Red on Red, Labour implode

[L.A.]

Dear Lapsed,

Listening to sound bite old fella, what damage is he doing, asking to invest in Britain, sound advice as far as I am concerned, and compared to what Cameron has done, any damage Mr Corbyn is doing pales into insignificance.

Gonnagle.

I know everyone in the Labour party hates Blair (and even to mention that name is like praising Hitler) . . .  but he was certainly right about one thing.

It doesn't matter what ideals and concerns you might have, if you are not in power you can achieve nothing.

It looks like that is a lesson that Labour are going to have to learn all over again.

[Harrowby Hall]

One problem is out First Past the Post voting system encourages the maintenance of only two parties. It is supposed to produce "strong" government but in reality it fosters the ideals of a rather small group of people.

The Labour Party is an anachronism. It is a fusion of two political strands - socialism and working class conservatism (small c). The latter stand seems to have been picked up by UKIP.

[Udayana]

Dear World Gone totally Bonkers,

Who would I want right now running the country.
...
Of course, having said all the above, Nicola Sturgeon can't be the UK Prime Minister, well can she

Gonnagle.

Why not?

[jeremyp]

Why not?

Difficult to be a UK Prime Minister if you are not in the UK Parliament.

[Udayana]

If there is a GE then she can remain leader of the SNP and get a seat in Westminster.

She will need to ally the SNP in a coalition with one or more other party (depending on what is left standing after the party leader elections) with a plan and deals for PM position and getting to Brexit, leaving Scotland and maybe NI in the EU with England and Wales with a decent deal but without freedom of movement.

Maybe impossible practically, but at least in theory she could be PM.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Udayana,

Another GE, oh boy! Will I just lie down this time, vote SNP, I suppose I should follow my own advice, old politics is done, time to move on, Cameron really is a prick, the man who finally broke Britain for good.

I suppose I can reminisce over the old ways, English votes for English folks, Labour and the SNP coming together to stuff the Tories, all those questions gone

Yes it makes sense, no need to worry about UKIP, just make sure our border is strong enough to keep them out, yes I will now be more upbeat about an Independent Scotland, I can always drag my Union flag out when her Maj gives us a visit.

Gonnagle.

[jakswan]

You are like a old gramophone record, the needle is stuck, socialist, centre left, far left, liberal, far right, right of centre, it's over, stop using all the old cliches, you don't have to be any of the above, start thinking about words like fairness, equality, compassion.

Well you don't have to be any of those things you are a mindless apple pie and mother love guy peddling easy answers. For those of us in reality those political ideals are broadly followed by every political party in the world.

The old ways are done, we can have a mixture of all the above, start asking what is good for the country, not just a certain section of the country but all the country.

I think you are so locked up in your own dream world that you seriously think no one but you wants to do what is best for the country, really? Stop this patronising claptrap.

[jakswan]

It's as if he is wearing a Virtual Reality headset showing 1970's newsreels.

The Socialist are a tiny but active minority - they can never win an election. If Labour can't force them back into the woodwork they are finished.

Well two things, first they don't think they can never win an election.

Secondly, even if they did do you think they should change their political outlook? You could live in a society that mainly wanted an autocratic theocracy and be a liberal minded democrat, would it make sense for me to say to you 'hey, just give up on this liberal stuff you will just have to be a supporter of theocracy because you will never get into power'. 

You would reply 'sorry but I'm not giving up on my ideals', wouldn't you?

Interestingly, I am receiving emails from friends who are Labour supporters asking me to vote for Eagle -  and I think I might do that.

Good!

[Gonnagle]

Dear Jakswan,

Well you don't have to be any of those things you are a mindless apple pie and mother love guy peddling easy answers. For those of us in reality those political ideals are broadly followed by every political party in the world.

In the world!! yes that's why we have Trump doing so well, send the ragheads home, that's why Putin is in power, our way or the highway, that's why the far right in Europe are gaining ground, and that's why we voted brexit, it is all the fault of immigrants.

My answers are not easy answers, reduce or totally get rid of trident, increase and train our troops on the ground, give them the equipment they need, increase our air force and navy, not only for conflict but to send them to disaster areas, renationalise the railway, allow our population to travel to work without breaking the bank, more money in their pockets means more money to spend on goods which increases productivity, stop messing about with education, stop telling our kids that university is the only goal, we need plumbers, electricians, builders, make education free for everybody, education is a tried and tested way to increase a countries productivity, open up colleges not shut them, make leisure centres free or only charge a nominal fee, better health decreases the impact on our NHS.

Not easy just commonsense.

Gonnagle.

[wigginhall]

With Boris gone, just imagine if Labour were united behind their leader.   Just a pipe-dream really. 

[L.A.]

Well two things, first they don't think they can never win an election.

That is just plain simple delusion.

Secondly, even if they did do you think they should change their political outlook? You could live in a society that mainly wanted an autocratic theocracy and be a liberal minded democrat, would it make sense for me to say to you 'hey, just give up on this liberal stuff you will just have to be a supporter of theocracy because you will never get into power'. 

You would reply 'sorry but I'm not giving up on my ideals', wouldn't you?

That is based on a fallacy, we do live in a democracy and that means we use democratic processes to bring about change (as opposed to locking-up or shooting the opposition).

Politics is the art of the possible - not a  flight of fantasy.

[L.A.]

With Boris gone, just imagine if Labour were united behind their leader.   Just a pipe-dream really.

I'm afraid that if the public had to choose between Boris and Corbyn, Boris would win hands down - That is probably a sad reflection on the electorate, but it just the way it is.

[floo]

I'm afraid that if the public had to choose between Boris and Corbyn, Boris would win hands down - That is probably a sad reflection on the electorate, but it just the way it is.

Boris isn't standing he has just pulled out!

[L.A.]

Boris isn't standing he has just pulled out!

That's the first bit of good news I've heard for a long time.


It seems to leave May as favourite!

[floo]

That's the first bit of good news I've heard for a long time.

As long as Gove doesn't get it. I think Theresa May is the best on offer.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Floo,

That is probably the smartest move the Tories have made in a long time, so it does look like May will be our next PM

Gonnagle.

[wigginhall]

Well, my respect for Gove has gone up,  a clever assassin.   But assassins don't usually win votes.

[floo]

Well, my respect for Gove has gone up,  a clever assassin.   But assassins don't usually win votes.

I hope not!

[Gonnagle]

Dear Matron,

It's all very clever, it's like it has been stage managed, their house will be in order much faster than Labour

Gonnagle.

[wigginhall]

Dear Matron,

It's all very clever, it's like it has been stage managed, their house will be in order much faster than Labour

Gonnagle.

Somebody usually has to commit suicide, it might as well be Labour.

[floo]

I have heard death threats have been made to MPs who aren't supporting Corbyn!

[L.A.]

Well, my respect for Gove has gone up,  a clever assassin.   But assassins don't usually win votes.

You mean you had respect for Gove?

[L.A.]

I have heard death threats have been made to MPs who aren't supporting Corbyn!

There are some pretty unsavoury characters lurking in dark recesses of the Far Left.

[Udayana]

Well, my respect for Gove has gone up,  a clever assassin.   But assassins don't usually win votes.

Not a fan of "House of Cards" then?

[wigginhall]

I've even heard people on the left talk of assassinating an MP.   I don't think it could happen in England.  <sarcasm>