Andy B’s speech

[TheRealSmurfette]

What did you like / not like?

Edited as meant to quote.

1986 was the year of the Big Bang, which many think sowed the seeds of the financial collapse of 2008.

Well everyone's got a vision....My vision is living in a huge cream and sponge cake with a massive spoon and unlimited stomach capacity. But whether I can achieve my dream is very much dependant on existing facts such as who would pay for it and is it possible.

So the first seven years of Thatcher were fine, but the rest not so much? I think you’re taking the number 40 a little too literally.

How dare they make your life more prosperous when you didn’t want them to! Bastards!

This doesn't really feel like a good faith, productive discussion. I wouldn't engage with someone in real life who spoke to me about politics in such a sneering condescending way, so I don't really see the merit in doing so here, either. This was a party conference speech - party conference speeches by the leader just aren't where budget decisions or specific policy details are set out, by any political party. I've seen commentators across the political spectrum talking about it as one of the most substantive conference speeches they've seen in many years - and having watched and been completely turned off by many myself, I agree.

Burnham is not selling in returning to 1986.

It was bloody great

It's now less than 4 weeks to the Budget, which is where the financial questions will be answered. There is no need to put the cart before the horse. The country needed to know the vision before the fine detail.

Oh dont be so pompous. Ive been engaging perfectly sensibly. And if you can't understand the point I was making (a vision needs to be possible and also needs to be affordable) then that's not my fault.

The vision is a turn to the left back to the 70s. With an increase in immigration. Lord knows why anyone at all finds it inspiring. But thats just my view of course.

Your post wasn’t sensible. It was puerile and reductive. It’s the kind of thing that’s incredibly annoying to people who are attempting an adult conversation. But you know that.

I'm sorry if I sounded pompous. But the relentless sarcasm just really isn't my preferred style of political debate. So, I do think it's best we leave it there. Always happy to agree to disagree!

For those who are reminded of Neil Kinnock useful to remember he never won a general election...

I thought it was a good speech that appeals to Labour voters. Is it enough to see off the other parties. I'm not sure.

We can of course discuss everything in dull, mundane, plain utilitarian language. It's very socialist I suppose.

And obviously as Labour are now considering policing language and setting up a Ministry of Truth, rather apt that the left wing people on here are criticising the way I have posted rather than the actual point I was making.

No he isn't. He isn't selling in a return to the 1970s either. What he has talked about is changing some of the bad decisions that have been made over the past 40 years.

If you don't like my style don't engage. I don't criticise how you draft your posts out of the blue do I? No. Because that would be rude.

Yes and you corrected the pp on using 40 years, you’ve just cited Burnham using the same.

He was talking about the reforms put in place by Thatcher; privatisation of public services and the Right to Buy council houses whi h couldn't be replaced. Nothing at all to do with the 70s!

Not sure why you’re quoting my post here. The pp corrected someone on using 40 years, then used it. The pp didn’t need that.

Haha some victory gin for you.

It meant that the proles could be house owners and shareholders and a vast expansion of the middle class. That's anathema for the 1970s super fan Andy. Back down those pits for you, working classes.

Well yes, because that is what he's said. But he hasn't said he wants to take us backwards to the 1970s. Or the 80s. I think perhaps maybe read what he has actually said rather than what his critics are trying to frame it as.

I think some are rattled because his speech has gone down well with many across the political spectrum.

Burnham is a Blairite. New Labour through and through.

No he isn't! New Labour is dead!