Previous Tory voters

Germanshepherdsmum

Slave labour?

It’s what has gone in as long as I remember, where those at the bottom of the pile are expected to work for as little as possible, no matter which government is in power.

Slave labour?

I am going to agree again with DaisyAnneReturns as to why my support for the Tories is no longer. Slave labour is something they are happy to perpetuate, as long as the cogs of the country are turning, made possible by persons at the bottom of the pile.

The post was about SMEs growstuff, not self-employed individuals. Help was given to businesses so that they didn’t fold, and staff received furlough payments. I’m not sure what you expect to have been done for people in your position. There are and we’re many self employed people who couldn’t work during lockdowns.

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m a previous Conservative voter who has every intention of continuing to be one in the next GE. In local elections I vote for our current LibDem chap simply because he’s excellent at dealing with local issues. I wouldn’t vote for him in a GE, not wanting a LibDem (or Labour) government.

Exactly the same for me. 100%

Germanshepherdsmum

There is an implication that this is somehow the fault of the government - I have asked DAR for clarification but none has been forthcoming.

I received absolutely no government help during lockdown, despite not being able to live on the occupational pension I had, which didn't even cover my rent. I was self-employed to make up my earnings, but everything collapsed when public exams were cancelled overnight. My previous year's earnings from self-employment were less than my pension, so I didn't qualify for any help. There were about three and a half million people in a similar situation.

GrannyGravy13

Germanshepherdsmum

Were SMEs not well supported during the pandemic? Perhaps you could explain what support SMEs are not getting, but in your view should DAR?

Myself and DH own a SME the support offered during the multiple lockdowns was both quick and generous.

This was a lifeline to many who without it would have gone to the wall.

Support was offered quite quickly here as well. Good effort, I believe.

There is an implication that this is somehow the fault of the government - I have asked DAR for clarification but none has been forthcoming.

DaisyAnneReturns

I am pleased for you GrannyGravy. In extremis they got something right.

However, I am currently watching small businessess go into liquidation at a rate I haven't seen before I my life (although, for some of it I wouldn't have known)

I think you are very lucky not to be directly paid by the government for what you do. Hopefully you will continue to be a star shining in the darkness.

Small businesses go to the wall for many different reasons.

Bad management

To avoid paying tax and debts owed (restarting using a different sometimes family members name)

Change in purchasing habits (online)

Not reading the market they are targeting.

Just saying you are seeing small business going at an alarming g rate, without knowing the reasons doesn’t much water.

However, I am currently watching small businessess go into liquidation at a rate I haven't seen before I my life.

We have seen the same in France and Italy since the Pandemic. Areas that used to be bustling, in shopping arcades and on industrial estates, now deserted or “for sale.”
My sister in law in Germany has lost her job due to the firm’s closure just after Covid.
It’s been hard all round.

OP, please tell us where you would "quite happily make many cuts in the current tory budget".

In a GE it's common to judge the outgoing government on its record and opposition parties on their manifestos. I don't think it's enough to snuffle through opposition policies picking holes. What is about the tory party's record that impresses people so much?

I have never said that the party I support (of which I am not a member) is ‘great’, and I don’t live in an imaginary world. You made a statement and I asked you what you meant by it. Presumably you have facts already or you wouldn’t have made the statement? I’m not asking you to do any research. I would appreciate an answer to my question.

But you are happy to tell us how great your Party is without this knowledge (and how despicable large parts of the population are) so why should I spoil your imaginary world GSM

Hint: you could get some actual knowledge from outside your culture group by doing some research. I'm not keen to sign up as a slave even though this lot think slave labour is okay - as long as they are the modern day Barons.

What are the reasons for these businesses going into liquidation DAR? Who is suffering as a result of being directly paid by the government, and why?

I am pleased for you GrannyGravy. In extremis they got something right.

However, I am currently watching small businessess go into liquidation at a rate I haven't seen before I my life (although, for some of it I wouldn't have known)

I think you are very lucky not to be directly paid by the government for what you do. Hopefully you will continue to be a star shining in the darkness.

Thanks GG. I hoped you would comment.

Germanshepherdsmum

Were SMEs not well supported during the pandemic? Perhaps you could explain what support SMEs are not getting, but in your view should DAR?

Myself and DH own a SME the support offered during the multiple lockdowns was both quick and generous.

This was a lifeline to many who without it would have gone to the wall.

Were SMEs not well supported during the pandemic? Perhaps you could explain what support SMEs are not getting, but in your view should DAR?

Thank you gangy5.

Sadly, it is not just big business they are wedded to, but the amassinging of their individual wealth, no matter what they do to others to achieve this.

They only support business in the spin the wheel sense; the "let's not actually get our hands dirty" way. The SMEs, whose owners put everything on the line to grow a business that might become the largest employer in the area, have had little from them. This ignorance of the backbone of society, while setting up a Court of favorites in the HoP has been sickening to watch.

I am beginning to see some real truth in Place not Politics, a devolution downwards so decisions are made by the people, for the people. The government, on the other hand should be obliged by law to make it possible for all parts of the country to share equally the revenues from taxation.

But this is about Conservatism so I look forward to hearing their "way forward" in our benighted country.

I do like it when we agree Maisie.

I am seeing myself, more and more as a Democrat. You can have left and right leaning, liberal and centrist Democrats. What seems impossible is extremes.

Maybe I have misunderstood what fancythat's said in her OP. I am sorry if that is the case. It would be good to hear that some have returned to a demomocratic politics. I do appreciate my bias against the current iteration of that party makes it difficult to see that happening.

May I just point out that the Trophy Hunting Bill, which was supported by all parties in the HoC, was scuppered by the unelected Lords.

Experience of 13 years of tory government?

Oh I see.
Actually no I dont see.

I dont have the headspace right now to explain myself at this point. Sorry.
I will come back to all this in a day or two.

Tell me where I have got it wrong fancythat.

Are you say you are the moderate, centre-right Conservative of the Rory Stewart varity. Someone who can embrace the environment, climate, gender, race, social justice, doing much more on poverty, much more on social care, much more on prisons, but also be fiscally responsible.

If so you are not making it clear in your OP.

fancythat

*So basically fancythat, what you want is an extreme right-wing government that doesn't do democracy.*

How on earth do you make that leap?!

Experience of 13 years of tory government?

Democracy is about much more than voting in elections. We have a Parliamentary democracy, which is meant to mean that all views can be represented to the government to inform lawmaking. Over the past few years Parliament has been managed in such a way as to completely marginalise our democratically elected MPs so that they have little or no input on legislation.
They've done much more anti democratic things but I can't write an essay with one finger...😆

So basically fancythat, what you want is an extreme right-wing government that doesn't do democracy.

How on earth do you make that leap?!