Aiming to be Christmas No.1

My problem is that, although I agree that it’s right to criticise the things that the government are getting wrong, there never seems to be any mention of the things they are getting right. Any achievement is just pushed under the carpet by the media which then filters through to the electorate. And, I know I’m like a stuck record when it comes to Brexit but, had the leave campaign been scrutinised by the media in the way that Labour are being scrutinised now, imo the vote would have gone the other way.

It is beginning to look like it is a wrong to criticise this Labour Government

GrannyGravy I don’t think anyone is saying it’s ‘wrong’ to criticise the government - it’s just that some of us have a different opinion.

You’re perfectly entitled to criticise and I, and others, are entitled to disagree with you.

GrannyGravy13

It is beginning to look like it is a wrong to criticise this Labour Government!

They screwed up over the withdrawal of the WFA, too short a notice, and the eligibility bar set far too low.

I will continue to criticise them if I think they are wrong, I will praise them when I think they are correct.

It is beginning to look like it is a wrong to criticise this Labour Government!

Only on here.

Even the Trades Unions criticised this decision.

Grantanow

These days Good King Wenceslas would have sent his page out to tell the peasant gathering winter fuel that the WFA had been cut.

Good King Wenceslas should go himself.
Don't forget that:

"Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed."

Which lines made us giggle when we were children.

Therefore, Christian men, be sure,
Wealth or rank possessing,
Ye who now will bless the poor,
Shall yourselves find blessing.
🤔

PS. I've been affected by the change to WFA. I checked whether I could get any help from AgeUK or Friends of the Elderly - I'm afraid not.

Maybe if I set up a JustGiving page ...

GrannyGravy13

It is beginning to look like it is a wrong to criticise this Labour Government!

They screwed up over the withdrawal of the WFA, too short a notice, and the eligibility bar set far too low.

I will continue to criticise them if I think they are wrong, I will praise them when I think they are correct.

No, it's not wrong to criticise the Labour government - they deserve it!

However, it is wrong to pretend you're doing something to help those affected (when they won't be) and get people to donate to your anti-Labour propaganda.

As far as I'm concerned, people can donate to AgeUK, Reform or buy this song - it's their money, so they can do what they want with it. What I object to is the hypocrisy behind the reasons for the song and the smugness of the people who are promoting it.

growstuff

Governments should be blamed for the plight of everybody who is homeless or poor - especially over the last 14 years.

This song sounds like a party political broadcast for Reform.

I would be more favourable if the money actually went to the people who will be affected by the change to WFA, as those who have latched on to it claim. Or if it were simply a song written to raise money for Age UK without the blatant politicisation. The WFA has been weaponised as a means to have yet another pop at Labour. The money raised and the people affected don't correlate.

These are my feelings too. Yes, nearly everyone, perhaps even everyone has agreed in GN that the WFA levels were set too low.

However, the problems we have go far, far beyond that but are all being blamed on one thing and one government.
Fuel prices are actually cheaper than last year and we had lots of concern about ID' ing safe warm spaces and so on.

No songs about that? Sunak the ??

so - great idea to have song to raise money for charities - but this is pure political propaganda.

These days Good King Wenceslas would have sent his page out to tell the peasant gathering winter fuel that the WFA had been cut.

Well enough people seem to be doing it- so maybe not so wrong? Maybe pretty common.

It is beginning to look like it is a wrong to criticise this Labour Government!

They screwed up over the withdrawal of the WFA, too short a notice, and the eligibility bar set far too low.

I will continue to criticise them if I think they are wrong, I will praise them when I think they are correct.

Governments should be blamed for the plight of everybody who is homeless or poor - especially over the last 14 years.

This song sounds like a party political broadcast for Reform.

I would be more favourable if the money actually went to the people who will be affected by the change to WFA, as those who have latched on to it claim. Or if it were simply a song written to raise money for Age UK without the blatant politicisation. The WFA has been weaponised as a means to have yet another pop at Labour. The money raised and the people affected don't correlate.

I don't have a problem with AgeUK, nor do I have a problem with raising awareness of the problems some elderly people face especially at Christmas. Shelter and other homeless charities and children's charities do the same. However, their ads and activities aren't blatantly political by directly blaming individuals in government - that's the difference

Totally agree Growstuff. IMO charity fund raising should be apolitical.

Oreo exactly 👍🏻

growstuff

Jeanathome

It's a political song, the primary aim of which is to criticise the Labour Party. It won't benefit those people who will be affected most

Apparently not? it's just some kind folks raising a few quid for a reputable charity.

Life is complicated. We don't all fit into neat little boxes labelled " pensioner". I don't qualify for any assistance, neither do I have savings nor an inheritance. Things have not gone as expected. There we are. I don't hold Keir Starmer or refugees responsible.

I don't have a problem with AgeUK, nor do I have a problem with raising awareness of the problems some elderly people face especially at Christmas. Shelter and other homeless charities and children's charities do the same. However, their ads and activities aren't blatantly political by directly blaming individuals in government - that's the difference.

But it is the fault of the government so why not blame them?

Freya5

Casdon

You can check on all YouTube items how many viewings they have had Freya5. When I just checked, there had been 604,508 on this one - not millions. The big new contender is Band Aid 40 ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’, which has had 3.2m views, but apparently the smart money is on it being Wham ‘Last Christmas’ again.

Not bothered if it reaches number one or not. Can't imagine checking as to how many views it's had to prove a point, my view was a guess, not even worried how many views it's had really.
The fact is it'll raise a bit of money for people in need in this country, however little that is. Oh and it's much more of a message than the worn out, "do they know etc.

It won't directly support people who have been affected by the withdrawal of the WFA.

Jeanathome

*It's a political song, the primary aim of which is to criticise the Labour Party. It won't benefit those people who will be affected most*

Apparently not? it's just some kind folks raising a few quid for a reputable charity.

Life is complicated. We don't all fit into neat little boxes labelled " pensioner". I don't qualify for any assistance, neither do I have savings nor an inheritance. Things have not gone as expected. There we are. I don't hold Keir Starmer or refugees responsible.

I don't have a problem with AgeUK, nor do I have a problem with raising awareness of the problems some elderly people face especially at Christmas. Shelter and other homeless charities and children's charities do the same. However, their ads and activities aren't blatantly political by directly blaming individuals in government - that's the difference.

We don't all fit into neat little boxes labelled " pensioner".
Well said 👏

We didn't fit into boxes when we were working so why should we be thought of as one homogeneous group apart from being eligible for a State Pension.

How many of us look like this? 👴👵

That video has brought tears to my eyes, so I have made a small donation via the link given.

Money raised yesterday was £9k and now a day later, it is closer to £10k which is really good.

Casdon

You can check on all YouTube items how many viewings they have had Freya5. When I just checked, there had been 604,508 on this one - not millions. The big new contender is Band Aid 40 ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’, which has had 3.2m views, but apparently the smart money is on it being Wham ‘Last Christmas’ again.

Not bothered if it reaches number one or not. Can't imagine checking as to how many views it's had to prove a point, my view was a guess, not even worried how many views it's had really.
The fact is it'll raise a bit of money for people in need in this country, however little that is. Oh and it's much more of a message than the worn out, "do they know etc.

It's a political song, the primary aim of which is to criticise the Labour Party. It won't benefit those people who will be affected most

Apparently not? it's just some kind folks raising a few quid for a reputable charity.

Life is complicated. We don't all fit into neat little boxes labelled " pensioner". I don't qualify for any assistance, neither do I have savings nor an inheritance. Things have not gone as expected. There we are. I don't hold Keir Starmer or refugees responsible.

You can check on all YouTube items how many viewings they have had Freya5. When I just checked, there had been 604,508 on this one - not millions. The big new contender is Band Aid 40 ‘Do they know it’s Christmas’, which has had 3.2m views, but apparently the smart money is on it being Wham ‘Last Christmas’ again.

growstuff

Wyllow3

The song we are discussing for no 1 is about current government and WFA specifically.

Exactly! But I expect it was always known that it would spark off other criticism.

It's a political song, the primary aim of which is to criticise the Labour Party. It won't benefit those people who will be affected most. Only one news channel seems to be making a big deal about it - no surprise there!

Criticism is good, and in this case very much deserved. One news channel, oh the one who tells it all, not leaving out news that suits it agenda, as in the BBC.
Believe you me, it has reached millions over you tube. Who needs biased msm.

Wyllow3

The song we are discussing for no 1 is about current government and WFA specifically.

Exactly! But I expect it was always known that it would spark off other criticism.

It's a political song, the primary aim of which is to criticise the Labour Party. It won't benefit those people who will be affected most. Only one news channel seems to be making a big deal about it - no surprise there!

Allira

growstuff

Allira

Well, I would think if your income is about £1,000 per month, by the time rent, Council tax, water rates etc are paid, plus other bills which may occur, you must be a very careful manager indeed to keep warm and well-fed.

Washing machine breaks down? Cooker stops working? Boiler needs a service (essential)
Can't afford to run a car? - fine if you live on a bus route with a good bus service.

I don't expect people to have empathy, it's not inherent in everyone, of course.
However, I can see how some will struggle and I feel for them.

My income is nowhere near £1000 a month (I wish) after rent, council tax, water rates etc are paid.

I must be such a good financial manger, maybe I should be Chancellor!!

PS. I do run a car.

That's not what I said at all!

If your total income is £1,000 a month,

By the time you have paid rent, Council tax, water rates etc, plus other bills which may occur,

Then you would have scarcely any money left for heating and food.

The WFA would be very welcome.

Apologies for misunderstanding.

However, somebody with a total income of £1000 a month (and low savings) who pays rent would almost certainly be eligible for Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction. They wouldn't have to live on £1000 a month.

The song we are discussing for no 1 is about current government and WFA specifically.