Chat with James Purnell.

[_angel_]

What a fucking palaver. Go to the page i linked to in o/p, then click on the "put a question to JP" link, then enter your name and login on the new page that pops up, then you should be on the webchat

Nope it doesn't bring up a log in at all. It did yesterday before the webchat began. It just brings up a propaganda page about how great their proposals are:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/readyforwork/


I can't see any mention of webchat. I did submit two questions already, as well, but can't now.

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

Nope it doesn't bring up a log in at all. It did yesterday before the webchat began. It just brings up a propaganda page about how great their proposals are:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/welfarereform/readyforwork/


I can't see any mention of webchat. I did submit two questions already, as well, but can't now.

Looks like it's over now. A record of the "chat" should be here - he doesn't appear to have answered your question, nor did he answer mine. Instead, there are a surprisingly large number of, how to put it, mildly supportive comments....

There's even one from "nigel pivaro" who played jack and vera's son in corrie

 

[_angel_]

Looks like it's over now. A record of the "chat" should be here - he doesn't appear to have answered your question, nor did he answer mine. Instead, there are a surprisingly large number of, how to put it, mildly supportive comments....

There's even one from "nigel pivaro" who played jack and vera's son in corrie

Heh. I know someone who was in Corrie and who ran off with him (in the programme)

This bit was worrying:

Rosemary: There are many carers who for one reason or another do not claim Carers Allowance but still care full time.Can Mr Purnell confirm that in these circumstances the said carers will be exempt from the new rules.

James replies: People on Carers' Allowance will not be required to work, as now.

He doesn't answer the question! There are a lot of carers who may not claim CA for a whole host of reasons. One of them is if you have worked over 16 hours a week/ become a student you can't reclaim it for up to 6 months.

I can see a loophole there of carers who can't seek fulltime work maybe being ignored and treated as 'ordinary' parents.

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

Well considering they're planning to stick carers currently on income support onto jobseekers allowance, i would be very worried about the longer term if you are a carer. Imagine, trying to deal with caring responsibilities and satisfy the dwp that you're making proper efforts to get a job as well, even though carers' allowance rules stop you doing that.

 

[Awesome Wells]

I'd like to see this cunt of a minister look after someone with a terminal illness. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, even him. BUt it makes my blood boil the way carers in this country are treated.

 

[_angel_]

Well considering they're planning to stick carers currently on income support onto jobseekers allowance, i would be very worried about the longer term if you are a carer. Imagine, trying to deal with caring responsibilities and satisfy the dwp that you're making proper efforts to get a job as well, even though carers' allowance rules stop you doing that.

He does say those on carers allowance won't have to seek work. But that's for now. I can imagine the tories doing something worse when they get in.

 

[trevhagl]

Well what a load of crap THAT was, needless to say my question wasn't included, sounds like he picked the most govt friendly ones. And what a wanker saying the unemployed won't even be paid the minimum wage for being forced to work? Surely thats illegal? Oh no, he just calls it 'activity'. Why don't we call MP's work 'activity' then ,maybe we can pay THEM £60 a week?

 

[treelover]

Lol, but these things are going to go through, unless there is concerted action aginst them, I can't see where that is going to come from.

even the Indie is supporting them, see other thread and left M.P's like Paul Flynn, this is exactly what happened in the US, OZ, the left/liberal left was largely silent or even supportive...

 

[trevhagl]

How can you be left wing and support this? I'll be glad when the fuckers lose the next election, even if we do all suffer when the real evil bastards get in. Decent Labour MPs like Dennis Skinner etc are now in a minority. Fuck em.

Everyone check out the link to the independent on other thread and give em some grief

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

He does say those on carers allowance won't have to seek work. But that's for now. I can imagine the tories doing something worse when they get in.

Exactly. Although the current administration aren't beyond breaking basic pledges either, they're all a shower of bastards on welfare at the moment sadly.

 

[trevhagl]

Its up to all of us to vote against the two Tory parties at the next election. Abstaining isn't enough. Imagine if the 5 million unemployed voted against the fuckers!

 

[Hocus Eye.]

If Purnell by his actions helps to completely destroy New Labour that can only be a good thing.

Yes that could mean a Tory victory at the next election, but it would also mean that there was only one Tory style party. It will be hard opposing their policies of course and there will doubtless be unrest and strikes. However, fighting two Tory parties for access to the opinion forming media, which is the position we are in now, is much harder than if there was only one such party.

Of course it might mean that New Labour - I wonder if they will drop that soubriquet - could as an opposition link up with the LibDems and other random parties in the voting on Parliamentary bills. They will have a problem finding things to vote against though, apart from nuancing policies that they agree with really having stolen them from the Tories in the first place.

In the event of a Labour/New Labour/New Name Party defeat, Purnell might as well cross the floor as suggested in a post above. He would not be alone I suspect. Milliband if he is not leader of the party by then, could join him on the Tory front benches. Plus çà change...

 

[trevhagl]

If Purnell by his actions helps to completely destroy New Labour that can only be a good thing.

Yes that could mean a Tory victory at the next election, but it would also mean that there was only one Tory style party. It will be hard opposing their policies of course and there will doubtless be unrest and strikes. However, fighting two Tory parties for access to the opinion forming media, which is the position we are in now, is much harder than if there was only one such party.

Of course it might mean that New Labour - I wonder if they will drop that soubriquet - could as an opposition link up with the LibDems and other random parties in the voting on Parliamentary bills. They will have a problem finding things to vote against though, apart from nuancing policies that they agree with really having stolen them from the Tories in the first place.

In the event of a Labour/New Labour/New Name Party defeat, Purnell might as well cross the floor as suggested in a post above. He would not be alone I suspect. Milliband if he is not leader of the party by then, could join him on the Tory front benches. Plus çà change...

Very true, in fact most of the front bench could easily join the Tory party. I ahve a mate from Shields who says there was a proper bloke standing for MP there but Miliband was ushered in cos it was a safe seat - so the party heirachy imposed him on the locals who weren't too amused

 

[Paulie Tandoori]

There are strong rumours that he fancies himself as the leader of NU-Lab from what i heard. Cross the floor? It's not a good career choice for an MP, let alone a Minister and one does have the feeling that he's doing politics with this in his mind primarily, rather than any great political drive, knowledge or belief imo.