Well, the poll booths open tomorrow morning and if you’re anything like me you are umming and ahhing over who to vote for. Conservative seem to understand that not all businesses deserve to be clobbered – for every multi-billion pound bank there are probably a thousand small businesses that don’t make any money at all. Cozibag Bean Bags is a small business employing a few staff; we have worked tirelessly to build a modern, fresh brand offering high quality bean bag furniture (such as our unique luxury range of Everlast Faux Leather and Real Leather beanbags) and it would be a little harsh to increase the company’s National Insurance liability further.
The Lib Dem promise to increase the tax allowance to £10,000 is an excellent one. I have long thought that the tax allowance should try to reflect a livable wage and I would suggest it should be even higher than that proposed by Nick Clegg. This would encourage more people to work (where possible), thus reducing benefit payments. I would then raise the basic rate of tax for all earnings over that tax allowance (of, say, £15,000) to actually increase total revenue. On a personal note, I would be happy to pay a little extra income tax, especially during these economically challenging times.
Labour, for all their mistakes (and, let’s face it, any party in power is bound to make mistakes), are still a party which strives to offer fairness across the board. They have introduced some excellent initiatives for childcare and improved waiting times on the NHS – both huge issues for most people. Plus, it could be convincingly argued that they have so far carried us through these troubled times and have both the knowledge and experience to see it through to the other side – Gordon Brown is certainly well-placed to understand the economy now.
Finally, there are fringe parties such as UKIP and The Green Party. They may offer good ideas to some, but they will never stand a chance unless the voting rules are changed to allow people to list multiple choices in order of preference on their ballot paper.
The tactical voting suggested by some top Labour politicians has made this election an intriguing one. Along with the televised debates, it seems to have reignited many people’s passion for politics, which is a great thing.
Well, just a few points as I see it, but to be honest it doesn’t really help as there are pros and cons every which way you look. I suspect that many people who, like myself, aren’t aligned (officially or emotionally) to a particular party will do as I do tomorrow: stare at the ballot paper for a while and cross the box that just feels right at the time.
Thanks for reading,
I’m glad you’re feeling the same way as me, I’ve found it so hard as like you said all the parties have good and bad points. I really like the way you’ve outlined some of the points as theres just so many policies to research! So, I will be joining you staring at the ballot paper for a while before I most likely just decide on impulse at the time – or I might just stay in, curled up on my cozibag bean bag with a cup of tea and some biscuits and not bother at all!!!! Thanks Lolita x