Keir Starmer's Pledges

What are peoples' views?
They look like perfectly reasonable/unprovocative things to say in my view. Most people could get behind them. A way of suggesting Labour would be more competent/efficient than the nasty party.
However I also think there are dangers with pledges like these.
1. Starmer can be accused of never sticking to what he says so the pledges are in fact meaningless
2. Starmer can be accused of not having anything bold to say about 'how' major problems in society are going to be solved. In other words, they're nice-sounding but don't amount to a lot.

Sorry about the politics thread for those who dont like em but the lack of new coach information is dragging on...

 

Not a Labour fan then ?

 

It used to be called a manifesto and I suppose it's the same for all the political parties. You're judged by your actions against what you've "pledged" in this case.

 

Oh I'm a Labour bloke.... Don't like Starmer as I've stated before on here but was just asking to see what people think. Is he doing a clever thing to keep Labour in the news with the election approaching or has he made a blunder? Has he got something to say or is he full of hot air? Etc etc... Not having a go, just asking.

 

I personally, was encouraged by the fact that it got the top spot on the news.
Labour have to fight really hard with the main stream media to get their message across to the general public.
We all know how biased Britains media is towards the right wing parties.
So getting good coverage today was a win for me.
I also feel that, Labour should continue to keep their main plans "under cover. Because, as we saw in the last budget. With the Non Dom tax plan. If Labour has a good plan this shower will steal it.
The first job for Labour is get in power.
Then after a couple of years judge Keir Starmers performance.

 

"You're judged by your actions" is what it says on the club badge and the Barnsley coat of arms. Spectamur Agendo.

 

You’ve not mentioned it!

As far as a statement goes it was exactly what gets politicians elected. Sensible, centric and delivered with a slickness that didn’t give people chance to pick holes.

wether that’s your bag or not is the question for us Labour voters

 

I think we're all smart enough to know that even with the illusion of choice our electoral system has 2 options and that a Tory run country or a labour run country.

We currently have the country being run to the right of center right and if allowed to, they will eventually replace sunak and continue to drift us further to the right. Whilst Kier's policies leave a lot to be desired by labour voters, both center and left leaning voters, Kier would still need to appease those withing a labour government to set us back towards policies that benefit the country as a whole rather than the 1%ers.

When you see reports that the Tory chairman's view mentioning Kier previously trying to get Corbyn elected, you know his foray into pledges today does have them worried.

 

Ahh Kier and his pledges. If history's anything to go by, they may well soon evaporate into the 'we can't responsibly do that anymore' file once he's achieved power.

They've tried their best to give something for everyone there. But it stinks of continued austerity with no idea about seriously reforming public spending as is desparately needed.

 

Spectemur agendo Keir.

 

Tbf, reforming public spending is very difficult to achieve at the moment when the country's broke and the world's at war. There is a lot that needs to be fixed first before the nation gets back on its feet and a time when rates are 5.25% on a government debt in the trillions is not it.

 

This weeks pledges are very beige. Any political party including Reform could make them. Shows a fear of change and a fear of Murdoch. No answers for modern Britain and the weakest possible opposition. But yes in themselves uncontroversial. At least until next week when he claims to have never made the pledges.

 

Are they right to be fearful of Murdoch?

 

My view on pledges and this applies to any party. The state of the country can change in the blink of an eye. And pledges are based on the economy at the time. Normally before an election. So it's more a hope than a guarantee. 2/3yrs away and lots can go tits up. Wars. Covid etc.
But what I will say is. It's those at the lower end of society who will always suffer. Some of those at the top should contribute more to society. Lots do and don't hide their fortunes in tax havens. Pity the other selfish ******** don't.

 

Labour quite obviously gonna win the next GE.

I'm interested to know what sort of honeymoon period will they get before rather than having a real stab at change do they just continue everything set up by the Tories yet blame them in every discussion.

No doubting that last time Labour emptied the public purse, even leaving the daft tongue in cheek message about there being no money left for the Tories.

How long do we give Labour to announce changes to everything they have slated?

Tories must have spent the best part of the last 14 years still blaming Labour. Can Keirs mob change that stupid line? Jury's in session waiting.

Labour MP Rebecca Long-Bailey was on the BBC politics show, got asked about their real policies, and said they didn't want to release their manifesto just in case any other party stole their ideas. Firstly what a dumb answer, if they were good policies for the good of the country then surely other parties adopting them would be a good thing! It seemed to be more about being power hungry with her tbh.

As for the manifestos for each party, there should be a single date set once an election is announced for all parties to release them on. Nail their colours to the mast. Everything in the has to be clearly costed as well. That way we can easily see the difference between who is offering what.

Although I think the margins will reduce sharply, it should be an absolute stroll of a victory for Labour.

 

So at the moment Labour can categorically promise more funding for defence and the Ukraine but not to end the 2 child benefit cap that would take millions of kids out of poverty. This puts Labour to the right of Suella Braverman. Labour could choose to implement progressive taxation but are choosing not to do so.

Probably the only thing I learned in 6 years working in politics is that in a fiat currency producing economy all decisions are political ones.

 

Depends if they want power for its own sake or power to make the lives of ordinary people better.

 

Are they mutually exclusive? You have to have want power and be able to gain it in order to make change.

 

Mainly yes. If you state I wish to obtain power to make the following positive changes then no. If your whole political campaign is centred on zero policies and just not being the tories then yes.

 

Same as it ever was.