Westminster Politics

berbatrick

Renaissance Man
Scout
Joined
Oct 22, 2010
Messages
21,827
711 said:
Labour's long-time policy, not just Corbyn's, has been to actually re-nationalise, and it has generally been one of their more popular policies.
Click to expand...
brown/miliband's policy was different, based on a quick google:

Supporters of the phased renationalisation policy were furious at reports that the leadership had decided on a less ambitious option, under which the state would be able to bid against private operators, rather than private operators being locked out of the process.
Click to expand...
However, over the weekend 50 local Labour parties, two regions and the rail unions were reported to be campaigning for a different policy. They want the state to take over all rail franchises when they expire.
Click to expand...
 

711

Verified Bird Expert
Scout
Joined
Dec 10, 2007
Messages
24,322
Location
Don't sign old players and cast offs
berbatrick said:
brown/miliband's policy was different, based on a quick google:
Click to expand...
My memory is that policy then was to take in franchises as they expired, but memory eh? I suppose one would have to trawl through the manifestos to be sure, but I'm fecked if I'm doing that :) To be fair to Corbyn he was unequivocal about renationalisation, whereas Blair, actually in power, could have done more but didn't.

However I wasn't trying to wind Corbynites up, my point was to object to the current proposal being described as renationalisation, as the press first described it, when in fact it will result in more of the railway being run by private operators than currently, post the collapse of Railtrack and some large operating companies.. Just like the franchisees they will be interested in short term profits only, and those profits will come from the fare payer and the tax payer, as now.
 

sun_tzu

The Art of Bore
Joined
Aug 23, 2010
Messages
19,536
Location
Still waiting for the Youthquake
711 said:
My memory is that policy then was to take in franchises as they expired, but memory eh? I suppose one would have to trawl through the manifestos to be sure, but I'm fecked if I'm doing that :) To be fair to Corbyn he was unequivocal about renationalisation, whereas Blair, actually in power, could have done more but didn't.

However I wasn't trying to wind Corbynites up, my point was to object to the current proposal being described as renationalisation, as the press first described it, when in fact it will result in more of the railway being run by private operators than currently, post the collapse of Railtrack and some large operating companies.. Just like the franchisees they will be interested in short term profits only, and those profits will come from the fare payer and the tax payer, as now.
Click to expand...
Labour is to raise the prospect of further parts of the rail network being taken back into public ownership when it announces plans to subject franchises to a competitive bid between the state and private sector as they come up for renewal.

But Ed Miliband will anger rail unions and some Labour MPs in the announcement next week by ruling out proposals that all expired franchises under a Labour government be returned automatically to the public sector – which would amount to a form of staggered renationalisation.
Click to expand...
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/03/rail-network-franchises-labour-plan
 

Adisa

likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
50,462
Location
Birmingham
It was common knowledge was it not? It was so obvious her immunity was the strategy. We even had some here defending it.
 

ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg

Full Member
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
13,122
Adisa said:
It was common knowledge was it not? It was so obvious her immunity was the strategy. We even had some here defending it.
Click to expand...
On here - im sure there were, but at the start of a pandemic where noone knows what’s happening, there would have been plenty of comments and views that people would change now.

In terms of the govt handling - I’m sure there will have been lots of mistakes, as there were and will be in almost every country.

not excusing it - and am sure that more detail will come out in time.

but when Cummings is the ‘whistle blower’ - it’s pretty difficult to believe a word he says.
 

Buster15

Go on Didier
Joined
Aug 28, 2018
Messages
13,587
Location
Bristol
Supports
Bristol Rovers
sullydnl said:
Click to expand...
The problem is that in terms of popularity, bumbling Boris wins hands down. And both are known for being compulsive liars.
The only way Cummings is going to hurt the PM is with something that can really turn public opinion.
And much as I hope this is the case, I am certainly not holding my breath.
 

Adisa

likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
50,462
Location
Birmingham
The allegations are so sensational that Joe Public would find them difficult to believe. We are governed by a bunch of raving lunatics.
 

groovyalbert

it's a mute point
Joined
Feb 14, 2013
Messages
9,755
Location
London
And it's shite like this that means we'll never have a series like The Thick of It again. We're too far gone.

The worst thing of all? We're completely stuck with this rabble, and I'm not convinced there is enough on the other side to do much better.
 

Pexbo

Winner of the 'I'm not reading that' medal.
Joined
Jun 2, 2009
Messages
68,839
Location
Brizzle
Supports
Big Days
sun_tzu said:
Well so far cummings has said hankock should have been sacked 15 to 20 times and that he is a liar... has said the PM suggested Covid was a scare story and he would get injected with the virus on live TV to prove it wasnt serious

PMQ's should be like shooting fish in a barrel today ...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-politics-57245479
Click to expand...
Kier Starmer will refrain from attacking the PM while we he is still doing his best to deal with these unprecedented circumstances
 

villain

Hates Beyoncé
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
14,974
Cummings: "We are absolutely fecked, thousands of people are going to die"

Westminster voting intention:
CON: 55 (+15)
 

Maticmaker

Full Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2018
Messages
4,764
Buster15 said:
The problem is that in terms of popularity, bumbling Boris wins hands down. And both are known for being compulsive liars.
The only way Cummings is going to hurt the PM is with something that can really turn public opinion.
And much as I hope this is the case, I am certainly not holding my breath.
Click to expand...
Its all 'knock about' stuff...wait till the custard pies are brought out and the "he's behind you" chants start!
 

Adisa

likes to take afvanadva wothowi doubt
Joined
Nov 28, 2014
Messages
50,462
Location
Birmingham
Something is seriously wrong if there are no serious discussions at the beeb about Kuenssberg. Cummings just admitted to using their journalist as a de facto press office.
Kuenssberg has stopped tweeting.
 

Salt Bailly

Auburn, not Ginger.
Joined
Apr 23, 2017
Messages
9,748
Location
Valinor
The state of the flags behind this lancashire MP :lol:

Also, why is there so much annoying background noise?
 

CassiusClaymore

Is it Gaizka Mendieta?
Scout
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
35,957
Location
None of your business mate
Supports
The greatest team in history
rpitchfo said:
This is crazy, properly crazy. Unprecedented stuff.
Click to expand...
Is it though? I mean it should be but he's only confirming what anyone with a functioning brain has known all along.

The governemnt is inept - check. Kuennsberg is a government mouthpiece - check. Hancock and Johnson are liars - check.
 

sullydnl

Ross Kemp's caf ID
Joined
Sep 13, 2012
Messages
34,063
rotherham_red said:
Kuenssberg hasn't tweeted since Cummings dropped her in it :lol:
Click to expand...
I don't quite get how she was dropped in it? He said he was regularly speaking to Kuenssberg and, given her role, getting him to regularly speak to her is her doing her job well.

The issue is if she doesn't then handle or present that information appropriately. Which she may not have done, but revealing that Cummings was one of her sources doesn't in itself reflect badly on her.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.