Do you want to discuss boring politics? (16 Viewers)

[Brighton Sky Blue]

90% probably. I imagine there are a number who see it as a factor without being the only reason.

Out of interest (and I'm not picking a fight as I finish here in 30 minutes ) where do you sit? I mean I know of course you're pro-immigration, but do you believe it's in any way to blame for where we're at and plays at least a part in the issues we have currently?

I’m pro-some immigration but I am also pro-the country not being dependent on foreign labour (either skilled or unskilled). I just don’t see it as the reason why things are the way they are. I get I’m in the minority of course which is disappointing but in a democracy those are the breaks.

 

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[Brighton Sky Blue]

You say that, but what policies would do this in your view?

You can measure how Labour’s anti-business policies have backfired on ‘working people’… private sector redundancies and unemployment is increasing.

Likewise, tax rises and inflation directly impact the money in people’s pockets and their spending power. Again, things get worse.

Some of my preferred policies in no particular order:

Universal free school breakfast and lunch
Universal childcare up to 2 children
Legalised cannabis
Easier ‘right to organise’ rules for workplace collective bargaining
VAT to be cut or scrapped or at least lowered for certain goods
Nationalised rail and utilities
Extended paid paternity leave (think Spain get 3 months)
Classification of gig economy workers as equal to ‘employed’ workers

In terms of industrial and business strategy, I’ve long supported what @CCFCSteve described a while ago as a starting point (can’t find the post).

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Okay would you say his stance on Palestine is the right way to take the country compared to the migrnt hotels etc?

No

 

[Grendel]

I'm sure absolutely none of these farmers ever complained about JSO protestors from blocking ambulances etc

It’s worked - the government U turns - shock horror

Farmers celebrate Sir Keir Starmer's Christmas U-turn on inheritance tax

The government has significantly increased the threshold at which farms will be subject to inheritance tax, which the Tories say is a "huge U-turn".

news.sky.com

 

[wingy]

It’s worked - the government U turns - shock horror

Farmers celebrate Sir Keir Starmer's Christmas U-turn on inheritance tax

The government has significantly increased the threshold at which farms will be subject to inheritance tax, which the Tories say is a "huge U-turn".

news.sky.com

I'm wondering if the take of £24B may have swung it and Reeves is just another Tory like all of them?

 

[Grendel]

I'm wondering if the take of £24B may have swung it and Reeves is just another Tory like all of them?

She’s just stupid. She’s totally fucked up the IHT grab on pensions and will end up scrapping it as it will end up costing more money than it used to supposed to gain

 

[chiefdave]

Some astonishing comments from the judge. Surely off the back of this the charity commission need to take a look at their status as a charity.

Reginald D Hunter: Judge quashes antisemitism case brought by Campaign Against Antisemitism

A judge says the Campaign Against Antisemitism's private prosecution was intended to get Hunter "cancelled".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Gynnsthetonic]

Love this!

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Love this!

He is truly a hated Prime Minister. The amount of times you hear 'Keir Starmer's a wanker' at the darts and the football is genuinely unheard of. I read a blog that even at the height of the miner's strikes, football fans didn't chant about Thatcher*.

*That said, since the 80s there has been an erosion for public deference to politicians and the monarchy.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Labour u turning on inheritance tax is embarrassing. It shows that as ever with the main parties they listen to the wealthy over the majority of working people.

If they are to allow such a high threshold for inheriting agricultural property there needs to be conditions related to that property actually producing in the past and future. If somebody inherits farm property and then flips it for another use they should be obliged to pay inheritance tax on it imo.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Labour u turning on inheritance tax is embarrassing. It shows that as ever with the main parties they listen to the wealthy over the majority of working people.

If they are to allow such a high threshold for inheriting agricultural property there needs to be conditions related to that property actually producing in the past and future. If somebody inherits farm property and then flips it for another use they should be obliged to pay inheritance tax on it imo.

It's pretty clear that Labour's policies are being driven by the civil service rather than the other way round. Same with the winter fuel allowance.

It is embarrassing because they've introduced many policies that have such obviously bad consequences which forces them into a U-turn. If they had any sense, they'd U-turn on the employer NI rise.

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

He is truly a hated Prime Minister. The amount of times you hear 'Keir Starmer's a wanker' at the darts and the football is genuinely unheard of. I read a blog that even at the height of the miner's strikes, football fans didn't chant about Thatcher*.

*That said, since the 80s there has been an erosion for public deference to politicians and the monarchy.

Cause people can’t think for themselves ask them why

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Cause people can’t think for themselves ask them why

They can think for themselves and this government has been a disaster. In fact, you'd even agree on this point so not sure why you would even say that.

With respect, middle-class lefties tend to be some of the most patronising people I've come across. Have you ever considered that you may actually be wrong and not everyone else is stupid for once?

 

[Sick Boy]

The thing is, it’d be pretty much a continuation of the same with any of the other parties.

 

[chiefdave]

Labour u turning on inheritance tax is embarrassing. It shows that as ever with the main parties they listen to the wealthy over the majority of working people.

The rich control the narrative, the general population falls in line behind them, campaigning for a change that won't be of any benefit to them, the government u-turns.

Same as it always was and same as it will always be.

The likes of Clarkson openly admitted to buying a farm purely for tax reasons, then when the loophole was going to be shut he started crying about it.

Needs a government that both has some balls and the ability to communicate what is actually happening and how they are being manipulated.

 

[Grendel]

The rich control the narrative, the general population falls in line behind them, campaigning for a change that won't be of any benefit to them, the government u-turns.

Same as it always was and same as it will always be.

The likes of Clarkson openly admitted to buying a farm purely for tax reasons, then when the loophole was going to be shut he started crying about it.

Needs a government that both has some balls and the ability to communicate what is actually happening and how they are being manipulated.

They changed their minds more likely as a back bench rebellion was brewing with MPs in rural constituencies looking at a P45 in 3 years

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

They can think for themselves and this government has been a disaster. In fact, you'd even agree on this point so not sure why you would even say that.

With respect, middle-class lefties tend to be some of the most patronising people I've come across. Have you ever considered that you may actually be wrong and not everyone else is stupid for once?

They don’t
You guys have good reasons those singing Starmer is a wanker couldn’t tell you one reason why

 

[fernandopartridge]

They changed their minds more likely as a back bench rebellion was brewing with MPs in rural constituencies looking at a P45 in 3 years

Do they have many MPs in rural places?

 

[Grendel]

Do they have many MPs in rural places?

A fair few I think

Labour MP suspended after rebelling on farm tax plan - BBC News

Dozens of the party's backbenchers are said to have abstained, amid concerns from rural MPs at the move.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

They don’t
You guys have good reasons those singing Starmer is a wanker couldn’t tell you one reason why

I think lying about why they’d do in government is a pretty good reason to sing it.

In the debates when Sunak said ‘Labour will do this, that’, at the time he came across as desperate and petulant. 18 months on, that outburst proved prophetic.

This little old nugget:

 

[PVA]

Farmers get all manner of subsidies and reliefs already.

Moaning about how hard they have it as they sell off another parcel of land for millions of pounds (an actual conversation I had the other day).

They have a real arrogance to them that they should be treated differently.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

Farmers get all manner of subsidies and reliefs already.

Moaning about how hard they have it as they sell off another parcel of land for millions of pounds (an actual conversation I had the other day).

They have a real arrogance to them that they should be treated differently.

Let's face it, you have absolutely no idea what it is like to be a farmer.

Frankly, anyone that voted for Labour shouldn't be trying to lecture other people on politics.

 

[PVA]

Let's face it, you have absolutely no idea what it is like to be a farmer.

Frankly, anyone that voted for Labour shouldn't be trying to lecture other people on politics.

I'd be very confident in saying I know more about it than you.

As for your second point, I thought this was a politics thread on a discussion forum. Free speech!! (unless you vote Labour or don't think all Muslims are terrorists).

 

[SBAndy]

Labour u turning on inheritance tax is embarrassing. It shows that as ever with the main parties they listen to the wealthy over the majority of working people.

If they are to allow such a high threshold for inheriting agricultural property there needs to be conditions related to that property actually producing in the past and future. If somebody inherits farm property and then flips it for another use they should be obliged to pay inheritance tax on it imo.

Silly to increase the thresholds, should have looked at ways to ratchet/remove the charge for actual farmers who keep the land in production. Say, a 10-year deferral of the tax unless the farm was sold/taken out of production. After the 10 years, if it’s still going as-is, then the tax liability falls away.

 

[SBT]

I'd be very confident in saying I know more about it than you.

 

[SBAndy]

He is truly a hated Prime Minister. The amount of times you hear 'Keir Starmer's a wanker' at the darts and the football is genuinely unheard of. I read a blog that even at the height of the miner's strikes, football fans didn't chant about Thatcher*.

*That said, since the 80s there has been an erosion for public deference to politicians and the monarchy.

Do you think the hate is proportional? He’s polling as one of the worst ever prime ministers (possibly THE worst?) yet I just don’t think he’s actually that offensive. It’s an utterly bizarre correlation.

 

[SBT]

Do you think the hate is proportional? He’s polling as one of the worst ever prime ministers (possibly THE worst?) yet I just don’t think he’s actually that offensive. It’s an utterly bizarre correlation.

It’s become a meme at this point really

 

[stupot07]

Do you think the hate is proportional? He’s polling as one of the worst ever prime ministers (possibly THE worst?) yet I just don’t think he’s actually that offensive. It’s an utterly bizarre correlation.

It's really not proportional at all. It's because the press are largely right learning, and places like Twitter/X have become an echo chamber. The problem is although he is hated, the Torys caused most of this mess with austerity, Brexit and Liz truss budget, and Farage would be a complete disaster.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Do you think the hate is proportional? He’s polling as one of the worst ever prime ministers (possibly THE worst?) yet I just don’t think he’s actually that offensive. It’s an utterly bizarre correlation.

The worst ever is a ridiculous over exaggeration but the way he has become so unpopular so quickly is genuinely impressive.

Will be another 20 years before I get a sniff of seeing some policies I like being implemented which is pretty disheartening.

 

[Earlsdon_Skyblue1]

I'd be very confident in saying I know more about it than you.

As for your second point, I thought this was a politics thread on a discussion forum. Free speech!! (unless you vote Labour or don't think all Muslims are terrorists).

What you, and clearly others on this thread are demonstrating, is that you are completely out of touch with the majority of the country.

Starmer has very low approval ratings and you lot are giving off Semour Skinner 'it's the kids who are wrong' vibes. Your comments about free speech and Muslims is a bit of a deflection, but it really only serves to make you look silly. You know nothing about farming, and you know nothing about how the majority of the country feel.

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

What you, and clearly others on this thread are demonstrating, is that you are completely out of touch with the majority of the country.

Starmer has very low approval ratings and you lot are giving off Semour Skinner 'it's the kids who are wrong' vibes. Your comments about free speech and Muslims is a bit of a deflection, but it really only serves to make you look silly. You know nothing about farming, and you know nothing about how the majority of the country feel.

I think only he and one other poster are still behind Starmer at this point.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Do you think the hate is proportional? He’s polling as one of the worst ever prime ministers (possibly THE worst?) yet I just don’t think he’s actually that offensive. It’s an utterly bizarre correlation.

Probably not but when you put all the problems as down to ‘14 years of Tory rule’ and the ‘grown ups’ will fix everything… when that doesn’t happen, it all unravels rapidly. People tend to forget that a lot of pent up anger towards Labour started under Blair and Brown.

You can see my post from last year, I said that Starmer was not suited to fix the specific issues this country faces. Much in the same way Sunak was ill-suited to a billionaire PM in the midst of a cost of living crisis. I voted for the Tories begrudgingly.

To take one issue: Immigration. That alone helped to annihilate the Tories and Labour only won back the ‘Red Wall’ because of the betrayal of voters by Johnson coalition of voters and unsurprisingly, that same ‘Red wall’ is about to become teal.

Structurally, without Scotland or the Red Wall, Labour have not and probably cannot win a general election, let alone the loss of Wales. Go through all the elections Labour have won and you’ll see dominance in Wales, Scotland and the ‘Red Wall’. Without it, it’s finished and Keir Starmer and much of the modern Labour Party does not connect with that constituency of voter. Great amongst metropolitan people, public sector workers, university students and welfare claimants. The only mainstream Labour politician off-hand is relatable to most working class voters is Rayner and even then she’s just been found to be fiddling the rules on stamp duty. ‘One rule for them…’ and all that.

That’s without considering the impact of a Zach Polanski and Your Party offering more economically populist policies.

Right now, Labour is going the way of continental centre-left parties and it’s not looking good.

 

[PVA]

What you, and clearly others on this thread are demonstrating, is that you are completely out of touch with the majority of the country.

Starmer has very low approval ratings and you lot are giving off Semour Skinner 'it's the kids who are wrong' vibes. Your comments about free speech and Muslims is a bit of a deflection, but it really only serves to make you look silly. You know nothing about farming, and you know nothing about how the majority of the country feel.

Absolute fucking waffle.You know nothing about me.

And I don't know what Starmer's approval ratings have to do with me saying farmers already get enough handouts. What were you saying about deflections?

 

[Sky Blue Pete]

Do you think the hate is proportional? He’s polling as one of the worst ever prime ministers (possibly THE worst?) yet I just don’t think he’s actually that offensive. It’s an utterly bizarre correlation.

Sheeple andy
It’s the anti expert anti establishment follow the crowd crap
Mike Hancock literally killed old people and then shagged his assstant during social distancing behind his wife’s back but hey celebrity get me out of here will be fine

Boris literally told everyone you can shake hands with anyone with a virus and you’ll be fine

it’s utterly bizarre a mixture of hate because he’s not left wing enough and he’s too right wing parroting reform

I can’t speak I was really hoping centre left could deliver some meaningful change

 

[PVA]

I think only he and one other poster are still behind Starmer at this point.

Well if the alternative is Farage then yeah I'm behind him. Not sure why any sensible person wouldn't be.

Doesn't mean I think he's doing a brilliant job. At no point have I said he is. As others have said, the hate is way out of proportion though.