Labour isn't working - Thread 24

[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/5454130-labour-isnt-working-thread-23?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

The Forsytes was not for me! And the filming style is so artificial, I googled and apparently other people felt the same. Two of the actors looked like they are made out of plastic. I bet they look lovely when they haven't been digitally altered! The set could've been anywhere. Maybe it was -maybe it's all green screen.

So I decided to listen to Triggernometry's update on Venezuela instead. I have noticed that most of the sources I consider reliable have been silent about this - which I presumed was due to lack of information. So this was useful, with Francis having family over there.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ky0GXUc3Hso&pp=ygUOdHJpZ2dlcm5vbWV0cnk%3D

I found this really fascinating, the first 20 minutes or so is history so if you want to get straight into the current situation, move to there-ish.

What I really like about these two is their ability to present information without bias. It is so difficult to get that neutrality.

The answers I got for my own questions

seems I was correct in thinking that there are no videos of people celebrating on the street in Venezuela as they are effectively under lockdown

Was curious about the woman in charge now - had no idea she was one of Maduro's henchmen, I suspect she's very much an interim appointment and provides a bridge for the reasons they've explained, I guess.

The Greenland issue was mentioned

I like how they explained the efficiency of the military operation

Whatever Trump was thinking before about America's place in the world, (the time he swore on camera) this shows a seriously targeted strategy. Perhaps he's just taking over as much as he can now.

they also mentioned that Joe Biden had a bounty for the arrest of Maduro. I might have missed the full details but it looks like Trump issued it initially in his first administration and then Biden increased the amount. So it seems fair to say that the US have been after him for a long time.

Who knew a current affairs update could be more interesting than a period drama? 😂

I've woke up to -8c, feels like -11c. I don't mind a bit of snow but that is ridiculous.

Shame Starmer isn't as interested in the self determination of the Chagos islands.

Starmer is a bloody hypocrite.

We aren't super-cold here. Just sheet ice everywhere. Lethal.

Chagos is such a Starmer blunder it’s incredible. I bet he’s not so wedded to the rules now. Absolute idiot for stroking his ego on that one.

That is cold oof. I really feel for some in Berlin who have lost power, surely they must have left their home not getting through it. We have close ties there but luckily they were not hit.

Dan Hodges on Labour's non-existent foreign policy.

https://archive.ph/NlEky

Morning 😁

It felt warmer here this morning, but I was wrong. The pipes have frozen so I've had a mini flood trying to do some washing this am. 🙄
The snow isn't melting. Sounds much worse in Berlin if they've lost power.

I was just reading that Chagos suffered four defeats in the Lords. Tories and Lib Dem ammendments. No doubt the govt will ignore it, but its good to see so much push back.

Berlin arson attack, the last thing you’d need. Just so bad

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jan/04/leftwing-militants-responsibility-arson-attack-berlin-power-grid

The Berlin thing done deliberately to be difficult to repair - several days rather than several hours. How to win friends and influence people,,,,not.

Bloody hell. I didn't know about that, thought you were talking about the cold snap.

How dare they. Care homes without heat in the middle of winter.

It’s so cold there idk how people will be staying where they are if they have no heat. Surely it’s not doable.

I don't know how that can be framed as protesting. Surely endangering the lives of people like this through damaging infrastructure for political gain is an act of terrorism? I'm sure that's the lens we would see it under if this were any other group?

@Upstartled I looked up the Berlin thing and I saw a German official describing it as exactly that. Horrendous. As are the temperatures you've got.
There is a rumour that it's -6 here. That's not what the forecast says. Some worrying cloud cover as well. (I mean there's no snow forecast but I have a feeling it's coming.)

Sidebar - reading comprehension these days! I don't use any other chat boards but I wonder if they are as bad. I know people read in a rush. But it's very annoying when you literally say "the owl and the pussycat went to see in a beautiful pea green boat" and somebody immediately replies with "the owl and the pussycat should go to sea" and someone else quickly follows on with "well they did go to sea, they went in a bright orange boat, didn't you read the OP?"

https://yougov.co.uk/topics/politics/trackers/voting-intention

Latest YouGov poll - not a lot of movement, but does have the Tories edging ahead of Labour. Just 11 pts between 5 parties reinforcing the fragmentation of politics that we have seen.

I've linked to the yougov website as it provides a full timeseries view - current year and past 5 years. Also, which is always interesting, broader regional breakdowns, plus age breakdowns.

Even the Graun recognises what the PM cannot / will not (my emphasis in the text below).

While Starmer is right to say that politicians should not be paralysed by poor poll ratings, because they can change a lot over three years [and sometimes they were wrong too], they can’t ignore polls either. Governments may not lose because polls go down, but normally they do lose when polls go down. A YouGov poll out today has Labour for the first time in third place behind Reform UK and the Tories.

couple of screenshots from the yougov link

Thanks @boys3

Labour are down 3 points in today's poll. 😁
Well deserved.

9% lower than the start of 2025.

Regional mix - down across the board

London 6% down , now stands at 26%

South 5% down, now 13%

Midlands 10% down, now 16%

North 10% down, now 25%

Scotland 12% down, now 11%

Wales 17% down, now 11%

can’t help thinking of the famous quote from James Carville.

With no sign of any government policy, despite economic growth being the number one priority apparently , that is going to address that.

Support dropping off across the board. I honestly can't think of a single reason why anyone would support, or defend this govt.

Its the economy stupid. So true @boys3.

I had to double check this, but Starmer really did say this morning that governments don't lose because polls go down. Err, its kind of indicative that you're going to lose, no?

TBF, the polls could change…

…like a man could change into a woman.

This is gathering momentum. This Sky reports that the industry has been threatened not to protest too hard if they want any help!
Average increase to pubs is 75%.

https://news.sky.com/story/cabinet-revolt-brewing-over-business-rates-hike-as-hospitality-warned-not-to-protest-13491082

Its laughable that Starmer thinks he can win another election. He'll be lucky if he lasts 6 months.
Apparently Scottish Labour have asked him to stay away from Scotland. 😂

Given the clown-show characterising just about every other aspect of his governance, that was admittedly a low bar. But for a fleeting moment it seemed our new Prime Minister would at least be able to step across the world stage without falling flat on his face.

Like every other positive preconception aligned with Starmer, it has rapidly turned to dust. Along with what passed for British foreign policy.

Oof!

Wales 11%. 💃💃. Woo hoo

My mother actually asked me if I thought this was a deliberate attempt to destroy pubs and restaurants. This is not at all typical of the kind of things she says or asks.

Less sure about restaurants, but with pubs, sorry to say I can imagine they don't like community spaces.

Cheeky barstewards threatening like that.

I haven’t read it but surely not crippling them with rates is the way to stop protests? Just bloody change it.

Baffling how bad they are