Forum Topic

Why have Labour been so incompetent?

A list of some of Labour's errors since taking office:abandoning the Rwanda schemegiving striking doctors and train drivers inflationary pay awardswithdrawing winter fuel allowancepausing free speech protection in universitiesimposing the National Curriculum on AcademiesImposing IHT on family farmsraising employers' NI contributionsextending day-one employment rightsimposing a football regulatorgiving away the Chagos islandscancelling North Sea oil and gas explorationimposing VAT on private schoolsagreeing to enforce an ICC arrest warrant on Netanyahu.The cause of these unforced errors is to be found in Labour's move away from state socialism to what Tony Blair called ethical socialism, an ideology based on a market economy but characterised by a series of  anti-isms - anti-elitism, anti-racism, anti-colonialism, anti-sexism, anti-nationalism and so on. These 'anti-isms' are not wrong in themselves but are pursued with such unthinking fervour that they run counter to the government's economic objectives and the nation's interests and actually cause injustice.The anti-elitist strain in Labour, for example, regards successful entrepreneurs with suspicion, equating profit with exploitation. This has led to Rachel Reeve's decision to increase employers' NI contributions as well as to extend day-one employment rights for workers. These measures will result in reduced investment and slow growth, the very opposite of the government supposedly wants to achieve.. Anti-elitist ideology is also responsible for the unjust decision to impose VAT on private schools, a measure which will force parents of modest means to withdraw their children from efficient and much-loved schools even when adequate state provision is lacking. It is also behind the decision to impose unaffordable IHT bills on family farms, which will compel many asset-rich but income-poor farmers to sell up, jeopardising food production in this country.   

Steven Rose ● 10d18 Comments

Thank you.

Ivonne Holliday ● 9d

abandoning the Rwanda scheme - MANIFESTO PLEDGEgiving striking doctors and train drivers inflationary pay awards - I THINK THEY SAID BRING AN END TO THE STRIKES?withdrawing winter fuel allowance - DEFFO NOT MANIFESTOpausing free speech protection in universities - NO CLUE WHAT THIS ISimposing the National Curriculum on Academies - IF IT WASNT IN THE MANIFESTO THEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.Imposing IHT on family farms - DEFFO NOTraising employers' NI contributions - DEFFO NOTextending day-one employment rights - MANIFESTO PLEDGEimposing a football regulator - NO CLUEgiving away the Chagos islands - FINISHING PROCESS STARTED BY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONcancelling North Sea oil and gas exploration - MANIFESTO PLEDGEimposing VAT on private schools - MANIFESTO PLEDGEagreeing to enforce an ICC arrest warrant on Netanyahu. - OBEYING INTERNATIONAL COMMMITEMENT

Michael Brigo ● 9d

'some of Labour's errors since taking office''imposing a football regulator'.What FFS has the business of sport have to do with any Government ?

John Hawkes ● 9d

'Labour are opposed to nationalism but only when applied to this country. Yet they are happy to respect the nationalist aspirations of other countries, even at the cost of British interests'.Labour is a Party when it comes to foreign affairs, predicated on the gratification of self guilt for actions that happened in the past.It all goes back to our creation of the BRITISH Empire and how TERRIBLY we treated and exploited the inhabitants of those that were indigenous to the countries in it.France took the uninhabited island of Mauritius in 1715, renaming the island "Isle de France". In 1810, the United Kingdom seized the island, and four years later, under the Treaty of Paris, France ceded Mauritius and its dependencies to the United Kingdom. Mauritius became the British Empire's main sugar-producing colony and remained a primarily sugar-dominated plantation-based colony until independence, in 1968.In 1965, the UK split the Chagos Archipelago from British Mauritius to create the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). The local population was forcibly expelled and the largest island, Diego Garcia, was leased to the United States.Overall the country and its associated islands are claimed to be strategic to the UK's and the US' defence, hence the wariness of China's and Iran's interest in them.In these troubled times of international discord and competition I believe we should take any steps to maintain the status quo and support Trump in his efforts to do the same.The British Empire has gone !Note views of many Chargossians - BBC Website"Chagossians' concerns as UK hands over islands"'The joint statement made by the UK and Mauritian prime ministers on Tuesday marked the end of decades of negotiations between the countries.Chagossians were forced to leave their homeland, and many settled in Crawley in West Sussex, when Britain bought the islands in the Indian Ocean in the 1960s and a United States-leased military base was established.Through a translator, local Chagossian Antoine Le Mettre said: "We want to know what will happen to our future generations that want to stay in England."He explained there were still Chagossians who wanted to come to the UK and were planning to arrive in the coming months.In 2023, the BBC reported that a community of 3,000 Chagossians had already settled in the West Sussex town.The year before the UK government launched a British citizenship route for people of Chagossian descent'.

John Hawkes ● 9d

"No it wasn't."That's how it was stated (see link below).However apart from perhaps TV licence (can't think of any others) we do not have ring fenced taxation, it all goes into out pot.But you are quite right it was a political gesture."to placate the Labour left and the remaining Corbynite tendency."Could be - it doesn't take much to persuade party supporters to back a wrong'un be it the red or blue party.Taxing education is just plain and simply wrong.Tying to layer something on top of such a policy to address inequality and poor class mobility is just stupid.What next solar farms on prime agricultural land to bring down food inflation?Ah sorry that's already happened - donor to the party  - coincidence surely??https://labour.org.uk/change/labours-fiscal-plan/"Revenue from applying VAT and business rates to private schools 1,510"6,500 new expert teachers 450Increased teacher and headteacher training 270Delivering work experience and careers advice for all young people 85Early language development in primary schools 5Ofsted reform 45Over 3,000 new nurseries 35Mental health support for every school 175Young Futures Hubs 95

Ed Robinson ● 9d

The Chagos deal is another an example of the way in which Labour's policy is dictated by 'anti-isms'. Labour are opposed to nationalism but only when applied to this country. Yet they are happy to respect the nationalist aspirations of other countries, even at the cost of British interests. In this case Labour is willing to recognise the claim of Mauritius, a country which has close ties to China and Iran, to an archipelago lying over a thousand miles away from its territory. Given the strategic importance of the Chagos Islands, President Trump is likely to veto the deal, which will be another humiliation for Keir Starmer.

Steven Rose ● 9d

'If we take VAT on private education the justification in the manifesto was to raise money for State education'.No it wasn't.It was a classist political gesture to placate the Labour left and the remaining Corbynite tendency.How many new teachers have been recruited with the revenue it was claimed to raise ?

John Hawkes ● 9d

'"now to feel unsafe in my own country"This has changed since the July election?'Mr Wheeler can of course speak on his own behalf.But I would guess that many might feel a sense of unease as they experience on the streets or read in the press how the racial profile of the country is changing.Tens of thousands of 'boat people' illegal immigrants arriving regularly from backward countries having a dissimilar culture to our own .Where are they residing ?Estimates seem to show up to one in 12 people living in London is an illegal migrant.Are they assimilating ?Daily reports of knife crime carried out in the main, if one looks at images and names of perpetrators, by those from different cultures and social attitudes.All of this woven into an increasing acceptance of the influx of those from the Middle East that seem intent to fight their political struggle on our streets.Has this changed since the election ?Perhaps not.But many have a fear that the new Government and the Labour Party in general exhibit a show of insouciance towards these issues.Issues which in my view will dominate UK politics for years to come.

John Hawkes ● 9d

A good point Michael B.If we take VAT on private education the justification in the manifesto was to raise money for State education.We haven't had official figures through but it looks like it will be a net loss and hence less money for state education.Plus as feared before the election this does hit specialised private education which it did.You simply can't have taxation rules where a chancellor makes up the rules as they go along.Tax has to be certain, the a number of grey areas where fees are charged and hence VAT now payable will lead to future issues with local authorities and other organisations."Labour ‘U-turns’ on private school VAT raid for gifted arts studentsCampaigners urge the Government to extend move ‘to all families with incomes under £45,000’"https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/18/labour-u-turn-private-school-vat-raid-gifted-arts-students/"Stage schools at risk under Labour's VAT plans, heads warn"https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/stage-schools-at-risk-under-labours-vat-plans-heads-warn"VAT on private school fees to hammer ‘crisis-hit’ special needs provision"https://www.cityam.com/vat-on-private-school-fees-to-hammer-crisis-hit-special-needs-students/

Ed Robinson ● 9d

Hello Michael Brigo,Would you mind indicating which of the pledges mentioned by Steven Rose were included in their manifesto, please?  I agree that:- VAT on private schools was;- they said they would make those with broader shoulders pay higher tax;- they would provide incentives for economic growth.I cannot remember Labour saying that they would:- withdraw the WFA;- impose IHT on faermers;- that they would impose a higher NI burden on companies; - giving the Chagos Islands away.Thank you

Ivonne Holliday ● 9d

I agree with you Robert. Thankfully Starmer and the rest of his lying incompetents will be out in 4 years and unelectable for decades after.

Sue Hammond ● 9d

"I didn’t vote for the Labour freebie’s which aren’t on Steven’s list or now to feel unsafe in my own country.""now to feel unsafe in my own country"This has changed since the July election?

David Ainsworth ● 9d

An edited cut and paste David.Without going back I remember saying that wasn't my view but one put forward by Hitchens who even admitted now impossible due to the state of the justice system.But let's just for argument sake we accept such an equivalence.David would we not expect those responsible to resign if that had increased vaccine side effects or made car travel less safe resuling in an increased number of deaths?

Ed Robinson ● 9d

I didn’t vote for the Labour freebie’s which aren’t on Steven’s list or now to feel unsafe in my own country.  I didn’t vote for IHT to be placed on soldiers families at the worst time of their lives.  Trust me Rachel won’t have finished yet.I didn’t ask to be labelled far right if l disagreed with any of Starmer knee jerk reactions.  Starmer’s government has created division with this ideology.

Robert Wheeler ● 9d

"Can cancelling the Rwandan scheme be justified given the continued number of deaths?"

Well, as you wrote on capital punishment recently:-

"Is that sufficient reason?

From vaccines to car travel we accept that a certain number of people are going to be killed yet we do not ban them?"

David Ainsworth ● 9d

A good few of these are manifesto pledges so shouldnt be in the list. They are not mistakes, they are commmitments that people voted for.

Michael Brigo ● 9d

Trump says Keir Starmer doing 'very good job'https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqjvyyn7k99o

Ivonne Holliday ● 9d

"Six children among 12 dead in Channel as crowded boat ‘ripped open’69 deaths reported in 2024 I'm not sure if that was the final figure.At least 4 people have died this year.Can cancelling the Rwandan scheme be justified given the continued number of deaths?"agreeing to enforce an ICC arrest warrant on Netanyahu."We are sending arms, providing logistics, intelligence and probably far more even harassing UK journalists.Netanyahu has as much chance of being arrested in the UK as Blair.

Ed Robinson ● 10d