... to say that the Tories are in power indefinitely?

[MrsPeacockInTheLibrary]

I said similar in a political discussion earlier with a friend and they got quite angry and said that was ridiculous.

I had shared some of the reasons I have this opinion: Labour factionalism and infighting (I am a party member and see it entrenched everywhere), Scotland, the split vote on the left, the Tory majority, conservative voting trends in recent years... I just can't see how the Tories will be ousted within at least the next 10-20 years.

I know the old adage about a week in politics... I wish we had more hope of reform in the system, and safe seats did not exist in their current form, but it is what it is.

@Iggly

What have the Tories done to show they respect women’s rights?

One thing that doesn't get mentioned in these discussions, but which I think makes a difference, are the response individual Tory candidates/associates give when confronted with the issue.

As far as political types go, some of the voices that have been consistent in bringing this up or supporting women's concerns have been Torys. Individuals who write their MPs or talk to candidates on the doorstep seem to get reasonable or even supportive responses, while a lot from other parties basically tell people they are bigots.

There are a few Labour members who support women but they get abuse or even ejection from the party. Party members who bring it up at the local level have similarly been pushed out, I've never heard of that with the Conservatives.

It depends on the issue. Johnson purged plenty of senior anti-Brexit Tories. But in general you're right - Tories aren't generally concerned about ideological purity. I do think the general public regard that as a point in their favour. There is just a bit too much of Robespierre among senior Labour politicians. Jeremy Corbyn had it in spades.

As far as political types go, some of the voices that have been consistent in bringing this up or supporting women's concerns have been Torys. Individuals who write their MPs or talk to candidates on the doorstep seem to get reasonable or even supportive responses, while a lot from other parties basically tell people they are bigots

But what have the Tories actually done?

They can say all they like but they’ve been in power since 2010 and have not done anything of significance as far I can tell….

It’s all very well for them to talk about it but unless they put their money where their mouth is, it’s all just words.

Saw Rachel Reeves on TV this morning. She has convinced me Tories are in the driving seat for a long time to come.

I didn’t cover vote to be as high as that for yanbu

But yes Labour are floundering.

Cover - think

Whoever wants the Tories out has to put aside their personal objections to Labour and vote for them. They are the only party with the slimmest chance. Or, hope for the grand, strategic election tactics of the left in the next general election.

Either way, Labour really has no chance without Scotland, or unifying its own party. I shall stay a party member for now and see how the land lies ahead.

God, you are just like the labour party.op.

Op people aren't voting for the Labour party.
People: they don't represent our interests and are actively seeking harm for a proportion of the voting public.
Op: suck it up because, Tories are evil.

I see they are covering themselves in glory this week. When David Lammy and co know what a woman is and commit to protecting them, then I will vote for them and not a moment before.

It's a choice between two bad choices at the moment and labour have proven themselves the worst option.

But like you op, instead of reflection they blame the public. People won't bite for a party that call them dinosaurs, or thick or bigots.
It's really not difficult not to constantly undermine, undervalue and bully the public.

@MrsPeacockInTheLibrary

Whoever wants the Tories out has to put aside their personal objections to Labour and vote for them. They are the only party with the slimmest chance. Or, hope for the grand, strategic election tactics of the left in the next general election.

Either way, Labour really has no chance without Scotland, or unifying its own party. I shall stay a party member for now and see how the land lies ahead.

I had a word with my vagina, my cervix and my ovaries and unfortunately they said no. Unless they were valued as part of the whole they just weren’t interested.

had a word with my vagina, my cervix and my ovaries and unfortunately they said no.

Perhaps you will get a vote for each. Or is it perhaps like a points system where all three add up to vote?

Unless/until Labour really get their act together, it’s all too likely IMO.

What’s more, I blame Labour’s hard left entirely for the current mess. If they hadn’t chosen Ed Miliband, who any fool could see was never going to win a general election, we’d have had David, and almost certainly would never have had Cameron or Brexit.

The next non-Tory PM is still in primary school

Labour would rather stick to dogma than be practical and realistic about their strategy and choose a leader who might actually win. They despise their core voter base and regard us as thick and basic. They just don't represent the working class anymore. Labour politicians need to the a good, hard look at themselves and join another party if they despise the working class. They're bringing the country to its knees by not mounting an effective opposition. They're causing untold suffering to vulnerable and poorer people who have nobody to represent them. They're as bad as the tories imo.

It's been asked what he Tories have done for women, off hand I can think of a few things:

Allowed women to marry each other
Increased minimum wage from £5.80 under Labour to £8.91
Increased tax allowance from £6,450 to £12, 570
Reduced number of qualifying years from 39 to 30 to receive a full state pension to account for caring responsibilities that fall to women
Increased state pension from £97.65 in 2010 for a single woman to £179.60

These affect men too, but since women are disproportionately low paid and claim state pension for longer than men (life expectancy) these changes have significantly out-sized effects on women.

Tories support women's rights in that they are not afraid to say what a woman is.

Have a look at Keir Starmer having difficulty with that when being interviewed by Andrew Marr.

Sadly, that is how basic it has now become. Labour and Lib Dem politicians cannot define a woman for fear of offending the trans lobby.

@BelleOfTheProvince

had a word with my vagina, my cervix and my ovaries and unfortunately they said no.

Perhaps you will get a vote for each. Or is it perhaps like a points system where all three add up to vote?

They value inclusivity and unless my brain is given some consideration it’s a hard no from the reproductive organs.