Gransnet forums

News & politics

UK govt. - effective opposition?

(147 Posts)
TriciaF Sun 22-Jan-17 13:50:53

I've been a supporter of the Labour Party since my teen years - grew up in a coalmining town. And a member on and off for 50 years, but it does seem that they're not able to provide an effective opposition now. Not altogether Corbyn's fault.
I'm prompted to ask this by a post of Jalima's today on another thread. Which I could copy and paste if she doesn't mind.
So if not Labour, which party can oppose effectively?

Ana Tue 24-Jan-17 22:21:34

I thought you said you had accepted the Leave result, daphnedill, if not on this thread then on one of the others. CBA to check...

TriciaF Wed 25-Jan-17 11:24:04

Annie wrote:
'Tricia, who are. The labour MP's who have been interviewed recently , apart from Corbyn, McDonald, Abbott and Thornberry ?'
Why do you ask, Annie? The Gateshead MP I quoted earlier is Ian Mearns:
'Gateshead

Remain 44,429 (43.2%)

Leave 58,529 (56.8%)

Turnout 70.6%

Gateshead's Labour MP Ian Mearns said: "In the North East, people are sick of austerity, they are sick of cuts and they have decided to stick two fingers up to David Cameron and George Osborne."'

daphnedill Wed 25-Jan-17 12:37:41

Yes, I have accepted the result, Ana. I don't do post-fact lies. It happened and there's nothing I can do about it.

However, I'm not going to shut up and say I'm happy and I'm especially not going to be bullied by roses, who is very fond of telling people what they should do and think.

Anniebach Wed 25-Jan-17 13:42:14

is there any thread where Brexit isn't mentioned

Anniebach Wed 25-Jan-17 13:44:57

Tricia. you said they cannot agree, as only a small number are interviewed where are these disagreements ?

Leticia Thu 26-Jan-17 07:27:08

I have accepted the result but I am not in the least happy about it and like daphnedill I am not going to shut up about it. I am appalled about what is happening to our country - all based on lies and led out by people who had no plan! And said they didn't need a plan! And we still have a government who have no plan!
The NHS, Education and social care all need money and meanwhile we waste it leaving the EU!
The only proper opposition are the Lib Dems - Labour are useless and I think that Jeremy Corbyn always wanted Brexit anyway- even when he was supposed to be campaigning to stay.
I am left with not being able to vote Tory or Labour and am highly annoyed. I always use my vote- so appear to be left with the Lib Dems or the Green Party- neither of which I really want either!

rosesarered Thu 26-Jan-17 10:11:33

The referendum was about 7 months ago.... the result has to be not only accepted but also 'moved on' in terms of looking to the future.In a year's time will people still be talking angrily about it? Possibly.The better talking point would be to wonder about what comes next, what deals we do with the EU and the rest of the world.
Since it will be years before another GE, nobody has to worry about which party to support.

varian Thu 26-Jan-17 10:24:48

Don't be annoyed, Leticia. Most of us support the party we most agree with, you don't have to agree with it all. Support the Lib Dems.

The only proper opposition are the Liberal Democrats who say what so many believe, but cannot attract the support of the ultra-right wing billionaire tax exiles who control most of the press.

It is sad to think that the majority of MPs who believe that we should remain in the EU are likely to be cowed and bullied into voting againgst their better judgement to trigger Article 50, because they fear for their jobs, and even more worryingly for the safety of their families if they are depicted as "enemies of the people".

We should be emailing all of the 477 MPs who supported Remain and ask them to stand up for their beliefs and remind them that we live in a Parliamentary democracy.

daphnedill Thu 26-Jan-17 10:41:14

I have just penned an email to my MP. My area voted 50.68% Leave/49.32% Remain, so it was highly marginal. The local MP is a staunch Europhile and has an absolute majority (51% of the votes cast). He's now 79 and probably won't stand again.

He has nothing to lose from voting against triggering Article 50. If he doesn't vote against, it will just confirm to me that he's spineless and won't stand up for his principles.

daphnedill Thu 26-Jan-17 10:43:39

The trouble here is that there is no opposition - effective or otherwise.

Anniebach Thu 26-Jan-17 11:52:22

True Daphne

daphnedill Thu 26-Jan-17 12:14:29

What exactly do you mean by that? In what way?

varian Thu 26-Jan-17 13:08:26

The government has introduced a bill to trigger Article 50 with an absurdly short three day timetable and our so called official opposition is imposing a three line whip on Labour MPs to suppirt the bill,

Shameful!

Anniebach Thu 26-Jan-17 13:59:09

I trust they will do as their leader tells them and not as their leader did 428 times .

Iam64 Thu 26-Jan-17 17:46:42

There's been a resignation from the front bench already Annie because of Corbyn's instructions to do as he says (not as he always has, that is follow his principles)

daphnedill Thu 26-Jan-17 17:55:51

Good for her! 75% of her constituency voted Remain.

Ana Thu 26-Jan-17 18:04:15

Couldn't she have voted according to her conscience and then resigned? confused

Anniebach Thu 26-Jan-17 18:06:47

Has she Iam? So much going on here I am not taking it all in, good for her

daphnedill Thu 26-Jan-17 18:11:38

She's only resigned from the shadow cabinet, not from Parliament. I wouldn't be able to work with a boss, who ordered me to do something completely at odds with my conscience. The vote is going to be in a few days, so I don't see it makes much difference.

TriciaF Fri 27-Jan-17 13:52:51

I'm also glad to hear that.
I don't like to admit it, but I think Corbyn put his foot down at the wrong time here. It's a very important issue where MPs should be able to follow their conscience and the wishes of their constituents.
Although I admire most of his principles, I don't think he's much of a tactical politician.

Anniebach Fri 27-Jan-17 14:02:06

I fairness to him .tricia he has been a free spirit most of his life, he has stuck with his principles which is fine for a back bencher but he is having problems now because he has to think what is right for the party, the shadow cabinet and with leadership comes compromises