| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... 13:58 - May 9 with 114937 views | hubble |
..posted by a good friend of mine on Facebook, thought I'd share it on here. He's a former professional footballer (briefly for Birmingham City) and a former copper, working mainly out of Camden police station. He grew up in Kilburn/Queens Park. He's now a writer (among other things).
Worth a read I think, hope you enjoy, whether you agree with him or not, even when he veers off-topic...
"Thoughts of the Week (part 1)
Let’s start with a subheading. ‘Dear, oh dear Diane Abbot!’
In the upcoming General Election campaign and apart from the ‘Leader’ (no, not Gary Glitter) no one is more important for the Labour Party campaign than the Shadow Home Secretary. Why’s this? You ask.
The reason is obvious: Theresa May —the strong woman, Ms subtle, but steely - was the former Home Secretary. A position which she used to inflict near terminal ravages of the nation’s police forces. Under her auspices we saw numbers cut, benefits cut and police stations closed willy-nilly to cash in, short-term, on the booming (especially in London) property market.
The short-sightedness of this policy is astounding. No matter the so-called austerity budget (which only seems to apply to the working classes, while the privileged elite continue to live the life of Riley) the question must be asked as to what will happen when there’s some serious social unrest — and you can feel it stirring. Remember 2011 when the riots broke out? We had anarchy and nihilism on the streets and the police force didn’t cope with it at all. Instead we had a grand mopping up campaign. Suddenly all those poor silly students who had been demonised as hard-core criminals after they smashed the windows of the Tory HQ — and received ridiculously harsh prison sentences for what were in the main first offences - were kicked out of the pokey and replaced by the new batch of rioters. The Criminal Justice system ground to a halt, the prison’s overflowed. The courts were as ram-jam packed as a back-in-the-day David Rodigan dance. In response what did the great Theresa May do? She further decimated the police force. She did the same to the prison service. The vaunted Border Force, our first defence, is comically short of manpower and morale as they attempt to hire staff on Mickey-Mouse contracts. Labour should be slaughtering Theresa May on what she’s done. Instead we got that car crash of an interview on LBC.
To be honest I resisted calls to listen to it for a time. Some of my more right-leaning pals were raving about it, but I thought they were overreacting due to a general contempt for the Hackney MP. I was wrong. When I actually got round to listening to it I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was stunningly incompetent, mind-blowingly nonsensical, embarrassing and shocking. Is this the Shadow Home Secretary who’s going to lead the challenge to Theresa May’s record? She should have stood down immediately and if not the great leader should have forced her hand, no matter past rendezvous in the sack. Of course it didn’t happen and Labour under Jeremy Corbyn has no hope in this election. What a shame it all is because there are loads of issues that they should be taking the government to task on. Just look at that bumbling Tommy Cooper impersonator of a Foreign Secretary, a million miles removed from a serious statesman: Mr Retraction — an embarrassment to the nation.
I’m voting Labour in the coming election, but not for Jeremy, more for the thought of the millions of people who are going to suffer under the coming five years of Tory rule: the working men and women who haven’t seen their wages rise, in real terms, for the last thirty years, while the fat cats, sharks and speculators are minted; the students starting out life saddled with debt; the millions who’ll never be able to afford a home; and in honour of the National Health Service, soon to be dismantled further, but remaining the brightest light in the nation’s modern history. What a rotten, unfair and unbalanced society we’ve become.
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 08:43 - May 31 with 1818 views | connell10 |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 08:37 - May 31 by Watford_Ranger |
Apart from not voting Tory I still don't know. All rather pointless given FPTP but I still like to vote even if I just spoil it or vote Green. |
Vote Labour mate, its the only way! |  |
| AND WHEN I DREAM , I DREAM ABOUT YOU AND WHEN I SCREAM I SCREAM ABOUT YOU!!!!! | | Poll: | best number 10 ever? |
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 08:50 - May 31 with 1802 views | paulparker |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 08:43 - May 31 by connell10 |
Vote Labour mate, its the only way! |
to Oblivion |  |
| And Bowles is onside, Swinburne has come rushing out of his goal , what can Bowles do here , onto the left foot no, on to the right foot
That’s there that’s two, and that’s Bowles
Brian Moore
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 09:16 - May 31 with 1779 views | Toast_R |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 15:34 - May 29 by TGRRRSSS |
The thing with South Africa is not really anything to do with Apartheid itself, it's to do with the breakdown of infrastructure and lack of investment in anything where the money is simply disappearing ( hence the corruption), crime is rampant and health care is failing, Aids is widespread amongst the poorest and poverty is getting worse for the MAJORITY.
IN short it's a failing state on it's way to the bottom.
See my earlier comments from Bryan Habana. |
Agree with you, a good friend of mine used to argue until the cows came home about the prospect of South Africa. 5 years on he's turned his back on ever returning and is pretty distraught about it.
51 million people but only 3.3 million pay 99% of all income tax?
The ANC is completely corrupt with a President who clearly not fit for purpose. Just look at some of the press speeches Zuma makes, profound nonsense, clearly a man completely out of his depth in politics yet he does care as long as he carries on being wealthy from it.
The ANC purposely keeps townships uneducated because they know that come election time, free food parcels and gimmicks keep the votes rolling in mixed in with a clear message to take the wealth back from the enemy within.
It's a disgraceful situation that has developed over there since Mandela stepped down. There is hope that the DA can increase their popularity and restore some common sense but it's a tall order to over power the self serving wealth of the ANC. It's heading to be the next Zimbabwe. |  | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 09:25 - May 31 with 1766 views | CroydonCaptJack |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 08:50 - May 31 by paulparker |
to Oblivion |
...to bankrupt the Country |  | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 09:56 - May 31 with 1728 views | DannytheR |
It's always funny seeing people educated and medically looked after by the taxpayer now so keen to pull the ladder up after them... |  | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:01 - May 31 with 1721 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
The desperation of the tory supporters on here grows daily as they know but can't admit that May is a charlatan with no policies other than cuts that have put the NHS, education, housing in crisis, so desperate is she that she has turned on her own middle class supporters with the dementia tax that's blown up in her face, if you are not getting the message by now, osborne the king of cuts and who is responsible for the mess, calls it the worse manifesto in history!!! [Post edited 31 May 2017 10:09]
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:08 - May 31 with 1701 views | ElHoop |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:01 - May 31 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
The desperation of the tory supporters on here grows daily as they know but can't admit that May is a charlatan with no policies other than cuts that have put the NHS, education, housing in crisis, so desperate is she that she has turned on her own middle class supporters with the dementia tax that's blown up in her face, if you are not getting the message by now, osborne the king of cuts and who is responsible for the mess, calls it the worse manifesto in history!!! [Post edited 31 May 2017 10:09]
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She's had an absolute shocker. Surely that's beyond any doubt? Remember that she actually sprang this election on everyone having repeatedly declared that she wouldn't. Having done that and arranged the election a few days before Brexit talks commence in earnest, she then uses that as a reason for voting for her, as nobody else is ready for the talks!
She literally stinks. Whatever happens in the election, she has to go as she's a complete and utter joke of a PM. |  | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:51 - May 31 with 1650 views | hoof_hearted |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:08 - May 31 by ElHoop |
She's had an absolute shocker. Surely that's beyond any doubt? Remember that she actually sprang this election on everyone having repeatedly declared that she wouldn't. Having done that and arranged the election a few days before Brexit talks commence in earnest, she then uses that as a reason for voting for her, as nobody else is ready for the talks!
She literally stinks. Whatever happens in the election, she has to go as she's a complete and utter joke of a PM. |
You're absolutely spot on. If any of the decent moderates was leading the labour party they would rightly be cruising into Downing Street smoking cigars by now. |  | | |
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:58 - May 31 with 1636 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:08 - May 31 by ElHoop |
She's had an absolute shocker. Surely that's beyond any doubt? Remember that she actually sprang this election on everyone having repeatedly declared that she wouldn't. Having done that and arranged the election a few days before Brexit talks commence in earnest, she then uses that as a reason for voting for her, as nobody else is ready for the talks!
She literally stinks. Whatever happens in the election, she has to go as she's a complete and utter joke of a PM. |
A one trick pony with one leg, needs putting down. | |
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:03 - May 31 with 1629 views | BillericayR |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:51 - May 31 by hoof_hearted |
You're absolutely spot on. If any of the decent moderates was leading the labour party they would rightly be cruising into Downing Street smoking cigars by now. |
Agree. But if there was a moderate no election would have been called.
We now have the loonies promising everything and I think people are falling for it.
Every initiative is fully costed by taxing a little more.
In the 70's they had to call in the IMF to run the country.
In 2010 they left with no more money in the kitty and the countries debt growing by about £150 billion a year.
Perhaps it will be the labour way of solving imigration.
With businesses moving or going bankrupt emigration might be the big problem.
Who will want to come hear with mass unemployment and interest rates rocketing? |  | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:09 - May 31 with 1615 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:03 - May 31 by BillericayR |
Agree. But if there was a moderate no election would have been called.
We now have the loonies promising everything and I think people are falling for it.
Every initiative is fully costed by taxing a little more.
In the 70's they had to call in the IMF to run the country.
In 2010 they left with no more money in the kitty and the countries debt growing by about £150 billion a year.
Perhaps it will be the labour way of solving imigration.
With businesses moving or going bankrupt emigration might be the big problem.
Who will want to come hear with mass unemployment and interest rates rocketing? |
You can't say that won't happen anyway with May clearly only having one plan of a hard brexit | |
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:17 - May 31 with 1594 views | ElHoop |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:03 - May 31 by BillericayR |
Agree. But if there was a moderate no election would have been called.
We now have the loonies promising everything and I think people are falling for it.
Every initiative is fully costed by taxing a little more.
In the 70's they had to call in the IMF to run the country.
In 2010 they left with no more money in the kitty and the countries debt growing by about £150 billion a year.
Perhaps it will be the labour way of solving imigration.
With businesses moving or going bankrupt emigration might be the big problem.
Who will want to come hear with mass unemployment and interest rates rocketing? |
Sure there are plenty of holes in Labour - but May is so bad that many people will wonder whether she's good enough either. Then it comes down to which policies you like the most and the Tories have little or nothing on the table in any detail. If the Clegg of 2010 were fighting this election he'd actually have a decent chance - as it is he's presumably fighting to keep his seat this time. It's sad but true - they're all pretty poor. Anything could happen. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:19 - May 31 with 1586 views | DannytheR |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:03 - May 31 by BillericayR |
Agree. But if there was a moderate no election would have been called.
We now have the loonies promising everything and I think people are falling for it.
Every initiative is fully costed by taxing a little more.
In the 70's they had to call in the IMF to run the country.
In 2010 they left with no more money in the kitty and the countries debt growing by about £150 billion a year.
Perhaps it will be the labour way of solving imigration.
With businesses moving or going bankrupt emigration might be the big problem.
Who will want to come hear with mass unemployment and interest rates rocketing? |
And in the 1980s, Tory economic policies saw millions lose their jobs.
And in the 1990s, Tory economic policies saw interest rates of 15% and people lose their homes.
Now in the 21st century we have food banks and cuts to education and hospitals.
You have to remember, most of the people you're talking to here will be old enough to remember that Tory governments don't bring economic security, no matter how much you rewrite history.
They might have made things better for you personally. But you're not the country.
As for emigration, I'd imagine many of our best and brightest young people already want to leave a country where they won't ever be able to own their own home and which downgrades education to an apprenticeship for a zero hours contract. [Post edited 31 May 2017 11:22]
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:21 - May 31 with 1580 views | hoof_hearted |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:09 - May 31 by 2Thomas2Bowles |
You can't say that won't happen anyway with May clearly only having one plan of a hard brexit |
Agree with that too. Worst election ever. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:29 - May 31 with 1552 views | TacticalR |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 10:51 - May 31 by hoof_hearted |
You're absolutely spot on. If any of the decent moderates was leading the labour party they would rightly be cruising into Downing Street smoking cigars by now. |
I don't believe that is true. After all, Labour's collapse in Scotland occurred prior to Corbyn. In a discussion we had last year I tried to work out what Corbyn represented and made this point:
'The real story of Corbyn is not so much Corbyn himself as the complete intellectual disintegration of the mainstream of the Labour Party. Corbyn may be uncharismatic but the candidates being fielded against him are empty vessels with absolutely nothing to say.'
Why Does The Guardian Hate Corbyn?
http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/forum/175622/2390397/pag [Post edited 31 May 2017 11:30]
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:41 - May 31 with 1525 views | ElHoop |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:29 - May 31 by TacticalR |
I don't believe that is true. After all, Labour's collapse in Scotland occurred prior to Corbyn. In a discussion we had last year I tried to work out what Corbyn represented and made this point:
'The real story of Corbyn is not so much Corbyn himself as the complete intellectual disintegration of the mainstream of the Labour Party. Corbyn may be uncharismatic but the candidates being fielded against him are empty vessels with absolutely nothing to say.'
Why Does The Guardian Hate Corbyn?
http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/forum/175622/2390397/pag [Post edited 31 May 2017 11:30]
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Corbyn has some good and interesting policies - whether he could actually confine himself to that agenda within the restrictions of the economic environment is what some people will wonder about.
We are a family of five and on Brexit we were 4-1 for out and two of the children were brexit. In this election we might end up 4-1 Labour with all three children voting Labour (perhaps) and if the wife did want to vote Tory she can't as she'll be in France so it's more than likely 4-0. That's just our little lot but we are all pretty much floating voters.
The biggest problem for May so far as our five voters are concerned is that we all think that she's shite. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:52 - May 31 with 1500 views | BillericayR |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:19 - May 31 by DannytheR |
And in the 1980s, Tory economic policies saw millions lose their jobs.
And in the 1990s, Tory economic policies saw interest rates of 15% and people lose their homes.
Now in the 21st century we have food banks and cuts to education and hospitals.
You have to remember, most of the people you're talking to here will be old enough to remember that Tory governments don't bring economic security, no matter how much you rewrite history.
They might have made things better for you personally. But you're not the country.
As for emigration, I'd imagine many of our best and brightest young people already want to leave a country where they won't ever be able to own their own home and which downgrades education to an apprenticeship for a zero hours contract. [Post edited 31 May 2017 11:22]
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Correct - there is always a lot of pain recovering from a Labour administration.
Millions lost their jobs because of the bloated state industries dominated by lonny union leaders who had no other way of getting power.
Members were taken for a ride like sheep and I admit I was one of them.
Problem with the 80's was a lack of credible opposition. Bit like now.
Agree about Clegg - I thought the liberals toned down a lot of Tory policies from 2010 to 2015.
However when people had the chance of PR they rejected it.
I bought my first home in 1980 with hyper-inflation and interest rates and having to wait for a loan offer for 6 months as financial institutions only offered loans when they had enough deposits.
It was bloody hard as it is now but still possible.
First car was £50, no seat belts, first spot of rain the wiper came of etc etc.
There really are a lot of poor people and I am all for helping these as much as possible, especially the disabled, which affects both my in-laws.
But from what I see a lot claim poverty as they discuss on their Iphones, watch SKy on their 50 inch TV, probably a new car on a monthly package and smoking whatever. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:03 - May 31 with 1478 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:52 - May 31 by BillericayR |
Correct - there is always a lot of pain recovering from a Labour administration.
Millions lost their jobs because of the bloated state industries dominated by lonny union leaders who had no other way of getting power.
Members were taken for a ride like sheep and I admit I was one of them.
Problem with the 80's was a lack of credible opposition. Bit like now.
Agree about Clegg - I thought the liberals toned down a lot of Tory policies from 2010 to 2015.
However when people had the chance of PR they rejected it.
I bought my first home in 1980 with hyper-inflation and interest rates and having to wait for a loan offer for 6 months as financial institutions only offered loans when they had enough deposits.
It was bloody hard as it is now but still possible.
First car was £50, no seat belts, first spot of rain the wiper came of etc etc.
There really are a lot of poor people and I am all for helping these as much as possible, especially the disabled, which affects both my in-laws.
But from what I see a lot claim poverty as they discuss on their Iphones, watch SKy on their 50 inch TV, probably a new car on a monthly package and smoking whatever. |
I think you watch too much benefit street and think it's the norm | |
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:04 - May 31 with 1476 views | DannytheR |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 11:52 - May 31 by BillericayR |
Correct - there is always a lot of pain recovering from a Labour administration.
Millions lost their jobs because of the bloated state industries dominated by lonny union leaders who had no other way of getting power.
Members were taken for a ride like sheep and I admit I was one of them.
Problem with the 80's was a lack of credible opposition. Bit like now.
Agree about Clegg - I thought the liberals toned down a lot of Tory policies from 2010 to 2015.
However when people had the chance of PR they rejected it.
I bought my first home in 1980 with hyper-inflation and interest rates and having to wait for a loan offer for 6 months as financial institutions only offered loans when they had enough deposits.
It was bloody hard as it is now but still possible.
First car was £50, no seat belts, first spot of rain the wiper came of etc etc.
There really are a lot of poor people and I am all for helping these as much as possible, especially the disabled, which affects both my in-laws.
But from what I see a lot claim poverty as they discuss on their Iphones, watch SKy on their 50 inch TV, probably a new car on a monthly package and smoking whatever. |
No, you're doing it again.
By the time interest rates reached 15% in 1989, the Tories had been in power for ten years.
We then had five quarters of recession.
As for the stuff about iPhones, Sky and 50 inch TVs, the Trussell Trust run food banks near you in Brentwood, Basildon, Thurrock, Chelmsford, Harold Hill, Romford, Rainham and Dagenham.
You could always go down yourself and check first hand that everyone was doing as nicely as you say. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:17 - May 31 with 1451 views | ElHoop |
Corbyn outflanking May and doing tonight's big debate. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:24 - May 31 with 1433 views | 2Thomas2Bowles |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:17 - May 31 by ElHoop |
Corbyn outflanking May and doing tonight's big debate. |
That nob Farron who has no chance in this election should attack May and not
Corbyn if he wants to stop May doing a hard Brexit but he is such a dick | |
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| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:29 - May 31 with 1413 views | BillericayR |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:04 - May 31 by DannytheR |
No, you're doing it again.
By the time interest rates reached 15% in 1989, the Tories had been in power for ten years.
We then had five quarters of recession.
As for the stuff about iPhones, Sky and 50 inch TVs, the Trussell Trust run food banks near you in Brentwood, Basildon, Thurrock, Chelmsford, Harold Hill, Romford, Rainham and Dagenham.
You could always go down yourself and check first hand that everyone was doing as nicely as you say. |
You can see average mortgage rates using the link below:-
Rates did rise later in the 80's as the world economy recovered from the world stock market crash of 1987.
Labour got in in 1997 when the economy was rising - admittedly after the emu fiasco in 1992.
Should be interesting to see how those areas vote on June 8th - but we might all be going to the food banks soon after June 8th if the lonnies get in as I doubt there will much on the shelves in the super-markets.
Check out what is happening in Venezuela an oil rich country.
Check out how the socialists performed after 5 years in government in France.
FYI I do not have an Iphone, sky package etc as I choose to buy my own food.
Would love to be able to get a QPR season ticket but it is another choice I have made. Also happy to support St Luke's Hospice in Basildon whenever possible. These are real heroes. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:30 - May 31 with 1411 views | hoof_hearted |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:17 - May 31 by ElHoop |
Corbyn outflanking May and doing tonight's big debate. |
Big gamble, fair play to him. He's not going to get an easy ride from the other leaders and Amber Rudd is not the quivering wreck that May can appear to be. Paul Nuttall will be hilarious as always to keep things light. | | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:33 - May 31 with 1394 views | robith |
Sigh, day by day the tiny sliver of hope I feel gets a modicum bigger. It's crushing.
Can't wait for 10pm on polling day for the exit poll showing a 125 seat Tory majority and I can down an entire bottle of whiskey and go to bed |  | | |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:36 - May 31 with 1380 views | ElHoop |
| On Diane Abbot, why we should vote Labour anyway, and more... on 12:30 - May 31 by hoof_hearted |
Big gamble, fair play to him. He's not going to get an easy ride from the other leaders and Amber Rudd is not the quivering wreck that May can appear to be. Paul Nuttall will be hilarious as always to keep things light. |
He's got the momentum though, with a small 'm'. Difficult to see who will give him such a hard time apart from Rudd and she came across as overly aggressive when she took on Boris in one of those Brexit debates - I don't think that she will be able to avoid going OTT. They'd have been better advised to have sent Davis in the first place, and certainly now he'd be a bit more laid back so that his 'shots' were more conspicuous. Rudd will just sound like an out of control machine gun. | | | |
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