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Why do you support Labour?

(293 Posts)
Beeches Wed 15-Jan-25 18:23:53

Can we have some in-depth discussion about what Labour fans like about Labour running the country please? I’m struggling to pinpoint what exactly the pro Labour people want from them, or what they think they’ll benefit from, or is it a general desire for fairness and equality (Long standing Labour ethical principle) and a sense that Labour would make them feel more secure in an increasingly complicated and confusing world? So what is it?!

Doodledog Thu 16-Jan-25 00:30:10

Much the same as others on this thread for me.

I believe that society should work on a capitalist version* of the principle of 'from each according to ability, and to each according to need', and think that Labour give us the best chance of that happening. I also believe in equality of opportunity, and think the Tories work against that.

I am another who is waiting to see how things go before jumping to criticism. They said that things would be tough at first, and they have been, but they were voted in by people who knew that. I see KS as a strong leader who hasn't bowed to the constant (and exasperating) drip drip of criticism he's had from day one.

I don't support everything they've done, but I don't regret voting for them. The world is in turmoil, and I think anyone who got in would have trouble navigating the waters just now.

*by which I mean that I think everyone capable should contribute, so that there can be a decent safety net for the young, the old, the sick, the weak etc (anyone who is unable to contribute, basically) but I don't think that everyone should earn the same.

Rosie51 Thu 16-Jan-25 00:53:31

I voted Labour (even though I despise my sitting Labour MP) but honestly if I'd seen the bullying, insulting posts of Beeches I would have been tempted to vote for anybody else. For a 'new' poster (as far as I'm aware) talk about 'jump right in'!!!

ronib Thu 16-Jan-25 08:00:02

I am confused by Labour - giving £3 billion annually to Ukraine in military aid to Ukraine for 100 years and our pensions amongst the lowest in Europe. Removing the opportunity to study Latin in State schools from February. Embarking on the most expensive and spurious net zero energy program. Endangering the continuation of family run farms with inheritance taxes and taking on our food producers. Taxing employers so moving jobs overseas. Can it get much worse?

Indigo8 Thu 16-Jan-25 08:07:51

Shiname I was the one who requested that the moderators remove your comment, on the grounds that personal attacks are not allowed.sad

Cossy Thu 16-Jan-25 08:09:44

Indigo8

Shiname I was the one who requested that the moderators remove your comment, on the grounds that personal attacks are not allowed.sad

Well done. Never ever personally attack thanks

Oreo Thu 16-Jan-25 08:18:31

Beeches

Thanks Ladyleftfield, I agree all those points, and would like there to a global push to effectively tax those with +£10 million wealth which seems to be the biggest cause of inequality and I can’t imagine why Reform aren’t interested in taxing the uber rich (except I can absolutely guess)

The wealthy are already taxed in a higher band, if you over tax then all it does is send them somewhere else to live and takes away any incentive to invest or spend.
We need more in tax but it has to be across the board and if we want better public services then we all need to pay more tax.
That’s why it was a huge mistake for Labour to say they wouldn’t put up income tax or NI before the election.

Oreo Thu 16-Jan-25 08:21:05

Rosie51

I voted Labour (even though I despise my sitting Labour MP) but honestly if I'd seen the bullying, insulting posts of Beeches I would have been tempted to vote for anybody else. For a 'new' poster (as far as I'm aware) talk about 'jump right in'!!!

I was just thinking the same thing 🤔

Casdon Thu 16-Jan-25 08:22:42

I voted Lib Dem, because where I live it was a two horse race between the Tories and Lib Dem’s, and every vote counted. I support Labour though, fundamentally because I want a society where people are treated fairly and equally. I despise the ‘I’m alright Jack’ mentality that is growing in the UK, when so many plainly aren’t. I don’t think the government are getting everything right, but I do think that some things are starting to change for the better, and realise that it’s going to take several years before a lot of what is happening is noticeable. I’m particularly happy that from April the rise in the minimum wage is above inflation, which will ease the pressure on millions of the lowest paid workers somewhat.

Iam64 Thu 16-Jan-25 08:58:30

I voted Labour and have no regrets. I’m relieved the tories are no longer sitting smug as our public services fall apart.
I agree with positive comments about the ideology, belief systems that underpin the LP.
I’d like to see greater investment in public services, the Scandi model seems to ensure safer more equal society

Shinamae Thu 16-Jan-25 09:28:16

Cossy

Indigo8

Shiname I was the one who requested that the moderators remove your comment, on the grounds that personal attacks are not allowed.sad

Well done. Never ever personally attack thanks

Yes, very well done 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Doodledog Thu 16-Jan-25 09:34:27

Rosie51

I voted Labour (even though I despise my sitting Labour MP) but honestly if I'd seen the bullying, insulting posts of Beeches I would have been tempted to vote for anybody else. For a 'new' poster (as far as I'm aware) talk about 'jump right in'!!!

grin
There are a few ‘new’ posters just now who have settled in very quickly, aren’t there?

Doodledog Thu 16-Jan-25 09:41:06

ronib

I am confused by Labour - giving £3 billion annually to Ukraine in military aid to Ukraine for 100 years and our pensions amongst the lowest in Europe. Removing the opportunity to study Latin in State schools from February. Embarking on the most expensive and spurious net zero energy program. Endangering the continuation of family run farms with inheritance taxes and taking on our food producers. Taxing employers so moving jobs overseas. Can it get much worse?

The Tories removed the study of music and drama from state schools, and their policies are behind the decimation (or worse) of Arts and Humanities courses in universities. That is much further reaching, as culture and ideas are passed on via the Arts, and reducing access to the production of them limits the range of voices that we hear, whether literally (as performers) or via their writing.

NotSpaghetti Thu 16-Jan-25 09:46:41

Yes, there's definitely general desire for fairness and equality (Long standing Labour ethical principle) for me.

I'm another who thinks we should have high taxes and high level of services too.

NotSpaghetti Thu 16-Jan-25 09:47:26

And, I might add, anything towards this is better than nothing in my view!
grin

NotSpaghetti Thu 16-Jan-25 09:57:06

Indigo8 I think the proof that Starmer isn't of the same mould is that he's not able to "spin" - if he was people would like him more!

When Blair won the choice was Tory or "nearly Tory". I am not (and was not) a Blair fan at all but his focus on Early Years was excellent and SureStart, after a patchy start really helped people I worked with a lot. It was a great programme and is worth bringing back.

GrannyGravy13 Thu 16-Jan-25 09:58:08

NotSpaghetti

Yes, there's definitely general desire for fairness and equality (Long standing Labour ethical principle) for me.

I'm another who thinks we should have high taxes and high level of services too.

40% tax for the last goodness know how many years is enough for individuals, thank you!

This Government like many before them haven’t got the backbone to go after the big conglomerates who pay as little tax as possible!

LizzieDrip Thu 16-Jan-25 10:11:20

For a 'new' poster (as far as I'm aware) talk about 'jump right in'

Rosie why shouldn’t a new poster be able to express their views immediately? GN is an open forum; all posters have equal rights, no matter how long they’ve contributed. There’s no hierarchy.

TBH, one of the things that bothers me about GN is the ‘clique’ mentality of a few posters (particularly on the N&P thread). On occasions it feels like ‘playground bullying’.

“And yet you’re still here” I’m sure someone will respondsmile

Barleyfields Thu 16-Jan-25 10:18:09

LizzieDrip

I think the single word that sums it up for me (which some of you have cited) is trust.

I trust Keir Starmer, the PM and the man.

I trust the Labour Party, as a whole, to do their best for our country - not perfect but trustworthy!

After the freebies scandal, the removal of WFA as soon as they came into office, the duplicitous statement about not raising NI, the imposition of IHT on working farmers, two thirds of businesses saying that increased costs resulting from the Budget will be passed onto consumers (which it was patently obvious would happen), and the likelihood that mortgage rates are going to rise, how on earth can you trust Labour?

NotSpaghetti Thu 16-Jan-25 10:20:38

GrannyGravy13 The thread is about why people support Labour.

Are you a Labour supporter (other than the conglomerates tax issue)?

Doodledog Thu 16-Jan-25 10:24:49

LizzieDrip

^For a 'new' poster (as far as I'm aware) talk about 'jump right in'^

Rosie why shouldn’t a new poster be able to express their views immediately? GN is an open forum; all posters have equal rights, no matter how long they’ve contributed. There’s no hierarchy.

TBH, one of the things that bothers me about GN is the ‘clique’ mentality of a few posters (particularly on the N&P thread). On occasions it feels like ‘playground bullying’.

“And yet you’re still here” I’m sure someone will respondsmile

No reason at all. My own reply to Rosie wasn't about Beeches, whose threads asking about motives for voting are much needed, IMO, and far more useful than the sniping ones - or would be if there were more people willing to say what they like about Reform.

I was referring to the way 'new' posters often emerge and in no time start carrying on old grudges from previous incarnations. I see no reason why people can't have fresh starts (and if that happens we would never know) but very often it's pretty clear what's happening.

LizzieDrip Thu 16-Jan-25 10:28:15

Barleyfields to answer your question see my post on this thread “yesterday 19.02”.

Rosie51 Thu 16-Jan-25 10:29:20

LizzieDrip Rosie why shouldn’t a new poster be able to express their views immediately? GN is an open forum; all posters have equal rights, no matter how long they’ve contributed. There’s no hierarchy.

Of course all posters have equal rights, and anybody can express their views. What is surprising is how some new posters feel confident to harangue and insult other posters. I think it's rather telling that the thread demanding that Reform supporters explain and justify themselves has been removed by GN for being too goady in the opening post.

Allira Thu 16-Jan-25 10:51:23

Doodledog

Rosie51

I voted Labour (even though I despise my sitting Labour MP) but honestly if I'd seen the bullying, insulting posts of Beeches I would have been tempted to vote for anybody else. For a 'new' poster (as far as I'm aware) talk about 'jump right in'!!!

grin
There are a few ‘new’ posters just now who have settled in very quickly, aren’t there?

And taken over the chairpersonship 😁
(Is that a word?)

LizzieDrip Thu 16-Jan-25 10:57:07

What a pity that thread has been taken down.

I wonder if a thread in a similar vein, but with a less allegedly ‘goady’ title, might reap more insight about why people support Reform.

I, for one, am genuinely interested.

LizzieDrip Thu 16-Jan-25 10:57:46

That was to Rosie.