Can we talk about Labour's plans?

[PaddingtonsSarnie]

There's been so much despair about the Tory tax cuts this week. For those who would consider voting Labour at the next GE but have yet to decide. What do you think of this new policy idea?

In a nutshell they propose getting the UK to an entirely self sufficient state and net zero by the end of the decade. Permanently lowering bills, zero reliance on other countries (eg dictatorships) for our energy and also creating thousands of jobs.

I think it sounds pretty bloody sensible and I actually feel excited about this prospect. The first time I've felt excited about any policies from anyone for years. It is so much more forward looking than Trussenomics and would actually benefit ordinary people and families instead of just the highest earners.

Also this is what we should be focussing on as the main issue, rather than all the culture wars etc. in my opinion. This is the stuff that actually affects peoples everyday lives.

Quote pasted below and link to full article for anyone who's interested.

Keir Starmer will pledge to deliver a new era of economic growth and permanently lower energy bills by turning the UK into an independent green “superpower” before 2030, through a massive expansion of wind and solar energy.
Announcing details of the plan exclusively to the Observer, the Labour leader says he will double the amount of onshore wind, triple solar and more than quadruple offshore wind power, “re-industrialising” the country to create a zero carbon, self-sufficient electricity system, by the end of this decade.
Starmer says the move – far more ambitious than any green policy advanced by the Tories and the most far-reaching of his leadership so far – would release the British people from the mercy of “dictators” such as Russian president Vladimir Putin over energy bills.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/sep/24/keir-starmer-unveils-green-growth-plan-to-counter-liz-trusss-tax-cuts?CMP=ShareiOSAppp_Other

I am pro green energy and would like this policy and would rather government borrowing went on this than funneled into private sector profit. I can see if would make jobs too.

Is there any other part of it like wave turbines and some nuclear if there isnt much wind /sun.

They say they would "double the amount of onshore wind, triple solar and more than quadruple offshore wind power, “re-industrialising” the country to create a zero carbon, self-sufficient electricity system, by the end of this decade."

They've obviously worked out that we could get to zero carbon using these methods.

Also it's been fully costed up unlike the current gamble the gov are making.

Given the number of Labour supporters on mn and other threads atm this is quiet

I’ve been listening this morning to the conference and I’m really pleased with the direction. It’s a clear positive way forward that I think has been missing from Labour for a while

There are still other things that I’d like clarification on and some Labour members I don’t rate but overall I’m glad

They said they’d look to Aus Labor’s success which is a good way to go imo

I just can’t vote for them. Even if they promised me a moon on a stick it’s a hard no.

Why not vote Labour?

I haven't looked into the detail yet, but from what I have seen so far, it sounds like a very promising, forward-looking policy.

I wouldn't vote for labour at the moment. I have done in the past, but as a floating voter they just seem too weak. And the identity politics is a problem for me. I would struggle to take them seriously as a credible opposition. Sadly.

I will be voting for them for the first time ever, but the hard left should take note that this is only because of the sensible, moderate tone of Kier Starmer. There’s a lot of them that could still lose my vote!

It sounds good. But I can’t vote labour at the moment.

Not sure what you mean by culture wars, tbh.

I’m probably in same area as you. If they dropped the identity issues (TWAW etc) I’d be happier. They haven’t got my vote yet but I’m really pleased they have a positive plan.

If you think any government infrastructure project, no matter which party is in charge, has been fully costed then I think you’re terribly naive.

They could say that minimum wage would be put up to £30k a year with a personal tax free allowance of £15k and I still wouldn’t vote for Labour unless they ditch their plans for Self ID and they say that they will uphold and strengthen the Equality act in regards to Womens’ rights.
Gender ideology is just starting to be rolled back in schools etc. Labour and the unions are in the grip of this madness, they are dangerous.

I understand the concerns about identity politics, I really do. It frustrates me deeply that so many in the Labour Party are unwilling to admit what a woman is. (I'm sure that, deep down, they do know.)

However, I don't see any other party that really cares about women's rights either. The Tories are mostly making the right noises about what a woman is, but actions speak louder than words, and women's rights have not been protected on their watch - far from it.

There been loads of solar and wind both on and off shore near me proposed
all kicked out due the enormous level of not in my back yard objections
be dubious theses plans would act go ahead

I like the idea, but getting the energy companies to do this is another matter. They’re not thinking commercially, and the lack of business foresight worries me, it’s too ideological and they don’t say how they’re going to get stakeholders to agree. If it were this simple we’d be doing this already.
But like I said I like it! I’d like to see some meat on the bones of how they’ll achieve this.

No we definitely can't talk about Labours plans because they have no policies.

Also Keir had a beer, but Jeremy Corbyn, Boris knows what a woman is.

This is one of the things I’d like more information on - community consent and how they’ll get it

Maybe if Labour promises to take UK back into the EU - or at least have a referendum - and start dismantling the monarchy then they may win the next election.

Sorry I see some other posters had covered some of those before I got there.

Labour are demonstrating again today that they are a forward looking modern government in waiting, with ideas that will support everyone in the 21st century.

I’m not sure it would work but I’m any case it’s far from what Starmer is proposing - already a statement on Brexit and the conference started with a remembrance to the Queen, 1 minute silence and singing the National anthem

Not sure if it’s usually the case, it doesn’t resonate with me particularly but he’s putting his stake in the ground re monarchy and Brexit

Thing is, we already have the second biggest off-shore wind capacity IN THE WORLD! Only after China. In isolation Hornsea 2, is the biggest individual off-shore site. So, it is already happening, and I am therefore not sure that it is the big new idea that is being claimed.

orsted.com/en/media/newsroom/news/2022/08/20220831559011#:~:text=%C3%98rsted%20is%20proud%20to%20announce,clean%20and%20secure%20renewable%20energy.

And another one coming......

"I like the idea, but getting the energy companies to do this is another matter. They’re not thinking commercially, and the lack of business foresight worries me, it’s too ideological and they don’t say how they’re going to get stakeholders to agree. If it were this simple we’d be doing this already. "

I think the idea is that the Government will invest alongside commercial enterprise. The Times obviously hadn't given it much coverage 🙄 - the little I could dig up suggests -

"His allies say he has been speaking to business leaders who have told him that they do not want the government to “get out of the way” but instead want an “active partnership”.
“They want the certainty that the government has a backstop for the big projects because they have got lots of money in the pipeline that is not being unleashed because the environment is so uncertain,” the source said."
In terms of community agreement maybe they'll be offered incentives (as per fracking areas)?
As i say it's difficult to get details.

And this attitude of 'I just can't vote Labour' ' I don't know why but I just can't ' baffles me! Can people not vote for policies they believe in?