Labour isn't Working - Thread 35

[Nuthatch26]

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.

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She gave a speech describing the ILR plans as 'un-British'. Presumably Rayner will be in Burnham's cabinet.
My biggest worry with Burnham is how much red meat he will need to throw to his back benches as payment for putting him in No.10. I think he has the potential to be much better than Starmer, but the back benches are feral.

@Nuthatch26 to be clear I meant Mahmood won't care.

I must admit, I have no idea what Rayner says about anything 😂

Listening to someone say we ie Starmer lectured allies on defence spending and now we look bad with a low plan that caused serious resignations.

I do agree generally re the manifesto. I was really thinking of big, unannounced stuff like changing the electoral system or nationalising the banks or the telecoms companies. Otherwise, yes, flexibility should be available to any government.

Agree. Two of the very big insults to the mass of the country are the hounding of ex-servicemen through the courts and crass deference to the ICJ and international ‘law’ about UK interests.

People instinctively feel betrayed by these. Indeed Carns resigned in part over the shabby treatment of soldiers who’ve risked their lives to serve.

Yes, I agree with that assessment.

I saw that a load of train companies went into public ownership yesterday (which will be due to the private company failing). I'm not sure they'll improve as Northern hasn't!

I am absolutely sure that nationalised rail be no better and almost certainly worse than the private operators.

I read the other day that privatising water would cost £300bn. That’s not going to happen, whatever the left think.

A lot could depend on who is chancellor. Eg Healey v Miliband.

Chief of Staff is ex Blair minister James Purnell on radio just now

Sorry, its hot and my brain isn't working yet. 😂

I'm disgusted with the water companies and it's a shame there's no mechanism as with the rail companies to force them out. Years and years paying money out to shareholders, and not doing vital infrastructure works. Now it's desperate, they've been allowed to increase bills massively to pay for it, when we've already paid for them in theory, if they hadn't been so negligent and / or greedy. It's a REAL bugbear of mine!

Re rail travel, two words: British Rail! (There's even a British Rail joke in Die Hard 2 (also a Christmas film))!

Yes the choice for chancellor will be pivotal.

I had to Google James Purnell when I heard him mentioned yesterday. I remember most of the ministers from the Blair-Brown years, but I don't remember Purnell.

Unless they expropriate it... 😬
Nothing would surprise me.

Yep..

There's been quite a bit of spin from some quarters about how Starmer had raised UK defence spending up to the highest levels since the Cold War...

The reality is he had announced a wish list that might, perhaps, have achieved that but the Treasury wouldn't approve the plan, in part the DIP, and hence SoS for Defence resigning.

None of the above excuses the way defence was eroded by previous administrations...

The defence spending is a such a shambles.

As the saying goes, if you want peace you must prepare for war.
And it will help the economy.

They really have to do it.

Purnell’s back is he? He was at the BBC for a few years after Westminster IIRC.

It’s an interesting team that Burnham’s gathering. Purnell was pretty solidly on the Labour right. Perhaps we’ll get a surprise Blair retread in no 10!

They do just need to do it. Burnham might be better. Hopefully although it does depend on which direction he goes for chancellor.

@notimagainyes it was serious for Healey to resign. The guy I was listening to does a podcast, the general and the journalist I think, he’s really good.

On the subject of chancellors, this is Quentin Letts's stark and accurate essay on "the Duchess of Delusion" and her time in office.

In her pre-election interviews there was always a worrying "mean girl" vibe about her, but I doubt anyone could have foreseen her incompetence actually wrecking the economy and people's lives.

https://archive.ph/HxpQZ

Do you know when Sunak came out with his national service idea I thought it was mad, but actually, it was ahead of its moment and he was going to take the fall for Boris.

something like that should be tried again, with a broad range of service (you wouldn’t want my dds in a TA). A high number of young people applied to join the army last year. Some sort of Norway style competition. There’s nothing inherently right wing about national service, AB could do it.

similarly, reform’s idea of no income tax on overtime is a policy Labour should steal….

I see Andy Burnham must be mad for it with his 'Madchester Cabinet' absolutely pathetic and disastrous for the country. It appears Burnham is selecting Cabinet ministers based on them being 'local' from Manchester or the North not on talent. God help this Third World bound country, I can see ITV catching on to the concept of become Prime Minister in 3 weeks . It of cause will be hosted by Ant And Dec candidates will have 15 minutes to give their ideas about the country. Thus, at the end of 2 weeks the winner will stand in a By-Election for the Party In Government, given the candidates Popularity they will be a guaranteed winner with ITV standing by with four extra boxes of votes if needed, than within a 1 week and their swearing in Bingo you have your 3 week Prime -Minister. The title of the Show: 'Reality Tv Star- Prime Minister'

There are so many ways to do National Service now, not just training to fight in the old fashioned sense. It could be framed as additional training after finishing school/uni - eg train on AI, which has benefits for the wider economy.

To give people the choice, what about saying to all prospective Uni students - do 2 years “national service” after you finish your course and your student loans will be wiped clean. Don’t want to do the service, fine but you have to pay your loan back as before.

Im in @CaveMum something like this needs to happen.

That's an excellent idea!

I am bemused by AB having said he wants to get rid of stamp duty (ok - though I think if vendors paid it on their profits, it would loosen the market up equally) and replace council tax with a tax based on paying 0.48% of your home’s value. Isn’t that just council tax but insanely awkward to calculate given market movement? And expensive to implement what seems to be the same.

I think my council tax probably IS about that anyway. What a waste of money?

Would make more sense for owner just to pay say basic rate of tax on in the increase - if any - if the house are selling -ie capital gain.
And no tax on the house they are purchasing.

I started listening to PMQs but nope. His voice and manner. Tf he’s out.

No one wants him there anymore. Yeah 🙌