OT - Local elections

[Airborn Pie]

Labour won the largest share of council seats since 1971. Tell me how this puts Jeremy Corbyn's future as leader in question?

Because it's nowhere near enough to put Labour in power, his policies , particularly re Europe and probably immigration, are turning people off.

He 's perceived as weak and his pronouncement that he'd never push the 'red button', was met with disbelief, bang, literally, goes our nuclear deterrent should he ever get in, which he won't.

[redsox1983]

Labour won the largest share of council seats since 1971. Tell me how this puts Jeremy Corbyn's future as leader in question?

Your missing 2 words there, Labour won the largest share of council seats in London since 1971

Analysing the results in their totality and you end up realising Labour made next to no progress in areas they need to win if they want a majority and the Tories made no progress in areas which voted remain

[JoePass]

Your missing 2 words there, Labour won the largest share of council seats in London since 1971

Analysing the results in their totality and you end up realising Labour made next to no progress in areas they need to win if they want a majority and the Tories made no progress in areas which voted remain

My son died tonight in a road crash..I give up on politics.

[AltyPie]

Labour won the largest share of council seats since 1971. Tell me how this puts Jeremy Corbyn's future as leader in question?

Hi Andy,
Genuine question:
What is it that attracts you about Corbyn’s politics or the man himself?

[andy6025]

Hi Andy,
Genuine question:
What is it that attracts you about Corbyn’s politics or the man himself?

Nationalization of British Rail, free bus fares for students, his personal position on trident, a far less hawkish foreign policy, increased funding for NHS, increased funding for schools including but not limited to school meals, opposition to arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other tyrannical regimes, increased taxation for the top 5% of earners, increased taxation for corporations, a more pragmatic approach towards incidents such as the Skripol case, commitment to retain the single market in Brexit negotiations, the guarantee of rights for EU nationals living in the uk and the commitment to achieve the reciprocal, and many others. In short, the man is a socialist, as am I and his party's platform is aptly summed up in the slogan, 'for the many, not the few.' I believe he has integrity and the wherewithal to move the uk, as well as set an international example, towards a positive trend.

[TheBlackHorse]

... says the person living in Canada. As a communist with communist administrators now running the Libour party machine, do you really believe Corbyn believes in democracy? He's always used the system and his commie/Momentum mob see nice Mr Corby as their ideal front man.

[Airborn Pie]

Nationalization of British Rail, free bus fares for students, his personal position on trident, a far less hawkish foreign policy, increased funding for NHS, increased funding for schools including but not limited to school meals, opposition to arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other tyrannical regimes, increased taxation for the top 5% of earners, increased taxation for corporations, a more pragmatic approach towards incidents such as the Skripol case, commitment to retain the single market in Brexit negotiations, the guarantee of rights for EU nationals living in the uk and the commitment to achieve the reciprocal, and many others. In short, the man is a socialist, as am I and his party's platform is aptly summed up in the slogan, 'for the many, not the few.' I believe he has integrity and the wherewithal to move the uk, as well as set an international example, towards a positive trend.

The first highlighted section is a set of ideas that many would wlecome, the reality thogh is that it could not be funded, the money just isn't there to nationalise anything. Most would agree that 1p on income tax, ring fenced for the NHS is not outlandish.

His attitude to trident, I think most people agree that we don't need to spend billions to upgrade but we need to retain a nuclear deterrent and it has to be in the care of a leader who, in the right circumstances, would not rule out using it as he has done.

Retaining the single market would come at the cost of accepting EU law and free movement, probably the two most divisive aspects of membership and the reason that many voted to leave, until he changes tack on this, he has no chance.

Under Corbyn, we'd have what is now termed a 'membership in all but name', whereby we continue to pay in, abide by all EU law, free movement etc but have no vote in any business, the worst possible scenario. Given the choice between this and staying in, you may as well stay in which of course is the mindset that they attempt to establish.

[andy6025]

The first highlighted section is a set of ideas that many would wlecome, the reality thogh is that it could not be funded, the money just isn't there to nationalise anything. Most would agree that 1p on income tax, ring fenced for the NHS is not outlandish.

His attitude to trident, I think most people agree that we don't need to spend billions to upgrade but we need to retain a nuclear deterrent and it has to be in the care of a leader who, in the right circumstances, would not rule out using it as he has done.

Retaining the single market would come at the cost of accepting EU law and free movement, probably the two most divisive aspects of membership and the reason that many voted to leave, until he changes tack on this, he has no chance.

Under Corbyn, we'd have what is now termed a 'membership in all but name', whereby we continue to pay in, abide by all EU law, free movement etc but have no vote in any business, the worst possible scenario. Given the choice between this and staying in, you may as well stay in which of course is the mindset that they attempt to establish.

I disagree that most of the early highlighted section cannot be funded. Since the Reagan/Thatcher era, including during Bliar and B. Clinton's tenures, there has been a dismantling of the welfare state in exchange for a corporate tax regime that amounts to a race to the bottom, privatization across the spectrum (including much of the NHS) and an increase in the gap between the 'haves and have nots.' Labour's fiscal policies under Corbyn would begin the reversal of these trends. This would rely on returning to more progressive taxation policies, including of corporations, as well as taking advantage of low interest rates.

Corbyn's stance on Trident is exactly as my own. Canada relinquished the American placement of nuclear missiles in Canada during our current PMs father's tenure, and Canada has not been invaded since. Anyone who thinks that the UK needs a nuclear deterrent to avoid being invaded by a foreign army is living in a fantasy land. I would challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to describe a plausible scenario whereby a foreign leader would think it a worthy gamble to attempt a military invasion and occupation of the UK. Concerning the section you above in which you wrote that increased expenditure on social programs and the re-nationalization of public services is unaffordable, this flies in the face of defending the expenditure of maintaining (if not upgrading) such an insane and useless program of military armaments.

I support EU law and the free movement of people, much like my wealthy counterparts support the free movement of capital across borders. While it would be advantageous for the UK to have a vote in such matters, should the UK follow the current trajectory then that will be lost. The UK really did shoot itself in the foot by voting for Brexit. I mostly blame David Cameron who's thirst for power vis Ã* vis Ukip was a colossal blunder. I also blame the likes of farage, johnson and co. who touted things such as how much money would be saved that would be diverted to the NHS, as well as their scapegoating of immigrants for the real economic woes of the working class. Nonetheless, the public chose Brexit and losing the vote in the EU is the price of retaining the single market and free movement of people should there not be a reversal of Brexit. I thus disagree that it'd be the worst scenario as you have described.

You asked what I like about Corbyn and his policies. I believe I have answered, and that his policies are congruent with my own. I also accept that others may feel differently, as their own philosophies and practical realities may be different (eg., they might be part of the top 5% of income earners in which case it'd certainly in their interest to support the Tories). However, if you think you can reasonably argue that I'm a 'turkey voting for Christmas' by supporting Corbyn then you have a very difficult task indeed!

[Airborn Pie]

I disagree that most of the early highlighted section cannot be funded. Since the Reagan/Thatcher era, including during Bliar and B. Clinton's tenures, there has been a dismantling of the welfare state in exchange for a corporate tax regime that amounts to a race to the bottom, privatization across the spectrum (including much of the NHS) and an increase in the gap between the 'haves and have nots.' Labour's fiscal policies under Corbyn would begin the reversal of these trends. This would rely on returning to more progressive taxation policies, including of corporations, as well as taking advantage of low interest rates.

Corbyn's stance on Trident is exactly as my own. Canada relinquished the American placement of nuclear missiles in Canada during our current PMs father's tenure, and Canada has not been invaded since. Anyone who thinks that the UK needs a nuclear deterrent to avoid being invaded by a foreign army is living in a fantasy land. I would challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to describe a plausible scenario whereby a foreign leader would think it a worthy gamble to attempt a military invasion and occupation of the UK. Concerning the section you above in which you wrote that increased expenditure on social programs and the re-nationalization of public services is unaffordable, this flies in the face of defending the expenditure of maintaining (if not upgrading) such an insane and useless program of military armaments.

I support EU law and the free movement of people, much like my wealthy counterparts support the free movement of capital across borders. While it would be advantageous for the UK to have a vote in such matters, should the UK follow the current trajectory then that will be lost. The UK really did shoot itself in the foot by voting for Brexit. I mostly blame David Cameron who's thirst for power vis Ã* vis Ukip was a colossal blunder. I also blame the likes of farage, johnson and co. who touted things such as how much money would be saved that would be diverted to the NHS, as well as their scapegoating of immigrants for the real economic woes of the working class. Nonetheless, the public chose Brexit and losing the vote in the EU is the price of retaining the single market and free movement of people should there not be a reversal of Brexit. I thus disagree that it'd be the worst scenario as you have described.

You asked what I like about Corbyn and his policies. I believe I have answered, and that his policies are congruent with my own. I also accept that others may feel differently, as their own philosophies and practical realities may be different (eg., they might be part of the top 5% of income earners in which case it'd certainly in their interest to support the Tories). However, if you think you can reasonably argue that I'm a 'turkey voting for Christmas' by supporting Corbyn then you have a very difficult task indeed!

To address the last point first, that wasn't me

To privatise anything, would be to add to the govenment debt in a not insignificant way and guess who would bare the brunt of what would be no doubt, even more austerity.

You support EU law and free movement, strange that, a great many do who don't live jeek by jowel with the result.

As regards our nuclear capability, it's not just the UK we aim to protect, we're part of a little collective that you may have neard of, NATO? It's no coincidence that Russia invaded a country that's not part of NATO, had they done so, things may have been a lot worse, for everyone so there is an example in play, of the deterrent factor.

[AltyPie]

My son died tonight in a road crash..I give up on politics.

OMG that’s awful Joe.
I am so so sorry to hear that.
Other than extending all my sympathy I have no idea what else to say.