I completely get why they gave up and came away with that takeaway. I think other people are being a bit harsh. My take was "grabby and blinkered"
It was both draining and frustrating to listen to. I personally never thought her background or accent were the issue. I just didn't hear anything which convinced me that she has the intellect, skills or long-term vision this country currently needs. This podcast didn't change that for me. She was great on subjects like Sure Start and mental health, but other than that there was very little substance. Her attempt to blag her way out of Rory’s question left me cringing. There is no shame in asking what his exact position is and then discussing the difference.
Too many politicians of her ilk seem to view almost all private income and assets primarily through the lens of what can ultimately be clawed back into the public purse, rather than as post-tax earnings that people have worked for to build security, independence and stability for themselves and their families - billionaires aside. There also seems to be a never ending stream of new ways to access people’s already taxed money or restrict their saving and investment choices in favour of government-directed priorities and often poorly thought-out policy decisions.
Of course tax is a necessary part of society, but there has to be a balance and an appreciation that people need incentives, ownership, aspiration, trust and stability for a sustainable, productive economy. Even when it was created, the welfare state recognised this. Support was not supposed to discourage or prevent people from improving their situation or building more than the minimum for themselves and their families. It was never intended to be a charity or even just to exist for the benefit of the poor.
As for “paying back”, tax is also not the only way working people contribute to society. Taxpayers contribute in a whole range of ways: Education/ Skills, being healthy, raising families, supporting communities, caring for relatives, volunteering, remaining economically active in ways that reduce pressure on the state over the long and short term and so on.
How different is she really from many other politicians who increasingly appear to believe the rules, trade-offs and consequences they push for other people do not fully apply to them personally. Nothing hear to change my view on that.
Ironically, it mainly reminded me that I would actually like to hear more from Rory. I had a negative impression but often when I hear clips of him speaking I like what he has to say, particularly his willingness to properly engage with complexity and nuance. That might change when I hear more... The same cannot be said of AR.