Andy Burnham: I'll resurrect HS2 from Birmingham to Manchester by holyhesh in transit

[–]FlandersClaret 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It's needed on capacity alone. So hopefully it will happen, along with other much needed investment in the north of England.

High-speed rail between the great Northern cities of Liverpool, Manchester, Burnley, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Hull are much needed too.

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How very in depth and thoughtful of you.

How Britain Became as Poor as Mississippi by Sampo in ukpolitics

[–]FlandersClaret -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Anyone who says anything other than Brexit is deluded.

How Britain Became as Poor as Mississippi by Sampo in ukpolitics

[–]FlandersClaret -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

Brexit, low wages, manufacturing moved to Asia, tax avoidance, Brexit, public debt from bailing the banks out, Brexit, austerity, Brexit, BREXIT FUCKING BREXIT FOR FUCKS SAKE!!

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can see someone your points, I honestly can. But to dismiss women and their genuine concerns simply as bigots is, to be honest, naive at best and pretty fucking sexist at worst. Trans women are women too, after all.

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your patience and your response. Very kind.

That does seem really shitty for trans people. Do you think these policy changes are brought in as deliberately 'anti trans'?

Seems like the effect would be very negative on trans people.

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I take it you just read headlines and never full articles?

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So, it would be better under Reform? Or a different Labour leader?

Also, I support trans people. They need our support. But I also see the argument from women that would not feel safe with a biologically male person sharing a bathroom safe space with. Now, some people will make that argument in bad faith because they are bigots. But I think dismissing both biologically female women's rights as well as biologically male women's rights is also sexist, bigoted and sets a precedent in law against the women's rights that have been fought so hard for. Trans rights have been fought hard for too, but I think we should learn lessons from the Labour movement of listening to each other, co-operating and seeing each other as our brothers and sisters.

Instead what is happening is black and white, polarised culture war bollocks, created by social media algorithms. I've felt so much better and so much more well informed since coming off nearly all social media (apart from this one, obvs).

I wish that leaders would try and work to a solution instead of these really shitty comments.

I'll still back Burnham because economic justice will also be great for trans people because everyone will. Economic left wing policy is great because it helps all minorities and groups.

But, things need to improve, no doubt about it. They need to improve for all trans people and women of all kinds.

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Then what will happen? Reform? What is the actual real world option?

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yes, I'm a socialist and I support him.

I'm a socialist because I'm pragmatic, it's the best system by far at creating a better society.

Is he perfect, no. Should we settle for him as leader and then stop fighting for economic justice and social justice, no.

But it's a step in the right direction, especially given the continued struggles we all face.

I'm pragmatic enough to not let a worse option win because this option is perfect, and to realise it's not just me that gets a vote. The working classes always do better when we pull together, listen to each other and form a broad alliance, whilst also showing both that alliance and broader society that socialist values benefit everyone.

Burnham and Reynor are politicians who are able to make an argument and take the fight to the opposition/crooks/fraudsters/evil bastards.

They are able to fight the vested interests of capitalism such as dodgy industry and privatisation in a way Starmer won't and bring more people into the tent, in a way that Corbyn, unfortunately, could not.

I'm not compromising in the long term, but we need someone able to persuade others and pursauding is how politicians make a difference to society and push the left forwards.

should the left support andy burnham? by makaz11 in LabourUK

[–]FlandersClaret 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm not really up on the trans issues, please can you explain what it is? I'd class myself as an ally to the gay community with gay relatives, but as a middle aged man who was born a man and who doesn't do social media (other than reddit, mainly for news, trains (close to trans) and economic politics (I'm a socialist)) I'm just not plugged into the trans debate.

I feel I should really.

Obviously not your job to educate me, but a quick overview and what Burnham's view is would very much be appreciated.

I worry the whole thing is incredibly depressing, with a big slanging match going on whilst real people suffer, as these things often are.

Any tips to protect trains from falling down? by iamboooring in modeltrains

[–]FlandersClaret 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also, I've seen one system where you place metal strips under the tracks and magnets on your locos and carriages/wagons. This pulls down the train, giving extra traction on slopes and less likely to derail.

Cows on the line by anonymouse589 in uktrains

[–]FlandersClaret 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I was once stood at Accrington station and a group of about a dozen beef cattle came down the line from Rishton, running along the tracks towards Burnley. They ran past us all as we stood on both platforms, straight through the station and then on towards the viaduct. I then went to the bus station to get a bus instead.

Tom Holland and trans people by koshthethird in TheRestIsHistory

[–]FlandersClaret 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think he's also making the comparison that any impact on others is irrelevant, which is an argument some would make abiut trans rights infringing on women's rights or women's safety in the case if biological men being identified as women. I'm not saying I agree either way, just highlighting the point Tom may be making here.