Labour morale is wonderfully low

[longfingernails]

I heard nary a peep from any senior Labour figure in the last month!

The self-pity on Labour sites is self-evident
labourlist.org/2013/08/cameron-may-be-out-of-touch-but-the-labour-leadership-are-running-out-of-time/

The Tories are successfully striking a chord when they say Ed Miliband is weak on the economy, weak on immigration, weak on welfare (even voting against a £26000 a year benefits cap!!)

And I am starting to think that some of the Lib Dem's soft-left voters might even forgive them for tuition fees etc. if the economy keeps growing well. These soft-left Lib Dem to Labour defectors are pretty much the entire reason for Labour's lead; that their votes are soft is what will make that lead so flaky come the election.

These are good days for us small c conservatives indeed, especially with UKIP doing a fine job keeping the Tories honest.

I actually agree with you there Wellwobbly.

Remember when his Tonyness came to power? Frank Fields was given a mission. Go think the unthinkable on welfare. He came back, reported and was promptly sacked/sidelined. Not THAT unthinkable!

The problem is that in reality welfare has become a giant albatross. It costs too much, we cannot afford it but too many people (voters) rely upon it.

Any real/fundamental changes that would actually be needed to bring it back to affordable levels would be so unpopular that it would make the poll tax riots look like a garden picnic.

As a result no politician can seriously suggest a fundamental change. Only tinker around the edges and hope someone else will sort it out in the future.

I expect all senior Labour figures will be in their villas in Tuscany sipping champagne and whining about over-privileged Eton boy Tories. But in any case they are to be recalled to Parliament this week I heard on the news.

niceguy-

The problem is that in reality welfare has become a giant albatross. It costs too much, we cannot afford it but too many people (voters) rely upon it.

The majority of people claiming some form of welfare are in work.

Any real/fundamental changes that would actually be needed to bring it back to affordable levels would be so unpopular that it would make the poll tax riots look like a garden picnic.

That's not true at all. You say this because you think that reducing welfare costs must be done by reducing eligibility for welfare payments and reducing the already abysmal about given out.

If you got the costs of living under control then far fewer people would claim welfare. This could be done by raising the minimum wage to a living wage and getting rent under control by building more houses and social housing and/or enacting rent controls.

The reason so many people claim is because the government is subsidising the landlords and corporations.

Attacking the problem at the source - the cost of living - would be a very popular move. Moreover, it would be effective and ethical, unlike what is currently happening with the Tory scum.