I don’t really talk about politics on here, but I’ve been quite frustrated recently with the dark path we seem to be going down in this country. Especially the vitriol directed at Labour and Kier Starmer.
I think Starmer has all the charisma of a dead fish, but I do think he’s unfairly treated by a media largely owned by billionaire’s. I saw the post below on Facebook and it’s about everything Labour has done so far. I think it’s worth re-sharing because I’m a bit fed up of people saying Labour are doing nothing. I don’t think it’s necessarily a failure of Labour to shout about these achievements, I think the media isn’t interested in talking about the good things they do and would rather constantly attack them. I also think a lot of people just don’t engage enough with politics to know what’s going on and just see a few headlines or soundbites on the news.
Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think Labour are perfect by any means and they’ve made some stupid decisions that have riled millions up. Moreover, I think they should tax corporations and the rich more. But how anyone can think Reform is the answer is beyond me.
While I get people are frustrated with politics and how daily life has got harder, if you’re working class and think Reform has your best interests at heart, I think you’re going to be very disappointed if they ever run this country. How can people support a party that wants to remove our human rights? That voted against more protections for women?
Reform don’t support much of what Labour has done in 2 years, and they care little about anything other than lining their pockets and serving their rich mates. The media focuses on them all the time because many of our media organisations are owned by billionaire’s who want a society that benefits the rich, not us average working class folks. I really wish people would start seeing this.
Moreover, Reform focus on the ‘stop the boats’ issue like fixing that is going to magically fix everything wrong in this country. The gap between the rich and poor is wider than ever, and I can tell you now that it’s not some guy from Africa who is causing this. While obviously something needs to be done about illegal immigration, why do people think the guy who caused all this is the one to fix it?
Illegal immigration rose sharply after we left the EU. Leaving the EU meant the UK left the Dublin regulation, preventing the automatic return of asylum seekers who crossed through the EU. Additionally, the UK lost access to the Eurodac database, which matched fingerprints of asylum seekers, making it harder to track applicants.
So, if you’re looking for someone to blame about the boats, you only need to look at Farage. Don’t fall for a grifter who is laughing all the way to the bank. I just think a lot of people will regret it if they’ve voted Reform at the next general election and they get control of the government. I think it would be voting against your own interests.
Anyway, here’s the post I saw on Facebook. I’ve added links to source each statement.
For all those who say Starmer’s Labour aren’t left wing, don’t do anything for the working man, let’s look at some of their actions:
- British Steel and the railways are being brought back into public ownership.
- They have taken huge numbers of children out of poverty via removal of the 2 child cap.
- They have raised the minimum wage.
- Given a huge boost to the NHS and have brought waiting lists down.
- The introduction of the Employment Rights Act has strengthened workers rights considerably.
- Winter fuel payments are now means tested.
- Free school meals & breakfast clubs ensure all our children get fed.
- Scrapped hereditary peers in the House of Lords.
- Introduced the Water Special Measures act to see water standards are enforced.
- They have improved rights for renters.
- Doubling of free childcare hours and the reduction of age of entitlement, helping millions of working parents.
- Billions in green energy commitments (25+% of homes worth so far – biggest push ever) towards energy independence and emissions reductions.
- Renewable project approvals have almost doubled under this government.
- 3 new national forests in development (first for 30 years).
- Investment focused on infrastructure and growth industries.
- Large public sector pay rises.
- £1.2 billion for school and hospital repairs.
- A ban on ticket resales above face value.
- Giving priority access for UK medical graduates.
- £39 billion for social and low income housing.
- A national plan targeted at reducing homelessness.
- Big push to decouple energy prices from gas.
All this is either achieved or on track in the first 2 years of Labour being in government.
Starmer isn’t perfect by any means (especially with the whole Mandelson affair), but I feel like a lot of people base someone’s ability to govern on their personality rather than them quietly working away at getting things done. I remember people saying they voted for Boris Johnson because he was ‘funny’, like that has any relevance to being able to improve our country. Also, look how that shit show turned out.
Politics is better for us all when it’s boring. Personality politics doesn’t get anything done other than giving the media more eyeballs and the type of clickbait rubbish that infests any social media platform today. You could have the most charismatic PM ever, but if they’re going nothing to make your life better then what’s the point? Starmer and his nasally voice might be an easy target for Saturday Night Live UK every week, but does his lack of charisma make him the worst PM ever if he’s achieving the goals that Labour’s manifesto laid out at the last general election?
All this said, I still think Starmer probably has to go. His position has become untenable, and I can’t see a way back from being hated by millions of people, no matter how much good Labour is doing. I just hope Labour don’t end up like the Tory’s who fell apart into constant in-fighting and when it felt like they were changing their leader every 5 minutes. It just causes chaos and leads to people disliking government more than ever.