[Politics] The Labour Government

[Pavilionaire]

On social security payments, Labour are right to tackle a system originally designed to compensate workers whilst injured or sick from manual labour that is now bloated from those service economy workers receiving payments for mental illness.

Quite simply, we cannot afford to have this many working age people not working.

Labour were also right to end the strikes so that health and transport workers could get people fit and back to work.

Labour now have to find the money for defence. Not an easy task, especially as we are economically isolated in the global economy.

I'd like for the messaging to change. Starmer is taking the lead re the European defence of Ukraine, so talk up the co-operation, the practicalities, the common sense ways in which we can get closer to Europe to provide an effective military response to the threats posed by Russia. Let's create a climate whereby closer economic ties to the EU will be seen not as a betrayal of Brexit but as a logical response to shared military, security, environmental and economic threats in a post-Covid, Putin/Trump New World Order.

 

[Curious Orange]

On social security payments, Labour are right to tackle a system originally designed to compensate workers whilst injured or sick from manual labour that is now bloated from those service economy workers receiving payments for mental illness.

Quite simply, we cannot afford to have this many working age people not working.

Quite, it should always be financially better for those who can work to work rather than remain on benefits.

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Who would have though a Labour party is doing what the Tories couldn't do when it comes to looking at benefits.

Very welcome

 

[darkwolf666]

I can quite honestly say, as "parent" to two who will be affected by these changes, I will not be voting for Labour at the next GE. Targeting disabled people is about as low as it gets...

Won't be voting Tory, or Reform (obviously) so looks like Lib Dems might get me vote...

 

[darkwolf666]

Quite, it should always be financially better for those who can work to work rather than remain on benefits.

Genuine question. Do you know how much basic UC is, if so how are they "better off" than if they were working?

 

[Curious Orange]

Genuine question. Do you know how much basic UC is, if so how are they "better off" than if they were working?

Nope, and I have no agenda on this one. The principal is correct, however the reality is likely to be highly complex, have nuances depending on individual circumstances, and have arbitrary cut off points that may seem unfair.

Probably why successive Governments have kicked the can down the road.

 

[Javeaseagull]

Tony Blair said in an auto biography that the first question in cabinet, after winning an election, is “How do we win the next one?” That explains this governments actions, for me. Following the Daily Mail trope what with crackdown on benefits, pearl clutching over Channel boats, keeping the two child benefit limit and even hitting the pensioners. Pure Daily Mail.

 

[Brian Munich]

Tony Blair said in an auto biography that the first question in cabinet, after winning an election, is “How do we win the next one?” That explains this governments actions, for me. Following the Daily Mail trope what with crackdown on benefits, pearl clutching over Channel boats, keeping the two child benefit limit and even hitting the pensioners. Pure Daily Mail.

They certainly seem to be getting all the unpopular stuff done early. We've probably got a couple more years of high taxes and cuts on state-funded stuff, with the government's aim to be able to deliver vote-winning budgets in 2027 and 2028.

Cynical, but that's just the nature of politics.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

M Jnr has a 17 yr old acquaintance who hasn't been to school, college or work for 3 years. This lad is in receipt of £700 a month benefit as a result of a minor health condition that causes him no inconvenience other than needing to take some medicine.

The lad spends his days at the local pool hall and his current "plan" is to stay on benefits indefinitely, additionally being given a car by the state when he is 21.

That is a disgrace.

 

[Chicken Run]

Tony Blair said in an auto biography that the first question in cabinet, after winning an election, is “How do we win the next one?” That explains this governments actions, for me. Following the Daily Mail trope what with crackdown on benefits, pearl clutching over Channel boats, keeping the two child benefit limit and even hitting the pensioners. Pure Daily Mail.

The best way to win an election is to give the people what they want….

 

[Simster]

The best way to win an election is to give the people what they want….

That's not true though is it? For example:

If the people clamour for a working NHS and a government dares to put income tax up by a penny, they get voted out.
If the people clamour for fewer illegal immigrants they get told to vote for Brexit. So they do that and the illegal immigrant rates quadruple.

"The people" are thick I'm afraid.

 

[Chicken Run]

That's not true though is it?

"The people" are thick I'm afraid.

So it is true

 

[WATFORD zero]

That's not true though is it? For example:

If the people clamour for a working NHS and a government dares to put income tax up by a penny, they get voted out.
If the people clamour for fewer illegal immigrants they get told to vote for Brexit. So they do that and the illegal immigrant rates quadruple.

"The people" are thick I'm afraid.

To be pedantic only 50% of 'The people' are thicker than the average person. But given you only need 30-35% in order to win an election or referendum your point still stands.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

M Jnr has a 17 yr old acquaintance who hasn't been to school, college or work for 3 years. This lad is in receipt of £700 a month benefit as a result of a minor health condition that causes him no inconvenience other than needing to take some medicine.

The lad spends his days at the local pool hall and his current "plan" is to stay on benefits indefinitely, additionally being given a car by the state when he is 21.

That is a disgrace.

I don’t believe this, being given a car is bullshit.

 

[Simster]

I don’t believe this, being given a car is bullshit.

Maybe not. I actually knew someone who was given a car by the state (although this was 20-25 years ago).

 

[chip]

To be pedantic only 50% of 'The people' are thicker than the average person. But given you only need 30-35% in order to win an election or referendum your point still stands.

To be pedantic that would only be true if you used the median of some thickness measure. Average usually equates to the mean and assumes a uniform distribution of 'thickness'.

 

[Titanic]

I don’t believe this, being given a car is bullshit.

I am guessing it is this sort of thing... perhaps not 'given' but massively subsidised.

Getting a Motability car

How to find a motability car, scooter or powered wheelchair if you're disabled or have a condition that makes it hard to get around

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

 

[chip]

I can quite honestly say, as "parent" to two who will be affected by these changes, I will not be voting for Labour at the next GE. Targeting disabled people is about as low as it gets...

Won't be voting Tory, or Reform (obviously) so looks like Lib Dems might get me vote...

I don't think people understand how difficult it is for people to get disability benefits and how disturbing the process can be for individuals and families. That's before they can even appreciate how complicated life can be for disabled people in the first place. Many who don't achieve 4 points in any one PIP criteria are now being gaslight by the government, stay classy Labour.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

.

I am guessing it is this sort of thing... perhaps not 'given' but massively subsidised.

Getting a Motability car

How to find a motability car, scooter or powered wheelchair if you're disabled or have a condition that makes it hard to get around

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Yes, this is it. You need to have a serious level of mobility issues to get a vehicle. I’m not calling bullshit that it doesn’t happen (my father was seriously disabled with polio and had such a car), I’m calling bullshit on the specific case which was posted. It’s not a case of happy 21st here’s a car.

 

[Pavilionaire]

M Jnr has a 17 yr old acquaintance who hasn't been to school, college or work for 3 years.

The lad spends his days at the local pool hall and his current "plan" is to stay on benefits indefinitely, additionally being given a car by the state when he is 21.

Is he going out with an older lady named Maggie May?