As it happens, it was Labour who introduced IR35, which had the effect of decimating the market for freelance computer contractors like me (and other professions), which is why I have nowhere near the savings I had planned to have to make me comfortable in my old age. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IR35.
People reading my articles about the Tories may have assumed that I was a Labour supporter, but no way, Jose. They lost me when Tony Blair shifted them to the right and went along with Bush's illegal wars.
Since we have basically a two party system (Labour got far more seats than their votes merited), what we need is for a Labour party to go back to its roots - eschew neoliberalism and put people first, whether they are working or not.
Indeed, neither major party likes pensioners, particularly my age group.
I'm of WASPI age - and Labour just decided we will get no recompense for having our retirement age raised without enough warning for us to revise our plans for our old age. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/12/20/starmer-waspi-women-scandal-injustice-deny-compensation/
Apparently many of us are flocking to Reform, which makes no sense, unless its just to scare Labour. https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/mixed-reaction-as-waspi-women-flock-to-reform-uk-387581/
This could lose Labour 100 seats, which I will shed no tears over unless they stop taking more money from the poor rather than the rich. But I do worry what we would end up with. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/labour-wipeout-panic-as-waspi-ruling-could-see-keir-starmer-lose-100-seats/ar-AA1wpYNe
Coincidentally (?), up to 100 Labour MPs could revolt if the Liberal Democrats and SNP manage to force a Commons vote on the issue. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/politics/government/waspi-is-the-last-straw-starmer-faces-mps-rebellion-after-blocking-compensation/ar-AA1wkEw0
I lost the Winter Heating Payment by a few pounds.
I'm a few days too old to get the higher rate of pension.
I'm a few days too old to be able to buy contributions for missed years (e.g. when I was a student) to boost my pension.
I guess they are hoping we will soon all die off, but I have no plans to do so.
I also wonder if they considered the effects of these measures on care home residents and many others, which is very unprofessional of them. https://suenethercott.substack.com/p/the-unprofessionals
As it happens, it was Labour who introduced IR35, which had the effect of decimating the market for freelance computer contractors like me (and other professions), which is why I have nowhere near the savings I had planned to have to make me comfortable in my old age. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IR35.
People reading my articles about the Tories may have assumed that I was a Labour supporter, but no way, Jose. They lost me when Tony Blair shifted them to the right and went along with Bush's illegal wars.
Since we have basically a two party system (Labour got far more seats than their votes merited), what we need is for a Labour party to go back to its roots - eschew neoliberalism and put people first, whether they are working or not.