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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think Labour should save their political point scoring re Granffell tower for later on

314 replies

angelcakerocks · 14/06/2017 20:28

I'm actually quite disgusted that Labour are yet again using a tragedy to score political points (as they did with the terrorist incident) so soon after the event.
Yes questions need to be asked, but it seems inappropriate to be doing that right now, when we should all be pulling together and focusing on the victims of this awful accident. There is no need for the political point scoring today.

OP posts:
Bananagio · 14/06/2017 21:45

Yabu - and the time to make political points on behalf of those residents and many others like them who live in similarly dangerous conditions is right now when people are shocked, horrified and the attention of all the media is on this tragedy. In the same way that is was absolutely right to talk about police cuts in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks. And as there have been multiple interviews with residents raising the concerns they had previously then that just adds weight to the fact that this is exactly the right time to talk about it. What I do find highly inappropriate is using this as a means of taking another jab at Corbyn for political reasons.

BossaDad · 14/06/2017 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DixieNormas · 14/06/2017 21:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsPorth · 14/06/2017 22:06

It's his job to question policies that possibly lead to the destruction of a building and the loss of numerous lives. That's what he takes a salary for. I'm not a particular fan of his, but I'd have been dismayed if he hadn't spoken out today.

People with influence need to make an almighty fuss about this so that it doesn't get brushed under the carpet. It's possible to be sad, to donate money to the fund, and to question policy all at once.

donquixotedelamancha · 14/06/2017 22:12

Corbyn (who I've never really been a fan of but am increasingly warming to) has campaigned on similar issues for a long time. I seem to think he sponsored a bill on this since becoming leader. Anyone remember/link to the details?

I saw an interview and thought it was exactly the the right balance- raised the issue but wouldn't go into more detail today, focused on the victims.

What has he said that is so objectionable?

Oneiroi · 14/06/2017 22:13

Completely agree OP. It was extremely distasteful to try to use such a tragedy to score political points. He is a hypocrite. Man of principal? I think not. Unfortunately we have very few of those anywhere in the House of Commons.

Today should have been only about respect for the victims. What happened is so horrifying and sad. Sad

BossaDad · 14/06/2017 22:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Highalert · 14/06/2017 22:16

I think finding out why it happened is respecting the victims. Massively.

wtffgs · 14/06/2017 22:23

The former housing minister Gavin Barwell (now of No 10 Downing St fame) had shelved a report on fire safety for four years. Pointing this out is NOT point scoring. Do we keep quiet for another four years and wait for the next one? Fuck that.

This.

And Barwell is May's Chief of Staff (having lost his seat in the election). I'm taking a wild guess here ... I imagine he doesn't live in a tower block without a functioning fire alarm and sprinkler system .......

cardibach · 14/06/2017 22:29

Spot on.

stella23 · 14/06/2017 22:30

Corbyn (who I've never really been a fan of but am increasingly warming to) has campaigned on similar issues for a long time. I seem to think he sponsored a bill on this since becoming leader. Anyone remember/link to the details?

[http://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/corbyn-tried-pass-law-make-homes-safe-last-year-conservatives-rejected/14/06/]

I think this is it

BarbarianMum · 14/06/2017 22:32

I don't think sweeping this under the carpet is respectful to the victims at all. 3 successive Housing ministers have failed to update building regs to make them fit for purpose for buildings such as these. And, by the sound of it, the residents of this particular block have been raising safety concerns (and being totally ignored) for quite some time.

Hermagsjesty · 14/06/2017 22:38

It is absolutely a political issue. To not speak up would do a massive disservice to the victims. The residents have been trying for years to have thier voices heard. Thy have been dismissed and ignored. Now, they - rightly - want answers and all decent politicians on both sides of the house should be doing everything they can to make sure they get them.

Hermagsjesty · 14/06/2017 22:41

Also, this is an issue Corbyn has been speaking about for a long time. He tabled a bill on it. I don't think it's political point scoring. I think it's real righteous anger. He tried to do something that could have prevented this kind of accident and was blocked.

ToastDemon · 14/06/2017 22:45

Yes let's all respect the victims with maudlin, meaningless statements of sympathy whilst hurling criticism at the man who tried to save them and others lime them, and now wants amwers as to why they died.

Because it's in such poor taste Hmm

Burning to fucking death is in worse taste. The people I saw I reviewed this morning, the local residents were furious. Good on Corbyn for speaking up for them.

gutrotweins · 14/06/2017 22:45

Cheap council tenders, I reckon.

Dandandandandandandan · 14/06/2017 22:46

I sort of agree, as i said on the other thread. I totally support saying that tough questions need to be asked of the people in charge. That's absolutely right and those questions MUST be asked.

But to say that it's due to "Tory cuts" - on a building that had recently had £8m spent on it and that has a fair number of privately owned flats (or rented - some people let them out for £400-£500 a week) - no, I don't think it's right to score political points like that. You can drive publicity and interrogation without speculating on the cause to further your own cause when it's not yet known.

I don't think what labour are doing is wrong, but I took exception to corbyn's comments. If he's proven right then he can turn the knife on cost cutting with all the moral high ground that he likes.

Squishedstrawberry4 · 14/06/2017 22:47

It's important questions are asked sooner. I suspect thousands of people are presently living in buildings that pose a real fire risk.

notknownatthisaddress · 14/06/2017 22:48

YANBU it's disgusting. How anyone can support this man after this is beyond me.

Atenco · 14/06/2017 22:53

"I think its disrespectful not to just wait for a bit"

Where is the respect for the victims in covering up for the people responsible?

Hermagsjesty · 14/06/2017 22:54

Ask the residents. Ask them whether they'd prefer platitudes and "respect" or people speaking out for them in anger and solidarity. Ask them if they've felt the impact of cuts.

FluffyPineapple · 14/06/2017 22:56

Questions need to be answered for sure but OP I stand with you. I cannot understand why Labour have, again, jumped on the political bandwagon.

This tower block was built in the 1970's. How many Labour governments have taken steps to ensure the safety of the residents? Oh yeah....none. Funny how they can jump on the Tory government now - simply because the Tories are running this country (at the moment).

Alittlepotofrosie · 14/06/2017 22:57

You're doing the exact same thing. Using this tragedy to bash corbyn when he has a history of trying to make improvements in this area of legislation yet being blocked by the tories that the idiotic public keep voting in.

notknownatthisaddress · 14/06/2017 23:01

You're doing the exact same thing. Using this tragedy to bash corbyn when he has a history of trying to make improvements in this area of legislation yet being blocked by the tories that the idiotic public keep voting in.

What a load of shit.

BertrandRussell · 14/06/2017 23:03

"This tower block was built in the 1970's. How many Labour governments have taken steps to ensure the safety of the residents? Oh yeah....none. Funny how they can jump on the Tory government now - simply because the Tories are running this country (at the moment)."
Oh the irony........