Jeremy Corbyn - PM by default?

[Considermesometimes]

I am not a 'woke' labour supporter. I come from a long line of many generations of stout labour supporters. It would be unthinkable up to now in my family for anyone to vote for any other party. I would be shown the door at my gp's house for even having this conversation.

However, I am seriously seriously worried, I would go as far as to say terrified of the prospect of voting for Labour this time, and Jeremy Corbyn actually becoming Prime Minister.
I am interested to know how others are dealing with this problem.

I am worried that some of the policies such as seizing assets and homes from people, massive taxes etc. We are home owners and work very hard, it could all be jeopardised.

Forced closure of private schools in this area would be a complete and utter disaster. As it is we have to finish early on Friday afternoons, and do not have funds for every day stationary much less hundreds of extra children. What would happen to our already very full classes of 33-38 with all the extra children from the private schools? How is this even possible? And yet it seems Labour are fully committed to it when pressed on the issue.

The huge privatisation plan of utilities looks to cost around 200 billion pounds. I don't want our money spent this way! I would much prefer better schools and hospitals, and crime to be under control in this part of the country. I can't even get a GP app for my asthmatic dd at the moment. I could not care less about the Utilities or the railways etc. The LP just do not seem to understand at the moment what matters to most people.

The whole defence and nuclear issue. I don't feel we live in a particularly safe world. I like the fact we have some defences against the nut jobs in the Middle East or North Korea. The fact that other countries would not trust the UK under Corbyn to share intelligence with us, and his lack of decision making in a crisis, or even his basic understanding of deterrents is deeply disturbing.

I just don't think Corbyn is up to the job in any shape or form. Nor do most of the party.

I have thought about voting Lib Dems, but looking at the numbers that will almost certainly result in Corbyn being PM. There is almost no chance at all of Lib Dems getting 326 seats. A vote for Lib Dems is a vote for a Labour government probably propped up by the SNP who will demand another independence referendum in six months.

I am livid with the party for allowing this to happen, how is Corbyn still the leader of the party it is beyond me. How has this been allowed to happen? Chuka Umunna would have made an excellent PM, but all the best candidates are leaving the Labour party.

I don't think I can vote for anyone. That is my final conclusion, for the first time in thirty years I will not vote. What are you planning to do?

We’ll see how “minimal” Labour’s tax increases are in their manifesto - they’re likely to amount to thievery from business and the middle classes on an unprecedented scale!

Well, the tax rises in the last Manifesto were not massive- so why assume they will be in this one?

Oh well, let’s protect the middle classes at all costs, fuck the poor. Selfish is spot on.

It’s odd, this perception of tax as theft. Almost as if it’s paying for Corbyn’s dacha...

so why assume they will be in this one?

Because of the public statements by Corbyn, McDonnell, and Labour conference since the last manifesto? Honestly, it’s as if you think people can’t read or hear what Labour politicians are actually saying.

Re nationalisation of utilities and rail services. I can see both sides of this. To me it makes sense that on an island like ours, the rail service is nationalised into one integrated service. Private companies did not work when they were first built, and nationalisation saved them (originally).
However, once they come under Government control, it is easy for successive governments to starve them of investment, etc and in some instances we can see how technology has changed and these massive institutions such as the rail network need to be upgraded, etc.

On the otherhand, if private, I dislike all profits going back to shareholders, when we do not really have much of a choice (rail), and the choice (utilities) is bonkers, when they are using all the same gas and electricty network.
That said, I thought the rail and utilities could not be nationalised under EU rules, though it confuses me though, that many seemed to be owned by foreign governments? So, it does not make sense.

As a business owner I pay tiny tax. Its absurd. I would happily pay more tax so they stop opening food banks near me. And I can stop reading threads where people don't know how they will feed their families!

Honestly, it’s as if you think people can’t read or hear what Labour politicians are actually saying.

Until they launch their manifesto all this is speculation. Maybe wait until we see the policies?

Until they launch their manifesto all this is speculation. Maybe wait until we see the policies?

Has that stopped you speculating on and criticizing Tory policies? Or are you a hypocrite?

Probably I am, yes.

Good on you - at least you’re honest!

I've had the same concerns as you since Corbyn became party leader, OP. I thought about not voting, but I could never do that because of what the suffragettes went through to get the vote for women.

I've mostly voted Lib Dem in the past, but I don't like Jo Swinson's position of revoking Article 50 without a referendum if they win the election. I don't think it's right to ignore the 2016 referendum result, and I think it could really lead to riots. I've thought for the last six months that there should be a second referendum, as a lot of lies were told in the campaign before the last referendum and a lot of leave voters didn't really know what they were voting for. The choice should be between the deal agreed with the EU and the UK government (which is what Corbyn has said, I do agree with him on this point).

I don't have much choice other than to vote Labour actually, as they're the only party that can keep the Tories out in my constituency.

I think what's reassuring is that Labour are most unlikely to win an overall majority, it's very likely that we'll have a hung parliament and they could form a coalition with the SNP (yes, that will lead to an independence referendum, but I think that's inevitable in the long run if the UK does finally leave the EU).

Has that stopped you speculating on and criticizing Tory policies? Or are you a hypocrite?

People have had 10 years of Tory policies to see the damage they've done. We don't need to wait until their manifesto!

It's mind boggling. You are scared of Corbyn but not of the psychopaths running the Conservative Party? I can only think that either you are worried about losing your privileges or that the media brainwashing has worked a treat on you.

People have had 10 years of Tory policies to see the damage they've done. We don't need to wait until their manifesto!

Well I certainly like their record and have already decided I want another 5 years, so you may have a point!

@Iwantacookie they’ll all end up poorer under Corbyn. Everyone will. That’s how socialism works. Everyone gets poorer, the gap just narrows.

Labour are only proposing a raise in taxes for those who earn over £85k/ year. And even then it's pretty minimal.

In which case they won’t be able to afford their policies.

God, people will keep posting this shit.

@Faffette last I checked none of the conservatives were rejoicing over the situation in Venezuela or praise terrorists and dictators. I think you may be a bit confused about where the psychopaths are.

@onetimeonlyy are you avoiding tax? We have a business and pay a lot quite frankly. Enough to double our workforce. And this is a very small business we’re talking about.

I also don’t the connection between raising taxes and closing food banks, if anything more will be necessary when people start loosing jobs. If you have spare cash donate it to good causes.

Well I certainly like their record and have already decided I want another 5 years,

Then have the honesty to admit to your selfishness and complete disregard for anyone worse off than you.

Velveteenfruitbowl,

Brainwashed then.

Of course I don't avoid tax! I have an excellent accountant. I pay low corporation tax and a small amount of income tax. The VAT I pay is charged to the large companies I work with so doesn't affect me. I paid a lot more tax on a lower salary when I worked in house. I would happily be taxed more.

I give a large amount out in charity donations including standing orders to local charities and I donate my skills to small business for free in addition.

I'm voting Labour.

I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone earning over £85k being taxed a bit more. If you can't afford that then you need to reassess your outgoings because there are people managing on less than £9ph. Those are the people I have sympathy for.

I only personally know one person who earns over that and he says he is more than happy to pay extra tax.

To be honest I think the Tories will walk it and I'm shit scared for our NHS, for our state schools, for our police force and for our economy.

Then have the honesty to admit to your selfishness and complete disregard for anyone worse off than you.

Just as soon as those voters who want to tax the shit out of me and "redistribute" it to them admit their selfishness.

Not to mention that their selfishness is much greater than mine, since I just want to keep the money I've earned, not have the government confiscate someone else's money to give to me...

Well I certainly like their record and have already decided I want another 5 years

Fuck me sideways. How cold-hearted do you need to be?

4 million children are in poverty, 130,000 people died from PREVENTABLE deaths due to austerity, mental health budgets slashed, school budgets slashed, the NHS is on its knees, racism, homophobia and hate crimes at all time high, the national debt is at 86% - pray tell, which of these things do you like so much?

I’m telling you, sociopaths.