No, I don't think so. I think he believes he knows better than the rest of us, but that's personal arrogance which looks likely to scupper him. I don't think he actually believes it's his divine right to rule, though.
I've no wish to go back to the days when the gentry ran the country and believed their status alone entitled them to do so.

I think that is absolutely what he thinks..... let's face it, he was never even elected.  And I don't think you have to worry about going back to the gentry running the country.....for one thing. I don't think they ever left.... but if it is a choice between the gentry or the bankers running the country, then I will take my chances

I don't think you can get away from the stereotypes though Baz, they are always based in truth to some extent, even if they are grossly exaggerated.

That's why "New Labour" were successful for so long....they broke down the stereotypes and appealed to people across the class divides. The Conservatives are now trying this tactic too, and have been relatively successful at it.... but still have a long way to go. If they could have managed it, this coming election could have been a resounding victory for them, (I don't think anyone denies Labour are unpopular right now). I think it speaks volumes that this isn't the case.

I am dreading Thursday..... having a Conservative government would probably change very little about my life, but just the thought of them being in charge depresses me somehow

I do hope Charli's going to be on hand with the cakes

Neither was John Major, although I don't remember much hoo-ha about that at the time.
Considering the Conservative party is bankrolled by City financiers, I can pretty much guarantee the bankers will be running the show if they get in.

I don't think it is a fait accompli yet Ducky..... in fact I think there will be a hung parliament.  As for stereotypes, I agree..... it's just that there seem to have been some assumptions made in this thread that confound me...... For example,  the subtly inference, that anyone supporting the Conservatives must be middle class or above that. Or that (much as I detested Thatcher), everything she did was wrong and that everyone in the country suffered. Secondly, that all pensioners and working families are better off under Labour.. trust me... they aren't.  And that somehow, despite the fact that it was GB who was , at least in part, the architect of the mess we are now in, that he is a *safe pair of hands*  *and breathe*

I don't everyone who supports the Tories is posh, Baz - not at all.
But I think too many of their elected members are. And they only really serve the interests of people like themselves.

I think (and hope) there will be a hung parliament too. Do them good to spend their energy on reaching consensus, instead of constant bickering.

Me too.... apparently if you support Labour you're quite happy for everyone to laze around and claim benefits. So I suppose all sides are a little guilty of unfounded assumptions.

So this is why they say never discuss politics, religion and Big Brother!

Unless you are an RE teacher.

Ironic really since a hung parliament will result in a ton of bickering.

 Hi Darlo

Another point... which I thought of in my bath...... correct me if I am wrong..... but hasn't the gap between rich and poor has actually widened under New Labour?

oh Baz...  it'll all be fine come Friday..  

 Well , if it was good enough for Archimedes............ Moreover, when you are in the minority you need all the points you can think of Hi Ditty

Germany has a coalition government and were one of the first out of recession...Greece on the other hand, have a single party in control and managed to bugger it up in spectacular style.

I honestly don't believe a hung parliment will be the disaster some newspapers are trying to make us believe. It's just scaremongering. I think it will be interesting to see how it pans out under a hung parliament.

Well most teachers will probably be voting for Labour because Conservatives plan to make changes about the summer holidays if they win.

Ooooh....are they going to make them longer. *dyes rosette blue*

Another one here agreeing with Suzybean
A few other thjings worth mentioning is the UK has the LOWEST unemployment benefits in Western Europe.

Benefit fraud cost £0.8bn last year (too much yeah...BUT...) Tax evasion cost £70bn.

Another thing is the great Incapacity myth, it has the lowest levels of fraud for benefits.  0.5% <<<< that's TINY!  But the right wing press like to instil fear into everyone about sick-note culture and it's a load of old tosh.

Oh and hello everyone, it's been a while

Bugger.

The convo has moved on while I was googling figures and I've forgotten to quote my bloody sources.

Gah.

 Typical *floating * voter

I'm nothing if not easily swayed Baz..... an extra day off here, an extra bag of maltesers there....

Now we could do with THAT sort of comment in the "where has everyone gone" type threads

Welcome back Leccy.

Regards benefits, I think it might be a start if, whoever , gets in , they cut down on benefit fraud! That would not effect anyone who is genuinely in need.

Nothing to add to the convo ... but hi Leccy - good to see you back

Well that pun fell flat

Wow.

Thanks Ducky and Rexi.

It looks different in here on my new PC, I can see the whole thing (and those bonny pink streamer looking things...never seen those before )

Oops!

I had my politics head on (Worzel Gummage style) ....if you're expecting me to multitask I'm gonna need another neck

Ok.... but wouldn't it make sense to hit it from both ends.....  and 0.8bn is hardly chicken feed.....

That's our celebration wallpaper....we're a year old now don't you know?

It's Party time ... we are a one-year old

Indeedy Ducky.  Mind boggling isn't it.

Oh another titbit I found on my journeys through the internet.  MORE is paid out in mistakes, clerical errors etc than is in fraud

I don't think anyone's going to disagree with you there Baz. Proportionally they need to hit it harder at the top end though But I suspect they already do to a extent.

I blame the press for this bit...... they'd rather concentrate on the benefit scammers than the tax evaders...it gives normal people a skewed view of the problem.

But don't get me started on the press, my PMT will really kick in then.

Exactly
It's all very well demonising benefit cheats (and don't get me wrong, if I knew of one in my street, I'd shop them) but they are NOT the main problem draining this country's coffers. Trouble is, the real culprits are people like Lord Ashcroft..

Hey.... who are you calling normal!!!

Oops again

A year, blimey! OOoh another thing I found out today...only 2 Prime Ministers sine the thirties haven't gone to Oxford...Churchill and Major (neither went to Uni) Clegg went to Cambridge, Brown to Edinburgh....erm..Davey boy (you guessed it) Oxford. I had a right sweary rant about it on fb. http://www1.politicalbetting.c...-wrong-universities/

Or Lord Paul

See this is why my Mp would never have made Prime Minister...cos he was an ex-London cab driver who went to Walworth comp...

Well I know for Parliament itself David Cameron would like them to be much much shorter.  And a good thing too, less of this breaking up and going back just before Christmas.  Is it my imagination or has it got ridiculous in recent years?

My outgoing (he's retiring) was a Miner.