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When did UK governments lose their way?

(191 Posts)
Dinahmo Thu 25-May-23 19:16:33

I'm sure that some people will say it's not the UK but England that's lost its way but not all.

Reading about Braverman, Johnson and now Lady Falkner it seems to me that those in authority, whether it's the govt or other institutions, have forgotten that they should be acting in our best interest and not their own. I think that in the past our politicians were more concerned with the public rather than their own careers although, since Thatcher, the PMs all seem to have done well after they left office.

I know that we select our MPs to do what they think is right for us, with a few caveats. Not bringing back capital punishment for example.

Over the years I've discussed changes to the voting system with friends who have been LP members for many years and they have been against it. They want the LP to be able to form a govt without involving other parties. I think perhaps it was because since they became adults they've always lived in an LP seat, whereas I lived for 20 or more years in Suffolk Coastal - Tory heartland - and tried tactical voting some year, or else LP but nothing worked.

Mollygo Wed 31-May-23 14:35:23

MayBee70, I don’t know why they sold off council houses. Not everyone could afford to buy anyway.
I do know that when my father died, although my unmarried sister and brother were still living at home, Mum was told that if anything happened to her, neither of them would be able to continue living there and would not be able to take on the tenancy, even if they married and had children whilst still living there, looking after Mum.
Someone on here is sure to have more information.

growstuff Wed 31-May-23 14:44:44

ronib

Growstuff first who do you think of as less advantaged?
In general terms graduates have the potential for earning more than the average wage. Not everyone can or even wants to go to Oxbridge where the very high earning potential can be found. For the lesser mortal , without family connections and support, a qualification is one route to a better career.
Or perhaps you know differently? Am interested to hear your opinion.

You haven't answered my question, but deflected (as ever).

growstuff Wed 31-May-23 14:47:21

Firstly, you make an assertion which you can't back up. When you're challenged, you deflect. I should know better than to take any notice.

HousePlantQueen Wed 31-May-23 14:52:24

Allsorts

Braver man is in this instance speaking sense, it’s what most if us think. We don’t want economic migrants who come through safe countries to get here after leaving a safe country in the
first place like the Albanians,

I don't think this. You do realise that Braverman, Patel, Zahawi are all from families who came here as economic migrants? Why deny this right to a safe, successful life to others?

ronib Wed 31-May-23 15:04:51

Growstuff it would help to know where the base line is for your less advantaged before checking out the stats. But am sure you are more than able to find out for yourself, if you really want to.

MayBee70 Wed 31-May-23 15:51:25

HousePlantQueen

Allsorts

Braver man is in this instance speaking sense, it’s what most if us think. We don’t want economic migrants who come through safe countries to get here after leaving a safe country in the
first place like the Albanians,

I don't think this. You do realise that Braverman, Patel, Zahawi are all from families who came here as economic migrants? Why deny this right to a safe, successful life to others?

This is something that DH and I talk about constantly to the point that we always say ‘ I know I’ve said this before, but…’. I just don’t understand it and don’t understand why no one seems to question them about it. It’s classic ‘ pulling up the drawbridge’ scenario. Zahawi actually made a point of mentioning his humble beginnings but still people didn’t seem to question the fact that he was depriving others of doing the same. I’m not sure if I should say this but Braverman probably comes from a high caste family and looks down on others. And isn’t she a Buddhist? I thought Buddhists cared about their fellow man and the planet? The whole thing confuses me confused

Grany Wed 31-May-23 16:17:53

The problem of our governments is that we have an unwritten codified constitution, a head of state that cannot defend our constitution, as monarchy has given all power to the PM

Casdon Wed 31-May-23 16:37:13

Grany

The problem of our governments is that we have an unwritten codified constitution, a head of state that cannot defend our constitution, as monarchy has given all power to the PM

I don’t think that is the problem. If it was, politicians would always have been of the calibre they are now, which wasn’t the case.

growstuff Wed 31-May-23 16:45:52

MayBee I think Braverman's mother is a Hindu and her father is Chtistian. She's married to a Jew. I can't stand her, but I doubt if religion has anything to do with it.

Apparently, Braverman is a member of the Triratna Buddhist Community.

growstuff Wed 31-May-23 16:46:30

ronib

Growstuff it would help to know where the base line is for your less advantaged before checking out the stats. But am sure you are more than able to find out for yourself, if you really want to.

You used the term. The ball is in your court.

ronib Wed 31-May-23 17:11:03

Growstuff Multiverse- Euan Blair’s company- state that more than one third of its apprentices met one or more indicators of social disadvantage.
In degree apprenticeships at university in the age group 19 to 24 only 12 percent are from the most deprived areas.
Well let’s hope that it works out well.

MaizieD Wed 31-May-23 17:11:21

Casdon

Grany

The problem of our governments is that we have an unwritten codified constitution, a head of state that cannot defend our constitution, as monarchy has given all power to the PM

I don’t think that is the problem. If it was, politicians would always have been of the calibre they are now, which wasn’t the case.

Grany is wrong, anyway. Monarchical power was transferred to Parliament over the centuries since 1688. The PM is the monarch's representative in Parliament but is supposedly subject to Parliament. Parliament is Sovereign.

Of course, it doesn't quite work like that because of the party system, whipping, and the undermining of Parliament by the current government, primarily by exploiting historic 'conventions'. And loss of respect for other 'conventions'...

ronib Wed 31-May-23 17:20:47

The civil servants at the Home Office are threatening to come out on strike against the government’s immigration policies. Breaking news.
Even though the high court has ruled that government’s Rwandan plan is not illegal. Interesting to see this development.

Casdon Wed 31-May-23 18:01:21

ronib

The civil servants at the Home Office are threatening to come out on strike against the government’s immigration policies. Breaking news.
Even though the high court has ruled that government’s Rwandan plan is not illegal. Interesting to see this development.

This isn’t breaking news ronib, it’s been going on for some time. Here’s a good article explaining what the civil servants are objecting to. It’s good to see civil servants have a moral backbone, I’m right behind them on this.
www.personneltoday.com/hr/home-office-civil-servants-angry-at-rwanda-asylum-seekers-plan/

ronib Wed 31-May-23 18:12:35

Casdon the solution must be to develop a new department of immigration with civil servants who will carry out the wishes of the government? Or not?

Does throw a spanner in the works of how we perceive democracy to work though doesn’t it regardless of how we approach migration?

Casdon Wed 31-May-23 18:18:18

In my opinion the answer is to change the government. No government should put paid officials into a position where they are breaking international law.

ronib Wed 31-May-23 18:24:44

Casdon we do have the ability to change the government at an election but there is no mechanism to do so now because civil servants disagree with the government’s aims and policies. That’s rule by the civil service? Not constitutional?

DiamondLily Wed 31-May-23 18:40:30

I don't understand it with the Civil Service. When I joined it, we were supposed to carry out the wishes of government.. which meant any government.

It wasn't just do what we thought. Perhaps it's changed now. 🙄

Oreo Wed 31-May-23 18:43:31

It’s bloody ridiculous if civil servants are picking and choosing which policies to implement.

Katie59 Wed 31-May-23 18:45:16

I think that sending migrants to Rwanda a bad idea, but it’s the governments decision to follow that policy, it’s nothing to do with the civil service. They either follow instructions or resign, their choice, there have been plenty of other controversial policies over the years.

We all have the opportunity to change government next year, however, I doubt that sending migrants to Rwanda will be a major election issue.

Casdon Wed 31-May-23 18:58:23

Katie59

I think that sending migrants to Rwanda a bad idea, but it’s the governments decision to follow that policy, it’s nothing to do with the civil service. They either follow instructions or resign, their choice, there have been plenty of other controversial policies over the years.

We all have the opportunity to change government next year, however, I doubt that sending migrants to Rwanda will be a major election issue.

Have there been any other policies that break international law Katie59?

MaizieD Wed 31-May-23 19:11:55

However much I sympathise with them (and I do greatly sympathise) I think it would be completely wrong for them to strike over this issue. I would normally support any strike action in other sectors.

However, are they able to ask for a written direction from the minister? And, of course, there is always the possibility of resignation, though how viable that would be for many of them I don't know.

ronib Wed 31-May-23 19:22:28

MaizieD should be possible to request a transfer to another department, or take redundancy payment or early retirement.

crazygranny Wed 31-May-23 19:36:25

The calibre of politicians has changed though. Nye Bevan resigned because he was disgusted that prescription charges were introduced. His party had promised this would not happen. Nowadays party leaders do not even pretend to be ashamed when they are found to have flagrantly lied or even broken rules of conduct. Where are the people of principle?

Grany Wed 31-May-23 20:11:28

Thats why we need an affective Head of State and a written constitution you can't rely on politicians in government to be good chaps. All power from the election is given to parliament government and PM with no checks and balances in place. Time for proper democracy take what we have and make it democratic from top to bottom. Abolish the Monarchy the elephant in the room