#BBCQT why can't politicians tell us the truth?
#bbcqt Does anyone, whatever politics, believe any of the the politicians tonite, their obfuscation and their refusal to be open & honest
— Richard Calhoun (@richardcalhoun) December 5, 2014
The first question was "Why can't Governments tell us the truth about the 60% of cuts that are heading our way?". Dimbleby joked about sticking to the shorter version which titles this blog before handing over to, Sajid Javid Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Javid bumbled on about how the economy was a priority and Labour left them no money and so on. Then the reality emerged. Savage cuts to Government spending are still required.This has come up before, in June of last year. The idea we're currently facing a United Kingdom in the grip of "austerity" is inaccurate. The cuts we've seen are LESS THAN HALF of what is still to come. "Forecasters predict public spending will fall to levels not seen since the 1930s, suggesting the loss of one million public sector jobs by 2020."[1]
Yvette Cooper, shadow Home Secretary, agreed that cuts were needed. The message to taxpayers is simple, either way they're going to give you less for your money. You can choose Labour or Tory. The pitch from the opposition is that they're 'nice' people. That's it really. They will be 'fairer'. That's the UK's democracy.
A pointless argument about who is nicer. |
Please stop scaring people with lies about national debt. UK in debt since 1692-its not same as personal debt. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/hDlRKZeFgu
— Viridis Lumen (@ViridisLumen1) December 4, 2014
This is the depressing thing about #BBCQT. It makes me feel like people are idiots even though I know they are not. You have no choice, we're going to cut services. Vote for what colour you want them to wear while they do it, blue or red. Oh, by the way, who wants us to steal more of your money? Yeah, cheers and applause.Time for this lad's question, he thinks politicians need to stop being so greedy:
"MPs expenses have risen by 5 million in the last five years, when are politicians going to take their share of the cuts?" was his question. Here the comedian Omid Djalili excelled himself by talking about direct democracy. Lets have referendums on things. Regular readers will know I am a huge fan of this idea. It was great to watch other audience members pick up on it, after this chap accused the politicians of all being the same and got a huge round of applause.
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No one votes for you 'coz you're all the same. |
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We could vote on things for ourselves... |
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Omid Djalili advocates direct democracy. |

Next question was about Gordon Brown. A tedious discussion about him followed. He deregulated the banks and lied to the Scottish, that's his legacy. He and Blair attacked Iraq, for no good reason and as Omid pointed out, the reality is few of us will remember him.
Before Gordon Brown, we had arguably the best-funded system of private pensions in the world. Brown wrecked it. #BBCQT
— A Libertarian Rebel (@A_Liberty_Rebel) December 4, 2014
A confused question from a "young person" knocked the conversation into one about zero hour contracts. Here Jill Kirby infuriated the audience members by pointing out "a zero hour contract is better than no contract at all". Those who believe they are part of some sort of left wing struggle thrive on this kind of thing. "Go back to London" shouted one man. She's their token right wing guest, presumably there to "balance" the lefty comedian. It wasn't long until she was being misquoted on twitter:
Someone off #bbcqt outdoes Orwellian doublespeak: "It's better to have zero hours than to have no hours at all".
— Dickon Edwards (@dickon_edwards) December 4, 2014
More interestingly this moment occurred during an exchange with Yvette Cooper, who claims her party hates zero hour contracts...
Doncaster council (MP Ed Miliband) topped the league of councils using zero hours contracts! http://t.co/kGJpg94cJC #bbcqt
— FonyBlair (@FonyBlair) December 4, 2014
When challenged on this and asked why Labour don't stop zero hour contracts at their councils her answer was "I think we should stop them for everybody". In other words, she ignored the question. This is because there is no real difference between the two parties. None at all. They do as they are told in Her Majesty's Government.Finally there was a brief exchange about the fact the NHS are refusing to treat people.
UK Gov healthcare in action:
MT @PeoplesNHS Devon CCG has becomes first to deny treatment. http://t.co/RD8ADD3YaO pic.twitter.com/ppJIKmt7ZQ
— Nicholarse (@NickMargerrison) December 4, 2014
No one aside from Kirby thought it a reasonable idea. That's because it's not. She tried to frame it as a question of people taking responsibility for their health.
I'll take responsibility for my health - how do I get a refund from the fucking NHS cess pool, shit heap? #bbcqt
— Paul Perrin (@pperrin) December 4, 2014
Next logical step for the NHS (and we'll see it in our lifetimes) is they start deliberately killing us.
@robhwilliamson @neiallswheel
— Nicholarse (@NickMargerrison) December 4, 2014
Nick Margerrison[1] From the BBC: Osborne: Autumn Statement cuts warnings 'hyperbolic' - quote from this article.
Story in more detail here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-30327717
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