UK politics, voting n' stuff

[Hiking Fox]

Sure, child abuse is a terrible thing, but stultifying kids into a dysfunctional relationship with every adult they meet (heaven forfend they interact with someone without a CRB check!) out of paranoia is going to create a lost generation. God knows what they'll think when they themselves become adults.

Yeah, I have to be escourted round schools when I'm doing building inspections cos I haven't had a CRB check yet. As if I'm going to touch up some teenager in broad daylight in a public place with loads of other people around!

Trouble is though, social workers get loads of abuse cos of high profile media cases like 'Baby P', so they are under increasing pressure to investigate any family that seems a bit 'weird'. I very much doubt that a Tory administration would reverse that trend, though they will almost certainly cut funding to schools (so there goes my job!) and social workers (so there goes my sister's).

[xJimx]

Speaking as someone who's responsible for carrying out a lot of them, CRB checks are almost completely worthless.

Unless things have changed recently, the CRB checking process does not include family courts. Given that the vast majority of child abuse cases that come to court involve close family members, such cases are heard in this court, hence convictions relating to such cases do not show up

At £36 a throw, the main aim of these checks would appear to be to make money for the company that operate the CRB, Capita. Funnily enough Capita's chairman is a major donor to the Labour party; quelle surprise

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article743430.ece#

[Gelert]

Ahh, Crapita. It figures.

And of course, the entire system is based upon the idea that only people with a previous criminal record are potentially dangerous to kids. I suppose the truth is probably that such people are most dangerous to their employers' pockets post-scandal.

[JP]

used to work for capita - what a joke of a company!!!

[Konstantin]

There's a fixed amount of time someone stays on the sex offender register. So if they don't get caught for a bit, they end up without a danger rating.

[Johnboy74]

Don't vote - it only encourages them

very good...
Politicians are people at the end of the day, deep down, looking out for themselves, self centered and greedy. If only all potential politicians had to do Psychometrics testing and only the truly altruistic people should be allowed through the hallowed halls of parliament.

[thestoatyone]

Can I put this here for a chuckle?

[puppydog]

I'm left in nasty situation - namely that my way of life (and my childrens' , and by time the bare civil liberties of *all* of us) is currently being stamped all over by the current administration.

I'm late to the party.
What is your way of life?

[puppydog]

Don't vote - it only encourages them

very good...
Politicians are people at the end of the day, deep down, looking out for themselves, self centered and greedy..

It is a point though.

If there is 70% voter turnout, even if ballots are spoiled or most people are voting for the least crappy of their choices, that makes it possible to say "i have a mandate from the people"

If there is 5% voter turnout it's pretty hard to say that.

[Gelert]

Don't vote - it only encourages them

very good...
Politicians are people at the end of the day, deep down, looking out for themselves, self centered and greedy..

It is a point though.

If there is 70% voter turnout, even if ballots are spoiled or most people are voting for the least crappy of their choices, that makes it possible to say "i have a mandate from the people"

If there is 5% voter turnout it's pretty hard to say that.

Only if you're not Nick Griffin.

[Hiking Fox]

If there is 5% voter turnout it's pretty hard to say that.

Only if you're not Nick Griffin.

Doesn't Nick Griffin live in Wales? I wonder if he speaks Welsh?

If not, he's a grade A, huff puffing hypocrite as well as a bigoted twat.

[Gelert]

If there is 5% voter turnout it's pretty hard to say that.

Only if you're not Nick Griffin.

Doesn't Nick Griffin live in Wales? I wonder if he speaks Welsh?

If not, he's a grade A, huff puffing hypocrite as well as a bigoted twat.

He doesn't speak Welsh. But yes, he lives near Welshpool in Powys.

Interestingly, from chats with people working in the child protection sector in that area, I gather Powys also has the highest number of convicted paedophiles per capita in the UK.

Coincidence, or quiet rural area good for laying low in?

[Hiking Fox]

Interestingly, from chats with people working in the child protection sector in that area, I gather Powys also has the highest number of convicted paedophiles per capita in the UK.

Coincidence, or quiet rural area good for laying low in?

Or maybe the sheep have just wised up in recent years and become more wary?

(I'll get me coat...)

[ratfan]

It's tough decision - and varies depending on where you live. In rural areas you may have to choose btwn Tories and Lib Dems. I'd say the Lib Dem would get my vote in this instance purely cos they promote PR (also they are slighlty better than the Tories on animal policies)

Check out www.vote4animals.org.uk

for the last election they surveyed every candidate for animal friendlyness and posted a recommendation for each constituency - also taking account of tactical voting to keep poor candidates out.

Although my feeling is we need a Green Government - and quick!!