Gransnet forums

News & politics

Labour. Our next Government.

(355 Posts)
Urmstongran Sat 18-May-24 14:24:02

You only had to watch Angela Rayner, Labour’s deputy leader, launching the new six-pledge card thing in Essex on Thursday. She bounced onto the stage with that expression politicians have the morning after a huge victory. Her face was one big soporific smile and she’s clearly been away attending a John Prescott word-mangling masterclass. “We aren’t,” she said, although she actually said “we are”, “promising the world,” which she quickly corrected to “the earth”, before adding: “But we are promising that what we are confident on we can deliver on.” Which I had to listen back to about six times to check I had it word for word.

Rachel Reeves then promised to “never play fast and loose with the public finances”. Let’s see how her VAT on private schools policy works out – indications are that already parents are eyeing up state-school alternatives for this September. Ed Miliband is going to “take back control of our destiny”, Yvette Cooper is “giving young people their future back”, while Sir Keir Starmer walked into that room filled with people in suits, tie-less in white shirt sleeves so you could notice him.

It all seems a bit vague. Maybe that’s deliberate?

LizzieDrip Sat 18-May-24 16:33:39

westendgirl
Can any of the staunch blue rosette wearers tell me exactly why I should vote for a continuation of their dire government

I’ve asked the same question about 5 times today on this and another thread. Still haven’t received an answer - or even anything approaching an answer!

Joseann Sat 18-May-24 16:44:58

LizzieDrip

I think it’s indicative of how little substance the Tory supporters on here have to argue with, that they’re stooping to personal insults about Labour politicians. Sounds rather like kids in the school playground. Why don’t you argue for your party’s policies?

I'm not actually a Tory supporter, (anymore), nor am I arguing for their policies. I would, however, like to see someone in charge who can speak good English, (having spent two weeks last month helping DGS learn the prescribed grammatical rules for his Yr 6 sats tests).

Primrose53 Sat 18-May-24 16:52:31

LizzieDrip

I think it’s indicative of how little substance the Tory supporters on here have to argue with, that they’re stooping to personal insults about Labour politicians. Sounds rather like kids in the school playground. Why don’t you argue for your party’s policies?

Who has made a personal insult about Labour politicians? Not me.

Faierynan Sat 18-May-24 17:03:42

Germanshepherdsmum; What a good answer. Closed minds and goading, says it all

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 18-May-24 17:12:55

Thank you. Few Conservative supporters raise their heads above the parapet here. The Labour supporters are a cross between an echo chamber and a primary school playground gang.

Callistemon21 Sat 18-May-24 17:13:45

Pantglas2

I live in North Wales and I could weep over the mess Labour have made of our Health service over the 25 years they’ve been in power. Perhaps there’s a better standard of Labour over the border?

Even Plaid have ditched them now!

I think Gething is heading for trouble.
He's no Drakeford.

Maremia Sat 18-May-24 17:15:57

Asking a GN to give an example of how her preferred party is better than Labour, is not 'goading'. It is asking a fair question.

Callistemon21 Sat 18-May-24 17:20:51

I'm a floating voter, despite being vilified when I posted that on Gransnet a few years ago. Despite the nastiness I received, I, together with other floating voters, am the voter who will decide on the next Government.

I remain unconvinced by either main party.

Please convince me 🙂

MaizieD Sat 18-May-24 17:22:16

Maremia

Asking a GN to give an example of how her preferred party is better than Labour, is not 'goading'. It is asking a fair question.

It's much more fun to snipe from the sidelines, Maremia. Especially when your party hasn't a good record to defend.

Smileless2012 Sat 18-May-24 17:23:17

I'm unconvinced too Callistemon I want to use my vote but have no idea who to vote for confused.

Callistemon21 Sat 18-May-24 17:29:00

Smileless2012

I'm unconvinced too Callistemon I want to use my vote but have no idea who to vote for confused.

Could the Official Monster Raving Loony Party be any worse, Smileless?

Callistemon21 Sat 18-May-24 17:31:02

26m tonnes of waste plastic bottles are discarded every year in the UK of which only 45% are recycled. The Loony Party has the answer.. Stop making them..

Before you ask…We have found an alternative. Its called glass.

Joseann Sat 18-May-24 17:32:09

Smileless2012

I'm unconvinced too Callistemon I want to use my vote but have no idea who to vote for confused.

👍

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 18-May-24 17:34:58

It is goading when you know exactly what will follow. I have given my views on various aspects of Labour’s ‘plan’ and asked questions which have not been answered. Two examples - is not ‘taking tough decisions on spending’ the same as ‘austerity’, and where will the doctors and nurses be found to deal with an additional 40,000 hospital appointments per week, 24/7? I prefer promises which are costed and capable of being delivered.

I have also said what I think about Labour’s (traditional) desire to punish those who educate their children in independent schools, despite paying the taxes which fund state education. I have no axe to grind there as my son had a state education and so will his children, despite his being well able to afford private education.

Joseann Sat 18-May-24 17:46:16

GS your last paragraph, that is the very reason Labour will not get my vote.

MayBee70 Sat 18-May-24 18:11:22

There shouldn’t be a need for private education if the country gave every child the best education possible.

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 18-May-24 18:19:52

It’s a choice. Would you remove choice? The problem children in some state schools prevent the rest from getting a decent education. Who wouldn’t want to remove their child from such an environment?

Cossy Sat 18-May-24 18:26:54

I think it’s pretty obvious that many labour supporters will support Ms Rayner and the rest of the labour gang, but those of different political persuasions will not, most especially current conservative supporters.

Personally, I don’t know how anyone can dismiss opposition “pledges” or “manifesto” given that most of us have at least some issues with the govt of the last 14 years.

The only exception to my statement is Reform’s manifesto which read like a primary school story.

Cossy Sat 18-May-24 18:30:14

Germanshepherdsmum

It’s a choice. Would you remove choice? The problem children in some state schools prevent the rest from getting a decent education. Who wouldn’t want to remove their child from such an environment?

I agree it’s a choice, but it’s not a choice many people can actually make. What do you mean by “problem” children??

MayBee70 Sat 18-May-24 18:31:17

Maybe if there were smaller class sizes and more support for problem children, more teaching assistants etc there wouldn’t be a problem. Or if state schools weren’t falling apart. Jamie Oliver tried to work with the government to improve children’s nutrition but the government weren’t interested; I believe Theresa May didn’t want to liase with him.

Cossy Sat 18-May-24 18:32:58

MayBee70

There shouldn’t be a need for private education if the country gave every child the best education possible.

There would still be a “want” rather than a “need” Paying for a child’s education doesn’t equal “better” just “different”. I have direct experience of both.

My only issue with independent schools is their charitable status, they are not charities.

Cossy Sat 18-May-24 18:33:14

MayBee70

Maybe if there were smaller class sizes and more support for problem children, more teaching assistants etc there wouldn’t be a problem. Or if state schools weren’t falling apart. Jamie Oliver tried to work with the government to improve children’s nutrition but the government weren’t interested; I believe Theresa May didn’t want to liase with him.

Exactly this!!

Oreo Sat 18-May-24 18:34:10

We all know the bullshit that goes with elections, seems to be part and parcel of it, including razzmatazz for the party faithful.
Def all about floating voters this time around and I think a very low turnout too.
Angela Rayner doesn’t inspire confidence, tho she’s only a small part of any Labour government.

Mollygo Sat 18-May-24 18:34:52

Callistemon21

I'm a floating voter, despite being vilified when I posted that on Gransnet a few years ago. Despite the nastiness I received, I, together with other floating voters, am the voter who will decide on the next Government.

I remain unconvinced by either main party.

Please convince me 🙂

The being unconvinced by either party is where I am at the moment. I find KS unconvincing whenever he speaks.
I think we will get a change, but I remember the desperation for a change of government after 13 years of Labour, so wanting a change is nothing new.

Oreo Sat 18-May-24 18:37:26

Removing independent schools charitable status and the non dom loophole won’t actually bring in much money but are crowd pleasers.
Am not bothered either way about those issues.