What do you think of our new Labour Government in the UK?

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Those in prison for social media posts (who were not inciting violence) would disagree with you. Women arrested for refusing to call a man in a dress a woman would also disagree with you. What are their current plans for tying us back into the EU (following a referendum where leave had the majority vote)? How far are they willing to go?
 
theleagueofgentlemen said:
We have both of those things in the uk.
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2. Pro-Palestinian journalist Asa Winstanley was subjected to a dawn raid and had his devices seized under the UK’s Terrorism Act. He was told that the raid was part of ‘Operation Incessantness’, a counter-terror initiative about which little is known.

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4. Detention journalist Richard Medhurst under anti-terror legislation condemned by National Union of Journalists.
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5. Arrest of the Jewish academic Haim Bresheeth for alleged support of a ‘proscribed organisation’ after making a speech outside the London residence of the Israeli ambassador to the UK.

It sets a precedent when anti-terror laws are used against journalists.
 
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Shire-life said:
Those in prison for social media posts (who were not inciting violence) would disagree with you. Women arrested for refusing to call a man in a dress a woman would also disagree with you. What are their current plans for tying us back into the EU (following a referendum where leave had the majority vote)? How far are they willing to go?
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rainbowlemon said:
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2. Pro-Palestinian journalist Asa Winstanley was subjected to a dawn raid and had his devices seized under the UK’s Terrorism Act. He was told that the raid was part of ‘Operation Incessantness’, a counter-terror initiative about which little is known.

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4. Detention journalist Richard Medhurst under anti-terror legislation condemned by National Union of Journalists.
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5. Arrest of the Jewish academic Haim Bresheeth for alleged support of a ‘proscribed organisation’ after making a speech outside the London residence of the Israeli ambassador to the UK.

It sets a precedent when anti-terror laws are used against journalists.
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Freedom of speech isn’t freedom from consequences, however much we may disagree with what’s been said, or the tactics.
 
In the case of Richard Medhurst who escorted off the plane by six police officers, handcuffed and transferred to a police cell where he had all his journalistic equipment and electronic devices seized and was initially denied the right to make a telephone call or legal representation.

Medhurst, like any journalist, has the right to challenge mainstream narratives. Labeling his reporting as "incitement" or "hatred" risks curtailing the essence of journalistic independence.

Anti-terrorism laws, are meant to address genuine threats to national security and must be used proportionately. They should not be weaponized against journalists or used to silence critical voices. In Medhurst's case, were there legitimate legal concerns? Has he been officially charged with any offence?
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There is also scrapping winter fuel payments and VAT on private schools.

Some private schools also provided state primary schools with teaching events and gave access to their facilities. They ran summer schools and outreach programs as well as giving bursaries to the poorest students. Those are now also at risk of being cancelled.
 
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rainbowlemon said:
In the case of Richard Medhurst who escorted off the plane by six police officers, handcuffed and transferred to a police cell where he had all his journalistic equipment and electronic devices seized and was initially denied the right to make a telephone call or legal representation.

Medhurst, like any journalist, has the right to challenge mainstream narratives. Labeling his reporting as "incitement" or "hatred" risks curtailing the essence of journalistic independence.

Anti-terrorism laws, are meant to address genuine threats to national security and must be used proportionately. They should not be weaponized against journalists or used to silence critical voices. In Medhurst's case, were there legitimate legal concerns? Has he been officially charged with any offence?
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There is also scrapping winter fuel payments and VAT on private schools.

Some private schools also provided state primary schools with teaching events and gave access to their facilities. They ran summer schools and outreach programs as well as giving bursaries to the poorest students. Those are now also at risk of being cancelled.
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The Medhurst thing is quite personal to me because I’ve been arrested under that law a few times (trying not to out myself here 😅) but I do understand that it’s a consequence of speaking up and out against the genocide, and in all honesty, I don’t think the blame is purely on labours shoulders cause it was happening even before they got in.

Vat on private schools and winter fuel allowance? I don’t care. They have to claw money back to this country unfortunately and those are great places to start.

And I’ll say again, I voted neither Labour nor Tory so I’ve got zero ‘skin in the game’ here so to speak!
 
While previous administrations may also have seen arrests of journalists, it is now Labour’s responsibility, like any government in power, to uphold a legal framework that protects press freedom. It must ensure that laws intended for national security are not exploited.

In the past, all pensioners were eligible for an annual payment to help with heating costs. While I do not need it personally, I recognize the profound impact it has/ will have on vulnerable individuals who do rely on it.

Similarly, I don’t have a child in private school, but those already wealthy enough can absorb the additional cost without an issue. It will affect bursary students and SEN kids who have won places.

Bursaries are funded through fees paid by full-paying students, endowments, and fundraising efforts. Adding an additional 20% would increase overall costs for schools, leaving less room in their budgets for bursaries. Schools might choose to prioritize financial stability over expanding or maintaining bursary programs.

This is a school which last year had 90% A*-A at A level and sent 20 boys to Imperial alone.

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While the VAT on private school fees aims to generate additional revenue, it may indirectly increase costs for state schools, creating financial and logistical challenges on top of overcrowding. National average funding per secondary child in England is approximately £6,300. Families opting for private education reduced the burden on state school resources, as fewer students needed to be accommodated. This effectively saved public funds. However, if VAT on private school fees drives more families to state schools, the government may face higher overall education costs to support the influx of students.

The City of London school received 400 applications for their recent 10+ exams, even with the VAT proposal in place. Private schooling is increasingly becoming exclusive to the wealthiest families.

Education is still one of the most powerful tools for improving social mobility. It falls short of addressing inequality and instead create new challenges for state schools.

There's also stamp duty changes. :ROFLMAO:
 
rainbowlemon said:
While previous administrations may also have seen arrests of journalists, it is now Labour’s responsibility, like any government in power, to uphold a legal framework that protects press freedom. It must ensure that laws intended for national security are not exploited.

In the past, all pensioners were eligible for an annual payment to help with heating costs. While I do not need it personally, I recognize the profound impact it has/ will have on vulnerable individuals who do rely on it.

Similarly, I don’t have a child in private school, but those already wealthy enough can absorb the additional cost without an issue. It will affect bursary students and SEN kids who have won places.

Bursaries are funded through fees paid by full-paying students, endowments, and fundraising efforts. Adding an additional 20% would increase overall costs for schools, leaving less room in their budgets for bursaries. Schools might choose to prioritize financial stability over expanding or maintaining bursary programs.

This is a school which last year had 90% A*-A at A level and sent 20 boys to Imperial alone.

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While the VAT on private school fees aims to generate additional revenue, it may indirectly increase costs for state schools, creating financial and logistical challenges on top of overcrowding. National average funding per secondary child in England is approximately £6,300. Families opting for private education reduced the burden on state school resources, as fewer students needed to be accommodated. This effectively saved public funds. However, if VAT on private school fees drives more families to state schools, the government may face higher overall education costs to support the influx of students.

The City of London school received 400 applications for their recent 10+ exams, even with the VAT proposal in place. Private schooling is increasingly becoming exclusive to the wealthiest families.

Education is still one of the most powerful tools for improving social mobility. It falls short of addressing inequality and instead create new challenges for state schools.

There's also stamp duty changes. :ROFLMAO:
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This tax made not one jot if difference to the wealthy, they have money and will continue to send their children to wherever they want and don’t really care. The tax has affected families who make their kid’s education a priority instead of other things. Work hard to get on in life, make sacrifices.
 
I think they're doing fine and have been steadily getting on with trying to sort out the mess left by the previous administration. Disappointed that they've shied away from looking at reforming council tax though, as it's regressisive, unfair and just not fit for purpose. They could've at least set up a commission to look at different methods of local taxation.
 
theleagueofgentlemen said:
Vat on private schools and winter fuel allowance? I don’t care. They have to claw money back to this country unfortunately and those are great places to start.

And I’ll say again, I voted neither Labour nor Tory so I’ve got zero ‘skin in the game’ here so to speak!
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on the whole I agree with this although I think they have been quite politically naive. They boxed themselves in by saying they wouldn't raise taxes on working people (I think they could have won the election without this commitment) so now they are having to piss off loads of groups of people who are very likely to vote (pensioners, parents of private school kids).

Im a bit stressed as the popular (and only decent) secondary near us is going to be mega oversubscribed now due to the private school VAT removal and I'm not sure my kids will get in.

I don't think Starmer gets politics and he doesn't have the leadership for the big moments the country faces. He sounds like what he is - a lawyer. A good one but not enough of a skill set to lead the country.
 
Rosie878 said:
I don't think Starmer gets politics and he doesn't have the leadership for the big moments the country faces. He sounds like what he is - a lawyer. A good one but not enough of a skill set to lead the country.
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Oh my goodness @Rosie878 this is so true. Yes, he is a lawyer, but knows nothing about running the country. And, if he were ousted, I really don't know who could be his replacement. 🥺
 
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