Scope's reply to the governments planned concessions to the green paper.

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Comments

  • Passerby
    Passerby Online Community Member Posts: 859 Championing
    edited June 30

    I can't understand what Starmer is gaining from putting this evil bill through!

    • He won't get any appreciation from benefit bashers, as these have heard that he has U-turned and has given "massive concessions" and might hike taxes to plug the benefits U-turn, leave alone making their well-parroted £5 billion savings.
    • His government would not be able to save any billions of pounds.
    • This saga has created a huge division within labour Party, which has weakened his power in the party and made his future as the Labour leader very uncertain.
    • His cynical and desperate strategy has allowed Reform to surge in the polls.
    • He has led the party to a total humiliation at the polls, which will exacerbate come next May.
    • He has become the most hated PM in UK history.
    • He has made so many traditional Labour voters hate Labour.
    • He has pushed many members of the Labour Party, including me, to cancel their membership.

    Of course, this list is far from being exhaustive.

  • Autumnleaf
    Autumnleaf Online Community Member Posts: 500 Contributor

    Well, I sent out 651 emails in 7 batches - I don't feel it'll make a difference especially this close to the vote - it's so hard to tackle anything at all. At least I feel better than if I just tackled my MP - who didn't respond when I contacted before

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 2,042 Championing

    I read today that starmers old law firm have looked into the bill and say it’s against equality laws

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 2,042 Championing

    On the front page of the telegraph it says reform are now expected to vote against the bill .

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 2,042 Championing

    This is like a really bad carry on film that’s just not funny . As you say he has nothing to gain . He’s ruined the party and any hope of a second term for a few billion from the sick disabled and pensioners. Yet in order to save a few billion they’re spending £300 billion to bribe the country. They would have been in a stronger position now had they left us and the pensioners alone . It’s hard to see how Starmer reeves and Kendall , not forgetting their lapdog Timms, can be so stupid. It’s almost as though Blair’s told them yo purposely ruin the country.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,155 Championing
    edited June 30

    Thank you for the update @MW123 - she genuinely seems to be acting as a MP should by listening to her constituents, & there's hope that you'll have a voice in 'Timms tinkering' with the PIP assessment.

    I've just been busy emailing a response to the Green Paper in my own words rather than replying to the consultation itself, & asked questions rather than answering theirs. Just got it in by the skin of my teeth! I did question the use of the word 'constantly' with the severe conditions criteria, as promised @secretsquirrel1

    It's been a busy day with looking after my son's dog, then having a great chat (2 hour long as usual) with poppy123456, which cheered me up from thinking about these dratted reforms, tho we did talk about them!

  • Passerby
    Passerby Online Community Member Posts: 859 Championing

    Trust me, I felt worst when Liz kendall was appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, last july, having recalled her saying the previous year, when she was appointed Shadow Secretary of State for the DWP, that she "had always dreamed of holding this post one day". It was clear to me that she had been having nasty stuff in-store for us for a while.

    And as soon as she was appointed for this post, I lost hope as I was feeling that this and even worst would be coming!

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,472 Championing

    It wouldn’t hurt at all to email Jeremy. It might be a helpful way to clarify how conditions like ME or fibromyalgia are being interpreted under the current proposals. And yes, my MP is Labour. She is also a parliamentary secretary and has indicated she will vote in favour of the bill.

    When I saw her last Saturday, I was incredibly frustrated. I came close to asking her to step down from her parliamentary role and vote against the bill as a matter of conscience. Instead, I chose to remain professional, say nothing and focus on working with her, so she can hear directly from those with lived experience and gain a proper understanding of the impact this legislation could have.

    From early in my own profession, I learned that when you enter negotiations and let emotion lead, you often end up closing the very doors you are trying to open. It is not about staying silent, it is about staying engaged long enough to be heard. For now, I am keeping my powder dry. Timing is everything, and I want to make sure that this time we actually get a real chance to directly participate in shaping the PIP descriptors, because let’s be honest, they have done their best to shut us out.

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 2,042 Championing

    You’ve done really well in fighting our corner MW . If they were to ask me I’d say we really need a descriptor for fatigue as not only do we have ME and fibromyalgia but also long Covid now . Plus being in pain both physically and mentally causes fatigue and I don’t think it’s given enough thought . If I’m in pain I can at least take painkillers at times when it’s too much but there’s no treatment for fatigue.

  • Passerby
    Passerby Online Community Member Posts: 859 Championing

    I've said a few times that the tiny group led by T. Blair that owns the Labour Party is the originator and orchestrator of these evil proposals/changes.

    Remember, a few days ago, one of the mastermind of this group (D. Blunkett) was interviewed regarding this saga. Guess what - all he said was: "Starmer shouldn't be hanging in the Netherlands when his flagship welfare bill is at risk of being torn down"!

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 2,042 Championing

    Thank you for thinking of me chiaried I really appreciate it as you know what you’re talking about . I read on another site that ME wouldn’t be classed as severe as we can go into remission , though I don’t nit even for a day . But I just read on here a post I think from MW that it’s apparently not condition specific. My ME since Covid has gotten worse and I’m sure inched closer to severe from highest moderate. I mentioned this to my GP as I started as mild the went to highest moderate after a second infection of glandular fever and my GP agreed. My brain fog is terrible now too so I hope I make sense .

  • MW123
    MW123 Scope Member Posts: 1,472 Championing

    Your post made me smile! “Timms tinkering” indeed, if this is tinkering, I’d hate to see what full-blown meddling looks like.
    I’m currently writing up an account of last Saturday’s meeting. It’s a bit too long to post here, but I’d really like to share it with you, and I’d really value your balanced take on it. I’ll send it to you privately once it’s finished.

  • YogiBear
    YogiBear Online Community Member Posts: 384 Pioneering

    Thank you so much for everything you are doing @MW123. Much appreciated.

  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Online Community Member Posts: 17,155 Championing

    You always do make sense @secretsquirrel1 - I made sure to get that very important question in about the use of the word 'constantly' with severe conditions. I gave a little background about myself so they hopefully will realise I 'might' know what I'm talking about, saying that no-one could 'constantly' fit a descriptor.

    I also said that if they're hoping to align UC with PIP assessments then they should go back to saying the 'majority of the time,' as that's what's used with PIP, & they're going to be using the PIP assessment in the future.

    I couldn't agree more with @MW123 - I found the same as in I had to work with Drs & remain objective if I wanted them to listen. The more you engage, at least I found, the more they become willing to engage with you. You've got to listen to them in the first place, & then you get listened to. Asking pertinent questions, & listening to their replies before saying anything further then also helps as you've found!

    I look forward to hearing from you.

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 2,042 Championing

    They are so evil, if they could kill us all off I think they would

  • Passerby
    Passerby Online Community Member Posts: 859 Championing

    Regarding my migration from the ESA to the UC, you were right, it was not really a big deal, and I like the journal, as I can send them messages through this, rather than wasting time calling them. I did it last Saturday and I received a message yesterday (Mon) advising me that I would receive my first payment on 3rd August and that a team would put me on LCWRA.

    I really wonder how I would sleep tonight, as it's too hot and I can't leave the window of my bedroom open due to street noise!

  • secretsquirrel1
    secretsquirrel1 Online Community Member Posts: 2,042 Championing

    I’m so glad it went smoothly for you . I wish I’d migrated over years ago now .
    Yes I’m not a fan of this heat though my fans on 24/7 which helps . When my dogs allow me to enjoy it that is 😂

  • YogiBear
    YogiBear Online Community Member Posts: 384 Pioneering

    @Catherine21 has been fantastic. You all have been and kept the momentum going. I never thought I'd have the courage to contact so many MP's. No matter what happens tomorrow we will all continue to fight on. This forum has made me feel less alone. A big thank you to you all. 👍️

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