The British Labour party has a new leader

[WarK]

Who is this Corbyn person. Does he and his party have a chance to win next elections.

From what little I've read, he's against austerity measures and for increasing taxes for the rich.

What do you think? Is he good or bad. Would it be good for the UK and EU if he became the next prime minister? Or are Brits still in love with David Cameron who's just won again?

 

[Prolescum]

It's too early to tell whether he can convince enough of the electorate to vote him in, but the number who voted in the last election was pitiful; if he can maintain the level of interest with the apathetic (lapsed and disillusioned since the Iragi invasion), the protest voters (those who switched to Liberal Democrats or Green), and the younger generations, I think there's just as good a chance as any. However, it isn't necessary to become the Prime Minister to affect policy as parliament's two chambers have quite a bit of power over proposed legislative changes. Also, David Cameron and George Osborne (likely successor to Dave) are not well liked, hence the paltry turnout last election.

I'm just glad that the Labour party is finally going to represent a different viewpoint to the status quo, really. They haven't represented the working class since they capitulated to the agenda of the hawkish economists of the 1980's. When people say that Tony Blair was the bastard love child of Margaret Thatcher, they're using an uncomfortably accurate shorthand.

 

[WarK]

When people say that Tony Blair was the bastard love child of Margaret Thatcher, they're using an uncomfortably accurate shorthand.

I really don't know much about British politic, nor politics in general, but I thought Blair was a Tory. I really was surprised when I learnt he was Labour.

 

[malicious_bloke]

This might be helpful:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34209478

As a bit of live-action comedy it had me going up until this bit:

20. A national maximum wage should be introduced to cap the salaries of high earners. He would also introduce a windfall tax on former state assets such as the Royal Bank of Scotland, which he says were privatised too cheaply.

A maximum wage? FFS

 

[Prolescum]

Yeah, CEOs should be able to earn dozens of times the amount earned by low level staff as they work harder, and their contracts with golden handshakes even after abject failure are just about adequate given the great contribution they make to the nation's wellbeing.

It's especially proper and correct that hereditary wealth be maintained to make sure one's lords and betters are able to make all the decisions for their serfs, being that it affords them their ancient rights to dominate the political system; don't want those few angry, uppity proles (a vocal minority, presumably) getting ideas above their station. Who would serve the foie gras?

 

[WarK]

Yeah, CEOs should be able to earn dozens of times the amount earned by low level staff as they work harder, and their contracts with golden handshakes even after abject failure are just about adequate given the great contribution they make to the nation's wellbeing.

It's especially proper and correct that hereditary wealth be maintained to make sure one's lords and betters are able to make all the decisions for their serfs, being that it affords them their ancient rights to dominate the political system; don't want those few angry, uppity proles (a vocal minority, presumably) getting ideas above their station. Who would serve the foie gras?

Heh, I wanted to say this only I couldn't find proper words.

There was an interesting documentary on BBC recently, The Super-Rich and us.
It angers me that even though the whole economy went down because of them, their lives got even better. I mean, what's the point of giving incompetent bankers money from the public if they spent it all on bonuses? Who thought it was a good idea (except the bankers of course)?

 

[malicious_bloke]

Yeah, CEOs should be able to earn dozens of times the amount earned by low level staff as they work harder, and their contracts with golden handshakes even after abject failure are just about adequate given the great contribution they make to the nation's wellbeing.

It's especially proper and correct that hereditary wealth be maintained to make sure one's lords and betters are able to make all the decisions for their serfs, being that it affords them their ancient rights to dominate the political system; don't want those few angry, uppity proles (a vocal minority, presumably) getting ideas above their station. Who would serve the foie gras?

You've mashed multiple concepts together here without actually addressing the real problem.

I honestly don't care how much more those at the top earn compared to those at the bottom, so long as those at the bottom are paid a living wage.

I also don't care about golden handshakes and gigantic bonuses paid to board members, so long as it isn't the taxpayer footing the bill (like the last time we bailed the banks out).

And inheritance tax exists for a reason.

The main point is that the government should be in no position to mandate a maximum amount of money one can earn if we have any pretense of a market economy.

Believe it or not, we aren't China and we can't (yet) arrest people for living outside their means.

 

[australopithecus]

I like the fact Labour have a decent, outspoken and unapologetic left winger up front. I also enjoy how clearly this has scared the shit out of the right wing press, to the point where they run a character assassination piece whenever he gets out of bed.

 

[Laurens]

I like him a lot.

I might not agree 100% with his views but I totally respect him for being a man of principles. That is ever so refreshing when all we've had for years in politics is people giving out soundbites to appease whoever they are talking to at the time.

 

[Laurens]

This might be helpful:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-34209478

As a bit of live-action comedy it had me going up until this bit:

20. A national maximum wage should be introduced to cap the salaries of high earners. He would also introduce a windfall tax on former state assets such as the Royal Bank of Scotland, which he says were privatised too cheaply.

A maximum wage? FFS

I don't necessarily see the issue with having a maximum wage, but it obviously depends what the figure is. Stopping extremely high paid individuals from being obscenely high paid is fair play if you ask me.

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