It constantly amazes me that neither the Tories nor Labour see inequality as their key priority. Worst in Europe and makes all that yap about "pursuit of growth" pointless. Can't just be slavish pursuit of neoliberal beliefs, surely? public.flourish.studio/visualisatio... - ThreadSky

andrewsharpe.bsky.social • 2 days ago

It constantly amazes me that neither the Tories nor Labour see inequality as their key priority. Worst in Europe and makes all that yap about "pursuit of growth" pointless.

Can't just be slavish pursuit of neoliberal beliefs, surely?

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/21542227/

Comments

tintenfische.bsky.social•2 days ago

I think they've been spending too much time reading American economic websites. There's been A LOT of papers coming out recently (and NYT articles etc) saying that wealth inequality isn't actually an issue as long as people have access to enough "stuff" Its yet another defence of American capitslism

tintenfische.bsky.social•2 days ago

Provide growth and trickle down economics will mean eventually poor people can buy playstations so everything is just fine.

It's not, obviously. But "they're" really trying to convince their own people that "stuff" being able to buy cheap crap is as important as healthcare and mortgages.

kathrinluddecke.bsky.social•1 day ago

🤯🤯🤯

ruthsteen.bsky.social•5 hours ago

But we don't have access to enough "stuff" in the UK! Look at food bank use, people can't afford food let alone stuff.

andrewsharpe.bsky.social•2 days ago

That's a defence of the rich, clearly. But they can't use that argument with income inequality. Which is equally bad.

tintenfische.bsky.social•2 days ago

They try though! Damn how they try. This madness goes back to Dr Frankfurt in the 80s. He was arguing then that the issue was poverty and the forced lack of capitalism's bounty rather than there being far too many poor people and the stupendously wealthy.

tintenfische.bsky.social•2 days ago

They never really understand that it's not just about buying things. It is, as you know, about power and access that money buys.

andrewsharpe.bsky.social•2 days ago

That view stems also, surely, from the disease of the American Dream?

andrewsharpe.bsky.social•2 days ago

(btw isn't it a relief to be able to discuss meaningfully without the X trolls and Musk algorithm/ads forcing their way in)

pheasant.bsky.social•2 days ago

It comes down to what people believe. The media pushes a narrative blaming immigrants. Politicians have to respond to that. If we want to change politics the place to put pressure on is to dominate the media narrative. It's on us, not Labour, to get out and do something.

andrewsharpe.bsky.social•2 days ago

So no onus on 🥀 Labour to implement Leveson 2?

pheasant.bsky.social•2 days ago

Sure get out and campaign for that too. Without pressure nothing will happen.

andrewsharpe.bsky.social•2 days ago

The people who represent me are either SNP or Tory. The SNP folk are powerless to influence Westminster and the Tory doesn't listen. Tbh I'd rather spend my effort on regaining independence rather than trying to change Westminster. Arguably the former will be easiest to achieve.

pheasant.bsky.social•2 days ago

And that's fair enough. What I feel like is there's a lot of people sitting round complaining that Labour aren't doing what they want, while denying their own agency. We're heading into dark times and it's going to need collective and mutual action to pull us through.

andrewsharpe.bsky.social•2 days ago

Well... "people" could always do more of course, but watching what happens when there are -huge- protests in London (nothing) it's hard to feel that politicians listen outside of elections. Even here my local (Tory run) council has stated it won't accept online petitions...

tanjabueltmann.net•2 days ago

Indee - I'm a historian of collective action, so I really do agree that this matters. BUT the onus absolutely is on Labour to do better: they are actively choosing to ignore all evidence that indicates their approach will not work. That's not just irresponsible, it's also, frankly, just very dumb.

sloanefragment.bsky.social•2 days ago

um. no.

it is absolutely on elected officials. that's what they're elected to do. they aren't elected to just do whatever rupert murdoch says.

pheasant.bsky.social•2 days ago

They're elected to do what the public says. You need to get out and shift public opinion.

Comments

Posting Rules

Reply