Keir Starmer 'must be living in cuckoo land' says reader
He must be living in cuckoo land.
Labour has trashed the economy, reneged on every election pledge, apart from his comment about Welsh Labour.
He said the way Labour has run Wales is a blueprint for how they will run the UK.
Well, Labour in Wales has spent 25 years running the country into the ground.
Spending billions on worthless schemes and plans, just one example buying Cardiff Airport, spending expected to be by 2030, nearly £400million.
Labour has patiently proved they cannot run the Welsh economy, so far, buying Cardiff Airport was an insane idea.
Since 2013, over £180 million of taxpayers' money spent on it, with a current loss of £61million.
If this was a private organisation, they would have gone into receivership.
Labour's Senedd leaders since 2013 should hold their heads in shame.
R Brafing,
Wales
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Telegraph
34 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Rayner paying thousands more of taxpayers' money to trade union reps
The taxpayer-funded cost of trade union activities in Angela Rayner's department has increased by tens of thousands of pounds in a single year. Documents published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) show that the cost of paying trade union reps rose by 57 per cent in the last financial year. Public and private sector employers are required to pay employees who moonlight as shop stewards 'facility time' – effectively additional paid time off – to complete their union duties. Ms Rayner, who has significantly expanded the power of the unions in private industry with her employment rights reforms, is also paying far more for the reps. The latest annual report for MHCLG shows the department paid £225,803 in facility time in the 2024-5 financial year, up from £143,527 under the Conservatives the previous year. Union reps have been entitled to paid time off to carry out their duties in Britain since 1975 under the Wilson government. Ms Rayner has increased the facility time that both public and private sector employers must pay in her employment rights bill, so the cost of the payments are set to rise again next year when it passes into law. The legislation will also force employers to pay the extra wages for 'equality representatives' in the workplace for the first time. James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said: 'This boom in trade union time off on Angela Rayner's watch is a shocking waste of taxpayers' money. 'Yet again prioritising trade union trots over taxpayers shows [Ms] Rayner is still in hock to her union pals. 'Whether it's this, the employment bill or no-strings-attached payouts, Labour must stop putting the interests of unions who bankroll the party ahead of the national interest.' Research by the Taxpayers' Alliance last year found there were 23,592 public sector workers moonlighting as trade union reps in 2023 – the second highest number on record. The total cost of the payments to the taxpayer was almost £100m. An MHCLG spokesman explained the extra cost of facility time in Ms Rayner's department by arguing that salaries for civil servants had increased in line with inflation. But the increase of 57 per cent cannot be explained by inflation alone. Other departments, including the Foreign Office, have seen almost no change in their bill for facility time in the last year. Ms Rayner, a former union rep on Stockport council, has long had close ties to Unison, where she also once worked as an official. However, the Left-wing Unite the Union voted to suspend her earlier this month, over her reluctance to support striking bin workers in Birmingham. Sources close to Ms Rayner said she had already cancelled her membership, and that she believed the workers should accept a pay offer by Birmingham city council. A spokesman for the MHCLG said: 'These figures represent less than 0.1 per cent of our total pay bill and have increased for reasons including annual salary uplifts for staff in line with civil service pay guidance. 'Trade union representatives have a legal right to be given time off to undertake their duties, and they bring benefits to workplaces and the economy. We continue to support staff to do this as part of our commitment to supporting workers' rights.'
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
‘The UK needs a new voting system first': Readers react to Corbyn's new left-wing party
Public reaction to Jeremy Corbyn's new left-wing party has been mixed, with many Independent readers more concerned about the UK's electoral system than the party itself. While some welcomed the alternative to what they see as a 'Tory-lite' Labour government, most agreed that the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system makes it almost impossible for smaller parties to succeed – and risks splitting the left vote. 'Until the electoral system is changed to proportional representation (PR), the dog's breakfast that is British politics will continue,' wrote one commenter. Others feared the move could hand power to a Tory-Reform coalition, with one reader warning: 'If you think Johnson and Truss were bad, wait until you see what Farage and Jenrick manage to destroy.' Although Corbyn remains popular among younger voters, many readers questioned the strategy behind launching a new party now. 'This is a disaster waiting to happen,' one said. 'The left is already fragmented and needs unity, not further splits.' Some saw the move as a protest rather than a serious political project, while others argued it could force Labour to shift left or adopt PR. Here's what you had to say: No real left in the UK I certainly don't like the Conservatives, and I dislike Reform UK even more. The problem with the current Labour government is that they are Tory lite. I cannot see Corbyn ever being PM. Starmer is sadly too authoritarian – hence the jailing of peaceful protesters. Personally speaking, I would like to see a combination of the Lib Dems and Greens in power, but there is almost zero chance of that happening. The Lib Dems are much more to the left than Labour. Christopher1959 Do you think the UK's voting system needs to change? Let us know in the below. Until the system changes, expect a mess Although it is excellent to have more choices for the electorate to choose from, unfortunately, because of the first past the post electoral system (FPTP), this only "waters down" the anti-Tory/Reform vote, because those right-wing parties and their "supporters" will stick together. Don't forget the Lib Dems, who command a fair old share of the electorate – but not enough for a majority. That could result in permanent right-wing governance! Until the electoral system is changed to proportional representation (PR), the dog's breakfast that is Brit politics will continue, with either "one or t'other", or, as I said, because of the watering down of the centre and left-wing vote, a permanent Tory/Reform bunch in power! Blue3Lee It's a step, but PR must come first A step in the right direction – offering a wider choice to the electorate, many of whom feel they have a Hobson's choice at the moment. But it won't work as an alternative under FPTP. To succeed, a genuine form of PR would have to come first – freeing voters to vote for their real preference rather than simply to prevent an alternative. Corbyn won't be around for too much longer and would, I think, willingly step back once a more genuine left-of-centre Labour-type alternative is available. Strangely Enough Finally, some choice outside the centre I think the public now having a slightly right-wing party in Reform and a slightly left-wing party with Corbyn to vote for is a positive thing, given the centrist WEF Lab/Con Blairites we've had since 1997. GaryGlass New parties need deep pockets to survive I have two principal thoughts on this: First, this isn't the first time that a "splinter" party has been formed in the UK. Regrettably, almost none have survived contact with FPTP for long, other than the Green Party and niche outfits like George Galloway's "Respect" party. Second, to have any chance of electoral survival, let alone making a difference, this putative political party must have serious (pots of money) backing. If this party subsequently shows sufficient support, I suspect that the chances of any form of proportional electoral system being brought in will recede even further, because of the increasing electoral threat to the current government. Nobrandloyalty Corbyn's party won't win, but could push Labour Whilst this new party will definitely not win the election and will probably get few MPs, the threat of a split in the left vote – letting in Reform on an even lower percentage than Labour got last year – will hopefully motivate Labour to change some policies. Possibly even encourage them to manifesto-promise PR/electoral reform to tempt people back into tactical voting for them in 2029 – so they can have better chances for the JC party in 2034. Someone182 A split left could hand power to Farage I remember how the SDP were going to "change politics in the UK forever". They did – the Tories lurched even further to the right and kept winning elections. I do not like Starmer, however, splitting the Labour vote is going to give us a Tory/Reform coalition. If you think Johnson and Truss were bad, wait until you see what Jenrick/Farage manage to destroy. Moonraker2025 New parties are pointless without PR The UK needs a new voting system before it needs more parties. These small new party initiatives don't work out within the current system. Corbyn's lifelong main political goal is to run a protest movement – and that's what this will be. – ItReallyIsNot FPTP stops Corbyn from being a threat If it wasn't for our FPTP electoral system, Corbyn would be a serious threat, I believe. Polheg Reform will benefit most from Corbyn's move Corbyn's new party will take votes from Labour but is unlikely to win more than a handful of seats. The prime beneficiaries will be Reform. It was a serious mistake for Labour to expel Corbyn, since it was always obvious that he commanded a lot of support from the left and would be in a position to retaliate. Musil A fragmented left is a disaster in waiting Corbyn to the rescue – just when we need some kind of ruthless pragmatic unity in the face of 'Euphemism' – and in waltzes Corbyn and a further split of 5 to 10 per cent at most. It seems that more than ever, a further counterproductive split among an already fragmented centre/left, in the face of a determined, well-organised, highly coordinated and highly effective far right, is an absolute disaster waiting to happen. I genuinely cannot see a way out of this. Jim987 Want to share your views? Simply register your details below. Once registered, you can comment on the day's top stories for a chance to be featured. Alternatively, click 'log in' or 'register' in the top right corner to sign in or sign up.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Labour's fastest G7 growth aim undermined by IMF report
Labour's pledge to make Britain the fastest growing economy in the G7 is lying in tatters, according to a leading global watchdog. In a major report published today, the International Monetary Fund said the UK is lagging behind Donald Trump's America and Canada. EU members of the G7 are faring even worse – compounding the bloc's misery as it reels from a lopsided trade deal with the US that has left it with worse terms than Brexit Britain. Germany, France and Italy, as well as Japan, will all grow less than the UK over the next two years, according to the IMF. Reeves welcomed that Britain would be the fastest growing European economy in the G7. The IMF also predicted the Bank of England will cut interest rates twice more this year – with the first move expected to come next week. But Britain does hold some unwanted records, with inflation in the UK the highest in the G7 at 3.6 per cent. While failing to keep up with the US and Canada, the UK government's borrowing costs on the international bond markets are also higher than in any other G7 nation – piling further strain on the Chancellor and the creaking public finances. The IMF report comes as businesses and households are battered by the £40billion of tax rises announced by Rachel Reeves (pictured) in her first Budget in October last year. It is feared further painful tax hikes are coming this autumn as the Chancellor struggles to pay for Labour's lavish spending plans and balance the books. Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith said: 'There is a complete schizophrenia in the economic policy of this government. They talk growth but from tax raids to piling on regulations, their actions are the opposite. No wonder growth is failing.' In an update to its World Economic Outlook, the IMF said it expects the UK economy to grow by 1.2 per cent this year and 1.4 per cent in 2026. That compares with growth of 1.9 per cent and 2 per cent in the United States and 1.6 per cent and 1.9 per cent in Canada, which is now led by former Bank of England governor Mark Carney (pictured). However, it does outstrip growth in the major European economies, with Germany on course to expand by just 0.1 per cent this year and 0.9 per cent next having shrunk in 2023 and 2024. France is set for growth of 0.6 per cent and 1 per cent while the IMF pencilled in 0.5 per cent and 0.8 per cent for Italy. The outlook for the eurozone remains particularly grim and comes amid a backlash over last weekend's trade deal with the US that left the EU worse off than Brexit Britain. The agreement subjects the EU to 15 per cent tariffs on most of its goods entering America – lower than the 30 per cent previously threatened but worse than the 10 per cent levy on UK goods. The IMF said the global economy was showing 'resilience amid persistent uncertainty'. It warned the introduction of higher tariffs 'could lead to weaker growth' while 'elevated uncertainty could start weighing more heavily on activity'. And with Russia's war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East ongoing, the report added: 'Geopolitical tensions could disrupt global supply chains and push commodity prices up.' However, noting that the world economy has fared better than expected so far this year, the IMF said: 'Global growth could be lifted if trade negotiations lead to a predictable framework and to a decline in tariffs. Policies need to bring confidence, predictability, and sustainability by calming tensions, preserving price and financial stability, restoring fiscal buffers, and implementing much-needed structural reforms.' Ms Reeves said: 'The IMF's forecasts show that the UK remains the fastest growing European economy in the G7 despite the global economic challenges we are facing. However, I am determined to unlock Britain's full potential, which is why we are investing billions of pounds through our Plan for Change - in jobs through better city region transport, record funding for affordable homes, as well as backing major projects like Sizewell C to drive economic growth and put more money into people's pockets.'
