Have things really got better under Labour?

Question

Do you remenber the campaign song?
"Things can only get better"
I can, although I was not old enough to vote in that election.
So have things got better?

I have seen the following changes

1) I was the first year to paid University Fee's
2) When I started driving petrol was around 65p a litre, now its 90p and would be over £1 if the supermarkets had not started a price war.
3) Income Tax Rises
4) National Insurance Contribution Increased
5) Road Tax increased
6) NHS waiting times increase
7) MRSA virus infecting place where we should be safe.
8) Jails overcrowded with speeders and old ladies who wont pay TV, and council taxes. Yet people who rape, murder etc get to walk free.

So have things got better?
Will labour be relected?
will Brown be anybetter
or are you waiting for the knock out punch when he gets in?

tell me your thoughts!

Answer 1

I agree, but there is one fundamental saving grace: At least they're not the Tories......

Answer 2

Some things have got better (nothing springs immediately to mind but I'm sure there must have been some) but the real damage is in public attitudes:

1. We dare not say what we think in case we upset someone or break a law. We can 'have our say' on websites such as the BBC but we know that anything 'inflammatory' won't be published and even if millions of people say the same thing they are ignored. I've probably committed several thought-crimes already today and I'm starting to think that big brother knows it!

2. The supplicant society. When I left school during the early 80s depression I was on the dole for a few months. I was demeaning and depressing so I pulled my finger out and got a proper job as soon as I could. These days I'd be on a 'scheme' or working part time and getting 'tax credits' or, if I had full time work but couldn't hack it, I'd be on disability payment. Then I'd be worried by anyone who threatened to take my handouts away and feel safer with Labour. I might even get a knighthood for my loyalty.

3. Now it seems we think we can't do anything or drive anywhere unless Tony has specifically said that we are allowed to do it, or you've paid Gordon for the privilege. They'd probably ban the opposition if there was one. This used to be a free country!

Answer 3

I will first point out some inaccuracies in your information:

"1) I was the first year to paid University Fee's"- You weren't the first year to pay University fees, you were the first year to pay variable tuition fees which inevitably led to everyone charging £3000 a year, which also aren't going to be paid until you're working

"old ladies who wont pay TV, and council taxes" Over 75s don't pay for their TV licences, and the council tax ones are just a very small number (over?)highlighted by the media.

"Yet people who rape, murder etc get to walk free." Where is your evidence? Do you mean those people who get let out early on good behaviour? The British justice system isn't stupid, and neither is the British public, despite what tabloid editors seem to think.

Also, many of your other points have been disproven by other answers.

I personally think that Labour have done well in some respects, but poorly in others, the Iraq war being one of the most notable (and you didn't bother to mention it!) We have also come to a point in British politics where the two main parties are extremely similar to each other and the third not sure where it wants to be. We need something to rejuvinate proper debate and ideological conflict and move away from this appalling culture of spin. Maybe a new Labour leader (not Brown) will bring us that, we'll have to wait and see what the party at large decides.

Answer 4

I think that, despite many things being wrong, most people have been better off since 1997. Whether this is due to a Labour government is open to debate, but we are more prosperous as a nation than ever.

1. I went to university 30 years ago - I was privileged as only 15% of 18 year olds got to university at that time. This government has raised this to over 40% and is aiming for over 50% of young people to enter further education. Someone has to pay for this. Either the general taxpayer (and you don't like tax rises - point 3) or those who directly benefit are asked to repay the cost once their income reaches a certain level. What do you want - further education available to all but at a cost, or available to an elite few at the taxpayers' expense?

2. The international oil price has risen. The exchequer has increased petrol taxes to discourage use, but it hasn't worked. But the bulk of the price rise is due to world oil prices. The recent fall is due to a slight fall in oil prices, not a supermarket price war.

3. You are simply wrong. Income tax has not risen under this government. Some indirect taxes have risen, but not income tax.

4. Fair point, although not a huge rise.

5. Road tax has increased at above inflation for my big gas guzzler, but has fallen for my wife's small car. Seems fair to me.

6. Once again, you're simply wrong. There's still a long way to go, but NHS waiting times have fallen.

7. The MRSA bacterium (not a virus) is present in most of us, but in the 1990s a penicillin resistant strain developed. You're not suggesting that Tony Blair is personally responsible are you? Unfortunately hospitals are full of ill people who are at risk from MRSA, but the most likely source is their visitors.

8. The jails are overcrowded because this government has taken a decision to jail more people. Name ONE person in jail for a simple speeding offence. How many old ladies who won't pay council tax do you really think are there? Do you think people who refuse to pay taxes should just be let off?
Also, quote me ONE case where a murder or rape conviction has not resulted in a prison sentence. Your final point is just plain silly and wrong.

This government may have run its course. Cameron may have made the Conservatives a credible alternative (I happen not to think so). But listing lies, mistruths and misconceptions, when you could have referred to a needless war in Iraq really doesn't add to the debate.

Answer 5

Yes things have!!!
1- University leavers generally get higher paid jobs so why shouldnt you pay for it
2- Petrol would have risen under any government
3-ditto
4-ditto
5-ditto
6-They have actually decreased!!! (look at the figures)
7-could have happend to any government
8-More jails are being built which is what we need - the reason there was not enough jail space is because under the Tories the Police forces were not as well funded- so crimes were going "un-noticed" if you like, not enough police to catch everyone!!!

I will vote Labour again this time! They are the Only Party for Britain! The only one with the skills to get this country out of debt, make it safer (statisticly) get the Nhs waiting list down and increase our strength in the International community!!!

Do you see the Crack addict in the Tories doing that! I dont think so!

And as for the Lib-Dems they are like a Gynacologist! They get to smell the goods (government power) they just cant taste it!

Answer 6

Them old spinsters at Labour HQ had the public eating out of their hands back in 1997! The 'New Labour' revolution burst on to the scene in the guise of young tory looking "peoples" Blair.
And of course the public couldn't get enough, they drooled over his every word and promises were made and one by one people forgotten. Once the Blair became enthroned into number 10 and HE HAD GIVEN THE PEOPLE A HONEYMOON we saw the truth!
Everyone has been blinded and duped into the glories of the Labour Party but I think too much damage has been done now. I have a disconcerting feeling that the new Labour invention of Brown the drone will wreak more havoc once he clumps onto the stage. Then we will see the party in true meltdown and then chaos will reign.

batten the hatches - we are in for a rougher ride

Answer 7

All parties are the same, the idea is that we have a vote, to vote for one of the three, Lab, Tory, Lib/Dem. How many times have these parties failed the electorate, it's time for a change, bring on a new party that will look after everyone not just a few

Answer 8

I have read the replies to your question it seems some people are really stupid or brainwashed I agree with all your points except point 3 income tax has not risen but all the back door taxation has like poll tax rises every year, prescription charges have more than doubled under labour. Petrol prices are down to the goverment as it is their tax on it that makes it so dear.
As for your original quesion my answer is no thing have not got better under labour.

Answer 9

They meant that they are going to tax the middle classification to such an quantity that they become as unfavorable by using fact the fewer fortunate, and on the comparable time save on with Mrs.Thatcher's coverage of coming up the prosperous even richer .do no longer for get the Mr.Tony Blair become a conservative with purple flag in stead of blue and Mr.Brown is barely his stooge and save on with the comparable coverage. God help you, while you at the instant are not already prosperous and you reside in England!

Answer 10

You are Wrong on at least two counts - NHS Waiting Lists are significantly down. Income Tax has not risen.

What has got better:
the NHS has more doctors and nurses,
more teachers and better schools,
the minimum wage,
tax credits
free museum admission,
more police officers,
NI peace process,
devolution,
free eye tests for OAPs,
Sure Start,
Defence spending up in real terms,
STABLE ECONOMY,
Bank of England independence,
constructive relationship with Europe,
student loans for University fees,
ban on fox hunting,
House of Lords reform,
social housing building programme.

Now - for all those who will agree with your erroneous question: Please name one positive thing John Major's government did for the UK.

Answer 11

To MOJO and British and Proud of it.

1. Council Tax - don't even bring up the Poll Tax - I amongst many others would be paying far less with the Poll tax, and now the council want to walk around my house and see if I have a conservatory and loft conversion to see if I am eligible to pay for more.
2. Tax by Stealth - Gordon Brown has introduced over 50 taxes (very quietly).
3. War monger Blair - he has sent troops to Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afganistan and Iraq, spent Billions on War which nobody felt would benefit this country, yet let Mugabe get away with Murder. Yet while he sends the Troops away, he does not equip them properly.
4. Millions marched against the war, and even more marched against the hunting act - he ignores his voters and refuses to compromise.
5.The NHS - despite the fact that billions have been invested in the NHS, we now face redundancies and ward closures, which to be fair we did under the tories. So if we are facing redundacies and closures where has this money gone? Squandered the lot of it, on worthless image consultants, computers and yet more managers. What a waste of money - your money, my money! The NHS spent over £250 000 on their Christmas do at the. Thats money well spent in my book, especially when they are closing wards and making staff redundant.
6.Education - Instaed of raising the standards they have instead lowered them and then claimed that the state of the Education system is better because more people are passing. What a load of crap. he also makes students pay for their education (which they never did under the Tories) now leaving students thousands in debt when they leave Uni. Well done Labour. Milk snatcher Thatcher. Alot of you people have selective memories. MIlk from kids or leaving millions of students thousands in debt. I would choose milk form kids any day.
7.Scandels - Cash for Peerages, Cash for Passports, Questions for Cash, Mandelson, Two Jags, Livingstone, Ministers looking for gay sex on Clapham common, Tessa Jowell, it goes on and on. Again the Tories do it and then Labour take it off the scale.
8. Business. More Red Tape, more minimum wages. More people are going out of business since the global recession of the 80's.
9. Asylum and Immigration - I konw lets let in anyone, regardless of who they are, whether they have criminal records or not, whether they are NHS tourists and have diseases such as Hepititas, Aids etc..., jobs, housing. Lets not worry whether we have enough housing for them, or infrastructure and how much it is going to pay Mr and Mrs Taxpayer. Forget the 'lets travel to the nearsest country to claim asylum', lets get some organised crime syndicate to exploit us and get us to the U.K.
10. More stabbings, gun crime, re offenders released early to reoffend, lets not even put burglers and drug dealers inside, because they have had an oppressed child hood and deserve a hug. While we are at it, the drug addicts who are in prison - lets give them £2 or £3k because they have had a hard time doing cold turkey.
11.Multi Cultralism- I am not even going there.
12. British born terroists. Speaks for itself.
13.Human rights, lets give those who commit crimes as much rights as those who have been victims of crime.
14. The police. Spend millions on more officers, who get more and more paper work. ASBO's - don't work - these are now a status symbol. What a waste of resouces and money setting them up.
15.George Bush, well done Tony, keeping following him.
16.Big Brother.
17.Broken the family unit up, leaving kids with no respect for elders and each other. Education starts at home.
18. Sold Britian down the river to Europe.
19.Welfare no work. Work harder those on benefits depend on you!!!
20. Civil Servents earning thousands in pensions which are paid for by the public and now the public cannot afford private
pensions because they are paying for the civil servants.
21. Political Correctness.
22. Spent billions on image consultants and quango's to help British services run better and gets zero results. Can you imagine if The rail and gas and electric services were still run by the Government, we would be paying twice as much now. Thank goodness the poorly run services were sold to try and put some competitiveness back into them
As for John Major. You don't hear positive things, but he was far superior to Blair and his Sofa style government.

Mojo and British and Proud, you are to Labour pissed to realise that Blair has had 10 years to improve this Country and he has done nothing but fcuk it up big time. Take your head out of the sand and understand it.
10 years to sort crime out, yet teen gun crime is out of control. the figures speak for themselves.
I really could go on and on.
(sorry my spell check is broken)