Sir Keir Starmer promised us "Change" but the political debate is drifting dangerously towards what my father used to call "The same old over again." Minister after minister sends most of her/his interview time on the media telling us what a mess the Tories have left behind, Conservatives distort the debate with dubious claims about "two tier Keir" (the fatuous suggestion that right wing demonstrations are more strictly policed than left wing ones) and that a lord and Labour donor has paid for Starmer's suits and glasses during the election campaign (which,even if true, is hardly comparable to the VIP line for Tory mates to make a fortune out of the COVID pandemic).
Sir Keir has devoted his first major Downing Street address to emphasise the case. Let's hope that will put an end to the moaning.
We, the electorate, know that the Conservatives, after fourteen years in charge, have left the public realm - from the NHS, care system , local government, the armed forces, law and order, courts and prison system, the BBC and the arts, - in dire straits. Labour, Liberal Democrats, Greens, and Nationalists where appropriate, have made the point,we have given our verdict and kicked them out.
Now we need a positive, constructive debate on how to put things right. It will be a long process, Sir Keir is probably correct in suggesting it will take at lest two parliaments.
But it will not be painful.
It should be a joy.
We believe the "adults" are back in charge. Let's roll up our sleeves and enjoy rebuilding a caring, comfortable, effective and efficient society that can work with other nations and international organisations to preserve our environment and spread peace and prosperity throughout the world.
Of course it will cost money. But even if the government take a few pounds more from our incomes and wealth in order to pay the price, most of us (I'd estimate about four fifths,) will not suffer pain. Mild inconvenience perhaps, cutting from three to two bottle of wine a week, postponing the second foreign holiday, wearing last year's outfit for this year's season, walking or cycling instead of driving. Plenty left over to compensate the 20% at the bottom of the pile.
Rather that spreading gloom, the Labour leadership should use its PR machine to make it fun.
If fun is to hard even for these masters of perception management, then at least a privilege to take part.
even if the government take a few pounds more from our incomes and wealth in order to pay the price, most of us (I'd estimate about four fifths,) will not suffer pain. Mild inconvenience perhaps, cutting from three to two bottle of wine a week, postponing the second foreign holiday, wearing last year's outfit for this year's season, walking or cycling instead of driving. Plenty left over to compensate the 20% at the bottom of the pile.
ReplyDeleteI assume you take advantage of the fact that you can voluntarily pay extra tax? If not then surely you are a massive hypocrite for suggesting that other people should be happy to be forced to do something you won’t do voluntarily.
I didn't know we could voluntarily pay extra tax. However, like thousands of others I "self tax" by supporting causes I think need a bit of extra help. These include overseas aid, provision for the homeless and, more recently and shamefully, a food bank. But it should be the function of "charity" to provide "a little bit extra" rather than the basic service, as so often at present.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know we could voluntarily pay extra tax.
DeleteNow you know, I presume you will be doing so from now on, in order not to be a massive hypocrite?
Also could you let us know how much additional tax you are voluntarily paying? Because according to this survey https://taxpolicy.org.uk/2024/03/17/tax_and_nhs_spending/ people who say they ate willing to pay extra tax to support the NHS are willing to pay an extra… £100 a year.
DeleteNeedless to say, with about 32 million taxpayers, and an annual health and social care budget of £182 billion, an extra hundred pounds a week from each taxpayer would fund the NHS for just over six days.
So do please let us know when you have set up your voluntary tax contribution, how much extra tax you are paying, and how happy you are to be contributing above and beyond what you are required to.