4 ms·

If you look at the 1997 Labour manifesto, which led to the UK doubling GDP from 97 to and 2007 and the 2019 Labour manifesto they’re very similar. If you ask p

If you look at the 1997 Labour manifesto, which led to the UK doubling GDP from 97 to and 2007 and the 2019 Labour manifesto they’re very similar. If you ask people if Labour was good for the economy and would be good for the economy, you’ll largely get a negative response. Unfortunately it’s easy for people’s opinions to be shaped with zero basis in fact and when this happens it’s easy for them to vote against their own interest. This has little to do with a condescending left and much more to do with how well the Conservstives play and are supported by the media.

wolco 7y ago
Side point. Just because a government is in power doesn't mean they are responsible for the economy doing well. Often the previous policies take time to take hold more so global trends are driving this. What happened after 2007 the housing crisis.. in part made by government policy spanning decades in part because of foreign influence through global markets.
- jashmatthews 7y ago
  That’s true but widespread economic opinion is that the austerity policies have resulted in lower growth. Cuts started before 2010 and the effects are visible now. The IMF was critical of the policy as early as 2013 but the conservative government pushed on for idealogical reasons. There’s little reason to continue self harm.
  - Glide 7y ago
    I thought we’ve established that we’re all Keynesians now.
  - jtbayly 7y ago
    Unless the harm isn't harm but is rather the fabled pain without which comes no gain.
goatinaboat 7y ago
If you look at the 1997 Labour manifesto, which led to the UK doubling GDP from 97 to and 2007 and the 2019 Labour manifesto they’re very similar The bits about nationalising everything were certainly very different so I don’t think this claim holds up to scrutiny. I also find it interesting that you stop at 2007. What happened in 2008 that might call into doubt Labour’s management of the economy?
- sweeneyrod 7y ago
  You're blaming Labour for an international financial crisis?
  - goatinaboat 7y ago
    The financial crisis manifested itself in the UK wholly due to Gordon Brown’s mismanagement of the economy yes. A housing bubble and promising the end of boom and bust. Having sold off the gold reserves at a rock bottom price already. Labour would like their voters to forget it was them who bailed out the banks too.
- pjc50 7y ago
  > What happened in 2008 that might call into doubt Labour’s management of the economy? The blowup of Lehman Brothers (US investment bank), ABN Ambro (Dutch bank recently acquired by RBS), Northern Rock (overextended British building society), Kaupthing (Iceland), and Anglo-Irish (despite the name, entirely Irish)? Yes, I'm sure that's all the fault of the Labour government.

wolco 7y ago

Side point. Just because a government is in power doesn't mean they are responsible for the economy doing well. Often the previous policies take time to take hold more so global trends are driving this. What happened after 2007 the housing crisis.. in part made by government policy spanning decades in part because of foreign influence through global markets.

jashmatthews 7y ago
That’s true but widespread economic opinion is that the austerity policies have resulted in lower growth. Cuts started before 2010 and the effects are visible now. The IMF was critical of the policy as early as 2013 but the conservative government pushed on for idealogical reasons. There’s little reason to continue self harm.
- Glide 7y ago
  I thought we’ve established that we’re all Keynesians now.
- jtbayly 7y ago
  Unless the harm isn't harm but is rather the fabled pain without which comes no gain.

goatinaboat 7y ago

If you look at the 1997 Labour manifesto, which led to the UK doubling GDP from 97 to and 2007 and the 2019 Labour manifesto they’re very similar The bits about nationalising everything were certainly very different so I don’t think this claim holds up to scrutiny. I also find it interesting that you stop at 2007. What happened in 2008 that might call into doubt Labour’s management of the economy?

sweeneyrod 7y ago
You're blaming Labour for an international financial crisis?
- goatinaboat 7y ago
  The financial crisis manifested itself in the UK wholly due to Gordon Brown’s mismanagement of the economy yes. A housing bubble and promising the end of boom and bust. Having sold off the gold reserves at a rock bottom price already. Labour would like their voters to forget it was them who bailed out the banks too.
pjc50 7y ago
> What happened in 2008 that might call into doubt Labour’s management of the economy? The blowup of Lehman Brothers (US investment bank), ABN Ambro (Dutch bank recently acquired by RBS), Northern Rock (overextended British building society), Kaupthing (Iceland), and Anglo-Irish (despite the name, entirely Irish)? Yes, I'm sure that's all the fault of the Labour government.