the snap general election thread

westernpromise

Those could be voters who on moral grounds want to see the Labour party utterly and irretrievably destroyed, and who intend ro vote for it to ensure Corbyn stays in post to finish what he has started.

Tories in safe seats perhaps?

Arklight

Interesting canvassing last night. A good turn out of activists despite the torrential rain. We found about a 50% response to door knocks, of those about 40% of voters said they were voting Labour and 60% were still undecided.


The undecideds were mostly older people who seem to be going through a painful emotional journey. A lot appeared to be Conservative voters who said that they didn't feel that they could vote Tory this time but weren't sure what to do as an alternative. Many said they feel abandoned by the government over Brexit and are starting to genuinely worry about the consequences of more austerity on the NHS and other services.


As I'd hoped, the Tories awful manifesto yesterday helped on the doorsteps with elderly voters obviously painfully aware they face a real risk of having their homes taken off them if they need social care in the next 5 years of a Tory government.


To be fair there were older Labour voters who said they were pretty despondent over Labour at the moment, and also don't see a Labour government as a solution to the Brexit they don't want. My feeling is that on the day they probably will show up and vote Labour though, whereas I am not sure so many of the Conservative ones will do.


This could be the first election where the Tories struggle for turnout among their traditional boomer base.


Interesting though. In a traditionally middle class Tory area there isn't a lot of enthusiasm for Theresa May's government and many people who would usually be quite definite about their political views are starting to have doubts.

Mortgagefreeman

Arklight wrote: »

Interesting canvassing last night. A good turn out of activists despite the torrential rain. We found about a 50% response to door knocks, of those about 40% of voters said they were voting Labour and 60% were still undecided.

Must have been a strange dream.

michaels

Arklight wrote: »

Interesting canvassing last night. A good turn out of activists despite the torrential rain. We found about a 50% response to door knocks, of those about 40% of voters said they were voting Labour and 60% were still undecided.


The undecideds were mostly older people who seem to be going through a painful emotional journey. A lot appeared to be Conservative voters who said that they didn't feel that they could vote Tory this time but weren't sure what to do as an alternative. Many said they feel abandoned by the government over Brexit and are starting to genuinely worry about the consequences of more austerity on the NHS and other services.


As I'd hoped, the Tories awful manifesto yesterday helped on the doorsteps with elderly voters obviously painfully aware they face a real risk of having their homes taken off them if they need social care in the next 5 years of a Tory government.


To be fair there were older Labour voters who said they were pretty despondent over Labour at the moment, and also don't see a Labour government as a solution to the Brexit they don't want. My feeling is that on the day they probably will show up and vote Labour though, whereas I am not sure so many of the Conservative ones will do.


This could be the first election where the Tories struggle for turnout among their traditional boomer base.


Interesting though. In a traditionally middle class Tory area there isn't a lot of enthusiasm for Theresa May's government and many people who would usually be quite definite about their political views are starting to have doubts.

Why is it impossible for politicians of all flavours to be realistic about their prospects? I remember in 1997 after the polls closed and the first results started to trickle in a Major cabinet member saying 'I think we may not get an overall majority but we will still be the largest party' - this after the polls had closed.

Does it really help to project this artificial 'we are doing great'? Who benefits? My vote would not be swayed toward someone who is clearly detached from reality or happy to be seen that way.

setmefree2

Mortgagefreeman wrote: »

Must have been a strange dream.

"Shy Tory" syndrome .....also quickest way to get rid of someone is to tell them what they want to hear....

setmefree2

londonlydia wrote: »

Having voted Tory I the last election, I've now joined the Labour party this year and will be out leafletting later. I know this is a big turnaround, but I've found the current government so depressing and it's getting worse. Attacking the elderly is the final straw for me... Especially going after their inheritance. So many of the older generation are proud and want to pass on as much as they can, and I fem they will choose to forego care they need in order to preserve it. It's just so wrong and I'm ashamed of the country were becoming

I will rewrite your post for you ......so many of the older generation just want to fill their boots and contribute nothing....they don't care how much they burden the young....

...so I'm going to vote Labour the party of "sweeties for everyone" no matter how much debt we leave the younger generation....

...sweet......

PS The Tories are the party planning to spend most of NHS and have found a way to finance social care but I guess that is not as good as the enticement of freeloading on the rest of society....

mrginge

londonlydia wrote: »

I think I actually count as the 'young' actually (well I'm 31).

I just think that wealth I'm old age is likely because they've saved during their lifetime, and they've been taxed aS they earn it.

I don't understand.

You don't believe that people who have retired and earned their wealth through a lifetime of hard work should have to contribute more to pay for public services.

But, as a labour supporter you also believe that people who have not retired and are currently earning relatively high incomes through their hard work should have to contribute more to pay for public services.

Could you explain how those two positions are compatible?

setmefree2

londonlydia wrote: »

I think I actually count as the 'young' actually (well I'm 31).

I just think that wealth I'm old age is likely because they've saved during their lifetime, and they've been taxed aS they earn it.

Well as one of "the young" you are probably paying 9% more tax than rest of us (student loans) and you haven't benefited from house price inflation (you are probably a victim of it) and here you are volunteering to pay even more tax to pay for the health outcomes of a generation that ate too much, drank too much and couldn't be bothered getting any exercise....

....I take my hat off to you...

setmefree2

londonlydia wrote: »

Because I think whilst you are of working age, then that's when you should pay tax. I earn a decent wage, and personally I would like to see better services and investments I the country, and I'm happy to pay for it.

Under the Labour Party manifesto plans the marginal tax rate for high earners is going to be 67%. If you have a student loan that is 76% - Imho that is immoral. What is the point in you earning a "decent wage" - you might as well stay at home half the week.

londonlydia wrote: »

However, once you've retired, I think that you've done your time. Plus, personally I am working hard at paying into my own pension...i find it motivates me in my career. If they're going to assert strip you above £100k, what would be the point in building more than that?

Well you could keep fit and healthy and just finance your own health requirements rather than paying for every Tom, Richard and Harry who couldn't be bothered?

Sapphire

londonlydia wrote: »

If they're going to assert strip you above £100k, what would be the point in building more than that?

I've no idea what this means. At the moment 'they' 'asset strip' you above £28, which is much worse than 'asset stripping' you above £100. In addition, people won't have to sell their homes in order to pay for any care they need (and note that not everyone does need expensive care). If money is taken for this purpose from their estate after they have died (i.e. when they no longer need it), that seems a far more sensible solution.

Might also provide an incentive for families to look after their grandparents, like they used to (unless they have serious medical conditions that require ongoing medical care).