[Boboff]

Or by spending billions more on the Health Service they might have improved things so that people get treated quicker, this reducing the time you have to wait. Also they have "bought" private hospitals, treated people abroad, recruited Polish doctors, and made reporting and management more accountable.

Still easier to be high brow, and cynical isn't it, rather than recognising that Labour might actually have done something good.

Obviously it's not perfect, but at least they are trying, and surely that should be remembered on Thursday, especially if your voting Labour, in Cornish ward of Calstock!

[MK Chris]

Labour have no chance in our area anyway, it's a very Lib Dem area, though the Tories are close.

[Sidders]

Still easier to be high brow, and cynical isn't it, rather than recognising that Labour might actually have done something good.

Yes.

[Yudster]

I was being neither high brow nor cynical - I fully recognise that the NHS has undergone huge changes in the last ten years - some of them very positive indeed. But as a parent with a child in pain, being told that it would be three months minimum before a consultant appointment would be available, then at least another three months to wait for surgery if it was required (it was), the decision to use our (free) insurance and go private was a no-brainer really.
And as to the politics of the matter - I am still a Labour voter, I hope I am able to see beyond the tabloid headlines (I find it helps if you don't actually read them), and so far, my allegiance hasn't altered. I'm not saying it wouldn't, but it hasn't yet.

[Boboff]

I think there is an element of "post code" lottery with the NHS, and Colchester sounds like it's only 2 numbers and the bonus ball matching at present.
I am a Tory by nature and belief, but I think that Tony Blair is the best Tory prime minister since Maggie, decentralisation, investment, cash for honours, privatisation (3G) all excellent policies.
Why is he given such a hard time by the press ? Not sure really, I think it has allot to do with the BBC who always seem to take an anti establishment view point, which is strange really when they are the establishment.
Murdoch doesn't help either I feel, and his news papers are seen as the "voice" of the people.

The funny thing is though, the papers and the TV all put their own "spin" on a story, always angling it away from being in support, it was like that Norich totty reporter who negged up Chris's comments, that the chap who did the cartoons wrote again in a possitive way, same story, completely different meaning. I get fed up with the Sidderesch8 view that to be a cynic is to be clever, and to be in support is to be stupid.

*Sidderesch:- To engage in a permanent negative attitude towards life, people, motives, and situations. To portray one self as down trodden and unlucky, when in reality you are very privaledged. To expect to recieve from others whist never giving in return, or understaning that altruism is a perfectly acceptable means of quiet self fullfillment.

[Sidders]

Pah.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

The Observer analysis of 10 years under Blair was interesting. Pretty much everything has improved from 10 years ago but its just not being recognised.

[Boboff]

see, it's true. did the have a sidders section though ?

[kendra k]

has sidders' life improved in the last 10 years? i want proof.

[Sidders]

Well 10 years ago I was still at school, so I guess it's improved.

[Yudster]

But you still go to school every day......?

[Sidders]

Good point. I blame Labour.

[fish heads]

Most people's lives on here have improved on here since 1997 since hardly any of them were born then, the way they carry on.

[SAV1OUR]

I still cant remember what the missing word is in this riddle "Education _____ Education" If my school hadnt shut maybe I could have learned myself better.

[kendra k]

i'm waiting for my future ex-husband to finally get his chance to bungle it up.... oh gordon.

[Yudster]

Are you sure that tumour was in your breast not your brain? Hope the chemo goes ok, best of luck.

[kendra k]

as far as i know, the cancer didn't spread to my brain. i'm starting chemo today to be on the safe side.

it's so weird to me that blair's finally stepping down. i don't believe it!

[Zoot]

it's so weird to me that blair's finally stepping down. i don't believe it!

What??????????????

[kendra k]

he's supposed to be announcing it next week, innit.

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

just enough time to take the stick for the local elections although I suspect it wont be as bad as they expect. It will be a low turnout though... no one cares.

[Boboff]

appraently we should all spoil our paper, put crosses on all of them, to prove we don't have a real choice !

[Walter Sobchak]

maybe we should get computerised voting in, you know... Florida stle

[Boboff]

I don't want a bush in my head thanks

[Gaspode_The_Wonder_Dog]

well from the look of the lib dem and tory leaflets I have had recently they are actually insane.

[foot-loose]

At least you don't have Alex Salmond.