I don’t get this generational issue. I’m 67, am a Labour Party member, started with sod all, always stuck to the rules, had absolutely nothing handed to me, worked my backside off, looked after my kids and grandkids, hate Brexit and the Tories, and yet I’m being led to believe that all the country’s problems are down to people like me. Divide and rule well and truly alive in this septic isle!!!
I’m the same and I left school at 15. Considered a child today. Still luckier than my dad who went down the pit at 14. I respected him for his hard work and I didn’t tell him how lucky he was.
Not this 75 yo. I'll stand in front of anybody and fight them to prevent my grandson going into the army, and I will never vote for anything right wing. That includes the imposters of the labour party.
A policy to appeal to the pensioners to punish those not old enough to vote. has anyone actually in the armed forces commented here? The countries armed forces are highly skilled well trained individuals, equipment is increasing autonomous of human interaction (or very little) There is no requirement for 1000’s foot sloggers anymore.
Let's be fair, I wasn't responding to arguments in respect of individuals, I was responding to someone saying it's ***** that the older vote was responsible for Brexit. I pointed out it wasn't *****, it was true. The response to which was to say that generation fought for workers' rights. If you want one generalisation you have to take both.
I don't know what you do for a living. Or indeed some of the others. But I worked in industry all my working life. Lots (not all) of young uns want it on a plate. Yes we did bring em up to enjoy the fruits of our labours and fights. But it is those who idly stand by. Moaning "union does fekk all for me" (selfish buggers) . So won't pay subs. But guess what. It's those self same union members that are the reason they can afford the luxuries we couldn't at their age. So there is only one eventual outcome. If unions die. They will be trodden on by their masters. I've had young uns say. "I can't afford a day on strike" I say " You can't afford not to if that's the case" on many occasions the threat will lead to an improved offer. And everyone. including those that ride on the backs of others endeavours. Gains. I'm not talking about those in dire poverty. But those that live by the credit card. And mount up debts. That when the time comes they lose that comfortable lifestyle and wonder what the fekk hit em. My 2 sons are quite successful. We were able to help em. Is that such a crime. ? Or are we all on a race to the bottom. A few on here think that way instead of wanting the best for all.
To be honest I didn't want to weigh in but as some one who was in the Navy training as Medical Assistant before I had a car crash coming off base that meant I had to be discharged, I feel strongly against this policy. It waters down the hard work and determination you go through in training to get to that point. Anyone not wanting to be there but feeling compelled by external factors always made life difficult for everyone else who chooses to be there and my cousin who was an army MP agrees. I'm not even sure who this policy is aimed at, it's not aimed at the older generations, my grandparents hate the idea of national service (currently dubbed as voluntary until they realise most kids won't take up armed forces by choice) the problem with our numbers in the armed forces is down to this government and it's policy to treat the country's service men and women like rubbish and then throw them on the heap when the retire or are discharged. Veteran's get treated poorly and talk of civvy street retraining rarely yields something of success in a lot of those who have become unstable in the forces. Took me 5 years to recover to any acceptable level that I could work again and I found my own path. I thank them for the medical care I received but my path I forged on my own after, as many others have done with severe mental scars and no help. Their families see that and choose to avoid it. My oldest 2 will be some of the 1st to be sent into this and if armed forces is their only option I'd take myself to jail for them over enlistment, and they'd be part of the lads that made life harder for those around them because they are technically minded rather than physically minded. They've already got their post college lives planned out and are on for success, a route to university that I financially didn't have. Comments from Cleverly today essentially said that deployment was on the cards for any that volunteer if the need required it. Double no from me. The policy includes 1 weekend a month for our drained public services that don't need to be babysitting 18 year olds and they won't learn anything over 24 weekends, it won't fix youth loneliness like the suggest or create integration between class groups and ethnic groups. They are waiting till they reach 18 to fix youth loneliness instead of investing earlier to prevent it, projects like scouts and guides, youth clubs, cadets and more sports social clubs. Youth loneliness is because outside school they have no where to go. It's easy to point at the older generations for failing the youth but it shouldn't be us Vs them for a better life but that's exactly what the ruling class want us to do. There's gammons in all age groups, and the only way to bring some meaningful change is to get this government out and start fresh. We all know the only replacement will be a labour government so if left wing policies are what folk want to come back seriously look at if your local candidate is labour left or soft left or even center left and get them in as MPs but ultimately vote for a candidate that means Tories can't maintain a vote and reform don't get a voice to muddy the waters.
I work a fairly comfortable middle class job, and am not going to pretend I don't. I agree that not joining a union is short sighted. But I think the idea of people not being able to afford a day on strike and "living by the credit card" is interlinked. Life is ******* expensive these days, to an extent that is probably pretty incomprehensible to anyone above the age of about 55.
I’ll never not be in a union but I can’t convince my colleagues to do the same. Subs are currently £14 a month for our wage bracket and they can’t see a tangible benefit for £168 when our wage is so low.
Yep, it's ******* daft not to join a union if one is available. The power of the working person is in collective bargaining.