IntenseDebate - MatthewJ1981

6 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Alex Morton: Cycling i... · 3 replies · +1 points

I don't think we should be using a stick to get motorists out of their cars, but I think it's hard to argue that the country as a whole would be better off if everyone used them less. There are loads of things that could be done to aid this.

It ought to be much easier to walk around towns and cities. Far too often road design actively makes it harder, for example split pedestrian crossings where a walker has to wait for two green men to get across one road.

Cycle paths should be separated from both motor vehicles and pedestrians more - narrow roads if necessary.

There should be many more buses, and they should be easier to use (a nationwide oyster would be good). It wouldn't necessarily be economical, but it would be better for people's lives, and money well spent. Often there is literally no option but to drive, even in towns. It's ridiculous.

It'd be great if we could reopen minor train lines too, but that's probably beyond hope.

6 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Joel Davidson: It is t... · 2 replies · +1 points

This is a terrible idea. It's basically another layer of professional politicians with even less link to their electorate.

Creating more wards and making them one councillor each would make them more accountable to their local population. Adding in an element of PR as a top-up would help too as it would reduce the number of councils with huge majorities one way or the other.

If you really wanted to do something radical don't up councillor pay, reduce it. If it was £2k rather than £10/12k it wouldn't be worth doing for monetary reason alone and so might encourage more people with actual jobs and who care for their community to do it.

6 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Andrew Kennedy: County... · 2 replies · +1 points

It was my one concern in an otherwise excellent article. How about Associations either has to sell if their property is unprofitable, or turn it into a profitable money-spinner? In some places it would make sense to hang on to property and let it out as an office.

6 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Dan Poulter: Let's bac... · 0 replies · +1 points

The British Gas CEO, according to reports from earlier this year, earns around £3m a year. British Gas has over 14 million customers. If the fat cat boss earned nothing it would only give each customer an extra 21p a year.

6 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Centralisation and cha... · 1 reply · +1 points

Oh, and I think it would be sensible if people can stand in their local seat without having to bother going through the PAB - goodness knows why someone who would only ever want to stand in the seat where they live need national approval. The local association will be more than capable of weeding out the nutters.

6 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Centralisation and cha... · 3 replies · +1 points

Excellent post. I've long been of the view that the candidates list should simply be a way of weeding out the 'mad, bad, and dangerous to know' - those who under no circumstances are fit to be a Conservative candidate. They shouldn't have other obligations.

Who is better? A dedicated, slightly-obsessed political campaigner who has willingly dropped everything to campaign up-and-down the country whenever there is a by-election or election, a family GP who has been politically active locally but hasn't done much more than that, or a high-flying businessman who has written some interesting political texts for a think-tank, but hasn't been canvassing before? They'd all potentially make good candidates in different circumstances, and once they're on the candidates list the associations should be able to choose which one they want.

6 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Exclusive: Harborough ... · 1 reply · +1 points

Tim Clark would be a welcome addition to the Conservative parliamentary party - are there many other ex-teachers on the benches?

7 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Iain Dale: May moves A... · 2 replies · +1 points

"I had hoped that there would be a realisation from the likes of Nick Clegg and Hilary Benn that the course to take now is unite behind Brexit, and make the best of it."

That was, of course, the reaction of those who lost the referendum back in the 70s. They shut up about the EU and made the best of being a member, working hard for Britain within the paradigm the people had voted for.

"Everyone’s attentions should now be directed to how we make a success of Brexit – or if you are of a less optimistic persuasion, make the best of a bad job."

Why? You guys need to own what you've done. You promised that we would lose nothing and gain lots from Brexit. You're the ones who now need to make a success of it. If you fail, it will be your fault, wholly and entirely (much as total success would be).

7 years ago @ http://www.conservativ... - Money for the EU. A pa... · 0 replies · +1 points

You do know that your first two sentences directly contradict each other, don't you?

"You do know that governing on behalf of the United Kingdom isn't just a game. It's about playing hard ball with the EU."

7 years ago @ Conservative Home - Neil Carmichael: Gramm... · 1 reply · +1 points

Are these people actually real? Or have you just made them up?

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