To ask what the tories have ever done for us…

[Tootiredforallthiscrap]

To compliment the thread about labour and give a bit of balance, let’s discuss the legacy of 14 years Conservative government. Never voted for them myself and although we now have 2 out of 3 Tory MPs up here because of the Brexit effect I haven’t seen any great improvement in our town. In fact if anything it’s pretty much gone to the dogs. So good and bad, what have they achieved ?

You do realise that the UK and the US are not the only countries in the world? Other countries also implemented payment for people during lockdowns, and did not "copy" the UK.

I'm a high earner and better off than ever under the conservatives.

The silly bastards have left me paying less in tax than I was.

I genuinely don't really know why anyone who isn't very well off ever votes for them

This.

I know someone who didn't get to say goodbye to their son. It's an absolute fucking disgrace.

They also made legal aid for domestic abuse almost impossible to get and chronically underfunded Children's Mental Health Services to the point they basically don't exist to name but a few of their achievements.

Lots of countries paid people but did any keep them employed with a furlough scheme before the U.K.?

Probably multi-party rather than specifically the Tories, but decent legislation under Tory governments has included the abolition of corporal punishment in state schools under Thatcher, the Disability Discrimination Act under Major, and marriage equality under Cameron.

But yes, overall Tory governments tend to make things worse rather than better. Personally, I've never voted Tory, and I've voted in every election since 1983.

Families stick together more (because people can't afford to move out, even if they don't really want to be in abusive relationships or living with their parents into their thirties and beyond).

Pushed through? I don't think the other side of the House was exactly opposing the increase. And don't let's forget how opposed the Tories were to the concept of national minimum wage when it was first mooted.

Quite. And I'm not sure we can call it a living wage yet, whatever the Tories might call it.

I don't think we can give any party in the UK any credit for abolishing corporal punishment in school, given that it took them until 1983. My own country did it in 1835.

but it was still the public that voted for it,

At least the Tories can point to bringing in gay marriage. Will Labour achieve anything?

And it was still the Tories that gave them the opportunity to vote for it. 🤷‍♀️

but then you cannot blame the tories for giving the public the vote for the result when its the public that voted.

Kept Corbyn out. Marriage equality, furlough, vaccine roll out, stamp duty reform (not enough on it's own), modern slavery legislation, the move to cut National Insurance, it means that in time rich pensioners lose a tax break. Triple lock had really raised pensioner income, but it's had its day.

They haven't done enough with 14 years though. Should have had massive planning reform, and should have done much more on infrastructure - should probably have included stuff to limit nimby power in planning legislation - shouldn't have cut back HS2, shouldn't have cancelled crossrail 2 or bakerloo line extension. Should have scrapped OBR which is always off and limiting spending.

Yes I can. And do.

agreed

but labour would have done exactly the same

I very much doubt it. Labour wouldn’t have had the ERG agitating for it for a start.

well on that we disagree

Why? I genuinely don’t understand why you think a Labour government would have facilitated a referendum on leaving the EU. What would the political imperative have been?

i went to respond and then, honestly? thought i cannot be arsed. I just can’t be. Same with covid threads.

Not sure why i even clicked on the thread t h so i’ll bow out

Did you not know that MN is crawling with members of Keir's PR team! 😂

Well, they're badly needed to counter the misinformation spread by the hardcore Tory fangirls on this thread. I mean, you yourself have twice repeated the smear about Keir's Beer being equivalent to Boris' lockdown breaking parties, and that wasn't true, now was it?

UC and poor wages seem to have made it more profitable for some people to claim benefits and work part time or not at all.

That's about it unless you're super rich I think.

Finally stopped letting agents from charging ridiculous fees to tenants. I was really surprised when the Tories did this, but I’m glad that they did.

Also add improvement in International education tables due to curriculum reform/phonics/times table tests. It’s put too much on teachers and workload needs work but the kids are doing way better, particularly at primary level.