Mr Rose'In the modern Labour Party belief in socialism has all but disappeared, which is is why the economic policies of the two main parties are virtually indistinguishable. But the crusading spirit is still present in Labour, often accompanied by disdain for their Conservative opponents. The difference is that instead of fighting for socialism Labour activists are now focused on attacking ‘privilege’ and ending ‘discrimination’. Unfortunately, even when their policies in this regard are ill considered and oppressive, they dismiss any objections as ‘right wing’, a synonym in their view for sinful'.You are right to point out that Labour's policies are either confiscatory or aligned with 'fashionable' and often meaningless, ill-defined and unmeasurable campaigns such as 'ending discrimination' and 'reducing privilege'.Or else supporting similar minority credos such as 'genderism'; open border immigration; resisting 'climate change'; a foreign policy that consists of little more than one sided support for Palestine in the Middle East conflict.And showing contempt for political opponents they label as 'right wing' - whatever that means.Policies that either run strongly counter to the majority of public opinion (looser immigration controls) or others listed that the same majority have little interest in.(Re 'climate change', see a good YouTube analysis of whether it is actually happening. - 'Climate:The Movie' by Martin Durkin).And of course claiming the moral high ground regarding 'anti-racism': though as Corbyn's expulsion from the Party for antisemitism and Diane Abbott's view that unlike non-whites such as herself Jews do NOT experience racism both show, they are all over the place on getting this policy and its political consequences sorted.I wonder if her attendance on an antisemitism awareness course has opened her eyes on this matter ! But it is a little mirth making to watch how Labour manages to engineer an internal racism spat with one of its most prominent non-white MPs.But what sticks in the craw is that these beliefs and attitudes are all wrapped up in a smug, sanctimonious, self-righteous virtuousness that tries to convey that Labour and 'the left' are the kind and caring 'goodies' and the Conservatives and the 'right' are the wicked, evil 'baddies'.However what should concern a financially stretched electorate is that Labour has little or nothing to say about its detailed policies to grow the economy and make us all wealthier.What are their positions and detailed plans regarding -Tax rates ?Interest rates ?Investment incentives ?Benefit levels ?Government expenditure levels (other than the usual cliches from Rachel Reeves - "We will not spend what we cannot afford") ?Getting more people off benefits and back into gainful employment ?They don't have any or if they do they do not reveal them for fear of frightening the horses !Yes it has 'missions'.'Labour’s Five Missions: These missions are central to Labour’s election manifesto and include:1) Achieving the highest sustained growth in the G7 by the end of Labour’s first term.2) Making Britain a clean energy superpower, with a goal to remove fossil fuels from all electricity generation by 2030.3) Improving the NHS.4) Reforming the justice system.5) Raising education standards'But:1) No details (see above)2) Better get a move on. Only six years to shut down and replace our oil, gas and coal based energy production plants. Still that takes past the period of a next and potential Labour Government.3) Like how ? More money or reform ? More pay for junior doctors ?4) More prisons for drug smugglers and dealers and also gun and knife wielding gangs and individuals I would support.5) How ? More teachers or somehow imbuing a desire to learn into pupils ?Funnily enough they seem proud of their plans to nationalise the North Sea oil and gas companies and incorporate them into 'British Energy'.But hang on.I thought the plan was for 'clean energy' so why would we want to pay over and above our current energy charges, to buy assets that we will not be using in six years time ?And note it is a plan that even the SNP is against for the detrimental effect it will have on investment and employment in the sector and region.Though as a sop they do promise to base all the Civil Servants running this quango in Edinburgh !As you say, 'instead of fighting for socialism,' in 'old Labour's' eyes a way of realising it's prime raison d'etre namely improving the financial lot of the working man/woman, it concentrates on wishy washy social issues that for the most part just make its activists feel good inside but are not of general concern and affect very few. Till Labour addresses the above I do not see them as a Party 'fit for Government'.
John Hawkes ● 387d