Brexit, for once some facts.

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
Johnson could so easily have avoided this...

Boris Johnson being investigated over Caribbean holiday and flat renovation

Parliamentary commissioner for standards reveals two probes - with powers that can lead to suspensions of MPs for serious breaches
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/boris-johnson-flat-investigation-caribbean-b1844812.html

Unless he really has something to hide.
Here, we go again. Labour shouting to the world how desperate they are. Nobody cares about decorating flats or free holidays. Havent results just shown that?
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
Fair point, but the Union control could be reduced. If anything Union control has increased.
Actually the Union power has been reduced, but with no effect. Trade union membership fees use to contain a compulsory political contribution, which of course went to the Labour Party. Until the Tories rightly pointed out that this was unfair, so by law it had to be changed into a voluntary contribution. But that made no difference, most union members don't go into the nitty gritty of their membership fee so happily carry on paying just the same and Labour gets almost the same amount.

Now let me show you why your dreams of a reformed Labour are doomed by explaining why Labour did so well in the 2017 GE. It was because they had enjoyed a huge expansion in the party membership and therefore all those extra membership fees and electioneering volunteers.

But they were to a person all your hated left wing Momentum, mainly young enthusiastic people, hordes of them who got the Labour vote out.

Losing the unions means losing Momentum and all of the party income due to both, death by a thousand cuts. So they'd end up with the same fate as the last ex Labour attempt by the SDP.

The Labour party is trapped where they are due to factors entirely beyond their control. That's why they never change.
.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zlatan

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
Actually the Union power has been reduced, but with no effect. Trade union membership fees use to contain a compulsory political contribution, which of course went to the Labour Party. Until the Tories rightly pointed out that this was unfair, so by law it had to be changed into a voluntary contribution. But that made no difference, most union members don't go into the nitty gritty of their membership fee so happily carry on paying just the same and Labour gets almost the same amount.

Now let me show you why your dreams of a reformed Labour are doomed by explaining why Labour did so well in the 2017 GE. It was because they had enjoyed a huge expansion in the party membership and therefore all those extra membership fees and electioneering volunteers.

But they were to a person all your hated left wing Momentum, mainly young enthusiastic people, hordes of them who got the Labour vote out.

Losing the unions means losing Momentum and all of the party income due to both, death by a thousand cuts. So they'd end up with the same fate as the last ex Labour attempt by the SDP.

The Labour party is trapped where they are due to factors entirely beyond their control. That's why they never change.
.
So why not open Labour Party to none Union members??
Entire electorate could join Tory party... Only 23% of workers are eligible to join Labour... Unless they go against their own wishes... Join a union and then join party.? That is purely to the benefit of Unions... Not the party.
To be in Labour Party, if a worker, you must be a Union member?, consequently to have a say on direction of party you must also be a Unionist.. That's antiquated, unfair and to detriment of party.
Time that was challenged in court.
Campbell just talking sense on Vine...
 
Last edited:
  • Disagree
Reactions: flecc

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
So why not open Labour Party to none Union members??
Entire electorate could join Tory party... Only 23% of workers are eligible to join Labour... Unless they go against their own wishes... Join a union and then join party.? That is purely to the benefit of Unions... Not the party.
To be in Labour Party, if a worker, you must be a Union member?, consequently to have a say on direction of party you must also be a Unionist.. That's antiquated, unfair and to detriment of party.
Time that was challenged in court.
That isn't true, one does not have to be a Union member, anyone over 14 can join the Labour party. It's already open to anyone.

That's why Momentum were able to gain over half a million new labour party members, there certainly wasn't a sudden gain of half a million trade unionists!

Are you saying those Momentum members dont have a say !!!!
.
 

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
So why not open Labour Party to none Union members??
Entire electorate could join Tory party... Only 23% of workers are eligible to join Labour... Unless they go against their own wishes... Join a union and then join party.? That is purely to the benefit of Unions... Not the party.
To be in Labour Party, if a worker, you must be a Union member?, consequently to have a say on direction of party you must also be a Unionist.. That's antiquated, unfair and to detriment of party.
Time that was challenged in court.
Campbell just talking sense on Vine...
Was a genuine question Flecc. Why can't Labour Party be open to none union workers?
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: flecc

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
Was a genuine question Flecc. Why can't Labour Party be open to none union workers?
Ah, I see. I can join now I, m not employed, but when in work I could not join without being a member of a union. (Son in law had to be a union member to join?)
???
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: flecc

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
That isn't true, one does not have to be a Union member, anyone over 14 can join the Labour party. It's already open to anyone.

That's why Momentum were able to gain over half a million new labour party members, there certainly wasn't a sudden gain of half a million trade unionists!
.
Not quite Flecc. People at 14 aren't expected to be in employment, as far as I, m aware if in employment you must be a Union Member. (rule says where applicable? ) to join party.
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
Not quite Flecc. People at 14 aren't expected to be in employment, as far as I, m aware if in employment you must be a Union Member. (rule says where applicable? ) to join party.
No Zlatan, don't keep repeating this lie:

Labour party standard membership fee £4.42, open to ALL over 14.

Reduced membership fee £2.21, open to the Retired for obvious reasons and Trade Unionists since they already pay their political contribution so shouldn't have to pay twice.

Other membership fee £3.00, open to Students or the Armed Forces.
.
 

oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
The elephant in the room everybody chooses to ignore is the power Unions have over Labour. Lose that and they might recover.
The Elephant in the room is that the Labour Party was formed by the Unions to give the Working class a political voice

Fascinating that now you want the tail to wag the dog :cool:
 
  • Agree
Reactions: flecc

oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
Britain is not naturally conservative or Labour

What is natural is whoever can weaponise the gullible part of the population with lies and promises gains power
 

oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
from the FT
"
UK freeports blow as exporters face tariffs to 23 countries
Ministers admit some markets will be subject to duties under post-Brexit deal

Cock up for today
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
Britain is not naturally conservative or Labour
I have to disagree, the British people are overwhelmingy small "c" conservative, so not inclined to any form of radicalism, which true Labour is and should be.

What is natural is whoever can weaponise the gullible part of the population with lies and promises gains power
Which favours the right. The left promise fairness which fundamentally cannot be done with a lie to influence the individual, since the fairness is as much for all others. The right promise riches which lends itself to lying to the individual.
.
 

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
The Elephant in the room is that the Labour Party was formed by the Unions to give the Working class a political voice

Fascinating that now you want the tail to wag the dog :cool:
Problem is which working class. There isn't one. They are all aspiring middle class blue collar, call centre or whatever workers with mortgages, investments, debts, loans and looking forward to foreign holidays.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: flecc and Woosh

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
Britain is not naturally conservative or Labour

What is natural is whoever can weaponise the gullible part of the population with lies and promises gains power
You are way out, as are Labour. UK is predominantly centrist and probably right leaning. Didn't you catch the last election or recent by elections.
And your comments re gullible electorate only add to problem. Merely serves to reinforce the decisions people have made. People just think "thank goodness that type didn't get in".
 
Last edited:

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
No Zlatan, don't keep repeating this lie:

Labour party standard membership fee £4.42, open to ALL over 14.

Reduced membership fee £2.21, open to the Retired for obvious reasons and Trade Unionists since they already pay their political contribution so shouldn't have to pay twice.

Other membership fee £3.00, open to Students or the Armed Forces.
.
It isn't meant as a lie. The attachment was from official labour site, which clearly states... "where applicable labour Party members must be in a Union".
I have no axe to grind over issue, I had thought it case in past... Step son just joined Labour Party and had to join Fire Service union to do so? So perhaps both he and attachment are wrong.???
Either way, it makes no odds. Labour are controlled by McCluskey. That is wrong.
You agree Labour are in complete disarray yet argue nothing should be changed to cure problems. Find that quite odd.
 

Woosh

Trade Member
May 19, 2012
20,372
16,875
Southend on Sea
wooshbikes.co.uk
Problem is which working class. There isn't one. They are all aspiring middle class blue collar, call centre or whatever workers with mortgages, investments, debts, loans and looking forward to foreign holidays.
I would replace the word 'middle' (class) with 'classless'.
Otherwise, I agree with the statement.
The initial objectives of the Labour movement have to evolve.
Resistance is futile.
 
  • :D
  • Like
Reactions: flecc and Zlatan

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
53,197
30,602
UK is predominantly centrist and probably right leaning.
That is what small "c" conservative means !!!

i.e. Very slightly right wing, a sort of caring right wing, so long as it's not too expensive.

The UK is certainly not predominantly centrist, if it was the Liberals would be in power since there could hardly be a more centrist party.
.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: oldgroaner

Zlatan

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2016
8,086
4,290
I would replace the word 'middle' (class) with 'classless'.
Otherwise, I agree with the statement.
The initial objectives of the Labour movement have to evolve.
Resistance is futile.
They don't seem capable of evolution tho. There is just so much dogma attaching the entire movement to what certain people see as "true socialism". It's a shame. If Party doesn't change it will die. Seems every facet of attempted change is written off... Consequence of which is labour decaying before our eyes.
 

oldgroaner

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 15, 2015
23,461
32,613
80
Problem is which working class. There isn't one. They are all aspiring middle class blue collar, call centre or whatever workers with mortgages, investments, debts, loans and looking forward to foreign holidays.
Well, that is nearly right, except for the fact the Labour party doesn't know some basic things
1: If it wants to be socialist
2: Who among the voters understand the principles of Socialism
3: Whether it wants to represent them anyway
4: If it wants to be anything other than a set of Time servers with well paid jobs and pension scheme, plus of course Israeli bungs

What do I offer as proof?

If they had any principles at all they would walk out and boycott Parliament as too corrupt and unworthy of support.
They may as well, it wouldn't actually matter would it?
 

Advertisers