To ask you what you would like to say to the Labour Party leadership?

[happyon]

This is a bit of a TAAT, but I didn't want to take the other excellent thread in only one direction, so here is a new one.

I'm a member of the Labour Party and I know there are other members here and plenty of voters. I also know that there's a world of rage out there about what this government is doing to this country and how ineffectually Labour seem to be responding.

I suspect that important Labour types will read this if get enough people involved. They need to listen to us or we will have to deal with another Tory government.

I'll begin by saying that I want Labour to:

Support a living wage for everyone, in all parts of the country. Immediately.

[NeoFaust]

Close the goddamn tax loopholes!

Then you can afford whatever policies you want!

[merrymouse]

It's OK, you can stop hiding now!

[SelectAUserName]

Want I want them to do and what is likely that they would do are two very different things.

What I would like them to do: rediscover their identity as socialists (small s); stand up to the media and refuse to be part of Soundbite Politics; reverse the welfare reforms; review the social housing situation in order to take some of the power out of the hands of the less-scrupulous private landlords; close tax loopholes to fund policies which benefit the many not the few; reduce tuition fees; overhaul if not scrap the National Curriculum and specifically the bureaucracy associated with it; protect the poor and vulnerable; implement a living wage for all - although whether the latter is possible without some change to the housing situation in this country, I don't know - and above all, keep their promises.

[whatsgoinon]

Be proud to say that paying taxes is a good thing - education, nhs, pensions, roads, trains, energy, flood relief etc is all better dealt with one big pot rather than individually

looking after people when things are tough is a also good thing to do - even before people consider that they may be the person who needs help some time (ok there will be some people who don´t ´deserve´ but nothing is ever simple, this proportion who scam are tiny, and better the odd person gets more than people who need get less)

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Stand up and tell the truth about Blair. Push for him to be tried for war crimes.

[Inertia]

1. NHS
   
2. It's time to have policies and show what they stand for.
   

My natural political leanings are left wing but I just don't know what the Labour Party are for now. I hated Blair's Thatcherite copycat policies, but this lot are so wet they are never going to inspire anybody and I have no clue where they are going. I would never vote Tory or Ukip, and the Libdems have shot themselves in the foot, but I would seriously consider voting Green or NHA.

To be honest I think their best bet, and the way they might be able to get the Tories out, is to guarantee to reverse the dismantling / privatisation of the NHS. I agree about the living wage, and the demonisation of the poor and disabled has to stop. But the NHS is the only subject likely to galvanise everybody.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

And get a fucking grip on immigration. Don't be so strident and listen to people, all people, not just your friends.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Strident should read arrogant.

[GingerMaman]

1. Student fees should return to how it was 10 years ago.

1. Improve the NHS

1. Work on foreign policy and arms trade - stop supporting oppressive regimes.

[GingerMaman]

And yes, Blair needs to stand trial for war crimes!

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

Ed Milliband is never going to make an elected Head of State. Until that changes, we are most likely stuck with Camer-Osbor-Johnson. Please sort it out pronto.

[StarGazeyPond]

Tell the truth about Blair - and, how can you stand there spouting politics after what Gordon Brown did to this country, have you no shame?

[Scarletohello]

A living wage and affordable housing.

Apparently 75% off all new builds in London in the last year were bought by rich foreign investors. Homes are for people not investors!

We are storing up real problems in this country by the widening gap between the cost of housing and what ordinary people can afford.

[CountessOfRule]

Like Inertia, I don't know what the Labour party stands for. I don't know where on the spectrum they are. Throwing everything out and starting again was an excellent idea ... but you haven't done the starting again bit. Get on it.

[wonkylegs]

Agree sort out the leadership - Its very hard to take Ed Miliiband seriously - He is seriously damaging your electability, he is not the leader of a party let alone head of state, possibly might pass as head boy but thats about it.

Be strong and challenge the systematic dismantling and distribution of services/assets to the private sector for the cheapest price. Reform properly where necessary but just shifting problems to the private sector has come back and bit this country on the arse so many times its not funny anymore its truly depressing. (trains, utilities, PFI, atos, prisons)

[whatsgoinon]

I agree with Scarletohello housing should be regarded as a necessary utility like water rather than an investment

[happyon]

Reverse the Blairite nonsense about 'choice'. Realise that most people don't want 'choice' in schools, hospitals, etc ... We just want decent local schools and health care.

What a waste of time and money these 'choices' have proved to be. academies and Free Schools anyone?

[littledrummergirl]

The labour party has leadership? If you ever find them let me know, I have lots of questions!

[whatsgoinon]

yes happyon when I am sick or want to choose a school I don´t want to have to train as a doctor or become an expert on education - I want to go somewhere that works and that I trust - that´s enough

[MaidOfStars]

I will not vote Lib Dem again, and I will never vote Tory.

Please give me a fucking option.

[merrymouse]

Doesn't all the 'choice' nonsense pre-date Blair?

[TheArticFunky]

I usually vote Labour but not sure I will this time. I was a paid up member when Ed first took over. I'll probably stay at home and not vote in the next general election or possibly vote Lib Dem.

Ed Miliband started off well, he came across as intelligent, compassionate and credible. Then it all went wrong the last 18 months have been disastrous for the the Labour Party. Ed Miliband doesn't have much to say, he isn't visible he seems to leave most of the talking to other senior members of the Labour Party. David Cameron is always criticising Labour for not having a plan and as much as I hate to admit it I think he is right. If Labour do have policies they are keeping them very close to their chest because I don't know what they stand for on most of the key issues.

My perception is that Labour are enjoying the break from not being in power and having a bit of down time.

I wouldn't feel confident if Labour won the next election. I would hate a Tory Government and think it's probably for the best if we have another coalition government to give Labour the chance to work out their future.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

I'd also have to ask - where's Gromit.