Labour Isn't Working - Thread 30

[WaffleBomb]

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/5506586-labour-isnt-working-thread-29?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

Surely Andy Burnham feels he dodged a bullet by not running in G&D?

I obviously really dislike the Greens but that was a solid victory for Hannah Spencer.

I mean, imagine if Andy Burnham had come third

Maybe it's my own feelings, but I think that Labour are done and he's far better off keeping his current post for however long it runs

Good morning 😁

I can't remember where I read it now, but there was a piece written recently about Burnham lining up two constituencies where the incumbent would step aside so that Burnham could stand. One was Bootle, can't remember the other.
He is considering resigning as mayor first this time, so that can't be used as an excuse to block him this time, according to the article.

You're probably right that he's better off staying put @SapphireCasino, but he can sniff power so he's like a bloodhound.
The other bloodhounds within cabinet will probably want to move first, before Burnham can get a seat.

They claim to wear a socialist 'overcoat', but who are they, under that?

@WaffleBomb I don't know enough about Burnham to know what he's like as a personality

I'm not very good at spotting the power hungry. I don't really understand that either. It's such a long game, isn't it? And then these politicians carry on being full of power until they're 90. I grudgingly admire it - but I'm not sure these personalities do the nation any good. Well, they don't do they!

@TwinklyTaupePanda I think a lot of us know exactly who they are but the state of things has been arranged so that it's hard for us to say it explicitly.

There's a candidate for Plaid Cymru, I can't remember her name - if what is said about her is true, it makes me think even more that outside influence is at play here. She's openly said that she's not well enough to do a 9 to 5 and she also said that billionaires don't do anything except count their money.

If AB had come third though, that would’ve settled it altogether I agree - but there’s a chance he’d have attracted the protest vote that’s going to other parties and that’s the temptation of him, if he could’ve proved he can do that then he’s a game changer.

i see Labour looking like they’re going down in Birmingham - we’re seeing real political fragmentation across the uk aren’t we…

Another Labour success being reported today.

2026 has seen the worst three month start for any year on record for the creation of new businesses.

in the first three months of 2026 78,655 companies were founded, 8% down on 2025. In the same three months 83,200 companies closed down.

Given how much Labour and their supporters despise innovation, wealth creation and just good old-fashioned hard work I imagine they’ll have a smug smile of satisfaction about these numbers. [extremely pissed off - emoji recommendation required] 🤬 seems not to do these awful stats justice.

@Unrivalled I don't know if anyone's got the power to save Labour at the moment

Would any kind of protest vote have gone to them if Andy Burnham was representing them?

I hadn't heard about Birmingham. Let me guess, they're going Green?

I don’t think they deserve to be saved - I should vote for them as most likely vote against snp but…I can’t do it again, they’ve been so much worse and sneerier than I thought and yes - look at the business start ups. A dismal summer
of food inflation ahead too.

Birmingham yes, it’s going for more staunchly anti Israel parties. Although all the brummies i know are voting reform.

I also don't think they deserve to be saved. They no longer represent the working class, so what are they for these days? Even they don't seem to know what they stand for.

I don't think for a minute that they deserve to be saved

I just got the impression quite a few people here thought Andy Burnham could do the job

Would I rather have Labour or Greens though? Definitely the former.

That's going to make for an interesting council if it's split between Green and Reform! 😬 Is it an 'all out' year for them, or just a %?

oh yes, I definitely do think Burnham is better than a torn they’ve currently got - whether he could turn this current situation into political gold though…idk.

All 101 seats up for grabs in Birmingham.

this is the current mix https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50068/how_the_council_works/882/political_composition_of_the_council

No Reform cllrs and just 2 Greens in Brum at the moment - imagine that may change by quite a lot.

Speaking of Birmingham

I'm asking this question here because everyone else will be angry with me for asking the question

The legal for case that Birmingham have been fighting... with different group groups of workers in different pay bands... they're really arguing on the basis of male or female dominated jobs? Have I got that right?

From what I can see, it looks as if the pay banding is questioned, and that seems like a massive can of worms that could apply to anybody, especially as I'm not sure where they've drawn the limit in terms of when people were employed.

Have I understood it correctly?

What’s been happening in Birmingham about the bin strike? I know it’s still going on, but what’s actually being done with the rubbish? It can’t be just piling up, can it? There’d be a terrible public health risk from millions of tons of rotting rubbish.

Still, that’s what Labour administration gives you.

@DenizenOfAisleOfShame yes the strike is still going on

And that is directly connected to the so-called equal pay discrimination case.

I think this is a combination of very badly crafted laws over the years and the fact that all the publicity has described it as an equal pay issue

Obviously, the courts have found in favour of the claimants but I'm not convinced by it, from what I can understand of it. I'm really wondering if I got it wrong.

For a large organisation to be left open to being sued about pay bands, bonus structures, etc from the past, does not seem like a brilliant idea

how far back are we going to go? This is a really weird precedent.

Morning all 😁
Hope you're all enjoying this glorious weather.

Keir Starmer's interview with The Times. He's utterly deluded! I don't think this interview will help his case for staying on. He genuinely believes that we need him. The comments are brilliant, one said that in his own head, he's a legend. 😂

https://www.thetimes.com/article/ce07e9e8-c196-4dde-8d85-1f9ccab38a23?shareToken=7c1df10f49603886e2b3fa50cd54b6c3

I thought that headline so ridiculous, talk about writing your own review that no one wants or agrees with.

I hope AB is making manoeuvres as reported.

Starmer’s re-definition of “pressure” is weaselly nonsense. No-one’s going to buy that.

The rest from Starmer is just guff.

Yep, he's very much a 'shitweasel' isn't he.

Still trying to sell himself as the last wall of defence against Reform too. No recognition that he is the cause rather than the cure.

So true. He is the cause of that.

Great column by Rishi Sunak. <sigh>

https://www.thetimes.com/article/f8f7d76f-fba4-4a4d-875a-473eb29e1f55?shareToken=3797e7bffaf1521b9b67b7f1a4df7ee1

You were spot on with that prediction in 2024 Eastern.

God, I miss the Sunak / Hunt combo. 😭😭