I think there's widespread agreement in UK politics that there needs to be "change" and we're not immune from populists bearing glib incorrect answers. But virtually none on what that actually means in realistic, practical terms. And not a huge amount of appetite to discuss it seriously. - ThreadSky

davidheniguk.bsky.social • 60 days ago

I think there's widespread agreement in UK politics that there needs to be "change" and we're not immune from populists bearing glib incorrect answers. But virtually none on what that actually means in realistic, practical terms. And not a huge amount of appetite to discuss it seriously.

Reposted from Rachel Wearmouth

This piece from David Blunkett tells you just how worried Labour is about Reform labourlist.org/2025/01/davi...

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johnspringford.bsky.social•60 days ago

Tax reform is probably the change that would change outcomes most in deprived areas of Sheffield, but it's extremely risky, popularity wise

jaybut707.bsky.social•60 days ago

About ½ of English voters live in London, the SE or East of England.

About ⅓ live in the North.

(The Midlands and SW are the others.)

https://lginform.local.gov.uk/reports/lgastandard?mod-area=E92000001&mod-group=AllRegions_England&mod-metric=3783&mod-type=namedComparisonGroup

johnspringford.bsky.social•60 days ago

To be specific, tax reform that shifted incidence from, say, the bottom 40% of the income and wealth distributions to the top 60%

davidheniguk.bsky.social•60 days ago

Indeed, a very good point. Leading to the thought of how much real change is possible within politically realistic bounds, which should be the point of politics...

johnspringford.bsky.social•60 days ago

The US debate about strong real income growth under Biden and voters choosing plutocracy also matters here

johnholman.bsky.social•60 days ago

The point of politics is one thing. The point of *government* is another. The Attlee government would never have created the welfare state if concerned only with tabloid headlines.

jimob1.bsky.social•60 days ago

People voted for change. If that is undeliverable don't promise it. As far as 'glib incorrect answers' you have just described the neoclassical technocracy (de-risking?) favoured by both main parties. Solution? Well not this anyway!

nuitsdeyoung.bsky.social•60 days ago

Electoral reform; equality of devolution (equal powers for areas of equal pop size – no more over-privileging of 'nation' label). Re-apply to EU.

richardsteeden.bsky.social•60 days ago

We know we’re not immune from populists bearing glib answers since we’ve been living with the consequences of those exact things since 2016

awb58.bsky.social•60 days ago

The obvs argument would be to say there should be European levels of taxation, for better public services, including higher taxation of median incomes.

‘Tax’ and ‘Europe’ are challenging for this govt.

donmac.bsky.social•60 days ago

Whatever Labour do policy wise, the whole UK media ecosystem a) pick holes in it b) hate it c) If its good, give zero credit/plaudits. They have a huge majority - they might as well go for it. First thing fill in potholes with works signs saying brought to you by your labour government.

tallgeekychap.bsky.social•60 days ago

I'm sure Blunkett as a former minister of huge experience will have answers.

*Reads*

Oh, a 'complete alteration of mindset'. Yes, that seems achievable.

iamnicksimpson.bsky.social•60 days ago

I thought the exact same thing.

Flagging the issues is easy. Outlining the necessary changes is hard.

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