Why do you support Labour?

Governments make decisions about budgets all the time ronib. They are not obliged to inform the public specifically which budget line this funding will go into. However, given the huge issues inherited regarding the state of the education system, it’s is safe to assume it will offset other education costs. You do seem to be baffled at the strangest inconsequential details when you must know the answers.

Latin is the least of our worries.

The country is in an appalling state.

It does seem to be -
but we still had a lovely sunny / misty morning here, everyone seems busy & in the park the dogs are all still wagging their tails!

I made my comment because I sometimes think that many Gnettter's experience of education has been via private schooling.
I think most Grammar and High schools routinely taught Latin and Greek in the 1950s and 60s when many Gransnettters were at school.

Yes, my grammar school taught Latin but up to O level it was only as an alternative to a second foreign language (in addition to French).

Mumsnet has a reasonable thread on this subject….

ronib

Mumsnet has a reasonable thread on this subject….

Delighted to hear that, ronib. Perhaps you could go and join it?

Too old dear MaizieD but it’s always good to see what the younger folk think … we’re in danger of being left behind here.

Barleyfields

Thanks Casdon. I hope they are able to do that rather than give pupils of independent schools an advantage in whatever circumstances Latin may still be required in order to study for some degrees, as was my experience many years ago.

I don't know of any degree where school-level Latin is still required. I did Latin O level in 1971 because it was clear that I was good at foreign languages and would possibly want to study for a languages degree. At the time, most of the prestigious universities required Latin to study foreign languages. However, that requirement was dropped in the year I applied for university and I can't really say that my knowledge of Latin has ever been very useful.

University degrees which require some knowledge of Latin (eg ancient history, law, medicine) could easily provide short course in the first year covering the essential subject-specific language.

GrannyGravy13

NotSpaghetti it was you that brought up tax, I was responding.

It is nobody’s business who I vote for.

It was a genuine question as the thread was about why people vote Labour.

Yes. I would like to see higher taxation.

I would love to see lower spending by government. The money going to Ukraine for the next 100 years is obscene.

I’d prefer dull and constructive too Oreo!

What higher taxation would you like to see NotSpaghetti? How much more would you be willing to pay?

I’d like to see higher spend by govt - on all the services left in despair by the previous govt. id pay more tax and I’d like to see the energy companies pay more from obscene profits

As Aneurin Bevan said.....Vote for the poor and needy. The rich and greedy have always been able to look after themselves.

Barleyfields

What higher taxation would you like to see NotSpaghetti? How much more would you be willing to pay?

Income tax (which I think could be on a formula according to average income), Second homes, unearned wealth, alcohol, tobacco, petrol, flights, land and council tax reform... I'm open to suggestions. I'd be happy to see more money raised through inheritance tax. I am wary of VAT as I think that would affect the poorest most..

I don't think I'm really the person to ask about taxes to be honest. Obviously someone with expert knowledge of taxation and the relationship between taxes would be better placed - I am clearly not an expert here - but basically I'm happy to contribute to the UK pot.
I was grateful to have help with my rent years ago for a period when our rent was high and our income wasn't - so am happy to pay in so that as a group we can help others out.

What do you want me to say about how much more would I be happy to pay, Barleyfields? If we can still live a reasonable life I'm happy.
I'd like everyone to live a reasonable life though.

I hate the notion that those of us who have been fortunate enough to buy a house and have a pension are the ones that have "earned it" and "worked hard". I have worked with people who have "worked hard" for longer than me (two or three jobs) and were barely holding body and soul together. This is plainly unfair.

Ronib - this is copied directly from the Cambridge website re the study of Classics. I can't say every universityis a welcoming as Cambridge but who knows! - I have cut some questions out etc (so it doesn't go on for ages) but it's in the FAQ section. There's also a comment on special cases and other situations which i can't now find - but think someone who wanted to study Classics at Cambridge would probablyhave taken more notice of! .

Can I study Classics if I have never studied Latin and Greek before?
Absolutely! You can do our 4-year degree. The course is designed to ensure that you will have all the same opportunities as those taking the 3-year course.

I haven't studied either Latin or Greek: how do I know that I'll be good at them?
You might well have enjoyed a modern language like French or Spanish at school. But if you haven't had the chance to study any languages, or if you are still uncertain, you can always sign up for one of our open days, including a free annual taster day specially for students in your situation.

Requirements
Classics (3-year)
Greek or Latin at A level (or equivalent) is an essential requirement for the Classics (3-year) course. Almost everyone who takes the three-year course has Latin A level, but this is not an absolute requirement (see question 8).

Classics (4-year)
While GCSE Latin or Greek or A level Classical Civilisation are useful, no specific subjects are required for the Classics (4-year) course. See question 9.

Iam64

I’d like to see higher spend by govt - on all the services left in despair by the previous govt. id pay more tax and I’d like to see the energy companies pay more from obscene profits

Yes.

I prefer to vote for a party that isn't obsessed with private schooling, because there is a whole lot more to life than that.

I'm hoping (still) that slowly, slowly, everyone will be treated as of equal worth, whether they are old money,new money, or no money.

It's how society should work, as far as I'm concerned, but then never having learnt Latin, I doubt what concerns me is of any interest.

NotSpaghetti 48 percent acceptance rate for Classics at Cambridge and the entry requirement is two A stars and one A at A level. Not exactly an open door course is it?
The point is that pupils who were working towards GCSE will now have funding dropped in February. Is this in preparation for a future where the government minutely controls every aspect of life? Who is in control of an individual’s choices? Not the individual.

ronib

NotSpaghetti 48 percent acceptance rate for Classics at Cambridge and the entry requirement is two A stars and one A at A level. Not exactly an open door course is it?
The point is that pupils who were working towards GCSE will now have funding dropped in February. Is this in preparation for a future where the government minutely controls every aspect of life? Who is in control of an individual’s choices? Not the individual.

Well, when I was at the gym a few years ago I spoke to a guy whose Art teacher wife was losing her job because the Conservative government were cutting back funding on subjects like that.

Yes, and cuts to Arts and Humanities are far wider-reaching than stopping funding Latin. It is vital that all sections of society have a voice in how we absorb our culture. If only those who go to particular schools can get into the few universities still teaching those subjects we will all suffer, as only their world view will be represented.

Music has suffered too. When I was an LA inspector during the Blair years, we had an amazing peripatetic music service with projects that included the loaning of instruments and teaching by specialists to entire year groups of primary age children; many of them in areas of deprivation.
All lost by cuts to budgets by Conservative governments.

Labour isn't Labour any more. My father, passionate Labour supporter would say he wished he had not bothered. Other lot no better.

Allsorts

Labour isn't Labour any more. My father, passionate Labour supporter would say he wished he had not bothered. Other lot no better.

Totally ! They are awful. What a shame because in the past it really was a party that seemed to want to help working people. Not much better here, though, I have to admit but not quite so removed from its roots.