The 7th rebrand in 18 months - is this one any better?

Just thinking that parents of private school children pay the normal amount of taxes don’t they ? So they are paying for state schools as well as forking out extra because they want a good education for their own children. I don’t think they should be punished for that double whammy.

I don’t think anything domestically is better since fourteen years ago. NHS, dentistry, roads, water companies, utilities, education, migration, the Royal Mail; you name it and it’s performance is less customer friendly and not performing for the people.

The economy is a bit different because after the crash in 2008 things were difficult, and then followed on by Covid a few years later, we’ve found ourselves in a difficult situation with very low growth, although I think that’s moving upwards slightly now.

I do think during Covid, with the extremely generous furlough scheme that probably the government might have been too generous and that has partly landed us in the poor situation we are in now. I would nonetheless count furlough as a success, but it’s a success that has to be paid for now.

The vaccination scheme for Covid was a huge success and should be acknowledged in anyone who is fair minded and analytical. But success is quickly taken for granted and forgotten.

We were given vast amounts of handouts to help with increased energy bills after the start of the war in Ukraine. Again that is quickly forgotten, but it did make a difference for people.

So it’s a mixed bag, but overall, in domestic policy, things are far worse than fourteen years ago.

Will it be any better with a change of government? Hopes are certainly high, but I wouldn’t expect too much.

Well I've listened and know when I hear a soundbite and claims that are inaccurate or spun. The tories can't pretend they have been competent in any area. More police! ( after cutting them), 40 new hospitals! ( not true, Stop the boats! ( not happened), ditto control of borders, cutting waiting lists, oven ready deals, strong and stable, we are all more prosperous etc etc I've heard all that and guess what I know its a load of twaddle.

Me too zakouma. Yet, when I ask the question (politely and respectfully) ‘what have the Tories done to earn my vote?’ there’s radio silence.

Best of Luck with that Lizzie. I am old enough to remember when most things actually worked, most of the time, Youth clubs, centres, colleges. None of this stupid funding and bidding for stuff. It was just " there" part of the infra structure of life.

In what ways have the Conservatives been a good government over the past 14 years? How have they made this country a better place for the majority of the people? How have they proved I should trust them with my vote?

GSM
If you don’t listen how can you form an opinion

If you don’t tell us what you think, how can we form an opinion? Apparently you’ve already decided that your words will fall on deaf ears. I’m ready to listen!

She has formed an opinion GSM - they’re not worth listening to.

If you don’t listen how can you form an opinion?

I no longer even listen to this government. I have given up on them. All that infighting instead of running the country which they are paid to do.
No thanks

Let’s blame the voters who are too deaf to hear the wonderful message, Perhaps we could list all the things that are now better in this country - I know, there are more food banks. Bit stumped after that.

I have plenty of ideas Lizzie, but they would fall on deaf ears.

I’ll repeat:

GSM your belief in the Conservatives is clear for all to see. That’s your prerogative. If I were a ‘floating voter’ what would you say to persuade me that the Tories have been a good government for the past 14 years and I should put my trust in them to govern again? Please tell me why I should vote for them.

Any ideas GSM? No? Thought so!

news.sky.com/story/size-of-uk-armed-forces-shrinks-by-more-than-7000-personnel-in-a-year-13089861

The size of the British armed forces has shrunk by 7,000 in one year. It is now at a lower figure than for decades. Recruitment is poor as the salaries have not kept pace with inflation, ditto teachers, doctors, nurses, prison officers etc. it’s the experienced staff who are leaving in droves. Prisons have been closed as a money saving exercise. Some have even been privatised. Lack of staff and investment mean conditions are far worse and few opportunities for education or rehabilitation.,Maybe that makes people feel safe but it doesn’t have that affect on me.

Germanshepherdsmum

If I were to say what I think about the six point plan I would be banned. Are people really that gullible?

Is it better to be negative and cynical ? It’s a good plan !

westendgirl

GSM, I'm afraid your article about numbers of teachers is out of date.
It was published June 2023. Sorry!

Oh dear, just under a year ago! Just how up to date do you expect statistics to be?

maddyone unfortunately I agree.

I am holding on in hope that we have a local Independent Candidate, as rumoured…

Well for what my opinion is worth (probably not much) I don’t trust either of them, Sunak nor Starmer. I think I’ll be firmly sitting on the fence come the election. It might have to come to none of the above on my ballot paper.
Neither party will deliver what the country needs in my opinion. It definitely needs a lot more spent on defence, more on police and prisons. More on education and teachers pay to stop the teachers leaving in droves, and more on doctors pay to stop the doctors leaving in droves too.
It doesn’t matter who’s in power, it won’t happen.
Disillusioned? Me?

GSM, I'm afraid your article about numbers of teachers is out of date.
It was published June 2023. Sorry!

GSM your belief in the Conservatives is clear for all to see. That’s your prerogative. If I were a ‘floating voter’ what would you say to persuade me that the Tories have been a good government for the past 14 years and I should put my trust in them to govern again? Please tell me why I should vote for them.

I know, I read it - there’s no getting away from the facts though, they have cut numbers, which you said specifically that they hadn’t done.

That report needs careful study, Casdon. It differentiates between fully and partly trained personnel and the quote by the head of the armed forces at the end says it all - it’s not numbers, but capability, which matters.

Germanshepherdsmum

The Conservatives haven’t cut numbers in the armed forces or the police - fewer are willing to join despite recruitment drives. Old prisons and fire stations have closed and new ones have been, and are continuing to be, built. Until all the new prisons are available space has to be found for those given a custodial sentence. Police stations which were little used have been closed - like banks. What makes you think Labour would do anything differently? Talk is cheap.

They have cut numbers in the armed forces considerably.
commonslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-army-to-be-reduced-to-72500/

Police numbers and statistics

"Have police numbers kept up with a growing population?
While the number of police officers is a few thousand higher than 2010 levels, the population has grown - by about 7% - since then.

If the number of officers in England and Wales had risen in line with the population since 2010, there would need to be thousands more officers.

From BBC verify last year
www.bbc.co.uk/news/65377091#:~:text=This%20means%20the%20number%20of,many%20experienced%20officers%20have%20left.

It is commonplace when a politician asks a tricky resources question to answer, "but we've put X amount into ....." but it has to be measured against need.

They will probably come from the independent schools when parents can no longer afford to send their children there. However see below as regards record numbers of teachers - doesn’t sound like an inspirational part of the ‘plan’ to me - like the rest of it.
www.gov.uk/government/news/record-number-of-teachers-in-englands-schools