Donald I, emperor of the world.

[Pinno718]

We are in what appears to be a state of prolonged national decline with a catastrophic economic collapse looming on the near horizon, with

Slightly OTT but I don't disagree. Brexit has not helped.

a hated government that routinely lies to the electorate and reneges on its manifesto pledges (plus ça change you will say but this lot are on steroids).

Not sure they do.

The consensus on here however seems to be "Yeah but Tories/Reform are worse and look over there at Trump"

I don't think that is the consensus and besides being the Trump thread, we have a window into a far right driven populist agenda - one that seems to be become more prevalent here what with Reform. And if you want to talk about lying politicians (or extreme misinformation), then all you have to do is cite Farage.

. The worst government in modern history are driving us over a cliff blindfolded

Worse than Truss/BoJo?!

and all I see is a collective shrug of the shoulders.

Err, no. No evidence of that. Probably apathy, a tiredness seems prevalent but not dismissal. Read other news sources and there's little in the way of dismissiveness.

So forgive me if I've trampled on the Trump thread with some domestic politics but you appear to be preoccupied with a government across the Atlantic that you can't influence or change

There's plenty of posters on this thread who post elsewhere. What is happening across the pond affects us almost as much as what the current UK government does, in terms of the wider global economic climate; climate change, the Ukraine conflict, tariffs, the threat against long standing alliances, international peace treaties, NATO, national security, the global balance of power (which I think is now shifting very quickly east), those far right billionaires who are trying to influence UK politics etc etc. I feel that the end or a collapse of the Trump administration may stem the havoc this insidious, corrupt bunch is wreaking and 'Western democratic values*' may prevail. The death of the cult that is MAGA, cannot come quick enough.
My gripe against our government is why it isn't positioning itself closer to Europe where 37% of our trade exists as our problems will not be alleviated by pandering to the Orange Turkey.

*I'm not saying they are the best but they're far better than dictatorships.

whilst your own is removing your rights, destroying what's left of the economy and the fabric of society.

I disagree. This govt. has it's hands tied due to post Brexit stagnation and years of Tory rule/austerity.
Any govt, in power left or right would struggle with the stark economics and the state of this union..

 

[Pinno718]

This place is madder than Cakestop
Chapeau.

Yay! Yer in.

 

[Pross]

Have to admit I’ve been quite amused today by the narrative that no-one on here complains about how bad our own Government is when there is a thread of over 900 pages mainly critical of the Labour government (as well as others criticising their main rivals). It’s no wonder the likes of Trump and Farage manage to get support when people seem so willing to accept whatever ‘alternative reality’ that suits them.

 

[CXRAndy]

Crazy left. They would rather release criminals into the public than have ICE detained and deport


View: https://x.com/jgebbia/status/1996382089529479636?t=tgRmoUEt2oRfwG2t3bmduQ&s=19

 

[Pinno718]

Have to admit I’ve been quite amused today by the narrative that no-one on here complains about how bad our own Government is when there is a thread of over 900 pages mainly critical of the Labour government (as well as others criticising their main rivals). It’s no wonder the likes of Trump and Farage manage to get support when people seem so willing to accept whatever ‘alternative reality’ that suits them.

Good point, well made.

 

[Dorset Boy]

Good point, well made.

Pretty sure there's a lot of posts in gthose 900 pages that deflect criticism, or claim that the criticism isn't really meritted or is irrelevant.

 

[TailWindHome]

UK is in an absolutely dire state. We are in what appears to be a state of prolonged national decline with a catastrophic economic collapse looming on the near horizon

Flip sake Rachael, I'm just trying to eat my cheerios in peace here.

 

[Pross]

Pretty sure there's a lot of posts in gthose 900 pages that deflect criticism, or claim that the criticism isn't really meritted or is irrelevant.

But their performance is being discussed. Some seem to think it's some Leftie conspiracy that isn't being done on a thread dedicated to Trump.

 

[Beebo]

There’s a huge difference between a government who are incompetent but trying to make things better.
Compared to an outwardly corrupt government who have no interest in making things better for their voters.

 

[Pblakeney]

There’s a huge difference between a government who are incompetent but trying to make things better.
Compared to an outwardly corrupt government who have no interest in making things better for their voters.

...and the point of this thread is that the outwardly corrupt government making thing worse extends way past their voters.

 

[briantrumpet]

I thought that this must be an Onion headline.

https://gizmodo.com/palantir-ceo-sa...utional-would-be-good-for-business-2000695162

 

[C R]

I thought that this must be an Onion headline.

https://gizmodo.com/palantir-ceo-sa...utional-would-be-good-for-business-2000695162

View attachment 11433

The choice of name for the company should have given you a hint on what kind of lowlife Thiel is.

 

[AndyRM]

The choice of name for the company should have given you a hint on what kind of lowlife Thiel is.

Exactly.

How to completely misunderstand Tolkien and make yourself look like a dumbass in one fell swoop...

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

whilst your own is removing your rights, destroying what's left of the economy and the fabric of society.

This isn't a trick question, as we have different views politically, I would be genuinely interested to hear the ways in which you feel we are having our rights removed and how labour are destroying the economy?

I have repeatedly stated that as a Labour supporter I am more than a little disappointed in Starmer and Labours performance so far, but that is largely because I view them as (ideologically speaking) chasing voters on the right and constantly issuing rhetoric on issues such as immigration which is not in line with a general progressive left view.

However, on the two issues you raise I would disagree, they have taken some concrete steps so far.

Our rights
Introduced the employment rights bill. This plans to introduce a whole raft of workers rights; stronger protections around sexual harassment and unfair dismissal, improved SSP, better flexible working, crackdown on zero hours etc.

Restored NHS funding to highest levels since 2010

Introduced the Renters Rights Bill to offer better protection to renters
.
Introduced Water special measures bill. Not a massive first step but at least starting to hold water companies to account and better protect us as consumers and the environment.

Ending 2 child benefit cap will lift half a million kids out of poverty, increasing the living conditions of some of the poorest families. I would argue this improves people's rights and protections.

Introduced new measures to Police to better address violence against women and girls.


The economy

OBR projected growth is 1% annually

Real GDP growth is expected to be around 1.4% in 2025, up from 1.1% in 2024. Nominal GDP is estimated at 2.2% higher than predicted in Qtr 2 of this year. Admittedly one of the main challenges is that growth is being taken up by public sector and not private sector which is also driven by net migration. There would have to be a transition back to private growth but as Labour have decided to continue to enact right wing policies on migration this will not be helped.

Real disposable incomes fell by 0.7% in Qtr 1 of this year which has an obvious impact of household consumption, driving it down as people look to save more and spend less, fuelled by better savings rates. However, inflation has likely peaked and projections are that it will gradually fall from early 2026, aligned with a medium term increase in productivity. This would allow for real wage growth. The IFS predicts this would see household consumption grow 1.4% between 2027-31 and the OBR forecasts private consumption to grow 1.6% over the next five years.

As inflation eases we should also start to see real terms growth in business investment and the trend for higher unemployment to reverse.

The IMF projects UK fiscal balance to increase by 2.2% of GDP, compared with an average of 0.3% in other advanced economies. We would still be a net borrower over the next five years, but are predicted to be around 1% lower than comparable economies.

I am not going to pretend it is all rosy, lots of significant challenges ahead but there is also some slow and steady work being done to try and shift the momentum. The idea that Labour are destroying the economy doesn't seem to really stack up.

 

[C R]

Exactly.

How to completely misunderstand Tolkien and make yourself look like a dumbass in one fell swoop...

I'm thinking he probably considers Sauron a disruptor and innovator, fighting against woke sjws who oppose progress, and the choice of name was very deliberate.