Good things New Labour has done (UK)

[Bluewolf]

In a similer fashion to the "What good things had George Bush" done thread. After hearing a lot of critism about the New Labour goverment I started to wonder what good things have New Labour done for the UK? It can not be all bad despite what some would say. Another thing is what policy have they put through that you find they should get more credit for, or are bashed over unfairly for doing?

[Rye]

New Labour introduced:

• The abolition of Section 28.
• Similar anti-discrimination legislation.
• Given a shitload of money to the NHS and police in order to try and repair wages.
• New Nuke power, more trident missiles (I think), invested in renewables (actually sensible here given how much wind we get).
• More CCTV and speed cameras (whether they actually help all the time or not).
• Minimum wage increase.
• Part nationalised banks and led the way with the world financial bailout (though lots are pissing and moaning about this, I'm wondering, would this allow for better regulation if we actually have a financial stake in the banks? Well, here's hoping).
• More cops.
• Various schemes for the unemployed (one of which arguably helped me get into uni).

Plus they've kept the resurgent BNP at bay for the time being.

[Nathaniel]

There's also Northern Ireland and, despite what people might say right now, extremely good economic growth, even compared to other devloped countries.

[TithonusSyndrome]

more trident missiles (I think)

Unless they're replacements for old ones that are part of a greater reduction of arms, what's the use of this? A lot of Labour didn't even seem to like the idea.

[Rye]

Unless they're replacements for old ones that are part of a greater reduction of arms, what's the use of this? A lot of Labour didn't even seem to like the idea.

My desire is to see a reduction of the overall military in favour of a few subs with nuclear weapons. That way we're defended against the few conventional threats out there and look after our current requirements (and a few humanitarian missions), but we save money by not having a significant force to deploy wherever America invades next.

[Big Orange]

Plus they've kept the resurgent BNP at bay for the time being.

Keeping the BNP at bay through emulating some of its economic policies, but totally ignoring its nutty, backward social and racial policies, would probably be good move on part of the mainstream political parties. Gordon Brown has done something right with the British bailout, with less fuss surrounding the calculated and obnoxious American bailout, although it still seems too early to tell if it has really worked.

[Lord Pounder]

There's also Northern Ireland and, despite what people might say right now, extremely good economic growth, even compared to other devloped countries.

Really? Maybe I missed that part what with living there and shit. We have a sectarian carve up of a government who demand the wages and trappings of power but are unable or unwilling to actually govern a country. Did you know that the Executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly hasn't met since about June, no executive business has been done since then, peachy if you are pushing through a few Private Members Bills, but ludicrous when 2 months of Assembly business have been nothing but Private Members Bills? The First and deputy First Minister refuse to even say each others name on TV much less agree an agenda that allows them to meet. The devolved Government is a joke. To date they have passed two whole bills that weren't already under way under direct rule and one of them was a very large pay rise for themselves.


The fact is that the biggest investors in the NI economy where already here long before Labour where even in power, the singles biggest employer (I think) being Bombardier. What's more Labour sat on it's collective arses while the Belfast Shipyard, womb of the Titanic, was forced to shed all the local jobs.

[Rye]

On the other hand, we've been blown up less by nutty irish christians.

And today channel 4 news said we've got the biggest offshore windfarm contribution to the national grid, so that's pretty neat.

[Big Orange]

Better nuclear than wind, but then again it is more pragmatic to put wind generators out at sea. While Anthony was a twat in going out with Bush, perhaps the British presence in Afghanistan and Iraq was a blessing in disguise, and British troops made two bad situations a little more manageable.

[Rye]

The UK is remarkably well positioned for wind power, I have no problem with that particular renewable energy source contributing to our needs.

[Big Orange]

And despite the whinging from nicotine addicts, the public smoking ban is a good move.