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Something positive about this government

(382 Posts)
whitewave Fri 18-Mar-16 09:15:54

I thought it might be a good exercise to list the successful and positive things this government has achieved, as I am struggling at the moment to feel anything but utterly gloomy.

I will get back with a contribution to the list once I can think of something.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:16:14

Why is my message invalid?

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:17:26

I am trying to post a reasoned reply, but keep being told my message is invalid. Any know why?

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:18:05

We were never going to end up like Greece.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:18:37

Firstly, we are a much richer country.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:19:17

Secondly, we do not have a culture of not paying tax - yet!

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:19:48

Thirdly (and most importantly) we are not in the Eurozone, so are in control of our currency.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:21:27

We can use quantitative easing to get avoid crises, which is what the Labour government did during the credit crunch and what the Coalition and Conservative governments have continued to do to cover up problems.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:22:06

We could, if absolutely necessary, devalue the pound. Greece didn't have those options.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:22:45

Sorry about all the short replies. Mumsnet wouldn't accept it as one message - and I don't know why.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 13:24:13

Two positive things: it legalised gay marriage and introduced a surcharge for plastic bags.

Imperfect27 Fri 18-Mar-16 13:35:10

Truly have tired, but I can't think of ANY positives. I am not beguiled by higher tax thresholds - anything given with one hand is soon taken with another. I only see education being further fragmented / privatised, more children living in poverty - an absolute scandal - and the fat cats getting fatter.

Please don't be fooled by 'lowest ever' unemployment figures- if you have C or GC who cannot get more than a zero or 8-hour contract - they don't have to be counted , but they are not earning enough to build an independent life.

I am probably regarded as one of the 'winners' re recent budgets, too many people I care about are not.

whitewave Fri 18-Mar-16 13:36:13

Oh yes definitely give gay marriage a thumbs up.

Eloethan Fri 18-Mar-16 13:46:39

I agree with the two positive examples you give daphnedill but neither of them relates to the economic targets set.

I also agree with Imperfect27. It has already been shown that the increase in the number of jobs includes many zero hours contracts, "self-employed" people who are barely getting by, apprentices who are paid a pittance and sometimes acquire very few meaningful skills that will significantly increase their employability, and people employed for only a few hours a week.

rosesarered Fri 18-Mar-16 13:54:51

Economists said at the time of the crash that it could take up to 15 years for countries to get back to where they were, yet some people want it done in double quick time.Unemployment is very low and house building is apace, and I think the new ISA for younger people , under 40, gaining £1,000 for every £4,000 is fantastic.We older people have had our pensions ring fenced and are now paid more ( in real terms) than at any time before.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 14:01:55

House building is apace with what? Baffled!

The new under-40s ISA is a scam, which most younger people without rich parents and grandparents won't be able to afford.

I'm not a pensioner, so I haven't had anything ring-fenced.

Unemployment is only low because the school-leaving age has been raised, people on the work programme don't count and the jobs which are available are often low paid and insecure. The UK's productivity (wealth per capita) is low.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 14:03:31

I agree, Eloethan. In the greater schemes of things, those two achievements aren't that great, especially as the CoE and the RC churches still won't perform gay marriages.

Anniebach Fri 18-Mar-16 14:05:55

I am not rejoicing that my healthy grandson in a very good job can - if he wished - save £77 per week and be given £1,000 for doing so , or my pension has been ring fenced and there has been a slight increase whilst the homeless has increased by 50% in five years, that a blind man has been passed fit for work, no matter no one will employ him , people with Parkinson's and MS have had their mobility taken from them or there is an increase in number of food banks

rosesarered Fri 18-Mar-16 14:20:26

daphne just not so, on any of those points.
The ISA is not a scam at all, and our son and wife are already eagerly anticipating putting money into this ( the best ISA yet .) They are not rich, btw but both have jobs.
Housing where I live is impossible not to notice, new building is everywhere and at all levels of prices.Most villages have protests going on over the numbers of new houses!
A lot of us ARE pensioners on this forum, and are pleased with our pension, bus passes,etc.
I do see that if you hate Conservatives you will try and refute every thing going, but really!

rosesarered Fri 18-Mar-16 14:21:14

Need some polish for that halo ab ?

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 14:42:04

Housing where you live might be impossible not to notice, but I prefer to believe reliable national statistics, which give the picture in the whole country. The rate of house building is woefully inadequate.

The ISA IS a scam. Glad your son and wife are going to save with it. Bet they'll feel a bit sick when I tell you that my children's grandmother was on the phone to them and has told them she'll just GIVE them £4000 a year each until she dies, because her accountant has told her it's tax efficient. My children already part-own BTL property (again because it's tax efficient), but apparently they're still eligible.

I hope you've realised that you've just confirmed that pensioners (or at least one of them) are selfish.

By the way, why do you make every post personal? Yes, really!

PS. Where IS your sense of humour? I've never seen any evidence.

rosesarered Fri 18-Mar-16 14:48:09

Nor from you daphne just very judgemental posts so far, and some very iffy pronouncements that we are meant to take as gospel.

rosesarered Fri 18-Mar-16 14:50:05

How nice that your grandchildren are so well cared for financially...... We cannot afford to do that, and not many can.

rosesarered Fri 18-Mar-16 14:53:00

We live in the Thames Valley ( you are in France yes?) Do come and have a look round when you get off the phone to your accountant, and you will see the thousands of new homes.

whitewave Fri 18-Mar-16 15:00:39

Oh yes those new homes that are being bought by all the young earning £41,000 throughout the UK and £77,000 in London.

daphnedill Fri 18-Mar-16 15:11:45

LOLOLOLOLOL

If I'm in France. it's news to me! Strangely enough, people round here speak English, we have a Tesco and Waitrose, but no 'boulangeries' and people drive on the left. Nope! I'm pretty sure this isn't France.

I so wish I had a accountant. I don't. I don't even earn enough to pay tax and I'm quite capable of completing my own tax return.

So, rose, just WHY do you make every post so personal?

PS. Yes, it is nice for my children that they're well-cared for financially. I wish my b*tch of an ex-MIL had done a bit more for our family, when I was married to her loser of a son. I knew you'd feel bitter when I told you what wealthy people do for their families. I don't actually approve, but they're my children and there's nothing I can do about it. They are, at least, aware that I give them all the love and support I can, even if it's not financial.