Current Affairs The Labour Party

[The binman chronicles]

... and if they had, you'd be here calling it extreme far left claptrap.

This pretence that the centrists have a rational way of closing the wealth gap would be hilarious if it was happening to some other society.

There is not a magic pill to swallow to close the wealth gap. Even if Labour got in and set about this they would be out after one term and it would be a generation before they get another crack of the whip.

21st century socialist policies should be trying to cap huge profits/bonuses, ensure that tax avoidance is prevented and to take that money and put it back into social care and community facilities.

Even in the 80's when there were more union type jobs, Blair/Brown and Mandelson could see that Labour was not fit for purpose - to be able to win elections. 35 odd years later we have lost the coal industry, huge reduction in steel and shipbuilding, the big British mass manufacturers gone, a lot of transportation jobs as personal transport became more widespread, yet Labour are thinking that policies designed for that period are going to win hearts and minds now.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

Utterly. It's not like the £30,000 or whatever people spend per year on private schooling will go into the local public school, and in reality the parents will just spend the £30,000 on private tutors, overseas trips, unpaid internships and the various other things that help give wealthier people a leg up.

This. Parents wont just shrug their shoulders and do nothing.

Yes, but some of them - even Eton - give scholarships away to poor boys, to help them get up the social ladder.

(and by poor boys I mean Boris Johnson, and Paul Dacre's son)

Different types of scholarships mate. Some are needs based some arent.

 

[dannyboy]

I'm a member of the same party and think its nuts. For me its student politics and there is no considered approach. As I said before Labour should look at greater taxation of these schools or better collaboration with local failing schools.

What's next - abolish grammar schools?



It smacks of pure envy to me.

The only people who will really be bothered by this are those who send their kids to private schools. 95% will shrug their shoulders and think nothing of it.

 

[Brennan]

The only people who will really be bothered by this are those who send their kids to private schools. 95% will shrug their shoulders and think nothing of it.

Well that’s alright then.

 

[dannyboy]

Well that’s alright then.

Glad you agree.

 

[peteblue]

I'm a member of the same party and think its nuts. For me its student politics and there is no considered approach. As I said before Labour should look at greater taxation of these schools or better collaboration with local failing schools.

What's next - abolish grammar schools?



It smacks of pure envy to me.

Erm..Labour abolished grammar schools and cut the most underprivileged kids off from a route out of poverty......obviously Corbyn, Abbott and co got around that......

 

[neil999]

The only people who will really be bothered by this are those who send their kids to private schools. 95% will shrug their shoulders and think nothing of it.

Wrong... Many people will consider it unfair to take away choice and many may aspire to send their children to private school

 

[Charlie Sweet]

Erm..Labour abolished grammar schools and cut the most underprivileged kids off from a route out of poverty......obviously Corbyn, Abbott and co got around that......

I mean the existing ones!

 

[dannyboy]

Wrong... Many people will consider it unfair to take away choice and many may aspire to send their children to private school

lol

It´s not even going to be talking point in the election campaign.

 

[peteblue]

My parents sent me to a private school which cost around £5k per year. Neither of them earned a great amount, and they sacrificed a lot to send me there.

They’re both from a working class background, and lifelong labour voters.

Not all private schools are £20k a term and full of millionaires...

Even though I could, I didn’t send any of mine to public school. I did however hunt out the best schooling available. It’s a very personal thing I suppose, you want your kids to succeed but don’t want them to feel privileged. However faced with sending them to crap schools I would have got the chequebook out......

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Whether you´re left or right, tackling the growing inequality is in everyone´s interests. Breaking down the barriers that prevent people progressing in life benefits us all. I think getting rid of the Eton cliques would be a step in the right direction. Finland, best education system in Europe, no fee paying schools.

Poland is also highly regarded, and they do have private schools, and of course the highly ranking South Koreans are (in) famous for their private cramming schools. That labour go down this path betrays their class envy more than evidence.

 

[peteblue]

lol

It´s not even going to be talking point in the election campaign.

It should be. Labour have always wanted to bring everyone down to the lowest level but we should always be trying to raise all education to the best....public or not......

 

[Boss_Blue]

Must admit I hadn't read about Labour wanting to close private schools.

I have no issue with removing charity status etc (which is absurd) but I'm not particularly keen on banning private schools altogether.

 

[Boss_Blue]

Labour have always wanted to bring everyone down to the lowest level

Ridiculous statement, Pete.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

lol

It´s not even going to be talking point in the election campaign.

It really will. It's simply spiteful and destructive.