Nobody is "getting at" anniebach or anyone else. Disagreeing with what someone says is not getting at them - it is simply refuting some of the unsubstantiated, and sometimes quite nasty or sarcastic, ways in which views are expressed.
It is hardly surprising that someone who professes to be a loyal member of the Labour Party - who on every political thread attacks and undermines Labour while praising Conservative MPs and policies - will come up against opposing views. If someone who described themselves as a loyal Conservative Party member continually started threads and made comments attacking the Conservative Party, I think pro-Conservative supporters would question the motivation and aims of that person.
It seems to me that anti-Labour Gransnetters like to imply in their asides, e.g. ( "dons helmet and runs for cover"), that they are nervous of expressing their views because the "lefties", "commies" "Corbynites" etc, etc, will intimidate them. It appears to me that it is much easier to use this "I'm being picked on" avoidance technique than actually debate the issues or provide further information to support opinions given.
It's amazing that the so-called Winter of Discontent is still wheeled out (by a loyal Labour supporter) as a reason why people should not vote Labour, or at least a Labour Party that has any dealings with unions (unions are apparently only acceptable if they have no power whatsoever.) It would appear that to some it is far more acceptable for a political party to be bankrolled by hedge fund managers, CEOs and extremely wealthy individuals than ordinary people.
The problems that arose between 1974 and 1979 were not due to ineffective or profligate governance. 1973 was the start of the oil crisis. In that year oil prices rose 400%. In 1979 they again rose, this time by 100%. Can you imagine the impact that would have on the economy today?! The period 1974-1979 was therefore one of high inflation and declining living standards. In 1975 inflation was running at 27%. Government policy was to keep pay increases to 5% so it is unsurprising that this was a time of great political turbulence and union involvement.
As for the view that British Rail was dirtier and less efficient that the current collection of private rail companies, it seems inevitable to me that standards then would have been lower because travel generally has improved greatly over time. I can remember travelling on Corona coaches when I was young. They shook, rattled and rolled along, puffing out exhaust fumes, while inside passengers sat in cramped, uncomfortable seats and breathed in smoke and petrol fumes. Coaches today are smooth, comfortable, air-conditioned, with large windows and curtains, and often toilets.
There seem to be quite a few Bank Holidays in Spring - what we need is a Bank Holiday between September and Christmas - any ideas anyone?
