Will Lord Huxley Stand for This?

[mistermack]

I think that you have to make a distinction between personal politics, and party positions.

The UK conservative party IS to the left of the US Democrats, in policy. But it's members are mostly well to the right of the Democrats, in personal attitude.

The UK Conservatives would LOVE to have a much more right-wing agenda, but they just wouldn't get elected, and they know it.

And conversely, many Democrats in the US would LOVE to have a more left-wing agenda, but likewise, they wouldn't get elected.

So it might be true that UK Conservatives' policies are to the left of US Democrat ones, but our individual Conservatives are very likely much more right wing than US Democrats.

The policies reflect the balance of opinion in the country, more than the beliefs of the politicians, because they have to get elected.

[MrJonno]

You really think there are that many conservative voters in the UK (not politicans) who want to get rid of the NHS?, considering they tend to be older than average and older conservative in the US tend to like their state subsidied healthcare.

Conservatives voters wanting restrictions on abortion, if anything I think you will find most of them think there arent enough abortions with too many scoungers around

As for the British National Rifle Association they have actually said self defence is not a justification for owning a firearm, try saying that at the American version!.

Taxation : while those on the right (and left) tend to think taxes get wasted I don't notice any support whatsoever for tax cuts, wasnt even on the agenda in fact Cameron promised 'no tax cuts' in his last campaign

[mistermack]

You really think there are that many conservative voters in the UK (not politicans) who want to get rid of the NHS?, considering they tend to be older than average and older conservative in the US tend to like their state subsidied healthcare.

To just "get rid" of the NHS, no of course not. Not without something being put in it's place. That's not right-wing, that would be ludicrous. Even the most right-wing US politician wouldn't just "get rid" of it, if they were put in charge.
It's a false premise.

They would privatise it, bit by bit. And reduce the money spent on it, so that their voters (many of whom have PRIVATE health insurance) would pay less tax. Like I said, lots of conservative voters would love to do that, if they thought they could do it and still get the Tories elected.

Conservatives voters wanting restrictions on abortion, if anything I think you will find most of them think there arent enough abortions with too many scoungers around

As for the British National Rifle Association they have actually said self defence is not a justification for owning a firearm, try saying that at the American version!.

Guns and religion are a special sickness of the US. Being religious doesn't mean you are necessarily politically right wing. Same with guns. Lots of Democrats are gun-loonys and fundies.
So being less religious and less gun-inclined doesn't make UK conservatives any less right-wing, to me.

Taxation : while those on the right (and left) tend to think taxes get wasted I don't notice any support whatsoever for tax cuts, wasnt even on the agenda in fact Cameron promised 'no tax cuts' in his last campaign

That means nothing. (although he HAS cut tax for the rich).
He had no money for substantial tax cuts. It was an easy promise to make.
I did point out the difference between what's in their manifesto, and what they would LIKE to do.

[MrJonno]

Being responsible for your own healthcare is the basic definition of right wing in the US, its an attitude that just doesnt exist anywhere else. Socialised healthcare are two words that simply don't exist together outside the US in the same way no uses the term socialised defence doesnt really exist anywhere

Lots of democrats may be gun-loonies and fundies that just means lots of democrats are right wing

Since when does not having money for tax cuts stop people doing it, its what (far) right politicans do. They assume the magic fairy will increase tax revenue if you cut taxes so you can buy more tanks and aircraft carriers

Don't know too much about Nader's Green party possible he may just about count as a British 'Conservative' maybe

[mistermack]

Being responsible for your own healthcare is the basic definition of right wing in the US, its an attitude that just doesnt exist anywhere else. Socialised healthcare are two words that simply don't exist together outside the US in the same way no uses the term socialised defence doesnt really exist anywhere

Of course it's a right wing policy. I'm just saying it's not an option to scrap the NHS. Not in one go. Even right-wingers would do it gradually. And that's exactly what they ARE doing.

Lots of democrats may be gun-loonies and fundies that just means lots of democrats are right wing

Of course they are. But using the same logic, lots of communists are right-wing.

Since when does not having money for tax cuts stop people doing it, its what (far) right politicans do. They assume the magic fairy will increase tax revenue if you cut taxes so you can buy more tanks and aircraft carriers

Maybe they would like to. But when the increased borrowing figures came out, they would be crucified in the press for cutting taxes.

[Audley Strange]

KBR? A Class act, that'll end well.

[Svartalf]

A Tory Govt, slashing police budgets? That can't end well

I salmond wins Scottish independence, you can always compensate the loss of North Sea oil by installing a turbine in Sir William Peel's tomb.