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face.
Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut.
To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems.
We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence.
Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face.
Posted by: Wronged for years, Shirley, Southampton on 4:35pm Sat 26 Jan 08
"the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face."
No, I will likely be smacked in the face by someone who has benefited from a system that promotes inequality and doing nothing to help yourself!
The only society that can work is one that rewards hard work, maintains a sense of discipline among its population and supports efforts made by people to make their lives better.
And that isnt't what we have now in what is an increasingly ugly country!
"the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face."
No, I will likely be smacked in the face by someone who has benefited from a system that promotes inequality and doing nothing to help yourself!
The only society that can work is one that rewards hard work, maintains a sense of discipline among its population and supports efforts made by people to make their lives better.
And that isnt't what we have now in what is an increasingly ugly country!
Posted by: Mark Humphries, Southampton on 4:50pm Sat 26 Jan 08
Oh boy what a woeful bunch of comments I've just read. I'm mindful that I must not use bad language on this sight. But it's quite clear that the disease that is thatcherite thinking is alive and well here in Southampton. Yes by all means vote for a reduction in services via this Tory proposal but don't then moan when the smaller bins are not emptied; and when those excluded children start fouling up your children's chances in education don't complain. This is not open minded thinking here in Southampton it is small minded, tax reducing obsessives who can't see the benefits of community action even if it jumped up and bit them.
Oh boy what a woeful bunch of comments I've just read. I'm mindful that I must not use bad language on this sight. But it's quite clear that the disease that is thatcherite thinking is alive and well here in Southampton. Yes by all means vote for a reduction in services via this Tory proposal but don't then moan when the smaller bins are not emptied; and when those excluded children start fouling up your children's chances in education don't complain. This is not open minded thinking here in Southampton it is small minded, tax reducing obsessives who can't see the benefits of community action even if it jumped up and bit them.
Posted by: mr.southampton, Southampton on 4:52pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Wronged for years[/bold] wrote:
"the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face." No, I will likely be smacked in the face by someone who has benefited from a system that promotes inequality and doing nothing to help yourself! The only society that can work is one that rewards hard work, maintains a sense of discipline among its population and supports efforts made by people to make their lives better. And that isnt't what we have now in what is an increasingly ugly country! [/quote] The problem is that in an unequal society hard work isn't rewarded, how many Nurses out there work harder than Wayne Rooney?
Wronged for years wrote:
"the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face." No, I will likely be smacked in the face by someone who has benefited from a system that promotes inequality and doing nothing to help yourself! The only society that can work is one that rewards hard work, maintains a sense of discipline among its population and supports efforts made by people to make their lives better. And that isnt't what we have now in what is an increasingly ugly country!
The problem is that in an unequal society hard work isn't rewarded, how many Nurses out there work harder than Wayne Rooney?
Posted by: her indoors, eastleigh on 5:17pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]alf tupper[/bold] wrote:
this social inclusion policy has produced a army of morons,well done,now for the birch for the untold cost and misery they,ve caused others.[bold]bold[/bold] [/quote] couldnt have put it better myself i dont think they would come back for a second time if they were given the birch but its never going to happen too many softees and do gooders they were the cause of all these morons ie dont smack your child or they will call the police what utter rubbish theres a old saying spare the rod and spoil the child
alf tupper wrote:
this social inclusion policy has produced a army of morons,well done,now for the birch for the untold cost and misery they,ve caused others.
couldnt have put it better myself i dont think they would come back for a second time if they were given the birch but its never going to happen too many softees and do gooders they were the cause of all these morons ie dont smack your child or they will call the police what utter rubbish theres a old saying spare the rod and spoil the child
Posted by: Manimal, Southampton on 7:02pm Sat 26 Jan 08
My mum came from a disfunctional family and ended up a JP. Why? because she worked bloody hard to get there. She could have used all the excuses under the sun but had the dignity to strive for better things. All it takes to get a decent job is to work three times harder than the priveledged few. I know, that's why I'm going it now. If you want to stay in the gutter, fine. Just don't expect me to pay for it.
As for anti-social behaviour perhaps extending the school day until 5pm is the answer. Oh, that would upset the 2.30pm finishing teachers.
My mum came from a disfunctional family and ended up a JP. Why? because she worked bloody hard to get there. She could have used all the excuses under the sun but had the dignity to strive for better things. All it takes to get a decent job is to work three times harder than the priveledged few. I know, that's why I'm going it now. If you want to stay in the gutter, fine. Just don't expect me to pay for it.
As for anti-social behaviour perhaps extending the school day until 5pm is the answer. Oh, that would upset the 2.30pm finishing teachers.
Posted by: Charles Darwin, Seven Oaks on 7:28pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]mr.southampton[/bold] wrote:
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face. [/quote] Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD!
mr.southampton wrote:
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face.
Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD!
Posted by: Dorothy, Kansas on 7:52pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Charles Darwin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]mr.southampton[/bold] wrote:
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face. [/quote] Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD! [/quote] What I fine example you set young man, are you a feral street urchin by any chance or just a weasel, I'm guessing the latter rather than the former, drinks on me Mr Souhampton
Charles Darwin wrote:
mr.southampton wrote:
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face.
Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD!
What I fine example you set young man, are you a feral street urchin by any chance or just a weasel, I'm guessing the latter rather than the former, drinks on me Mr Souhampton
Posted by: Dorothy, Kansas on 8:03pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Dorothy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Charles Darwin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]mr.southampton[/bold] wrote:
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face. [/quote] Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD! [/quote] What I fine example you set young man, are you a feral street urchin by any chance or just a weasel, I'm guessing the latter rather than the former, drinks on me Mr Souhampton[/quote] Do forgive should have said A rather than I.
PS does FOAD stand for 'forgive and defend' how sweet
Dorothy wrote:
Charles Darwin wrote:
mr.southampton wrote:
I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face.
Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD!
What I fine example you set young man, are you a feral street urchin by any chance or just a weasel, I'm guessing the latter rather than the former, drinks on me Mr Souhampton
Do forgive should have said A rather than I.
PS does FOAD stand for 'forgive and defend' how sweet
Posted by: anita bush, southampton on 8:30pm Sat 26 Jan 08
you have to giggle at that labour bint, she would just have put the tax up 15% if she had her way!
we pay a fortune now because of years of her huge increases!
she did'nt complain about the huge pay rise she just took in expenses etc!
you have to giggle at that labour bint, she would just have put the tax up 15% if she had her way!
we pay a fortune now because of years of her huge increases!
she did'nt complain about the huge pay rise she just took in expenses etc!
Posted by: Lee Whitbread, Labour Party candidate for Bassett on 8:42pm Sat 26 Jan 08
It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.
It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.
Posted by: hohum, Southampton on 9:10pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]anita bush[/bold] wrote:
you have to giggle at that labour bint, she would just have put the tax up 15% if she had her way!
we pay a fortune now because of years of her huge increases!
she did'nt complain about the huge pay rise she just took in expenses etc![/quote] what are you talking about simpleton. Have you accidentally logged onto a grown ups story by mistake.
anita bush wrote:
you have to giggle at that labour bint, she would just have put the tax up 15% if she had her way!
we pay a fortune now because of years of her huge increases!
she did'nt complain about the huge pay rise she just took in expenses etc!
what are you talking about simpleton. Have you accidentally logged onto a grown ups story by mistake.
Posted by: Mister Probiotic, Hedge End on 9:19pm Sat 26 Jan 08
I'm completely out of cheese biscuits.
I'm completely out of cheese biscuits.
Posted by: Dorothy, Kansas on 9:22pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Mister Probiotic[/bold] wrote:
I'm completely out of cheese biscuits.[/quote] Tesco's will still be open
Mister Probiotic wrote:
I'm completely out of cheese biscuits.
Tesco's will still be open
Posted by: Charles Darwin, Seven Oaks on 9:36pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Dorothy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Charles Darwin[/bold] wrote: [quote][bold]mr.southampton[/bold] wrote: I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face. [/quote] Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD! [/quote] What I fine example you set young man, are you a feral street urchin by any chance or just a weasel, I'm guessing the latter rather than the former, drinks on me Mr Souhampton[/quote] Ha! Ha! Ha! Were I unfortunate enough to be a so-called ‘feral street urchin’, it would have been someone like you who put and kept me there, by justifying my ‘existence’ with some perverse statement of political correctness. Were I a weasel, well, I’d be a member of the Mustelidae and I’d have a biological function in this world, wouldn’t I? And I’d have to work hard at it to be successful, wouldn’t I? Because there aren’t any handouts in the real world, are there? You have to work at it to become successful. There’s a struggle for existence and you, your like and those you defend will lose the struggle, politically and socially speaking. As a descent, hard-working family man, I don’t appreciate any of the taxes I pay being squandered on politically-correct excuses of any kind. Thank you!
Dorothy wrote:
Charles Darwin wrote: mr.southampton wrote: I can't believe most of the comments on here in support of the budget. Blaming 'liberal' policies for the problems our society and our city face whilst completley ignoring the fact that since 1979 neo-conservatives have dictated the political agenda in the UK, and as for the Labour Government, many of Blair's policies were a continuation of thatchers legacy with an ever so slightly more human face. Their tax cut for pensioners is as has been mentioned by others a despicable ploy to bribe traditional Tory voters and the biggest winners in financial terms will be those with the biggest homes i.e the richest. Most poorer pensioners already receive a reduction in their tax bill so won't be eligible for the cut. To take away services aimed at the young and the most vulnerable only compounds the problems. We can all sit smugly in our comfortable homes and say that people should take responsibility for themselves and their children, but at some point we all have to deal with the consequences of inequality, poor education resulting in poor parenting, no job prospects resulting in alienation and rejection of the values of mainstream society leading to the embracing of alternative values such as violence. Unless you are fortunate enough to have the resources to move to a middle-class suburb like Grange Park the chances are that as you are walking down the street at one point the inequality and alienation in the city will smack you in the face.
Oh, you must be a namby-pamby liberal. Ha! Ha-ha! My great-great-great grandchildren have one thing to say to you, your like and the tow-rags you defend: FOAD!
What I fine example you set young man, are you a feral street urchin by any chance or just a weasel, I'm guessing the latter rather than the former, drinks on me Mr Souhampton
Ha! Ha! Ha! Were I unfortunate enough to be a so-called ‘feral street urchin’, it would have been someone like you who put and kept me there, by justifying my ‘existence’ with some perverse statement of political correctness. Were I a weasel, well, I’d be a member of the Mustelidae and I’d have a biological function in this world, wouldn’t I? And I’d have to work hard at it to be successful, wouldn’t I? Because there aren’t any handouts in the real world, are there? You have to work at it to become successful. There’s a struggle for existence and you, your like and those you defend will lose the struggle, politically and socially speaking. As a descent, hard-working family man, I don’t appreciate any of the taxes I pay being squandered on politically-correct excuses of any kind. Thank you!
Posted by: Dorothy, kansas on 9:53pm Sat 26 Jan 08
Oh dear what an angry little poppet, but I have to say I'm impressed with you vocabulary, only took you an hour and a half to respond couldn't find the dictionary I suppose.
There are hand outs all around us dear if you look have you never claimed a tax credit.
I can't loose because I have hope and I can forgive the unforgiving, sleep tight and don't get so angry it will give you wrinkles.
Oh dear what an angry little poppet, but I have to say I'm impressed with you vocabulary, only took you an hour and a half to respond couldn't find the dictionary I suppose.
There are hand outs all around us dear if you look have you never claimed a tax credit.
I can't loose because I have hope and I can forgive the unforgiving, sleep tight and don't get so angry it will give you wrinkles.
Posted by: Daz, Southampton on 10:05pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Lee Whitbread[/bold] wrote:
It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.[/quote] Isnt the main reason for these cuts because of the overspending and money wasting by the liberals that were supported by the labourites in exchange committee seats ???
Lee Whitbread wrote:
It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.
Isnt the main reason for these cuts because of the overspending and money wasting by the liberals that were supported by the labourites in exchange committee seats ???
Posted by: Paramjit Bahia, Southampton on 10:35pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Lee Whitbread[/bold] wrote:
It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.[/quote] Lee you have summed it up very well.
Heartless Tories picking upon even children under seven may have shocked you because you have bit of human heart, but for them it is normal thing, considering their inspiration comes from Thatcher who gained her prominence by taking away milk bottles from small kids.
Yes same woman whom your Blair praised and Gordon Brown invited to Downing Street.
Through these actions, NuLab implementing Thatcherite agenda and Brown looking for talent in Tories your party has provided respectability for mad monks of Thatcherism in public mind. Hence the disaster we are facing now.
[bold]Could you tell me why Alan Whitehead (I think he is one of the sharpest Brains in Britain) was ignored by Brown but he gave various jobs to Tories and also to that traitor of Labour Shirley William? All these and other similar other stupidities put together has provided a kiss of life to Thatcherism in public mind.[/bold] Hundreds of thousands Pounds donation laundering by some New Labour leaders has damaged NuLab’s reputation. Sadly most of us in Southampton could end up paying the price for those stupidities and short term populism.
Lee Whitbread wrote:
It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.
Lee you have summed it up very well.
Heartless Tories picking upon even children under seven may have shocked you because you have bit of human heart, but for them it is normal thing, considering their inspiration comes from Thatcher who gained her prominence by taking away milk bottles from small kids.
Yes same woman whom your Blair praised and Gordon Brown invited to Downing Street.
Through these actions, NuLab implementing Thatcherite agenda and Brown looking for talent in Tories your party has provided respectability for mad monks of Thatcherism in public mind. Hence the disaster we are facing now.
Could you tell me why Alan Whitehead (I think he is one of the sharpest Brains in Britain) was ignored by Brown but he gave various jobs to Tories and also to that traitor of Labour Shirley William? All these and other similar other stupidities put together has provided a kiss of life to Thatcherism in public mind. Hundreds of thousands Pounds donation laundering by some New Labour leaders has damaged NuLab’s reputation. Sadly most of us in Southampton could end up paying the price for those stupidities and short term populism.
Posted by: Lee Whitbread, Labour Party candidate for Bassett on 10:37pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Daz[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Lee Whitbread[/bold] wrote: It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.[/quote] Isnt the main reason for these cuts because of the overspending and money wasting by the liberals that were supported by the labourites in exchange committee seats ???[/quote] Daz - Sadly, the reason for these cuts is because we in Southampton have a Conservative run council which is committed to slashing services which people depend on.
Daz wrote:
Lee Whitbread wrote: It seems to me that we have a proposed budget which will hit hard working families and young children. Taking away free swimming for under sevens, closing football pitches and cricket grounds would be a huge mistake at a time when we should be encouraging our children to lead healthy lives.
Isnt the main reason for these cuts because of the overspending and money wasting by the liberals that were supported by the labourites in exchange committee seats ???
Daz - Sadly, the reason for these cuts is because we in Southampton have a Conservative run council which is committed to slashing services which people depend on.
Posted by: Charles Darwin, Seven Oaks on 10:52pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Dorothy[/bold] wrote:
Oh dear what an angry little poppet, but I have to say I'm impressed with you vocabulary, only took you an hour and a half to respond couldn't find the dictionary I suppose. There are hand outs all around us dear if you look have you never claimed a tax credit. I can't loose because I have hope and I can forgive the unforgiving, sleep tight and don't get so angry it will give you wrinkles.[/quote] Ha! Ha! Ha! Apologies for the delay, I have a life. I support fully working tax credits. Unfortunately, our household income is over £60k, which means we’re not eligible for any. But we don’t have an issue with that. I think you’ll find you have lost; and clearly you were ‘educated’ under the labour government, if at all. Sleep well, I hope your little street urchin friends don’t vandalise your property or keep you awake. If they do, I guess you’ll blame society, that’s easiest, isn’t it? But you can’t take action against society, can you? Who’s actually responsible, again? Don’t think too hard, we don’t expect you or your kind to solve this problem. The rest of us have a workable solution.
PS Please Google ‘FOAD’, it doesn’t take a genius!
Dorothy wrote:
Oh dear what an angry little poppet, but I have to say I'm impressed with you vocabulary, only took you an hour and a half to respond couldn't find the dictionary I suppose. There are hand outs all around us dear if you look have you never claimed a tax credit. I can't loose because I have hope and I can forgive the unforgiving, sleep tight and don't get so angry it will give you wrinkles.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Apologies for the delay, I have a life. I support fully working tax credits. Unfortunately, our household income is over £60k, which means we’re not eligible for any. But we don’t have an issue with that. I think you’ll find you have lost; and clearly you were ‘educated’ under the labour government, if at all. Sleep well, I hope your little street urchin friends don’t vandalise your property or keep you awake. If they do, I guess you’ll blame society, that’s easiest, isn’t it? But you can’t take action against society, can you? Who’s actually responsible, again? Don’t think too hard, we don’t expect you or your kind to solve this problem. The rest of us have a workable solution.
PS Please Google ‘FOAD’, it doesn’t take a genius!
Posted by: a baastaard on 11:14pm Sat 26 Jan 08
what a depressing story, thought we had seen the end of the i am alright stuff the rest of you attitude when the last conservative government was given the boot - looks like its alive and well in deepest bluest hampshire...
what a depressing story, thought we had seen the end of the i am alright stuff the rest of you attitude when the last conservative government was given the boot - looks like its alive and well in deepest bluest hampshire...
Posted by: Charles Darwin, Seven Oaks on 11:45pm Sat 26 Jan 08
[quote][bold]a baastaard[/bold] wrote:
what a depressing story, thought we had seen the end of the i am alright stuff the rest of you attitude when the last conservative government was given the boot - looks like its alive and well in deepest bluest hampshire...[/quote] No, you’re wrong. It doesn’t matter which party is in power; they’re all politicians (i.e. complete t*ssers) and become increasingly arrogant the longer they’re kept in power. Society must change the situation by shifting their overall vote as often as they change their underwear, preferably. Admittedly, this might not be that often for some, but the consequence is that our elected political party becomes nothing more than an elongated stain in the rear of one's underwear after about five years. Surely we must change them more often than we do? Keep 'em clean!
a baastaard wrote:
what a depressing story, thought we had seen the end of the i am alright stuff the rest of you attitude when the last conservative government was given the boot - looks like its alive and well in deepest bluest hampshire...
No, you’re wrong. It doesn’t matter which party is in power; they’re all politicians (i.e. complete t*ssers) and become increasingly arrogant the longer they’re kept in power. Society must change the situation by shifting their overall vote as often as they change their underwear, preferably. Admittedly, this might not be that often for some, but the consequence is that our elected political party becomes nothing more than an elongated stain in the rear of one's underwear after about five years. Surely we must change them more often than we do? Keep 'em clean!
Posted by: Ayn on 11:48pm Sat 26 Jan 08
More cuts please! Cut, cut and then cut some more.
I'm fed up subsidising the feckless fertile and their feral children.
Stop using my wallet as an ATM.
More cuts please! Cut, cut and then cut some more.
I'm fed up subsidising the feckless fertile and their feral children.
Stop using my wallet as an ATM.
Posted by: Southampton Resident, Soton on 1:50am Sun 27 Jan 08
If you live in Southampton your views will be taken into account. If not fcuk off.
If you live in Southampton your views will be taken into account. If not fcuk off.
Posted by: Polish Teacher, Southampton on 2:18am Sun 27 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Southampton Resident[/bold] wrote:
If you live in Southampton your views will be taken into account. If not fcuk off.[/quote] If you are literate, your views will be considered; if not, ‘fuckoff’!
Southampton Resident wrote:
If you live in Southampton your views will be taken into account. If not fcuk off.
If you are literate, your views will be considered; if not, ‘fuckoff’!
Posted by: dorothy, kansas on 8:23am Sun 27 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Charles Darwin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Dorothy[/bold] wrote:
Oh dear what an angry little poppet, but I have to say I'm impressed with you vocabulary, only took you an hour and a half to respond couldn't find the dictionary I suppose. There are hand outs all around us dear if you look have you never claimed a tax credit. I can't loose because I have hope and I can forgive the unforgiving, sleep tight and don't get so angry it will give you wrinkles.[/quote] Ha! Ha! Ha! Apologies for the delay, I have a life. I support fully working tax credits. Unfortunately, our household income is over £60k, which means we’re not eligible for any. But we don’t have an issue with that. I think you’ll find you have lost; and clearly you were ‘educated’ under the labour government, if at all. Sleep well, I hope your little street urchin friends don’t vandalise your property or keep you awake. If they do, I guess you’ll blame society, that’s easiest, isn’t it? But you can’t take action against society, can you? Who’s actually responsible, again? Don’t think too hard, we don’t expect you or your kind to solve this problem. The rest of us have a workable solution.
PS Please Google ‘FOAD’, it doesn’t take a genius!
[/quote] I forgive you sad one.
Charles Darwin wrote:
Dorothy wrote:
Oh dear what an angry little poppet, but I have to say I'm impressed with you vocabulary, only took you an hour and a half to respond couldn't find the dictionary I suppose. There are hand outs all around us dear if you look have you never claimed a tax credit. I can't loose because I have hope and I can forgive the unforgiving, sleep tight and don't get so angry it will give you wrinkles.
Ha! Ha! Ha! Apologies for the delay, I have a life. I support fully working tax credits. Unfortunately, our household income is over £60k, which means we’re not eligible for any. But we don’t have an issue with that. I think you’ll find you have lost; and clearly you were ‘educated’ under the labour government, if at all. Sleep well, I hope your little street urchin friends don’t vandalise your property or keep you awake. If they do, I guess you’ll blame society, that’s easiest, isn’t it? But you can’t take action against society, can you? Who’s actually responsible, again? Don’t think too hard, we don’t expect you or your kind to solve this problem. The rest of us have a workable solution.
PS Please Google ‘FOAD’, it doesn’t take a genius!
I forgive you sad one.
Posted by: Manimal, Southampton on 8:28am Sun 27 Jan 08
Yet again Messrs Bahia and Whitbread are failing to see that HARD WORKING FAMILIES ARE NOT BENEFITTING FROM ANY OF THE CURRENT COUNCIL INITIATIVES AND WILL BENEFIT MORE FROM PAYING LESS TAX. the only people who benefit are benefit scroungers on the estates who get the council to wipe their arses for them whilst wasting all our tax money on flashy clothes, fags, booze, massive TV's and lottery tickets.
It's time to face facts, it's not fair on low income workers to subsidise lay abouts. Children of working families rarely qualify for any grants so why shouldn't they pay less tax? I'm sick of all these lefties, who encouraged the promiscuous society of the 60's, attacking people for wanting to pay less tax. Role on 2010 when we can vote out this lame duck government.
Yet again Messrs Bahia and Whitbread are failing to see that HARD WORKING FAMILIES ARE NOT BENEFITTING FROM ANY OF THE CURRENT COUNCIL INITIATIVES AND WILL BENEFIT MORE FROM PAYING LESS TAX. the only people who benefit are benefit scroungers on the estates who get the council to wipe their arses for them whilst wasting all our tax money on flashy clothes, fags, booze, massive TV's and lottery tickets.
It's time to face facts, it's not fair on low income workers to subsidise lay abouts. Children of working families rarely qualify for any grants so why shouldn't they pay less tax? I'm sick of all these lefties, who encouraged the promiscuous society of the 60's, attacking people for wanting to pay less tax. Role on 2010 when we can vote out this lame duck government.
Posted by: mandrake, round the corner on 9:09am Sun 27 Jan 08
[quote][bold]Manimal[/bold] wrote:
Yet again Messrs Bahia and Whitbread are failing to see that HARD WORKING FAMILIES ARE NOT BENEFITTING FROM
