Current Affairs The Labour Party

[Tubey]

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.

I'm living proof that's not true.

 

[tsubaki]

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.

The problem with this analysis is that Blair, Brown and Mandelson did get and stay in power and we all saw what happened - huge bonuses, huge profits, huge amounts of tax avoidance and eventually a huge collapse.

I absolutely agree that we should be trying to base any solution on the needs and circumstances of today, though at some point people, especially those from what they think is the centre, should really be asking themselves whether the people making the vast amounts of money - who are actively avoiding tax and who are funding the vast majority of the politicians in the UK - are really the people that they want to trust that they'll tone it down a bit in return for them continuing to be "successful". Why would anyone expect people who are raking it in, who are clearly in charge and who are enjoying life immensely to change their ways?

This in itself indicates a somewhat naive, almost reflex belief that a very large number of people have that the way things are now is how they should be, how it always has been and anyone who wants to change it (even clearly in their interest) is somehow dangerous.

I mean take this motion for example, which will probably end up as one of a long list of popcorn motions passed by a Labour Conference down the years. It will probably affect no poster here in the slightest (even if it comes into being), and yet the venom that has poured forth at the suggestion that private schools might lose their status has filled three or four pages of posts, often with other posts by the same people who are outraged admitting that there is a problem with the gap between rich and poor in this country.

 

[neil999]

lol

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

It's absolutely perfect narrative that Labour are an extremist socialist party and hypocritical (abbot sending her son to a private school)

Tory hq will be delighted

 

[dannyboy]

I'm living proof that's not true.

Alright then, 5.0001% because you and a few others jumped in to defend the old Eton club. You were never going to vote for Labour anyway were you? It´s not this that tipped you over the edge. Something about investing money into the economy that put you off wasn´t it?

 

[tsubaki]

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

That scholarship was literally established for poor boys though; it even comes with a reduction in fees.

 

[Tubey]

Alright then, 5.0001% because you and a few others jumped in to defend the old Eton club. You were never going to vote for Labour anyway were you? It´s not this that tipped you over the edge. Something about investing money into the economy that put you off wasn´t it?

Pathetic.

 

[peteblue]

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.

Come on, surely you know their position, it hasn’t changed in god knows how many years. It’s only now that Corbyn is seeking to develop the us and them argument that it’s hit the headlines again. The hypocrisy behind it is staggering when you look at the labour leadership, their own background and what they do with their own children....

 

[tsubaki]

It's absolutely perfect narrative that Labour are an extremist socialist party and hypocritical (abbot sending her son to a private school)

Tory hq will be delighted

Of course its going to be an extremist socialist narrative; the people who went to and profited from public school who occupy many positions at the top of society, the media and politics will make it so.

Why are you going around doing the same?

 

[peteblue]

Ridiculous statement, Pete.

No mate, it really isn’t........

 

[Charlie Sweet]

That scholarship was literally established for poor boys though; it even comes with a reduction in fees.

Of course. Most of the major public schools were exactly that - set up to educate the local boys. Times change and all I am saying is there are means based ones now for parents that cant afford it.

 

[dannyboy]

It's absolutely perfect narrative that Labour are an extremist socialist party and hypocritical (abbot sending her son to a private school)

Tory hq will be delighted

We´ve been painted as an extreme socialist party for 4 years now. Let them paint the picture a little more. I don´t mind.

 

[peteblue]

Of course its going to be an extremist socialist narrative; the people who went to and profited from public school who occupy many positions at the top of society, the media and politics will make it so.

Why are you going around doing the same?

Do you even know where the shadow cabinet went to school.....

 

[dannyboy]

Pathetic.

But you don´t like Labour´s policies do you? It´s not this issue that tipped you over the edge and it won´t be the issue that decides the election for millions of voters either. It´s a Brexit election with Labour trying to put the spotlight on austerity.

 

[tsubaki]

Of course. Most of the major public schools were exactly that - set up to educate the local boys. Times change and all I am saying is there are means based ones now for parents that cant afford it.

... that are being taken by the (edit) son of the multimillionaire editor of the Daily Mail.

 

[neil999]

Of course its going to be an extremist socialist narrative; the people who went to and profited from public school who occupy many positions at the top of society, the media and politics will make it so.

Why are you going around doing the same?

??? I'm saying how I believe it will be perceived and how it will lose labour votes