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Post by Bernard Marx on Jan 21, 2022 22:34:24 GMT
You dismiss and mock Sure Start but I know people who said that made a real difference in transforming their lives. See also: Introduced the National Minimum Wage Increased school funding Writing off up to 100 per cent of debt owed by poorest countries. Devolution Paternity leave Restored city-wide government to London. Introduced the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Winter fuel payment to pensioners First ever Climate Change Act. Northern Ireland peace. Scrapped Section 28 and introduced Civil Partnerships. Banned fox hunting. Cleanest rivers, beaches, drinking water and air since before the industrial revolution. Free TV licences for over-75s. Banned fur farming and the testing of cosmetics on animals. Free breast cancer screening for all women aged between 50-70. Free eye test for over 60s. Free entry to national museums and galleries. Overseas aid budget more than doubled. Free nursery places for every three and four-year-olds. You could thank Sir Tony for these but clearly would have preferred John Major and William Hague leading a Tory government. No, I would have prefered a proper Labour Government which closed the gulf between rich and poor rather than widen it further. All that gumpf is just trimmings around the edges. www.theguardian.com/society/2004/aug/02/socialexclusion.politicsIt also had little long-term impact. All of those tweaks were undone in mere moments as soon as a more right-wing party achieved a sniff of power, because the Blair era never made a convincing case for genuine systemic change. The Labour government of the 1940s may have had it's faults, but it's irrefutable that the implementation of countless new outlets for social housing and the creation of the NHS were set in stone for the decades ahead, which is why the Tory governments which succeeded Attlee prior to Thatcher were unable to debunk them. In terms of long-term legacy, Blair's era saw the working-classes drop out of the electorate courtesy of failing to provide for them, paved the way for Brexit and UKIP courtesy of failing to make a positive case for EU integration (coupled with fulfilling the narrative of both main parties being identical, which saw disillusionment at its highest), saw the eventual creation of ISIS courtesy of the government's approval for Bush's Invasion of Iraq, and left all of the economic facets of neoliberalism entirely intact, so as for Cameron's Tories to gladly make the case for Austerity. All without a single counter-narrative cutting through, because left-wing talking points had been entirely marginalised over years and years of party hegemony, and because New Labour allowed the Tories to say that Labour were responsible for the financial crash via "overspending". And they only allowed them to do so, because the alternative would be to start championing left-wing talking points. As Blair himself said amidst Corbyn's election as leader, he'd rather have a Tory government than a genuine economic alternative: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tony-blair-says-he-wouldn-t-want-a-leftwing-labour-party-to-win-an-election-10406928.htmlLabour lost five million votes between 1997 and 2010. However, only 20% of those lost voters went to the Conservatives. The others either turned to alternatives, or stopped voting completely. |
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Post by burrunjor on Jan 22, 2022 0:13:31 GMT
It also had little long-term impact. All of those tweaks were undone in mere moments as soon as a more right-wing party achieved a sniff of power, because the Blair era never made a convincing case for genuine systemic change. The Labour government of the 1940s may have had it's faults, but it's irrefutable that the implementation of countless new outlets for social housing and the creation of the NHS were set in stone for the decades ahead, which is why the Tory governments which succeeded Attlee prior to Thatcher were unable to debunk them. In terms of long-term legacy, Blair's era saw the working-classes drop out of the electorate courtesy of failing to provide for them, paved the way for Brexit and UKIP courtesy of failing to make a positive case for EU integration (coupled with fulfilling the narrative of both main parties being identical, which saw disillusionment at its highest), saw the eventual creation of ISIS courtesy of the government's approval for Bush's Invasion of Iraq, and left all of the economic facets of neoliberalism entirely intact, so as for Cameron's Tories to gladly make the case for Austerity. All without a single counter-narrative cutting through, because left-wing talking points had been entirely marginalised over years and years of party hegemony, and because New Labour allowed the Tories to say that Labour were responsible for the financial crash via "overspending". And they only allowed them to do so, because the alternative would be to start championing left-wing talking points. As Blair himself said amidst Corbyn's election as leader, he'd rather have a Tory government than a genuine economic alternative: www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/tony-blair-says-he-wouldn-t-want-a-leftwing-labour-party-to-win-an-election-10406928.htmlLabour lost five million votes between 1997 and 2010. However, only 20% of those lost voters went to the Conservatives. The others either turned to alternatives, or stopped voting completely. Agreed, plus NONE of those good accomplishments outweigh the little thing of the Iraq War. To me saying Blair's legacy is mixed in spite of playing a key role in the worst atrocity of the 21st century because he gave 4 years olds free nursery places and over 75 year olds free tv's is like saying that Caligula's legacy is mixed because he also ended treason papers, and organised the building of a lot of roads and temples. To be fair though Caligula never did anything as horrible as the Iraq War. |
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Post by RobFilth on Jan 22, 2022 5:40:51 GMT
In terms of long-term legacy, Blair's era saw the working-classes drop out of the electorate courtesy of failing to provide for them, paved the way for Brexit and UKIP courtesy of failing to make a positive case for EU integration Furthering the aims of US Imperialism via the interventions in the Middle East were what completely f*cked up our EU integration, Europe absolutely hated the exceptionalism and arrogance we oozed with the action. Europe also footed the bill and was left to pick up the pieces of the consequences of our disastrous Middle East interventions too with the huge refugee crisis which followed and wholesale displacement of people. All this was Blairs fault. He was the worst Prime Minister since Thatcher so damaging was his legacy. His lasting legacy has also completely destroyed the Labour Party, should a Labour Government get in power now they will merely be a Tory tribute act B-Team and puppet to Murdoch, completely incapable of any reform whatsoever. The last person who attempted to reform and reinvent the party from Blairism was vilified, slandered, scapegoated and tossed out into the political wilderness despite having possibly the longest and most faithful service to the party to practically anyone else in the PLP. The reason why power has eluded Labour for so long is precisely because it can not, will not and is utterly unwilling to crawl out from the shadow of Blair. Scotland will not return to Labour again, ever. If there was an SNP or proper left wing alternative here in England I would vote for them without hesitation rather than Murdochs B-Team and a completely out of touch 1997 re-enactment society. It gives me no pleasure to say I hope Starmers creeps are utterly trashed next General Election, I hate Tories with a passion and have done all my life, but I hate the backstabbing creeps and scabs who enable them more. As SNP MP Mhairi Black so effectively observed with a Parliamentary speech, "Like so many, I feel that it is the Labour party that left me, not the other way about" |
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Post by RobFilth on Jan 22, 2022 5:50:20 GMT
To me saying Blair's legacy is mixed in spite of playing a key role in the worst atrocity of the 21st century because he gave 4 years olds free nursery places and over 75 year olds free tv's is like saying that Caligula's legacy is mixed because he also ended treason papers, and organised the building of a lot of roads and temples. Abso-bloody-lutely. Apparently Hitler got the trains to run on time and provided a first class efficient postal service too, so hey, "mixed legacies" eh? This is precisely the problem with centrist liberal thought, it excuses the inexcusable and enables fascism. and they laughably call themselves "moderates" when they faciliate some of the worst extremism going. |
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Post by RobFilth on Jan 22, 2022 6:02:03 GMT
You could thank Sir Tony for these but clearly would have preferred John Major and William Hague leading a Tory government. Actually, I think it is both Blair and Keir Starmer which would prefer those options to a mild Scandinavian style democratic socialist Government, which is why the Labour Party currently welcomes in benefits-bashing, migrant hating, tax dodge facilitating, climate change denying Tory MP's and withdraws the whip from long serving MP's several decades over whose overiding compulsion has been to eradicate homelessness in this country. A culture of bullying within the Tory Party? Perhaps the Labour Party should look closer at home at it own practises, because a buried Forde Report and wholesale abuse of their membership and their funds suggest the bullying problem is not confined to just the Tories. You can stick your Tory b-team up your arse Rani, I still haven't forgotten the New Deal torture camps those bastards subjected me to last time they were in power. Not even Thatcher was that callous. The Blairites disgust me. I won't vote Labour EVER again after the way they've behaved, it's utterly unforgivable. A choice between Blue, Red and Yellow Tory Parties is not a functioning democracy in any shape or form. |
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Post by burrunjor on Jan 22, 2022 16:19:03 GMT
To me saying Blair's legacy is mixed in spite of playing a key role in the worst atrocity of the 21st century because he gave 4 years olds free nursery places and over 75 year olds free tv's is like saying that Caligula's legacy is mixed because he also ended treason papers, and organised the building of a lot of roads and temples. Abso-bloody-lutely. Apparently Hitler got the trains to run on time and provided a first class efficient postal service too, so hey, "mixed legacies" eh? This is precisely the problem with centrist liberal thought, it excuses the inexcusable and enables fascism. and they laughably call themselves "moderates" when they faciliate some of the worst extremism going. Also I hear that Mussolini did quite a good impression of Nevile Chamberlain. I do a better Leonard Rossiter myself. "Oh Missssss Jonnnnnneeeeeees. Oh Missssss Jonnnnnnnneeeeeeesssss oh." Swings and roundabouts eh? |
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mistressrani
Certified Mob Rallying Heretic Crank
"Ignore me, I'm a dickhead." Rob Filth, 2021
Posts: 129
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Post by mistressrani on Jan 24, 2022 14:53:19 GMT
You dismiss and mock Sure Start but I know people who said that made a real difference in transforming their lives. See also: Introduced the National Minimum Wage Increased school funding Writing off up to 100 per cent of debt owed by poorest countries. Devolution Paternity leave Restored city-wide government to London. Introduced the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Winter fuel payment to pensioners First ever Climate Change Act. Northern Ireland peace. Scrapped Section 28 and introduced Civil Partnerships. Banned fox hunting. Cleanest rivers, beaches, drinking water and air since before the industrial revolution. Free TV licences for over-75s. Banned fur farming and the testing of cosmetics on animals. Free breast cancer screening for all women aged between 50-70. Free eye test for over 60s. Free entry to national museums and galleries. Overseas aid budget more than doubled. Free nursery places for every three and four-year-olds. You could thank Sir Tony for these but clearly would have preferred John Major and William Hague leading a Tory government. No, I would have prefered a proper Labour Government which closed the gulf between rich and poor rather than widen it further. All that gumpf is just trimmings around the edges. www.theguardian.com/society/2004/aug/02/socialexclusion.politicsThe Northern Ireland peace process, minimum wage, civil partnerships and Climate Change Act are just trimmings around the edges?  Are you on day release from Billy Smart's today? |
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mistressrani
Certified Mob Rallying Heretic Crank
"Ignore me, I'm a dickhead." Rob Filth, 2021
Posts: 129
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Post by mistressrani on Jan 24, 2022 14:56:12 GMT
In terms of long-term legacy, Blair's era saw the working-classes drop out of the electorate courtesy of failing to provide for them, paved the way for Brexit and UKIP courtesy of failing to make a positive case for EU integration Furthering the aims of US Imperialism via the interventions in the Middle East were what completely f*cked up our EU integration, Europe absolutely hated the exceptionalism and arrogance we oozed with the action. Europe also footed the bill and was left to pick up the pieces of the consequences of our disastrous Middle East interventions too with the huge refugee crisis which followed and wholesale displacement of people. All this was Blairs fault. He was the worst Prime Minister since Thatcher so damaging was his legacy. His lasting legacy has also completely destroyed the Labour Party, should a Labour Government get in power now they will merely be a Tory tribute act B-Team and puppet to Murdoch, completely incapable of any reform whatsoever. The last person who attempted to reform and reinvent the party from Blairism was vilified, slandered, scapegoated and tossed out into the political wilderness despite having possibly the longest and most faithful service to the party to practically anyone else in the PLP. The reason why power has eluded Labour for so long is precisely because it can not, will not and is utterly unwilling to crawl out from the shadow of Blair. Scotland will not return to Labour again, ever. If there was an SNP or proper left wing alternative here in England I would vote for them without hesitation rather than Murdochs B-Team and a completely out of touch 1997 re-enactment society. It gives me no pleasure to say I hope Starmers creeps are utterly trashed next General Election, I hate Tories with a passion and have done all my life, but I hate the backstabbing creeps and scabs who enable them more. As SNP MP Mhairi Black so effectively observed with a Parliamentary speech, "Like so many, I feel that it is the Labour party that left me, not the other way about" You've actually admitted you prefer a Tory government! We'll start calling you Tory Boy from now on. |
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Post by RobFilth on Jan 24, 2022 18:39:34 GMT
You've actually admitted you prefer a Tory government! We'll start calling you Tory Boy from now on. I said nothing of the sort. Johnsons clowns should never have been let anywhere near number ten, but Starmers bunglers enabled them every step of the way by consorting with Tory media scumbags to deliberately traduce their democratically elected leader and slander the whole membership. All the Blairites prefered a Tory Govt to a mild Democratic Socialist Govt. of the kind seen in Scandinavian countries, and that is because they are all under the cosh of their media robber baron overlords like Tory lickspittle. I'd actually prefer a GREEN Govt to either a Tory or Blairite Tory Govt thank you. At least they don't kiss arse to a load of Murdoch spivs and pimps like Starmers spineless slime. |
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Post by RobFilth on Jan 24, 2022 18:41:54 GMT
The Northern Ireland peace process, minimum wage, civil partnerships and Climate Change Act are just trimmings around the edges? Are you on day release from Billy Smart's today? No, but you've certainly have gone wild in your clown car if you think WIDENING the wealth inequality gap is the mark of a Labour Government. |
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mistressrani
Certified Mob Rallying Heretic Crank
"Ignore me, I'm a dickhead." Rob Filth, 2021
Posts: 129
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Post by mistressrani on Jan 25, 2022 17:07:28 GMT
You've actually admitted you prefer a Tory government! We'll start calling you Tory Boy from now on. I said nothing of the sort. Johnsons clowns should never have been let anywhere near number ten, but Starmers bunglers enabled them every step of the way by consorting with Tory media scumbags to deliberately traduce their democratically elected leader and slander the whole membership. All the Blairites prefered a Tory Govt to a mild Democratic Socialist Govt. of the kind seen in Scandinavian countries, and that is because they are all under the cosh of their media robber baron overlords like Tory lickspittle. I'd actually prefer a GREEN Govt to either a Tory or Blairite Tory Govt thank you. At least they don't kiss arse to a load of Murdoch spivs and pimps like Starmers spineless slime. Drivel. I have little time for gesture generals and keyboard warriors who think they are being radical by tweeting this sort of nonsense. At least I knocked on doors and campaigned for Corbyn to be elected. |
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Post by RobFilth on Jan 26, 2022 5:39:54 GMT
I said nothing of the sort. Johnsons clowns should never have been let anywhere near number ten, but Starmers bunglers enabled them every step of the way by consorting with Tory media scumbags to deliberately traduce their democratically elected leader and slander the whole membership. All the Blairites prefered a Tory Govt to a mild Democratic Socialist Govt. of the kind seen in Scandinavian countries, and that is because they are all under the cosh of their media robber baron overlords like Tory lickspittle. I'd actually prefer a GREEN Govt to either a Tory or Blairite Tory Govt thank you. At least they don't kiss arse to a load of Murdoch spivs and pimps like Starmers spineless slime. Drivel. I have little time for gesture generals and keyboard warriors who think they are being radical by tweeting this sort of nonsense. At least I knocked on doors and campaigned for Corbyn to be elected. Rubbish, I bet you voted LibDem like your guru Alastair Campbell. Name me a single one of Starmers policies. He hasn't got any. He's a Tory and Murdoch establishment stooge. That's why he's spunked the £13m surplus Corbyn left the party against the wall, trashed 200,000 of the membership, pissed off the Unions and virtually bankrupted the party. He's expelled more Jewish people than all the other Labour leaders put together, the dirty bent lawyer racist. When you next go and canvas for Labour, you'll be the only one doing so. Everyone else has left. |
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mistressrani
Certified Mob Rallying Heretic Crank
"Ignore me, I'm a dickhead." Rob Filth, 2021
Posts: 129
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Post by mistressrani on Jan 26, 2022 10:31:23 GMT
Drivel. I have little time for gesture generals and keyboard warriors who think they are being radical by tweeting this sort of nonsense. At least I knocked on doors and campaigned for Corbyn to be elected. Rubbish, I bet you voted LibDem like your guru Alastair Campbell. Name me a single one of Starmers policies. He hasn't got any. He's a Tory and Murdoch establishment stooge. That's why he's spunked the £13m surplus Corbyn left the party against the wall, trashed 200,000 of the membership, pissed off the Unions and virtually bankrupted the party. He's expelled more Jewish people than all the other Labour leaders put together, the dirty bent lawyer racist. When you next go and canvas for Labour, you'll be the only one doing so. Everyone else has left. Vacuous empty words. You're as radical as Jacob Ress-Mogg, and think you can change the country with a tweet and whinge. |
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Post by RobFilth on Jan 26, 2022 13:43:10 GMT
Rubbish, I bet you voted LibDem like your guru Alastair Campbell. Name me a single one of Starmers policies. He hasn't got any. He's a Tory and Murdoch establishment stooge. That's why he's spunked the £13m surplus Corbyn left the party against the wall, trashed 200,000 of the membership, pissed off the Unions and virtually bankrupted the party. He's expelled more Jewish people than all the other Labour leaders put together, the dirty bent lawyer racist. When you next go and canvas for Labour, you'll be the only one doing so. Everyone else has left. Vacuous empty words. You're as radical as Jacob Ress-Mogg, and think you can change the country with a tweet and whinge. I do know that you certainly can't change it by voting for Starmer and his self serving Tories in red ties! |
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Are you on day release from Billy Smart's today?