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

sausage roll on and chips.

Apology accepted

Sorry Lizzie, my inner pedant just takes control …

Ilovecheese I don’t think bad manners matter to some people.

Auto correct GSM. So kind of you to point it out - I hate incorrect spelling /grammar myself. Would normally have carefully proof read but a bit excited this afternoon

So yes … roll on 4th July👏👏👏

When did it stop being considered bad manners to correct another posters spelling or grammar?

Or ‘roll’ perhaps Lizzie?

Well, everyone can now make their choice on 4th July.👍

I know zakouma - who knew it was possible! Role on 4th July👏👏👏

LizzieDrip

^This is how, for instance, Sweden can afford to spend more on education^

Yes, taxes in Sweden are higher than in the UK. For that the Swedish population receive health care; social care; child care; education including free university and adult education. I believe that free school meals are provided throughout primary and secondary education and all educational visits are free. This is just the tip of the iceberg of Swedish welfare, that I have personal knowledge of - I’m sure there’s more. I used to work with Swedish students; I asked them how they felt about the high taxes in their country. Every one of them said they agreed with it because of the benefits to their entire society. Such wonderful people with care and egalitarianism in their bones - in my experience.

What you mean , like actually being bothered about people other than themselves?

Amazing.

This is how, for instance, Sweden can afford to spend more on education

Yes, taxes in Sweden are higher than in the UK. For that the Swedish population receive health care; social care; child care; education including free university and adult education. I believe that free school meals are provided throughout primary and secondary education and all educational visits are free. This is just the tip of the iceberg of Swedish welfare, that I have personal knowledge of - I’m sure there’s more. I used to work with Swedish students; I asked them how they felt about the high taxes in their country. Every one of them said they agreed with it because of the benefits to their entire society. Such wonderful people with care and egalitarianism in their bones - in my experience.

I completely agree with your post @ 11.37, LizzieDrip.

It doesn't seem too much to ask.

Please God🙏

Gosh, it looks as though we may soon find out if the 7th rebrand has worked, the election announcement rumours are swirling around Westminster this morning apparently.

I dont disagree with leveling up, I was lucky I went to a good school, well managed and a place you enjoyed going to.

What I see now is leveling down to what the state can provide and it’s a pretty poor standard, the best will always shine, the rest manage as best they can.

A private education is not a passport to anything, when you get into the employment market you either perform or you’re out. I know quite a few that all they got was a posh accent from their school, otherwise they have done nothing.

What a surprise. Shame the author doesn’t know the difference between ‘prey’ and ‘pray’. I stopped reading when I saw that.

Labour on Inheritance Tax facts:

labourlist.org/2024/03/budget-2024-labour-must-hold-firm-in-opposing-rumoured-inheritance-tax-cut/

This is how, for instance, Sweden can afford to spend more on education (and most people would be taxed beyond affording private education).
www.adamsmith.org/blog/the-real-nordic-model-higher-taxes-on-low-income-workers#:~:text=This%20shows%20the%20taxation%20differences,apply%20to%20high%2Dincome%20earners.

I don't want to abolish fee paying schools but would prefer that state schools were given the resources to offer far more sport, music, drama, art, had swimming pools and playing fields, had adequate staffing, could support children with additional needs, could pay staff competitive salaries, had buildings in a good state of repair, then there would be little need for parents to pay for such facilities. In Scandanavian countries few parents pay for private schools, which do exist, since the state education is much better funded than the UK

‘People pay their fair share and tax loopholes are closed’. I strongly suspect that means higher earners paying far more tax than they currently do, and the abolition of all legal tax avoidance schemes including ISAs. Probably taking the rate of inheritance tax to 100% too, so that nobody may benefit from inherited wealth, and ensuring that the boss doesn’t earn much more than the worker on the shop floor. This is typical old Labour thinking.

You’re right Wyllow. I don’t subscribe to the ‘all the same’ narrative and I will, of course, give Labour my vote. TBH I think I’m just tired of this government & this unequal society, which seems to get worse every day.

vegansrock

Of course most parents want to give their children the best opportunities, but the fact that fee paying schools offer far greater opportunities highlights the inequalities in our society , UK is one of the most unequal. The largest number of independent school is in London, where most of the wealth of the country lies. Such inequalities are getting bigger. Levelling up anyone?

UK is one of the most unequal.

That is rubbish go to India, China or indeed any developing or third world country.
The elite have everything, the business and professional class have many choices, the poor have abject poverty, that is assuming there is not a war going on.

It's something to work towards LizzieDrip instead of the politics of "they're all the same, change isn't' possible" narrative which pervades so much thinking.
Give Labour a chance, with realistic expectations that things will take a long time.

GSM I am realistic enough to accept that won’t happen. 40 years of Neoliberalism (including Blair’s New Labour) has turned the UK into a population of consumers. What I would like is for our society to function in a way that ensures people pay their fair share and tax loopholes are closed; public services work for the good of all; buying privilege is the exception not the norm; and the vulnerable are treated with respect. It doesn’t feel like a lot to ask … but, in reality, it probably is.

So you would prefer that the choice of fee-paying schools just wasn’t available?