Labour's biggest failures

Graham_Devon

It's spin for me also.

Forever massaging figures to get the outcome they wanted us to know.

10p tax was one. Everyone, including all the media could see the disaster, but no, labour relied on spinning the figures to achieve the outcome they wanted throughout, even in the face of major opposition and relaity from all corners. Of course, when it was implemented, the spin could no longer be used, and they had to finally admit they had made the mistake, and then pay us all off.

Also, the rises in spending they used to spout out, which were actually reductions in spending. They had previously ALWAYS relied on percentages. But suddenly changed to actual monetry increases...which when laid next to the previous structure they had adopted, showed a rather large reduction in spending.

Thing is, reduction in spending is what everyone was calling for. If they had just said the truth, it would have been fine. But instead, they categorically insisted throughout, again against all corners that it was a rise. Then, had to come out and admit it was a reduction afterall.

All these things over time just got silly and even the spin was being spun in the end.

moggylover

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Blimey! Some people have desperately sad lives! Even when they have gone there are threads blaming them for everything and the kitchen sink!

Get a life lads!;) You might not be so happy about all this in a few years time:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

tomterm8

Personally, I think http://conservativehome.blogs.com/platform/2010/05/anthony-browne-ten-lessons-for-the-new-government-from-london-about-being-in-power.html says it all.

Their failure was to try to do too much, which meant they never really did enough at anything.

Pobby

Not controlling the housing market. 10p tax.

moggylover

Graham_Devon wrote: »

It's spin for me also.

Forever massaging figures to get the outcome they wanted us to know.



All these things over time just got silly and even the spin was being spun in the end.

Forgive me for the big snip Graham: but do you honestly think that ANY Government is not going to do this, and does not employ spin?

Sometimes you seem terribly naive you know;):(

Spin is no new thing really and parties have always employed less than "perfect" means of stating what they have and have not done. Will not be any better with the new lot, just different:D

Plus, now they are not in opposition the press will start looking for all the cracks and dirt on them instead.

Graham_Devon

moggylover wrote: »

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Blimey! Some people have desperately sad lives! Even when they have gone there are threads blaming them for everything and the kitchen sink!

Get a life lads!;) You might not be so happy about all this in a few years time:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Glad to see you joining in the thread

Graham_Devon

moggylover wrote: »

Forgive me for the big snip Graham: but do you honestly think that ANY Government is not going to do this, and does not employ spin?

Sometimes you seem terribly naive you know;):(

Ooohhh, spin on what I said, I like

Well, no, and I didn't actually say that!

I said the use of spin got too much. I used an example whereby labour had relied on a certain way of showing us investment rises, as a percentage, all throughout thier time in office. Then, suddenly swapping to a different measure, and relying on the actualy monetry increase. Even though it was clear to everyone what was going on, instead of just saying "yes, thats correct", Gordon Brown said to the house several times, "no, this is a rise". Only after immense pressure, even from labour themselves, would he admit it was a reduction.

How many U-Turns did we have for example?

I'm not talking solely about the spin, I am talking about the use of spin, to laughs from all corners, including the media, and then having to come out and say they were wrong. I just didn't get that.

pippitypip_2

Abolishing boom and bust was GB's greatest success surely?

Oh no, hold on a minute..

JasonLVC

moggylover wrote: »

Plus, now they are not in opposition the press will start looking for all the cracks and dirt on them instead.

Indeed, but this government can blame any bad figures and stats on Labour so can afford to be honest. In fairness, every incoming party does the same, blame the one before it....problem was for Labour, they were still doing it 13 years after they came to power!;)

JasonLVC

Wookster wrote: »

What do you think are Labour's biggest failures during their 13 years in power?

I think their failures over 13 years is a little unfair as for the first term and a bit, I think Blair did a good job. Just a case that eventually, when you spin so many plates, eventually you cannot keep them all up.

Also, like Thatcher, it can take some time to see the after effects of a policy change and so Labour's refusal to discuss immigration seemed okay at the time but 13 years on its become a big issue for many and will remain a problem for generations to come now.

But keeping the spirit of the thread alive, I think their failings were :-

1. Not giving the people the referendum on Europe they promised to the people. (Nanny knows best)

2. Uncontrolled immigration. (and especially refusing to adopt EU accepted policies to restrict benefit payments to other EU workers)

3. The war on Iraq/Afghanistan. Not so much the war as sometimes you have to do what seems right, but more in the manner it was shoe-horned into action and then the cover-up on the whole thing thereafter.

I think those three things have simmered away for quite some time now and done quite a lot of damage.