In complete contrast to his Labour opposite number whose webchat has already been covered on this blog Mr Gough who is the Conservative candidate for the Barrow & Furness constituency, comes across as a much more balanced, honest and truthful individual.
As such it is unlikely that he will prosper in the den of thieves should he get elected but if his actions match his words AND if there are more like him who get elected to the den of thieves then maybe, just maybe it would become again a place worthy of respect.
As such it is unlikely that he will prosper in the den of thieves should he get elected but if his actions match his words AND if there are more like him who get elected to the den of thieves then maybe, just maybe it would become again a place worthy of respect.
Link
Hello I'm looking forward to the questions
tonight, and any that I'm unable to answer in the time I'll take away
and answer on my blog
Straight away one up on grinning Johnny Woodcock who couldn't be bothered with pleasantries.
Question
You failed to be selected as the Conservative candidate in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland before winning in Barrow and Furness. Why was Barrow your second choice?
The Barrow selection was originally
advertised
before the Middlesbrough selection but it was withdrawn so I applied
for Middlesbrough, thankfully I was unsuccessful because Barrow was
re-advertised in the next tranche of seats to be advertised. When
Barrow was originally withdrawn I didn't know when it would be
re-advertised.
Two up on grinning Johnny Woodcock. He actually gave a direct answer to a question. He cannot be a "real" politician can he?
Question
On last night's Granada Reports David Cameron said an incoming Conservative government would apply a value-for-money test to Trident.
He did not rule out cuts being made to the submarine programme.
How many Barrow shipyard jobs might be lost as a result of those cuts?
Question
Can you give a categoric assurance that Trident replacement will go ahead under the Conservatives?
In answer to Gary's question and also the
question from Anne which is on a similar subject. (The first question was from a Labour County
councillor an obvious plant but that is to be expected with those who
follow the Brown Gorgon!)
We have always been clear that we fully support the Trident successor programme and that it will be a submarine based system with the submarines built in Barrow. As recently as last month Liam Fox (Shadow Defence Secretary) reiterated this to the Evening Mail. We have been calling for a defence review for some years but we have always excluded he deterrent from this review. However it would be foolish not to look at ensuring that the costs of the replacement system are kept under control and that is all David was referring to. The Conservative party voted to support the deterrent when it was debated in the house of commons and I would refer people to tonight's Evening Mail with the potential threats to the Astute programme and remind people that the Conservatives oredered 18 vessels from 1979 to 1997, since 1997 Labour have only ordered one.
So another 2 questions answered directly and factually. I am warming to Mr Gough as he isn't afraid to give direct answers and he clearly understands Barrow whereas grinning Johnny Woodcock doesn't unless one of his Barrow & Furness Labour Party members briefs him first!
Question
Why haven't you pledged to move here? Will you still be keeping a base in the North East if you win the election?
My parents and my wife's parents still
live in the north east so I will always have a connection with the
north east.
Not so good this time as he ignores the first part of the question. Is he slipping into grinning Johnny Woodcock territory?
Question
Re your answer about Middlesbrough and South Cleveland, so was being an MP wherever would have you more important than representing Barrow? (Its that Labour County Councillor again)
I was selected in June 2007 and I think I
have shown my commitment to Barrow since then.
I think he's clearly figured out there is a Labour Party member asking loaded questions. Just watch out for "analysis" in the Evening Mail.
Question
The obsession of the party leadership with cutting the national debt seems to be the perfect excuse to return to cruel Thatcherite 'small state' policies that devasted many working people's lives in Britain in the 80's. Can you explain why these policies are coming back alongside an inheritance tax cut which will only benefit the wea (I assume this should have said 'wealthy 'but the Mails employee seems to have run out of room)
It is not just the Conservative party who is
worried about debt levels, the IMF, Alistair Darling and Lord Mandelson
are also worried about it which is why they seem to have been able to
persuade Gordon Brown to face reality and stop talking about silly
dividing lines.
Good answer without blatant slagging off of the Labour Party. Contrast this style with the spinning and grinning Labour candidate Johnny Woodcock.
Question
What is the urgency in reducing the National debt so drastically with a probability of send the country into even deeper recession when the debt for WW2 has only just been paid off?
This year alone we will borrow about
£175 BN,
the accumulated debt is about £1.5 Trillion or £23,000 per person. This
debt will need to be serviced which means from next year we will spend
more on debt interest than educating our kids. As any financial adviser
will tell you, the first thing you should do in this situation is
reduce your debt (watch an episode of "Your money or your life")
Another direct and truthful answer. I cannot believe what I am reading. A politician who is telling it like it is without slagging off the cretins who got us into this position in the first place! How refreshing.
Question
If you had been successful in the Middlesbrough selection would you have left when Barrow was re-advertised?
Once you are selected I believe it is
your duty
to see it through, and that is why I was happy that I wasn't selected
because the Barrow selection came up again.
Direct and concise answer yet again.
Question
So do you or do you not have a house in furness?
Yes it's in Scales.
Direct and too the point again. (Although I have to say I think that the question came from a Conservative party member trying to balance the efforts of the Labour County councillor to derail Mr Gough!)
Question
Re living in the North East - you don't say whether you will still keep a house in the North East. Can you answer that now? Given you have decided not to move to Barrow before the election I think we are entitled to ask what your plans are after it. (Another Labour party member? They do seemed to be obsessed with Mr Goughs accomodation. You'd think it was orchestrated by a useless spin doctor...!)
Yes I do and the reason
it's not for sale is
because I haven't finished renovating it. Plus also there are a number
of developments going on in the local area which means I'm waiting
until they're finished also before we sell.
Finally we get to the bottom of the mystery of Mr Gough's housing situation. Fascinating isn't it?
Question
What are your views on gay rights? Was Section 28 right to be removed and do you support civil partnerships and would you support gay marriage being introduced in Britain. What will you do to improve equality for the gay people of Furness?
Yes section 28 was right to be removed
it
belonged to a different time which thankfully we are past. I support
civil partnerships and I am happy to do anything I can to improve
equality for gay people in Furness.
Another clear and concise answer to a very good question.
Question
If elected, do you pledge to make a home in the constituency? Will you work full time as an MP or carry on your private accountancy business?
I would hope to buy a house (the
current house is rented).
I would be a full time MP, and the quicker I can give up accountancy the better.
So PLEASE no more bloody accommodation questions. They serve no purpose other than to use up time. Shame on the Labour Party and its useless spin doctor for employing this dubious tactic. Still Mr Gough answered it concisely and accurately.
Question
Why is cutting inheritance tax still on the agenda alongside severe cuts in services then?
Inheritance tax was always designed to
be a tax
on millionaires but now because house prices have risen over the last
30 years more and more "normal" are caught out by it. Our proposals are
merely to rectify this and ensure that only the richest pay this tax.
We have explained that the IHT cut will have to take it's place in he
long line of Labour tax rises we wish to reduce and our priority is to
reverse the 1% rise in national insurance planned this year for
everyone earning over £20,000 because this is a tax on jobs.
Good answer to a very good question.
Question
I WORK AT THE SHIPYARD. WHAT REASURANCES CAN YOU GIVE A VERY CONCERNED WORKFORCE. FEELS LIKE A RETURN TO THE EARLY 90 S.
Please see earlier answer plus the early
1990s
saw the end of he cold war and he subsequent "peace dividend". No
party, not least the Labour party, opposed this at the time. I would
refer to the fact that after this the shipyard was given orders for
ocean, the Albion class LPDs and the Wave class tankers to fill the gap
before Astute was ordered.
Clear and direct answer without slagging off Labour.
Question
Are the conservatives committed to cutting farmers' red tape,especially the ridiculous farce that is sheep tagging?
I don't know the answer to this but
I'll contact Nick Herbert (Shadow agriculture minister) and post an
answer on my blog.
My god honesty! Compare this to the bland crap that Woodcock came out with in trying to answer a similar rural question.
Question
Do you accept it is hard to convince people you are committed to standing up for Barrow and Furness when the first constituency you picked was in the North East - the area you still live in?
I have been campaigning here since
2007 I hope that will convince you.
To the point!
Question
You previously stated in the Evening Mail that William Hague is the politician you most admire. Which aspects of his disastrous 2001 General Election campaign, in which the Tories made a net gain of just one seat, appealed to you most?
I don't remember saying this so if you
can send me the link I can see the context in which I said it in.
Don't hold your breath Mr Gough! But still another good concise answer to a seemingly loaded Labour question.
Question
But if taxes are cut and debt is to be cut, I'm not sure I see how there will be many jobs left to tax if government has no money to support education and growth...
I'm not sure I understand the question
but the
point is that if we do not have a growing economy there will be no
successful businesses to tax and therefore allow public spending.
I don't understand the question either!
Question
About your inheritance tax answer - aren't the Conservatives planning to raise the threshold to homes worth over a million pounds. So is someone with a house worth 800 grand or 900 grand a 'normal' Furness family then, as you put it? Doesn't that make you seem a bit out of touch up here?
As you well know political parties
have to
govern in the interests of the country at large and so the £1m you
refer to is set at an average for the country at large it will be big
enough to keep most people out of inheritance tax which is the point
and not penalise areas which have higher house prices.
After the Conservatives announced this policy a very similar policy was announced by the Labour government so perhaps you may want to address this question to the Labour candidate also because if it's such a bad idea why did they copy it.
Excellent answer to a deliberately provocative question. Spin doctoring again?
Question
If the conservatives win the next election will we see the end of the minimum wage, free bus travel for over 60's, free TV licences and free admission to museums and art galleries.
No, no, no, and I'll have to check on
the last one.
Honesty and clarity. Oh to have 646 people like this running the country!
Question
You say you have been campaigning here since 2007, you "hope" to buy a house in Furness, and you want to leave your accountancy post as soon as possible. Why is it then that you don't want to commit your future to the area whilst campaigning here? (Bloody hell Labour won't leave his accommodation alone will they? Just for clarity Johnny Woodcock is also renting in Furness so both candidates are in the same position!)
I have to work full time, I couldn't
afford to be a full time candidate or buy a house here (hence why I
rent).
I wouldn't have had this level of patience so Kudos to Mr Gough!
Question
Will a conservative government reverse the current incumbents proposal to stretch the astute programme again?
I have just heard about this proposal
from
tonight's Mail but I will be contacting our defence team tomorrow. I'll
post a reply on my blog or you can email me at jonnycaver@aol.com
I can quickly get used to this honesty and candour. It's such a total contrast to his Labour adversary.
Question
Do the conservatives accept that some limits on immigration are needed if we are to prevent this country from becoming even more overcrowded?
Yes and David Cameron was talking
about this
yesterday and said we want to reduce net immigration to the "tens of
thousands" we have also been clear that we will set up a proper border
police force to control our borders.
Makes sense to me.
Question
There is a severe lack of sporting facilities in the borough for talented sports people and in particular athletes. Are you aware that young athletes must travel to Carlisle or Lancaster to use a tartan running track? What are your views on this and how would you help the borough's young sporting athletes achieve their potential?
Yes I am aware and I have a friend in
Askam who
travels to Manchester weekly for similar reasons. I'll take this one
away an have a conversation with our borough and county councillors and
post something an answer on my blog.
More honesty. He doesn't try to make stuff up unlike someone else I could and have mentioned!
Question
Sorry, to clarify, you have earlier said 'We have explained that the IHT cut will have to take it's place in he long line of Labour tax rises we wish to reduce and our priority is to reverse the 1% rise in national insurance planned this year for everyone earning over £20,000 because this is a tax on jobs.' My concern is that with this 'long line of Labour tax rises' you will reverse, that the 'tax on jobs' issue will be irrelevant due to the fact that government has no money left to fund education and other key public sector projects which drive growth, therefore creating and protecting jobs.
As I said in my earlier answer at 6:37
we need a growing economy to generate taxes for public spending.
Again another concise answer. Well done Mr Gough!
Question
But come on, you are supposed to be helping Furness out not Rich Tory areas down south. Don't you think that inheritance tax money you will give up taking would be better spent getting down the deficit further or spending more on getting regional economies going?
We have stated that our priority is
reducing the deficit which is why we will not be able to proceed as
fast as we would
like with lower taxes. This is being honest and we have been consistent
in this approach.
Yes it is being honest. Sounds like the Labour party are out in force on this webchat but Mr Gough is more than a match for them!
Question
Hello John. Very recently this Gov.t, and in precisely the cynical and underhanded manner that is synonymous of it, did extend the Proceeds of Crime Act to every ordinary citizen in this entire country. It did this without democratic permission, without debate and apparently without the knowledge of HM opposition. It means basically, and if one falls behind with Council tax, that Council officials can enter ones home without warrant or attending Policeman -search for and confiscate monies (some of which they can keep). It means anything one owns can be confiscated as its deemed it has been got via criminal means. It is a further and wholly disgraceful degradation of our civil liberties whereby one is, and via Council tax, incriminated via those best placed to profit by it, but treat this discriminated against as a criminal. (It really does seem this Gov.t wants a war with us).
I have some papers on this which I
shall post on the blog and forward to you.
Brilliant answer to a question whose only purpose is to run the clock down, assuming that Mr Gough was daft enough to fall for it, which he clearly isn't!
Question
Why are we only just hereing about this Middlesbrough thing? Why didn't you tell people at the time? I read the paper every day and i don't think you ever mentioned it before .(I read the Evening Mail every day and there hasn't been a daily mention of Middlesborough. This is definitely a planted Labour question. You'd think they'd have realised Mr Gough has seen right through them wouldn't you!)
It's no secret go on the Conservative home website, it's not
relevant.
He has more restraint than I would have had!
Question
I think I read your William Hague appreciation in an "Inside the mind of..." So do you think Hague's leadership of the Tory Party and associated policies was a period to be admired?
I'll take your word for it, what can
be said is
that William Hague was leader in a very difficult time and I prefer to
look forward rather than to the past. David Cameron is our leader and
he has my full support.
Labour are being really boring.
Question
Do you agree with david cameron's promise to allow all conservative mps a free vote on non-manifesto matters, and do you think that weaker whips will strengthen democracy in this country?
There's a role for free votes and I do
think
that on some issues it is better to have a free vote and it does
enhance our democracy so I agree.
Not with him on this. Party voting kills good ideas from the opposition, they all have some, and that definitely does not benefit the country!
Question
The financial crisis was brought on by barely regulated capitalism, started by Thatcher who used North Sea Oil and selling off the "family silver" by privatising everything, from the disaster of British Rail to council housing, and continued by Blair et al. This all created a false prosperity. Why should we vote for even more right wing politics?
We could have a long debate on what
caused the
current recession an if you contact me I'll be happy to do this but
time doesn't allow us to do it now.
Even Mr Goughs patience with the blatant Labour time wasting is running thin!
Question
Do you support our local football and rugby teams Barrow AFC and Barrow Raiders and do you ever get to any games?
I'm not a huge sports fan but I did go
and see Barrow V Sunderland a week last Saturday.
More truth and honesty. Despite what the Evening Mail tries to tell everyone in Barrow the majority of the townsfolk don't follow the Rugby or the Football!
Question
Am sorry to ask such a negative question Mr Gough, but do you think we are a bit slow or stupid? Why on earth would you say that it was not relevant that you had put yourself forward for a completely different area before trying your hand at Barrow? (The only stupid people are the 120 idiots who 'selected' Gordoon Brown's man to be their candidate!)
I don't think you're slow and stupid
but is it
not unreasonable to expect people not to have a life before selection.
I was a diving instructor in South Africa, do you think this is
relevant as well?
A very polite way to tell these tedious Labour oafs to **** ***! I'd have told them straight!
Question
This inheritance tax change. How many people here in Furness do you think it will help? You promised an answer to all these questions and I want an answer to this.
I think you are missing the point
which is to take all but the very wealthiest out of inheritance tax all
together.
There you go Labour muppet! He has answered you and indeed all of the questions that the Labour loonies and the sane people asked.
Question
On the topic of council housing, will the tories reverse the damage labour has done to the right to buy system since talking power?
We're our of time so I'll take this
one away.
Well what a stage managed stupid illogical attempt by Nulabour to prevent Mr Gough from answering pertinent questions. By focusing on bullshit they actually played into Mr Gough's hands as he had them sussed early on in the hours 'grilling'. His patience managed to last till the end of the webchat.
He answered more than twice as many questions as Woodcock faced and answered them honestly and concisely. It was very refreshing to see a politician refrain from slagging off the opposition simply because they are the opposition. Contrast this with Woodcocks efforts.
Hello I'm looking forward to the questions
tonight, and any that I'm unable to answer in the time I'll take away
and answer on my blogStraight away one up on grinning Johnny Woodcock who couldn't be bothered with pleasantries.
Question
You failed to be selected as the Conservative candidate in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland before winning in Barrow and Furness. Why was Barrow your second choice?
The Barrow selection was originally
advertised
before the Middlesbrough selection but it was withdrawn so I applied
for Middlesbrough, thankfully I was unsuccessful because Barrow was
re-advertised in the next tranche of seats to be advertised. When
Barrow was originally withdrawn I didn't know when it would be
re-advertised. Two up on grinning Johnny Woodcock. He actually gave a direct answer to a question. He cannot be a "real" politician can he?
Question
On last night's Granada Reports David Cameron said an incoming Conservative government would apply a value-for-money test to Trident.
He did not rule out cuts being made to the submarine programme.
How many Barrow shipyard jobs might be lost as a result of those cuts?
Question
Can you give a categoric assurance that Trident replacement will go ahead under the Conservatives?
In answer to Gary's question and also the
question from Anne which is on a similar subject. (The first question was from a Labour County
councillor an obvious plant but that is to be expected with those who
follow the Brown Gorgon!)We have always been clear that we fully support the Trident successor programme and that it will be a submarine based system with the submarines built in Barrow. As recently as last month Liam Fox (Shadow Defence Secretary) reiterated this to the Evening Mail. We have been calling for a defence review for some years but we have always excluded he deterrent from this review. However it would be foolish not to look at ensuring that the costs of the replacement system are kept under control and that is all David was referring to. The Conservative party voted to support the deterrent when it was debated in the house of commons and I would refer people to tonight's Evening Mail with the potential threats to the Astute programme and remind people that the Conservatives oredered 18 vessels from 1979 to 1997, since 1997 Labour have only ordered one.
So another 2 questions answered directly and factually. I am warming to Mr Gough as he isn't afraid to give direct answers and he clearly understands Barrow whereas grinning Johnny Woodcock doesn't unless one of his Barrow & Furness Labour Party members briefs him first!
Question
Why haven't you pledged to move here? Will you still be keeping a base in the North East if you win the election?
My parents and my wife's parents still
live in the north east so I will always have a connection with the
north east. Not so good this time as he ignores the first part of the question. Is he slipping into grinning Johnny Woodcock territory?
Question
Re your answer about Middlesbrough and South Cleveland, so was being an MP wherever would have you more important than representing Barrow? (Its that Labour County Councillor again)
I was selected in June 2007 and I think I
have shown my commitment to Barrow since then.I think he's clearly figured out there is a Labour Party member asking loaded questions. Just watch out for "analysis" in the Evening Mail.
Question
The obsession of the party leadership with cutting the national debt seems to be the perfect excuse to return to cruel Thatcherite 'small state' policies that devasted many working people's lives in Britain in the 80's. Can you explain why these policies are coming back alongside an inheritance tax cut which will only benefit the wea (I assume this should have said 'wealthy 'but the Mails employee seems to have run out of room)
It is not just the Conservative party who is
worried about debt levels, the IMF, Alistair Darling and Lord Mandelson
are also worried about it which is why they seem to have been able to
persuade Gordon Brown to face reality and stop talking about silly
dividing lines.Good answer without blatant slagging off of the Labour Party. Contrast this style with the spinning and grinning Labour candidate Johnny Woodcock.
Question
What is the urgency in reducing the National debt so drastically with a probability of send the country into even deeper recession when the debt for WW2 has only just been paid off?
This year alone we will borrow about
£175 BN,
the accumulated debt is about £1.5 Trillion or £23,000 per person. This
debt will need to be serviced which means from next year we will spend
more on debt interest than educating our kids. As any financial adviser
will tell you, the first thing you should do in this situation is
reduce your debt (watch an episode of "Your money or your life")Another direct and truthful answer. I cannot believe what I am reading. A politician who is telling it like it is without slagging off the cretins who got us into this position in the first place! How refreshing.
Question
If you had been successful in the Middlesbrough selection would you have left when Barrow was re-advertised?
Once you are selected I believe it is
your duty
to see it through, and that is why I was happy that I wasn't selected
because the Barrow selection came up again.Direct and concise answer yet again.
Question
So do you or do you not have a house in furness?
Yes it's in Scales.Direct and too the point again. (Although I have to say I think that the question came from a Conservative party member trying to balance the efforts of the Labour County councillor to derail Mr Gough!)
Question
Re living in the North East - you don't say whether you will still keep a house in the North East. Can you answer that now? Given you have decided not to move to Barrow before the election I think we are entitled to ask what your plans are after it. (Another Labour party member? They do seemed to be obsessed with Mr Goughs accomodation. You'd think it was orchestrated by a useless spin doctor...!)
Yes I do and the reason
it's not for sale is
because I haven't finished renovating it. Plus also there are a number
of developments going on in the local area which means I'm waiting
until they're finished also before we sell. Finally we get to the bottom of the mystery of Mr Gough's housing situation. Fascinating isn't it?
Question
What are your views on gay rights? Was Section 28 right to be removed and do you support civil partnerships and would you support gay marriage being introduced in Britain. What will you do to improve equality for the gay people of Furness?
Yes section 28 was right to be removed
it
belonged to a different time which thankfully we are past. I support
civil partnerships and I am happy to do anything I can to improve
equality for gay people in Furness.Another clear and concise answer to a very good question.
Question
If elected, do you pledge to make a home in the constituency? Will you work full time as an MP or carry on your private accountancy business?
I would hope to buy a house (the
current house is rented).I would be a full time MP, and the quicker I can give up accountancy the better.
So PLEASE no more bloody accommodation questions. They serve no purpose other than to use up time. Shame on the Labour Party and its useless spin doctor for employing this dubious tactic. Still Mr Gough answered it concisely and accurately.
Question
Why is cutting inheritance tax still on the agenda alongside severe cuts in services then?
Inheritance tax was always designed to
be a tax
on millionaires but now because house prices have risen over the last
30 years more and more "normal" are caught out by it. Our proposals are
merely to rectify this and ensure that only the richest pay this tax.
We have explained that the IHT cut will have to take it's place in he
long line of Labour tax rises we wish to reduce and our priority is to
reverse the 1% rise in national insurance planned this year for
everyone earning over £20,000 because this is a tax on jobs.Good answer to a very good question.
Question
I WORK AT THE SHIPYARD. WHAT REASURANCES CAN YOU GIVE A VERY CONCERNED WORKFORCE. FEELS LIKE A RETURN TO THE EARLY 90 S.
Please see earlier answer plus the early
1990s
saw the end of he cold war and he subsequent "peace dividend". No
party, not least the Labour party, opposed this at the time. I would
refer to the fact that after this the shipyard was given orders for
ocean, the Albion class LPDs and the Wave class tankers to fill the gap
before Astute was ordered. Clear and direct answer without slagging off Labour.
Question
Are the conservatives committed to cutting farmers' red tape,especially the ridiculous farce that is sheep tagging?
I don't know the answer to this but
I'll contact Nick Herbert (Shadow agriculture minister) and post an
answer on my blog. My god honesty! Compare this to the bland crap that Woodcock came out with in trying to answer a similar rural question.
Question
Do you accept it is hard to convince people you are committed to standing up for Barrow and Furness when the first constituency you picked was in the North East - the area you still live in?
I have been campaigning here since
2007 I hope that will convince you.To the point!
Question
You previously stated in the Evening Mail that William Hague is the politician you most admire. Which aspects of his disastrous 2001 General Election campaign, in which the Tories made a net gain of just one seat, appealed to you most?
I don't remember saying this so if you
can send me the link I can see the context in which I said it in.Don't hold your breath Mr Gough! But still another good concise answer to a seemingly loaded Labour question.
Question
But if taxes are cut and debt is to be cut, I'm not sure I see how there will be many jobs left to tax if government has no money to support education and growth...
I'm not sure I understand the question
but the
point is that if we do not have a growing economy there will be no
successful businesses to tax and therefore allow public spending. I don't understand the question either!
Question
About your inheritance tax answer - aren't the Conservatives planning to raise the threshold to homes worth over a million pounds. So is someone with a house worth 800 grand or 900 grand a 'normal' Furness family then, as you put it? Doesn't that make you seem a bit out of touch up here?
As you well know political parties
have to
govern in the interests of the country at large and so the £1m you
refer to is set at an average for the country at large it will be big
enough to keep most people out of inheritance tax which is the point
and not penalise areas which have higher house prices.After the Conservatives announced this policy a very similar policy was announced by the Labour government so perhaps you may want to address this question to the Labour candidate also because if it's such a bad idea why did they copy it.
Excellent answer to a deliberately provocative question. Spin doctoring again?
Question
If the conservatives win the next election will we see the end of the minimum wage, free bus travel for over 60's, free TV licences and free admission to museums and art galleries.
No, no, no, and I'll have to check on
the last one. Honesty and clarity. Oh to have 646 people like this running the country!
Question
You say you have been campaigning here since 2007, you "hope" to buy a house in Furness, and you want to leave your accountancy post as soon as possible. Why is it then that you don't want to commit your future to the area whilst campaigning here? (Bloody hell Labour won't leave his accommodation alone will they? Just for clarity Johnny Woodcock is also renting in Furness so both candidates are in the same position!)
I have to work full time, I couldn't
afford to be a full time candidate or buy a house here (hence why I
rent). I wouldn't have had this level of patience so Kudos to Mr Gough!
Question
Will a conservative government reverse the current incumbents proposal to stretch the astute programme again?
I have just heard about this proposal
from
tonight's Mail but I will be contacting our defence team tomorrow. I'll
post a reply on my blog or you can email me at jonnycaver@aol.comI can quickly get used to this honesty and candour. It's such a total contrast to his Labour adversary.
Question
Do the conservatives accept that some limits on immigration are needed if we are to prevent this country from becoming even more overcrowded?
Yes and David Cameron was talking
about this
yesterday and said we want to reduce net immigration to the "tens of
thousands" we have also been clear that we will set up a proper border
police force to control our borders.Makes sense to me.
Question
There is a severe lack of sporting facilities in the borough for talented sports people and in particular athletes. Are you aware that young athletes must travel to Carlisle or Lancaster to use a tartan running track? What are your views on this and how would you help the borough's young sporting athletes achieve their potential?
Yes I am aware and I have a friend in
Askam who
travels to Manchester weekly for similar reasons. I'll take this one
away an have a conversation with our borough and county councillors and
post something an answer on my blog.More honesty. He doesn't try to make stuff up unlike someone else I could and have mentioned!
Question
Sorry, to clarify, you have earlier said 'We have explained that the IHT cut will have to take it's place in he long line of Labour tax rises we wish to reduce and our priority is to reverse the 1% rise in national insurance planned this year for everyone earning over £20,000 because this is a tax on jobs.' My concern is that with this 'long line of Labour tax rises' you will reverse, that the 'tax on jobs' issue will be irrelevant due to the fact that government has no money left to fund education and other key public sector projects which drive growth, therefore creating and protecting jobs.
As I said in my earlier answer at 6:37
we need a growing economy to generate taxes for public spending.Again another concise answer. Well done Mr Gough!
Question
But come on, you are supposed to be helping Furness out not Rich Tory areas down south. Don't you think that inheritance tax money you will give up taking would be better spent getting down the deficit further or spending more on getting regional economies going?
We have stated that our priority is
reducing the deficit which is why we will not be able to proceed as
fast as we would
like with lower taxes. This is being honest and we have been consistent
in this approach. Yes it is being honest. Sounds like the Labour party are out in force on this webchat but Mr Gough is more than a match for them!
Question
Hello John. Very recently this Gov.t, and in precisely the cynical and underhanded manner that is synonymous of it, did extend the Proceeds of Crime Act to every ordinary citizen in this entire country. It did this without democratic permission, without debate and apparently without the knowledge of HM opposition. It means basically, and if one falls behind with Council tax, that Council officials can enter ones home without warrant or attending Policeman -search for and confiscate monies (some of which they can keep). It means anything one owns can be confiscated as its deemed it has been got via criminal means. It is a further and wholly disgraceful degradation of our civil liberties whereby one is, and via Council tax, incriminated via those best placed to profit by it, but treat this discriminated against as a criminal. (It really does seem this Gov.t wants a war with us).
I have some papers on this which I
shall post on the blog and forward to you.Brilliant answer to a question whose only purpose is to run the clock down, assuming that Mr Gough was daft enough to fall for it, which he clearly isn't!
Question
Why are we only just hereing about this Middlesbrough thing? Why didn't you tell people at the time? I read the paper every day and i don't think you ever mentioned it before .(I read the Evening Mail every day and there hasn't been a daily mention of Middlesborough. This is definitely a planted Labour question. You'd think they'd have realised Mr Gough has seen right through them wouldn't you!)
It's no secret go on the Conservative home website, it's not
relevant.He has more restraint than I would have had!
Question
I think I read your William Hague appreciation in an "Inside the mind of..." So do you think Hague's leadership of the Tory Party and associated policies was a period to be admired?
I'll take your word for it, what can
be said is
that William Hague was leader in a very difficult time and I prefer to
look forward rather than to the past. David Cameron is our leader and
he has my full support.Labour are being really boring.
Question
Do you agree with david cameron's promise to allow all conservative mps a free vote on non-manifesto matters, and do you think that weaker whips will strengthen democracy in this country?
There's a role for free votes and I do
think
that on some issues it is better to have a free vote and it does
enhance our democracy so I agree.Not with him on this. Party voting kills good ideas from the opposition, they all have some, and that definitely does not benefit the country!
Question
The financial crisis was brought on by barely regulated capitalism, started by Thatcher who used North Sea Oil and selling off the "family silver" by privatising everything, from the disaster of British Rail to council housing, and continued by Blair et al. This all created a false prosperity. Why should we vote for even more right wing politics?
We could have a long debate on what
caused the
current recession an if you contact me I'll be happy to do this but
time doesn't allow us to do it now. Even Mr Goughs patience with the blatant Labour time wasting is running thin!
Question
Do you support our local football and rugby teams Barrow AFC and Barrow Raiders and do you ever get to any games?
I'm not a huge sports fan but I did go
and see Barrow V Sunderland a week last Saturday. More truth and honesty. Despite what the Evening Mail tries to tell everyone in Barrow the majority of the townsfolk don't follow the Rugby or the Football!
Question
Am sorry to ask such a negative question Mr Gough, but do you think we are a bit slow or stupid? Why on earth would you say that it was not relevant that you had put yourself forward for a completely different area before trying your hand at Barrow? (The only stupid people are the 120 idiots who 'selected' Gordoon Brown's man to be their candidate!)
I don't think you're slow and stupid
but is it
not unreasonable to expect people not to have a life before selection.
I was a diving instructor in South Africa, do you think this is
relevant as well?A very polite way to tell these tedious Labour oafs to **** ***! I'd have told them straight!
Question
This inheritance tax change. How many people here in Furness do you think it will help? You promised an answer to all these questions and I want an answer to this.
I think you are missing the point
which is to take all but the very wealthiest out of inheritance tax all
together. There you go Labour muppet! He has answered you and indeed all of the questions that the Labour loonies and the sane people asked.
Question
On the topic of council housing, will the tories reverse the damage labour has done to the right to buy system since talking power?
We're our of time so I'll take this
one away.Well what a stage managed stupid illogical attempt by Nulabour to prevent Mr Gough from answering pertinent questions. By focusing on bullshit they actually played into Mr Gough's hands as he had them sussed early on in the hours 'grilling'. His patience managed to last till the end of the webchat.
He answered more than twice as many questions as Woodcock faced and answered them honestly and concisely. It was very refreshing to see a politician refrain from slagging off the opposition simply because they are the opposition. Contrast this with Woodcocks efforts.
Hi William,
I only found this website last week and noticed that you fisked my opponent yesterday so I waited with baited breath all day to see if you did me.
I like to try and tell it as I see it, a trait which has got me into trouble in the past, but which seems to be best suited to the world of politics, IMHO. You are right that it is a shame that it did appear there were a few trolls who were trying to crowd out proper questions with rather silly ones. I assume they did quick google search about the Middlesbrough selection but obviously failed to notice that it was advertised again after the candidate who beat me stood down, and guess what I didn’t apply as I was selected here, so this rather puts paid to a line that here was my second choice.
Hope you don’t mind but I have put a link to your comments on my blog and also posted the answers to the questions I couldn’t do in the time.
Does this mean I now have a personality?
John Gough
The Labour man is a spin doctor first and foremost and I have no time for people who bullshit for a living.
You come across as a man of honour.
As you may have gathered I am TOTALLY fed up of the direction our country is being taken by the crooks in all parties who occasionally sit in parliament and waffle.
Douglas Carswell seems to me to be the only one of the current crowd who has any idea about what is right and honourable who is willing to put his neck on the line to change things.
I care not a jot about party politics but do believe in the honest actions of the individual. You are honourable and look like a man who can get things done!
By: Britain for the British. on June 12, 2009
at 12:37 am
Reply
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21
•Prime Minister Gordon Brown visits Cockermouth to see first hand the devastation caused by flooding. He praises the work of the emergency services and volunteers and announces £1m of funding to help households and businesses. A further £1m is donated from the North West Development Agency
HOMES AFFECTED
Cockermouth: 885
Keswick: 240
Workington: 66
Ulverston: 30
Kendal and Burneside: 20
In the same week that Gordon Brown announced £1 million in flood aid to Cumbria, the Department For International Development gave out an incredible £293 million in foreign aid to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, the World Bank, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia.
The flash floods in Cumbria came after England’s wettest day on record. They caused chaos, damaging more than 1,400 homes and shops and sweeping away bridges. One policeman, PC Bill Barker, 44, was swept away while directing motorists away from Northside bridge when it collapsed.
The £1 million “aid” to Cumbria announced by Mr Brown was given much publicity by the controlled media in an attempt to show “how much he cares.”
kind regards
B,J,DEVLIN