Question New Labour and "Fairness"

David Agnew · 10-10-2008, 03:23 PM

I have noticed that New Labour politicians say the word "fairness" a lot (it was the leitmotiv of the New Labour conference). If New Labour is as interested in fairness as they say, then why:

..have they created a 70% tax on fuel? This hits the poorest hardest. It also puts British hauliers at a disadvantage.

..do they support 'devolution'? What is fair about the 'West Lothian Question'?

..have they taxed the dividends on payments to pension funds? This has caused the final collapse of the British system of defined benefit pension schemes (once one of the world's most comprehensive). They have of course secured a generous (taxpayer funded) final salary scheme for themselves.

..do they support the Barnett formula? What is fair about that? It is blatant discrimination on the basis of nationality.

..have they created a taxation scheme that means that the owner of a hedge fund will pay a smaller proportion of his income in tax than his cleaner?

..are they presiding over a benefits system that means that if you get a low-paying job, you are no better off than if you join the dependency culture?

..have they done nothing about the gap between the law and justice?

Can you think of any examples of New Labour's rhetoric matching the reality?

DJP · 17-10-2008, 01:08 PM

By “Fairness” Labour really mean special rights for their chosen groups.

It’s the same with equality – most people consider equality in terms of opportunity whereas Labour consider equality in terms of outcome – again for their chosen groups.

It goes right back to the old adage: “All men are equal, but some are more equal than others”. A traditional forte of the left wing.

10-10-2008, 03:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
David Agnew Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maidenhead Posts: 296	New Labour and "Fairness" I have noticed that New Labour politicians say the word "fairness" a lot (it was the leitmotiv of the New Labour conference). If New Labour is as interested in fairness as they say, then why: ..have they created a 70% tax on fuel? This hits the poorest hardest. It also puts British hauliers at a disadvantage. ..do they support 'devolution'? What is fair about the 'West Lothian Question'? ..have they taxed the dividends on payments to pension funds? This has caused the final collapse of the British system of defined benefit pension schemes (once one of the world's most comprehensive). They have of course secured a generous (taxpayer funded) final salary scheme for themselves. ..do they support the Barnett formula? What is fair about that? It is blatant discrimination on the basis of nationality. ..have they created a taxation scheme that means that the owner of a hedge fund will pay a smaller proportion of his income in tax than his cleaner? ..are they presiding over a benefits system that means that if you get a low-paying job, you are no better off than if you join the dependency culture? ..have they done nothing about the gap between the law and justice? Can you think of any examples of New Labour's rhetoric matching the reality?

17-10-2008, 01:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
DJP Newbie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: London Posts: 6 Party: None	By “Fairness” Labour really mean special rights for their chosen groups. It’s the same with equality – most people consider equality in terms of opportunity whereas Labour consider equality in terms of outcome – again for their chosen groups. It goes right back to the old adage: “All men are equal, but some are more equal than others”. A traditional forte of the left wing. __________________ "It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried." Winston Churchill

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