(And I am nearly 41), I'm not voting Labour on May 1. And I won't be voting for them in the General Election. They have took the piss out of this town. They promised the hospital was safe, Remploy was safe, the post offices were safe. WRONG. The quicker the people of Hartlepool realise they are being taken for granted and boot Labour out, the quicker they will react and look after us. The problem is, who do I vote for?

twice in a minute i concur

It shows how far Labour has fallen when dyed in the wool socialists like Mr Gremmlin is turning his back on them. No sarcasm whatsoever intended.

And this so called MP has no interest in his constituents any time other than election day.

I also concur - I also have always voted Labour but I'm not going to bother next month. In fact, I won't be voting for anyone - the whole country should abstain and show them what we think of them.

But that's wrong Jonny. You're wasting your vote. Don't abstain, vote for someone else.

I dont think it matters who we vote for next election, we'll get the same old promises and the same old letdowns.

Do you think the next government is going to reduce power bills, water, fuel, food, income tax, foooking no chance, these are the priorities which we rely on every day.

If a government could promise me it would see to all these then i'd give them a chance, but there's more chance of Martin scott coming back to Hartlepool.

Just dont vote for the tories, believe me, it'll be a lot worse

I would NEVER vote Tory. But I am not voting Labour next time so who wants my vote?

the best part is watching gordon brown squirm and trying to look as if he is in control,he just seems to wriggle out of something and there's another load of trouble for him,it seems since blair left stuff keeps coming out of the woodwork,i almost feel sorry for him(but i don't)

I don't believe or trust any of them (least of all the Tories by the way) so I'm not gonna bother - simple as that.

For all Blair was criticised, he looked to me like a leader with charisma. Brown doesn't inspire me at all. As for David Cameron? Forget it. If only Boris Johnson were Labour. He's funny.

This country will be fucked in years to come anyway, when we finally lose our manufacturing capabilities to the new upcoming far eastern countries. There was an interesting Panorama documentary on tonight about the Eastern Asian economies, and the different attitudes of everyday people towards getting their hands on a bit of money, compared to people in the West. They are far more likely to save their money or invest carefully, whereas in the West it gets spent straight away, and people get hocked up to the high teeth with credit. I get the impression that the world created by the western democracies is going to become the norm in China, India etc (maybe Russia eventually) and the UK, USA etc won't be able to compete with these new economic superpowers. The USA could find itself becoming less influential in the way the world works. However they still have big bombs and big guns so it will be interesting to see how well they accept this new situation in future without spitting the dummy out. It's probably the main reason the traditional communist countries are not so willing to lower their guard just yet!!! And not without good reason, given Uncle Sam's predisposal to wanting its own way at all times!!!!
The acceleration in economic growth of places like Singapore isn't probably sustainable long term, but at the moment they look attractive places to work and to try and do a bit of business(while this country still has some business).

I WONDER IF KEV IS TAKING LODGERS IN YET

But we're world beaters in the export of....celebrities, sunbed technology, hair gel, geriatric rock bands, themed pubs..... and our entire industrial base....er, that's it.
We import...everything.

We actually agree .... VOTE FOR ANYONE, VOTE TACTICALLY, Lib Dems would be the best option of an upset, but even if it means voting Tory just once to give then all a shock, do it.... get this town so that nobody can rely on it, as some political serfdom as the Labour Party has.
PLEASE USE YOUR VOTE, some poor bastard had to struggle to get that right, no one has the right to abuse it because they 'can't be arsed'.We have shit local politics by default, if you don't vote, please don't come on here moaning about the council, it's yor fault !

The blessed Premiershit is above such mere earthly things, it is now officially classed as the world religion and beyond our understanding..... yeah, stick it on the list with the rest of the crap.

I always make a point of voting, I even think it should be compulsory.

I particularly like the council elections cos it means that I can vote blue when they actually have a chance of winning in my ward.

PS. I can guarantee that I will not be voting Labour.

Nor me, but am I correct in thinking, if you do not vote, they take it as your happy and count 1 vote to the current occupier of the hot seat?

I seriously hope that you are kidding. Yes?

I also think it should be compulsory to vote and in the forthcoming council elections, I would like to urge everyone to vote. What normally happens is that apathy amongst voters result in the wrong people being elected.

These elections are more important than any other council elections in the town as the BNP are standing 2 candidates and as I dont intend to tell anyone how to cast thier vote a vote against this particular party is a vote well cast and could well stop them getting a foothold within the town.

So if you live in the Rift House or Owton manor Wards, please go out cast a vote and ensure that the BNP candidates are not elected, do as other's have said on here and cast a tactical vote for the candidate you think has the best chance to defeat whichever candidate you dont want elected, but once more let's keep the BNP out of our council.

A vote to ensure that is NOT A WASTED VOTE.

I know one 'emerging economy' that they won't be growling at.

That mental bitch Hilary Clinton wants to default on all the US Treasury Bonds held by China while China has been propping up their failing bankrupt economy.

Well you know if you don't pay your club?? These blokes come round and nick your telly, kids etc??

Picture that but for 200billion dollars............

Well said Bob!!!