If I vote Labour next time there is an election..

[SouthernFriedChickenPlease]

What will happen if they do get in power?

I have always voted Tory but I am so sick and tired of it all I think I want a change.

I’m mid 30s and I feel like the country needs a big kick up the ass shake up.

This is a genuine question by the way rather than a mud fight between Tory/Labour voters.

What will happen if Labour are in power?

[Terrylene]

Probably the same, only in a different way

[SouthernFriedChickenPlease]

Oh really

[Mistigri]

The PP is too cynical but there's some truth in the idea that not much will change - brexit is likely to dominate the legislative agenda for the foreseeable future (or until it is abandoned) leaving limited government resources for other policies.

Labour government policy would be a bit more compassionate towards the have-nots although the 2017 manifesto did not seek to reverse many of the cuts made in recent years (cynical interpretation: they'd rather give a bung to young middle class voters in the form of abolishing university fees than using that money for policies which would benefit the working classes and the JAMs).

Labour Brexit policy would most likely be more pragmatic - I know there are some leavers in the shadow cabinet, but they are not fanatical ones. Corbyn may be naturally eurosceptic but he doesn't appear to care that much either way. Whether you think this is a good thing or not will depend on your opinion on Brexit more than your position on the right/left spectrum.

I don't get the impression that big business fears a Lab government in the way that it might have done in the past, partly because the Tory party has behaved in a high handed way over Brexit and this has alienated some segments of the business community, and partly because business tends to value stability and competence, which in short supply in the current government. (I'd add that I know a number of senior business people who have a high opinion of Hammond, based on RL dealings with him - he is viewed as bright and pragmatic - I think business confidence would be significantly damaged if he were removed, as seems rather likely).

[SouthernFriedChickenPlease]

It doesn’t sound like much difference would happen either way. Have our political parties merged into one now?

[Dapplegrey2]

Op - we'll Corbyn is a fan of Chavez and Maduro so if you read up about life in Venezuela at the moment it might give you some idea of what's in store if Labour win the next election.

[Dapplegrey2]

'Well' not 'we'll'

[MyDcAreMarvel]

The vulnerable , poor, sick and disabled will not be left to rot.

[Mistigri]

Have our political parties merged into one now?

No - their manifestos are the furthest apart that they have been for decades. But realistically, the chances of either party implementing an ambitious political agenda in the next 5-10 years ended with the Brexit vote.

[cdtaylornats]

The vulnerable , poor, sick and disabled will not be left to rot.

They will but not by malice there just won't be any money. If you think NHS is bad now wait until there is no money to pay for it.

[victoire1208]

Labour will make sure the richest pay their fair share and cruel policies like the bedroom tax will be abolished. Public services and infrastructure will be invested in. The fat cat vultures will be shooed away from a purposefully crippled NHS.

[florapearl]

I don't believe socialism will bring about the changes people want at this time.

[cdtaylornats]

Labour will drive the richest away and the tax take will plunge. Public services and infrastructure will be invested in leaving us with a mountain of debt, if anyone will lend to us after Corbyn goes ahead with his PFI windfall tax.

Cruel policies like the bedroom tax will be abolished leaving single people renting 3 and 4 bedroom homes while simultaneously complaining about the lack of housing.

The unions will regain control of many industries until the Tories find someone with a spine or drag Ruth down from Edinburgh.

[Ttbb]

In all likelihood the country would only be slightly more fucked than if the conservatives clung onto power

[time4chocolate]

Southernfried - I understand where you are coming from, I remember feeling exactly like you do now, I had mostly voted Tory but got sick and tired of the infighting etc etc. Tony Blair came along and I thought he might be a breath of fresh air and was making all the right noises for me, so I voted Labour at the GE. Suffice to say I learnt a harsh political lesson and wouldn’t vote Labour again. I see exactly the same thing going on now with JC.

[GoingIn]

Of course, let's keep voting for Tories, it's working so well for this country.... You should ask, what would happen if I kept voting for Tories. The answer is: more of the same. More cuts, less investment in infrastructure, more creeping privatisation of NHS, increasing national debt for dubious purposes, expensive political agreements such as with DUP, even less support and beenfits for those who need it etc etc.. They are getting nowhere with Brexit, time for others to take over and finalise the whole thing so we can all move on and start re-building this country again.

[SouthernFriedChickenPlease]

I just want a change. I never thought I’d say I would consider voting labour. But I am sick of it. Maybe I am just sick of Teresa May, but the alternatives in the Tory party don’t fill me with happiness either.

[leonardthelemming]

I used to vote Liberal until they became "democratic".

[Hermagsjesty]

I agree entirely with the previous poster who said this: “the chances of either party implementing an ambitious political agenda in the next 5-10 years ended with the Brexit vote.”

But I think Labour do want and will achieve a more pragmatic Brexit. So, I think there will be more time and scope for parliament to focus on other issues.

What exactly is it you want to see change?

I found //www.voteforpolicies.org.uk really useful and revealing. It breaks down the party’s policies quite specifically and you’ll get a much less biased and objective impression there than on here!

[cdtaylornats]

GoingIn - if you want to see what happens with a left wing government look no further than Scotland - more cuts, less investment in infrastructure, more creeping privatisation of NHS, increasing national debt for dubious purposes, expensive political agreements such as with Greens, even less support and benefits for those who need it; Police stations being closed and sold off, prison sentences under a year scrapped, thousands of CCTV cameras removed in cuts, smacking banned, EU farming subsidies now 2 years late.

[SouthernFriedChickenPlease]

I suppose I feel like those voters did in 1997 where they were fed up with the old and want a change. I can see why Tony Blair and all his shiny campaigning became a beacon of light to voters who probably wouldn’t have previously voted Labour. I’m feeling depressed about the state of our country at the moment such as housing, education and the cock up that is brexit.

[sharklovers]

They’ll fuck the country totally. The economy will shrink and unemployment will rise.

[NameChange30]

The Tories have fucked up the economy much more than Labour had, or would. But that's the great myth peddled by the Tories and their powerful supporters in the media, and that's why people keep voting for them. With the exception of the super rich, Tory voters are turkeys voting for Christmas. You might save a bit of money on tax but meanwhile everything else is fucked. Inflation, interest rates, the housing market, employment rights, the NHS, education and other public services.

If you just read Labour's manifesto you will see that they intend to change a lot. Renationalisation for example. Whether you believe they would be able to implement that change if they won the elections depends on your level of optimism/cynicism. Personally I believe Jeremy Corbyn is different - a world away from Tony Blair - and I think he would do his best to implement the changes he is promising.

[Junebugjr]

After Brexit and seeing what Universal Credit is doing to the people I support in work, I could never vote for the Tories again.
When I see the direct result of their policies on the ground, and then come home and turn on my TV and see them defending said policies, trying to convince people they are a brilliant idea and benefitting people I feel ill with the hypocrisy of it all.

[sharklovers]

If you just read Labour's manifesto you will see that they intend to change a lot. Renationalisation for example.

And where are they going to get the money for that? Cuntweasel Corbyn will be bending over every hard working taxpayer to fund his communist ideal whilst doing his best to break down the services that defend this country. The spineless little worm would be the worst thing to happen to this country in the last 100 years.