Who constitutes the country? Surely, families in poverty are part of that?

By Alasdair Macdonald

’Country before Party’ is what the Labour manifesto pledged. Setting aside for the moment what ‘country’ connotes, how does Ms McNeill and other Labour MPs justify their decision to support the continuation of the ‘two-child benefit cap’?

Their argument is that ‘the country(?) cannot afford it at present.

But, who constitutes the country? Surely, families in poverty are part of that?

And, why are they in poverty? Because they have not got enough money even though, in most cases, at least one member of the family is in paid employment, and wages are low, hours are few and uncertain and, often, unsocial.

And why are wages so low? Because of ‘optimising shareholder return’, i.e. rapaciously taking as much as they can. And because of weakened trade unions and strong employment rights. And, even if wages are higher, many families are in rented accommodation, with extortionate rents and a lack of security of tenure and this takes a disproportionate amount of the income. As does very high energy charges.

Now, Labour has, indeed, promised to act on such things quickly: within 100 days in the case of employment legislation. Labour has promised to build more houses and to give tenants greater security. It has embarked on a ‘green’ energy policy, which might, or might not, in the fullness of time, reduce energy costs for consumers. It is pledging nutritious school meals for every child. All of these are laudable and have my support.

But, I can eat nutritiously every day and heat the home which I own. People in poverty cannot do that. They need more money NOW, not when £1100 handbag Rachel Reeves decides the ‘country’ can afford it, because, as she proudly announced, ‘the fingerprints of bankers are all over our policies.’ That will be these bankers whose reckless greed almost destroyed the world economy. That will be these bankers with their large salaries and huge bonuses and offshore accounts.

What people in poverty can do is go to the food bank or one of those multi banks Bodger Broon is promoting.

I am sure Ms McNeil with her £91k (minimum ) salary, plus generous expenses and subsidised meals, is not going hungry.

4 thoughts on “Who constitutes the country? Surely, families in poverty are part of that?”

  1. Now then Alasdair, a wee conundrum for you. You say ‘weakend trade unions’. Is it not ‘co-opted trade unions’ into what a cynic (who me?) might describe as Neolabourism? Neolabourism, where trade unions join with Labour to cheat women out of equal pay and spend council money (never Labor party money) fighting them in the courts for years. And equalities means what exactly to the neolabourists…………?

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  2. it is totally affordable to eradicate poverty. Cut £3Billion to Ukraine. Stop tax evasion £30Billion. Cut Trident and redundant weaponry. Sold on the black market or to Saudi Arabia, illegally. Weapon contracts not concluded or out of date before they are finish. Then new contracts are ordered. Out of date and not finished. On repeat. The Defence ministry total incompetent. £50Billion spent on Defence. Cut the ill planned contracts that are never finished.

    Stop spending on Nuclear. Nuclear decommissioning £13Billion a year. Over ten years £130Billion+ Increasing all the time. Hickley Point and HS2 totally out of budget and time. £Billions lost.

    Rejoin the EU. £100Billion lost. Even more to come. £Billions lost that could have eradicated poverty.

    Labour are totally lying poverty could be eradicated with the right policies. Instead of poor bad decisions by Westminster. Lie, after lie, after lie.

    Poverty is being eradicated in Scotland with better policies. £250million over five years on proper totally abstinence rehab facilities. Affordable houses are being built. Social care. Improved SNHS bill. Bus passes, prescriptions. Child payment. All reducing poverty. Kinship payment. Lower uni fees and better student support. No bedroom tax. Investment in roads, AWPR after 40 years. Hospitals, bridges Queensferry Crossing. Better flights (China, US, Dubai link). Anywhere but Heathrow.

    Westminster unionists are total imcompetent liars. It would be easy to eradicate poverty. Westminster unionists do not care. They create world poverty. Illegal wars, financial fraud and tax evasion. The UK tax Laws are not enforced. Stop breaking International Law by human rights lawyers.

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  3. AND SO SAY ALL OF US FREEDOM SEEKING SCOTS

    THE TIME FOR FREEDOM IS APON US

    those who disagree should move to a country that thinks same as these people do

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