Where is Keir Starmer?

I love reading your deep political commentary. Your analytical understanding of what is going on just shines through. I am mute with admiration.

Or alternatively: Seriously, dude? That's what you've got?

Yes the meeting was this evening because everyone knows he doesn't work after 5pm on a Friday!

He's been filmed talking about the riots. He's been at a cobra meeting. He's working.

WHERE'S FARAGE?!!!!

And now we live in 2024 when life is completely different. People are paid such low wages that they need benefits just to survive. Education to 18 is compulsory. It is no longer possible to roll into a manufacturing job and work your way up. And if you're insinuating that young people don't have a work ethic - don't make me laugh. You're suffering from toxic nostalgia.

By the way, are you saying that a pensioner who has worked all their life is more deserving of support than someone with a disability who has not been able to work because of being disabled? Is that the world you want to live in?

And there are plenty of pensioners who have never worked in their lives.

I'm not young, by the way. I'm 56. Some of the most awful, entitled people I have met are old - not young. Older people do not by default merit special treatment. It should be based on circumstances, not age. I am glad Labour is no longer supporting the elderly just because they are old.

Most pensioners I know worked from the age of 16 with no break for college, or university. They worked a full week and had a great work ethic and not once claimed benefits. I’d say these people who built up Britain with hard work, something lost on recent generations, are more deserving.

They deserve dignity and respect in their old age.

Imagine this conversation in somewhere like Spain or Italy. It just wouldn’t happen. In the UK we just treat our elderly like shit.
I’m disgusted with Labour.

Many disabled people also need the heat on more than those of us who are not disabled, but they have had 14 years of cuts and being told they're lazy scroungers. In an ideal world, everyone would get what they need. This isn't an ideal world. Elderly people have had the privilege of protection. Now they're going to lose that. I would like to see some better assessment of the threshold, but ultimately the playing field should be level. No vulnerable group is more deserving than another.

I'm not sure if people with disabilities who can't work get what is known as a cold weather payment, I know if you're on certain benefits you can get it. Not sure if you have to apply for it or whether it's given automatically.

But I maintain that people should not be exempt to the tough times just because they are old.

Most elderly people need the heating on when the temp dips. I’ve had my 86 year old dad call me up recently and say he’s had to have the fire on. If they can’t afford heating, they’ll end up sick e.g. pneumonia, chest infections, bad colds and you’ll end up with more pressure on our ambulances, GP’s and hospitals.

Thats the cost side, then there’s the moral one. It’s a malicious attack on the elderly.

By the way, they should help the disabled with winter fuel too.

I’m happy to pay more tax. Not VAT on school fees, but more income tax to pay for our vulnerable to have better conditions.

Whatever, can't be arsed anymore.

Do agree with you on riots. Hope that's the end of it now.

It's very bizarre to accuse me of not listing things when I have already set the list was incomplete. Maybe it's wise not to look for things that aren't there...

I am very pleased with what Labour are doing, including their crackdown on the rioting racists. Not going to lie.

KS is attending to his new job, 4 weeks in. Where is Rishi Sunak, exPM and concerned Leader of the Opposition? Having an expensive lunch in Beverley Hills. He sends you his best OP, sorry you can't join him.

This is a criminal matter. The rozzers know what their job is and he’s allowing them to get on with it.

I know we’ve become used to PMs using situations like this as opportunity to make statements outside number 10 for photo ops or to give the cops a bashing. No need to recall parliament either as no new laws needed.

What’s more bizarre is refusing to acknowledge that the money has to come from somewhere and ignoring any requests for an alternative. What would you cut to save £1.5 billion @2dogsandabudgie

Finally we agree on something, let's hope they do raise the threshold.

No you just conveniently left it off because you know so many people disagree with it.

Not sure why you're trying to turn it into a competition between the elderly and disabled and who you think is more deserving of money. Very bizarre attitude to have.

I agree that there is a debate to be had on the threshold and that may well happen. But I maintain that people should not be exempt from the tough times just because they are old.

How many times! Pension credit cut off point is £218 a week. Elderly on a state pension only get £221 a week. Those are the ones who will suffer. So millions of elderly people will suffer.

I just think they've got it wrong with the cut off point. I agree that the rich elderly don't need it, but I do think that those who just receive the state pension do need it. I really hope they have a rethink and raise the bar.

@2dogsandabudgie

Elderly does not equal vulnerable.
Those in the lowest incomes will still receive the fuel allowance.

I don't hear anyone clamouring to pay more tax. Tough decisions have to be made. I think Labour were quite clear about that

I never claimed my list was comprehensive,. Thank you for adding to it... I also approve of Labour's plans to reform employment law and to scrap the Tories ' anti strike legislation. Frankly, they're doing so many good things it's hard to keep up!

As you know there is a fiscal black hole. It's going to cost all of us. So yes, older people should share in that. Why is it OK for a disabled person to not be able to afford heating but not an older person? If you can't see the hypocrisy, I despair.

If Labour were to increase benefit payments for the disabled and the low paid, you would be howling with outrage and yammering on about the magic money tree. Well, there isn't one, so now everyone has to take a hit, including those who have been shielded previously.

Maybe we should wait and see what happens next winter. We’ve had a run of exceptionally mild winters, hopefully those will continue.

Well you did miss it out so don't lie. Why does it need to be one vulnerable group or another who are targeted. If you hated the Tories for doing that why do you think it's fair for Labour to do it?

Is this what politics has come to, that vulnerable groups have to be targeted because it's fair, that they all have to have a turn. Sounds like childish politics to me.

Can't believe you're happy to see a lot of elderly people struggling to keep warm this winter.

Nope, I didn't. I agree with government policy here. For the past 14 years, the elderly were shielded from cuts because as a group they lean Tory. Instead the young, the low paid, the ill and the disabled were hammered every time. Now the elderly will share in the pain and the tough times, and that's fair. If you can explain why elderly people are more vulnerable than disabled people, convince me.

You missed out targeting a vulnerable group - the elderly. Wonder why?

Proof even. Damned autocorrect!