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Last Updated: Wednesday, 30 March, 2005, 12:42 GMT 13:42 UK
Student House: Student 1

A picture of Andrew
Andrew
Economics student, 2nd year

Age: 20

Current voting intention: Andrew has indicated that he'll vote Conservative since Newsnight first met him. This intention hasn't changed.

Key election issues: EU integration; tax.

Trivia: A Barnsley lad, Andrew works in PR for a popular bar in the city centre, which he describes as "chic and unique". He loves skiing and visits a dry ski slope in Sheffield at least once a fortnight.

Has Andrew got it all wrong? Click here to send him your views

WHAT YOU'RE SAYING TO ANDREW

Great to see someone young having the courage to vote for the 'unpopular' student choice. I have a Vote Conservative poster on my window and have had a number of people come and ask me why I'm voting Tory as a student... shouldn't I be voting Lib Dem? No. The Tory message, broadly speaking, has struck a chord with me and that's how I'll be voting.
Will, Cambridge

Hi Andrew, I agree with nearly everything you say, but wait for voting Tory until Boris Johnson is their leader!
Jerome, London

The Tories don't actually cut taxes, they just rearrange them. When last in power, the Tories cut income tax for the rich - but put VAT up from 8% to 17.5%, introduced VAT on takeaway food, put up National Insurance, put taxes on insurance and air passengers, put prescription charges up from 20p to �5.65 and brought in charges for teeth and eye checks (which had been free for 40 years). They only managed to pay for their income tax cuts by privatising everything they could get their hands on! As an Economics student, you must have heard of their "Black Wednesday" in 1992, which cost the country �3.3 billion. Please don't vote for the Tories!
Mel Swain, Horsham

Hello Andrew, interesting as your views are, I must offer a differing opinion. Lower taxation is desirable but it leaves our already strained public services open to spending cuts and deteriorating quality. Only a labour government is totally committed to investment in our services to ensure their survival. Concerning your views on EU integration i must again disagree. Our involvement in the EU is vital to our national security and trading. The only way Britain can be great again is through international diplomacy, which is what Labour offer. Although the Conservative's talk tough, when push comes to shove they are the daintiest of the competing parties.
Sienna Harp, Wakefield

Hi, Andrew. Glad to see your heart's in the right place!! (politically-speaking). Don't listen to the others; vote for what you believe in, what you think is right. Best not to vote Lib Dem: if Roy Taylor was right, you'd have to pay more in taxes. What's wrong with rewarding people who work hard, and save for the future?? Governments should only spend money on essential services .
Richard Marshall, Peterborough

Andrew, be careful what you wish for! Lower taxation may look tempting at first sight, but you have to ask yourself what sought of society do you want? Look at the United States. One of the lightest tax regimes in the West, but also one of the most divided societies. High levels of poverty; gross inequality; divided communities; inadequate healthcare and pension provision for many; low literacy standards; a slowing economy; a shrinking middle class; increased levels of gun crime, drug use and suicide. Look at Sweden - a high taxation and spending regime, yes. But they possess high quality public services, less crime and social disorder, a greater sense of solidarity, and contrary to neo-liberal economic theory, their economy's not exactly a basket case either! What's it to be Andrew? More investment in public services, opportunity for all and greater social cohesion under Labour? Or public spending cuts, limited opportunity, more division and inequality - and all fo! r a meaningless tax cut - under the Conservatives?
Stephen Hinde, Essex

Andrew, vote, even if you go into the ballet box, close your eyes and just put an "x" after saying "eny meny miney mo". Seriously, though, the EU are giving a lot of money to this region in the form of grants to help local businesses. Support the party who are interested in helping this part of our country. Good luck with your studies.
Nikki Ledingham, Sheffield

Both EU integration and taxation are key issues. Without getting too "old school" welfare-ist, surely taxation is where Labour trump the Tories. In intention and principle, fairness & egalitarianism - that's what you may want to consider, when comparing Brown & Letwin. Slippery slope,otherwise.
Geoff Hook, Wakefield

The Tories are campaigning using fear and hatred, of asylum seekers, of travellers, of anyone who is different. They are the self-confessed nasty party. Labour have their faults, but their hearts are in the right place. They are inclusive. Lib Dems promise too much because they have never had to deliver.
Andrew Pavord, London

If you don't have "wealthy" parents (that means income in excess of �100K pa) self-interest dictates that you should think very hard about voting for any other party than Lib Dem. Also, it is the right thing to do for your fellow students.
Roy Taylor, Par


YOUR VIEW

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