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 can only hope that those who "can't vote Labour" because of their stance on transgender issues will feel equally strongly that they "can't vote Tory" because of the morally repugnant policies that this government is implementing. Or are they prepared for the poor and vulnerable to be thrown under a bus as long as our leaders know what a woman is?

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

Sorry? What exactly do you call this!? Did you read the OP?

Times are good on this, maybe because detail is being heard now at conference.

They interviewed Ed Miliband this morning on more detail

I think we can all get on board with their plan to fast track DV and rape cases, more court sitting days and expansion of sexual assault referral clinics.

"The former director of public prosecutions (DPP) said he initially could not believe the statistics, and asked his team to double-check them. “1.6% is staggeringly bad. And it’s an indictment on the government that the percentage is where it is.”
The most recent figures from the Crown Prosecution Service show that while there was a 63% increase in the volume of rape prosecutions from 1,557 in 2020-21 to 2,537 in 2021-2022, the conviction rate dropped from 71% to 69%.
Victims are also waiting longer for justice after half of all courts were shut by successive Conservative-led governments since 2010, with additional cuts to the number of days judges can sit on trials."

amp.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jul/26/labour-fast-track-rape-domestic-violence-cases-courts

Ed Miliband has really grown on me. I think I was quite dismissive of him in the past which I'm a bit ashamed of now. I think I fell foul of the Ed v David circus and tuned him out.

I doubt it.

Not a fan of Keir but I think this is a win win situation. More green energy and less reliance on other countries and big firms. Unfortunately, we are stuck with Truss and her cabinet of sociopaths in the meantime.

Interesting - would love to know what independent analysts think. They need more than one good policy idea, although it's a good start.

They won't reverse Brexit! That's done & dusted. We are left making the best of it.

Yes, the idea of reversing Brexit is just wishful thinking, I'm afraid. I would certainly vote in favour of that, but I'm resigned to the fact that it won't happen. Not for a good few years, at any rate.

I do think we might rejoin in the longer term, but not in the next decade or so. Neither of the major parties will be brave enough to propose it, regardless of whether they believe that we should.

He was good. Self deprecating about the poll lead last time which was quite endearing. I wouldn’t say it’s all ironed out (it might be but still more to hear) but he gave detail. It includes borrowing for cost. They’re right to use him more over Rayner imo

I’ll be voting for them. The Tories are nothing short of evil.

Why?

I really don't get the ID politics it just doesn't feature in my real life. Maybe I am being ignorant to this.

I do however see hungry kids at my work run down education and health services and through my volunteering people struggling with mental health and every day bills.

Nobody has ever mentioned ID except in here.

I am firmly GC and in the past Labour's stance on TWAW and self ID would have made me very, very reluctant to give them my vote.

However I am so utterly horrified by what the Tories are doing to this country that identity politics is not a hill that I am currently willing to die on.

I agree. Furthermore, Labour's recent 'fully costed' plans have been ripped apart so there's no reason this should be any different.

The problem for me is language in law. I need words like woman preserved and looking around to other countries makes me nervous. When it unravels it’s not a minority issue but one that impacts half the population.

It is my hill. I won’t concede easily. So frustrating though as I’m naturally centre ground and want to hear positive approach from Labour akin to Blair years (pre illegal war)

That's how I feel.

It's a question of priorities at the end of the day. And while I'm really worried about self ID and the damage that it could potentially do, I'm far more worried about the damage that the Tories are doing right now.

Fair enough, @MarshaBradyo . We each have our red lines. The Tories crossed mine a long time ago.

I'm over the moon about the emphasis on green energy transition. It's good for everyone if done well, imho and in line with many other countries approach (unlike Tory direction).

I don’t trust the people within the party. Now saying that I don’t trust the conservatives either but at least they have a notion of how ordinary people think and behave. Labour seem to reflect online madness. They have some fucking terrifying fringe elements who are working their way up the ranks and are lead by a leader who is frankly terrified of stepping out of line.

I voted Labour from 1979 until Tony Blair invaded Iraq.
I would have gone back to them in 2019 if not for Corbyn.
So I now find myself a possible Labour voter once more.

Starmer is making the right noises now. He has some good people on the front bench apart from Raynor.
But agree with @RudsyFarmer , lurking in the background there are still people I would not dare trust with any power.

How can you trust anyone who stands there and states publicly that a Man can become a Woman (or vice versa) or that a 3 year old can have a gender identity and that anyone who disagrees or has safeguarding concerns, is a right wing bigot?

They are either outright lying or , more disturbingly, they actually have been brainwashed into believing it. This ‘queer’ agenda is like a Cancer within Labour.
Anyone who thinks this won’t affect every aspect of life for Women and children is a fool.

Anyone who thinks this won’t affect every aspect of life for Women and children is a fool.

But equally, anyone who thinks that the Tories are in the slightest bit bothered about protecting women's rights is also a fool.

So what are we supposed to do? Should we all just stop voting altogether?

I agree blix labour have come some way but there is a way to go. Ok the whole though, I'd lean towards a gamble on labour again given Truss. We've spent so much money forcibly due to covid, energy I'm thinking at some point we'll end up defaulting - might as well have (green) energy security.