I am not sure if it will be possible over the next 42 days, but I thought it would be fun to try to see. How the polls perform after the various gaffs that the politicians will inevitably make.
Whilst the gap is huge at the moment, it will almost certainly close as the days go by.
I think I’ll use Politico (poll of polls)
Not at all. I remember it myself when Boris called for an end to lockdown.
www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/jul/19/keir-starmer-condemns-reckless-decision-to-lift-covid-restrictions
Urmstongran
Blimey MayBee locking us down sooner and for longer? Further damage to the economy than we already had? And the MH that so many say they suffered made worse?
Glad he wasn’t PM sat the time then!
That's a load of rubbish, Ug. Lifted straight from arch liar, say the first thing that comes into my head, Johnson. Whose delaying tactics caused 1,000s of unnecessary deaths.
All Starmer called for was earlier lockdowns.
You could look it up growstuff but just one example - Reform supports raising the threshold at which people start paying income tax from £12,500 to £20,000, and exempting the smallest businesses from corporation tax. And pensioners who have been caught up in what Liam Halligan (great economist) calls ‘fiscal drag’.
Urmstongran
I agree Wyllow3. I’m not a tribal voter in any way. I’ve voted Labour (most times) in the past, believe it or not! I lent my vote to Boris to Get Brexit Done after the prevarication and abject capitulation by Teresa May. And look where that got me. Disappointed beyond belief. Boris thoroughly squandered that majority we gave him.
I’m voting Reform.
But I hope Labour surprise me yet. They’re the next government so I wish them all the best.
How do you think a Reform government would benefit the UK?
I agree Wyllow3. I’m not a tribal voter in any way. I’ve voted Labour (most times) in the past, believe it or not! I lent my vote to Boris to Get Brexit Done after the prevarication and abject capitulation by Teresa May. And look where that got me. Disappointed beyond belief. Boris thoroughly squandered that majority we gave him.
I’m voting Reform.
But I hope Labour surprise me yet. They’re the next government so I wish them all the best.
We need a return to some hope, Urms, however modest.
The Labour Party full manifesto is here
labour.org.uk/change/
And it's easily accessible in terms of looking up particular issues. I don't agree with every word nor think all commitments might work out but I hear one thing Starmer said probably most strongly of all its sticks in my mind, "we are not going to return to austerity.".
Glad to see the director of Iceland on the platform representing business: glad that Starmer had brief digs on oppositions but no more than asides.
I wish them all the best. Honestly. If they do well we all benefit long term don’t we?
I also have just watched the Labour Party introduction. No rabbits out of hat, clear outline of policies, but one thing I've thought for a long time came out - and its been discussed locally many times).
For too long our politics have been centred around what Starmer called "cynicism, and hope beaten out of people". We've been stuck in a belief that things will always will be as they are, that growth is not possible as wealth creation for services.
On the day that waiting lists in the NHS have gone up yet again, Starmer offered a modest return to quote "politics have been too much about entitlement and not enough about service" to the people. He said judge us by our actions, as time passes. He will set up a professional ethics committee very soon as regards the conduct of those in public affairs.
Asked why the L party wouldn't "go further" in terms of aims on key services, in an interview afterwards (forget with whom) the answer was being realistic, not promising that which cannot be delivered until conditions allow it.
Apologies. Not Aitken.
Jonathan (the shirt button) Ashworth.
Who's Aitken?
Yes indeed Whitewave he’s cracked it and he knows it. He’s relaxed (mostly) and über confident.
We are getting him and Rayner, Lammy, Thornberry, Aitken.
I’m used to the idea and I sincerely hope Labour do well. Why wouldn’t I? We live here!
Blimey MayBee locking us down sooner and for longer? Further damage to the economy than we already had? And the MH that so many say they suffered made worse?
Glad he wasn’t PM sat the time then!
Blimey that was good!
He’s cracked it.
Beth Rigby “Are you Captain Cautious? There’s not much costed detail in this manifesto”.
Urmstongran
Me too Whitewave.
“Chaos and division”. Mark your bingo cards!
Himself just said “god he’s boring. He’s a weathervane. But the Tories have shafted us so let’s hope Starmer manages to do some good but that said - remember he wanted to lock the country down for longer”.
And he probably would have locked the country down sooner and saved many lives in the process….
Urmstongran
Me too Whitewave.
“Chaos and division”. Mark your bingo cards!
Himself just said “god he’s boring. He’s a weathervane. But the Tories have shafted us so let’s hope Starmer manages to do some good but that said - remember he wanted to lock the country down for longer”.
Well, he is certainly not Farage - and thank god for that.
Me too Whitewave.
“Chaos and division”. Mark your bingo cards!
Himself just said “god he’s boring. He’s a weathervane. But the Tories have shafted us so let’s hope Starmer manages to do some good but that said - remember he wanted to lock the country down for longer”.
I’m just watching the labour manifesto on bbc
Iam64
Good point Casdon, on Starmer’s response to rudeness. His response to audience laughter when he mentioned his parents work and sometimes knowing the struggle to pay bills was to turn to the audience and point out that isn’t a laughing matter
That audience laughter was childlike; and downright rude. Talking about his family and upbringing hasn’t come easy to Keir and it must hurt him when people respond in that way.
Good point Casdon, on Starmer’s response to rudeness. His response to audience laughter when he mentioned his parents work and sometimes knowing the struggle to pay bills was to turn to the audience and point out that isn’t a laughing matter
MayBee70
Sky News seem to be doing their best to make out that Starmer didn’t do as well as I’ve heard he did.
He did well. One thing I’ve noticed is that he’s always taken aback by rudeness, he doesn’t brush it off easily. He was honest about what Labour weren’t going to do though, and didn’t promise the world, which I think is why he came out on top.
Whitewavemark2
Rigby could have calmed her chuntering down a bit though.
I said the same on the other thread, I didn’t rate her interviewing technique, I thought she interrupted in the wrong places, and was unnecessarily rude to both of them - almost sneering in places.
Sky News seem to be doing their best to make out that Starmer didn’t do as well as I’ve heard he did.
Rigby could have calmed her chuntering down a bit though.
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