Battle lines are drawn in Nottingham for General Election in 2015

“"And I suppose waging wars overseas, well, these things just sort of happen..."

You mean like the Conservatives have done... and Labour have done... and the current coalition have done? Although you can, of course, never do the experiment of what another party would do in any single circumstance, the fact that all parties have chosen to get involved in conflict overseas when the need/opportunity arose would tend to suggest that it isn't something that particular parties can control.

Like I said, politicians are largely just there for the ride, and trying to blame them for everything that goes wrong on their watch (or give them credit for everything that goes right) just reflects an astounding degree of naivety.”

“Ted:

Sorry, no pit ponies left.

Have any of these politicians at all levels actually thought of asking the people what they want instead of forming fantasy manifesto's which we know will never be adhered to.”

“"it seems pretty clear to me that politicians just hang on as best they can as they are taken for a ride, and actually have remarkably little influence over what happens through their policies."

I don't think there are many people in this country that are totally oblivious to damage done to this country by Labour's policy of uncontrolled immigration and the economic damage it is causing.

One only has to look at what has happened to Greece to see what a monumental mess politicians can make of things but I suppose it comforts some people to think otherwise. And I suppose waging wars overseas, well, these things just sort of happen....”

“I'm afraid you are allowing your emotions to rule your judgement. The next election is wide open and not at all predictable. Labour look favourites to be the largest party but an outright win will be extremely difficult under Ed Miliband's leadership. They may well have to form a coalition with the Lib Dems (should they still exist) or with an assortment of independents, Welsh, Scottish and Ulster MPs.

However, you have avoided answering my question. Why is Miliband so afraid of giving the British public a vote on membership of the EU? If, as you state, the benefits of membership are so obvious and if the leaders of all three mainstream parties are determined to remain within the EU (jobs for the boys as you rightly indicated in the case of Clegg), what is the problem?”

“Good evening Ted

Firstly and perhaps most importantly Clegg is no lefty. He's a political prostitute who would - has, sell his own mother for a piece of the action. A self centred, self serving, traitor of a lap dog.

None of the main political poltical parties - and there are only two, are are of a mind to have a in out vote on the EU. That is because Britain is better off in the EU. As you correctly say Cameron has been forced into his huff and bluff, if, when and if proposal. It won't happen of course because it's all huff and bluff - and more importantly the tories will not win the next election. They are becoming as unelectable as your UKIP friends - they have been found out. And as for Clegg - when his party are totally demolished he'll find himself a nice little number back in the EU - quite ironic really. I do feel for the Lib Dems - Clegg the traitor has managed to single handedly destroy the party.”

“Hello Roland,

I won't respond to your playground jibe, nor to your tantrum of 5.30pm. I'll just give you a possible clue to that one. As this is the first shot of the election campaign in this particular constituency, don't you think that the local Tory Party bods might be monitoring responses and censoring where they think appropriate? I don't think it will be Toryman as I think his stereotypical comments suggest he is a WUM (possibly a lefty stooge).

Let's raise the level of debate a little. Can you tell me why lefty leaders like Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg are so set against giving the British electorate a vote on membership of the EU? The bookies are clearly backing the pro-EU side to win so why are Eddy and Nick so afraid? I know Cameron hates the notion of giving the plebs a say but he's been forced into a corner and will line up with his so-called political rivals (they're not really though, are they?) to urge the country to remain a part of the anti-democratic, corrupt, inefficient, hugely expensive, economic disaster zone. I understand Cameron's anti-democratic tendencies. One only has to look at his privileged position within society to realise why it's working so well for him but why does a man of the people like Miliband so distrust the electorate?”

“kent14 is a ukipper! Now there's a surprise.

Well you've got Ted for company.”

“The person who had my post removed and the NEP are both pathetic. I highlighted the well established link between those who practice and support animal cruelty and blood sports to those that abuse human beings - in this case Torygirl.

Right wing, pathetic, cowards.”

“ukip for me.£58million a day will buy a lot of policemen,nurses,teachers and carers for the old who faught in the war and are now thrown on the scrap heap.”

“SlickSpoons, you seem to be overlooking the fact that Rome wasn't built in a day, and you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.”