So...

Tax cuts for the poor and massive spending rises across the board? That 'rebalanced' tax on the rich is going to make the pips squeak...

But where's the money going to come from?

I'm afraid Labour had their chance 10 years ago when they came into power and inherited economic good times.

And I can't help but think that all this talk of the private sector and public services is absolutely wasted on humble members of the public like myself who really don't give a monkeys behind where the services come from as long as they deliver value for money. Something that seems to be an alien concept to this government, and lets be honest most governments.

One thing I agree with though and it could probably be done right now - abolish the ludicrous tax credits system and yes just take people out of taxation altogether.

Yawn, yawn!

Why should the living standards of public sector workers be protected? If they are not delivering good quality healthcare, education or Quango PowerPoint presentations, they should be sacked. Employment is not the goal of public sector services, it is secondary to good quality services.

If you are so keen on public secotr workers, why not encourage them to continue working until they are 68 in a couple of years!?!

How will any of your policies increase employment in productive sectors of the UK economy?

How about giving the UK government more control of it's own policies by taking a step back from Europe?

How about cutting the foreign aid budget so more money is spent on public services in the UK?

How about improving schools for the working classes by building new grammar schools in the fifty poorest areas of the UK to improve social mobility?

At least we agree that the poorest should be taken out of the tax system, however, whilst you no doubt support more tax credits, I would suggest an increase in personal tax allowances that is far cheaper to administer and would reward work.

Blimey, I like it. I don’t agree with all of the manifesto outlined but most of it’s OK at last some real socialist thinking could this be one of those breakthrough moments? Could John Mcdonnel be a contender for the leadership?

Bob, now what did I tell you about the People's Republic and our backing John for leader.

Where exactly is Sandwell, Stonehenge way?

We can incorporate Sandwell into our structure if you wish but first, we may need to do a little field surgery.

We know the grid references and co-ordinates.

On a less serious point! Gordon has a problem with this stuff because it gets a little bit more appealing, most certainly when things go a bit haywire.Not sure I agree totally with it all as a fundamental shift in funding would have to take place in Universities.

John has a small book out wich I think you'll enjoy.

Gary

Actually Pimpernel, when you explain to 'the public' what a con PFI is they very much do care about who's providing the service!

As for protecting public servant's conditions, Snafu, why not? Better pay plus conditions plus greater workplace democracy plus the abolition of wasteful internal markets motivates workers, gets them doing a better job and thereby improve public services as a whole. The real reason why the right attack public sector pay, which, let's face it, isn't that much better than private sector salaries, is because those who have to work in the private sector might start wondering why their jobs don't have the meagre advantages of the public sector.

Overall this short list is not a bad start.

At last, a Labour MP that can remember what being a Labour MP is about. Too many seem to have forgotten what they are supposed to stand for. While he's at it, there is plenty more legislation that needs to be kicked off the statute books because it's getting abused. The latest example:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2075026/Council-snoopers-access-900-phone-bills.html

What's that all about, Bob?

Great idea Bob .Just a question of planting those magic beans shinning up the stalk and stealing the giants gold.

Can I have a , a teas made , a hamper of food, a matching bathroom set and a cuddly toy when you get back?

Ooo Ta

A clue to where the money would come from

-ensuring the wealthiest and corporations pay their fair share;

-Scrapping ID cards

-Rejecting the proposals to renew Trident.

How much is trident going to cost again?

A very public socioligist has just described a condition of the British economy which in one sentence renders me unable to agree with his interpretation.

As all wishful thinkers, he discounts inflation as a non entity.

Labour has to contend with inflation just like Capitalist thinkers and all anyone can do is interfere within the workplace.

Very silly.

John Lilburne - God knows mate. If Sandwell Council has got the bloody money to waste in this way I can think of dozens of more sensible things they can do with the money.

The problem with laws like RIPA is that they tend to creep into areas that they weren't designed for; in other words it's a badly drafted law.

I'd propose one new idea for all governments: for every new law they introduce they should be required to repeal two others. As Frank Zappa once said about his own country, we are becoming "...a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced."

John, I agree, but I suspect the civil servants would love it too. Every law abolished would create a bureaucracy beavering away to look at the implications of laws abolished, what other laws would be impacted upon or would need amending... it would be a bloody nightmare mate.

Actually, you're right about RIPA. As a shop steward I tied management up in knots with that and the LBP act. It was intended to regulate snooping under the Human Rights Act and has led to it becoming a snoopers charter.

@ a very public sociologist - I quite agree. PFI, as implemented now, is a colossal waste of money. Though that, to my mind at least, doesn't mean involving the private sector is a bad idea.

It all comes down to value for money and actually negotiating solid contracts.

Of course whether or not the private sector would be so keen on providing these services under contracts with "bite" is another matter.

Oh, dear. PFI actually allows a Country, a Government, a Socialist Government to build.

Please go back to the drawing board and shout at it all day long.

The rules say that a Socialist Government cannot build; but this one actually does.

Yes, pull out of Europe and be dammed.

Wishful thinking and no thought.