Starmer suspends labour MPs for six months for refusing to overturn a Tory child benefits cap.
This is Starmer's Labour: authoritarian and centre right.
41-45, M
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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
I disagree. He has given a clear indication that he is broadly supportive of removing the cap, but that it is unaffordable at the current time. I'm not sure what the 'rebels' hoped to achieve.
I would have made it a priority on moral and humanitarian grounds, but then I'm not a politician who has to weigh up options and compromise. He has at least been consistent.
I would have made it a priority on moral and humanitarian grounds, but then I'm not a politician who has to weigh up options and compromise. He has at least been consistent.
Burnley123 · 41-45, M
@SunshineGirl The amount of money this policy costs id not a huge amount in the grand scheme of things. Keeping the cap in place is mostly about rightwing virtue signalling. People who agree with it but into the conspiracy that families choose to have lots of kids to milk the benefits system.
Suspending the whip for this kind of thing is also unprecedented. I will agree that Starmer is consistent. Nothing he has done surprises me. This is not different to having a Conservative government in power
Suspending the whip for this kind of thing is also unprecedented. I will agree that Starmer is consistent. Nothing he has done surprises me. This is not different to having a Conservative government in power
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Burnley123 I agree with that interpretation and I don't like it any more than you do. But I think there are parallels with the first term of the Blair government and, although not ideal, the second and third terms were certainly the most socially progressive government I have ever experienced.
It is very different to a Conservative government in that they are actually getting stuff done rather than just arguing with their own members about ideological issues. Discipline is important, even with a huge majority. Labour is always on probation with half the nation, so it seems, and can't afford to let whatever "reputation" they have established outside of their heartlands, with the financial markets, etc, become eroded.
It is very different to a Conservative government in that they are actually getting stuff done rather than just arguing with their own members about ideological issues. Discipline is important, even with a huge majority. Labour is always on probation with half the nation, so it seems, and can't afford to let whatever "reputation" they have established outside of their heartlands, with the financial markets, etc, become eroded.
Justme264 · 70-79, M
@SunshineGirl Could they not have raised the cap to 3 or 4 children thus embracing many families but not all those who go bananas over reproduction that they may not be able to afford? Save some spend no money but bring many children out pf poverty - just ways and means to find a practical solution.
It was after all part of a Conservative austerity social experiment
It was after all part of a Conservative austerity social experiment
Justme264 · 70-79, M
@SunshineGirl Absolutely!
Royrogers · 61-69, M
@SunshineGirl very worthy. How do you ensure the extra money is spent on the children and not down the pub ?
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@Royrogers You assume good intentions, which is the starting point of any public service. You might also refer to statistics which show that poorer families drink less than middle class ones, and instinct that an economically struggling family is unlikely to waste scarce resources on drink.