A 1p / 2p raise to income tax should lawfully trigger a general election

[TesChique]

There are vague promises in manifestos, and there are those which are explicit and should be binding except in exceptional circumstances (war etc)

If labour, or any party reneges on a core manifesto promise it should lawfully trigger a general election

They have lied to the public.

AIBU to think we need to see this change in law?

Yep, at the time of the election it felt like we had just turned a corner, things were still rubbish but slightly less so. Given another year or 2 I think Sunak could have significantly improved our countries financial stability, but he wasn't charismatic enough to create confidence in his ability to make change.

No, this is incorrect. Austerity measures were brought in after the banking bail out in 2008. The measures started in 2010.

Brexit, another Tory in fighting disaster and another absolute travesty for the UK.

Are you seriously saying people only vote Labour because it's "trendy". Is this your argument? I've never been "trendy". It is just that I'm not, what's the phrase I keep seeing the right wingers on these threads use, "hard of thinking...."
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American tourists

The measures started when Cameron pursued an ideology of austerity.

Meanwhile Europe was pursuing a policy of investment. Which is why their public services and economies are in a better state than ours.

And then of course, Brexit was the final straw.

The reason for the austerity measures was that Labour managed to bugger up the nation's finances the last time they were in power. Just look at the mess they've created over the past 18 months. Things were a lot, lot better under the Tories. But it's seen as 'cool' to hate the Tories, so some people will never change their minds.

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Do get a grip

And Investment Bankers when they pop over for meetings.

Well, I very clearly remember the disaster that was the previous Labour government. The damage they caused is still very much impacting the UK today. They even left a note to the incoming Tory Lib Dem coalition that read “Dear Chief Secretary, I'm afraid there is no money. Kind regards and good luck! Liam.” It was written by Liam Byrne, Chief Secretary to the Treasury.

And yes, I am saying that a lot of people vote Labour because they can’t think for themselves. Like sheep, they follow the celebs and pop stars who love to bleat on about how awful they think the Tories are, often using strong language to express their disapproval of Conservative policies or leadership.
I’m in my 40s now, but I remember it being a thing even back when I was a teenager in college. If I’d admitted to being a Tory and not liking Labour, I would have been roasted!

Don’t know why you’re laughing - People are struggling enough to make ends meet each month as it is, and now it looks like along with the higher cost of living and sky high energy costs, working people are facing a 2p increase in income tax come the next budget (something Reeves promised wouldn’t happen). Hardly something to laugh about - unless you’re a champagne socialist who’s unaffected 🙄

Me too. My first nhs job was under that labour government.

I don't think it's because people can't think for themselves though, thats pretty rude. But people do get caught up in the idealistic 'give to the poor' 'rich people are bad let's hammer them' ideology. I know I did in my early 20's, I wasn't following anyone, I was just young and hopeful and probably a bit naive. I voted for labour in my last year of uni at age of 21. Never again did I vote for them though after working under their rules and targets and seeing what Gordon Brown did to my incredibly hard working, worked his way up against the odds Dad. The covering up and smoke and mirrors was insane.

I also think a lot of people lie about how they vote and say they voted labour to sound 'cooler' or for fear of criticism. For several suceesful elections Tories were in power, but somehow I never met a person who admitted to voting for them. Just like I have never met a person who admits to voting for brexit but 51% did.

Yep people will feel it, taxes are already high. Plus it’s to fill a bigger hole created by Reeves and Starmer.

Not intended to be rude. I just think that a lot of people are influenced by what the celebs and pop stars have to say about politics (which usually follows the narrative that the Tories are the nasty party), without delving into the detail themselves. I’ve even seen T-shirts with slogans like “Never kissed a Tory” etc. Like you say, a lot of people would never openly admit to voting Tory for fear of being shunned by friends and acquaintances. My friends have no idea, and a couple of them openly talk politics assuming that everyone holds the same beliefs as them, without any thought that other people might hold different opinion (heaven forbid).

I remember that government too, probably better than you because I was your age when it came to power. It was the last decent government this country had. They left public services in good shape, there was 70% satisfaction with the NHS, they introduced the minimum wage and new schools, hospitals and Sure Start children's centres were built.

The damage was caused by the wrecking ball of ideological austerity that was supposed to be to pay down the deficit. Strangely, despite taking an axe to public services the national debt only grew. One has to wonder where all the money went.

Plus it won't drive growth so massively increases the chance that the bet Reeves has taken on growing the economy won't pay off and there will be even more needed in the future. I wouldn't be surprised if she increases tax in every budget boiling us like frogs and hoping we don't realise.

Well they did have a pandemic to contend with - so it’s hardly surprising is it.

Yep and oddly you’ll still get a few posting it’s good taxes are going up. Most will be angry though.

Why can't the government just cut spending instead of increasing taxes?

It's too weak. It's backbenchers have blocked nearly every attempt to cut spending.

Labour can’t get that through. They’re not going to cut spending just hope that people don’t mind tax rises. They will no matter how they spin it.

Up until 2008, the UK had debt to GDP of 35%, above inflation pay rises and decent growth.
Labour had to bail out the banks after the GLobal Financial Crash, which started in the USA, made a 1000% worse by allow the collapse of Lemans.

Tories took over, and despite Austerity, increased debt from 65% to 88% of GDP by 2020.... before Covid and Ukraine.

You can try and re write history but the fact remains is they had 14 years to fix the country but fucked everything up... i worked in the NHS then, my DD does now, chalk and cheese, the problems the Tories gave the NHS is beyond belief, they even have names for the corridors they have to place dying patients, with few staff to care for them, its almost 3rd world.

Its also funny that Tories blame Labour for issues they had, 20 years ago.... but if Labour blame the Cons for issues 14months ago, they ridicule them.....

It happened long before Covid.

Of course not. It sucks but it’s the kind of decision all parties have to make all the time.

It would be great if they could do more to go after the wealthiest but of course the wealthiest make this hard to do!

But I hope anyone who voted for or cheered Brexit knows this - and all of our current misery - is on them.

They can’t cut spending as it’s cut to the bone already.

Austerity is a bit like neglecting to maintain your home in order to have short term savings.
Eventually, it leads to far greater costs, we see that with our roads, public buildings, lack of enforcement in regs by councils, its all fallen apart.

On tax rises etc, no Govt should be held to their manifesto pledges, its best endeavours, Covid & Ukraine show that things can change.

We have GE's every 5 years, thats when the public get to judge their Govt.

And the NI policy which has hammered SMEs. Anti growth policies will keep increasing taxes so that’s on those voters too.

Although tbf Labour are losing supporters each week so they probably won’t have many left.