
Originally Posted by
JamesWales
Damage done in terms of timing more than anything. They had just been elected and had the wind in the sails and the goodwill that comes with it. They used that credit up straight away on this and a couple of other things.
I don't think people were that enthusiastic about Labour anyway. The last General Election win was well described as their support being "a mile wide and an inch deep". At best I think people thought, "well, they'll be better than the Tories", but this policy demonstrably was worse and so I think it instantly annoyed people, probably more than the actual impact of the policy change itself.
All that said, they've probably struck the right balance now and whilst that good will has gone, I don't think it can be used as a reason to actively oppose the party any more. Their opponents will keep referring to it of course but I think the issue will largely go away now. Replaced by something else no doubt.