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.

Previous thread
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5538300-labour-isnt-working-thread-34?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share

I also have some sympathy for Reeves.

There’s a lot to criticise - her doubtful relationship with the truth for one thing, and the awful way she speaks, for another - and I oppose her economics, but she doesn’t radiate personal unpleasantness like Starmer does.

It was unfortunate that she wept in the commons, but it would be a harsh woman who couldn’t feel for her. I don’t blame her for the government’s spineless actions about curbing public spending either: that’s on the backbenchers and the feeble Starmer.

Reeves will be missed if we end up with Miliband.

The PM sets the overall policies anyway. This is on him.

I doubt he realises how badly he’s done as zero self awareness.

Well let's see what the new cabinet looks like. I'm hoping by now they've sussed out the talent in the backbenchers and start using them in ministerial posts. They've been abused terribly imo.

Reeves borrowed an extra 300bn over the plans she inherited, roughly a whole year’s income tax receipts. She raised taxes by 66bn, or 2.3k per family, across two Budgets. Each figure is historic in its own right. The freeze on tax thresholds alone – the stealth raid she had promised, in terms, not to extend – was the largest single tax rise in 60 years.

The overall tax burden is now close to 38.5% of GDP - higher than at any point since records began in 1948.

I have no sympathy for her, and the country will not bear someone worse. She will not be missed.

Just pondering: Was Aberdeen a microcosm? Would a GE tomorrow produce a similar result or was it based solely on local reaction to Labour's barmy policies on oil and gas?

(McDonalds would be envious of the number of drive-bys this thread attracts.)

Which Labour government are we talking about. Looks like we won't be getting the policies we voted for two years ago. But Andy Burnham and his gang of lefties. I know the Tories were worse but it's still unacceptable in what is supposed to be a democracy.

The majority of voters rejected Labour's policies by failing to vote for them in the GE.

They've also enacted policies which weren't in the manifesto (which might have meant they weren't elected anyway).

I'd prefer to have policies which go against the - non-legally binding - manifesto but are better economically, than stick with the shite fiscal rules they dreamt up in what must've been a fever dream.

Whether I get that is another thing! But I really don't think not adhering to a manifesto is necessarily a bad thing, if it's done as a reactive measure to events / previous poor policy.

Another podcast recommendation! Honestly I should be on commission!

It’s back to TRIM today for their interview former head of IFS Paul Johnson and discussion of whether Burnham’s style of economics can work for the country, rather than just a city.

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-rest-is-money/id1703785141?i=1000774111084

That sounds interesting @CaveMum

Aberdeen South was a one-off. Very much localised issues about the oil industry.

I was overjoyed that the Tories took it but I don’t read any wider electoral prospects into it.

On a tangent…during the heatwave London councils are demanding that residents rip out air conditioning!

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/consumer-affairs/air-conditioning-torn-from-homes-under-net-zero-clampdown/

This when new build flats are reaching nearly 40 degrees inside. Property values in the capital will tank if whole swathes of housing stock are effectively unliveable 3 months a year.

Absolutely daft not to allow people to adapt. The menace of air conditioning is overstated as well:

You’ve been given free access to this story from The Economist as a gift. You can open the link five times within seven days. After that it will expire.

Europeans should learn to love the air-conditioner
https://economist.com/europe/2026/06/18/europeans-should-learn-to-love-the-air-conditioner?giftId=ZWM0MWRjZDUtY2YxNS00NzM1LTgxZDAtMTllYjRiZGE4ZTc2&utm_campaign=gifted_article

Why would I vote for people who insist on making me miserable for no apparent reason? When I could vote for people who give me the freedom to flourish?

Just a small example but totemic.

They do really need to demonstrate some actual business friendly policies and better rhetoric on the private sector - the old team never stop claiming they’re pro business. Fingers crossed! listening to PJ and the new IFS head etc would not be a bad start.

AB won’t go for a GE - a lot of people lending him support would switch back to reform if they called it now, his best hope is to try and change minds before the next one. Labour know that…

Ms Reeves told a British Chambers of Commerce summit: “I hope that whoever is chancellor, in the future, whenever that future may be, sticks to what I’m doing because it is beginning to bear fruit.

“And we are seeing that investment return to the economy, that growth return to the economy, and crucially, that stability, so that businesses can plan and invest for the future.”

She also quipped she was “not sure if anyone wants my advice”, prompting laughter hearty agreement from the audience of top businessmen.

There, fixed it.

Reeves, the Duchess of Delusion.

I think it was a very specific set of circumstances that helped the Conservatives there.

Sorry, didn’t see the reply above.

It as hot as the devil’s armpit here
and the dogs are just as smelly.

My ddog is currently up to his nose in stinky water in the river, he’s not coming out!

Another blinder by Quentin letts ! He adores kemi.

That is true. But it does go against the lie that her popularity rating doesn't translate to votes, as clearly her message got through to Aberdeen, even if it was very local as an issue. Who's to say others aren't as persuaded by something else she's saying? We won't know unless it's tested in a GE.

We got back from our walk at 6.30. Way too hot to be out with him here.

Re the air conditioning being ripped out. Have sent the article to a couple of architects. They replied they knew. But it can't be applied retrospective. They're building it into new builds on government buildings now.

Wow, the government can have it, but holders of modest little hot boxes for flats cannot!

And the guardian has said 1 in 6 babies ( esp new builds ) are living in houses that are to hot ??

They've both said that if a client requires air con it's being included in planning and is being passed with no issues. I suspect it's a London centric eccentricity.

Good reason for London to quit voting Labour and Green. The incompetence will tank their home owner equity or possibly kill them in the extreme.

Didn't Westminster go conservative.

Supermarkets walk all over councils like Camden. If they tried this they'd be knee deep in barristers. And lose. Ditto any owner with muscle. It's the little people who get shafted.