Brown, Cameron, the election that never was, inheritance tax, and the ad hoc speech

[Crazy Jamie]

In the past couple of weeks politics has just become a lot more interesting. In other words, the Conservatives are finally looking like they actually want to be in control of this country again. What's your take on the issue in general?

In all honesty, the whole thing about Brown not calling a general election is not going to cause amazing long term damage unless the Tories suddenly become genuises with spin and media manipulation. However, Cameron delivering what was a very solid speech without an auto cue, that ended up being far more passionate and convincing than Brown's, could well be a sign of things to come. I do feel Cameron has raised the bar with regards to that. The main issue, though, is Inheritance Tax. So many people hate it out of principle, and finally the Tories are exploiting that. Labour can rant all they want about the numbers not adding up. That stance is going to win the Tories votes on principle.

Providing the Tories can maintain this momentum for the next 18 months, we could have a very interesting next general election indeed.

[Mr. DNA]

The thought of living under a Tory government is not an appealing one, although the competition is absolutely no better. Perhaps the Conservatives would do a better job at running country. Who the hell am I to purport to know something as multifaceted and complicated as which political model is most likely to succeed. It matters not a jot to me, for I am an ignorant romantic, and I shall be seeking independence at the next election.

[Xu Huang]

I never get too involved in politics as it's so difficult to discern facts from all the spin and counter spin, not to mention the media. However it seems Brown is being called a coward over an election U-turn. As far as I'm aware, he was never going to call an election in the first place so how can it be a U-turn?

[Crazy Jamie]

As far as I'm aware, he was never going to call an election in the first place so how can it be a U-turn?We'll never know whether he was going to or not. Of course he'll say he wasn't. But the fact of the matter is, that rumour about the snap election was swirling around for a long time. If he never had any intention of calling an early election, he should have moved to quash that rumour long before he actually did. And the fact that he quashed it only after a very strong move by Cameron on inheritance tax made him look even weaker.

[dimmerwit]

Once again, the Conservatives take the lead in the opinion polls, but surely Cameron will manage to screw it up again.

The speech was good. Now he needs to stop throwing out policies every 5 minutes.