Further twists to UK politics

Why is Labour’s leader, Sir Keir Starmer, “trimming” his party’s position on so many issues, and why is the response to last week’s by-elections (20 July 2023 – when Labour won a stunning victory in Selby & Ainsty and ran The Tories close in Uxbridge & South Ruislip), to trim even further?

“No” or “Wet” Blanket Opposition

Harriet Harman announced that Labour would not oppose Gideon’s Government’s proposals to hack away at benefits.

We’re not going to do blanket opposition because we’ve heard all around the country that whilst people have got concerns, particularly about the standard of living for low income families in work, they don’t want just… blanket opposition to what the government are proposing on welfare.

…

But

Three ways to cut welfare

1. Tighten eligibility criteria so fewer people can claim
2. Reduce the actual amounts payable to specific claimants
3. Create an economy where fewer people need to claim welfare

Which ways are the Tories pursuing?

What about the Elephants?

This (2015 UK) General Election seems to consist of lots of minor and pretty irrelevant skirmishes. The major issues seem to be un-addressed in the election.

So what are these elephants in the room?

Subsidising Scrooge Employers

Supermarket workers paid the national minimum wage are forced to claim state benefits totalling £11bn a year, according to a charity.

Citizens UK said the employers of five million workers in the UK were being “subsidised” by the taxpayer.
BBC News Website 12 April 2015 : Supermarket workers have to claim £11bn benefits, charity says

Supermarkets may be a prime offender – but the issue is wider and needs reform.

Taxing security

The High Court will consider a judicial review challenge to what critics call the “bedroom tax” and supporters call “removing the spare room subsidy”.

…

The woman who has brought the case, known only as “A” for her own safety, has been raped, assaulted, harassed and stalked by an ex-partner.

As part of a sanctuary scheme, she and her son live in a three-bedroom home in which one room has been specially adapted as a safe and secure space by the police.

Under new rules, the woman and her son receive housing benefit for a two-bedroom property, which means a reduction in income of 14%.

BBC News Website 19 November 2014 : Court challenge to benefit changes for ‘secure’ housing

It is hard to know quite how to react to this story. “You couldn’t make it up” is true but trivialises a story that shows up this government as so totally insensitive.

So what has the government done?

Clearing the deficit is taxing

Taxes “must” be increased to cut the deficit after the next general election, Nick Clegg has said.
BBC News Website 5 October 2014 : Lib Dem conference: Clegg urges tax rise to cut deficit

Oh dear, a politician telling us a painful truth.

Double-speak on Youth Unemployment

The Prime Minister speaking on the Andrew Marr programme (28 September 2014 BBC1) announced:

Unemployed 18 to 21-year olds would be given six months to find work or training.

Their jobseeker’s allowance (JSA) payments would be withdrawn unless they agreed to take part in “community projects” such as cleaning up local parks.

They would be entitled to a “youth allowance”, set at the same level as JSA – currently £57.35 for those aged 16-24 while carrying out the community work. …

“At heart, I want us to effectively abolish youth unemployment,” …

“I want us to end the idea that aged 18 you can leave school, go and leave home, claim unemployment benefit and claim housing benefit.

“We shouldn’t be offering that choice to young people; we should be saying, ‘you should be earning or learning’.”
BBC Website 28 September 2014 : Tories would tighten benefit cap to fund apprenticeships

I wonder if I hear a touch of double-speak?

A Rebalanced Economy?

This Government came to power talking about “rebalancing the economy”. I thought this meant a move from volatile financial services back (yes back – it’s not always bad) to more tangible wealth creating sectors such as manufacturing (particular of goods for export – which bring money into the country). The government is beginning to claim a measure of success, so how are they doing?

Con: For Hardworking People

The Conservative Conference slogan is “for Hardworking People”. Interesting.