What do people think will make Britain great again?

[Logiclady94]

I keep coming back to this thought and I wondered what other people thought so I decided to ask the wonderful people on mumsnet for their opinions. I was reading that more jobs were lost, people are being told to return to work to save the economy, coronavirus means that people still don’t feel comfortable doing that, work/life balance needs sorting, income and taxes need rectifying. Not an opinion but you see a lot of the richer need punishing, house prices are ridiculous..

So my wondering is what are people’s thoughts genuine thoughts about what they would change with this country?

@PhilCornwall1 what did you think of the letter written by the likes of Gates and Disney heir who asked to be taxed in order to contribute?

It’s end. A United Ireland and independence for Scotland Wales and England

[quote labyrinthloafer]@PhilCornwall1 what did you think of the letter written by the likes of Gates and Disney heir who asked to be taxed in order to contribute?[/quote]
Not a huge amount.

It is truly remarkable how many people now see no function to taxes and do not see that wealth is gained by making other people work for you at below the value of their work. What a hatchet job these people have done on us. I could almost admire the efficiency, if I didn’t know that states and civilisations cannot function without income. The refusal of the rich to pay taxes has seriously weakened states and played in collapses before now.

End poverty
Education
Support British farming and manufacturing

@PhilCornwall1 tried to add a as that wasn't meant to come over snippy!

Oh, my original comment disappeared?

@PhilCornwall1

A decent government for a start. This one is turning out to be the worst in many years. We also need to lose the constant political correctness, it serves no useful purpose.

We need to stop constantly focusing on the Service industry and start manufacturing too, we have brilliant engineers in this country. As an example, look at the F1 teams, most headquartered here and cars designed and built here, amazing skill, we do have the skill and it should be encouraged in other areas of manufacturing.

This country is also good at having a pop at the wealthy. If someone takes a risk, starts a business, employs people and becomes wealthy off the back of that, good luck to them. They took the risk and have been rewarded. If they are paying what they need to in taxes, that's good enough. The do gooders need to stop with the shaming of these people saying they should spread more of their wealth to the so called have nots. That's the governments role, not the role of an individual.

Yes but the government isn't doing anything about it is it? Don't refer to people who are indignant about tax and wealth inequality as 'do gooders', it's belittling and sneery. They are justifiably angry that the inequity and tax dodging is fully enshrined by law. If governments don't act, people complain. That's not difficult to understand, perhaps even for you.

We need a more equitable and sustainable society that focuses less on consumerism and the endless pursuit of wealth, and more on wellbeing (of people, animals and the planet) and acknowledging everyone's contributions.

• I think we should work towards banning fast fashion outlets like Boohoo etc that encourage a buy cheap then throwaway culture. Encourage investment in British made high quality goods that will cost more thus pay the manufactures a good wage but last longer. Stop outsourcing manufacturing to Asian countries and train up British people who will get a fair wage.

• Ban intensive and factory farming and cheap meat. Make meat a higher cost, luxury item and promote vegetarian alternatives. This is better for the planet and peoples health.

• Higher taxes to go towards investment in public services. Expand the remit of the public sector to include things like childcare and more public transport so that people aren't disadvantaged by having less money in their pockets.

• Instead of simply building more houses, look at how our current housing stock is distributed. The amount of older people whose children have long since left home living in big family houses is huge. Offer incentives for people to downsize and free up family homes for families. Offer low interest loans for moving costs. Build suitable, energy efficient accommodation to meet the requirements of the area concerned instead of chucking up the same 4 bed new builds that nobody can afford everywhere.

@WhatifIfeellikeacat

when T Blair opened the UK to Europeans

Sure the UK was open to mass immigration even before 2004.

Blair had the right/option to limit immigration from the newly admitted Eastern European countries. Other countries took that option. Blair didn't because he "wanted to rub the Right's noses in diversity" - what a clever way to run a country!!

Elise I feel the same about property - it’s insane how unbalanced it is now with oldies in huge houses. Not a popular view but one that won’t be discussed as it’s this group that votes Tory.

Investment in out of date shopping areas to accom and arts spaces with flex office space. We don’t need the retail space we have.

And a non Tory gov - one with more green and Lib Dem MPs so we can bring in more balance.

@Newgirls yes you are right there - any suggestion that it's unfair gets met with horror!

I’m not sure a lot of people want Britain to be great. Many seem to prefer the notion of being European or, ideally, a US territory overseas.

If the government are so intent on building our way out of recession can it please be upwards in the form of a few super cities to protect our diminishing wild areas from encroachment.
If he builds on any more farmland we will be forced to buy Trumps rotten bleached produce.

I think it’s pretty great now - not perfect but where is.

Stop looking for politicians to solve problems and invest in our local communities. Does anyone seriously think that Mr Khan is solely responsible for solving knife crime in London? That one tick in the ballot box is not making any difference to the lives of the vast majority of people in this country. If you look at the current make-up of the Cabinet I doubt there would be anyone in it who is not a millionaire or privately educated/well connected. What do these people know, understand or care about the lives of people who do not move in their circles; they may as well be on a different planet. Decision making needs to be devolved into communities that are best placed to understand and address their own unique concerns and priorities. There is colossal ignorance regarding the way that societies are organised. People believe there is only an either or option of laissez faire versus socialism, as if the combined intelligence of the human race cannot conceive of any other possibilities! Over the course of human civilization, highly successful societies (generally those based more on co-operation) have been organised along alternative lines. Why does nobody really question that such incredible power over the lives of millions if not billions of human beings can be concentrated into the hands of one single individual person, imbued with the same complexities, flaws and prejudices that we all are. Moreover an individual without exception to date, who is old, white, privileged and male? Do what you always do and you'll get what you always get. It amuses me that politicians always campaign on the platform of change and making countries 'great' again when change is not what most people want. Change demands courage and personal responsibility, but instead of taking that upon ourselves we look to politicians to do it for us, but where is the incentive when their own nests are so well feathered?

Making Britain great again implies greatness to begin with.

The imprisonment of the mass killer Boris Johnson would be a start.

Stop looking for politicians to solve problems and invest in our local communities.

Yes to this. In a lot of ways, Covid has showed us the importance of "localism", i.e. local shops, local help/support for shielders, etc. We need to stop buying from chain stores (often owned by offshore and/or tax evading foreign owners). We need to stop buying cheap tat and disposable fashion made by sweatshops in the Far East just because it's cheap. Stop blaming politicians and take action yourself to support UK industry, UK owned shops & other businesses, etc who are far more unlikely to be tax evaders.

Nothing,this country is going further down the slippery slope to being a 3rd world country.Do not ask me why,just read what is going on and think seriously about it.Those in charge (since 1945) have taken one wrong decision after another.The present shower are just making it up as they go along with regard to the present situation.Politicians are good at two things,looking after themselves and they have the gift of the gab;nothing else.