The Labour Government

[BlueHammer85]

I don’t if they put the money to good use

NHS, Schools, pot holes, housing will all likely improve - but no one will notice as the headlines will be dominated by Migrants/Trans/Flags etc.
No one cares about real politics anymore and that's why Reform are winning.

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

After 100s of pages about tax rises or not, I've yet to have an answer ( and I've asked it a few times in different ways) on which groups if any, should pay a bit more, and if the answer is none, which groups should suffer as a result of the inevitable cuts to public services and benefits.

For the record, I'm happy to pay a couple of p extra on income tax ( well, not happy but you know what I mean), VAT on private medical insurance, prescriptions till I reach state retirement age(presently free at 60-why?).

Many many people would pay more for better services which is why deceiving the electorate about tax rises damages confidence in politics

 

[hampshireblue]

Many many people would pay more for better services which is why deceiving the electorate about tax rises damages confidence in politics

I hope so and agree, But can you imagine the Mail, Telegraph and Sun if they had said they would raise taxes if required. The Lib Dems have been saying 1p on tax for years and every time they're seen as unelectable because of it.

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

I hope so and agree, But can you imagine the Mail, Telegraph and Sun if they had said they would raise taxes if required. The Lib Dems have been saying 1p on tax for years and every time they're seen as unelectable because of it.

Well combine the idea with making manifesto commitments legally binding and see how far lying gets you (them)

 

[Kompany Car]

After 100s of pages about tax rises or not, I've yet to have an answer ( and I've asked it a few times in different ways) on which groups if any, should pay a bit more, and if the answer is none, which groups should suffer as a result of the inevitable cuts to public services and benefits.

For the record, I'm happy to pay a couple of p extra on income tax ( well, not happy but you know what I mean), VAT on private medical insurance, prescriptions till I reach state retirement age(presently free at 60-why?).

I agree with prescriptions it should only be free from state pension age. Likewise why do you get a free bus/tube pass from 60 in London ?

Let’s have a rethink re the Barnett formula, why should devolved nations get so much more per capita ?

I would be up for full alignment with the Scottish tax system with more thresholds and paying more, but on the proviso that there are no changes to tax around pension contributions or lump sum withdrawals.



I do believe the mooted 2% increase in income tax whilst removing 2% from NI is the correct move. It’s cost neutral on those working, but places a slightly higher burden on those drawing down on pensions.

Reduce the maximum you can hold in a cash ISA to £100k, but not reduce the 20k limit per year, any interest on amounts above that threshold being taxed at your marginal rate. I would however go for the idea the Tories had re a Brit ISA but with a limit of 5k per annum.

Remove the triple lock and change it to only a double lock. Or change the third component from average earnings growth to median earnings growth, slightly different but reduces the impact of distortions in the wage market.

 

[mosssideblue]

They would have romped the election. The tories were (and largely are) a completely busted flush. I suspect they knowingly knew it was a manifesto pledge they couldn’t keep but decided to lie anyway. I agree with your wider later points about let’s see how they do at the end of their term but politics is in the dirt and deceiving the electorate isn’t the answer

I’d personally put manifesto commitments on a legal footing. We’d get such a more honest and effective political system if we did

Force majeure means you could never have manifestos a legally binding contract.

Also, who would be sued and by whom?

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

Force majeure means you could never have manifestos a legally binding contract.

Also, who would be sued and by whom?

I’m not talking about suing anyone. If you break a manifesto promise your term of government ends and there is a new GE. You would see careful and honest manifestos.

 

[mosssideblue]

I’m not talking about suing anyone. If you break a manifesto promise your term of government ends and there is a new GE. You would see careful and honest manifestos.

Don’t be so ridiculous.

 

[Blue Maverick]

I don’t if they put the money to good use

But it won’t be it’s just to plug the hole, nothing will improve it’s just trying to keep it going, once the hole is filled and they keep the rise then maybe it will improve but certainly not in the next year

 

[The Light Was Yellow Sir]

I’m not talking about suing anyone. If you break a manifesto promise your term of government ends and there is a new GE. You would see careful and honest manifestos.

Pandemic, financial crash, interest rates going up because arbitrary credit ratings agencies reduce your ratings, a madman taking over the White House imposing tariffs and thus reducing profits and, of course, the electorate voting for something like Brexit, resulting in a reduction in GDP, whilst putting up the cost of living for everyone, or war(s).
Would any of those count if manifesto promises were subsequently broken or is it a zero sum game and it's off with their heads?

 

[mosssideblue]

Pandemic, financial crash, interest rates going up because arbitrary credit ratings agencies reduce your ratings, a madman taking over the White House imposing tariffs and thus reducing profits and, of course, the electorate voting for something like Brexit, resulting in a reduction in GDP, whilst putting up the cost of living for everyone, or war(s).
Would any of those count if manifesto promises were subsequently broken or is it a zero sum game and it's off with their heads?

Exactly

 

[blueinsa]

Exactly

The exactly of today was never allowed to be an excuse under the last lot.

It’s amazing how eyes have suddenly been opened to the realities of government when it comes to needing things to hide behind.

The Tories ran out of excuses and road and in record time, this Labour government is doing the same.

 

[mosssideblue]

The exactly of today was never allowed to be an excuse under the last lot.

It’s amazing how eyes have suddenly been opened to the realities of government when it comes to needing things to hide behind.

The Tories ran out of excuses and road and in record time, this Labour government is doing the same.

Furlough??

 

[blueinsa]

Furlough??

Many in here complained it didn’t go far enough at the time despite the eye watering costs to us as a nation so you can only imagine the black hole had they done at the time.

I’m watching the news now and we are being briefed that tax is going to rise and at the same time told that WASPI women might be getting £Billions, the 2 child cap will probably be lifted costing £Billions and frankly it smacks of desperation from a cabinet who will do anything to keep the PLP on board over the coming months.

Nothing makes sense right now.

 

[Pingu the Penguin]

Pandemic, financial crash, interest rates going up because arbitrary credit ratings agencies reduce your ratings, a madman taking over the White House imposing tariffs and thus reducing profits and, of course, the electorate voting for something like Brexit, resulting in a reduction in GDP, whilst putting up the cost of living for everyone, or war(s).
Would any of those count if manifesto promises were subsequently broken or is it a zero sum game and it's off with their heads?

You are thinking in line with current thinking. The point is that no credible trustworthy government would ever say we won’t put up taxes to win votes (when you I and they know that’s a promise which is unkeepable), and if they do, they are held to account.

 

[mosssideblue]

Many in here complained it didn’t go far enough at the time despite the eye watering costs to us as a nation so you can only imagine the black hole had they done at the time.

I’m watching the news now and we are being briefed that tax is going to rise and at the same time told that WASPI women might be getting £Billions, the 2 child cap will probably be lifted costing £Billions and frankly it smacks of desperation from a cabinet who will do anything to keep the PLP on board over the coming months.

Nothing makes sense right now.

My point is simply, you cannot get Governments to be legally accountable for Manifesto content as one poster was advocating.

 

[mosssideblue]

You are thinking in line with current thinking. The point is that no credible trustworthy government would ever say we won’t put up taxes to win votes (when you I and they know that’s a promise which is unkeepable), and if they do, they are held to account.

Held to account in what way exactly?

 

[blueinsa]

My point is simply, you cannot get Governments to be legally accountable for Manifesto content as one poster was advocating.

I never said you could.

They’re accountable at the ballot box.

 

[mosssideblue]

I never said you could.

They’re accountable at the ballot box.

My point wasn’t directly aimed at you but the penguin

 

[Marlo]

I work in engineering consultancy. We typically take on around 100 grads a year. This year it’s less than 50 across a business which employs over 7000 people in the UK. Many similar large private businesses are reassessing their complete recruitment strategy for junior

How are we going to select these paragons of business virtue to look after our interests?

1) I would cut the house of commons by about 30 or 40%. Far too many MPs many of whom are shite.
2) Increase MP pay 200k a year. But your staff is chosen for you. No hiring your son or Mistress.
3) A supra-majority of both parties lab/con are made at the start of parliament identify 3-4 major projects. 10 year plan in the national interest. No one is allowed to break it, reverse it their responsibility is to oversee. Projects would be ambitious, lowest energy cost in Europe, lowest child poverty rate, lower food cost etc.
4) house of Lords reduce that by 50%
5) Greater transparency of the civil service. Followed by the recognition of those with real expertise. That stops fuck ups like sacking Tom Scholar.
6) Post career consultancy career allowed, encouraged but above X amount state takes 50%. Also that needs greater transparency and monitoring.