Voting labour for the first time. Anyone else?

[Lupina12]

Labour are far from perfect, but I like Keir Starmer and I think they are the best party to turn things around from the awful mess the incumbents have got us into.

He’s not glossy or witty or funny, but he seems decent - (he clearly has a wonderful wife and that only reflects well on him!)

Anyway, just curious - anyone else voting Labour for the first time? I’m 40 by the way and in the south east.

No.

Because I don't believe in socialism , which is what Labour stands for.

The 'Left' and Far Left across the world never has had a happy ending. It's oppressive and takes away freedom, choice and personal responsibility.

I agree that the country is in a mess but I don't believe Labour will take us out of it. They will cow-tow to the unions, as always, waste public money and be the same old Labour.

There are reforms already taking place to rape convictions and prosecutions. This is nothing new, and it has been in the pipeline for a long time.

It is going to be a legal problem when Labour push through the GRC to all and sundry and the impact that is going to have on all women in this country. It is the biggest issue we all face make no mistake.

Women have a right to be protected, to be recognised, to have legal status and to live in dignity. Every party should have been backing this, but sadly only one party thought we were worth the effort.

ULEZ came in under a Tory government due to the UK government being taken to supranational courts multiple times for the levels of air pollution in cities particularly London that have limited the lifespan of people particularly children and actually killed children.

You must be blind to the back log in the Courts, and the fact that prisoners including those who have committed domestic abuse and rape that have already been released early due there not being enough prison places.

They haven’t been in power for 14 years. You have zero idea of what they’re going to do.

Just voted Labour. Looking forward to the exit poll tonight!

Hello, may I ask you to reconsider spoiling your vote?

I totally empathise with how you feel, but also democracy is messy; rarely can a party entirely represent your all views and needs. But out of them all, one is nearest to what you prioritise, please vote for them?

Not least for all the women in the world that don’t get a vote.

(also, we should all really go into politics! And be the change we want to see! Food for thought..!)

You've been all over all the threads with your right wing propaganda, yet weirdly you seem to have not read anything at all in the labour party manifesto.

People can already get GRCs, you know. Under the Tories.

Which party are you referring to anyway? Reform? Because you'd fit right in with the "stop immigration/close our borders" stuff you were espousing on another thread the other day.

So a single candidate wouldn't get your vote? What the he'll dies his wife have to do with it?

You don’t need to lecture me about ULEZ, I’m up to speed with it thanks and I’ve suffered massively because of it. Labour bending over backwards to force through a Tory policy… says it all. The expansion was all on Khan.

Tactical voting here - Lib Dem to ( please God ) get that useless Tory lump out, and all the rest of the self serving lot. I’ve been appalled by this government, and frankly very disappointed by Starmer. Some Labour policies really annoy me, women’s/trans rights, their stance on Gaza etc.

I’d never ever vote Labour. Look at their record in Wales!

Labour have been in power in Wales for decades and it’s an absolute mess here. Our economy is shrinking, the NHS is on its knees with no hope of improvement, our roads are a mess - it’s just awful. The current First Minister of Wales is a career politician who has put his personal ambition above what is right for his country. Labour will win tonight and what we’ll see over the next few years will be like something from Animal Farm - corrupted by power.

To give you an idea of what to expect from the NHS under Labour, friends have waited over a year and a half for a gastroenterology referral and I’m waiting 11 months to get a neurology appointment. My husband has had his dermatology appointment cancelled for the third time in two years.

Education results PISA show that we are falling behind other countries in the UK. In 2022 we ranked just below Vietnam.

I agree 100% that the Conservatives don't 'deserve' another term (as a lifelong C voter) BUT I can never vote for socialism.

KS has only had to keep his mouth shut during the campaign. He's said nothing of value other than they have plans (a wish list) and it's 'costed'.

No one knows what plans they have re. other taxes .

council tax bands are def going up which will hit the elderly living in larger homes, and they may not want the upheaval of moving, in their 80s.

This was leaked by the snr shadow treasury secretary this week.

And as for their stance on women and Harriet Harman going to be in charge of the gender stuff- God help us. She believes any man with a GRC can use women's spaces.

A long term relationship doesn't always indicate goodness

You do realise no one knows what goes on behind closed doors?

Many people stay in miserable marriages. Perhaps he's a complete twat to her.

So you’d rather have a womanizer like Boris in charge?

Not a fucking chance.

I'm off to vote in 10 minutes, still undecided who I will vote for, but there will be no X in Labour, of that I am 100% sure.

I have my Sex Matters postcards in my bag should there be any Labour representatives hovering around.

You will live to regret that.

I am. It's not quite for the first time - but Labour are the only ones with a chance against the Tories where I live.

I think I've probably said this in the past, but these last 14 years have shaken me. I grew up during the 80s and 90s and recall the hatred that the Tories received due to Thatcher's government - even long after they were gone - and I used to think it was bonkers to hold a party accountable for the actions of past leaders. I used to think 'surely you look at all the manifestos afresh each time and vote for the one you agree with the most?'.

These last 14 years have changed that. I have been so angry at the Tory government during this time. I could start to type out all the things I think they have been immoral and incompetent over but I think I would genuinely be typing until Christmas. Covid finances mismanaged, parties, back handers, tractor porn, appointing an MP known for sexual assult (and then trying to defend him). On an on and on it's gone over 14 years. And the result is a deep rooted distaste for the Tory party as it has become. It would take a total party cleanout and years of grovelling for me to ever consider voting for them in the future. They have been that awful in my eyes.

I don't know for sure that Labour will do any better. But I think Starmer is in it for the right reasons and I am willing to give them a shot at it. I heard the tax threats but looked back at tax records of both Labour and Tory since the 50s and they're not that much different - in fact, more recently (even ignoring the Covid years) these Tories raised taxes more than Labour did last time and had a higher tax burden during their tenure. Again, even discounting the Covid years.

The last 14 years have seen this country crumble ("We have crushed the UK to the ground, they are on their knees and they will not rise again for a very long time") and voting in the same party that was in charge while it happen will just result in more of the same. We need to give someone else a chance at this.

Said @HowIrresponsible, hopefully.

They haven’t been in power for 14 years. You have zero idea of what they’re going to do.

Laughable.

So you've cast your vote for a party that you say you don't know what they will do.

Excellent thinking😂

I hope you don’t have a daughter OP…

Absolutely not, I have daughters. Also - if you think the nhs will do better with Labour please see the absolute balls up of it they’ve made in Wales….have direct experience of it, it’s truly waaaay worse than in England. Not in any way saying that England’s nhs is in a great state….its just not as bad as Wales’😔.

Why do people think belittling the way someone is voting

a) makes them look good
or
b) is going to change anyone's mind?

No! No! No!

Women’s rights 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

People have different memories.

I'm older than you and women rejoiced when MT came into power. The unions were controlled at last and productivity was up.

TBH without being patronising, you're too young to have lived through the years when Labour was in power (excluding Blair and Brown) and the mess they left (and B&B also left us bankrupt.)