The country we left behind
Elaine Morrall died in a freezing home – the state is tossing away people’s lives
There is no doubt: “it” – that is, the safety net in this country – is breaking. Scan the news from the last week and there is ample evidence. First, the finding from the MS Society that, in the face of cut care packages, thousands of young disabled people are being put in homes for the elderly. Then the Birmingham Mail reported that pupils in the city are “stockpiling” food in their pockets at school to avoid starving at the weekend. Or – achingly in the light of Elaine’s death – the warning that cuts to support for the poorest and ill people to heat their homes will lead to “needless winter deaths and acute suffering”. |
Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by BristolUK
(Post 12383344)
Having worked with at risk and homeless youth in NS I’m not entirely shocked tbh. In the UK they still have it better than here. |
Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by DandNHill
(Post 12383348)
In the UK they still have it better than here.
The lack of support - call it what you will - can be dismal here. But Canada never had it to miss it. For the UK to have something good, in place, and then dismantle it is just criminal. :frown: All of the things that needed to be done to tighten things up could have been done under existing powers without the wholesale sledgehammer-to-crack-a-nut changes. |
Re: The country we left behind
It is hard to believe given the incredible wealth that exists in this country. And yet, "Theresa, there is no magic money tree" still manages to scrape a victory.
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Re: The country we left behind
The Tories will be out on their arse next time, and for a very long time too. The only people who benefit from their slashing policies are becoming too small in number to sustain them in power.
Could you imagine being so shameless in 21st century Britain to decide that a town can't afford a library? |
Re: The country we left behind
The welfare state costs money, it costs a lot of money. How often have you seen reports that this new drug or that new treatment is available or that this little girl will die unless....
People's expectations of a service with finite resources is becoming infinite and therein lies the problem. In the 1950s I remember my father receiving care in a convalescent home by the sea following an operation, nowadays you're packed off home before the blood dries. So why was it possible then in a bankrupt UK full of war invalids when it isn't possible now? Perhaps it was the limited expectations of a nation grateful to have any healthcare at all, or perhaps there was a realisation that you couldn't have it all without paying for it. I think that it's about time the welfare state got it's priorities sorted out and concentrated on the basics once again. |
Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by Jingsamichty
(Post 12383487)
The Tories will be out on their arse next time, and for a very long time too. The only people who benefit from their slashing policies are becoming too small in number to sustain them in power.
Could you imagine being so shameless in 21st century Britain to decide that a town can't afford a library? |
Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by Shard
(Post 12383383)
It is hard to believe given the incredible wealth that exists in this country. And yet, "Theresa, there is no magic money tree" still manages to scrape a victory.
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Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by dave_j
(Post 12383559)
People's expectations of a service with finite resources is becoming infinite and therein lies the problem.
In the 1950s I remember my father receiving care in a convalescent home by the sea following an operation, nowadays you're packed off home before the blood dries. So why was it possible then...
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 12383583)
Didn't she find one for the DUP?
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Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd
(Post 12383576)
No not good is it, But what is the alternative? Corbyn? :eek:
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Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by Paul_Shepherd
(Post 12383576)
No not good is it, But what is the alternative? Corbyn? :eek:
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Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by Jingsamichty
(Post 12383643)
Yes, and not soon enough.
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Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by Oink
(Post 12383669)
It would be nice to see our political representatives enact compassionate and supportive public policies rather than the narrow instrumental and class riven cack we’ve become accustomed.
Simple fact is that no party has any way to fix the UK. It's far, far too broken for that. The idea that tossing May out and replacing her with Corbyn will lead to a magical, free-pony-for-all utopia is simply laughable. But, back to the point up above about people freezing to death, it's almost as though artificially increasing the cost of fuel might mean some people can't afford to buy it. Odd, that. |
Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by MarkG
(Post 12383771)
A pony would be nice, too.
Simple fact is that no party has any way to fix the UK. It's far, far too broken for that. The idea that tossing May out and replacing her with Corbyn will lead to a magical, free-pony-for-all utopia is simply laughable. But, back to the point up above about people freezing to death, it's almost as though artificially increasing the cost of fuel might mean some people can't afford to buy it. Odd, that. |
Re: The country we left behind
Originally Posted by MarkG
(Post 12383771)
A pony would be nice, too.
Simple fact is that no party has any way to fix the UK. It's far, far too broken for that. The idea that tossing May out and replacing her with Corbyn will lead to a magical, free-pony-for-all utopia is simply laughable. But, back to the point up above about people freezing to death, it's almost as though artificially increasing the cost of fuel might mean some people can't afford to buy it. Odd, that. |
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