Election Year or Fear!

[ramAnag]

No I wouldn't be happy for what is clearly buying votes in this country or in USA for that matter - but USA do have a far dodgier history of voting malpractice. Doesn't make it right but a little more predictable perhaps. Trump's accusations vs Dominion voting machines may have been unproven but no smoke without fire?

Pleased we agree. I don’t know enough about Dominion machines to comment. I believe the criticism has been discredited.

[swaledale]

No I wouldn't be happy for what is clearly buying votes in this country or in USA for that matter - but USA do have a far dodgier history of voting malpractice. Doesn't make it right but a little more predictable perhaps. Trump's accusations vs Dominion voting machines may have been unproven but no smoke without fire?

Actually in reality it is perfectly possible t ahve smoke and no actual fire, but I digress. Dominion actually reached a $787 million settlement over claims made about their voting machines by Fox News.

[MadAmster]

... and now, it's surfaced that Jenrick has accepted a £25K donation from a firm, Access Industries (UK) Ltd, 6th floor, Marble Arch House, 66 Seymour Street, London W1H 5BT, owned by a sanctioned oligarch.

That Rizla paper is still the right thickness.

[Andy_Faber]

In the Labour Party manifesto they stated ‘we will not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT.’ That’s a direct lift from the manifesto, no rewording by me

This mornings news suggests they will

If they do, logic suggests they have lied their way to an election win just as much as the Leave campaign lied their way to Brexit

I repeat my mantra, ‘there are no clean hands in politic

[Geoff Parkstone]

It never fails to amaze me how politicians can't manage the basics of due diligence in the rush to grab cash. Surely a simple rule of thumb should be that if you can't identify the beneficial ownership of a corporate donor, just say "no"

[SithHappens]

In the Labour Party manifesto they stated ‘we will not increase National Insurance, the basic, higher, or additional rates of Income Tax, or VAT.’ That’s a direct lift from the manifesto, no rewording by me

This mornings news suggests they will

If they do, logic suggests they have lied their way to an election win just as much as the Leave campaign lied their way to Brexit

I repeat my mantra, ‘there are no clean hands in politic

I prefer to wait until the budget has taken place to judge.

We will see.

I still think they got it wrong over the WFA.

[Andy_Faber]

I prefer to wait until the budget has taken place to judge.

We will see.

I still think they got it wrong over the WFA.

Preference respected but lets face it everything is pre-leaked these days as it softens the blow. I might explain why it matters to me if what I suspect transpires

So do I re WFA

[SithHappens]

Preference respected but lets face it everything is pre-leaked these days as it softens the blow. I might explain why it matters to me if what I suspect transpires

So do I re WFA

There was a lot leaked under the tories, often I think to see what public reaction was. I don't think Labour are too concerned about reaction right now they have the majority and the black hole that will help them validate what's done.

[ramAnag]

I prefer to wait until the budget has taken place to judge.

We will see.

I still think they got it wrong over the WFA.

Me too. This Government was elected just three and a half months ago with a huge majority. Let’s wait to see what’s actually in the budget before we criticise.
If they break their promises then it’s reasonable to take them to task…until then…well let’s just wait and see.

The WFA? I’m sure there are cases where removal of this age based ‘benefit’ - and that’s exactly what it is - will cause hardship and, I agree, that needs investigating.
Equally, I know there are many cases where such ‘benefits’ can be better targeted…it’s just very easy for certain individuals/organisations to play the ‘look at nasty Labour picking on the poor pensioners’ card.
It’s more complicated than that and yes…I do speak as someone who will be £300 worse off this winter…but it’s also worth remembering that my fuel costs have reduced by around 35% (heating oil and electricity) since two years ago, although the price remains volatile given the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

[Trickytreesreds]

... and now, it's surfaced that Jenrick has accepted a £25K donation from a firm, Access Industries (UK) Ltd, 6th floor, Marble Arch House, 66 Seymour Street, London W1H 5BT, owned by a sanctioned oligarch.

That Rizla paper is still the right thickness.

I agree completely. Remember when they leave the commons, they all mix and drink like old chums

[Trickytreesreds]

There was a lot leaked under the tories, often I think to see what public reaction was. I don't think Labour are too concerned about reaction right now they have the majority and the black hole that will help them validate what's done.

The black hole, they won't provide proof of, only the black hole they have already created?

[Trickytreesreds]

Me too. This Government was elected just three and a half months ago with a huge majority. Let’s wait to see what’s actually in the budget before we criticise.
If they break their promises then it’s reasonable to take them to task…until then…well let’s just wait and see.

The WFA? I’m sure there are cases where removal of this age based ‘benefit’ - and that’s exactly what it is - will cause hardship and, I agree, that needs investigating.
Equally, I know there are many cases where such ‘benefits’ can be better targeted…it’s just very easy for certain individuals/organisations to play the ‘look at nasty Labour picking on the poor pensioners’ card.
It’s more complicated than that and yes…I do speak as someone who will be £300 worse off this winter…but it’s also worth remembering that my fuel costs have reduced by around 35% (heating oil and electricity) since two years ago, although the price remains volatile given the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

The WFA is set too low. Considering minimum wage gets you £22k FOR A 37 HR WEEK. How is it right that granny loses her benefit, for earning over half that amount? If he had met the criteria of the minimum wage as a cut off point. no one would be saying anything. The money saved is peanuts to what they have given away, on farcical things like foreign climate aid. .

[SithHappens]

Me too. This Government was elected just three and a half months ago with a huge majority. Let’s wait to see what’s actually in the budget before we criticise.
If they break their promises then it’s reasonable to take them to task…until then…well let’s just wait and see.

The WFA? I’m sure there are cases where removal of this age based ‘benefit’ - and that’s exactly what it is - will cause hardship and, I agree, that needs investigating.
Equally, I know there are many cases where such ‘benefits’ can be better targeted…it’s just very easy for certain individuals/organisations to play the ‘look at nasty Labour picking on the poor pensioners’ card.
It’s more complicated than that and yes…I do speak as someone who will be £300 worse off this winter…but it’s also worth remembering that my fuel costs have reduced by around 35% (heating oil and electricity) since two years ago, although the price remains volatile given the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

I've always felt it should be means tested. I just think it was rushed in. I'm probably biased because of a friend who I've mentioned before who will find it hard. For me it should have been announced but brought in next year, give those affected time to perhaps make some lifestyle choices through the year to save that bit more for winter

[SithHappens]

The black hole, they won't provide proof of, only the black hole they have already created?

The tories say no black hole, the government say there is. personally I think the truth lies somewhere in between.

But I have no evidence of course.

[Trickytreesreds]

The tories say no black hole, the government say there is. personally I think the truth lies somewhere in between.

But I have no evidence of course.

They have been challenged sith to show this black hole. They refuse to do so.
I take that as a lie then and the black hole we now have, is after all the pay rises/ the white elephant GB energy/ foreign aid/ foreign climate aid/ asylum fiasco/ all the little ones added together like donations to African spice girls band, or dance troops.