Chris Salt

Manchester-based documentary/drama producer-director, writer, trainer, mentor, Man U fan

[Edwin Hayward @edwinhayward]

It is absolutely ridiculous to throw out the slur that Labour want to keep children in poverty simply because they didn't lift the 2-child benefit cap within their first 18 days in office after 5,174 days in opposition.

One does not imply the other - that's a lazy, lazy argument.

Look at the full context:

1. This was a vote on the Kings Speech, the first and most high profile vote since Labour took office (and for a long time to come). A rebellion was obviously therefore going to be deeply embarrassing - and the rebels were absolutely aware of that.

2. Labour ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility. This was clear as daylight to every Labour candidate. It's not some wild swerve foisted on them after the election was won.

3. Labour are working at speed to produce a full picture of the economic situation the Tories left us in. That should be published before the summer recess. Things may look different within days. (For better or worse? We'll have to await the report.)

4. Labour have said they are reviewing concrete action to alleviate child poverty. Are the rebels claiming they're lying?

5. Senior Labour figures have indicated the 2-child benefit cap is potentially part of the wider review.

6. This was an SNP amendment. Supporting it was pure performative politics. It was never going to pass in a trillion years.

7. To come back to where we started, not voting for the amendment is not the same as seeking to keep children in poverty, wanting to keep children in poverty, planning to keep children in poverty, delighting in keeping children in poverty, or whatever other emotional framing lazy people choose to resort to instead of making a logical analytical argument.

A painful related truth: the hard Left of the party has a problem. They need to stay visible to stay relevant. It's like sharks have to keep swimming or they die. (That's a metaphor. It doesn't mean I think they're sharks. Sigh.) They therefore thrive on outrage farming just as much as those on the other extreme of politics, even though their actual political views are poles apart. One way to increase that visibility very quickly is to pick opportunities to have highly visible fights with the core party and the leadership.

That's what happened last night. Nothing more. Nothing less. No nefarious plot to keep children in poverty (or "starving" as the even more emotionally manipulative put it).

Starmer had two choices:
1) Let the rebellion go
2) Take strict action

1) would have given every group and faction within Labour the green light to start creating their own version of the ERG, Common Sense Group, or whatever they wanted to call themselves. Soon, the party would be as riven as the Tories were. Imagine herding those cats for the next 5 years!

Instead, by doing 2), Starmer called the bluff of people who knew exactly what they were doing.

Did Starmer's action indicate Labour won't lift the cap? No. It told us nothing of the sort.

Did Starmer's action indicate Labour are fine with child poverty? No. It told us nothing of the sort.

If in a few months - around the Autumn statement or shortly thereafter - Labour are still grinding their gears on child poverty without any progress, then you have the right to be aggrieved.

But 18 days into their term of office, and after all the clear signals they're trying to do the right thing as swiftly as prudence allows? Get over yourself.

[Chris Salt @csaltesq]

‘I’m sick of it!’ The diabolical reality of being one of the few working-class people in TV https://t.co/Gy42XG0y7B

[James O'Brien @mrjamesob]

Jesus.
But also:
of course!

[Jess Phillips @jessphillips]

Today I have written to the Prime Minister about the conduct of one of his members of parliament, ex-PM Liz Truss.

[Lucy Dearlove @dearlucy]

Breaking my inadvertent hiatus here to say that I'm so excited and mildly nervous to be talking briefly about something Interesting at Interesting24!
It's at Conway Hall on 15th May and you should get a ticket if you want to come https://t.co/USaFAzSMFH

[Mishal Husain @MishalHusain]

👀 It’s happening.. pre-orders available from the usual places including 🔽

https://t.co/9wJZXGo4KZ

https://t.co/V2B0Ns3rHT

https://t.co/oTXK6psULh

[@karenhenthornacting @karenhenthorna1]

What an incredible opportunity!
👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👇👍

[Unite Hospitality @FairHospitality]

🚨BREAKING 🚨

@BrewDog have written to their workers telling them that they will no longer be paid the *real* living wage from April with the rate being removed for new starts with immediate effect.

We wonder whether this will feature in the new film about the company?

[Chetham's Library @chethamslibrary]

The best job in rare books is here at Chetham's Library! 📚 If you've got what it takes to run the Library and its designated collection of #RareBooks and MSS, apply now.

👉https://t.co/U4rZ81wS34

#Jobs #JobAlert #AcademicJobs #Academia

[Chris Salt @csaltesq]

Welcome to chaos: Manchester United pay for their startling incompetence https://t.co/tAPLu45CPB

[Chris Salt @csaltesq]

28 November 1919
American-born Lady Nancy Astor elected as the first female member of the House of Commons.

[Chetham's Library @chethamslibrary]

Today is the birthday of philosopher Friedrich Engels and this is the reading room where he and Karl Marx worked together in 1845 👇 The desk and alcove you can see on the right remain unaltered and the books which the men studied are still cared for here at Chetham's Library.

[Sophy Ridge @SophyRidgeSky]

Number of people David Cameron’s Coalition Gvt took out of paying income tax: 3.2m (Treasury, 2015)

Number of people the current Gvt brought back into paying income tax: 4 million (OBR, today)

🙃

Via @Morkins

[Chris Salt @csaltesq]

https://t.co/lmVmBXWcFJ

[Chris Salt @csaltesq]

Phrases like ‘wheelchair-bound’ in @BBCnews this lunchtime are disrespectful and ultimately discriminatory. Please educate your editors

[Law Discoveries Authority @LawDiscoveries]

The recent revelations from ex No10 Comms Director Lee Cain about the government's initial stance on Marcus Rashford's campaign for free school meals underscore a broader issue about representation and understanding in governance. When decisions are made, especially those that impact the most vulnerable sections of society, it's essential that they are informed by a diverse range of experiences and perspectives.

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) recognizes the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living, which includes adequate food. The UK, having ratified the ICESCR, has an obligation to ensure that its domestic policies align with these international commitments. Furthermore, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child emphasizes the right of children to benefit from social security and to a standard of living that supports their overall development.

The observation that no member of the cabinet at the time had ever received free school meals is telling. It highlights the importance of having diverse representation in decision-making bodies. Such diversity ensures that policies are not just informed by data but also by empathy and a genuine understanding of the challenges faced by different sections of society.

Moreover, while governments have the discretion to allocate public funds, it's crucial that these decisions prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. Providing free school meals can be seen not just as a welfare measure but also as an investment in the future of the country. After all, well-nourished children are better equipped to learn, grow, and contribute to society.

Lastly, public trust is a cornerstone of effective governance. Decisions that appear to lack empathy or understanding can erode this trust. As such, it's essential for public officials to approach policy decisions with both an analytical and empathetic mindset.

For those interested in understanding the legal implications and the rights of children in such contexts, @LawDiscoveries offers deeper insights into these matters.

[Celia Richardson @CeliaRichards0n]

The flooding pictures are coming in from our property teams. It’s extraordinary that critics say the National Trust shouldn’t campaign on climate change and we should stick to our ‘true purpose’. Caring for places like this is what we do; fire and floods destroy them.

[Omid Djalili @omid9]

BREAKING: Hundreds of American Jews are holding a sit-in at Congress and they won’t leave until Congress calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

As thousands protest outside over 500 are inside, including two dozen rabbis, holding prayerful resistance.

They’re saying “not in our names, and never again. And we’ll continue our civil disobedience until Congress calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Ceasefire is the first step to stop the ongoing genocide and over 2M Palestinians in beseiged Gaza, unable to leave…

We have the power to stop this violence…

We stand for justice and dignity for all people. The only way to ensure that for Palestinians is to demand a ceasefire now! END THE GENOCIDE ON GAZA.”

Power to these people 👊🏼

[Edgeways Productions @edgewaysarts]

Hear from @cooper_ned about why he's excited to be playing Lyle in 'fell'🙌

Still chances to catch it this weekend @HighlightsRural and next week @AlnPlayhouse & @arcolatheatre!👀

Book Here: https://t.co/syK2eTNofa