Like grammar schools you mean.

We have now sunk to a depth at which the restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men. [Orwell]

I'm not sure what you've found unclear in the stance of "the left". At no point have I complained personally about the deficit itself, but actually about using the deficit as an excuse for ideological cuts and targeting cuts on those least able to cope and those least likely to vote Tory. The deficit will actually get worse, and has done, as a result of the austerity we've seen for the last 7 years.

I've previously mentioned that immigration, particularly from the EU, has resulted in net economic benefits. Standards of living are much more heavily impacted by low levels of productivity, inequality and government economic policy. If you believe low wages are a problem then why not advocate an appropriate living wage set by law? Or perhaps better funded and better targeted education and training? Immigration has also done a lot more in terms of filling skills gaps and shortages than increasing a huge oversupply of labour. Why is it some sort of universal truth that an immigrant would work for less than a native person? Their living costs would be the same if not more as they are less able to live with family and more likely to have dependants.

Housing issues have been ignored by successive governments. It's no preserve of the left. What floodgates are these that Blair and Brown opened? We've been a member of the EU since Heath. Transitional arrangement for new members could only ever be transitional!

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At what point has anyone advocated that?

Given I have some understanding of Economics I actually don't know that. The fundamental misunderstanding you make is that a government like that of the UK can spend money "we don't have". We're not Greece, nor could we become them. We have as much money as we want as we control our own monetary policy.

Not quite, as grammar schools intake were based on academic success, not potential. In order to truly take advantage of the prospects of grammar schools you need to ensure that everyone has access to a suitable education to qualify and deal with the issues that plague inner city schools.

You actually have to engage with the issues within poor and impoverished areas, that impact childrens education - Including school programs in low attainment schools aimed at getting 'the best out of the average' as well.

The problem of grammar schools was the high funding of the grammar schools and the relative abandoning of the comprehensives / secondary modern. Both have to have a very active focus and means of achievement of opportunity.

The average kids need skills, jobs and life chances too.

Its not just about excellence, it has to be about producing functional adults out of broken areas.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
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A bit selective isn't it?

There is an issue with the demise from coal mining and other industry but times change. People have to adapt. Either themselves or their children.

Adapting without opportunity

So "anti-establishment" he's parachuting his son into a safe Labour seat. Lol.

So what is the deficit?

More importantly, it is not realistic to throw money at an ever increasing problem involving a highly inefficient organisation.
The use of temporary emergency staff for example must be addressed.
You can argue about what percentage of GDP we can spend but ultimately tax or NI would have to rise. That would be acceptable if demand for health care did not continually increase. With current rates of population increase and life expectancy that is not happening any time in the coming century.