Starmer's vision quest

[AndyRM]

Aaaand the conversation is being dictated here by you-know-who.

Voldemort?

 

[First Aspect]

Agree re triple lock - what welfare reforms should they do that aren't going to incite pitchfork revolts?

Honestly although it pains me to say it, there are far too many people who don't work because they are told they are permanently sick. The number has gone up something like 50% since pre COVID and the health of the nation has not deteriorated to the same extent.

 

[Psamathe]

Agree re triple lock - what welfare reforms should they do that aren't going to incite pitchfork revolts?

I'm very unsure about this and a lot depends on what replaces the "tripple lock". Most say it would become a "double lock" with the inflation and wage growth increases - which in reality wouldn't change much.

The difficulty is that a fair number of pensioners are entirely dependent on the state pension and that means a struggle. Cost of living is different for retired vs working in complex ways eg no travel to work costs but also being home means higher heating bills, lower mobility, etc. many complex factors. eg food inflation is currently significantly higher than general inflation and struggling pensioners who don't use train, air flights, etc. are thus suffering harder than many.

My current thoughts is that condemning struggling pensioners to below inflation income rises is no "solution" but rather pensions should be means tested. There are many changes that could be made to raise treasury income from pensions without making life more of a struggle for those already struggling eg why the tax exemptions on private pensions (eg 25% lump sum tax free).

 

[CXRAndy]

eh? You think Ethiopia wants every other country's unwanted migrants?

By the way, we are all African by origin - fancy being sent back to Africa?

We are all apes by origin

How far back do want to go

 

[Pblakeney]

More and more talk about Labour breaking their manifesto pledge on the main taxes.

Anyone who thought that taxes weren't going to have to be raised was deluded. I include those in the Labour Party.
It would also be required whoever won that election, and the next one. Reform included, although people will vote for unicorns.

 

[monkers]

We are all apes by origin

How far back do want to go

Yes, but I carefully note that the evolution of different species has occurred at differing rates, which may help to explain your ''variety of folks'' people that you know as background for your attempted claim for a majority, or even many.

 

[Stevo 666]

Because ''self-determination'' doesn't mean asking the permission of somebody else, even when they're English.

I didn't say that they needed permission of somebody else. I think that the English should also have a say - I.e. do we want to leave them? Self determination, as you say.

 

[CXRAndy]

If tofay there was a question asked of the English, do they want to keep Scotland or let them do their own thing. It would be get rid

 

[First Aspect]

I'm very unsure about this and a lot depends on what replaces the "tripple lock". Most say it would become a "double lock" with the inflation and wage growth increases - which in reality wouldn't change much.

The difficulty is that a fair number of pensioners are entirely dependent on the state pension and that means a struggle. Cost of living is different for retired vs working in complex ways eg no travel to work costs but also being home means higher heating bills, lower mobility, etc. many complex factors. eg food inflation is currently significantly higher than general inflation and struggling pensioners who don't use train, air flights, etc. are thus suffering harder than many.

My current thoughts is that condemning struggling pensioners to below inflation income rises is no "solution" but rather pensions should be means tested. There are many changes that could be made to raise treasury income from pensions without making life more of a struggle for those already struggling eg why the tax exemptions on private pensions (eg 25% lump sum tax free).

The triple lock is whichever is higher out of inflation, average wages or 2.5%. I think removing the link to average wages is entirely reasonable. Not least because of the way that stte pensions are funded, by the current working population.

 

[monkers]

I didn't say that they needed permission of somebody else. I think that the English should also have a say - I.e. do we want to leave them? Self determination, as you say.

Yes, needing the permission of the English is the very definition of ''self-determination''. How could I have missed it? I didn't.

 

[First Aspect]

I didn't say that they needed permission of somebody else. I think that the English should also have a say - I.e. do we want to leave them? Self determination, as you say.

There's nothing stopping England and Wales having a referendum on independence from Scotland.

 

[Stevo 666]

All questions, no answers as usual. How the hell could England 'have a say'? And more pertinently - why? The proposal is that Scotland leaves the UK, not England. The UK consists of more than the two parties.

It's hard not to be condescending when the questions are so vacuous. I think you might just have to stay confused.

We should have a say in whether we want to stay in a union. Self determination, as mentioned above.

Just remind me, what point are you trying to make here? Other than demonstrating that you have a the massive chip on your shoulder when it comes to this issue?

 

[Stevo 666]

There's nothing stopping England and Wales having a referendum on independence from Scotland.

Exactly. And if Zippy is in any way representative of the Scots, I'm all for it.

 

[Stevo 666]

Yes, needing the permission of the English is the very definition of ''self-determination''. How could I have missed it? I didn't.

Missing the point again.

 

[First Aspect]

I'm very unsure about this and a lot depends on what replaces the "tripple lock". Most say it would become a "double lock" with the inflation and wage growth increases - which in reality wouldn't change much.

The difficulty is that a fair number of pensioners are entirely dependent on the state pension and that means a struggle. Cost of living is different for retired vs working in complex ways eg no travel to work costs but also being home means higher heating bills, lower mobility, etc. many complex factors. eg food inflation is currently significantly higher than general inflation and struggling pensioners who don't use train, air flights, etc. are thus suffering harder than many.

My current thoughts is that condemning struggling pensioners to below inflation income rises is no "solution" but rather pensions should be means tested. There are many changes that could be made to raise treasury income from pensions without making life more of a struggle for those already struggling eg why the tax exemptions on private pensions (eg 25% lump sum tax free).

I suspect means testing the state pension would be political suicide. It is also manifestly unfair to huge numbers of people who will not be able to adjust their retirement plans (which can take a decade or more). The result for most middle earners would be comparative poverty, because private pensions pay out absolutely fcuk all. In addition to the administrative costs, the knock on effect of completely stemming the flow of the grey pound would probably outweugh the benefit.