What lies beneath the Labour 'landslide' election predictions? | Anywhere but Westminster

In the third episode of a new series of Anywhere but Westminster, John Harris and John Domokos travel around the West Midlands, and find a fascinating political mixture: hesitant Labour voters, a new crop of independents focused on Palestine and local cuts - and, amid deep social problems, lots of people who think the election hardly matters. Here, it seems, is the reality that all those opinion polls get nowhere near
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#AnywhereButWestminster #Politics #Labour #UKElection #GeneralElection #WestMidlands #Starmer

[@moif_velocita]

British politics would be funny if it wasn't so terrifying

[@pastyman001]

It can both, i.e Count Binface

[@GarrethOriley]

I am not a Brit and follow it. I think it is less terrifying then following local politics for me but in the end the problems in the "west' are all the same.

[@smudj8181]

Literally

[@joeavreg2254]

@@GarrethOriley The 1% and their enablers.

[@azillliasmith2734]

@@GarrethOriley are you able to say where you are? But take care anyway.....👍🏻🙂

[@MacrobianNomad]

Those ladies at the food bank summed it all up, everyone is disenfranchised!

[@Hackney_Boy-DoesntReadReplies]

The little smile gave it away, pushing their candidate.

[@Jimdixon1953]

Giving away free food to poor and vulnerable people while advocating for big change and voting for independent candidates. What could that all be about?

[@aleph8888]

People love free food. Another American import post 2008.

[@carbonara2144]

Two parties of the establishment taking turns in running the country to the ground. They are both working for wef.

[@antonycharnock2993]

Politics in the foodbank. Foodbanks are due to political choices. They should not become a way of life for people. Your own dignity and self worth is at stake.

[@frankcarter6427]

'it's like working in a mortuary' - perfect description of modern Britain

[@dianeirvine7624]

Grave digger - dead end job

[@dekmackie]

England

[@symonsmith3497]

Vote Reform. Problem solved.

[@dekmackie]

@@symonsmith3497 🤣🤣🤣

[@josemengelez6947]

@@symonsmith3497 lets see how things play out in argentina first before electing our very own milei. savvy?

[@EMKWANREVIEWS]

The best series on understanding how broken Britain really is.

[@tudormiller887]

Didn't it start with Margaret Thatcher ?

[@hanumaniam]

Yes ​@@tudormiller887

[@bugsygoo]

I'm watching this from Denmark. It is obscene that ordinary people have to forage for food through no fault of their own. It doesn't have to be like that.

[@johnkennedy3669]

What does you being from Denmark have to do with it?

[@gregorybiestek3431]

The UK is becoming more and more like the USA with every passing month. How long before the country has to give up the NHS because it is broke?

[@bugsygoo]

@@johnkennedy3669 Try visiting Denmark and see if you can find a food bank. Or anywhere with the sort of depravation shown in these videos.

[@johnkennedy3669]

@@bugsygoo Thank you for sharing I didnt know that. Though I haven't visited Denmark, I have visited other European countries and have seen this level of poverty. That being said even in poor countries like Serbia and Bosnia, it still seems like the poor people have more pride than the English.

[@peteratkinson922]

Denmark has seemingly gone some way to facing up to some of the many downsides of large scale immigration.@@bugsygoo

[@12bigredd]

we need some type of PR voting... no more 30-40% of votes giving 1 party 100% of the power

[@Andythrax]

Compass, win as one

[@brunocastro6758]

Albeit in favour of that view is a very big change for the UK, it would involve removing the local representation of constituencies into a representation of the country as a whole, I would like nothing more than for that to happen, I come from a system like that and been living in the UK for a while a change like that would require generations or a radical change that won't benefit the larger parties so is unlikely to achieve it in the UK unfortunately

[@bugsygoo]

PR and end private education completely. Then Britain will change.

[@Evan490BC]

That would mean coalition governments in every general election. Coalition governments are usually a disaster.

[@aleph8888]

PR is an awful system. Months of politicians coming up with a coalition after the elections.

[@nakodares5982]

I really can’t stand people that complain but then don’t vote. Vote reform, vote green, abstain, whatever I don’t care, but at least go and hand in that sheet. People died and struggled for so long to get a right to vote and they can’t even be bothered. Completely unaware of their privilege.

[@Minimmalmythicist]

I think it depends if there´s a decent candidate in the constituency. I have voted Labour all my life, and I nearly didn´t vote this time, I decided to reluctantly vote Green, as they´re the most left wing candidate in my seat. Also, the UK electoral system is a sick joke, there are plenty of constituencies where it´s virtually impossible for the other party to win.

[@TheTwinn]

I think it's important to remember that people died and struggled for so long to enshrine your right to not vote as well. Freedom isn't about having the right to vote. Freedom is having the right to choose to vote or not to vote. I've voted in every local and general since I was old enough. I celebrate the privilege to vote. But I also celebrate the privilege to choose not to. Attacking people that choose to exercise their right not to vote is being equally unaware of the privilege of choice we are afforded today.

[@nakodares5982]

@@TheTwinn So I guess you mean dying and struggling for freedoms in a general sense? Unless I'm unaware of people struggling and dying for the right not to vote in our history? I daresay you've made that up a bit. Why not just abstain or spoil the ballot? I really don't think that the "privilege to choose not to vote" is at all equal in our history or a global comparison to the "privilege to vote". If I'm considered unaware of that privilege, then fine. I don't consider Australia especially less privileged then us just because they have compulsory voting, but I do consider any country which stops you from voting to be severely less privilged. Pick your poison

[@carbonara2144]

UK has two parties running the country to the ground. Its basically a uniparty establishment, they just take turns.

[@apebass2215]

​@@Minimmalmythicist even if there's no decent candidate, spoil your ballot - spoilt ballots are counted.

[@bearsbreeches]

Please vote, even if you spoil your ballot paper. At least you're counted in the turn out

[@andybrice2711]

I second this. Spoiling your ballot sends a clearer message than simply abstaining.

[@astronautist4716]

I'll be spoiling it. Tired of this utter sham

[@Eleventhearlofmars]

@@andybrice2711no it doesn’t, spoiled ballots are simply cast aside and not counted so it’s a waste, you are better off voting but leaving the two horse race candidates out, in other words do not vote labour or tories because it’s through these two that we are where we are today. At least if people make reform the opposition or better there’s more likelihood of a real shake up of Westminster and getting rid of some of the worst civil servants who are running the show.

[@andyleighton3616]

@@Eleventhearlofmars They are counted. The returning officer reads out how many blank votes and how many spoiled ballots there are.

[@nakodares5982]

@Eleventearlofmars completely incorrect, why are you just making stuff up? Spoiled and empty ballots are absolutely counted and read out.

[@mandriod5255]

The hairdresser is totally fooled personality politicians

[@leroysimon5692]

👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@alihenderson5910]

Nah, she owned it, lol.

[@UKLeonie]

She represents a high amount of African Carribbean British who are totally Conservative in their views and ethos, I don't subscribe to her way of thinking but many in my community sound exactly like her.

[@josemengelez6947]

@@UKLeonie then vote to increase the level of policing in their community and subsequently end up wearing their sons on a t-shirt.

[@TigerPrawn_]

I was going to write, I think it may come from a place of distrust, (like outwardly "nice" politicians taking away things from behind your back - classic liberals) but then I realised that Johnson and Farage are some one of the most distrustful characters ever. But I do see what she means, that they are open in some ways about how terrible they are and don't mince their words.

[@lafillenoir]

Can't believe this is the same city (Birmingham) my Irish grandmother emigrated to as a child with her parents in the 1930s for a better life. She trained as an NHS nurse before returning to Ireland in the 1960s when she married. The NHS once was a proud institution, and now student nurses are using food banks for necessities? Tories have destroyed the country. Ireland has its issues with wealth hoarding but the desperate poverty in wealthy Britain is shocking

[@andrewrobinson2565]

It's the same city, just different immigrants, luv 😘.

[@heathercooper6043]

and you believe everything told to you by Guardian/BBC

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@heathercooper6043 And you don't? You're very confused if you think the TORY-run BBC's editorial position is the same as The Guardian's 😳🥴. Or maybe CRITICAL THINKING 🤔?

[@aleph8888]

The NHS has had money poured into it. There is a reason the Irish Republic and all other European don’t have an NHS. The internal NHS culture is very different from the 1960s. Everything to do with culture and nothing to do with money. But the British electorate seem too conditioned to realise it.

[@takethebread794]

Labour won't fix it, they are a party of and for the capital holders as well. Capitalism is ruining Britain, the west, it already ruined its colonies.

[@Icetubexd]

It's funny to see people proclaiming how they aren't gullible, only to turn around and support an obvious grifter like Akhmed Yakoob.

[@Badpak.]

Until this i had never heard of him. What makes him a grifter?

[@20storiesunder]

@@Badpak. His constant grifting for one.

[@icravedeath.1200]

​@@20storiesunderAyo tomska viewer, based.

[@20storiesunder]

@@icravedeath.1200 Hah didn't even realise I channeled it until you mentioned it

[@danielwarren3138]

There is a certain charm to blatant grifters like him and George Galloway, who is probably the most blatant grifter and short term opportunist in British political history. Something admirable about it I can't define.

[@kawallabair3216]

The number of people who say that things are awful when we've had the same government for 14 years, only to not vote in the election because they don't know who to vote for is shocking. Just vote for literally anyone else.

[@AK-np4rp]

You are missing the point. Labour haven't shown they will be any better than the Tories.

[@apebass2215]

Why do you assume "literally anyone else" will improve the situation and not make it worse?

[@jamesellison6154]

"Just vote for literally anyone else" is the most smooth brained thing I've read here.

[@Dilbert-o5k]

​@@AK-np4rpthen vote for one of the others then. This time you don't have to vote labour to keep the Tories out. Use that chance wisely

[@kawallabair3216]

@@apebass2215 Because there hasn't been a more corrupt and incompetent government in living memory. Voting for literally anyone else won't change the dial very much because we're in a first past the post system, but it still registers a political intention instead of just not voting, or voting for the people who ruin your life. The correct answer in my view is to vote for the tactical vote which represents the best of two bad options in your constituency. If you're in Tumbridge Wells, you should vote for the conservatives and hope they sort themselves out in five years. If you're somewhere destitute in the North and still voting Tory, then I think you're too far gone anyway.

[@PeppermintPatties]

Apathy is a UK national trait.

[@martinpatterson3417]

You can't blame people. Neither the Tories or Labour are a great option.

[@joeavreg2254]

@@martinpatterson3417 I can blame a person who refuses to take any form of action when they tell me nothing is getting better. You don't the benefit of the doubt if your political engagement is complaining at the dinner table or in the pub. We really need to get past the idea that inaction is a form of action.

[@azillliasmith2734]

@@joeavreg2254....I half agree ..but what are your plans to be unapathic.....Any ideas?

[@Stevies_Precog_Gym_n_Spa420]

​@@joeavreg2254talking about politics, "being political", and *doing* politics are three distinct things people pretend are one and the same.

[@joeavreg2254]

@@Stevies_Precog_Gym_n_Spa420 yes, that is exactly what I was saying. Inaction is not a form of action.

[@jhwheuer]

Nobody does destitute like the Brits.

[@SelenaintheChapel]

I think some Americans would beg to differ

[@therealrobertbirchall]

​@SelenaintheChapel the problems of the FPT system and the English language.

[@asdasdasddgdgdfgdg]

​@@therealrobertbirchallwhat does FPT system mean?

[@hankgreenfingers3371]

@@asdasdasddgdgdfgdg First Past the... Post? I think he means that and missed the last part of the acronym.

[@asdasdasddgdgdfgdg]

@@hankgreenfingers3371 oh, thank you

[@DrunkenDemon]

How can anybody imply they are not gullible? Thats dangerous! You need to question yourself from time to time.

[@20storiesunder]

Its the confidence that gets you, most folks don't even question their feelings, an example, if they think if they are angry at someone they must be correct (they were actually just hungry). Very little internal debate.

[@leroysimon5692]

👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@leroysimon5692]

@@20storiesunder 👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾

[@MinesAGuinness]

@@20storiesunder I love that - as you criticise other people you have barely interacted with giving their summarised views in a matter of minutes to a street interviewer for their lack of internal debate, and ascribe emotionalism to their statements - you confidently (now, there is an irony) declare that, "They were actually just hungry." I am so relieved that you were able to stare deeply into their souls to reveal their true motivation. Then again, how could it be anything more from such 'folk'? How could they walk the same streets as us, going about their lives filled with struggles and worries, and yet have the audacity to have 'confidence' in themselves? What next? Pride? Dignity? "Compassion for each other and for the world?" Who do they think they are? Yes, it really gets me, too... Fortunately, your condition is not terminal. All you need to do is question yourself from time to time...

[@20storiesunder]

@@MinesAGuinness Your reading comprehension is what's actually terminal. Read my comment again, this time with a hint (look for the word example)

[@user-s1o3nr532]

I don't think walking around in dark glasses looking like a mafia boss (the independent candidate at the beginning) is going to appeal to everyone tbh.

[@aelinsardothien6560]

He certainly looks less scary to me than Jacob Rees-Mogg

[@MinesAGuinness]

@@aelinsardothien6560 It scares me that Jacob Rees-Mogg is younger than I am, yet presents himself as if he's older than my late grandfather.

[@musicjunk8266]

@@aelinsardothien6560 except Jacob wouldn’t suffocate you with a plastic bag if you dishonoured him

[@Jonnypbx]

I lived abroad for 13 years and came back... I was shocked at how bad things had gotten! ... I've been back 3 years now and I'm ready to pack up and leave again. When I lived abroad I NEVER worried about my bills because energy, water and public transport were all state run and cheap! Transport was cheap, clean and ALWAYS ran on time! My tax was 12%, NI £40 a month, no council tax... Rental prices were also very reasonable. The streets were clean, lights stayed on, garbage got collected, despite no council tax... The UK is a joke, we've allowed private companies to bleed us dry for profit!

[@MrShikaga]

Sounds awesome, where was that?

[@michaelfarrow5817]

When I came back to the UK from Spain in 2021, I couldn't envisage ever going back. Now I'm pretty certain I'll return as soon as I can.

[@therealrobertbirchall]

1979 it started. This is where Thatcher wanted the uk to be.

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

@@therealrobertbirchall Yep, totally agree.

[@James-pe6ss]

well said

[@MattNolanCustom]

A spoiled ballot / none of the above / 3rd party candidate vote sends a clearer message than abstention. Abstention cannot be distinguished from apathy during the count. I feel that too many people are forgetting that achieving true change is a long game. Voting is not just about who wins this time around.

[@AK-np4rp]

Spot on. I say the same to US citizens.

[@vietashroffoliver2521]

In India one option on the voting form is NOTA (none of the above)

[@beepositiveforever971]

Agreed.. I too have been trying spread this better option... There's a website that explains it all, using data on Blairs win on 25% of the vote.. If 30% of voters spoilt their ballot they would legally have to re-run the election with extra Party choices added in. No 'influencer' will listen or propose it, makes me super suss'.

[@Tincow]

What concerns me is that it always takes twice as long to fix a mess than it does to make it, after 14 years of being hammered the UK will need at least this or longer to find its place again.

[@AK-np4rp]

What's the evidence that Starmer will do better? He hammers the growth mantra without explaining how it will be achieved. He's maintaining the Tory child benefit policy and Streeting has indicated that he will privatise the NHS.

[@Tincow]

@@AK-np4rp there isn’t as he hasn’t been in power before.

[@HeirToTheScarletSky]

The planning reform stuff might actually help a lot. If they get it right it'll be the biggest immediate change.

[@AK-np4rp]

@@Tincow Pay attention to the verb tense. I said *will,* not *has.* I repeat. What is the evidence that Starmer *will* do better?

[@AK-np4rp]

@@HeirToTheScarletSky *might* Mark my words. Starmer will not last more than one term.

[@lincoln3x7]

Crazy how many people he spoke with are just not interested in voting... they want a voice, but won't make the effort... So disillusioned that they feel the effort is meaningless.

[@phoenixrising5088]

As a Scot, I will be voting SNP🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 We'll get our independence eventually.

[@Jim1255783]

We - as a country - are in a whole giant heap of a mess. This is fertile ground for the populists offering simple solutions to complex problems. We’ve fallen so far, we don’t even know how far we need to inch back before we get to Zero. It breaks my heart.

[@icravedeath.1200]

Yeah, they've done nothing to fix any root issues and instead have gone "toss money at it, that'll hopefully fix it"

[@johnmay7675]

Spot on, and people will expect immediate results when labour get in, unfortunately that's not going to happen. Getting the country back on track could take decades after the mess we've been left in. This is why reform is dangerous because they're offering a quick fix which is not there. A long term plan is needed, only Labour can offer.

[@andybrice2711]

Problem is, I can see why people are turning to the populists when the mainstream answer to those problems seems to be _“Shut up, you ungrateful plebs, everything is fine.”_

[@Jim1255783]

@@johnmay7675 This is what I fear; Labour get in, but inevitably can’t fix the country in five years. In 2029, fuelled by accusations of ‘Labour Failure’, a Far Right Populist Party is elected on impossible promises. This is why we need to ditch FPTP; we cannot silence the Far Right, but we can make votes matter. But Labour are not making ANY noises towards changing the voting system.

[@Micfri300]

That's what happens when you sell all your national industries to India and China.

[@Will-ux1dg]

Spot the white person competition

[@martingesko5856]

If you want a change, go and vote. Apathy solves nothing.

[@Friendly-Unit]

I think you don't get it. We want change and see no real options. Why vote if the two options looks pretty much the same.

[@MattNolanCustom]

@@Friendly-Unit what if everybody who thought that went out and voted for a candidate who is not from one of "the two options"?

[@tara34952]

​@@Friendly-Unit Don't vote for Labour or Tory then; vote for someone else. You have more than two options.

[@PeppermintPatties]

It's so important to vote, even if you spoil your ballot. Your opinion is counted.

[@Friendly-Unit]

@tara34952 not realistically. I live in a city where its a labour safe seat. My vote doesn't matter. Name another party that can win the election other than Labour or tory? I will wait

[@theworldaccordingto4555]

"Changes and progress very rarely are gifts from above. They come out of struggles from below." - Noam Chomsky

[@kreagle]

Seems like people globally are suffering injustice because their political representatives don’t deliver value. A total disconnect. Change is healthy

[@Gexmini]

Is BREXIT a taboo word now? Why is everyone ignoring it or not mentioning it?

[@MrShikaga]

Because what is the point? What do you think they should be asking?

[@MrShikaga]

@@Northstander but you already know the answer. Why ask the question? Surely the question is what to do next? If the question is “was Brexit a mistake” the obvious answer is “no, we live in a democracy and we need to respect the will of the voters. But obviously the manner in which it was carried out by the Johnson government was inept”. If the question was “should the referendum been held at all” the answer is again “yes, holding a referendum was part of the Tory manifesto, and they needed to keep their word to hold one” If the question is “should we join a customs union as Theresa May proposed” both Labour and Conservative parties have said “no”, so you have your answer. Listen, I am upset about Brexit as anyone. I have now emigrated to a EU country because of how trapped and isolated I felt in the UK, but have still fulfilled my duty to vote in this election. Sadly it will be my last. But as upset as I am by Brexit, I also don’t see the point in playing the “I wish we had…” game. You can’t change the past, only the future. Britain has made its choice. The question is what we should do with the future.

[@martinpatterson3417]

They probably don't mention it as there's no point. Unfortunately neither the Tories or Labour are going to rejoin the EU.

[@aleph8888]

The projection is 4% loss of GDP growth over 15 years. And that could be reduced if the UK takes more trade deals.

[@dallysinghson5569]

Democracy is not perfect and people have votes for parties and positions they later discover to be a mistake. Also it is still a democratic right to object to and criticise a majority position. The real reason no one wants to talk about Brexit? Because we know it was a farce with millions misled and no coherent strategy of executing the process while also getting the Remain side to feedback on the type of Brexit. The parliament was PURGED of anyone not pro Brexit. The damage is done and more to come. The folk will have no way to address this until decades after.

[@Gdsamplify]

This series is so insightful, and incredibly powerful journalism. Great work

[@heathercooper6043]

Oh come come it's the usual Guardian one sided fare.

[@Deeejjj64]

Nothing to do with 4 million plus that have come to the country in a few years.

[@angelachicken4141]

When Thatcher said, 'There's no such thing as society' she planted the seeds of this country falling apart.

[@Stevies_Precog_Gym_n_Spa420]

You have the word "community" being abused liberally everywhere you look without any seeming need to mention the essential trait of reciprocity being THE key component. Communities aren't just assemblages of people, they're networks of support. And as long as that remains true and the word is used without this meaning we're losing the use of our language. Pay attention to the weaponization of words in media and amongst friends. These things matter.

[@johnburrows3385]

💯

[@A.Mardle]

Except that she didn't say that there was no such thing as society (per se). The notorious quote was taken out of context by a dishonest editor and became part of popular political mythology.

[@hereinmyownskin]

I think people think they’re abstaining from responsibility if they don’t vote, but not voting is just as much a decision as voting.

[@patrickwalker4159]

​@@steveminecraft6353 The freedom to not vote, is the only freedom you shouldn't have. Voting should be compulsory.

[@barking_mad6649]

​@@patrickwalker4159 why do you think not voting isn't taken seriously?

[@misterzee5736]

democracy is a lie!

[@AaronOkeanos]

What Do you prefer? Overpromissing without delivery like in the last 14 years or underpromissing but you get what is promised (and feasible)?

[@stephfoxwell4620]

Remember everyone. Wipeout to Help out.

[@brianferguson7840]

When Tories suspect that there is some light at the end of the tunnel, They simply steal some more tunnel.

[@richierich7609]

I love these videos, and I love the kinds of people you talked to. I've been to the UK a dozen times or so and it's those kinds of people that made me love it.

[@mickjeynes1172]

I am 54 and I have voted Labour at every general election but this incarnation of the LP does not align to any of my values anymore so I will be voting Green on this occasion.

[@simanothername3035]

The Green party are the most controlling and totalitarian party the UK has ever seen. I guess voting for eco fascists is better than regular fascists, but it is a thin line.

[@johnburrows3385]

Even if you end up splitting the progressive vote ,

[@simanothername3035]

@@johnburrows3385 there is nothing progressive about the green's ecofascism and economic destruction for those not rich enough to weather their luxury beliefs. As the 'progressive' vote seems to favour terrorists and migrants while disenfranchising the working class, I wouldn't want to split the progressive vote but utterly destroy that idiocy.

[@mickjeynes1172]

@@johnburrows3385 , I don’t consider Labour as a progressive party anymore so I don’t buy into that I’m afraid.

[@simanothername3035]

@@johnburrows3385 The Greens are not progressive in any way. They have at least 20 really dodgy people running and are economic destruction for the working class.

[@theoreilly1966]

Normally not a huge fan of the Guardian but props for doing this little bit of balanced journalism

[@nodruj8681]

Imagine thinking this series was balanced journalism, you'd fall for anything 😂

[@brianferguson7840]

The Labour Party think the Glass is Half Full. The Torries Think the Glass is Theirs.

[@leefrancis007]

Lol no, Labour, the glass is mine give it to me

[@AliceWatts-d3v]

Corporatism is what had poisoned this country. Vote for 💚or Independents, people have died for the right to vote -woman 🗳️🇵🇸💚🙏

[@Nousmourronsseuls]

UK has deteriorated massively under both labour and conservative rule. Neither will confront corporate globalisation and its malign influence. Over ten million people live in the UK who were not born here, hundred’s of thousands more each year. Most poor and poorly educated. The policy results in lower wages for everyone, more expensive housing and transport, over-stretched medical, social and education services. The UK cannot continue to rely on importing ever more numbers of cheap workers. It is completely unsustainable. The greatest beneficiaries of this policy are the large corporations which get cheaper labour and therefore greater profits (most of which is offshored and results in little tax). The UK is being hollowed out by the greed of those at the top, supported by both the Tories and Labour. Something needs to change.

[@brianferguson7840]

The Tory answer to any problem, is invariably ten times worse than the problem. (Johnson's law)

[@adebolabloke6962]

And Labour's 100 x

[@cwcw765]

Love him or hate him Jeremy Corbyn was the last hope for a lot of people of this country and papers like the Guardian and every other mainstream rag took him down at every opportunity to make sure he never got in. You the Guardian share some responsibility in these peoples misery.

[@alynwillams4297]

I’ve always voted Plaid Cymru. But I do believe Corbyn was a man of his word and the uk would have seen real change. It shows you how the establishment and media works tho and because of that I 100% support independence for Wales and Scotland. We can’t let ourselves be dragged down with England and there right wing views.

[@Thomas-Bradley]

Wow, that does not what i would imagine Birmingham looks like. More foreigners than there are English folks

[@rattylol]

They're English born and bred mate.

[@aremedyfrosty]

@@rattylol Their parents brought here unwanted by the british people

[@shanghaichica]

@@aremedyfrosty they are still British and some of their patents were born here. Sounds like a broken record at this point.

[@decimal1815]

Sunak is planning more cuts - *£12bn* - will there be any country left after that?

[@christianzilla]

Austerity is a part of neoliberal ideology. Labour are now neoliberals too. 'Change'

[@nietzscheankant6984]

@@wulfhere83 Yeah, that's got nothing to do with the Tories' cuts, no sir.

[@stanpennycook5414]

But can give 8 billion to Ukraine

[@decimal1815]

@@stanpennycook5414 you think Putin will stop at Ukraine?

[@oldraver9644]

Superb journalism 😊

[@Daemonik]

Similar sentiments to what I've seen in Yorkshire since well before the election was announced. Everyone's sick of the Tories, just not at all convinced that Labour is any kind of answer. Plenty of people abandoning Labour for Reform, LibDems, Greens or just staying at home - especially the last of these. Turnout was 67% in 2019, I'm expecting ~60% this time, with a Labour vote around 40% of that. Is it really a landslide endorsement of all your policies (such as they even exist) if only 1 in 4 people will go so far as to put a cross in a box for you?

[@MrShikaga]

I don’t think anyone is saying that what is occurring to be a landslide endorsement of Labour, there is almost no excitement about their policies at all from what I have seen. People are just saying there will be a landslide result. Whether that will occur we wait to see.

[@Daemonik]

@@MrShikaga if the predicted 400+ labour seats come in, we will hear phrases akin to "the country has overwhelmingly said they are in favour of (random policy we just announced)" quite a bit, I expect. Maybe it's just because I'm jaded.

[@michaelfarrow5817]

It's insane that Starmer will get less votes than Corbyn in 2019

[@simonc5624]

@@Daemonik That's why you guys need to change to a proportional representation system. People might feel voting for other parties than the big two is actually worth it, and would affect govt policy more, as in the case of almost all MMP govts, they are coalitions, and the big two would be unable to govern by themselves. I strongly suspect that if UK had a MMP electoral system in place for this election Labour would not being doing as well in the polls and would not get such an electoral result as they probably will. MMP would've no doubt encouraged some of the disenfranchised to feel that their vote actually counted again, unlike in the current system.

[@MrShikaga]

@@Daemonik I don’t agree with that. Typically a policy must be in the the manifesto for the government to claim they have a mandate to deliver it. That is part of why manifestos are so important for government whips. It is basically impossible for MPs to rebel against a vote for something that is in the manifesto.

[@landyowner]

"We don't like the way things are going so we're going to remain voiceless and not vote"

[@DACatface]

That and they don't feel like a vote will do anything because we have fair representation in the house

[@AK-np4rp]

*don't

[@user-ot1dv6ri4f]

Too many British people have just given up on politics after being lied to so much that now they're not going to vote at all.

[@brianferguson7840]

A Recession is when your neighbour loses his job ! A Depression is when you lose your job ! Recovery is when the Tories lose theirs !🤣🤣🤣

[@azillliasmith2734]

Yeah great comment...

[@adamsmith307]

Ridiculous. Labour and around 90% of parliament supported the Tory government in the printing of £350 billion under so called "emergency" powers. That's what has caused the massive inflation.

[@brianferguson7840]

Pay Politicians the Minimum Wage, then just watch in amazement at how quickly things change for the better.

[@johnchristopher1463]

John H, could you make these town visits a regular on-going series? They are important in showing the diversity of opinion and life, not just during an election.

[@errolsidelsky]

Everyone in this documentary wants a voice, they want to be heard, to express their point of view. BUT they won't vote! Honestly!

[@Minimmalmythicist]

I think the point is that they feel that voting doesn´t achieve a lot and that´s a point that has to be answered.

[@Keithlfpieterse]

@2.51 - "It's a bit like being in a mortuary..." The profundity of downtrodden people - when talking about their own situation and articulating their hopes, fears and feelings - will never be rivalled by a professional politician!!!!!

[@Oharadanny123abcdefg]

Almost every single person spoken to was Asian. Are there any white European people left in Birmingham England?

[@rattylol]

Where have you been for the past 40 years?

[@mci6830]

Just dead ones.

[@VaucluseVanguard]

“Independent candidates “. ……. read “Islamofascist”.

[@aremedyfrosty]

Imagine if reform hadn't come around. The political landscape would be utterly demoralising with no hope in sight.

[@danielcollinson4456]

She's 46? That's a tough paper round she's had. 😂

[@angelalyttle94]

It’s hard to stomach John coming over all emotional listening to people talk about the dire need for change. The change these people and others are crying out for was in Labour’s 2017 and 2019 manifestoes. But John, along with most of the UK media, played their part in making sure those policies never saw the light of day. Now he’s upset those same people have no faith in New New Labour to be any different to the Tories. While John and his chums at the Guardian will be popping open the champagne when Starmer walks into no10, most of the people he spoke to in this report will still be despairing.

[@joetotale6354]

Melt Graun hacks like John are now crying over what happened and however can it have happened on their watch?

[@adebolabloke6962]

Labour and Guardian supported disastrous lockdowns

[@TigerPrawn_]

I was a teenager in 2017, and only just coming to realise now how significant that period of time was.

[@st00fa]

Anyone who thinks Labour is going to make anything better is optimistic but ultimately foolish.

[@JonnyBefull]

That's such a false narrative.

[@st00fa]

I hope you're right

[@barramaciomhair]

​@@JonnyBefullin what way? Starmer is Blair on steroids, he started to break his promises before he has even gotten into power

[@donny1960]

So do nothing. Is the perfect solution for the modern citizen. Easier to complain than try to improve.

[@0w784g]

@@donny1960 Are the only options vote Labour or do nothing? You certainly sound like the aforementioned "modern" citizen.

[@richardmerritt5600]

Am loving this series, getting the opinions of a wide spectrum of people, many of whom we don't normally hear from. Great journalism.

[@oliverkirkland6541]

But its not Labour anymore is it. Its the Starmer party. Clean it out and get back to its original ethics and Ill vote for it next time.

[@SevenEllen]

I miss Jeremy Corbyn. I don't car what anyone says, we'd all be better off with him instead of everyone we've had these past 14 years.

[@TheYoutubeUser69]

countries falling apart and you make palestine the issue. ffs do you guys really hate yourself that much

[@philroberts7238]

For some of us it's a moral issue first and foremost, and morality is something that has disappeared in the body politic in this country. Nothing to do with any religion - just a straightforward issue of what is right versus what is wrong. Get that right and the country will be all the better for it.

[@debbieredfern2267]

​@@philroberts7238Hell no. Put your own house in order first. We stick our fingers I too many pies.

[@philroberts7238]

@quercus8833 Duh, yourself! To support the right thing, in this case Palestine, is also to do right for Britain. I can't understand how that seems to be beyond you.

[@allanyork244]

Stopped reading the Guardian after they endorsed Tony Bliar peace envoy for the Middle East and abandoned Julian Assange to false imprisonment and torture

[@plerpplerp5599]

Many of the fears about Labour are based on outdated perceptions, particularly those rooted in the 1970s. The Labour Party has indeed changed significantly since then. Here's a more balanced perspective: Since the 1970s, Labour has undergone major changes, most notably with Tony Blair's "New Labour" in the 1990s, which adopted more centrist economic policies. Keir Starmer's Labour is quite different from both the 1970s Labour and Jeremy Corbyn's recent leadership, positioning itself as more moderate and business-friendly. Modern Labour has distanced itself from the high-tax, high-spending policies of the 1970s. Rachel Reeves, the shadow chancellor, has explicitly ruled out increasing the top rate of income tax. Despite these changes, some media outlets and political opponents continue to draw comparisons to the 1970s Labour, which can influence public perception. While Labour has changed, there are still policy differences with the Conservatives, such as plans to reform non-dom status and approach to public services. The economic challenges of the 1970s were complex and not solely attributable to Labour policies, involving global factors like the oil crisis.

[@reasondora2712]

Labour have shat on Birmingham.

[@magesalmanac6424]

Tory has shat on the whole country

[@Andrei-hq9jd]

As an immigrant I fully support Reform UK. This country needs radical change quickly.

[@josemengelez6947]

you have to go back.

[@Simalacrum]

I imagine a lot of people relate with the idea of not voting, that a lot of people in the video expressed. I just want to point out here that spoiling your ballot is absolutely an option, and is a perfectly legitimate form of democratic participation. Spoiled ballots are still counted as separate votes in an election - if enough people were to spoil their ballots, it would absolutely get the attention of the media and the politicians. Write a different candidate in, rip it up, post a blank ballot, whatever you want to do, don't let a lack of representation result in your voice not being included.

[@ballerblocks]

The politics of entitlement needs to change. And then the politics of nepotism and media corruption.

[@formxshape]

Vote reform!

[@SevenEllen]

Reform is right wing. Tories are right wing. The last 14 years were under right wing politics. 'Nuff said.

[@gelectrox]

I haven't watched it yet but is this another episode where John is surprised that everyone he meets doesn't subscribe to the Guardians fan fiction vision of the working classes?

[@kathchandler4919]

Windrush was May fgs , that salon owner is seriously in need of help. She needs to speak to David Lammy , he'll impart some sense into her Im certain

[@telegraphkid]

Dear John, it’s important work that you do. I’m not going to lie, it’s gotten harder and harder to watch over the last few years because the ‘base line’ has just got worse and worse. Things just don’t feel right.

[@dohlecarnett1866]

You people need to vote. Even if you think it is useless: You did it for yourself. It takes 10 minutes. People need to understand that if you don't vote you de facto still vote - you vote for the party that usually gets their own voter base out there. That is usually the Tories.

[@eiranobuachail6919]

lol how much foreign aid does England give again??

[@David-ji4zv]

how much EU support has been thrown away by brexit

[@Kushdeeskates]

12:46 She said it like it is. How a lot of us feel. You got told there son!

[@gustavbrinkel5489]

"It's not the same as it used to be'

[@harrimi]

14 years of the worst bunch of crooks in our history has led many people to believe all politicians are the same. I despair at the apathy of some people.

[@archvaldor]

I can't help feeling a lot of this is down to the Guardian and their hostility to Labour at the last two elections.

[@andrew_mcintosh]

Those ladies working in the food bank are the people to listen to.

[@Hackney_Boy-DoesntReadReplies]

That voting makes no difference so you should vote for their candidate? They came off as disingenuous.

[@aleph8888]

Self serving people with their self serving moralism.

[@MontyCantsin5]

@aleph8888: What?

[@MrGuy999guy]

The Guardian helped to slur Corbyn. And how complain of apathy!

[@katalinhorvath8139]

Such important work you do Jonh, thank you so much!

[@londonbg]

Keir Starmer walking down the street at 12 seconds in

[@tropics8407]

Food banks, drug addicts and welfare are not any solution. Small businesses hard working people actually producing something are where the solution is 👊

[@christianzilla]

Are you a scholar? Drug addicts are not the solution? Who would have thought!?

[@formxshape]

Labour certainly aren’t going to help any of that, might as well vote for the CCP.

[@formxshape]

Vote reform!

[@christianzilla]

@@formxshape what are your favourite Reform policies?

[@zoeen5650]

​@@christianzillaraising the minimum tax threshold to 20k and removing DEI from public institutions.

[@albertbrammer9263]

Too many people saying they won't vote. Too many people saying all MPs are the same. BUT nothing the UK says on Israel Palestine will change anything. Israel are not listening to the USA, so why think they would listen to us?

[@icravedeath.1200]

If we pull support, maybe we could influence by swaying public opinion over there.

[@seadkolasinac7220]

The USA’s supposed opposition to Israeli policies is just for show

[@astronautist4716]

Believe it or not, Israel/Palestine is not a key electoral issue for most UK citizens

[@icravedeath.1200]

@@astronautist4716 yes it is

[@astronautist4716]

@icravedeath.1200 what are you basing that on? You should have seen the turnout in our last local protest lol. Several dozen people in a city of quarter of a million. 5 police in attendance. Tell yourself whatever you want though eh

[@countingcards1208]

People who say they want change but then claim they’re not gonna vote because ‘everyone’s the same’ just come across as very lazy and surface level.

[@ocher8931]

If you’ve seen nothing change over a sustained period of time it’s quite easy to see how people get to that point. Life is very difficult for the majority of people. Hope can be the first thing to leave you.

[@Believe-you-me-]

@@ocher8931the difference between now and 14 years ago when Labour were in power should sway every voter.

[@vincerussell2849]

Voting in the system that’s in place for the majority parties is a waste of time. They are the same self serving sociopaths with different coloured ties.

[@stephenmurray8559]

​@@Believe-you-me-Aye to not vote Labour lol.

[@MackerelCat]

It’s called despair.

[@ilyasVa]

I haven’t voted since Blair took us to war. This time I’m voting for an independent candidate who’s standing for the first time ever in Leicester South ✌🏼❤️ Update I didn’t bother voting

[@yashsingh5563]

Blair took us into 3 foreign wars-- Iraq, Sierra Leone and Kosovo

[@MrShikaga]

@@yashsingh5563 you forgot Afghanistan

[@ilyasVa]

@@yashsingh5563 Afghanistan and Libya

[@HeirToTheScarletSky]

Sierra Leone and Kosovo were both successful. I don't think anyone is complaining about those.

[@MrShikaga]

I think people only care about Iraq because of how transparently immoral and illegal it was. The other conflicts were understandable. Sometimes the use of force is necessary. But in Iraq there was clearly no justification for it, and we objected and we marched and were ignored. I will never vote for Labour after that.

[@yamgurung4800]

"GURKHAS"have indeed fought for (FREE)and shed river of blood across the globe for the vested interest and expansion of the British Empire. But it is now 209 years GURKHAS are still struggling hard to find the STATUS dignity and identity and the GURKHAs are still barred from the basic voting and human rights abuses' and are still facing family separation. British government have been treating the GURKHAS as an alien 👽 and illegitimate children and now the GURKHAS are in verge of becoming "LIMBO" and" ILLUSION" in the 21st century. No justice no peace! No justice no Vote! Leveling up between pre and post July British GURKHAS! Say NO to RACISM! Support the GURKHAS!👍✌️🤞✊🙏🇬🇧🇳🇵...

[@justgeneric2876]

There’s probably a quote somewhere saying ‘the wealth of a nation is determined by its lowest people’. If a country has mass relative and absolute poverty of 10% that’s a poor nation.

[@JJ-mo8wz]

People forget the reason for “Austerity” was due to the last Labour gov leaving the country bankrupt !!! The then chancellor Mr Darling famously left a note saying “no money left” 😂😂….how quickly people forget what a Labour run gov can do. Remember the winter of discontent??

[@kevinodaly1545]

And things are much worse than then, never forget what 14 years of Tory government can do,,,

[@JJ-mo8wz]

@@kevinodaly1545​​⁠perhaps you should understand why there was 14 years of Tory rule, one of which is 14 years of ineffective opposition let alone the mere fact they’re are so few Labour govs since it all began. Harold Wilson is probably the best Labour leader we’ve had . However, each Labour give since presides over massive borrowing followed by years of Tory rule due to that fact. There is nothing you can suggest this Labour gov will be any different. Yes this country is worse now than then that mainly due to the influx of millions of people who don’t have any allegiance to this country leading to our streets becoming another version of Afghanistan. The same has happened to the USA. Our countries universities bankrupt due to Labour making spaces available to all instead of having a clear academic background. Same with the nhs, millions from the Middle East claiming healthcare , pensions , welfare , benefits when not paying in one penny . A European court telling England what they can & can’t do .

[@AgnesHOWL]

Voted green all my life. Now I’m considering Lib Dem in hopes that we can hold this so-called Labour Party to account.

[@beejamjam]

​@GaryS-gi9fk Labour are gonna win, it's more a question of who's leading the opposition

[@chrysalis4126]

I'll vote Labour to keep Reform out in my area even though they seem like tory lite now.

[@nihilistlivesmatter]

@@chrysalis4126 I'm voting reform to keep Labour out

[@superhumantrueman]

@@nihilistlivesmatter Well, prepair yourself for disapointment then.

[@jimmyf1446]

Keep reform out... the state of this comment. Youre gromless ​@GaryS-gi9fk

[@Vasisuariy01]

Vote green ! We need to tax billionaires

[@spaghettibolognese1084]

Please can you create and Instagram account for these episodes so they can be shared. It's frustrating that these aren't posted on the guardian account. You would get a lot more spotlight if you did so.

[@KatharineOsborne]

You can easily share KZbin videos by copying the link.

[@Samuel-hd3cp]

The Guardian was so hostile to Corbyn in 2017 and 2019, but takes zero responsibility. Utterly shameful rag!

[@lizziebattory1527]

Also: "vote for us or you get another 5 years of the Tories" is not an electoral message. It's blackmail.

[@donny1960]

It's common sense. If you are content with ineptitude, great. But do not put down people at least willing to try and improve things.

[@eiranobuachail6919]

look at all these racial strangers lol

[@therealrobertbirchall]

We had hope. If Corbyn had become PM in 2017 when Labour got a huge majority of the popular vote we would be in a much bette place.

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

No, Corbyn was unelectable

[@babybaby9785]

VOTE FOR INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES, IN YOUR LOCAL AREA'S!. SAVE THE UK FROM ISRAELI MONEY AND CORRUPTION, KEEP THE TORIES OUT! KEEP LABOUR OUT OUT OUT!!!!..

[@The_Hero_Is_Back]

You've been on the road for years, I've been reading your columns and watching these videos for years and it never seems to get better. Hopefully it will if the Labour govt gets a massive landslide but I wouldn't put money on it.

[@robertwatts7812]

First election when there's a choice for a better more representative party .Vote Reform

[@ronanhaughey1196]

Private School VAT is such a corner case, its ridiculous how much air time and conversation it gets. Its 7% of the total school-age population. I understand the woman's point, but broadly speaking, if you can afford private school you can afford VAT. Yes, its not a catch all, but again such a corner case.

[@vatsmith8759]

No, it's not the money it's the attitude - 'if I can't have something neither should anyone else'. What crazy government would want to make it harder for parents to pay extra for their children's education thus saving taxpayers'money?

[@andybrice2711]

Err, 7% of school pupils is a lot of people.

[@stephenmurray8559]

If someone can afford something nice then I have the right to steal more of their money?? Is that your logic?

[@vatsmith8759]

@@stephenmurray8559 That's exactly socialism!

[@ianjefferies6573]

When you work 6 days a week (run two businesses and do a parttime job) to pay for a home and a better education for your children and Labour come along and say "I want more tax from you, how dare you spend money on your children's education".... you know they are your enemy.

[@gazunkafonegazunkafone3492]

Has anyone noticed, all the labour areas aren’t great? And poverty striken? Vote reform. Otherwise things will stay the same

[@tobiastrier]

Part of Britain’s problem isn’t the tories or the politicians or the system, it’s apathetic voters.

[@kidscrocs]

Haha. Are you serious???

[@tobiastrier]

@@kidscrocshave you seen the clip? Also, 33 % not voting.