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This government - Unhappy (10th Feb 2025 - 19:45:53) The people of this country deserve better can’t the people demand a change in government what can the people of this country do to make a change happen. Is there a process that could be demanded to remove this government because they are totally incompetent and are dragging the country down to oblivion.

Re: This government - Firework (11th Feb 2025 - 10:12:36) Maybe bring back guy fawkes they need a rocket up there beep beep beeps

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (11th Feb 2025 - 10:42:37) Realistically, the only way of showing your approval or disapproval of a current government is to vote them out when you get a chance. But we are being denied the chance to vote for change through the removal of local elections in May 2025 under the guise of 'devolution'. Some say that's a ploy straight out of the socialist playbook - to deny elections. So we have to make our concerns known through other - legitimate - channels and continue to call out any lies or inefficiencies with national or local government. When we are finally given (I can't believe in 2025 we're saying 'when we are finally allowed') our democratic right to vote - vote them out.

Re: This government - Unhappy (11th Feb 2025 - 11:10:40) Yes and I would light the fuse. It just goes from bad to worse.

Re: This government - er (11th Feb 2025 - 14:05:47) When Boris was PM after winning a landslide vote, we were flying high on the world stage, but along came COVID and then Boris had a glass of wine in his garden whilst working from home one day! There was uproar, after the peace of lockdown the mood was palpable, the media loved it, everyone agreed that irrespective of cost, he must go, righteous indignation I called it at the time, we went through a charade of leadership clowns, we became angrier, and suddenly someone said we've had enough of the Tories, we want Labour back at any cost and everybody agreed wholeheartedly. We had an election, we don't care what the cost is they screamed, Labour didn't have a glass of wine in their garden, they're not as rich, we want Labour! I pointed out, that I had lived through enough Labour governments to advise caution, there would be no silver bullet. No they all said, forget caution, we want Labour at any cost. It took precisely a week of Labour rule before the masses started complaining, cost cutting, budgets, Rachel Reeves, immigrants, the Chagos Islands, farmers paying tax, National Insurance, immigrants, winter fuel, budgets, deficits, more immigrants. We want Labour out at any cost was the new chant! I think perhaps we get the mediocre to poor governments we deserve, the masses are not clever, but they are certainly a confused, opinionated lot. On the plus side we only have four more years till we can get somebody else to hate.

Re: This government - AF (11th Feb 2025 - 14:15:26) This is what happens when you have an election where the primary aim of the voters is "GET THE TORIES OUT". Labour are normally useless at governing the country the only redeeming feature is they sometimes have a decent leader who can keep things going, unfortunately Comrade Starmer is NOT a good leader, even his supporters admit he's a bit useless. Although even I am surprised at how badly he has done, and how many people he has annoyed in so short a time. It is obvious that if we had an election now they would suffer a crushing defeat, but it is equally obvious it won't happen. We will have to wait until 2029 to kick the useless idiots out.

Re: This government - Simon (11th Feb 2025 - 14:56:21) Couldn't agree more. Lets get Liz Truss back in asap.

Re: This government - Unhappy (11th Feb 2025 - 16:10:10) Er and AF spot on Boris was the best this country has had since Thatcher the idiots got him out . Still can’t fathom why we have to suffer a useless government that’s ruining the country surely there must be a way of getting them out. I have family that are staunch labour teachers and civil servants but they are totally against this government to the end they have resigned from the labour party that they belong to . This must be the darkest time for Britain if we don’t do something we are going to disappear down the plug hole of oblivion.

Re: This government - A young person who didn’t even vote for Labour (11th Feb 2025 - 23:50:05) I am personally quite happy with this government. They have made their decisions on whether Grenfell stands. They have scrapped the unlawful Rwanda scheme They have mostly resolved union disputes whether that be with the NHS or transport They have fast tracked even more protections for workers rights They have strengthened environmental policies They have increased their efforts in tests for HIV and so much more. Sure, I am also disappointed in a few things but the pros are outweighing the cons by far. I won’t reply to anyone past this point as I am sure my opinion will be met with backlash and insults instead of a constructive discussion.

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (12th Feb 2025 - 10:24:59) Spot the troll! LOL!

Re: This government - M (12th Feb 2025 - 12:23:31) I am an older person who didn't vote for this government because; I lived through Labour in power previously who caused multiple financial problems,these were remedied by the Tories and Cameron. So far we have as tax payers given away huge amounts to unions who repeatedly demanded more,it won't stop there. We are forced to build more housing despite of the plan already in place. These developments will not enhance our environment whatsoever. Migrants are still flooding in, Labour has no meaningful plans and are vague. Starmer is not a leader he's clearly confused in his role and already has issues within his party. The NHS is in dire straits,i haven't been able to get a GP appointment for years and as for a dentist many years. Labour has no plans to resolve this. As for Rayner she's out of her depth and Reeves is failing miserably. We're about to have a 7% increase on the energy cap in April, where's Milliband ? nowhere to be seen. But don't worry we're not taxing the working man they say , just the poor pensioner it seems. As for the young person who didn't vote Labour, you didn't live through the previous Labour government and it's only going to get worse.

Re: This government - Pete (13th Feb 2025 - 08:50:54) I see the economy has grown in the last 3 months as opposed to the predicted shrink today. Just leave that one out there

Re: This government - Charlie (13th Feb 2025 - 14:56:19) I wouldn't read too much into that Pete. I agree that 0.1% growth is better than nothing but I think it will prove that much of that small growth was due to Christmas and the increase hospitality sales. However we shall just have to wait and see.

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (14th Feb 2025 - 10:14:29) Lies, damn lies and statistics comes to mind when I hear "the economy grew by 0.1%". Real GDP grew by 0.1% over a three month period, mainly because of growth in the services sector in December (i.e. collectively we spent some money - not much - as an economy at Christmas). Production growth was DOWN by 0.8% in the same 3 months. GDP per person is DOWN as output per person is falling (i.e. population growth isn't being matched by economic contribution). The economy has crashed and is burning. Business confidence is zero. Tax is UP and RISING.

Re: This government - Gill (14th Feb 2025 - 16:26:05) Give them a chance. They've only been in six months and have addressed so many unaddressed issues. Try not to be so myopic and open your minds.

Re: This government - Unhappy (14th Feb 2025 - 18:26:37) Tell us just what issues they have addressed nothing of importance. The very important ones they haven’t done anything about. Except pay out huge wages to people that are already on good money. The very important ones like the boat people coming here illegally and not deporting the ones that get here. They have made a complete mess of everything the usual labour incompetence.

Re: This government - AR (14th Feb 2025 - 19:21:44) Re Gill. He seems to be in a myopic eutopia.

Re: This government - A young person who didn’t even vote for Labour (14th Feb 2025 - 23:11:32) Unhappy The Labour government has deported 19,000 illegals since taking office. Between 5 July 2024 and 31 January 2025, enforced returns are up 24%, removals of foreign national offenders up 21% and illegal working raids up by 38% compared to the same period 12 months prior. This is thanks to the Labour government scrapping the illegal Rwanda scheme that cost the tax-payers millions yet failed miserably and redeploying staff. These figures represent the highest rate of returns seen in the UK since 2018 and include the 4 biggest returns charter flights in the UK’s history, with a total of more than 850 people on board. Between 5 July last year and 31 January, both illegal working visits and arrests have soared by around 38% compared to the same 12 months prior. During the same period, the Home Office issued a total of 1,090 civil penalty notices. Employers could face a fine of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable. I would say, Labour are doing a pretty good job. A better job than the Conservatives have done in years.

Re: This government - M (15th Feb 2025 - 13:02:47) So if its all so wonderful in your world please tell me when i will get a GP and dentist appointment. You can do anything with statistics to massage the outcomes, it's a given that it's always going to be a positive if you want it to be. However in reality nothing changes. Labour luvvies are in the minority in this area, look at the last election result..

Re: This government - A young person who didn’t even vote for Labour (15th Feb 2025 - 15:36:39) M, Unhappy didn’t mention GP Appointments or Dentistry Appointments. They did mention immigration, the statistics are evidence that Labour are doing a better job than the conservatives when it comes to deportations and immigration raids. I also didn’t see the Conservatives doing anything to support the NHS or Dentists. There’s a rather interesting article from the BMJ: bmj.com/content/386/bmj.q1491 I recommend you give it a read.

Re: This government - Local (15th Feb 2025 - 15:58:04) I don't think you can blame this Labour government for the failed NHS dental service, for the number if illegal immigrants or for the problems in the NHS, the rot set in under the Tories, having said that I doubt Labour are going to magically fix it either. Maybe it's time we accepted that Britain is no longer world class, those days are gone, we had our Empire from the 17th Century to the 20th Century, the Western Enlightenment which we stole from the Arabic World at gunpoint, we innovated from there with industrialisation in both war and heavy industry, but before that we were a fairly backward, antagonistic little island at the northern fringes of a disunited, combative Europe, we could easily become that once more, frankly if it wasn't for mass immigration this country would die, without immigrants we'd probably have no functioning NHS at all in short time. The OP proposed that the people of this country deserve better, 'deserve' is a very entitled word, you get what you make. When you look at the schizophrenic way we chop and change our political loyalties, hysterical is the word, I think we deserve very little, we'll probably get exactly what we deserve and don't forget there's 8 billion, going in 10 billion needy folk on the same planet who all need and deserve and want what we once had, dominance, affluence, wealth, superiority. I can't see any reason why we deserve anything more than they do, money doesn't grow on trees, look at the Trump steamroller, protectionism is the buzzword, their interest above all others, a foreign policy based purely upon self interest, the EU is sinking and I suggest we decide which ship we want to jump onto and that really depends who wants us and can offer us some protection in this rapidly changing world, the question of which incompetent, self serving political group of hedge fund sponsored politicos is in Downing Street is entirely missing the point.

Re: This government - Unhappy (15th Feb 2025 - 16:10:08) Young person you are completely being led along the labour path as it happened before they try to make it look as if it’s everyone else’s fault. They tell you what’s good to cover up the bad . As for the illegal migration the people coming here has risen so much that it completely rules out what they have done. The boats still keep coming more and more this government are not doing anything to stop them. As for Rwanda why is it the EU are sending refugees there why was our scheme illegal it was the right thing to do no messing turn them straight round on a plane. We are such a soft touch this government has no idea how to run a country. We are going further and further under they need to go.

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (15th Feb 2025 - 17:18:33) @A young person who didn’t even vote for Labour "I won't reply to anyone past this point ...." Yet you did? And keep replying?

Re: This government - A young person who didn’t vote Labour (15th Feb 2025 - 21:36:44) Unhappy, I don’t see how Labour can be at fault, they haven’t been the majority government for 14 years. I do honestly believe it is the Conservatives fault we are in this mess. 2022 had the highest crossings not 2024, so I would argue the statistics are benefiting my opinion that Labour are doing a much better job. What EU country is sending them to Rwanda? Rwanda was deemed an unsafe country given their lack of human rights. Can you tell me something that you think the Conservatives party did well in the last year of their term.

Re: This government - Joe (16th Feb 2025 - 08:59:06) In answer to “ a young person” the tories got rid of Liz Truss!

Re: This government - Unhappy (16th Feb 2025 - 13:18:42) All I can say is history has proven the outcome. The Labour voters are already not happy so young none voter you will come to see the folly’ of a labour government. A wise old man told me years ago when the labour got in last time he said you will see all the money go out of the country and everything will collapse unions will run riot a lot of it has already come to pass history repeating itself. So young person you will see .

Re: This government - A young person who didn't vote Labour (16th Feb 2025 - 18:15:02) Unhappy, can you please answer my questions? What EU countries currently send asylum seekers to Rwanda, and what positive thing in the last year of the Conservative government did they do? I also never said I didn't vote, I just said I didn't vote for Labour. Joe, that was 2022 and some people in this community feel that she did a good job and would prefer her over the current Labour Party despite destroying our economy and moral compass.

Re: This government - Unhappy (16th Feb 2025 - 20:43:18) Well I’m not up to speed on all that has gone on . But Germany and France were sending and at the time the stopped us doing the same which was very galling. The conservative government were on target with the economy business were just getting going again. They were keeping the unions from demanding huge pay rises. If they hadn’t been so stupid in getting Boris out things would have got even better he stood up to the dreadful EU . So know we have pensioners suffering terrible hardship farmers the same. Union’s running riot. The economy down the drain. Business moving abroad. Need I go on . Sorry young person you have your views I have mine you have a life in front of you so you may reflect in fifty years time it may be good it may not but my years of experience have taught me different. We shall see finish posting.

Re: This government - A young person who didn't vote Labour (16th Feb 2025 - 21:38:57) Unhappy, So, here’s the thing, no EU country has sent asylum seekers to Rwanda. Germany even thought about it last year, but it didn’t happen. Now, let’s talk about the economy. The conservatives were way off the mark. Truss caused a bond market crash and a sterling crash. Inflation hit a whopping 11.1% in 2022, the highest it’s been in 41 years when Thatcher (a Conservative) was in charge. And guess what? The poorest 20% saw their incomes drop by 4.3% in 2022-2023, while corporate profits soared. Talk about a disparity! Oh, and did I mention Brexit? It’s estimated to have slashed the UK GDP by 4% in the long run and reduced exports to the EU by a whopping 14%. Not exactly a win-win situation, is it? Now, let’s talk about the union disputes. Remember when Nurses (and Junior Doctors?) went on strike for the first time since the NHS was founded? Well, that was the right move to resolve those strikes and union disputes. We can’t afford to have our country moving forward at a snail’s pace. As for pensioners, I don’t think they’re struggling more than anyone else. If a pensioner is eligible for Winter Fuel Allowance, they can get it. And if they’re unwell, there are other benefits they might be eligible for. And on the inheritance tax on farmers, I agree with Starmer. Figures show that the top 7% of farmers account for a whopping 40% of the total value of agricultural property relief. The top 2% of claims account for a whopping 22% of agricultural relief, costing a whopping £119 million. That’s a lot of money, folks! So, there you have it. Keep your views, but make sure you do your research. Don’t just listen to GBNews and Twitter. That’s not the whole story.

Re: This government - Observed (17th Feb 2025 - 13:00:48) Well reading through this post it seems that it’s leans to dissatisfaction of the Labour government. Just wondering if there was an election now how would it turn out . The labour position in the poles is not good so it seems they would lose out . So what other party would come forward to replace this lot . Looks like we need another Mrs Thatcher to shake the country up and get us back to work . Sorry young person that didn’t vote labour perhaps you could vote labour next time they will certainly need it.

Re: This government - Charlie (18th Feb 2025 - 13:38:21) Well said Observed

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (19th Feb 2025 - 10:14:30) Inflation now up to 3%, it's highest level in 10 months. It was higher than analysts and Rachel from Account predicted - and the outlook is not good. So much for this Govt 'kickstarting growth' and 'putting money in peoples pockets'. Analysts now fear the UK is heading into recession, with GDP also shrinking.

Re: This government - Pmdumb (19th Feb 2025 - 12:43:56) None of them are fit to run a bath let alone a country Utter shambles and liars

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (20th Feb 2025 - 08:30:41) Don't forget we are being denied our democratic right to vote in local elections by the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (21st Feb 2025 - 20:10:23) And straight out of the Marxist playbook, our Glorious Leader has forced Apple to prevent UK users from encrypting their personal data with Advanced Data Protection (ADP). This now allows the State to have access to your personal data if they decide to. If you aren't yet scared of what's happening in the UK, you really ought to be.

Re: This government - A young person who didn't vote Labour (21st Feb 2025 - 21:18:40) Was Undecided Now Decided, The Snoopers Law was passed under Theresa May (a Conservative), I think it is another failure on the Conservative Party and it is a shame on the Labour Party for allowing this. Remember to check the facts.

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (22nd Feb 2025 - 13:59:24) @ A young person who didn't vote Labour - thank you for your slightly condescending statement. Some further research would reveal that there is a difference between the intention of the original law, and the over-reach and reduction in personal privacy due to the Labour government making a specific technical request of a US tech company. Note, I am not objecting to the purpose of the original law. This is exclusively about how our current Labour ministers have gone further than ever envisaged with the conditions of the law, and ensured the State now has unfettered access to your unencrypted data 'whenever it suits them'. ADP and advanced encryption typically protects user data (including photos, emails, messages, bank statements, health data) - the actions of this government have ensured a lower level of protection. Observe how enthusiastically our State goes after people who use hurty words online - they now have easier access to the personal data of millions of citizens within the State. North Korea would love this level of State control and interference in the privacy of it's citizens.

Re: This government - A young person who didn't vote Labour (23rd Feb 2025 - 12:31:17) Was undecided now decided, To say that the Labour Party is using a loophole in this law is factually incorrect. If you find Section 253 it states the following: “obligations relating to the removal by a relevant operator of electronic protection applied by or on behalf of that operator to any communications or data” This shows it being used as was intended and that it is another Conservative failure. Let’s be clear, no one has been arrested for “hurty words” that children use in primary school but for discrimination and violence against minorities some even empathising with terrorists. You wouldn’t like it if you were on a train hearing racist abuse so why should it be allowed online?

Re: This government - Observed (23rd Feb 2025 - 15:41:57) As said before labour are way down the polls so it’s not any good bickering like school children we are not being governed as we should we need a very strong pm and cabinet and we haven’t got it by a very long way. What the people of this country do about it is the question. There doesn’t seem any labour politicians that can do any better they all seem to be useless. So the country is in dire straits who will come forward in our hour of need another Churchill or Thatcher is needed but do we have one out of all the party’s time will tell but unfortunately we don’t have time on our side. If we go on as we are we are doomed.

Re: This government - A young person who didn’t vote Labour (24th Feb 2025 - 14:08:43) Observed, I’m curious about the sources of information you mentioned. Could you share them with us? I’m particularly interested in the polls showing Labour trailing and the data suggesting that most Britons would prefer another Thatcher. No one is bickering, it’s called a conversation of two very opposing opinions.

Re: This government - Observed (24th Feb 2025 - 14:55:53) Young person you said some way back you were not going to post anymore strange you keep on posting and challenging everything that other people say that’s fine but you seem to disagree with anything that’s said against the Labour government and keep asking for proof that you disagree with so what’s the point. You won’t accept anything from the media ie papers etc . And it was only my personal view that we needed a strong pm and suggested Churchill on better still Thatcher but you don’t agree so it doesn’t matter as you say you have different views that’s ok as I said time will tell you may be right and things well get better and we will be standing on our own feet again but I’m personally not holding my breath. Think you’re as you say young with a lot to learn about the way things work and where the money comes from to run a country the young chancellor is finding out things aren’t so simple. She’s running out of options my opinion so don’t jump again. You also seem to have a great deal of time to post your opinions are you possibly still at school with a lot of time on your hands. Yes I’m retired and seen it all and have a little time to spare but not much as I get out into the big wide world try it sometime .

Re: This government - A young person who didn’t vote Labour (24th Feb 2025 - 18:27:10) Observed, Am I not allowed to have a discussion on a public forum? Am I not allowed to change my decision whether to comment or not? I don’t agree with everything Labour has done but I also won’t be manipulated by misinformation such as the Snoopers Law conversation or the immigration debate. I am also open to news article as a valid source earlier in this thread I gave a BMJ article as a source from professionals in the field regarding the NHS and the state the Conservatives left it in but opinions from “news” broadcasters such as GB News who are known to spread hate and misinformation is not a valid source in my opinion. You are more than welcome to share your sources Observed, after all it might change my opinion and give me an insight into what you claim and believe.

Re: This government - Local (25th Feb 2025 - 10:42:45) Strange young person keeps asking for confirmation of reports etc when it’s plastered all over the media and on the news the failings of this government. What more can you want failings everywhere in real life every day business going to the wall shops shutting people being made redundant the economy down the drain national debt spiralling out of control that’s for starters.

Re: This government - Joe (25th Feb 2025 - 20:42:26) Sometimes not all “new” is “news” it depends on where you read the report. To give you an extreme case- an Israeli newspaper would report “news” in an opposite way to a Gaza newspaper.

Re: This government - Was Undecided Now Decided (28th Feb 2025 - 10:32:43) @Local - young person is likely Gen Z, a generation characterised by reaching decisions through a self-reflection cycle. So they are unlikely to have actively sought information from multiple sources, instead relying on sources with a bias that aligns with their values.

Re: This government - Loc (28th Feb 2025 - 12:01:21) As I don’t understand all this modern stuff I think you’re probably right the chancellor probably comes in that category as well. There is nothing better than experiencing and history what goes around comes around it’s repeating itself again. As said time will tell if I’m wrong I will be very happy because the country will be a better place and as they say I will take my hat off to them .

Re: This government - A young person who didn’t vote Labour (28th Feb 2025 - 17:06:35) Was Undecided Now Decided, This is getting rather sad now. I find it hilarious how whenever I post anything factual it is from an official and trustworthy source despite your claims. Unlike 'Unhappy' who posts misinformation: "As for Rwanda why is it the EU are sending refugees there". Clearly they haven't checked their sources. Or "Observed" who has refused to post any sources. Or their is you, who seems to believe that Snoopers Law is being manipulated by the current Labour Government despite it being the Tories who made the law and the Tories who made it legal for the British Government to force companies to decrypt our data. Furthermore, a self reflective cycle has been a thing since at least 1988, just take a look at Graham Gibbs' Reflective Cycle. The whole purpose of a reflective cycle is to give structure to learning from experience. I really struggle to see how this is meant to be an insult when if anything you're once again proving my point. Just so you know my values are super easy and simple to understand they are: democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance. Perhaps now, this thread can be used for what it was originally created for, a discussion on the current Labour Government and not petty insults to the younger generations. After all, this generational divide is getting rather boring.

Re: This government - Steve (28th Feb 2025 - 22:38:50) This whole thread is beginning to look rather trivial given today's developments at the Whitehouse 🤔

Re: This government - Oldie (1st Mar 2025 - 10:14:57) Just wondering how the young people of this country will react to bringing back conscription to defend this country. This government are considering it to boost the armed forces will the young of this country stand up as their forefathers did. Personally I think national service was a good thing it built strong people to stand on their own feet. And if it includes immigrants that would be good they would be doing something for this country.

Re: This government - D (19th Mar 2025 - 08:14:54) At long last they are addressing the over diagnosis (government's words, not mine) of mental illness condemning many to a life of boredom and indignity living on state benefits because some woolly minded social worker deems a perfectly able bodied person unfit to work. I think I would be mentally ill had I spent all my life sat at home and not working.

Re: This government - AF (19th Mar 2025 - 11:19:47) Well done Comrade Starmer, you managed to find another section of our society to upset and cause hardship to. Comrade you need to be careful you going to run out of people to upset.

Re: This government - Not impressed (19th Mar 2025 - 15:52:38) They will soon run out of people to fleece it’s time they went especially the chancellor she’s out of her depth. They are completely ruining the country.

Re: This government - Sam (19th Mar 2025 - 17:34:52) we could just pretend we are swimming in cash and spend spend spend.

Re: This government - Paul2 (25th Mar 2025 - 11:59:07) Listed in the media today (multiple sources), these are some of the items purchased by our Govt on c/s credit cards during this term: • £3,600 on a table for ten Home Office employees at a ceremony • £6,914 at Fortnum and Mason • £2,258 at an adventure park in Belgium • £4,107 at a luxury hotel in Tokyo • £6,493.28 on hotel ‘Island Club’ in Turks and Caicos • £640 at a fine wine company in Singapore. • £8,000 at the KL Tower, a skyscraper in Kuala Lumpur • £1,104 for ‘Women in Leadership’ • £1,109 on high-end spices • £7,000 for away day at Marriott • £10,360 spent at John Lewis • £4,059 at M&S • £43,000 for work from home equipment • £858 for personality tests • £1,046 on catering from a four-star hotel. • £1,700 on public speaking training • £600 in the UAE branch of Jeeves of Belgravia, the dry cleaners • £1,009 on a camper van in New Zealand • £640 at a fine wine company in Singapore

Re: This government - Steve (25th Mar 2025 - 17:44:24) As I understand the story. This government is actually doing something about a problem which was allowed to get completely out of control by it's predecessor!

Re: This government - D (26th Mar 2025 - 12:52:26) Steve, this Labour government can't carry on blaming the last lot forever. They will have to take responsibility sooner or later (and pigs will fly).

Re: This government - Paul2 (26th Mar 2025 - 15:18:11) Steve, facts are always good at moments like this. - 73% of people think the Labour Govt is handling the economy badly - 58% of Labour voters think the Govt is doing poorly - 60% of people disapprove of the current Labour Govt - 38% of people blame the current financial crisis on Labour, as opposed to 22% who blame the Conservatives There is also a soon-to-be-refreshed Savanta survey showing over 50% of people feel Labour always blame the previous Conservative Govt rather than take responsibility for their own current failures.

Re: This government - Unhappy (26th Mar 2025 - 15:36:27) Well as I started this thread got to say agree D this government has gone from bad to worse even totally unbelievable. They are blaming everyone and everything for their total disregard for the country and its people. Shameful the way they are letting in illegal boats where are the border forces or have they done away with them as well. Where’s our navy should be patrolling the 12 mile limit and turning them back with a few chosen shots over the heads. This country has literally gone to the dogs.

Re: This government - Paul2 (26th Mar 2025 - 16:41:34) Unhappy - I would add, there is no longer any *opportunity* in this country. I've encouraged my children to leave the UK the moment they are finished education. There's no future here anymore.

Re: This government - D (27th Mar 2025 - 08:24:18) Get them a mental illness diagnosis then they can live the life of Riley and never work again.

Re: This government - Paul2 (1st Apr 2025 - 08:19:11) Happy 1st April Tax Increase Day! Council Tax - UP Energy Bills - UP Water Bills - UP TV License - UP Car Tax / VED - UP Broadband Bills - UP National Insurance (Employers) - UP Inheritance Tax on Farmers - UP Your cost of living - UP The country's overall score for happiness - DOWN Quality of life - DOWN Pensioners Fuel Duty - DOWN

Re: This government - D (1st Apr 2025 - 11:44:40) Paul2, they'll be back as soon as they need the NHS. As a regular hospital visitor I hear this story frequently.

Re: This government - Alex (1st Apr 2025 - 13:29:03) This country is broke, end of story, when you have no money the political party in charge has little to do with it as the underlying problem beats them. The conservatives (Truss) knew this problem and attempted to spend their way out of the problem and crash the economy, now labour are in the driving seat they know spending wont work, so they are attempting to save our way out of it, thus will crash the economy. This is all Brexit in a nutshell, you only have to look at the piss poor position we are now in relation to our former friends in the US, the one get out clause we thought we had, the "special relationship" Europe = US better be ready for retaliation if you impose tariffs = strong UK = Please don't be angry at the UK Sir.... please = weak We have no power to influence anything now, entirely on our own into the promised sunny uplands that Boris called it..... well where are they? what has got better?

Re: This government - Paul2 (2nd Apr 2025 - 15:20:39) @D, your last comment I think you're applying in a general way, but to be clear my own children do not use the NHS so they won't be health tourists - ever. BTW if you've ever seen hospitals in the First World (and I don't believe the UK is First World anymore), they are much better than the NHS or anything we have here.

Re: This government - Paul2 (2nd Apr 2025 - 15:24:54) Oh Alex. You almost did bingo with your words :) Boris! Truss! Brexit! Tories! In case you hadn't noticed, our current Govt were elected to IMPROVE the country - what was that famous statement, ah yes - for the many, not the few. By every measure we are in a worse position than half a year ago. Labour have had half a year to make improvements, and they had 13 years to prepare their fantastic economic recovery plans.

Re: This government - D (2nd Apr 2025 - 16:55:18) Paul2, I fear your last post will come back one day and bite at least one of your offspring on the arse. One in two people get cancer, need I say any more? I know from experience this country gives the best cancer care in the world. You might get better treatment in other countries, if you can afford it. But hey, your children don't use the N.H.S. so will never have any need of it.

Re: This government - Paul2 (2nd Apr 2025 - 17:49:04) @D, this country 'had' among the best cancer care in the world, but it lost that title long ago. Our mortality from cancer is average, and we now lag behind the best performing healthcare systems in the developed world. We don't do well around reduction in late diagnosis, and from personal experience working in A&E I regularly see many cases of people being diagnosed with Ca late (i.e. in A&E, for the first time) and with reduced treatment options as a result. Our 5-year survival rates are lagging, on the other hand some of our screening programmes are world-class. But there are many other health systems now really pushing on with improving prevention and early diagnosis - better than the UK. BTW there was no need for your comment about a topic like cancer (which you mentioned) and 'my offspring' and 'coming back to bite' one of them. It's an emotive topic, but keep it professional.

Re: This government - D (2nd Apr 2025 - 18:49:10) Paul2, we will have to agree to differ. My opinions on cancer treatment in this country are based on my own first hand experience, the NHS have been excellent in this and I have no complaints at all. I am unable to compare with other countries but I do know you have to pay for some cancer treatments elsewhere when your health insurers refuse to foot the bill. In the past few decades cancer treatment has come on leaps and bounds, though there is still no cure for cancer as such there are many treatments that can keep the cancer at bay for a few years. Regarding your offspring, I don't think it unreasonable to mention the possibility they may develope cancer later in life as it was you who raised the issue of your children, not me. As you seem to be in a position where, in such an event, you can advise them where to receive far better treatment than the British NHS, I don't see it would be a problem anyway.

Re: This government - Sam (2nd Apr 2025 - 22:42:42) At what point will any of you work out that a political party of whatever favor isnt your target... your being sold an illusion, and being divided day after day. We matter, not blue or red The system is broken

Re: This government - Leaver (4th Apr 2025 - 09:39:01) So it seems we did the right thing leaving the EU we are better off on our own.

Re: This government - Steve (4th Apr 2025 - 19:14:30) It's really come to something when brexiteers are so desperate to demonstrate a benefit from leaving the EU that they enthuse about the actions of that bull in the china shop across the Atlantic 🤔

Re: This government - Local (4th Apr 2025 - 21:37:36) No Steve it just demonstrates it as the right decision from the people of this country. More the other way round the remain voters realise they were wrong . This government needs to get its act together and stop trying to take us back in it would be another disaster.

Re: This government - Steve (4th Apr 2025 - 22:00:25) If you believe that remain voters are realising they were wrong you must be reading different opinion polls to me🙄

Re: This government - D (5th Apr 2025 - 00:57:57) What happened to the £350,000,000 a week we gave the E.U.? (Source:- Boris Johnson)

Re: This government - D (8th Apr 2025 - 08:11:58) I'm really disappointed no-one seems able to answer my question. I remember seeing a lorry on the news with a slogan plastered on the side relating to this amount of money being given to the E.U. every week. Okay leavers, what happened to this money? I remember the prime minister of the day saying coming out of the E.U. would give us enough money to build a brand new hospital every week.

Re: This government - Simon (8th Apr 2025 - 08:55:51) D, a quick Google will tell you that the £350m figure was not much more than a political stunt 'dreamed' up by none other than Dominic Cummings: nuffieldtrust.org.uk/news-item/the-brexit-referendum-five-years-on-what-has-it-meant-for-the-nhs "Taking centre stage was the Leave campaign’s claim that “we send the EU £350 million a week – let’s fund our NHS instead”. This was indisputably wrong, as reflected in public finances since, which have never shown a net saving from Brexit. The amount the UK sent the EU was considerably lower, and every official forecast has always shown that savings would be outweighed by the medium-term economic cost."

Re: This government - Charlie (8th Apr 2025 - 12:08:12) Followed your advice Simon and googled this: "In the final year the UK was part of the EU trading block (2019-20), the UK's gross public sector contribution to the EU budget was £18.3 billion, or around £352 million per week."

Re: This government - C (8th Apr 2025 - 12:47:21) The key word in Charlie’s post is “gross”. We also received various rebates and subsidies from the EU which reduced the £350M by about 50%. That’s why the advert on the bus was misleading.

Re: This government - Local (8th Apr 2025 - 13:17:22) Far better out making our own decisions the EU is in dire straits more so now with Trump doing his thing. If this government got its act together we might get going but at the moment with a useless chancellor and PM not much chance.

Re: This government - Charlie (8th Apr 2025 - 15:28:49) -C Anyone can post quotes from Google which is exactly what I am doing: Here's the latest: The UK formally left the EU on January 31, 2020. "During the remaining 11 months of 2020, the UK participated in the EU Budget largely as if a Member State, as agreed in a "financial settlement" between the UK and EU. By 31 December 2023, the UK had paid a net amount of £23.8 billion, leaving an estimated £6.4 billion outstanding." I have still think that it is a good thing we have left the EU. Europe is in a terrible mess, worse than the UK but the two things that really persuaded me to vote leave was the fact that: a) The commission would give way on absolutely nothing in the Cameron/Brexit negotiations. They really did not think the UK would vote to leave. b) I was and still am in favour of a Trading Agreement, those being the operative words, not being told what to do by a corrupt commission. The UK is a sovereign state and should not be dictated to by the European Commission. Essentially we should be free to make out own laws and most importantly not be controlled by ECHR. To get back to the original subject I don't particularly think very much of any of our political parties at the moment.

Re: This government - Realist (8th Apr 2025 - 22:24:38) Well this government must be the worst we have had for a long time perhaps ever . All the people that voted for labour must be ashamed of themselves or running around with their eyes shut. Just how long it’s going on is the problem the chancellor’s has no experience and is doing untold damage that will take years to resolve she’s running the country into the ground. Can the general public demand an election because of the total incompetence of the government.

Re: This government - Scott (8th Apr 2025 - 23:28:12) Realist, are you going to give context or any facts or figures to your rant or just spout negativity. Otherwise it just reads like another angry smalltown Liphook opinion. Everyone has one of those in this highly enlightened modern world but mostly its futile and useless. So what would you like to see happen?

Re: This government - Realist (9th Apr 2025 - 10:06:53) Well Scot as said eyes shut open yours it’s happening all around us . Facts and figures being quoted all the time. This government are hurting the people that make the wealth for the country and that’s a very bad thing you can’t hit our money making industries that employ us this government has no idea how to promote industry. They are hitting the wrong people. As for what I want to happen all I can say is I remember what happened when Mrs T came to power she sorted the country out and we prospered everyone was far better off she backed this country and waved the flag even hitting the French president with her handbag that’s the sort of PM we want only one I can think of is BORIS but the back room boys didn’t like him he was too British for them. Anyway nothing will change until the country is on its knees and we have another election.

Re: This government - Joe (9th Apr 2025 - 11:39:56) So realist, out of the current conservative shadow cabinet who do you think would be capable of being in “your “ government? It is all very well being negative but you have to have some plans for the future as well?

Re: This government - Realist (9th Apr 2025 - 13:40:05) Well Joe the present leader of the conservatives is getting quite close to the thing sounding more like Mrs T but she has opposition from the dark side the people in the shadows. If she could get the good MPs on her side I think she could do a good job she’s a bit of the same cloth asMrs T get Boris back to help could form a better cabinet than we have at the moment anything would be better than what we have. If it goes on like this we are all going to suffer terribly.

Re: This government - Scott (9th Apr 2025 - 16:09:39) Well Unrealist. You couldn't spell my name right so why should I get your pseudonym correct. After more than a decade of tory power, infrastructure, civil engineering projects, schools, the NHS and all avenues of modernity and maintenance or improvement had their budgets slashed in the name of austerity. The country runs at an enormous debt building daily and the books don't balance. We are skint. Everyone on every level is going to have to contribute and rightly so. You want police, you want military, you want the NHS, you want good schooling, you want to meet the exponentially growing population and that need for energy green or otherwise. It all has to be paid for and there is no magic pot or money tree, simple economics, its difficult to spend what ya ain't got. I am not pro Labour but 3 terms by the Tory government didn't exactly leave Labour a great hand to play and their short time in power is not long enough to start crying about holding another election, ridiculous. You call for another Margaret Thatcher. I remember her too. And so will many of our Northern cousins who won't think of her with such affection. She completely decimated the industrial backbone of the UK in her tenure while at the same time oversaw nationally the highest levels of unemployment for decades. There was also incredibly high levels of inflation which led to mortgage rates going up to and beyond 15% for many hundreds of thousands of people and some of which lost their little bit of the UK and were declared bankrupt overnight. Please stop going on about a leader from 45 years ago that you seem to be looking at through a rose tinted monocle. Stability is what any business needs and very much so going forward over the next few months in the UK. Mr Trumpington is doing his level best to be an isolationist dictator and the UK is set relatively well to deal with his ludicrous actions and the repercussions from his attempts to make financial enemies of just about every nation and what were once trading allies. We are an equally great country and we can weather this stormy front. And in any case, I'd been looking for a strong political challenger to come forward and hold Starmer and friends to account, Leader of the opposition, ah yes, I had to ask my wife a few days ago who it was, Such a low public image and not much to add constructively from er, ummm, ah, who, ummm, oh yeah, Kemi Badenoch apparently....Come on, if Labour were that bad they should be getting politically torn part, but they are not. Oh well, I guess we'll have to see how it pans out☺️👍

Re: This government - Realist (9th Apr 2025 - 16:38:51) Sorry SCOTT missed your T never mind let you have another ramble on . As you so rightly say we shall see .

Re: This government - Local (9th Apr 2025 - 18:14:03) Scott remember the last labour government Mr Blair 13 years wasn’t it all ended in tears. They had time to get it right but didn’t it seems they are all the same when they get into power it.goes to their heads. No common sense all of them.

Re: This government - D (9th Apr 2025 - 18:26:48) Scott, maybe you're too young to remember the deplorable state Gordon Brown left the country in. Other than toadying up to George Bush jr. I don't think he did a bad job. But he did lead NEW Labour, not Labour.

Re: This government - Scott (9th Apr 2025 - 18:39:24) Hi Local. Yes I totally agree, Mr Blair and crew were again plying their own legacy and agenda, as they all are once in power. I only addressed the Mrs Thatcher topic as Realist keeps bringing her into the discussion. The reality is theres no point looking backwards as that won't move us forwards as the world is in a much different place from even 5 years ago. Political parties in power are democratically elected for a term which under most circumstances will be seen through to the end, its not the same as swiping left , right, up or down on a phone everytime you get bored or don't agree with something just to get rid of it. Lets see what they can do, be positive as opposed to talking it all down and at the next election vote against them if you don't like how they performed, and off we go again. Happy days.

Re: This government - Scott (9th Apr 2025 - 18:50:04) D hi, I already said I remember Margaret Thatcher, Maybe I'm not as young as you think I am but flattery as they say will get you everywhere, so thank you. Again, my point is, stop looking back, historical accounts of the past and mud flinging about who was or was not a good bad or indifferent leader or party is pointless....Lets be brave folks and look forward and man do I pray for more long hot sunny days and a bright British future. Keep your chin up everyone!

Re: This government - D (9th Apr 2025 - 19:28:25) Couldn't agree more, Scott. I actually meant to say I don't think TONY BLAIR did a bad job, sort of went boobs up when the unelected Gordon Brown took over. I do hope you give a slight bow of the head when you mention the glorious Mrs. T, I always do. What a dire place we were in until that wonderful lady came along.

Re: This government - Local (9th Apr 2025 - 20:11:58) Totally agree D Mrs T did the job best time for this country. She was called the Iron Lady not for nothing she dragged this country up by its boot laces got people working not living of benefits this lot should take a leaf out of her book.

Re: This government - Local (10th Apr 2025 - 18:22:54) Just one thing Scott the old saying you Learn from past experience history tells you everything. Don’t make the same mistake again is another one unfortunately this government are making all the same mistakes.

Re: This government - Scott (11th Apr 2025 - 00:18:30) With all due respect Local, I am only looking forward and will judge this current government on their performance in approximately 3 and a half years time. That is the way our democracy works. If they don't earn or warrant my vote, they won't get it.

Re: This government - D (11th Apr 2025 - 08:11:31) Scott, if we are allowed to vote. Local elections have been banned around here by Kier Stalin.

Re: This government - Scott (11th Apr 2025 - 08:51:15) So, D, If I follow your sentence and train of thought process are you trying to imply by the next election the UK population will be denied their right to vote?? 🤦‍♂️ Wow!! I'm off to enjoy the sun for the day with a smile on my face, its beautiful outside in the fresh air.🌞☺️

Re: This government - Joe (11th Apr 2025 - 09:10:52) The local elections have not been banned they are delayed until the outcome of the devolution process. If we only have county councillors to vote for in future those elections are on a different timescale anyway. I think we should save money by cutting down on the number of different local elections. There will be a need for more district councillors as a result of devolution.

Re: This government - charlie (11th Apr 2025 - 14:18:42) D It all went “boobs up” as you quaintly put it when Blair and Bush took us into that illegal war with Iraq. Remember Dr David Kelly! Scott I agree we should stop harping on about what has happened in the past. Don’t brood about it, learn from it and we never, ever do as Local said we just make the same mistakes over and over again. So sad.

Re: This government - D (11th Apr 2025 - 17:58:57) Charlie, I did mention Blair's alliance with George Bush Jr. Under Tony Blair, great improvements were made to the N.H.S. including additional buildings to hospitals (have a look at QA) and waiting times were brought down. My reference to Gordon Brown concerns his policy of putting people on sickness benefit to keep the unemployment figures down and the extending of open door immigration beyond the E.U. Both of which we are suffering consequences of now. It was, however Mr. Blair who started changes to our pensions. But it was hilarious when it only affected the bone idle public sector wasn't it?

Re: This government - Charlie (12th Apr 2025 - 09:45:42) D I was not saying that under the Blair government there were no positive outcomes. Certainly there was a long honeymoon period. However you seem to understate the damage that Blair and Bush did in starting the illegal war in Iraq and I emphasise the word "illegal" because it was. Dr David Kelly was a brilliant man and a good one t and his death is still unexplained. 4 doctors at the time stated that the wounds found on him could not have killed him and therefore in their opinion he did not commit suicide. They were silenced by Blair as was Dr Kelly's family who were frightened into silence. Nothing good Blair has done outweighs the harm caused by that war. Of course Saddam Hussein was a tyrant and a murderer, but there were no weapons of mass destruction and Iraq and its people are far, far worse of as a consequence of that war. As always the West, including successive governments in the UK, are culpable because they interfere in other countries and when the going gets too tough and starts to affect them and their pocket they withdraw and leave the mess. Look at Afganistan.

Re: This government - D (12th Apr 2025 - 11:34:03) I agree, Charlie. If I'm trying to make a point, I think it's that I can't possibly name one positive thing about the current Labour government. To be fair Mr. Blair seemed to take inspiration more from the Conservative manifesto than the Labour manifesto in my opinion. Indeed, it is rumoured that when he came to office he sought advice from the great lady herself.

Re: This government - D (13th Apr 2025 - 13:01:58) Just to prove I'm not bashing Labour for the sake of it, there are more demands on the tax payer than ever. Meals for children in school holidays, school breakfast clubs (was the parent's responsibility when I were a kid, not the taxpayer), the ever increasing cases of child mental health diagnosis (over diagnosis?), keeping child benefit payments going until a child is nineteen and beyond (I'd completed an apprenticeship by the time I was nineteen), the extra cost of segregational schools for children with special educational needs and diseases, the cost of half of Asia just walking into this country illegally. Not to mention the extra cost on all of us to subsidise those who can't (won't?) pay for their energy and utilities.This all has to be paid for, the way things are going there won't be enough people working to pay for all of this, we are going to end up a nation of incoherent, incompetent, helpless imbeciles incapable of doing anything for themselves, instead continually holding their hand out to the tax payer for even more money.

Re: This government - Local (14th Apr 2025 - 10:00:26) About spot on D it’s time this government woke up and put a stop to all the handouts.

Re: This government - D (14th Apr 2025 - 12:05:35) Thankyou, Local. I was expecting to be severely berated for daring to state the blindingly obvious.

Re: This government - D (14th Apr 2025 - 14:33:49) Interesting to note still no response to my question of the missing £350,000,000 a week. If anyone has it can I have some please.

Re: This government - Jen (14th Apr 2025 - 18:00:46) D, if you scroll back through this thread you'll see that Simon (8th Apr 2025 - 08:55:51) answered your question. The £350 million a week was merely a misleading advert daubed on the side of of a bus in order to grab people's attention and cast blame for all the problems of the NHS onto the EU. It was meaningless. Even Nigel Farage, on the day after the referendum, said that it was incorrect. You're asking what happened to the £350 million? It never existed.

Re: This government - Scott (14th Apr 2025 - 19:10:53) Read the room D.....When noone replies they either have no comment or are just plain bored by a few grumblers....Lobby parliament, write to your local MP or just move on!

Re: This government - D (14th Apr 2025 - 21:19:41) Jen, if you scroll back to C's post you will see the £350,000,000 figure was a gross figure but in fact was stated to be at approximately 50% of this. Scott, who is "Noone"? I don't read rooms, I don't pause to see what everyone else's opinion is before stating my own. Might suit you, not me.

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