Tories launch election campaign

[Agent_Smith]

Scottish Conservatives have today launched their campaign for the forthcoming General Election, based around the theme “Are you thinking what we’re thinking?”. Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan MP and Scottish Conservative Leader David McLetchie MSP launched 5 posters in Edinburgh (these are available via email if desired) with real statements from real people expressing real opinions. They are:

If you do the crime you should do the time – NOT half the time

Kids should be expelled for attacking teachers – it's as simple as that

My council tax goes up and up and all I get is a wheelie bin

Labour promised us shorter hospital queues – we’re still waiting

It’s not racist to impose limits on immigration

Commenting, Mr Duncan said:

“The vast majority of Scots want the same things from life. They play fair and they pay their taxes. All they want in return is for their children to go to good schools and play safely in the street, for their parents to be treated with dignity in old age and have quick access to high quality healthcare, and for their family to be financially secure.

“They are not getting these things at the moment. This majority are being forgotten. They are being hindered, but we will help them.

“We have spent a long time asking people what really matters to them. They have told us, and we will take action. But of course, some of the action taken by a Conservative Government will not directly affect Scotland. This is the challenge to Jack McConnell.

“People have told us that they think it is disgusting that criminals get out of jail after serving only a fraction of their sentence. We agree, and that’s why we’ll scrap automatic early release in England. Will Jack do it here?

“People have told us that they think if an unruly school pupil attacks a teacher they should be permanently expelled. We agree, and that’s why we’ll give back to headteachers the right to expel a pupil. Will Jack do it here?

“They have told us that they haven’t seen any improvement in the services they receive despite massive tax rises. We agree, which is why we’ve pledged to reform these failing services and offer pensioners a 50% council tax discount. Will Jack do it here?

“They have expressed disbelief that the health service continues to go downhill despite record funding. That’s why we’ll radically reform it. Will Jack reform it here?

“And they’ve told us that our immigration system doesn’t chime with inherent Scottish values of fairness and decency. We agree, so we’ll reform that too. Fortunately for Scotland, Jack’s inaction won’t affect that one.

“This forgotten majority are typical of Scottish society. They are industrious, passionate and fundamentally decent, and they contribute much to our rich culture. It can’t be too much to ask for them to be given something back.

“The choice at the General Election is clear. More waste, higher taxes and failing public services under Labour, or value for money, lower taxes and genuine reform of our public services under the Conservatives.”

Are these the policies to beat labour with?

Your thoughts?
A_S

http://www.scottishtories.org.uk/pressrelease.asp?ID=4686[/code]

 

[scalieback]

Scottish Conservatives have today launched their campaign for the forthcoming General Election, based around the theme “Are you thinking what we’re thinking?”. Shadow Scottish Secretary Peter Duncan MP and Scottish Conservative Leader David McLetchie MSP launched 5 posters in Edinburgh (these are available via email if desired) with real statements from real people expressing real opinions. They are:

If you do the crime you should do the time – NOT half the time

Kids should be expelled for attacking teachers – it's as simple as that

My council tax goes up and up and all I get is a wheelie bin

Labour promised us shorter hospital queues – we’re still waiting

It’s not racist to impose limits on immigration

Commenting, Mr Duncan said:

Can't comment on the right policies for the sweaties, but imho they are among the front runners nationally. Whether they will win the election depends on what happens over the next couple of months.

 

[Rgtl_Stick_Insect]

To pick up just one aspect:

Kids should be expelled for attacking teachers – it's as simple as that

I had a debate on this with a Head Teacher who part-applies this policy already.

I pointed out that on being "Excluded" for 2 days, most of the little scrotes probably get their Reeboks on and spend a happy 48hr pass in the local High Street / Arcades as there's often a complete absence of Parental control or interest. This gives them the opportunity to practice all the useful life skills available from the people they meet there.

She assured me that on return to School, accompanied by parent, the reasons etc were explored, an action plan agreed and the child was "on report" for two weeks or longer until they reformed. And if they do it again, they get a longer exclusion.

I suggested that what was actually needed was immediate action and to keep them within the system, but separated from their peers and given special attention so as to bring in a deterrent factor.

I also suggested that maybe "Non Teaching Days" could be earned by classes that behaved, so those who didn't were expected to attend as normal.

Am still awaiting a response from her to that one!

Of course what's really needed is a jail in each School and "Colly for Kids" somewhere nice like Dartmoor, but I don't suppose the Dept of Education would agree.

Bring back the birch...

 

[MikeMcc]

(Putting on a fake Yorkshire accent...)

When I were a lad if you got into trouble at school you had the cane from the deputy head who was built like a brick sh*te house. The Head took high power binoculars up on to the roof of the school so that he could look into the local parks. After lunch breaks there would be a list of people over the tannoy he wanted to have a little 'chat' to (he was the inspiration behind John Cleese's character in Clockwise).

 

[Murielson]

Will Scottish Tory policies be different from British Tory policies then?

Michael Howard did a Q&A session on Channel 5 last night that seemed to go alright.

 

[armourer]

If you do the crime you should do the time – NOT half the time

Kids should be expelled for attacking teachers – it's as simple as that

My council tax goes up and up and all I get is a wheelie bin

Labour promised us shorter hospital queues – we’re still waiting

It’s not racist to impose limits on immigration

Sounds good to me.

 

[Murielson]

If you do the crime you should do the time – NOT half the time

Just to confirm this means that actual sentences will be shorter. The line Howard takes is that they will do what they are sentenced to rather than average of half or whatever.

The actual sentence will work out the same tho' just they will do what the judge awards.

 

[stoatman]

If you do the crime you should do the time – NOT half the time

Just to confirm this means that actual sentences will be shorter. The line Howard takes is that they will do what they are sentenced to rather than average of half or whatever.

The actual sentence will work out the same tho' just they will do what the judge awards.

No it won't, particularly in the case of mandatory minimum sentances - a 5 yr minimum sentance will then mean 5 yrs, not 2.5.

 

[OldRedCap]

Tom Utley in today's Daily Telegraph writes about the PTI at Westminster School. Says he thinks the guy was ex-para and certainly sounds as such. His speciality was knuckling forehead of miscreants. Utley confirms that he hated the guy but he did as he was told. Obviously, random assault by guys who have landed once too often on their heads is an extreme measure but, to me, indicates where things went wrong. Physical punishment worked with me where the educational psychologist failed totally to impress but the methods of 1945 can surely be adapted to today. I'm told that when the tawse was allowed i n Scots schools, they ran beautifully and kids and teachers got on with what they were there to do - learn and teach.

 

[Murielson]

Howard actually stated that the sentences themselves will be shorter. Rather than 5 years meaning 3 years, a 3 year sentence would be awarded.
3 years would then be served.

I assume they will have to look at the sentencing rules and test and adjust accordingly.

 

[stoatman]

Howard actually stated that the sentences themselves will be shorter. Rather than 5 years meaning 3 years, a 3 year sentence would be awarded.
3 years would then be served.

I assume they will have to look at the sentencing rules and test and adjust accordingly.

OK, not seen/not heard. You win!

 

[Murielson]

http://www.tory.org.uk/tile.do?def=policy.listing.page

Honesty in sentencing

Sentencing today is often a deliberate deception – for criminals
rarely, if ever, serve the full sentence they are given. Victims are
rightly appalled when criminals sentenced to prison are released
after as little as half their term. If we are to restore confidence in
the criminal justice system, we need to ensure honesty in
sentencing.

Under a Conservative Government, criminals will serve the full
sentence handed down by the court. Sentences will be handed
down as minimum as well as maximum terms – the criminal will be
told, in open court, the minimum time that he or she will serve
behind bars.

Tougher sentences

In the majority of cases, judges and magistrates should have
discretion in the sentences they hand down, so they can fit the
punishment to the circumstances of the crime.

However, Government can also play a role by setting mandatory
minimum sentences for persistent criminals, which send a clear
message to would-be offenders about the consequences of their
actions.

If not already enacted by a Private Member’s Bill, a Conservative
Government will legislate to ensure that drug dealers convicted for
the third time serve no less than seven years in prison. We will also
impose a mandatory minimum sentence of at least three years on
a person convicted of burglary for the third time.

Accountability in sentencing

In other cases, where judges and magistrates have discretion over
sentencing, it is sensible that there are some national guidelines or
‘tariffs’, so that a degree of consistency is achieved across the country.
Currently, guidelines are set by the Sentencing Guidelines Council,
which is an unaccountable body. We believe that guidelines should
reflect public attitudes to crime and punishment more closely. The
best way of doing this is to give Parliament a role in reviewing the
decisions of the Sentencing Guidelines Council.

Under a Conservative Government, tariffs will continue to be proposed
by the Sentencing Guidelines Council, but they will require the
approval of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee. If
the Select Committee considers that guidelines fail to reflect the
seriousness of a crime, it will be able to tell the Council to think again.

 

[Sangreal]

Tories launch election campaign

Up the Swanney no doubt!

 

[Agent_Smith]

Will Scottish Tory policies be different from British Tory policies then?

Michael Howard did a Q&A session on Channel 5 last night that seemed to go alright.

I think they are. There is some controversy as 4 of the policies from the scottish conservatives are reserved powers for holyrood, so they would have no chance to change them if they get in at the next election. Well is suppose they could put pressure on any scottich tory MSP's.

As for Mr Howard last night, i thought it went really well for him. Never before have i agreed with one parties policies so much.

Unfortunately i missed Bliars session last week

 

[Agent_Smith]

If you do the crime you should do the time – NOT half the time

Just to confirm this means that actual sentences will be shorter. The line Howard takes is that they will do what they are sentenced to rather than average of half or whatever.

The actual sentence will work out the same tho' just they will do what the judge awards.

Thats called honesty in sentencing, not something the present govt are good at!

Smoke and mirrors anyone?

 

[Sangreal]

If you do the crime you should do the time – NOT half the time

Just to confirm this means that actual sentences will be shorter. The line Howard takes is that they will do what they are sentenced to rather than average of half or whatever.

The actual sentence will work out the same tho' just they will do what the judge awards.

Thats called honesty in sentencing, not something the present govt are good at!

Smoke and mirrors anyone?

And if anyone knows about prison sentences it's the tory party!!!

 

[RiojaDOC]

Discussion on sentencing policy = sensible

Discussing whether Howard and his bunch of loosers will win = wasteof time.

A_S you have the faith of a child waiting for the tooth fairy. If the Cnutservatives were to win by some amazing twist of fate be in no doubt the cuts will still go ahead.

I'm old enough to remember Maggie coming to power at the time I had the same sort of simplistic faith. She bad mouthed Jim Callaghans cuts in 1977/78 and promised to reverse them. She didn't and within a year announceed further massive cuts which help convince the Argantinians that they could invade the Falklands. She then fought a war which kept her in power and within two years all the original cuts proposed (in financial terms) were made. Yes I know we were going to sell the carriers and assault ships but then didn't. These cuts were simply shifted elswhere in the defence budget, largely onto the Army.

A-S - Defence don't win votes and both the main parties have an almost identical record in cutting defence since 1945. And I can guarentee you not 1 in 20 of those people who have signed the various "save the Jock Regts" will give the issue even a passing thought when finally deciding to place thie cross.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Discussion on sentencing policy = sensible

Discussing whether Howard and his bunch of loosers will win = wasteof time.

A_S you have the faith of a child waiting for the tooth fairy. If the Cnutservatives were to win by some amazing twist of fate be in no doubt the cuts will still go ahead.

I'm old enough to remember Maggie coming to power at the time I had the same sort of simplistic faith. She bad mouthed Jim Callaghans cuts in 1977/78 and promised to reverse them. She didn't and within a year announceed further massive cuts which help convince the Argantinians that they could invade the Falklands. She then fought a war which kept her in power and within two years all the original cuts proposed (in financial terms) were made. Yes I know we were going to sell the carriers and assault ships but then didn't. These cuts were simply shifted elswhere in the defence budget, largely onto the Army.

A-S - Defence don't win votes and both the main parties have an almost identical record in cutting defence since 1945. And I can guarentee you not 1 in 20 of those people who have signed the various "save the Jock Regts" will give the issue even a passing thought when finally deciding to place thie cross.

Well yes maybe i am idealistic (in the way of your tooth fairy analogy ) but if you and others give in to apathy, then blair and his cronies will get another 4 yrs to dig this country into an early grave!

You dont like the tories, so what, find someone you do like and vote for them, just dont say its a waste of time voting then moan when the cnut blair gets his feet under the table at no10 for another 4yrs.

As for the save the regiment campagin, you are quite right, a lot of people like to say they want to punish labour for what they are doing, but come election time they will forget this and revert back to their regular party
Hence why i am putting in work in my local area to keep the issue in people minds.

A_S