Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves says she can't promise pay rises under a Labour government 

The party of the workers (supposedly) should be an advocate for the majority against vested interests in the name of a more equal society. That includes those in work and most definitely the unemployed. Ironic that full employment used to be a Labour objective and it actually achieved it under the Attlee government.

Well said. At least someone understands. Only another 30 million voters to go.

Of course she can't when the economy is going to be in at least this bad of a state and maybe much worse by the election. It's not even that she can't promise things, it's that she knows if she promises too much she either won't be able to deliver it, or it will destroy pensions and mortgage rates again.

I'm more flexible than some in that I can cope with the idea that they will be cautious until they get into power, if that gets them into power (big if). After 13 years, they really do need to do what it takes to win. But what I worry about with Starmer and Reeves is they don't have much imagination, and therefore what we'll see in government is largely what we're hearing. When the inevitable tough choices need to be made to deal with the worst problems in our society - taxation, health, housing, education - they'll choose caution like New Labour did, and actually be authors of their own downfall with a country fundamentally unaltered by the time they leave office. That won't be enough to win my vote.

@@tomgraham3206 In World War Two Labour took responsibility for planning the peace and when it won the election in 1945, it set about implementing substantial and lasting change with alacrity. Everyone knew it had a vision which it saw through. The scale of the problems facing Britain demands something similar to the Attlee government or the New Deal in America under Roosevelt. Starmer is no Attlee or Roosevelt. He is not even William Hague or John Major. That is how bad it is. Labour is in serious trouble if it does not remove him but that is unlikely in view of the Blairite ascendancy. Their ideological commitment to the religion of neoliberalism will ensure nothing improves for the majority.

@@eightiesmusic1984 I largely agree, although I think what happened in 1945 won't apply now as society is so much more fragmented and 'informed' including misinformed. There just hasn't been an event as seismic as WW2 to make people comfortable with a complete reset and new direction. Yes there are some who would be comfortable, maybe even a third of the electorate, but not enough.

Precisely. Economically illiterate austerity as any serious economist would aver. We need Keynesianism not failed austerity which inhibits recovery, hammers the poor and serves the rich. Labour is a busted flush before or if it gains power, committed to a disastrous path that will pave the way for a hard right Tory return to power.

Sunak wasted 100 billion in 4 years There are also slews of Tory waste on consultancy outsourcing trickle down tax breaks were talking billions The largest part of the budget is going to be debt repayment as interest rates and inflation eat into the economy there is near zero room for borrowing In 2010 debt to gdp was 62% and interest rates near zero 2023 it's 100% and interest rates are 5% the effects of Brexit on the long term foreign investment that stopped in 2016 are starting to really bite + the effects of removing FOM has seen esential foreign workers fetch in extended family with them. The Tory economy is a raging skip fire which will get worse because there is near zero room for borrowing until inflation goes down to 2% 10% of the NHS admin budget is spent leasing with the private sector Hunt and Reeve are light years apart even what may seem small decisions will have a big effect down the line ex removing consultants

Seriously, everyone in this thread saying New Labour and she's not doing enough and so on. They seem not to understand just how bad things are and the utter state the Tories are going to leave anything in. And she isn't sugarcoating it, which is a lot better than the current government who would just like through their teeth and pretend everything is great.

Excellent satire. Go to the front of the class. A future in comedy is assured if you want it.

@@fang_xianfuYeah, right. Better to have Labour in power following the same failed policies that will guarantee nothing ever improves. Take your head out of the clouds and engage with reality. It is grim on the ground.

you got that from this? i have a garden bridge to sell you.

@@eightiesmusic1984 you got a better idea?

I don't buy that at all. They have a pretty clear idea (as does the OBR). If Labour follows Tory spending plans, if life doesn't improve in a meaningful way under Labour, they will be out after one term. The country is thoroughly sick of 'Jam tomorrow' empty promises.

@@thetragicyouth With a totally effed economy, it's going to take probably more time to fix than one parliamentary term. And if the Tories get back in after that, say goodbye to ever being out of poverty in Britain.

The OBR is complicit in massaging the data atm. I think the blues will be put out for 3 terms.

@@thetragicyouth Precisely. Constant excuses or 'managing of expectations' that could not be any lower anyway. Other countries have much stronger economies for a host of reasons. The UK political class is so arrogant and weeded to the group think of neoliberalism that it is both incapable and unwilling to recognise its failed policies for what they are. Neoliberalism needs to be consigned to the dustbin of history. All the defenders of ' new Labour' ignore the fact that for all its worthy social reforms and better economic performance than the last thirteen years under the Tories, its failure to do much more for millions on lower incomes created the perfect conditions for Brexit, driven by racism and also a cry of rage from those left behind.

@@thetragicyouth If you think the Tories can win again after just five years, you lack an understanding of both the people and the political cycle. The Tory Party is certain to be asking the questions during PMQs for a considerable period of time.

Was probably tea

I bloody hope so! Doubt that'll happen though.

Deluded

HahaHaaaHaaaa... Plonker!

Taken totally out of context. Go to the back of the class...

@@eightiesmusic1984 There speaks a non public sector worker. It’s money that could be better spent, so it’s not a different issue at all. I’m sure the 5.7 million public sector workers would share your morals, but I do agree with your use of the word soft. That’s exactly what the Uk is now, a soft power.

@@eightiesmusic1984 and we’re reduced to half-witted responses already 👏🏼

@@eightiesmusic1984 it makes perfect sense. You just can’t deal with people having different opinions to yours and so label them as nonsensical and incoherent. Pretty arrogant.

@@eightiesmusic1984 It really was wasn’t it. Thank you.