Have They Got Their Priorities Right?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/andy-burnham/11663377/Andy-Burnham-is-booed-by-trade-union-delegates-over-welfare-cuts.html

Strange this it would appear that knowing the price of petrol and the cost of a TV licence puts one in good stead for the position of the leader of the Labour Party, but agreeing that there should be a cap on benefits is a complete no, no.

[Old_Geezer]

Knowing what working people have to face in real life is something any leader should have a good idea of.

It looks as if he was booed, not for suggesting benefits shouldn't be properly managed, or cut in places, but because he refused to state whether he backed the Tory benefit cap plan. It would be ridiculous for a potential leader of the Labour opposition to be seen as a Tory supporter. I don't think you are making a reasonable point.

[Peter Pedant]

// but agreeing that there should be a cap on benefits is a complete no, no. //

I dont think he was booed for agreeing ... to anything

[dave50]

So trade union leaders think it's ok for those on benefits to have a higher income than those in work? I thought they were all for fairness?

[whiskeryron]

I do not know the answer to this question but what I do know is that unfortunately there is now a trend in some sections of our society where benefits has become a way of life. Surely a fair method is to find work for claimants & after two offers of jobs if they refuse then the benefit should be suspended. I know that this will sound harsh to some but some drastic measure has to be found to cut the benefit costs.

[tamborine]

Proves labour voters are not working class but are benefit claimants

[ToraToraTora]

The unions live on another planet always have. They make no connection between weatlth creation and disposal, they think a living is a devine right and that includes a free living, paid for by taxpayers. Tough for any potential Labour leader, he does get some sympathy from me. If Labour could extracate themselves from their errant siamese twin they'd have more appeal to the electorate. To any of the candidates I'd say there is no point in trying to talk any kind of sense to the unions.

[anotheoldgit]

dave50

/// So trade union leaders think it's ok for those on benefits to have a higher income than those in work? I thought they were all for fairness? ///

Or that they were for the 'working man' not the 'stop at home man'.