Labour isn't working - Thread 11

[TheNuthatch]

A chat thread for those who don't like this Labour government.

The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5416167-labour-isnt-working-thread-10?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Good interview from Kemi with Politico. This is exactly what I wanted to hear from her 👏

Badenoch will shift her focus at the Manchester gathering next week from her early focus on culture wars and free-speech issues to an assault on Labour’s economic record.

Speaking for the first time after Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage traded blows over immigration during Labour’s conference week, the Conservative leader said: “I think that they are both as bad as each other. They are both squabbling like children; the country needs the grown-ups back in the room. We are the grown-ups.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/kemi-badenoch-uk-conservative-party/

Good on her.

My daughter has just started her placement for university. She's just had her first months pay and is shocked at the income tax. She's on about 30k a year. She's lucky, lives at home with us. Only has to run a car, but she's now worrying about how she'll ever get her own place. I get it totally. Had to explain that it's been like that for me and her dad for years. I do think income tax is crippling for everyone, especially people just starting out. Welfare does need cutting. There is no reason for people getting more for doing nothing than people working. I have no hopes of this changing.

Speaking for the first time after Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage traded blows over immigration during Labour’s conference week, the Conservative leader said: “I think that they are both as bad as each other. They are both squabbling like children; the country needs the grown-ups back in the room. We are the grown-ups.”

Perfect 👌

Welcome @Catatemyhomework

Its really tough for young people rn. Labour are not making life any easier for them.

Thank you. To be honest I've been disillusioned for years. All governments seem to increase income tax or at least fail to raise tax band so we end up with fiscal drag. I'm really concerned now though as if we can't reign in our spending and the IMF is called in, what will happen? I have no idea but I worry so much for my children. They are young and clever and just starting out. I don't want them disillusioned before they even start out in life. We do need to cut spending. I'm in my 50s and have a horrible idea they will raise the state pension age. I'm not in the best of health, claim no state benefits and I'm self emoyed, which is getting harder, with the additional cost of living. It's stressing me out to be honest. I just don't know what will happen. None of us have a crystal ball, but we do need some clear, long sighted plans from government and I'm just not seeing it. I'm scared quite frankly.

My husband is a higher rate tax payer, and I also worry they will abolish tax relief on pensions. As it is our kids get minimum maintenance loan for university. We have circumvented this by having them live here with us and go to local universities. My eldest is reading law and second taking a year out to earn money and has a place to study pharmacology. They will be set up to leave the UK if it all goes tits up but I will miss them. It's all such a mess and could have been so avoidable. Why the fuck can't politicians ever do the right thing? Rhetorical question, but honestly I'm so pissed of right now.

@Catatemyhomework You're not alone feeling like that, hence the necessity for this thread.

I'm late 40s, thankfully in good health so far. I have 3 dcs, teen to young adult, one with SEN. Eldest dc has already left the UK, and thriving. DH and I have a small business and we're in trouble. We were doing really well up until January. I can empathise with your worries.

I've been reading this thread for a while! It's my daughter's 19th birthday today so we all drank wine and I ventured to post! 😂
It's a lovely, supportive thread and I get that we all have different worries. My health isn't awful but I have a few niggles, mainly childbirth related but I've never tried to claim anything as I've been self employed for a while and managed to earn enough to get by but it is getting increasingly difficult.
My husband works 60 hours a week and is always stressed.
We also have 3 kids, 21,19 and 14. Thankfully the oldest two are done with compulsory education. Last one in year 10 at state school. This is going down hill. All supply teachers since the start of the year. He's a clever lad and so demotivated. He's learning nothing. His older sister is helping him but it's not acceptable. They are just taught out of text books everyday by someone new. I don't know, every thing just feels on the verge of collapse. I am not usually this pessimistic but my stress levels are rising and it all feels thoroughly depressing with no sign of any hope for improvement.

Sorry, I'll stop now. It's the wine! 🍷😂

Rant away. No judgement here.

Happy Birthday to your dd 🥂. Oh to be 19 again!

Rant on here whenever you need to, you're in good company. I'm glad you decided to de-lurk.

Night all x

My dislike of Red Ed is almost visceral, so I quite enjoyed these observations by Quentin Letts about Ed's speech on the last day of the conference - apart from the suggestion he could be a contender for PM should KS's detractors manage to topple him.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15153279/QUENTIN-LETTS-Ambitious-Ed-took-ownership-PM-Maybe-seize-helm-again.html

This made me laugh out loud. Thanks Dancing!

That's a great interview. I do find her quite inspiring: she gives me hope.

@Catatemyhomework you're not alone, think Labour have exactly that problem - credibility and hope they’ll improve things is lacking. All they seem to offer is more hairshirt for anyone that isn’t drawing their income from the state.

worried about pension tax relief here too - make sure your dd has her pension contributions in, I didn’t think about it in my 20s at all, and not seriously til I hit 40….

Welcome @Catatemyhomework

Appreciating the articles and commentary from the conference. It’s quite good when you don’t listen and just get the amusing stuff. They are idiots but also make such easy content for people to write about and use imagery for.

Thetford Castle (Breckland) council by-election result:

REF: 47.3% (+47.3)
LAB: 26.7% (-15.8)
CON: 15.1% (-13.9)
LDEM: 10.9% (+10.9)

Gosh from 0 to 47%!
Puzzled tho’ that results are in -aren’t the by elections today?

Think it was end of last week so just published today. Today's ones should be interesting

Isle of Wight
Wigan
Brentwood
Maidstone
Chester

Will be interesting to see what happens

The IoW is very pro Reform.

I just hope there is no mention of Reform or Nigel Farge at the Conservative Conference. I think that would go a long way to improving their standing if they laid out their mandate and discussed their proposed policies rather than run down Reform and Labour. Rise above ot Kemi!

Good morning 😁

No more 'golden tickets' for asylum seekers says Starmer.

People granted asylum will no longer be given “the golden ticket” of resettlement and family reunion rights, Keir Starmer said, amid deepening concerns from charities that his words are demonising refugees.

Mike Tapp speaking to Sky this morning eventually admits that Labour's plans for ILR (5 years to 10) will apply retrospectively to those already here and yet to reach ILR status.

Is Farage already PM? Seems like he is.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/oct/01/starmer-to-end-asylum-golden-ticket-of-resettlement-and-family-reunion-rights

Ha ha