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This Goverment

Is this government Marxist ?

John Southey ● 23d151 Comments

Essex council paid out half a million pounds to an internet comedian Simon Harris to run a covid virus social media page.Oh. I wonder if Hounslow council would ever do anything remotely like that.....I wonder if anyone on this site ever sold their souls and 'shilled' for the council ?

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 11d

https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-11-06/debates/77B1E99D-C873-49E1-9EB9-B6F57C0B939C/SmallBoatCrossings#contribution-9F25FC2C-D160-444A-850C-505651BA5AEC

Jean Rossin ● 12d

Please see transcript from Hansard https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2024-11-06/debates/77B1E99D-C873-49E1-9EB9-B6F57C0B939C/SmallBoatCrossings#contribution-9F25FC2C-D160-444A-850C-505651BA5AEC

Jean Rossin ● 12d

Another 524 illegals yesterday. Hopefully the weather will discourage too many more as our government is ineffective and seems only to encourage them.

Steve Taylor ● 14d

Why don’t you enlighten me as Keith does not seem to be able to answer my questions.

Paul Campbell ● 14d

Do try to keep up Paul dear.

Brian Coyle ● 15d

They haven’t. It’s fake news.

Steve Taylor ● 15d

Jean, I refute these figures.I have not seen or heard of 9,400 illegal immigrants being returned in the short time Labour has been in office.

Denis I. Fox ● 15d

Bank of England predicting inflation will rise due to RR tax increases and spending so much for looking after the workers. Will they ever learn, I doubt it. Then trump and his tariffs will create even more uncertainty, so zero growth predicted and possibly a slowing economy well done RR! she has not got a clue.

Jayne Thorburn ● 15d

Fake news on Reddit. Where is Hansard evidence of these numbers of alleged returns?

Steve Taylor ● 15d

What experiences? What people and communities?

Paul Campbell ● 15d

All very laudable,but the experience of some people and communities suggests that is not always the case.

Keith Iddon ● 15d

An illegal immgrant is somebody who has no right to come to Britain. Governments have deliberately blurred the lines because of pubic fears about immigration. They should be honest and explain how proud we are to be a destination for asylum seekers and how we help them become productive members of our society.

Paul Campbell ● 15d

It is not a moot point. It is the crucial point and I refer you back to my original comment:"Proper and effective use of existing powers and controls is exactly the right way to manage immigration."

Paul Campbell ● 15d

Symantec’s Paul illegal immigration is just that whether by boat, hiding in lorries etc. I think the country does respect legal immigration done via the correct channels.

Jayne Thorburn ● 15d

Moot point you make about asylum seekers/illegal immigrants.An illegal immigrant is hardly likely to arrive here on a dinghy and claim to be an illegal/economic migrant rather than an asylum seeker.They arrive in the same way and are indistinguishable to the naked eye.The genuines get mixed up with the charlatans,that's the rub.How to tell one from another?

Keith Iddon ● 15d

No I said immigration and you inserted the word "illegal". I don't think that the public does have a good understanding of the benefits of immigration and that is why the right wing press always reports in outraged terms on total immigration figures when they are released. I also don't think there is a good understanding of "illegal immigration." Quite a high number of people think that asylum seekers are synonymous with illegal immigrants but that is not the case no matter how much they might wish it to be so.

Paul Campbell ● 15d

You have just told us how many illegals have been deported,so any joined up thinking would suggest you were still referring to them.Just about everyone acknowledges that legitimate immigration can be a positive think for the country and that has been the message from both main parties for a long time.

Keith Iddon ● 15d

I didn't say that did I Keith?

Paul Campbell ● 15d

How is illegal immigration 'a positve for the country'?

Keith Iddon ● 15d

"The Labour government has returned 9,400 people with no right to be in the UK – including 2,590 enforced returns, an increase of 19% on the same period in 2023. This is a Government that takes illegal immigration seriously, if there is no right to be here, they will be deported."Proper and effective use of existing powers and controls is exactly the right way to manage immigration.But governments should also be more up front with the public in explaining why immigration is a positive for the country and how we cannot actually be successful without it. Rishi Sunak knew this because he is actually a highly intelligent economist.

Paul Campbell ● 15d

Are you aware of this? https://www.reddit.com/r/ukpolitics/comments/1gluv42/the_labour_government_has_returned_9400_people/?captcha=1

Jean Rossin ● 15d

"and did we get value for money ?"We defeated Napoleon.

Richard Greenhough ● 15d

“most of us hate governments who spend our money incompetently, inefficiently or on unnecessary vanity projects.”Which is why most of us hate this government’s inefficiency on dealing with illegal immigration and spending £millions on illegal immigrants.

Steve Taylor ● 15d

Strange how some people don't like you agreeing with them.

Keith Iddon ● 15d

Not sure I understand your reasoning? I guess 99.9% of us hate tax dodgers. In a similar way, most of us hate governments who spend our money incompetently, inefficiently or on unnecessary vanity projects.I get very angry at the increasing number of commentators who alide tax avoidance with tax evasion. Tax evasion is illegal, and tax avoidance is simply rational behaviour and entirely legal.

Sam Hearn ● 16d

That's why I hate tax dodgers,Sam.

Keith Iddon ● 16d

Income tax was retained because is relatively straight forward to collect from wage slaves, cheap for the government to collect, generally speaking easy to understand/explain and at least superficially fair - those with the broadest shoulders pay most.The real reason is to pay the interest on the national debt incurred to pay for all those wars.In addition in the 20th century the State began providing more and more services that we as electors consider essential; universal health care, basic social care, pensions, transfer payments to over half the population (i.e. benefits) an effective nuclear armed defence force, a corruption free justice system, a reliable policing service,  roads and extensive transport subsidies the list goes on and on.

Sam Hearn ● 16d

I read in France one gang has been caught. One member has received 15 years and a fine of €200,000.00. What is happening here?

Nicholas Beard ● 17d

and did we get value for money ?

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 17d

In answer to your question Anna (and I didn’t know this until I looked it up) it turns out that Income Tax was removed in 1816 after the end of the Napoleonic wars.It was re-introduced in the 1840s so that other taxes could be removed.https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/taxation/overview/incometaxbolished/

Andrew Jones ● 17d

Thought for the day - income tax was brought in to finance the Napoleonic war, does anyone feel that particulat war is still a threat today and if its not why are we still paying the tax ??

Anna Kirkpatrick ● 17d

Well done to the French!! Lots of money spent and a few convictions and fines which are laughable and won’t hurt the criminals at all. From our side getting the illegals on planes to Rwanda  would deter more from coming and stifle the criminal gangs.

Steve Taylor ● 17d

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yrg1kqzl2o.ampIt takes negotiation between a lot of countries some of which we have recklessly alienated ourselves from.

Philippa Bond ● 18d

“ Some 611 people have arrived so far in November, with crossings recorded by the Home Office over three days.According to the latest figures published by the Government department, 178 people arrived in three boats on Monday.More than 5,400 people made the journey in October, making it the busiest month of the year so far.The provisional total for the year so far is 31,272, which is up 17% on this time last year (26,699) ”

Steve Taylor ● 18d

“In the election campaign Starmer suggested that they had a plan in place to go after the criminal gangs,”That’s right. Obviously just a blatant lie because TODAY Cooper is still only suggesting they must go after the gangs but nothing has been done at all. Hence the criminals know they can come here with total impunity. But we all knew that Cooper was all mouth and no action.

Steve Taylor ● 19d

I'm sure the French don't want the job of dealing with the problem, theyalso won't want to keep them there, complete waste of funds, deterrentis a good option but I don't think we will ever stop the boats and don't see how and as for the gangs, in their dreams.

Janice Evans ● 19d

The Conservatives gave over £800m to the French to stop the flow of boats to no avail.Labour, in their short term of office have so far handed over £350m to no avail.It is accepted that the French northern shoreline is too long to be policed diligently but really, has Starmer not heard of the definition of insanity?There is a solution, but it would depend on Macron instructing his navy/border patrol to bring back the boats to France.Very soon the illegal immigrants would cease seeing France as a gateway to soft-touch England, the people smugglers would lose their market, and lives would not perish at sea.Of course, this simple remedy would rely on Macron's agreement.However, he is enjoying the handouts he is getting from our governments, and is still bent on punishing us for having the temerity for leaving the EU.C'est la vie.

Denis I. Fox ● 19d

In the election campaign Starmer suggested that they had a plan in place to go after the criminal gangs, but four months down the line not much seems to have happened about implementing it.

Richard Greenhough ● 19d

So after 4 months in office Yvette Cooper has made the most profound statement about the massive increase in illegal immigrants. “Cooper said high numbers of crossings in October were “linked to the weather” but that “we’ve actually got to go after the criminal gangs at the heart of this”Oh wow - so first blame the weather (how British), then admit that you have done absolutely nothing about the problem but then try to pacify the irate public by making meaningless statements about going after criminal gangs. If the flights had been in full flow to Rwanda as Rishi had promised, the illegals wouldn’t be paying criminal gangs to get them here in the first place.

Steve Taylor ● 19d

And leave farmers alone.

Janice Evans ● 20d

The 'problem' is Bill people are now leaning towards Farage in great numbers, personally I would prefer Conservatives and fear the worst ifthings continue as they are going.  The wealthy are not bothered what's thrown at them the sooner they realise and start getting support from thepopulation the better.

Janice Evans ● 20d

“No, as there is no formal way of applying for asylum , people coming here in boats are not  defined as illegal until their application”Rubbish. They can apply for asylum in any uk embassy or high commission. If they come here on on boats without going through passport control, they are illegal. Exactly why they should be shipped immediately to Rwanda for processing. Then if they are granted asylum they are given sanctity there. A perfect plan.  I’m sure Mr Farage won’t be so generous in a few years time.

Steve Taylor ● 20d

Beautifully Put Steve Taylor (some 20 posts back up the line).Pig-ignorant oafs like you will remain in opposition for the next 20 years churning out that sort of piffling crap.You mention Nigel and BRICS.Is Barnes nowadays a suburb of Clacton on Sea or central Moscow?

Bill Danton ● 20d

They do too with over half the population, good on them.

Janice Evans ● 20d

You should have remembered that when you voted for Brexit.

Paul Campbell ● 20d

They are our suppliers remember.

Janice Evans ● 20d

I’m not in the least surprised your husband was born on a farm. Brexit is universally acknowledged to have been an absolute disaster for farmers. Especially by farmers. So you can congratulate yourself for making their lives a great deal more difficult than Labour ever will.

Paul Campbell ● 20d

"Decapitated "what a wonderful piece of hyperbole. Reeves answered every question put to her and at one point corrected a question that Phillips put to her .He's clearly not a finacial journalist but then again she is a former economist with the Bank of England. Clearly out of his depth.As for Badenoch I'm looking forward to a KC questioning the leader of the Tories over her comments about sacking civil servants and her approach to maturity pay.

David Burke ● 20d

Proudly support Brexit, my husband started life on a farm so I know a bit more than you think.

Janice Evans ● 20d

One day, oerhaps, someone may find that which you intend to be witty an/or amusing to actually have either of those traits. Until such time it is you, rather than that which you write, that is an object of amusement,nay, ridicule

N V Brooks ● 20d

“Time for quiet and very serious reflection if ever there was such a time.”You are just so wrong. A dullard in true form. If ever there was a time to look carefully at what is happening in Europe and the USA, and how BRICS has grown its tentacles, surely it’s time to start seriously worrying that every day you have the current front bench labour lot, Nigel is getting stronger and stronger and stronger and Ms Badenoch will be forced to go with the flow. Quiet and serious reflection at a time like this is actually gross complacency.

Steve Taylor ● 20d

And by the say nobody who supports Brexit can expect to have their crocodile tears for farmers taken seriously.

Paul Campbell ● 20d

No, as there is no formal way of applying for asylum , people coming here in boats are not  defined as illegal until their application  for asylum is proven to be bogus and they can be returned. This should have been sorted out years ago and it will take longer than 6 months for this Government to sort out

David Burke ● 20d

Wrong. Farmers just have to hand ownership of the farms over to their offspring instead of clinging on into their decrepitude. Then the next generation can take control and modernise too.This policy is all about the Clarksons and his ilk. May the world's smallest violin screech into eternity for the loss of a portion of his vast wealth as a result of the closing of the loophole he has exploited at the country's expense when he snuffs it.

Paul Campbell ● 20d

Jeremy and others have bought farms for tax reasons but they are not the ones that will suffer loss, it will be the farms that have been handed down tonext generation to farm those hard working families that would be hardest hit.

Janice Evans ● 20d

Wealth distribution policies are very much like cycle lanes. They are only designed well if exactly the same whiny entitled Conservatives are losing their minds about them.

Paul Campbell ● 20d

“ how do you know how many asylum seekers are illegals ?”If they come on boats or in trucks / containers etc they are all illegal until they are processed. Anyone coming here without going through passport control, and being legally admitted into the country, is ILLEGAL.

Steve Taylor ● 20d

I can smell the champagne socialists ever increasing pile of bullshit from here.

N V Brooks ● 20d

We’re now firmly in the ‘New Mediocre’. High debt, slow growth and a zombie economy. Redistributionist policies are so old hat and won’t help. We need to boost productivity, and encourage growth. Can’t see Labour doing that, maybe Badenoch can start it off once the wheels have fallen off this present farce.

Russell Pearson ● 20d

Complete and utter rubbish without wealth there is no tax to fund the over bloated state. We can even look after our own citizens that genuinely need state support so what are we doing g spending billions on illegal immigrants. Everyone should come here legally or be deported.

Jayne Thorburn ● 20d

Agreed.

Anne England ● 20d

Basically the more irritating entitled rich people whine about a policy the more we know Labour have got it right. I mean what's the point of a Labour government if it isn't distributing wealth?

Paul Campbell ● 20d

Agreed.

David Burke ● 20d

The IHT on farms is hitting Jeremy Clarkson. Which proves definitively that is is an excellent policy.

Paul Campbell ● 20d

The old scapegoating routine, how do you know how many asylum seekers are illegals ?It's estimated that 70% of applicants pass the test the rest will be sent back, this never happened under the Tories as they sacked the civil servants who used to process the system .Instead putting them up in hotels. They've had 14 years to sort out this mess. As for the farming industry , there are over 200,000 holdings in the UK.in 2021/ 22 there were only 461 inherited farms worth over the threshold of £1,000.000, these would now pay inheritance tax at 20% not 40%  . This is not to punish small farmers but to catch the major investors who use this as a tax dodge.Finally I would remind you that average man and woman in the street on paye is paying the highest tax burden in 70 years.

David Burke ● 20d

What a ridiculous, titchy group of peed-off right wing Tory losers you lot are.Starmer's Labour party hardly had to do anything to win that election by a monumental landslide.  The ugly crackpot Tories did all the work for them.  Falling out with each other, nit-picking, yowling, lying and cheating  their way to where they're now at. Beaten to near oblivion.Its far TOO LATE to go crazy with active opposition.  You are the opposition and will be for five long years - mainly because you've all been so monuMENTALy stupid.Time for quiet and very serious reflection if ever there was such a time.

Bill Danton ● 20d

Can't disagree with a word of that Jayne

N V Brooks ● 20d

You are correct change was needed but this lots are pitiful and super disrespectful to our farmers, pensioners and all those who save in a pension, yes we want change but not like this stealing from hard working people to lower everyone’s standard of living to fund those that can’t be bothered to work, illegal immigrants many of which and not refugees just chancers. No controls in place, Labour have no accountability, they will never smash the gangs grow up Keir get a grip now not years down the line when the damage has been done. Look after your own citizens first.

Jayne Thorburn ● 20d

Well Trevor Phillips decapitated Rachel Thieves nicely this morning; Ms Badenoch has once again spelled out on BBC why the so called £22billion black hole is an outright lie and also today we hear that the Unions will take the government to court over the Winter Fuel Payment because cutting it isn’t legal without impact assessment. It’s incredible how quickly this woman is stuffing things up. It’s going to be great to see Ms Badenoch pulling Stammer apart at PMQs. Vanessa thinks everyone should sit back and give this government a chance. This is exactly what hapless Marxists would do.

Steve Taylor ● 20d

Change was needed, I am not sure that we have it with the 'bull in a china shop' approach.

N V Brooks ● 20d

RR will be held to account very soon, she really has no clue when it comes to balance, IHT on working farms is outrageous, pensions into IHT estates outrageous, how many years have we been told there will be no pension and we have been encouraged to invest in our own pension to look after ourselves in old age. Now RR want to tax it on our death bed, she is not a woman with any heart or respect for all those who have paid their taxes over the decades and want to leave something to their family and friends. Unless something changes in the near future this government will not survive.

Jayne Thorburn ● 20d

'Only on the Chiswick forum would a social democratic Government br described as " marxist"'Ain't that the truth! This thread is just the usual right-wing suspects and whingers, who are so bitter they won't even give things a chance, really can't be  bothered with them.

Vanessa Smith ● 20d

Only on the Chiswick forum would a social democratic Government br described as " marxist"

David Burke ● 20d

More Marx Brothers than Marxist,Steve.Except they are not remotely funny.

Keith Iddon ● 20d

The mess will be a lot, lot worse under these Marxists.

Steve Taylor ● 20d

I am not sure it really matters,we will still be in the same mess when the vote comes around again.We will just have made the mess in a slightly more left wing way.

Keith Iddon ● 20d

Certainly left-wing. The US equivalent of Joe Biden's circus of mayhem.

Carl Johns ● 20d

Yes, Rishi warned us over and over again that these champagne socialists would raise taxes for the proletariat. He didn’t warn us that they would stoop so low as to accept freebie clothes and concert tickets etc etc for themselves, their spouses and their kids. Rishi didn’t warn us that they would be such blatant bloodsuckers. At least ticks acts discretely.

Steve Taylor ● 21d

“ like the "blue-arse fly" that you insist on being, you are bloody aggravating and annoying and disappointing and dull.”Duh! That’s the whole point you old fool. But you obviously enjoy it because you thrive on insulting people. See you next Thursday.

Steve Taylor ● 21d

Because it was him who suggested it. Do try to keep up Brian dear.

Paul Campbell ● 21d

Why should JT ask Richard? You were asked the question, you answer it.

Brian Coyle ● 21d

Don't forget we have been told MORE tax rises will be necessary.

Nicholas Beard ● 21d

The racist misogynist in Chiswick will be furious that it’s now a woman of colour who will be tearing Keir apart from the opposition bench. Well done to her. Best news for months. The first black female leader in Europe. What an achievement. A no nonsense strong lady. Keir will fear. The lady leaders of Europe have a lot in common.

Steve Taylor ● 21d

Still too many and tax payers are funding all of this it has to stop and Keir did made a bold statement that he will stop the gangs meaning stop the illegal boats, nothing so far. He clearly didn’t have a plan and can’t keep blaming others no leadership at all. So let’s tax everyone more to fund illegal immigration. So all this tax means nothing changes

Jayne Thorburn ● 21d

So what Vanessa is saying is that Marxists don’t do what, in their minds, has to be done!

Steve Taylor ● 21d

Yep - the invasion gains momentum and the illegal immigrants are all very happy chappies under the chaotic Labour Regime as boat people numbers hit all time highs.  Never mind Rachel is charging increased NI to our care homes to pay for the illegals and hard working care workers will likely be laid off. Seems dear Keir didn’t learn anything from his meeting with the lovely Italian PM.

Steve Taylor ● 21d

Another uncredited copy and paste job from the right wing press. But The Mail isn't right wing enough for Steve Taylor so he had to omit the parts of the article where they provide the data showing that 2022 is the record year for boat crossings - under the Tory government. "The total for October 2024 is the highest monthly total for two years and the second highest total for this particular month in the last seven years, but still lower than the equivalent period in 2022 (6,900)."https://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-14029501/Channel-crossings-October-busiest-month-year-far.html

Paul Campbell ● 21d

No worries.Sir Keir & Yvette are gonna "SMASH THE GANGS".

Denis I. Fox ● 21d

“ More than 5,000 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel in October, making it the busiest month of the year so far.According to Home Office figures, 230 people made the journey in five boats on Thursday which brings the total number of arrivals recorded last month to 5,417.”

Steve Taylor ● 21d

This government want to build on our countryside none of them have ever built a business none of them have a clue how hard people work to keep this country going only for them to bow down to their paymasters the unions. I can see another poll tax protest coming..farmers at the front.

Jayne Thorburn ● 21d

Farmers aren’t diverse enough. This government throws money at Kahn’s inner city London. Work hard under Labour and you will be stabbed in the back. This government wants people to beg. We saw it in Russia but this lot are 75 years behind the times.

Steve Taylor ● 21d

Agree we need to support the farmers.

Janice Evans ● 21d

Spare a thought for farmers IHT will hit approx 70,000 family run farms many have been farming for centuries handed down to each generation. We should all back British Farmers, they are the life blood of the countryside, not only do we want to buy British food, good for the environment, they keep the hedgerows which supports wildlife. Farmers are probably the hardest working people in the country 7 days a week 365 days a year livestock needs looking after. They may be asset rich but also cash poor. I hope the farmers take a stand as I know the majority of people will support them. This government is old Labour at its worst.

Jayne Thorburn ● 21d

The champagne socialists in this government are as hypocritical and as vile as the government ministers and forum users who are forever criticising Elon Musk but they continue to use Twitter X to spew their vitriol and venom. Now that’s hypocrisy of the highest degree. Sick!

Steve Taylor ● 21d

Thanks Nigel. I'll toast wealth redistribution and the start of better funding of public services.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Righto Keith. You couldn't grasp the point if it was rammed fully and entirely up your backside.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Why didn't your Conservative government bring in your brilliant idea for low income taxpayers to subsidise private school fees for wealthy parents do you think? Is it because the Conservatives are spiteful socialists?

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Champagne Socialists are not only hypocrites; they’re inherently evil. They’re bitter and twisted and terribly unhappy because they can’t subscribe to honest and open capitalism. That renders them psychotic.

Steve Taylor ● 22d

Am I alone in finding champagne socialists the biggest hypocrites? By the way enjoy your champagne this evening Paul.

N V Brooks ● 22d

"Really, your posts are beginning to rival Steve Taylor's for silliness."Richard, if you could possibly think or consider or work something out, this is not at all complicated - Steve is a complete Oaf of a chap and isn't remotely silly.  Whereas you are NOT an oaf but really ARE silly.  Very silly."Humpty" - is all Richard Greenhough and vastly silly.  Beyond childishly daft."You should have brought your helmet".  Bruce Forsyth would turn in his grave.Will you ever grow up?Like the "blue-arse fly" that you insist on being, you are bloody aggravating and annoying and disappointing and dull.

Bill Danton ● 22d

"And what about wealthy people who don’t have children? Can they use their voucher to buy a Defender or to holiday in The Maldives?"Humpty, I had already addressed that point. Under the scheme (which isn't going to happen) vouchers would be issued annually per child. Really, your posts are beginning to rival Steve Taylor's for silliness.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

Congratulations,but I didn't mean me.

Keith Iddon ● 22d

Keith, my children are at private school you berk.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

There is one particular berk on here that seems to think that someone who grafts all their life and who sends their child to the best school they can afford,is some how acting all 'entitled' and 'privileged' and is therefore due for punishment.Sour grapes,class warrior or just a chip on the shoulder?You decide.

Keith Iddon ● 22d

Yes the Tories didn’t bring in such a dumb idea when they had 14 years to do so because of the spitefulness of socialists, who you think are the parents of private schoolchildren. This is all making perfect sense. And what about wealthy people who don’t have children? Can they use their voucher to buy a Defender or to holiday in The Maldives? I think you should form a political party with your genius ideas for redistributing wealth from low income taxpayers to the wealthiest in society. A reverse socialism. There must be votes in it. I keep asking for more of your content and you keep delivering. Please do keep going!

Paul Campbell ● 22d

No, Humpty, I did not say that. I said a case could be made for it on the grounds of fairness and equality of state funding for all children. Obviously in a country dominated by spiteful Socialists it isn't going to happen.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

Ask Richard. He just suggested that the parents of private schoolchildren should be given state-funded vouchers to partially pay for the private school fees. Yes it is probably the dumbest thing you’ve heard too.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Waste and corruption is definitely not limited to Labour and the way that cost cutting is often made actually increases the stresses that increase waste instead of reducing it.https://www.parliament.uk/business/commons/committee-corridor-podcast/committee-corridor-education-report-card-post-pandemic/

Philippa Bond ● 22d

Your inability to understand simple statements is rather sad. You really should have worn your helmet.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

Enlighten us how do taxpayers subsidise private education?

Jayne Thorburn ● 22d

Although suggesting that low income taxpayers should subsidise wealthy parents choosing private education is possibly even more stupid. I asked for more of this content and you just keep on delivering. Please keep it up.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Precisely wealth distribution is a goal and mechanism of socialism. And you think that private school is a form of wealth distribution. Like I said the most stupid thing I think I have ever read. Well done because you face tough competition on this forum but I can assure you that you have managed to surpass all your rivals.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

The only person to suggest that private schooling was socialist was you, Humpty. FYI, wealth distribution and socialism are not the same thing. A case could be made that parents should receive an annual  voucher for each child of school age that they are free to present to the school of their choice, whether state or private, and the school could then receive a flat fee from the state for that child. That would mean that all children receive the same amount of state funding for their schooling. Parents would then be at liberty to pay additional fees if they chose to use private schools or tutors. Socialists, as embodied by the Labour Party, would of course not hear of such a fair scheme because of their innate spite towards private education.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

Labour always seem to think they can throw taxpayers money at broken things and think they will fix themselves. They never do because there is waste and corruption. Hence why so many labour councils are bankrupt. This government has shown itself to be particularly stupid when it comes to education. Where do these inept clowns think they’re going to get 6500 additional suitably qualified teachers. They don’t exist. Already the system is propped up with supply teachers who are unqualified. What next? Import ‘teachers’ from third world countries to take over our state schools? Our state system is notoriously bad but just wait for the rot to really set in. They might as well start recruiting 6500 new prison officers.

Steve Taylor ● 22d

My paraphrasing is a kindness to you. You actually tried to claim that private schooling is wealth distribution. You were quite specifically and most deliberately stupid in your claim about private schooling being socialist.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Calm down, dear. Your overworked grey cells are making you imagine things.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

You have said it. You see it is so stupid you are already denying it.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

"..saying that private schooling is an act of socialist philanthropy.."Except that nobody has said that - your grasp of reality seems to become further adrift with every post you make.  You really should have worn your helmet.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

I'm still laughing. One of the funniest takes I have ever read.You must be the most swivel-eyed reactionary conservative I have ever encountered. I've heard some crazy things in my time but saying that private schooling is an act of socialist philanthropy is definitely top of the charts.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

"It is socialist to send children to private schools."Yet again you demonstrate your inability to understand English grammar. Quotation marks are used to show that you are quoting something, not attempting to (incorrectly) paraphrase it. I don't know which school you attended, but if it was a state school, they should be ashamed of you.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

Wow! That is spectacular and very very funny. "It is socialist to send children to private schools." Just when I thought you had reached the very depths of your stupidity. I'm impressed. More of this content please.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Don’t forget it takes time to build more schools and recruit teachers it is an outrageous situation for kids that need education now not 10 years down the line. Plus the SEND situation is appalling kids need support in so many different ways and the state system does not provide it. Sadly my niece is severely autistic and my brother had to fit the LA to fund her educational needs as the local state school couldn’t cope with so many kids who have real challenges. It is heartless of Labour to tax education, no other country taxes education. Finding special needs teachers is a massive challenge and will not be solved overnight. These kids need societies support not tax.

Jayne Thorburn ● 22d

Humpty, there are times when you seem to live in a similar fantasy world to Michael Brown. Parents who send their children to private schools are saving the state money as it does not have to fund their children at state schools. They have still had to pay exactly the same amount of taxes as if they did make use of state schools, so by paying private school fees they are actually giving to the state already by reducing the pupil numbers enrolled in the state system. That is the wealth distribution threatened by Labour's spiteful attack on the private sector.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

They are raising funds through wealth distribution to increase capacity and quality of state school education. There is no way that is as ethically sound to do this as removing VAT exemptions from private schools. They have rightly calculated that there is not going to be a huge influx of private school pupils to state schools. That is just reactionary conservative scaremongering. If your beloved Conservatives had done the same thing 14 years ago your niece would not have struggled to get a place in a state school. I knew that Conservatives lacked social conscience but I didn't realise they had such low IQs as well.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Then I guess that you have never been privvy to LA capacity planning documents (from all parties) which approve school mergers and closures in the same areas where approval is given for massive redevelopment. It is hard to imagine any more incompetence.

N V Brooks ● 22d

Humpty, you have frequently demonstrated that you struggle with the English language, and that latest post simply confirms your inability to comprehend a simple truth - that at the moment the state school system is struggling to accommodate all the children entitled to be educated, and inflicting a measure that is likely to add to the numbers will, in the short term at least, simply add to the problems.Now is that clear enough for you to understand ?

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

it takes a very high degree of conservative brainwashing to blame a lack of capacity in state schools for your niece on a future government that is increasing funding and capacity of state schools. In fact it is probably one of of the most stupid things I have ever read.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

SEND provision in the UK is an absolute scandal.Children are leaving primary education without even an IEP let alone an EHCP to get them the essential assistance needed.This is NOT down to budget cuts but rather sheer incompetence and an over-reliance on buck passing in order that the decision is taken outwith the point of first contact.I have seen this, second hand thankfully, time and time again over the last twenty years as both my wife (now retired)  and daughter (a deputy head and head of SEND ) are educators in the SEND space and they cannot gut budget released (although it is there to be spent) because of administrative delays. Meanwhile, often struggling parents, are forced to pay for even basic SEND provision.

N V Brooks ● 22d

What it tells me is that the state school system currently struggles to provide places for all its existing pupils, and that needing to accommodate children forced to leave private schools in mid-school-year (as VAT is being imposed from January) is hardly going to help reduce overcrowding.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

You're so close to understanding and yet so far. Yes do ask yourself why your niece had to wait months for a state school place after 14 years of austerity and under-funding of public services.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

If they have accounted for taking additional children into the state sector, why is it that my teenage niece, after her family moved to a different educational authority, had to wait months for a state school place ? And that was before the tax on private education has made other families need to look for a state school place. Labour never thinks through the impact of its policies.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

"hence the need for these kids to get the very best start which state schools can’t do."Hence the need to increase taxes and borrowing to better fund education so that no parent is dependent on a very expensive private education.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Yes they have. They anticipate 6% of private schoolchildren will enter a better funded state sector with more teachers over the long term. 35,000 children. 94% will stay in private schools. It's not particularly  surprising that most parents spending £25-30k after tax per child per annum can find ways to fund an extra £2.5k to £3k per child. Some don't like it. Some have a social conscience.Improved funding for the vast majority of schoolchildren is certainly not taxing education. But it is a wealth redistribution mechanism and exactly what we should expect from a Labour government. This measure will be welcomed by the parents of the 94% of children in state schools so it's probably quite popular.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

Many parents who opt to send their kids to independent or private schools are not wealthy just want to give their kids the best they can and in some areas as we know state schools are not great. What’s wrong with aspirational parents? not all types of disability are local authority funded hence the need for these kids to get the very best start which state schools can’t do.

Jayne Thorburn ● 22d

They do. And they need more funds to do so.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

But have they accounted for the additional children that will need state school places because their parents cannot afford the extra 20% on fees ?Taxing education is a spiteful throwback to Old Labour.

Richard Greenhough ● 22d

Thought the local authority funded special education needs.

Janice Evans ● 22d

Wealthy parents suddenly realising deep concerns for the tiny fraction of children with special educational needs attending private schools reminds me of the SUV drivers in London who screech about bus users and disabled people when they are told to check their privilege and entitlement.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

At the expense aspirational parents and disabled kids many of who go to independent schools because the state can’t provide for them. So target 6% for 94% seems very cruel.

Jayne Thorburn ● 22d

94% of children go to state schools. The funds raised from elimination of VAT exemption for private schools will be used to fund 6,500 more teachers in state schools.

Paul Campbell ● 22d

It is very clear RR doesn’t understand business and the contribution it makes for both tax and employment opportunities. If you take all the service industries hospitality, hairdressers etc, the increase in minimum wage, reduction in NI threshold and increase in NI it will ruin many businesses. They had 14 years to change their approach and what do we get same old Labour. They truly do no understand the most basic principles of our consumer service economy. VAT on schools is plain wrong. The 40B will not deliver what they claim so what next more tax to throw at broken public services.

Jayne Thorburn ● 23d

Apparently we have a government that buys into the ideology of ‘Securonomics’

Russell Pearson ● 23d

Philippa said "No person is an island" on another thread, but there are times when I could believe that Michael Brown lives on a little island in the Thames where he cooks up his fantasies.

Richard Greenhough ● 23d

Not Marxist. But back to Labour as usual. Doing what they do.Tax and spend.  Whatever one thinks of the rights and wrongs of private education, no other OECD country applies VAT to school fees. Education is a charitable endeavour, and many people send their children to private schools for a wide range of reasons. I only hope it will not cause irreversible damage to the cause of good education and institutions.

Jackie Elton ● 23d

However, under Johnson and Sunak, the Conservative Party was also a Communist Party, and they showed their true colours during the Covid scam. Liz Truss represented the people, and put forward suitable policies accordingly, so she had to go, and this was made easy by the Bank of England manipulating Bond markets to discredit her policies..

Michael Brown ● 23d

Well Reeves has taken down the picture of a former Chancellor, Nigel Lawson, in the office of 11 Downing St. and replaced it with a picture of Ellen Wilkinson, co-founder of the Communist Party of Great Britain..

Michael Brown ● 23d

"..they're doing what needs to be done"Indeed - taxing jobs and education. But of course that doesn't affect "working people" - does it ?

Richard Greenhough ● 23d

'Marxist'? FFS don't be so daft, they're doing what needs to be done.

Vanessa Smith ● 23d

Heading in that direction 😱😱😱

Jayne Thorburn ● 23d

No

Russell Pearson ● 23d