Off Topic Politics Thread

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I met Andy Burnham back in the early 90’s when he was Shadow Health Secretary. He visited the hospital I worked at and met some of the union reps, and I pointed out that all the professional staff who work in private healthcare were trained within the NHS at taxpayers’ expense, and shouldn’t the private sector be paying some of that back? He promised to look into it, and 30 years and 2 Labour administrations later I’m still waiting.

Things are slightly different sector to sector, but in a lot of industries, if an employer funds your training for a professional qualification, they usually expect at least two years post graduate work or you pay an element of the training cost back(new employers often end up paying on the employees behalf).
Surprised the NHS has nothing similar
 
Based on what exactly? Reform are surging in the polls and won a shedload of seats at the latest local elections.

The best Governments in the UK, have been when they have had a strong, organised Opposition, the Tories were in for 14 years because the Labour party and other opposition parties, were so disorganised and ineffective. The Labour Party are in at the moment and the opposition is a complete mess without any power to force the decisions that are being made.Reform tend to be a mishmash of differing groups mostly arguing with each other, the Tories have a thin backbone with individuals walking away at regular intervals, the Liberals are minimal. Until there is an organised Opposition, Labour will continue to make mistakes and produce duff legislation.
IMO.
 
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The best Governments in the UK, have been when they have had a strong, organised Opposition, the Tories were in for 14 years because the Labour party and other opposition parties, were so disorganised and ineffective. The Labour Party are in at the moment and the opposition is a complete mess without any power to force the decisions that are being made.Reform tend to be a mishmash of differing groups mostly arguing with each other, the Tories have a thin backbone with individuals walking away at regular intervals, the Liberals are minimal. Until there is an organised Opposition, Labour will continue to make mistakes and produce duff legislation.
IMO.
When Labour is the opposition they are united in attacking the Tories, when they are in power, the various co-ops, unions, factions within the Labour party try and exert pressure to get the things they want, done, and effectively become the biggest opposition to the government. How this will work in a system where it looks as if we have left the traditional 2 party system is hard to know. The Tories may split or collapse, if that happens then the Reform party will not only have to tackle their most outlandish notions and members but will be labelled as Tory party 2 and inherit all the discontent of Tory party 1.
If the Tories and Reform try and co-exist, and the Tories change their leader I can see a hung parliment with Reform/Tory coalition.
Labour will only win the next election by default again i.e. least worse option. They really need the economy to pick up by year 4 of this government to allow them to set a new manifesto pledges that will be more progressive.
 
Things are slightly different sector to sector, but in a lot of industries, if an employer funds your training for a professional qualification, they usually expect at least two years post graduate work or you pay an element of the training cost back(new employers often end up paying on the employees behalf).
Surprised the NHS has nothing similar
That kind of thing exists in the NHS, but a big part of any worker’s skill and expertise comes with experience on the job. The NHS has a constant drain of experienced staff in every area, staff which have to be replaced in a competitive recruitment environment, where salaries and conditions are usually better in the private sector.
 
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There has been no true Labour Party since Tony Lair ( Blurgh ) came in .

John Smith , the best PM we never had .
A tragic loss indeed.

There was a production of Macbeth touring at one point which had John Smith as Duncan, with Blair and Brown as Macbeth and Banquo. Presumably Mandelson was all 3 witches.
 
The best Governments in the UK, have been when they have had a strong, organised Opposition, the Tories were in for 14 years because the Labour party and other opposition parties, were so disorganised and ineffective. The Labour Party are in at the moment and the opposition is a complete mess without any power to force the decisions that are being made.Reform tend to be a mishmash of differing groups mostly arguing with each other, the Tories have a thin backbone with individuals walking away at regular intervals, the Liberals are minimal. Until there is an organised Opposition, Labour will continue to make mistakes and produce duff legislation.
IMO.
I don't think that is so much to do with the opposition being organised or not. When you have such a large majority you can railroad whatever you want through.........normally. The failing of this government is more that there is so much opposition on their own benches that they can't even use their majority!
 
Anyone seen that Trump, Hegseth gathering of the US military top brass.

No one should have the audacity to claim that they aren't fascists at this point.

"We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement," "We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our country."

Hmmm I wonder who these enemies are.
 
Anyone seen that Trump, Hegseth gathering of the US military top brass.

No one should have the audacity to claim that they aren't fascists at this point.

"We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement," "We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our country."

Hmmm I wonder who these enemies are.
Will the military top brass unite and have the balls to tell Trump to go and do oñe. If let's Say a British PM acted in a similar manner, I am quite sure the British military would not carry out such an order.
 
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Anyone seen that Trump, Hegseth gathering of the US military top brass.

No one should have the audacity to claim that they aren't fascists at this point.

"We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement," "We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our country."

Hmmm I wonder who these enemies are.


Don't know, but didn't Trump say something about 'going in' on Chicago?
 
Things are slightly different sector to sector, but in a lot of industries, if an employer funds your training for a professional qualification, they usually expect at least two years post graduate work or you pay an element of the training cost back(new employers often end up paying on the employees behalf).
Surprised the NHS has nothing similar

I’m amazed the NHS has nothing similar to.
 
Anyone seen that Trump, Hegseth gathering of the US military top brass.

No one should have the audacity to claim that they aren't fascists at this point.

"We also don't fight with stupid rules of engagement," "We untie the hands of our warfighters to intimidate, demoralize, hunt and kill the enemies of our country."

Hmmm I wonder who these enemies are.

Just think that this is rhetoric and that putting the army in the street to control crime is really an exercise to appeal to the MAGA voters who don't live in cities like Chicago. I cannot see this having much credibility.