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Listening 3L10 – Democracy In Action

Politician: Good morning. It's Mrs. Glover, isn't it?

Anne Glover: Yes, do I know you?

Politician: Let me introduce myself. My name is Richard Cookson and I am

the local representative for the National Congress Party.

Anne Glover: So you're a member of the government, Mr. Cookson? I have

some things I want to say to you...

Politician: Err, no Mrs. Glover. The Social Democrats form the government
but we are the second largest party in Parliament.

Anne Glover: Oh yes, I get so confused. What can I do for you today?

Politician: Now Mrs. Glover, have you decided how you're going to vote in the
general election?

Anne Glover: No, I'm not sure yet. There are a couple of issues and I'm
undecided about which party has the best policies. Take education for
example...

Politician: Absolutely. Now we are going to spend $25m more on education

than the governing party. The referendum result last year proved how
important education is to the electorate so we are going to invest heavily in
our children's future.

Anne Glover: But aren't you going to increase university fees? I saw a
campaign ad from the Social Democrats that said you wanted to do this?

Politician: We are going ask some of the richest families in the country to pay
a little more but that ad you saw was just dishonest propaganda.

Anne Glover: Now, I'm also worried about the environment. What are you
going to do about global warming?

Politician: Well, you're right to be concerned. It's one of the most important
issues in politics today. My party is going to press for an international treaty
that reduces pollution and emissions globally. We are going to ask for a system
of strict penalties for those countries that don't stick to the treaty.

Anne Glover: Are you going to insist on recycling in communities like this
one?

Politician: We don't have plans for that at the moment but we can consider it.

Anne Glover: Hmm, I know the Social Democrats want to promote this. What
about taxation? Are you going to raise taxes?

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Politician: We are going to raise taxes by about 1% on average, although the

wealthiest families will pay most of that. The poorest 30% of families won't
have to pay any more taxes. We are going to cut taxes for these people.

Anne Glover: That won't include us unfortunately.

Politician: Do you know where your nearest polling station is Mrs. Glover?

Anne Glover: Yes, it's opposite the public library. You must be very excited by
the election Mr. Cookson. The opinion polls show the National Congress party
up by 5%.

Politician: We think people are seeing us as a responsible party and would

like to see us in power. I think we will get a significant majority in Parliament.

Anne Glover: Thank you for this little chat. I will have a good think about
things before putting that slip into the ballot box.

Politician: It's been a pleasure Mrs. Glover. Good afternoon to you.

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