[Yudster]

Bollocks to all that, I'm voting for Boboff.

[MK Chris]

Also MP's pay should be commercial, so that people could make a commerical decision to be a "professional" politician. Ban all expences pay them all £250k a year

See, I think pay them a bit more than currently with no expenses, but nowhere near that figure. Why can't the Government own a block of flats or a complex close to Westminster where the MPs could stay for no charge? That would stop any need for expenses whatsoever and surely save a hell of a lot of money.

when asked what he would do if there was a hung parliment, Nick Clegg said he would side with the Tories!

Do you have a source for this? I thought the Lib Dems have been very cagey about what they'd do in the event of a hung parliament.

most people see the Lib Dems as a 'wasted vote'. I don't agree with the idea of a 'wasted vote' at all, you should vote for who you like!

If I thought the Lib Dems had any chance of winning, I would vote but because they won't I don't see the point in voting at all.

This is exactly why the Lib Dems never get in, because not enough people vote for them.

I agree in principle, but until there is a significant effort to change this, I might just do my best to keep the Tories out. And looking at my constituency for last year, it'll take a lot more than me to vote Lib Dem this time round to get them anywhere close to our seat.

[Johnny 1989]

when asked what he would do if there was a hung parliment, Nick Clegg said he would side with the Tories!

Do you have a source for this? I thought the Lib Dems have been very cagey about what they'd do in the event of a hung parliament.

I'm sure it was mentioned on BBC News, Radio 1 Newsbeat & ITN News, but I can't fully remember, unless it was all hearsay, not entirely sure now in all honesty.

However the Torygraph speculated thus back in 2008:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstop ... ament.html

Porbably a load of bollocks but there you are.

Edit: this is the closest of recent, however as mentioned it's not entirely clear:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8566521.stm

Problem is that everyone is doing that old trick & trying to scew peoples views by reporting/printing facts & lies all at the same time.

[Johnny 1989]

I didn't notice this on that E4 Party advert when I watched it last night, look at the writing on the white board behind the bloke:

[MK Chris]

Lib Dems promise to end "unfair" bank charges

[MK Chris]

I'm not getting into this again except to say that sometimes it's just not that simple.

Also, as far as wasted votes are concerned, a system of single transferrable vote would sort that problem out.

[foot-loose]

*walks in*

I'm not getting into this again except to say that sometimes it's just not that simple.

*walks out*

[Latina]

I've never been overdrawn nor have I gone into my overdraft. Don't do it and then you won't get charged "unfairly".

If Clegg means making the fine more in proportion with the crime (because some are a bit ridiculous) then I agree. Otherwise, yeah. Overdrafts can be increased to suit the needs of the customer. If there is no penalty for exceeding them even after that then what's the point of their existence?

Sorry, but I couldn't not go there.

[MK Chris]

I'm pretty sure that's what he does mean.

Speaking during a visit to Cardiff, he said if elected, his party would stop "vested interests" in the business world from "ripping people off".

...

Mr Clegg said banks should not be able to "profiteer" from people making small mistakes with their overdrafts, or by bouncing a cheque. He is also calling for a cap on credit card interest rates.

[jocky85]

I've never been overdrawn nor have I gone into my overdraft. Don't do it and then you won't get charged "unfairly".

And yet being sensible with your money gets you nowhere. I've been lucky and never had any debts/loans etc but had to get a credit card recently - just so I could get a credit rating. Now I could be charged for something I don't need, becuse without it I'll have difficulty getting a mortgage etc. Its ridiclous!

[foot-loose]

No it aint Jock - it makes sense to build up yer credit rating. Don't use the card too much, always pay it back and you will have a much better chance of getting bigger credit in the future.

[MK Chris]

Why should you want bigger credit? I understand to buy a house but it's silly that you need a credit card previously to get a mortgage. They try and give you too much to entice you into debts and charges. The whole system is geared towards banks, lenders and trained, professional money-makers profiteering and making unreasonable amounts of money out of people who have had no training whatsoever.

[foot-loose]

You don't NEED a credit card, or at least I don't think you do. You do need a credit history. You can do that through other methods than a credit card.

[DevilsDuck]

Direct Debits!

[MK Chris]

I had direct debits when the woman in Barclays persuaded me to get a credit card because I needed a credit history to move away from Visa Electron to proper Visa Debit.

[dimtimjim]

They're all a bunch of *ers. All of 'em. Personally, i think Guy Falks had the right ruddy idea, cull them all in one fowl swoop. *ers.

I think me n yuds would do a better job of running the country. Maybe another option should be added, foots...?

And foots is right, credit management is what its all about. the worst credit history, is to have NO credit history. By getting yourslef mildly into debt, and managing that situation is the way to go.

[Latina]

I tried to get a credit card recently and was refused one. I had also only asked for one because I wanted to build up a good credit rating, and in fact, I had had one a few years previously. I used it once abroad, paid it immediately, and then never used it again (because I never needed to), letting it expire. Could that have been the reason I was refused one this time?

Anyway, it annoys me because it feels like they're doing this because I had the nerve last time not to rely on it and get myself into trouble with it.

[Yudster]

I had a credit card. It was used, paid and then kept in case I needed it again. For a long time, I didn't, but then when I did, I found that without discussing it with me (or informing me, although they say they did - they didn't though) they credit card company had closed the account. When I asked why, they said "we have the right to close any account for whatever reason". I asked what the reason was - they couldn't give me one, apart from that I didn't use it regularly.

Since when have service providers had the right to dictate how their paying customers use that service (as long as its within the terms and conditions)? These people are endowing themselves with importance and authority which they really don't have - they provide a service for which WE pay, yet they behave as though they are doing us a favour letting us do so.

Its not for credit card companies to decide what we have our cards for. For many of us it isn't about building a credit rating by using it every month, its about being able to access credit when WE NEED to. If our account is in order, it should be up to us how we use it.

[dimtimjim]

The whole thing is pish. To go closing accounts just because they're not making as much money out of you as they'd like....! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! Surely closing accounts they have NO chance of making money out of you. To my mind, NO chance is worse than LITTLE chance...! Money grabing *ers.

Which has reminded me....

Anyone else been loving the new Ad on tv for the 'small loan till payday' company? (can't remember name - and wouldn't wanna publicise for them anyway) With the small print on screen, typical APR 2,600%.

Two and a half THOUSAND percent APR.

Sign me up!

[MK Chris]

I haven't seen that and I'm surprised it's allowed - it shouldn't be.

Is anyone watching the debate tonight?

[Munki Bhoy]

Nope. It's pointless. You vote for your local MP in this country, not the leader. This isn't the USA, this isn't a Presidential debate.

That and the SNP aren't in it anyway.

[MK Chris]

Well the idea is that you do, but realistically a lot of people don't base their vote on that assumption, do they?

[dimtimjim]

Possibly, although I fear it'll do my blood pressure no good.....

[Johnny 1989]

I don't think I'll bother, or I'll probably forget it is on anyway. In all honesty I can't stand Cameron, I think he's a complete smug arsehole & I just want to punch him in the face everytime he opens his mouth.

Have to say though I'm not too sure between Labour & the Lib Dems now, the Lib Dems over the last few weeks have been very good in all honesty, I'd certainly have them in over the Tories again.

[MK Chris]

I think the Lib Dem manifesto is very good and these debates could do them well - if it's a hung parliament they could do well.