Reasons not to vote Tory
Discussion
REASONS NOT TO VOTE TORY - BY THE TORIES
Feb 10 2005
By Oonagh Blackman, Political Editor
TORIES fear they are distrusted so much they are advising election candidates on how to fight off fury on voters' doorsteps.
A leaked training manual bearing the Conservative logo admits the party is seen as "out of touch, anti-women, greedy and divided". It also says Tories are associated with lack of concern about public services, economic mismanagement under Margaret Thatcher and anti-Europeanism.
Astonishingly, the document admits the list of gripes could go on, and tells candidates: "Add your own", knowing there are plenty to choose from. It then suggests they cool criticism by "sincerely acknowledging" voters' emotions and turning hostile statements into positive ones.
The hugely embarrassing document is a stark illustration of the Tories' panic about their public image and disastrous ratings in the polls only weeks from an expected general election.
Last night a blustering party spokesman said: "It is a sign of an effective organisation that we prepare candidates to deal with the sort of vitriolic attacks which come out of the Labour Party."
A Labour spokesman countered: "Voters remember the Tories gave us 15 per cent interest rates, negative equity and mass unemployment. It's little wonder their candidates have to be taught how to listen and be sympathetic.
"This is a gross insult to the electorate. But the British people will see through this synthetic sympathy and Tory spin."
Called "Campaigning: Engaging the Individual Voter" the pamphlet was produced by training consultancy AchieveGlobal, which is linked to wealthy Tory donor Lord Laidlaw.
Under the heading "Challenging Assumptions", it lists the party's four main sins of being out of touch, anti-women, greedy and divided.
It also lists a string of negative statements such as "Conservatives can't win", "Conservatives can't be trusted" and "Conservatives don't care about public services".
Candidates, says the manual, should "reframe" the hostile statements into something less threatening. Accusations of "savage frontline cuts" on public services should be fielded by referring to "providing better services with less waste".
And economic stability under Labour could be described as "blowing the benefits of the Thatcher reforms".
Under a second heading "Acknowledging Emotions Statements", the document then predicts how voters with memories of the grim Thatcher and Major years might accuse candidates. It lists possible complaints, such as:
"How can I vote Tory? I was a miner; my community was devastated by Thatcher."
"I remember the last war - that's why Europe means so much to me. I'm terrified you lot will mess it up"; "You are anti-women."
"I lost my house through negative equity. I blame the last Tory Government for that and will never forget what you did to me."
"How can I believe you are sincere about state schools and the NHS when you send your kids to private schools and go to private hospitals?"
Candidates, says the manual, should use listening tricks to make them appear interested in other people's complaints.
They should also practise responses to common anti- Conservative statements.
It says: "Have one person make the negative statement. The rest of the group then challenges the under-lying assumptions and reframes." It also advises candidates to use "vivid language" and "humour" to impress weary voters.
But its example of "humour" ridicules mentally ill people on incapacity benefit:
"The numbers claiming incapacity benefit on the grounds of poor mental health have risen by 38 per cent to 718,000.
"It would be unkind to inquire why nearly 200,000 more of us should have sunk into depression since Blair's new dawn. Labour Sends You Mad."
AchieveGlobal said: "We do not comment on work for clients."
Tory HQ is in turmoil in the run-up to the election - planned for May 5 unless Tony Blair calls a snap poll - with the Conservatives still trailing nine points behind Labour.
Michael Howard's Aussie election guru Lynton Crosby and Party co-chairman Lord Saatchi are at war over election tactics.
Mr Crosby, who was behind election wins for Australia's Liberal Party, is renowned for his aggressive campaigns about race and crime. He provoked an outcry after using the stabbing of a young girl in a 1992 TV advertising blitz.
The tactic had to be abandoned after a public backlash and complaints from the victim's family.
Mr Crosby backed another campaign about a second murdered woman which resulted in her four children being terrorised at school.
Feb 10 2005
By Oonagh Blackman, Political Editor
TORIES fear they are distrusted so much they are advising election candidates on how to fight off fury on voters' doorsteps.
A leaked training manual bearing the Conservative logo admits the party is seen as "out of touch, anti-women, greedy and divided". It also says Tories are associated with lack of concern about public services, economic mismanagement under Margaret Thatcher and anti-Europeanism.
Astonishingly, the document admits the list of gripes could go on, and tells candidates: "Add your own", knowing there are plenty to choose from. It then suggests they cool criticism by "sincerely acknowledging" voters' emotions and turning hostile statements into positive ones.
The hugely embarrassing document is a stark illustration of the Tories' panic about their public image and disastrous ratings in the polls only weeks from an expected general election.
Last night a blustering party spokesman said: "It is a sign of an effective organisation that we prepare candidates to deal with the sort of vitriolic attacks which come out of the Labour Party."
A Labour spokesman countered: "Voters remember the Tories gave us 15 per cent interest rates, negative equity and mass unemployment. It's little wonder their candidates have to be taught how to listen and be sympathetic.
"This is a gross insult to the electorate. But the British people will see through this synthetic sympathy and Tory spin."
Called "Campaigning: Engaging the Individual Voter" the pamphlet was produced by training consultancy AchieveGlobal, which is linked to wealthy Tory donor Lord Laidlaw.
Under the heading "Challenging Assumptions", it lists the party's four main sins of being out of touch, anti-women, greedy and divided.
It also lists a string of negative statements such as "Conservatives can't win", "Conservatives can't be trusted" and "Conservatives don't care about public services".
Candidates, says the manual, should "reframe" the hostile statements into something less threatening. Accusations of "savage frontline cuts" on public services should be fielded by referring to "providing better services with less waste".
And economic stability under Labour could be described as "blowing the benefits of the Thatcher reforms".
Under a second heading "Acknowledging Emotions Statements", the document then predicts how voters with memories of the grim Thatcher and Major years might accuse candidates. It lists possible complaints, such as:
"How can I vote Tory? I was a miner; my community was devastated by Thatcher."
"I remember the last war - that's why Europe means so much to me. I'm terrified you lot will mess it up"; "You are anti-women."
"I lost my house through negative equity. I blame the last Tory Government for that and will never forget what you did to me."
"How can I believe you are sincere about state schools and the NHS when you send your kids to private schools and go to private hospitals?"
Candidates, says the manual, should use listening tricks to make them appear interested in other people's complaints.
They should also practise responses to common anti- Conservative statements.
It says: "Have one person make the negative statement. The rest of the group then challenges the under-lying assumptions and reframes." It also advises candidates to use "vivid language" and "humour" to impress weary voters.
But its example of "humour" ridicules mentally ill people on incapacity benefit:
"The numbers claiming incapacity benefit on the grounds of poor mental health have risen by 38 per cent to 718,000.
"It would be unkind to inquire why nearly 200,000 more of us should have sunk into depression since Blair's new dawn. Labour Sends You Mad."
AchieveGlobal said: "We do not comment on work for clients."
Tory HQ is in turmoil in the run-up to the election - planned for May 5 unless Tony Blair calls a snap poll - with the Conservatives still trailing nine points behind Labour.
Michael Howard's Aussie election guru Lynton Crosby and Party co-chairman Lord Saatchi are at war over election tactics.
Mr Crosby, who was behind election wins for Australia's Liberal Party, is renowned for his aggressive campaigns about race and crime. He provoked an outcry after using the stabbing of a young girl in a 1992 TV advertising blitz.
The tactic had to be abandoned after a public backlash and complaints from the victim's family.
Mr Crosby backed another campaign about a second murdered woman which resulted in her four children being terrorised at school.
john75 said:
REASONS NOT TO VOTE TORY - BY THE TORIES
Feb 10 2005
By Oonagh Blackman, Political Editor
TORIES fear they are distrusted so much they are advising election candidates on how to fight off fury on voters' doorsteps.
A leaked training manual bearing the Conservative logo admits the party is seen as "out of touch, anti-women, greedy and divided". It also says Tories are associated with lack of concern about public services, economic mismanagement under Margaret Thatcher and anti-Europeanism.
Astonishingly, the document admits the list of gripes could go on, and tells candidates: "Add your own", knowing there are plenty to choose from. It then suggests they cool criticism by "sincerely acknowledging" voters' emotions and turning hostile statements into positive ones.
The hugely embarrassing document is a stark illustration of the Tories' panic about their public image and disastrous ratings in the polls only weeks from an expected general election.
Last night a blustering party spokesman said: "It is a sign of an effective organisation that we prepare candidates to deal with the sort of vitriolic attacks which come out of the Labour Party."
A Labour spokesman countered: "Voters remember the Tories gave us 15 per cent interest rates, negative equity and mass unemployment. It's little wonder their candidates have to be taught how to listen and be sympathetic.
"This is a gross insult to the electorate. But the British people will see through this synthetic sympathy and Tory spin."
Called "Campaigning: Engaging the Individual Voter" the pamphlet was produced by training consultancy AchieveGlobal, which is linked to wealthy Tory donor Lord Laidlaw.
Under the heading "Challenging Assumptions", it lists the party's four main sins of being out of touch, anti-women, greedy and divided.
It also lists a string of negative statements such as "Conservatives can't win", "Conservatives can't be trusted" and "Conservatives don't care about public services".
Candidates, says the manual, should "reframe" the hostile statements into something less threatening. Accusations of "savage frontline cuts" on public services should be fielded by referring to "providing better services with less waste".
And economic stability under Labour could be described as "blowing the benefits of the Thatcher reforms".
Under a second heading "Acknowledging Emotions Statements", the document then predicts how voters with memories of the grim Thatcher and Major years might accuse candidates. It lists possible complaints, such as:
"How can I vote Tory? I was a miner; my community was devastated by Thatcher."
"I remember the last war - that's why Europe means so much to me. I'm terrified you lot will mess it up"; "You are anti-women."
"I lost my house through negative equity. I blame the last Tory Government for that and will never forget what you did to me."
"How can I believe you are sincere about state schools and the NHS when you send your kids to private schools and go to private hospitals?"
Candidates, says the manual, should use listening tricks to make them appear interested in other people's complaints.
They should also practise responses to common anti- Conservative statements.
It says: "Have one person make the negative statement. The rest of the group then challenges the under-lying assumptions and reframes." It also advises candidates to use "vivid language" and "humour" to impress weary voters.
But its example of "humour" ridicules mentally ill people on incapacity benefit:
"The numbers claiming incapacity benefit on the grounds of poor mental health have risen by 38 per cent to 718,000.
"It would be unkind to inquire why nearly 200,000 more of us should have sunk into depression since Blair's new dawn. Labour Sends You Mad."
AchieveGlobal said: "We do not comment on work for clients."
Tory HQ is in turmoil in the run-up to the election - planned for May 5 unless Tony Blair calls a snap poll - with the Conservatives still trailing nine points behind Labour.
Michael Howard's Aussie election guru Lynton Crosby and Party co-chairman Lord Saatchi are at war over election tactics.
Mr Crosby, who was behind election wins for Australia's Liberal Party, is renowned for his aggressive campaigns about race and crime. He provoked an outcry after using the stabbing of a young girl in a 1992 TV advertising blitz.
The tactic had to be abandoned after a public backlash and complaints from the victim's family.
Mr Crosby backed another campaign about a second murdered woman which resulted in her four children being terrorised at school.
Publically admitting that you read the Daily Mirror is embarrassing enough, without trying to convince us all that there is any substance whatsoever to its pathetic content. Toilet paper for the hard of thinking.
tinman0 said:
the problem isn't "who is going to vote Tory", but "will anyone vote Labour?"
I think we're in for possibly the lowest turnout ever.. Frankly I don't think I can be arsed to vote for anyone this time round.
Before you all get on your high horses I'm seriously interested in pollitics, I just genuinely dont see any decent alternatives in Cons, Lib, Lab as far as I'm concerned 'none of the above' is the best possible alternative...
In fact I vote that the country should be run next year by a consortium made up of 50% business leaders (top 100 from the UK FTSE) and 50% charity workers. Should set a decent balance, and more importantly they're all people who get stuff done....
I remember the last time the Tories were in.
Absolute, total economic chaos. Boom, bust, boom, bust. I remember my mate trying to move house, spending all day on the phone as the buyers were all gazumping each other, property values going up by the minute, only to come crashing back down a few months later.
Millions of unemployed, manufacturing laid to waste, riots in the streets, policemen beating up miners, yuppies, pink Porsches, Edwina Curry, john Major, all of them lining their pockets just as fast as they could because they knew the end was coming, the planned and deliberate downgrading of status of key workers such as nurses and teachers, the ideaology that the only thing that counts is making money, and keeping it to yourself.
God, I don't want to go back to all that.
On the other hand, there's more of Tony Bliar and the other liars.
Hmm. I say we should have a mass none vote. It'd make the world take note of what a mess this country is becoming. It would be highly embarrassing, for our political 'leaders'. It's our only legitimate chance of expressing dissatisfaction, IMO.
Absolute, total economic chaos. Boom, bust, boom, bust. I remember my mate trying to move house, spending all day on the phone as the buyers were all gazumping each other, property values going up by the minute, only to come crashing back down a few months later.
Millions of unemployed, manufacturing laid to waste, riots in the streets, policemen beating up miners, yuppies, pink Porsches, Edwina Curry, john Major, all of them lining their pockets just as fast as they could because they knew the end was coming, the planned and deliberate downgrading of status of key workers such as nurses and teachers, the ideaology that the only thing that counts is making money, and keeping it to yourself.
God, I don't want to go back to all that.
On the other hand, there's more of Tony Bliar and the other liars.
Hmm. I say we should have a mass none vote. It'd make the world take note of what a mess this country is becoming. It would be highly embarrassing, for our political 'leaders'. It's our only legitimate chance of expressing dissatisfaction, IMO.
heebeegeetee said:
Absolute, total economic chaos. Boom, bust, boom, bust. I remember my mate trying to move house, spending all day on the phone as the buyers were all gazumping each other, property values going up by the minute, only to come crashing back down a few months later.
the reason this country is so affluent today is because of the tories in the 80s.
the country was on its knees in the 70s. we were utterly screwed. we were in the toilet and someone was trying to flush.
as for property values going up by the minute - what do we have now? i don't want a 21st century mortgage with a 6x multiple. i dont want a 1 bed flat that costs £150k.
to be honest - i want out of this dumb little island.
tinman0 said:
well, the electricity stays on all week - thats got to be an improvement.
A good point well made. Without wishing to sound like the old git that I am, things are pretty good now. Go back 30 years: strikes, 3m unemployed, no electrickery, all TV channels close at 10.00 (actually, that's not so bad) & just about everything double the price it is today relative to income.
Yep, give me the naughties anytime, just ignore the politics!
>> Edited by 2 Smokin Barrels on Thursday 10th February 21:45
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