Official Labour leadership thread

[DimPrawn]

And if you want to see how Centre-Left Social Democratic governments can work take a look at the Nordic countries. Large public sectors, extensive welfare systems, high rates of public spending and all doing rather nicely thank you. Evan Iceland has recovered from their banking crises, and they didnt bail anyone out to do it.

These being countries with a total population less than one of our major cities, with more Oil and Gas than Kuwait, and (until recently) very low immigration.

Nothing like us whatsoever....

[MicrosoftBob]

When has a developed nation ever had a far left government?

There was a national socialist workers party in the 1930s

[d000hg]

The other story that attracted my attention was: "Will Mr Corbyn wear a poppy at the Cenotaph?" Why was that even on the news? Surely everyone wears a poppy to show their respects to the brave hero's who gave their lives so that we may live in a liberal democracy? Does Mr Corbyn not like poppies? Does he not respect the British and Commonwealth soldiers who have made the Ultimate Sacrifice?

He is a well known pacifist and anti-war campaigner. The issue is not "will he wear a poppy" but "what colour poppy will he wear".

Apparently he's a bit of a republican. Doesn't like the Queen. Supports the IRA. Doesn't like Jews. Supports Hamas. Won't wear a poppy. Wants to disarm the country. Wants to raise taxes. Of course these statements are probably not true. But when has the truth been relevant?

He is a republican, wants to get rid of Trident and generally disarm, and wants to tax the highest earners more. But those are hardly extreme views, even though they're controversial.[/QUOTE]

The Tories are the only government to have competently managed the economy for 60 years.

When were they in charge for 60 years?

Not to forget that all of these Centre-Left Social Democrats managed to magically create great natural resources, whether geo-thermal energy, oil deposits, lumber, etc. That's what happens - you don't vote left, you don't get to have the planet change and gift you these things.

I suppose if you've decided a left-leaning government can't possibly succeed beforehand, you can always find some way to stick to that view in spite of the facts. A bit like how things like fossil records and ageing techniques don't convince young-earthers.

[d000hg]

There was a national socialist workers party in the 1930s

They were quite successful though, until they got in a war

[tomtomagain]

So we (the British tax payer) are expected to pay £100BN to Lockheed Martin soon to renew trident...

What a racket...

Pay your taxes you morally indefensible contractors - you can't possibly expect big business and super rich individuals to foot this bill can you?!

That £100BN figure is made up by CND.

The cost is substantially less and is in any case spread over the life of the product which is around 30 years.

[BrilloPad]

That £100BN figure is made up by CND.

The cost is substantially less and is in any case spread over the life of the product which is around 30 years.

We should still not be dependant on the USA.

And once we have developed our own nukes, we could sell them to other countries.....

[AtW]

The Tories are the only government to have competently managed the economy for 60 years.

Managed - yes, competently - no.

A child can manage sliding down on a slide.

[tomtomagain]

He is a well known pacifist and anti-war campaigner. The issue is not "will he wear a poppy" but "what colour poppy will he wear".

He is a republican, wants to get rid of Trident and generally disarm, and wants to tax the highest earners more. But those are hardly extreme views, even though they're controversial.

But that is my point. He has controversial or extreme views on every subject. He comes across as disagreeing with everything that has happened in the last 30 years.

And the problem with that is you might support his view on tax. But hate his stance on poppies. Or agree with his pacifism but actually like the Queen. Or like his view on Europe but live in Manchester and not warm to his views on the IRA.

He is a big target area.

[DodgyAgent]

Managed - yes, competently - no.

A child can manage sliding down on a slide.

easy for you to saybecause there are no benchmarks of relevance.

[tomtomagain]

We should still not be dependant on the USA.

And once we have developed our own nukes, we could sell them to other countries.....

We build the subs and the nuclear warheads. The actual missiles are procured from the US. Operationally the system is independent from the US. The Prime Minister can fire the missiles at whomever he choose's.