Current waste 15%! My estimate would be nearer 25 -30%. Waste and incompetence is completely built into this govt - it is defined by it. It is an entirely politicised organisation endlessly campaigning for re-election with incompetent, lazy and unsuitable ministers having that as their first objective.

Current waste 15%! My estimate would be nearer 25 -30%. Waste and incompetence is completely built into this govt - it is defined by it. It is an entirely politicised organisation endlessly campaigning for re-election with incompetent, lazy and unsuitable ministers having that as their first objective.

Some truths are now overwhelmingly seen and firmly held by the majority of the public: Brown first as Chancellor and then PM is a total and utter disaster of the first magnitude: every further day he is in charge, every further decision of his and his team [despite some more sensible injections of personnel] makes this country's position worse: his character mitigates against an objective view of the facts and therefore almost precludes a correct solution: one thing can change this - a general election. And for this country's sake I hope he has the the residual honesty and courage to call one.

And when the EU is all 'buttoned up', signed sealed and delivered - how much will the smaller nations flourish then? You can be sure it will be run for the 'big boys' and let the devil take the hindmost. The huge favourable terms delivered to smaller nations up till now is nothing but massive bribery to keep them 'onside'. It will not be ever thus.

Whilst the rising approval rates for the conservatives and DC are very welcome it could be argued that they should be very much better. The last months have seen an unprecedented series of highly visible disasters for the labour party - coming on top of some years of growing dissatisfaction with its performance and incompetent arrogance. And yet the polls show that we are barely ahead if translated to seats. There is a long, hard way to go to ensure that the conservatives have a majority over all other parties at the next election - but i think it will be done.

Re the polls - only so far so good. There's a long way to go - or, possibly a short way - it is still feasible that Brown will be leader earlier than we think and then calls an early election. He will then benefit from the now very unfair boundaries and - marginally - a still very flawed voting system. The tory and liberal parties should really be campaigning very hard to get both these grossly unfair labour biases rectified quickly.

Where can i find this "Panel" and/or its findings/views?

In my [long] life I've known many Scots -[particularly in the armed forces]- and like them. Volatile, passionate and loyal to a degree in my experience. And Scotland has played a huge part in the history of the UK. Whether the current situation is unfair and biased in favour of the Scots [and I think it is] is not the most important thing. The point is that it seen to be so - and increasingly. This is almost totally due the actions of this thoroughly arrogant, bad and incompetent government. We are ruled overwhelmingly by Scots who have virtually all the main heavy weight Departments of State. I have reached the point where i believe the conservatives should pledge, if elected, to offer two choices to Scotland and Wales in a referendum. Full independance or full members of the Union. I would be sorry, indeed, if the chose to leave the Union - but the presents situation becomes more disgraceful every day. And if independance is chosen it leaves open for the future the possibility of arrangement or alignment on mutually beneficial terms.

I will only echo all the things said above of Eric Forth MP. It is very sad news indeed and a complete shock. My condolences to all his family and friends. Parliament and this country are the political losers. I wish there were many more men such as he in Parliament.

I do agree with you - I was meaning his presentation has got better - more assured, mostly.

Incidentally, the latest PMQ's is held on the BBC web site [as well as other goodies like Question Time, Any questions, etc]. Also, incidentally, I have long thought that it must be worth investigating and, if possible, challenging the relentless mantra from this government that due to their policies for the NHS and the money poured into it there has been a tremendous reduction in mortality from heart disease and cancer. So, to come back to Question Time last week good old Charley Falconer dutyfully trotted out these glowing statistics. However, his questioner - a cardiac specialist - brought him up short by explaining very precisely and impressively that there had been no deviation whatever in the declining graph line for heart mortality since Labour came to power as compared the to the years prior. Falconer literally had no answer. If this is correct, and I suspect strongly that it is - and if cancer rates are anything like the same then I really do think they - labour - should be challenged very strongly - [Mr Lansley]. It is at least 50% of their justification of what they are doing with the NHS.

I have watched every Cameron PMQ's [& every one, almost, before that] avidly. I am biased because I want him to make a significant impact. Blair is greatly better than he used to be, both on PMQ's and generally, in my view. I'm talking about presentation - on content he is just about exactly the the same - shallow and slippery for the most part - everything for that moment's soundbite. You have to be very quick and knowledgeable about the subject to bring him up sharp in PMQ's. [thinking about today's PMQ's I think there were at least 2 lies]. However, I think DC does quite well at PMQ's and sometimes he is very effective.

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Regarding the 'attention to detail' comment I made. I did not mean he was a competent Chancellor, Rob G. For what it's worth I think he is an utterly disastrous Chancellor for the country. It is just that, by working hard, he finds devices to cover, forestall and delay the consequences of his policies. [The ridiculous and juvenile device of moving the 'golden rule' goalposts is a typical example]. I consider the economy to be in a dreadful mess - but this state of affairs is only just beginning to be perceived by the general public. And, of course, it is true that Blair will have to be gone by the next election.

It's a very complicated situation. I think Blair & Brown have a visceral hatred of each other. Blair will not want to go with his 'legacy' in tatters and absolutely will not want Brown coming in like the cavalry to save the country/party. He will have to be prised out of office [maybe when he passes Thatcher's record it may change-though i think not - or if he sees a euro presidency opening up]. The party and/or Brown may pluck up courage to do it - but it will be messy. As for Brown as PM...? Not really an attractive personality and obsessive. But he does apply 'attention to detail' to his job - something which is essential and utterly lacking in the majority of this this thoroughly incompetent lot. But remember..he gathers under him utter numskulls and nonentities - to ensure he can outshine them and bolster his insecurity. Also, he is never there when there is bad news..in parliament he puts up his underlings to answer awkward questions - he can't do that as PM. I think he is a political coward. And the biggest question of all - one that will be completely decisive. The economy. I've been predicting it all going wrong for him for 2 yrs or more..but it hasn't happened. I still think it will come - but when?