• Mchugho@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      1 year ago

      If you think they’re going to pump billions into public services I think you’ll be sorely disappointed. Everything I’ve read about them points to more austerity. I really hope that’s not the case and I understand they are better than the Tories, but it’s an extremely low bar to hurdle.

      • Bernie Ecclestoned@sh.itjust.worksOP
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        1 year ago

        Everything does now because of lack of fiscal headroom, things will look wildly different in 18 months.

        Both parties are keeping their powder dry. Tories for tax cuts, labour for spend.

        Keir is a smart politician, ruthless and compassionate.

        • Mchugho@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          edit-2
          1 year ago

          What is the logic on rolling back plans for taxing the wealthy if lack of fiscal headroom is the problem then? Why would you reverse on changing the charitable status of private schools if lack of fiscal headroom is the problem?

          The actual reasoning is they are completely on board with the same neoliberal economics that the Tories subscribe to. Keep the donors happy, fuck the little guy.

          • Bernie Ecclestoned@sh.itjust.worksOP
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            edit-2
            1 year ago

            Nope, it’s just pragmatic politics. If your opponent lurches right, you take the centre. You don’t lurch left, if you want to win.

            • Mchugho@lemmy.world
              link
              fedilink
              English
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              1 year ago

              This is how you get an ever rightward drift.

              I’m no communist or socialist, but it’s clear to me that Starmer is establishment to the core. He isn’t lurching to the centre from a pragmatic perspective, he is occupying the space he wants to occupy. The fact the media don’t fear him in any way tells you enough.

              • Bernie Ecclestoned@sh.itjust.worksOP
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                1
                ·
                1 year ago

                UK moves from centre right to centre left fairly predictably. Thankfully the hard right or left never get the popular vote.

                Starmer seems quite boring but effective. I don’t have a problem with that. Popularism is much more dangerous.

                • Mchugho@lemmy.world
                  link
                  fedilink
                  English
                  arrow-up
                  1
                  ·
                  1 year ago

                  Effective at maintaining the status quo for the powerful. That’s the only reason he is championed as effective.

                  You can want the rich to pay their fair share without burrowing into populism. At the moment what are they offering for an average person other than a red rosette?