Comments by "Curious Crow" (@CuriousCrow-mp4cx) on "The Rest Is Politics" channel.

  1. Blair got it wrong.
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  2. Perhaps being lousy at communicating is a Starmer problem rather than a voter problem? He's too technocratic in his communications, and failing in not bringing politics down to the level of talk at the Kitchen Table. That means no more Divide and Rule, addressing everyone in society, and no more footballification. He's not addressing a panel of law lords at the Supreme Court; he needs to lean into the the very human needs of his audience, and cut to the heart of people's concern. Forget about the press. Speak over their heads. Speak to ordinary people on their terms, and a bit of passion wouldn't go amiss.
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  3. Yeah, Juice Media and Friendlyjordies might have something quite informative to tell Alistair.
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  4. Pensioners paid national insurance throughout their working lives, and they are still liable for Income Tax, Capital Gains tax, and their estates are liable for Inheritance Tax too. They also pay consumption taxes such as VAT, Energy, Fuel, and Road Taxes, and Council Tax too.
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  5. And that's by design of the 14 year assault on the state by the Tories. People forget that the Ship of State cannot sail itself. It's too big, too complex, and too critical to be steered even by the Prime Minister. And like an army, it's crew has to be trained and it's morale secured, and that means that there has to be trust in the leadership. Now, civil servants are voters as well. And if voters are more disgruntled, more apathetic, and disenchanted with politicians, how much worse must it be to work for them? Possibly new brooms every 5 to 7 years come in to "sweep clean", but the old brooms can get in all the corners. That's the reality. You have to bring people with you, or nothing will get done. And you have to reward the good ones, and actively manage those who need improvement. And that includes Ministers too... So, if the Civil Service isn't fit for service that's down to the Fish's Hrad, not the Tail. Just because they're successful at the ballot box, it doesn't mean they're good enough to run a piss up a brewery, or know how to find subotdinate leaders who are, or how to manage them. Especially when the first task in politics is to keep those who can get rid of you onside. The Civil Service can't get rid of bad prime ministers, or useless ministers, and in fact, the last 14 years of Tory government is proof positive that the Civil Service isn't the problem. It's the wannabe politicians, whose ambition and self-belief, and self-image far exceed their competence as leaders. We need leadership, people skills, and delivery focus.
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  6. He's British, living in Britain. He's not trying to win them over. He's giving his opinion. And it is a philosophical point worth discussing, because as James O'Brien was arguing the Duck argument, as when is the point where people stop caring that he's fascist? And that's the real issue. When did facts stop mattering? And living in Britain after Brexit, AC's perspective is informed by experience. If Trump wins, it's not going to end well. And if Trump loses, it's not going to end well, but for much less time. Yes, the Right plays the long game, but those who aren't asset rich but supporting Trump, are doing what British people did during Brexit. If Trump wins, It won't take long for buyers remorse to kick in.
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  7. ​ @leftgrrl Yeah, right. Bot talk. Try actually reading and digesting the history of the Labour Party, and discover how ahistorical your comment is.
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  8. So we can call our country Great Bungland then after the shenanigans with the Covid PPE then? You have to remember no-one is immune from folly. It's part of the human condition, and pointing the finger means quite a few are pointing back at you.
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  9. The tax system is classless. If you are a working class guy, you can be broke, but you can a working class guy who earns above the median wage of 42k and get into the top tax bracket. And vice versa for middle and upper class. Tax is not about class.
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  10. No, he's doesn't want a deal. How could he when he keeps sabotaging the effort? He wants to be seen as a winner, deal or no deal.
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