The opinion of the IFS on the parties’ manifestos

NotSpaghetti I understand that everyone has their own personal preferences and likes/dislikes. The two reasons I like Penny Mordaunt are that’s she’s a local MP, not my MP but nonetheless local, and she’s very supportive of the area, which is a naval area and she’s particularly supportive of that, and secondly because of the carrying of the sword during the coronation. Probably a trivial reason, but I admired her strength and dignity whilst doing that. It’s got nothing to do with me because it’s not my constituency, but Penny Mordaunt’s Labour opponent in her constituency is someone I don’t like. I came across her years ago when she was the NUT (as it was then) area representative and I had some dealings with her when I was teaching, and I found her to be useless unfortunately, and so I have little faith in her if she gets to be an MP. It won’t affect me as it’s not my constituency, but that’s how I feel.

Now my own MP is Flick Drummond. I don’t like her and wouldn’t have been voting for her, but the boundaries have changed and so she’s no longer up for election in my constituency. I think she’s moved to Winchester where she will almost certainly lose to the LibDem candidate. Good!

Personal comments about KS’s appearance are just childish - the sort of things young children say in an argument, when they can’t come up with anything else. Fine for kids … but within the context of an adult discussion about a political issue - really?

GSM we know you have a deep dislike for KS. I don’t think anyone on GN is unaware of that.

I have a deep dislike for RS but I don’t sink to criticising his appearance. I’ve read lots of considered criticism of Tory policies on GN, but I personally can’t remember reading any disparaging remarks about RS’s appearance - correct me if I’m wrong.

Apart from anything else, personal attacks about physical appearance don’t strengthen your argument; they diminishes it.

I think we can have a pretty good stab at what will happen Casdon.

As for the most incompetent and sleazy government the UK has ever had’, I think you might do well to read some history books.

Yes Casdon let’s get some context -
It takes at least 18 months to master a new departmental brief, to decide what needs doing and how to do it. Several of Labour’s team will have a significant head start …..
well so First Division back in charge. Several of Labour’s team isn’t going to cut it in a government of how many departments?

Yes I am choking on my tea …..

Oh there have been numerous instances LizzieDrip from his stature, his choice of suits, even his trainers.

Typo diminish not diminishes

I remember them well GG. Some posters have selective memories I think.

Really GG? Well, if you say so - I must have missed them. Similarly then, those comments don’t strengthen a political argument.

I find it ironic that some posters are commenting that others shouldn’t be commenting on Starmer’s appearance or posters being vitriolic towards Starmer. I’m not sure that I’ve seen either to be honest, but maybe I didn’t read those threads. It’s ironic though because no posters held back in criticising Johnson’s appearance and being extremely vitriolic about him. I did neither, nor have I done either about Starmer.
I do like consistency though, so if it’s okay to criticise the appearance of MPs, it’s okay for them all, and it’s okay to be vitriolic, that’s okay for them all too.
Stick to criticism of what they did, or are going to do is my opinion.

GrannyGravy13

Oh there have been numerous instances LizzieDrip from his stature, his choice of suits, even his trainers.

Precisely GG.

Selective memories me thinks.

Germanshepherdsmum

I think we can have a pretty good stab at what will happen Casdon.

As for the most incompetent and sleazy government the UK has ever had’, I think you might do well to read some history books.

Time will tell regarding Labour I think, but I do recognise that it’s desperate times for Tories so you feel the need to lash out at every opportunity. As it happens, I do know a lot about political history, but Hey Ho. .

ronib

Yes Casdon let’s get some context -
It takes at least 18 months to master a new departmental brief, to decide what needs doing and how to do it. Several of Labour’s team will have a significant head start …..
well so First Division back in charge. Several of Labour’s team isn’t going to cut it in a government of how many departments?

Yes I am choking on my tea …..

Well that explains some of the chaos. Tory ministers were moved around like chess pieces so never had a chance to get to know the names of their staff let alone the actual job. Remind me, how long was KK chancellor of the exchequer under Truss?

Fwiw I don't mind posters making personal comments about politicians as long as they don't stoop to the depths of the Tory supporter, Frank Hester. His comments about Diane Abbott were disgusting.

I think making personal comments about MPs entirely inappropriate, whichever party they represent. Personal remarks about Diane Abbott have been particularly reprehensible over the years.
No remarks are acceptable. None! Zilch!

Vintagewhine

Fwiw I don't mind posters making personal comments about politicians as long as they don't stoop to the depths of the Tory supporter, Frank Hester. His comments about Diane Abbott were disgusting.

In my opinion the caricature of Priti Patel depicted as a bull with a ring through her nose was disgusting.

Offensive to her as a female and to her religion.

maddyone

I find it ironic that some posters are commenting that others shouldn’t be commenting on Starmer’s appearance or posters being vitriolic towards Starmer. I’m not sure that I’ve seen either to be honest, but maybe I didn’t read those threads. It’s ironic though because no posters held back in criticising Johnson’s appearance and being extremely vitriolic about him. I did neither, nor have I done either about Starmer.
I do like consistency though, so if it’s okay to criticise the appearance of MPs, it’s okay for them all, and it’s okay to be vitriolic, that’s okay for them all too.
Stick to criticism of what they did, or are going to do is my opinion.

But the difference with Johnson was that he was representing us on a world stage whilst looking totally dishevelled and unprofessional. His appearance represented his lifestyle and lack of self restraint. I felt ashamed by it.

In my opinion the caricature of Priti Patel depicted as a bull with a ring through her nose was disgusting

I agree GG. Regardless of political affiliation, personal attacks such as these are reprehensible (and I’m no fan of PP).

Tbh people make personal remarks because they can't think of anything better to say. I think it says more about them than their victim.