Council results

[A Quiet Monkfish]

Re: Council results

The opposition are split

And both starmer and Ed davey are hopeless

I think a hung parliament with Labour the biggest party is on the cards

Probably no bad thing

As long as we get the Tories out

We have the SNP in Scotland. We have a Labour/Plaid coalition in Wales. All working well.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: Council results

Terrible results for Labour as well.

https://socialistworker.co.uk/news/elections-elections-sunak-hammered-no-enthusiasm-for-starmer/

One needs to take the blinkers off and see the bigger picture

Hardly “terrible”, was Starmer expecting better when he was in Medway yesterday morning talking about forming a majority Government? Probably, but it seems that the country isn’t yet fully convinced by him or his party - that’s no bad thing as far as I’m concerned if it brings about a rethink on the dubious attack ads and leads to the leader applying the same meaning to the word “pledge” that ninety five per cent of the population does.

If the country is still making their minds up about the Labour party, it would appear that they have done about the Tories and there is a pretty broad based and large majority of anti Tory voters who feel that getting this shower out, as opposed to their party in, is the biggest priority in the general election.

[Dorcus]

Re: Council results

Hardly “terrible”, was Starmer expecting better when he was in Medway yesterday morning talking about forming a majority Government? Probably, but it seems that the country isn’t yet fully convinced by him or his party - that’s no bad thing as far as I’m concerned if it brings about a rethink on the dubious attack ads and leads to the leader applying the same meaning to the word “pledge” that ninety five per cent of the population does.

If the country is still making their minds up about the Labour party, it would appear that they have done about the Tories and there is a pretty broad based and large majority of anti Tory voters who feel that getting this shower out, as opposed to their party in, is the biggest priority in the general election.

Step one of the process would be to get this shower of shit out by any means. If it's a coalition then so be it.

Step two is gaining the electorate's trust and confidence. Personally I'd like to see Starmer replaced by that time.

[Organ Morgan.]

Re: Council results

No - that isn’t ‘effectively’ what it says.

I asked google, what is the definition and measurement of UK unemployment?

Answer - Unemployed people are defined as those aged 16 or over who are without work, available to start work in the next two weeks and who have either: a) been actively seeking work in the past four weeks, or. b) are waiting to start a new job they have already obtained.

ONS data for February 2023 - Employment in the UK: February 2023 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentand...k/february2023

Says: February 2023 UK unemployment rate: 3.7%, employment rate: 75.8%.

Or, 24.2% are not employed, but just 3.7% of those are counted as unemployed.

[Rjk]

Re: Council results

I asked google, what is the definition and measurement of UK unemployment?

Answer - Unemployed people are defined as those aged 16 or over who are without work, available to start work in the next two weeks and who have either: a) been actively seeking work in the past four weeks, or. b) are waiting to start a new job they have already obtained.

ONS data for February 2023 - Employment in the UK: February 2023 - https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentand...k/february2023

Says: February 2023 UK unemployment rate: 3.7%, employment rate: 75.8%.

Or, 24.2% are not employed, but just 3.7% of those are counted as unemployed.

yes all those infants and pensioners should start pulling their weight

[Organ Morgan.]

Re: Council results

yes all those infants and pensioners should start pulling their weight

Had you read prior messages you would know the context, working-age people is what's being discussed, those aged 16 to 65.

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Re: Council results

Had you read prior messages you would know the context, working-age people is what's being discussed, those aged 16 to 65.

Of course, but within those you class as not-employed will be full time students and those training for work. It's not as if nearly 25% of the population sits on its arse. There will be a small percentage of people who choose not to work as a partner earns enough to keep both of them plus family.

Interestingly, the 75.8% employment rate includes those working part time and those on zero hour contracts. It's not as if three quarters of the population are in full time, meaningful employment.

[jon1959]

Re: Council results

Had you read prior messages you would know the context, working-age people is what's being discussed, those aged 16 to 65.

I am still 'working age' (assumes that means below the state pension age).

I am 'early retired' (almost 9 years ago now).

I am not seeking work, I am not medically unfit for work, and I am not unemployed.

That is my context!

[jon1959]

Re: Council results

Interesting that UKIP was wiped out in the local elections, and Reform only have 6 councillors.

The Tory Party has hoovered up the splintered right wing vote and is once again the disunited party of the right - apart from the self defined Independents in local elections who are Tories without the blue rosette.

Meanwhile on the left of the spectrum the Greens have doubled their councillor numbers (close to 500), taken their first council, and continued to run others in coalition with Labour. The Lib Dems have recovered more. Other new left parties and groups are emerging as the Labour purge of its socialist membership continues.

Put the nationalists into the mix and the realignment of electoral politics shows a right wing united in a single party (even if that covers a range of hostile factions) and a very fragmented centre and left.

That doesn't mean that parties won't informally co-operate in the next general election nor that electors (those allowed to take part with the new ID rules) won't vote tactically.

[Dorcus]

Re: Council results

Interesting that UKIP was wiped out in the local elections, and Reform only have 6 councillors.

The Tory Party has hoovered up the splintered right wing vote and is once again the disunited party of the right - apart from the self defined Independents in local elections who are Tories without the blue rosette.

Meanwhile on the left of the spectrum the Greens have doubled their councillor numbers (close to 500), taken their first council, and continued to run others in coalition with Labour. The Lib Dems have recovered more. Other new left parties and groups are emerging as the Labour purge of its socialist membership continues.

Put the nationalists into the mix and the realignment of electoral politics shows a right wing united in a single party (even if that covers a range of hostile factions) and a very fragmented centre and left.

That doesn't mean that parties won't informally co-operate in the next general election nor that electors (those allowed to take part with the new ID rules) won't vote tactically.

Longer term it does suggest continued internal wranglings within the Tory party, particularly if it loses the next election.

[Alan Lung]

Re: Council results

I am not unemployed.

Of course you are if you're not working.

[SLUDGE FACTORY]

Re: Council results

Of course you are if you're not working.

I think it's called economically inactive

Disabled , retired , stay at home mum or dad

That sort of thing

[jon1959]

Re: Council results

Of course you are if you're not working.

According to the definition Organ posted (but then ignored) unemployed means someone of working age who is actively seeking paid work.

I do lots of work but none of it is paid and none of it is covered by a contract of employment.

I am not unemployed.

[life on mars]

Re: Council results

I think it's called economically inactive

Disabled , retired , stay at home mum or dad

That sort of thing

Or living of a good public sector pension.

[JamesWales]

Re: Council results

Yeah unemployed isn't literally without a job, it's looking for a job but not having one. I may be wrong, but the definition is pretty standard across the world I think.

In short, the UK does NOT have an unemployment problem. This is really good news.

We do however have something of an under employment problem. Lots of people not working but not entirely sure why. This is why the Govt are trying to lure many older workers back into the workforce.