Only two weeks to go until the end of the Tory leadership contest Only two weeks to go

Neither of them give a toss about the people they want to govern. Of the two I think Sunak is slightly more sensible.

Liz Truss has suggested a reduction in the rate of VAT to 5% in order to help the poorer members in our society.

This is an absolute fallacy. It will not help those most affected by the cost of living crisis. The poorest amongst us cannot afford to buy enough food for their families - no VAT on food except for items such as alcoholic drinks, confectionery, crisps and savoury snacks, hot food, sports drinks, hot takeaways, ice cream, soft drinks and mineral water.

The current rate of VAT on gas and electricity is 5% so no help there.

There is no VAT on young children's clothes and shoes although it gets a bit complicated for children who are as tall as adults.

This woman lives in cloud cuckoo land.

Sorry some people live in a different universe. Energy only worked f you think it's OK to make millions out of supplying energy to people. The illusionary "competition" in energy suppliers is just that and they are in effect a series of monopolies which have not only over charged, but inefficiently resourced gas supplies. www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/britains-energy-crisis-has-been-decades-in-the-making/?source=in-article-related-story
As for the "Trains have never been good" I take it the poster has never been stuck on a station watching a train leave for her proposed destination, but been unable to get it, because her ticket was with a different company. The present disjointed provision all over the country is much worse than anything the nationalised industry managed.

I note Andy Burnham has capped bus fares in Manchester at £1 for children and £2 for adults.
If only there were national policies like his

DaisyAnne

I find it strange that Rosie thinks anyone would vote for this lot unless they are in the top 1% of earners. They are the only group who are not getting less under this government. (Source Paul Johnson.)

Well they did last time and who knows what the future will bring

I agree Casdon in my humble option Labour really lost out last time by not giving a clear cut position on Brexit
There certainly is a lot to be sorted out many wanting Nationalisation of public services probably highly unlikely as neither of the main parties are backing this. It wasn’t that good when it was nationalised to be fair energy did work until recent events. Trains have never been that good either way
Inflation has got to be reduced who ever gets in power
As for the money pit that is our NHS who knows something has got to change
I have always voted Conservative but if Labour come up with a viable alternative who knows
I also know a vast majority couldn’t give a toss about politics until situation are biting them on the bum. Myself included I have only in the last few years took an interest mainly because I have the time

Of course a "fall in real earnings" may not matter to Conservative voters - but why wouldn't it?

I find it strange that Rosie thinks anyone would vote for this lot unless they are in the top 1% of earners. They are the only group who are not getting less under this government. (Source Paul Johnson.)

MaizieD

rosie1959

They will be in power until the next general election. Maybe unlike last time the opposition will put up a vote wining manifesto. They will also need a leader who will appeal which I don't think they have at this moment

I'm not sure that the opposition needs a 'vote winning manifesto' (though obviously they will try to produce one). I think that the UK is in such an appalling condition after more than a decade of tory government that they will vote ABC (Anything But Conservative).

What the country needs is a massive injection of state funding and greater control of profiteering businesses, particularly the utility providers. Two things that the tories are ideologically opposed to. If opposition parties can dress this up by promising 'fiscal responsibility (because the 'how are you going to pay for it? question seems to always be a deal breaker) I think they will walk it.

This list from twitter this morning:

Water doesn’t work.

Gas doesn’t work.

Electricity doesn’t work.

Trains don’t work.

NHS doesn’t work.

Exports don’t work.

Food prices don’t work.

Care homes don’t work.

Northern Ireland doesn’t work.

Dover doesn’t work.

I'd add

Courts don't work

Education doesn't work

I just cannot see the tories pulling back from this over the next two years.

I agree MaizieD, I think the mistake rosie1959 is making is thinking that a majority of voters care deeply about politics. I think after either major party has been in power for an extended period people just vote for change - there are a lot more floating voters than you would think.

Worryingly there are still those who support the Tories and the "better the devil you know" brigade.

If the Tories win next time I will be furious. Labour need to up their game and soon.

rosie1959

They will be in power until the next general election. Maybe unlike last time the opposition will put up a vote wining manifesto. They will also need a leader who will appeal which I don't think they have at this moment

I'm not sure that the opposition needs a 'vote winning manifesto' (though obviously they will try to produce one). I think that the UK is in such an appalling condition after more than a decade of tory government that they will vote ABC (Anything But Conservative).

What the country needs is a massive injection of state funding and greater control of profiteering businesses, particularly the utility providers. Two things that the tories are ideologically opposed to. If opposition parties can dress this up by promising 'fiscal responsibility (because the 'how are you going to pay for it? question seems to always be a deal breaker) I think they will walk it.

This list from twitter this morning:

Water doesn’t work.

Gas doesn’t work.

Electricity doesn’t work.

Trains don’t work.

NHS doesn’t work.

Exports don’t work.

Food prices don’t work.

Care homes don’t work.

Northern Ireland doesn’t work.

Dover doesn’t work.

I'd add

Courts don't work

Education doesn't work

I just cannot see the tories pulling back from this over the next two years.

Perhaps the hard times that are coming will make people think that a serious, hardworking leader committed to improving the lives of the nation might be a better bet than a lightweight stooge banging on about "woke" with apparently no grasp of the real issues.

They will be in power until the next general election. Maybe unlike last time the opposition will put up a vote wining manifesto. They will also need a leader who will appeal which I don't think they have at this moment