[Politics] Are Labour going to turn this country around?

[Bodian]

My post was about how the electorate choose to position themselves in the current political set up, and how this hamstrings the chances of a decent government.

Ah - yes, I see.

 

[drew]

Totally agree and only time will tell. But what Reeves & Co do now will decide where we are in 2029. Ask anyone on business or who understands very basic economics, who thinks that we have a chance in hell of delivering what the gov hope to by then.
Simply astounding that anyone here can defend this government.

Will you defend the previous incumbents then? Or, do you lean a bit further towards Reform?

 

[abc]

Perhaps many of us believe that the current lot, although far from perfect, represent a massive improvement over the last 14 shambolic years and, given our political system is a two horse race, that is the best offer we have at the moment.

p

Totally agree with you except that is not a reason to defend the various inept and damaging policies that they have come out with this far. In fact, if we don’t want ‘the last lot’ or Reform back in, it is all the more important that those want Labour to succeed call them out when they are getting things wrong.
For the record, I want Labour to succeed.

 

[abc]

Will you defend the previous incumbents then? Or, do you lean a bit further towards Reform?

Of course not. That is not a reason to defend incomprehensibly inept policies by the government that are now in power.

 

[ROSM]

Seriously? The never never ending southern rail strike was about the unions refusing to change working practices!

There is a difference between refusal to change working practices and refusal of modernisation.

What southern did to their network with removal of guards and not investing in next generation of drivers will come to be seen as some of the most cavalier, destructive aspects of rail management.

 

[beorhthelm]

There is a difference between refusal to change working practices and refusal of modernisation.

What southern did to their network with removal of guards and not investing in next generation of drivers will come to be seen as some of the most cavalier, destructive aspects of rail management.

there's often not really a difference, modernisation requires changes to work practice. the guards is an excellent example, the role simply wasn't required anymore as technology renders some of their role redundant. there's still a person on the train - dont recall being on one without despite all the fear they'd be cut - they do a different job.

 

[ROSM]

there's often not really a difference, modernisation requires changes to work practice. the guards is an excellent example, the role simply wasn't required anymore as technology renders some of their role redundant. there's still a person on the train - dont recall being on one without despite all the fear they'd be cut - they do a different job.

You must get different trains than me..just in the last month I have had 3 trains delayed due to an issue (alarms, passenger disruption etc) which a guard could have assisted.

Revenue protection are nigh on invisible on major commuting trains.

We should also ask British transport police view of there being no second person on the trains and the increased demand on them

The cost of a guard is minimal in terms of a cost of a ticket

 

[Chicken Run]

You must get different trains than me..just in the last month I have had 3 trains delayed due to an issue (alarms, passenger disruption etc) which a guard could have assisted.

Revenue protection are nigh on invisible on major commuting trains.

We should also ask British transport police view of there being no second person on the trains and the increased demand on them

The cost of a guard is minimal in terms of a cost of a ticket

On Thursday I traveled up to Leeds to see my daughter with an overnight stay in the rather wonderful Queens Hotel.

Apart from trips to London on Southern/Thameslink and East m/West Coast way on Southern Thursday was my first time on what I would call a long distance service out of London since 1992 and boy was i impressed with the whole LNER setup from Kings X, i really enjoyed my trip there and back from Kings X, even yesterday with my original train being cancelled.

What a difference between the companies.

 

[ROSM]

On Thursday I traveled up to Leeds to see my daughter with an overnight stay in the rather wonderful Queens Hotel.

Apart from trips to London on Southern/Thameslink and East m/West Coast way on Southern Thursday was my first time on what I would call a long distance service out of London since 1992 and boy was i impressed with the whole LNER setup from Kings X, i really enjoyed my trip there and back from Kings X, even yesterday with my original train being cancelled.

What a difference between the companies.

You're spot on. There are inconsistency of approach. Azuma trains can be driver only operation. But they have guaranteed other staff on the train whether its buffet , train manager or revenue protection. You can modernise a railway to not need a guard and have better trains with air con. But doing away with security is a change of working practice.

 

[HillBarnTillIDie]

I think @HillBarnTillIDie is referring to something that was reported in the Daily Mail 5 months ago on the day of the stabbings that he has only just heard about. Nothing to do with his more recent visits

100%

 

[abc]

There is a difference between refusal to change working practices and refusal of modernisation.

What southern did to their network with removal of guards and not investing in next generation of drivers will come to be seen as some of the most cavalier, destructive aspects of rail management.

Genuine question, could you explain the not investing in the next gen of train drivers part please?

 

[Chicken Run]

You're spot on. There are inconsistency of approach. Azuma trains can be driver only operation. But they have guaranteed other staff on the train whether its buffet , train manager or revenue protection. You can modernise a railway to not need a guard and have better trains with air con. But doing away with security is a change of working practice.

Yep there was at least 4 members of staff not including driver yesterday, it almost felt like a plane journey.

 

[The Fits]

Starmer is failing to do the right things. Clues in the name. Labour.
He’s failing working people and small business owners.
I myself have moved from running pubs to owning them. I am now in the process of getting out of the industry.
I have the skills. I have a proven track record for success. I should be being supported and encouraged to invest further, to be ambitious.
I understand very well that they have at least one hand tied behind their backs because of the last decade, not their fault, but they’ve also not done enough in the last 9 months to instill any confidence.
Reeves seems to be having a breakdown. Yes, being sniped at is hard, personally, I get that. But have some backbone. You chose to be politicians. You presented yourselves as wanting to make a difference.
It’s all just very disappointing.

 

[ROSM]

Genuine question, could you explain the not investing in the next gen of train drivers part please?

Train companies overall have reduced their investment in training new drivers. It's easier to increase wages to attract from other companies. Now I know that they still need to learn routes and be partnered for many weeks but that is a significant investment and there isn't as much of it happening now to attract new start from fresh drivers to replace those who are leaving. Hence why needing overtime to run a basic service.

@jackalbion im sure can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

The clown car is now polling 22%. They are killing the chances of a decent Labour government ever again in this country

Again, what people tell the polls isn't translating into votes. There were five council by elections this week, none of which resulted in a Reform win.

There have been 184 by elections since last July, and they have won just 7.

 

[drew]

On Thursday I traveled up to Leeds to see my daughter with an overnight stay in the rather wonderful Queens Hotel.

Apart from trips to London on Southern/Thameslink and East m/West Coast way on Southern Thursday was my first time on what I would call a long distance service out of London since 1992 and boy was i impressed with the whole LNER setup from Kings X, i really enjoyed my trip there and back from Kings X, even yesterday with my original train being cancelled.

What a difference between the companies.

Try Avanti!!!

 

[Chicken Run]

Try Avanti!!!

I will, what routes do the operate

 

[Uncle Spielberg]

Mortgage rates continue to go up after that shocker of a budget. The days of under 4% appear to have gone, they were about 3.70% fixed for 5 years, 69% ltv October 2024, all long gone

 

[Bodian]

The Guardian is becoming more tabloidy by the day.

Headline.

But actually - she said we should be more positive. It was the questioner that introduced the Trump analogy, not Reeves.
.

 

[A1X]

Mortgage rates continue to go up after that shocker of a budget. The days of under 4% appear to have gone, they were about 3.70% fixed for 5 years, 69% ltv October 2024, all long gone

Those poor mortgage lenders, doubtless all on course to make massive losses this year and fighting to stay afloat…