If anyone had any doubts about David Cameron, his true colours shine through with this announcement.
"School-leavers could be forced to do community work under a Conservative government, David Cameron has said. He said full details had yet to be worked out but options included a compulsory scheme lasting four months, with lottery cash as a funding option. The Tory leader told the BBC he would be discussing the idea with voluntary groups, including The Prince’s Trust. He said the scheme would promote public service and tie in with the party’s belief in "trust and responsibility"."
There is a word that adequately describes forced labour: SLAVERY. I thought we had abolished that 200 odd years ago. Mr Cameron wants to bring it back. I know there are those who believe some form of national service is a good thing – and that Cameron is merely echoing that as a form of communal spirit and of working together. They don’t get it. Those things only work effectively when people take personal responsibility and are not coerced. This is an evil plan and it absolutely guarantees that I will not vote Conservative while this man leads the party. Also, as he plans to raid lottery funding for this scheme, I’ll make damn sure I won’t buy any lottery tickets either (not that I do, as it is merely a tax on the innumerate).
I’m glad to hear your pledge not to vote Tory, I hope you mean it. I actually thought this was one of Cameron’s better ideas, (incidently an idea shared by the Lib Dems, who are claiming he nicked it off them).
It’s good to see you treat all parties equally by boycotting them just because of one policy you dislike. At this rate, I doubt you will be voting at all unless you put yourself up as a candidate.
I vote for the party I think has the best policies. This inevitably means voting for a party that has many policies I disagree with, it is the nature of politics I’m afraid, it’s called compromise and it’s inevitable.
”’Longrider replies: As a former Labour party member I have never voted Conservative in the past. I nearly did at the last election, so dismayed am I at the nasty authoritarian agenda now being pursued by Labour. The Conservatives have lost my vote on this one – even if it is only the one policy. I cannot and will not support a party that has slavery as its policy. There is no reason whatsoever to compromise on this issue – it is repugnant in a civilised society to use forced labour. I am all for a policy of encouraging young people to engage with good works and to actively participate ”voluntarily” in their community – but force is not; and never will be; acceptable under any circumstances.”’
”’I do not, generally, boycott a party on one issue alone. I distanced myself from Labour because of a range of policies; the war (and subsequent disingenuousness), the ID Cards Bill, the trend towards mass surveillance, the attempts to remove trial by jury, the civil contingencies act (I could go on, but I’d run out of space…) Hardly one policy – even if overall, it is one issue; control freakery. However, if one policy is so utterly appalling, that I cannot support it no matter what, then, yes, I will cast my vote on the basis of one policy.”’
”’As for not voting, I have always been opposed to this as my vote was bought dear. I am, however, rapidly running out of places to cast it and this is proving to be a real problem for me. The three main parties do not represent my view – of a free, liberal, common law democracy that encourages personal responsibility and mutual respect – and, no, New Labour’s “respect” agenda isn’t what I’m talking about. So who I vote for is going to remain a mystery even for me; probably up until the moment I enter the polling booth”’
How does that party think that forcing anyone to do anything will garner trust? More likely, they will become extremely distrustful of all things authoritarian!
”’Longrider replies: That would be a good thing.”’