The Labour Government

[Churchlawtonblue]

I’m not sure anywhere in that era was a great time for women. Judging by posts on here, I’m not sure now is going swimmingly well for them either :)

Napoleon was a major threat to Britain, so naturally we paint him as the bad guy, and in many instances with justification. But the reason why France do rate the fella is because he had a major impact on European history and his legacy is visible today - from the legal system to driving on the right.

His ability as a general is regarded as second to none. He was also an excellent mathematician and developed a mathematical theorem which is named after him.

Hitler also had a major impact on European history. Not too dissimilar in his ambitions and the consequences either.

 

[hammocity]

the nobs on here won't like that .....funny as fuck.

Most of them would kill off pensioners wanting a decent retirement rather than give them 200 notes to help keep warm.

or call them thick cunts for not earning more during their working life.

I think we’re a similar age, out of my 47 years working I didn’t have the opportunity or had the financial flexibility to pay into a pension for 29 of those years.

There’s many of our generation who worked hard but couldn’t save for their future for one reason or another but according to one poster that makes them “not very bright”.

If you’ve paid the requisite NI contributions you should 100% qualify for the WFA if you meet the current criteria. That money will help loads on borderline poverty status.

 

[hilts]

Milliband comes acrosss as a politician with so little gravitas or credibility. A total wet fish completely out of his depth in all areas. I just couldn't see him getting past interview stage at our company for any role. I was very surprised when Starmer brought him back into government.

Always liked him on Wallace and Gromit though:-)

 

[threespires]

You could have walked down the High St in any decade of the last 150 years and got a damming response on the honesty and integrity of politicians. And the electorate does not value honesty and integrity or the admission of mistakes. The voting public value certainty, simplicity and the illusion of strength. Three word slogans work because they reduce complexity to a level that we can comprehend.

You may decry the politicians we have, but they accurately reflect the politicians the majority of the public want.

I think it has got worse though, the IPPR replicate a 1944 poll where 35% of people thought politicians were 'out for themselves' and last time they did it, it was up at the high 60's % . Of course you have to take into account the wartime context and level of deference back then etc but I think the biggest collapse has been from the 2014 position to the end of 2022 with 2021/22 causing a lot of damage in particular.

The irony is in our polarised country it's one of the few things that brings people together - whether you're tory or labour, leave or remain, degree educated or not, working or middle class, the numbers are all in the 60%'s for mistrust of politicians.

Notwithstanding the chaos of the final 2-3 years of tory rule, and though I don't have hard evidence for it, I do think social media is making the problem significantly worse too. It's making our children ill and poisoning our public discourse but still we plough on.

 

[hilts]

You could have walked down the High St in any decade of the last 150 years and got a damming response on the honesty and integrity of politicians. And the electorate does not value honesty and integrity or the admission of mistakes. The voting public value certainty, simplicity and the illusion of strength. Three word slogans work because they reduce complexity to a level that we can comprehend.

You may decry the politicians we have, but they accurately reflect the politicians the majority of the public want.

Did I say this only happened today, last week, last year last.........

You have no basis whatsoever to state the majority of the public want lying and dishonest politicians.

 

[hampshireblue]

Rich or poor, having savings or no, it is the right of every pensioner to receive the WFA.

Have an issue with that? Then make a financial contribution to charity or a worthwhile cause, give it to family members. It's YOUR WFA, do what you want with it. Keep it, donate it, put it in your savings, whatever. This bickering about "who should be allowed to get it" is nonsense.

If YOU personally don't want it, hand it back. Don't determine what others should be allowed to do with money that is rightfully theirs regardless of their status.

It is not a right-it is a benefit that was introduced in 1997. It was originally introduced to all those over 60 and subsequently to those over 65 and now 66. I don't remember any fuss at all when the ages were lifted. The fact remains that those working and struggling to pay rent, mortgage, student loans etc are effectively subsidising the fuel bills of some very wealthy pensioners.

 

[hilts]

I think we’re a similar age, out of my 47 years working I didn’t have the opportunity or had the financial flexibility to pay into a pension for 29 of those years.

There’s many of our generation who worked hard but couldn’t save for their future for one reason or another but according to one poster that makes them “not very bright”.

If you’ve paid the requisite NI contributions you should 100% qualify for the WFA if you meet the current criteria. That money will help loads on borderline poverty status.

It's quite disturbing how some on here like a little pop at the elderly and poor since winning the election. Masks have slipped big time.

 

[Metal Biker]

It is not a right-it is a benefit that was introduced in 1997. It was originally introduced to all those over 60 and subsequently to those over 65 and now 66. I don't remember any fuss at all when the ages were lifted. The fact remains that those working and struggling to pay rent, mortgage, student loans etc are effectively subsidising the fuel bills of some very wealthy pensioners.

Do you have a right to receive benefits?

 

[hampshireblue]

the nobs on here won't like that .....funny as fuck.

Most of them would kill off pensioners wanting a decent retirement rather than give them 200 notes to help keep warm.

or call them thick cunts for not earning more during their working life.

There's nothing funny about any of this.

Your second line is just silly.

 

[hampshireblue]

Do you have a right to receive benefits?

Personally? - no and I hope to not need to
Anybody?- subject to their financial position, yes.

The only benefit that people really expect to receive regardless of income is the state pension.

 

[BobKowalski]

Hitler also had a major impact on European history. Not too dissimilar in his ambitions and the consequences either.

There are definite parallels, yes.

 

[BrianW]

1. Human beings are imperfect creatures, without exception. Even the best of us has hurt someone at some point, one way or another.

2. Power tends to corrupt. Humans who are completely free from corruption are as rare as hens' teeth. Such paragons tend also to be very difficult to live with, as their standards are so elevated. They would be unlikely to secure election.

Here's a small test. Imagine you had complete power to allocate City's tickets for a cup final. No questions asked. Are you absolutely sure you wouldn't favour your family, mates, people who offered you money, or those who might be able to do something for you in return? If so, give HH the Pope a ring, as you may just qualify for sainthood.

 

[Mazzarelli's Swiss Cheese]

It's quite disturbing how some on here like a little pop at the elderly and poor since winning the election. Masks have slipped big time.

It's the new electable and centrist 'left'. The grown ups are in charge etc.

 

[Metal Biker]

Personally? - no and I hope to not need to
Anybody?- subject to their financial position, yes.

The only benefit that people really expect to receive regardless of income is the state pension.

So it's a right then. Stop being pedantic

If you qualify, you have the right to claim it. I'm stating that arguing about rich pensioners qualifying is pointless. If they want to keep it or donate it, it's their choice. Fact is they qualify and it's nobody else's business but theirs.

 

[Vic]

Rich or poor, having savings or no, it is the right of every pensioner to receive the WFA.

Have an issue with that? Then make a financial contribution to charity or a worthwhile cause, give it to family members. It's YOUR WFA, do what you want with it. Keep it, donate it, put it in your savings, whatever. This bickering about "who should be allowed to get it" is nonsense.

If YOU personally don't want it, hand it back. Don't determine what others should be allowed to do with money that is rightfully theirs regardless of their status.

Good grief. "Rightfully theirs..."

Every bit of state pension is decided by Parliament. And someone has to pay the taxes to pay the pension.

I'm grateful that today's taxpayers are stumping up for my 3-lock pension, just as my tax paid for previous pensions, but today's pensioners seem to be the most "entitled" generation we've known, and there's a lot of us to pay for.

 

[hampshireblue]

So it's a right then. Stop being pedantic

Subject to their financial position and eligibility. If you use your rules, someone in work, by right, would be able to claim out of work benefit. There have to be eligibility rules or else the country is more screwed than we imagine.

It's not being pedantic, it's common sense.

 

[Metal Biker]

Subject to their financial position and eligibility. If you use your rules, someone in work, by right, would be able to claim out of work benefit. There have to be eligibility rules or else the country is more screwed than we imagine.

It's not being pedantic, it's common sense.

I stopped paying attention after the first line

 

[hampshireblue]

I stopped paying attention after the first line

So no rules? Just pay any benefit out to anyone? Not surprising the country is in a mess.

 

[bluenova]

I think it has got worse though, the IPPR replicate a 1944 poll where 35% of people thought politicians were 'out for themselves' and last time they did it, it was up at the high 60's % . Of course you have to take into account the wartime context and level of deference back then etc but I think the biggest collapse has been from the 2014 position to the end of 2022 with 2021/22 causing a lot of damage in particular.

The irony is in our polarised country it's one of the few things that brings people together - whether you're tory or labour, leave or remain, degree educated or not, working or middle class, the numbers are all in the 60%'s for mistrust of politicians.

Notwithstanding the chaos of the final 2-3 years of tory rule, and though I don't have hard evidence for it, I do think social media is making the problem significantly worse too. It's making our children ill and poisoning our public discourse but still we plough on.

I think you're right about social media. All of us will be seeing complete lies about all the political parties on a regular basis, and the truth gets lost in the noise.

Say what you like about the much hated "MSM", but the conspiracy theorists, grifters, opportunists, and outright liars who help corral more and more people into echo chambers, are much, much worse.

You used to see it on the far left and far right, where groups splinter, and would have a vitriolic hate of people with only slightly different views to their own. Now, it's so easy to find your "tribe" online, that it's spreading much wider across the political spectrum.

I think the nearly 50% of young people who said that they'd rather the internet didn't exist, have the right idea.

 

[Metal Biker]

So no rules? Just pay any benefit out to anyone? Not surprising the country is in a mess.

Did I say anything like that? No.