Forum Topic

Lee Anderson Joins Reform U.K.

Great news. More Cons to follow hopefully.

Sue Hammond ● 48d9 Comments

Mr Rose'Could someone please tell me the difference between the policies of Labour and the Conservatives'.There is no difference as the numerous columnists on Labour's main printed media outlet the Guardian keep plaintively telling us.But then what policy differences would most people actually want ?More nationalisation ?Vast investment in so called 'green' energy sources ?More immigration and thence more house building that would need follow ?Increased Income Tax to pay for a larger public sector and more WAH Civil Servants ?We have a set of major policies I would suggest that most are comfortable with, now even extending to a common policy on non-doms.Hence the Parties have to try to differentiate themselves with tiddly little economic tweaks regarding NI, more pennies for the NHS etc, about which the electorate as a whole just yawns and says "So what". We have the best economic system possible under the circumstances of the 'rich' saying "I don't want give anything up" and the 'poor' saying "I want some more" and both Parties know it.But who are the poor and why are they so ?Is it not possible for them to earn more than they have now ?Government statistics reveal -'The estimated number of vacancies in December 2023 to February 2024 was 908,000, a decrease of 43,000 from September to November 2023.Nearly 2.5million of those unemployed are long-term sick, compared to 2.17million just before Covid struck in 2020. The official figures came as separate analysis suggested 3.9million people are claiming means-tested benefits with no requirement to look for work.Stats compiled for The Times by consultancy Policy in Practice indicated that crackdowns on jobless handouts might have pushed up sickness claims, as numbers have spiked by a fifth in the past three years.  The Office for National Statistics said economic inactivity had been driven recently by rises among the 16-34 band, while the rate for 35 to 64-year-olds had fallen'.So, do we have a 'I can't get a job' problem or a 'I don't want or don't need to get a job' problem ?  

John Hawkes ● 46d

Lee Anderson had no need to move to a different party.He could have just stayed in Labour as it moved!

Ed Robinson ● 47d

Because after 14 years of these utter halfwits we may as well let a different bunch of halfwits take their turn?I've lost the will to live with the lot of them but it's really time for someone different.

Michael Brigo ● 47d

On tax, on which Rachel Reeves has made a number of statements, it appears that Labour have no plans to:1) repeal the 2% reduction in National Insurance2) raise the standard rate of income tax3) impose a higher rate of income tax on the incomes over £150k4) impose a wealth tax5) raise the rate of corporation tax6) reimpose the cap on bankers' bonuses7) alter the Chancellor's plan for taxing non doms.8) alter the Chancellor's plan for a windfall tax on the oil companies.The only difference between the parties on taxation seems to be that Labour intend to impose VAT on independent schools.On the role of the state, Labour have no plans to renationalise energy, water or the mail.On foreign policy, Labour supports the present government's policy on Ukraine and on Gaza.It is difficult to be sure as Labour have yet to publish their manifesto, but on present evidence it seems that the policies of the two parties are virtually indistinguishable.This being the case, I don't understand the passion with which some contributors to the Forum look forward to a change of government. On the NHS,

Steven Rose ● 47d

"Could someone please tell me the difference between the policies of Labour and the Conservatives."When you see such economic illiteracy as Starmer's response to the budget that “the national credit card is maxed out” and Rachel Reeves parroting that “There’s no magic money tree," I would have to agree that it's very difficult.

Richard Carter ● 47d

I'm not sure there's much point if you can't tell the difference yourself.Agreeing on one particular aspect (NI rate) of a larger subject (taxation) doesn't really mean they are completely aligned.Which stage of grief (at the death of the Conservative party) is this? Denial? Bargaining?

John Kettlekey ● 47d

Could someone please tell me the difference between the policies of Labour and the Conservatives.

Steven Rose ● 48d

There's inflation under this Conservative government - it was 30p a few months ago :-)Well, if Reform with his help take votes from the Tory right wing it could be good news for Labour!

Michael Ixer ● 48d

... and thence out of parliament at the next election (which can't come soon enough). Good riddance 50p Lee!

Richard Carter ● 48d