politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » LAB in lead for first time since last May as the Tories pay
Comments
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CongratulationsLucian_Fletcher said:Oh dear. Osborne made me leave the Tory party in 2012 and he's now given Labour supporters who actually care about elections their first happy time in yonks. Shame that they don't have a team who could capitalise on that. Real shame.
Second boy arrived yesterday, by the way. Home and well so all good!
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Seriously who BOTHERS with Question Time?SeanT said:
I had to turn it off, as it was so inane, tedious, irritating, and juvenile. I've never had to do that before. I've often ignored it - in the background. But this drove me to the OFF button.SouthamObserver said:
The whole thing. Shit panellists, thick audience and a moderator who is all over the place.AndyJS said:
It does make one despair over British political discourse. And it makes the US Republican presidential debates look positively Socratic. Depressing.
It's been awful for years, with the drones in the audience leading a moronic clapping of virtually *every* single point made by anyone, no matter how retarded, inarticulate or plain stupid it is.
Life's too short.0 -
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She's certainly someone who stuck two fingers up to her own voters.Alanbrooke said:Angie's problems continue. CSU saying they have real issues with the Chancellors policies. Fortunately her socialist partners are being"helpful" by saying she's in team SPD. That should cheer up the right wingers.
http://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/fluechtlingskrise/verkehrsminister-dobrindt-zwischen-csu-und-cdu-ist-eine-ernste-situation-eingetreten-14131979.html0 -
I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.0
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Tories lose 2 out of their 3 council defences (third one counting this morning).
Liberal Democrat GAIN Aylsham (Broadland) from Conservative.
Aylsham (Broadland) result:
LDEM: 48.0% (+17.1)
CON: 37.9% (+5.5)
LAB: 14.1% (-8.0)
Lincolnshire Independent GAIN Ashby de la Launde & Cranwell (North Kesteven) from Conservative.
Ashby de la Launde (N. Kesteven) result:
L-IND: 55.6% (+55.6)
CON: 36.0% (-31.2)
LDEM: 8.4% (+8.4)0 -
Actually I think that Geoerge is right to see economic stormclouds gathering. The China slowdown is looking increasingly serious. Pity he has done sod all about it.Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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It's not looking good for Osborne today, is it? The Tory nightmare now is that Labour comes to its senses and chooses a vaguely credible leader. If they can lead polls with Corbyn in charge, the opportunities should they have a leader who has even a vague hint of credibility are pretty significant. Luckily for the Tories, Labour is very unlikely to understand this - or to care that much.0
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This is the sort of socially inept freak we have governing us. We should sneer at people like Osborne treat him with contempt. Unbelievably there are people, this site is a perfect example, who still hold politicians in some esteem simply because they wear the right colour rosette.Danny565 said:I can only assume Osborne is on a mission to make Ed Miliband look normal and socially-competent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FvCUbaf9z8&feature=youtu.be
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Ignoring the one distorted by a local independent, I think the Tories would be quite happy with a national GE vote share change in 2020 of Con +5.5, Lab -8! (Edit: and, yes, even with LD +17.1)logical_song said:Tories lose 2 out of their 3 council defences (third one counting this morning).
Liberal Democrat GAIN Aylsham (Broadland) from Conservative.
Aylsham (Broadland) result:
LDEM: 48.0% (+17.1)
CON: 37.9% (+5.5)
LAB: 14.1% (-8.0)
Lincolnshire Independent GAIN Ashby de la Launde & Cranwell (North Kesteven) from Conservative.
Ashby de la Launde (N. Kesteven) result:
L-IND: 55.6% (+55.6)
CON: 36.0% (-31.2)
LDEM: 8.4% (+8.4)0 -
He has been far too interested in positioning himself to take over from Cameron. Osborne has missed Ed Balls badly this last year. Not having an opposition has hurt him more than any other cabinet minister.foxinsoxuk said:
Actually I think that Geoerge is right to see economic stormclouds gathering. The China slowdown is looking increasingly serious. Pity he has done sod all about it.Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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Alternatively there are people who think politicians are doing a good job because they're doing what they believe in which is why they support that colour rosette in the first place.blackburn63 said:
This is the sort of socially inept freak we have governing us. We should sneer at people like Osborne treat him with contempt. Unbelievably there are people, this site is a perfect example, who still hold politicians in some esteem simply because they wear the right colour rosette.Danny565 said:I can only assume Osborne is on a mission to make Ed Miliband look normal and socially-competent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FvCUbaf9z8&feature=youtu.be
I care more about what the Chancellor is doing for the economy and taxes than I do how awkward he is when being filmed wish schoolchildren. If you think the latter is more important then more fool you and bring back Blair.0 -
I think you are right, SO. Complacency is a terrible thing.0
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Shows how low Labour have fallen that a midterm 1 point lead is considered shocking.SouthamObserver said:It's not looking good for Osborne today, is it? The Tory nightmare now is that Labour comes to its senses and chooses a vaguely credible leader. If they can lead polls with Corbyn in charge, the opportunities should they have a leader who has even a vague hint of credibility are pretty significant. Luckily for the Tories, Labour is very unlikely to understand this - or to care that much.
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This is why the suggestion 'we'd compromise our principles for power, but not for 250 seats under Yvette' that some of the soft left supporters of Corbyn put forward was so much bunkum. If they had compromised then, they'd be favourites to win in 2020 even on a pretty leftist platform. But nobody with a brain cell or any moral sense at all is going to vote for a party led by Corbyn.SouthamObserver said:It's not looking good for Osborne today, is it? The Tory nightmare now is that Labour comes to its senses and chooses a vaguely credible leader. If they can lead polls with Corbyn in charge, the opportunities should they have a leader who has even a vague hint of credibility are pretty significant. Luckily for the Tories, Labour is very unlikely to understand this - or to care that much.
Agree with your other post too.0 -
Jesus, now Labour are trying to claim credit for the Tampon Tax. Just stop.
It's risible. I can't believe the desperation of them all.0 -
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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Ahem. As I said on an earlier thread, I hoped it was the equivalent of a stripper's thong and was put on only to be discarded with a flourish. Otherwise, they have handed Labour an open goal even Corbyn couldn't miss.TheScreamingEagles said:Bold prediction, those disability cuts are getting reversed PDQ
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It is absolutely extraordinary that a party led by Jeremy Corbyn should be in the lead in even one opinion poll. But as others have pointed out, the latest YouGov confirms a trend from other polls which has seen the gap between the two parties narrow or even close. The Tories are doing this to themselves.Philip_Thompson said:
Shows how low Labour have fallen that a midterm 1 point lead is considered shocking.SouthamObserver said:It's not looking good for Osborne today, is it? The Tory nightmare now is that Labour comes to its senses and chooses a vaguely credible leader. If they can lead polls with Corbyn in charge, the opportunities should they have a leader who has even a vague hint of credibility are pretty significant. Luckily for the Tories, Labour is very unlikely to understand this - or to care that much.
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No surprise Trump going down well and Cruz like cold sick in New York.Speedy said:http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/trackers/2016-03-18/trump-clinton-hold-large-leads-in-n-y-primary-races-poll
New York, Emerson:
Trump 64
Cruz 12
Kasich 1
Hillary 71
Sanders 23
Trump would probably gain all 95 N.Y. delegates, that will erase most of his deficit from Ohio, Utah and N.Dakota.
Goodnight.0 -
He does have opposition, it's just it's from his own backbenches.SouthamObserver said:
He has been far too interested in positioning himself to take over from Cameron. Osborne has missed Ed Balls badly this last year. Not having an opposition has hurt him more than any other cabinet minister.foxinsoxuk said:
Actually I think that Geoerge is right to see economic stormclouds gathering. The China slowdown is looking increasingly serious. Pity he has done sod all about it.Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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It could've been knitted for him
SandraM said:
Ahem. As I said on an earlier thread, I hoped it was the equivalent of a stripper's thong and was put on only to be discarded with a flourish. Otherwise, they have handed Labour an open goal even Corbyn couldn't miss.TheScreamingEagles said:Bold prediction, those disability cuts are getting reversed PDQ
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Even by Toby's standards that is a very poor effort. The idea that access to the EU free market is remotely the same as being a part of it is laughable; as is the notion that leaving the EU will make it much harder for German citizens to enter the UK.Tykejohnno said:Toby Young @toadmeister
If you're interested in the case for #Brexit, I set it out here (and consider the case for Remain, too) http://www.eu-facts.org.uk/2016/03/17/toby-young-why-ill-be-voting-leave-on-23-june/ … #bbcqt
Toby Young: Why I’ll be voting Leave on 23 June
http://www.eu-facts.org.uk/2016/03/17/toby-young-why-ill-be-voting-leave-on-23-june/
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Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.0 -
Bring back Blair? What an extraordinary thing to say, another example of tribalism.Philip_Thompson said:
Alternatively there are people who think politicians are doing a good job because they're doing what they believe in which is why they support that colour rosette in the first place.blackburn63 said:
This is the sort of socially inept freak we have governing us. We should sneer at people like Osborne treat him with contempt. Unbelievably there are people, this site is a perfect example, who still hold politicians in some esteem simply because they wear the right colour rosette.Danny565 said:I can only assume Osborne is on a mission to make Ed Miliband look normal and socially-competent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FvCUbaf9z8&feature=youtu.be
I care more about what the Chancellor is doing for the economy and taxes than I do how awkward he is when being filmed wish schoolchildren. If you think the latter is more important then more fool you and bring back Blair.
If I honestly believed that, as you opine, they're doing what they believe in I wouldn't be so critical, most of them simply follow the whip for the good of their career, it has nothing to do with principles.
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He has already missed it. If the changes are reversed it will be because of Tory backbenchers, not Jeremy Corbyn. To be fair, though, that assumes looking after the disabled is a Corbyn priority. He seems to be much more interested in getting rid of Trident.SandraM said:
Ahem. As I said on an earlier thread, I hoped it was the equivalent of a stripper's thong and was put on only to be discarded with a flourish. Otherwise, they have handed Labour an open goal even Corbyn couldn't miss.TheScreamingEagles said:Bold prediction, those disability cuts are getting reversed PDQ
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Well said, this is ultimately what will do for George - it's his U-turning at the first whiff of gunpowder every time.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.0 -
Well said sir, the pb tories who talk of Cameron as some sort of God need a reality check. This is a poll, not an election, but the fact so many prefer Corbyn to Cameron says all you need to know.SouthamObserver said:
It is absolutely extraordinary that a party led by Jeremy Corbyn should be in the lead in even one opinion poll. But as others have pointed out, the latest YouGov confirms a trend from other polls which has seen the gap between the two parties narrow or even close. The Tories are doing this to themselves.Philip_Thompson said:
Shows how low Labour have fallen that a midterm 1 point lead is considered shocking.SouthamObserver said:It's not looking good for Osborne today, is it? The Tory nightmare now is that Labour comes to its senses and chooses a vaguely credible leader. If they can lead polls with Corbyn in charge, the opportunities should they have a leader who has even a vague hint of credibility are pretty significant. Luckily for the Tories, Labour is very unlikely to understand this - or to care that much.
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The problem is not him. The problem is a small majority and some pathetic back benchers who will not give the measures consistent support. If he doesn't have the votes he doesn't have the votes and that, once again, seems to be where we are.Pulpstar said:
Well said, this is ultimately what will do for George - it's his U-turning at the first whiff of gunpowder every time.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.0 -
I don't think Cameron cares. Nothing won't be sacrificed to win this.Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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One would have to be some sort of europhile idiot to even attempt it... oh wait!Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
The only thing that prevents me having no sympathy at all is Corbyn, on balance I would prefer him not to run the country, but otherwise Camborne's persistent attempts to stiff their party and the public means they deserve what they get.0 -
He's not 'stiffing' the majority of the public.Indigo said:
One would have to be some sort of europhile idiot to even attempt it... oh wait!Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
The only thing that prevents me having no sympathy at all is Corbyn, on balance I would prefer him not to run the country, but otherwise Camborne's persistent attempts to stiff their party and the public means they deserve what they get.0 -
Very well said, David. I agree entirely.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.0 -
On the subject of Apple v. FBI the FBI seem to have managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory by getting the public all riled up about snooping, shame people in the UK are more gullable
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/16/internet-security-fbi-apple-encryption-privacy
For people like Navabi who bang on about "armchair experts" commenting on security issues while simultaneously having no idea what he is talking about, and no idea of the skills and experience of his correspondents, these people should perhaps give him pause for thought.But the intelligence community also seems to be on the side of better internet security. Defense secretary Ashton Carter made unusually forceful remarks about the importance of encryption in his recent visit to Silicon Valley and came out against any legislation that would weaken or ban it. “Several key NSA officials” also reportedly disagree with the FBI’s move to force Apple’s hand.
So the DoD, the NSA, various counterterrorism units and most of the federal government think it's a daft idea, seems to be only the FBI and Cameron/May that haven't got the memo. It has also spurred most of the tech companies into adding more encryption to their products. I was offered a job at Cheltenham a decade ago, I didn't take it, how can I put this, they pay rather less than their private sector equivalents, guess who most of the best people work for.
And Richard Clarke, counter-terrorism czar under Clinton and Bush, had a harsh message for the FBI in an NPR interview this week, claiming that the FBI and justice department are alone in this fight, and that virtually all other federal agencies recognize that the benefits encryption provide to cybersecurity far outweigh its potential drawbacks.0 -
To me it looks the optimum result.Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
:-)0 -
I'm no fan of Osborne, but to be fair to him ... nope, can't think of anything.
Don't panic Tories, this is all part of the cunning plan to keep Jezza in place. And it's working.0 -
That is a little presumptuous, I think we will find that out in due course. Besides even the majority of lukewarm Remainers can recognise bullshit when they see it.... and lies.logical_song said:
He's not 'stiffing' the majority of the public.Indigo said:
One would have to be some sort of europhile idiot to even attempt it... oh wait!Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
The only thing that prevents me having no sympathy at all is Corbyn, on balance I would prefer him not to run the country, but otherwise Camborne's persistent attempts to stiff their party and the public means they deserve what they get.0 -
http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/1996630-marco-rubio-i-look-forward-to-life-as-a-private-citizen/
Marco Rubio to quit politics.0 -
The problem is that Tory backbenchers know that Osborne will cave in.DavidL said:
The problem is not him. The problem is a small majority and some pathetic back benchers who will not give the measures consistent support. If he doesn't have the votes he doesn't have the votes and that, once again, seems to be where we are.Pulpstar said:
Well said, this is ultimately what will do for George - it's his U-turning at the first whiff of gunpowder every time.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
If the deficit is such an issue, why cut CGT right now?
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He would be if the majority of the public had the intelligence to be Thatcherites. Or have I misunderstood something, someone or somewhere?logical_song said:
He's not 'stiffing' the majority of the public.Indigo said:
One would have to be some sort of europhile idiot to even attempt it... oh wait!Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
The only thing that prevents me having no sympathy at all is Corbyn, on balance I would prefer him not to run the country, but otherwise Camborne's persistent attempts to stiff their party and the public means they deserve what they get.
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I don't think anyone would involve the Quee...Casino_Royale said:
I don't think Cameron cares. Nothing won't be sacrificed to win this.Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
Oh wait.0 -
When Yes Minister is less ridiculous
https://youtu.be/YpipqJNFDOQ0 -
GB is heading for its nightmare scenario..Out of Europe and headed by Corbyn and his crew...good place not to be..0
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Good post: nous sommes @AlanbrookeDavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
We wondered if Coalition Cam was being held back by the LibDems and hence was unable to show himself a Tory red in tooth and claw: was it an iron or blancmange fist inside the velvet glove? As PM with a Cons majority I am not 100% sure it's not blancmange (he is saved, for me, by his eu ref activity).
And now with GO: one administration spent making u-turns at the slightest whiff of controversy may be regarded as misfortune, to spend two administrations doing the same thing looks like carelessness.
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Yup, there's enough of us just on here very unhappy with Cameron's tactics.
Hopefully the worst is over, but I doubt it. It gives me no pleasure at all. I'm supporting my Party despite him, not because of him.
The Budget was Meh, bar the business tax reductions.Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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The problem is conviction politics is so passe at the moment, wishy washy centrist metro liberals with no firm views on anything are the preferred lobby fodder. We get the government we deserve if we keep selecting/electing unprincipled PR people to be MPs and ministers we can't that surprised if they don't really care that much about fixing difficult problem if they get in the way of a fast climb up the grease pole.DavidL said:Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
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Because we need growth and we need to encourage small businesses to buy, sell and invest in assets that might attract CGT as well as realise assets they are sitting on that others might use more productively. We also need to encourage investment. There is a lot of cash sitting about in our companies doing very little at the moment.SouthamObserver said:
The problem is that Tory backbenchers know that Osborne will cave in.DavidL said:
The problem is not him. The problem is a small majority and some pathetic back benchers who will not give the measures consistent support. If he doesn't have the votes he doesn't have the votes and that, once again, seems to be where we are.Pulpstar said:
Well said, this is ultimately what will do for George - it's his U-turning at the first whiff of gunpowder every time.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
If the deficit is such an issue, why cut CGT right now?
Our economy is stuttering thanks to the international situation and it is likely to get more difficult as this year develops. With severe pressure on public finances the government must do what it can to create a more entrepreneurial environment. Whether this was the best use of the limited shot available time will tell but its possible.
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Wouldn't surprise meInnocent_Abroad said:
He would be if the majority of the public had the intelligence to be Thatcherites. Or have I misunderstood something, someone or somewhere?logical_song said:
He's not 'stiffing' the majority of the public.Indigo said:
One would have to be some sort of europhile idiot to even attempt it... oh wait!Sean_F said:
Eking a victory in the Referendum would be cold comfort if the Conservative Party was left as a heap of smoking rubble.Casino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
The only thing that prevents me having no sympathy at all is Corbyn, on balance I would prefer him not to run the country, but otherwise Camborne's persistent attempts to stiff their party and the public means they deserve what they get.
0 -
DavidL said:
So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
So what you are saying is that Gordon Brown really screwed the country.
0 -
So it's fair to say that if they EU promises disintegrate at the first test (wrecked by EU Parliament, shredded by the ECJ, or just turn out not to be quite a legally binding as we were led to believe) you are not going to be a happy bunny ? I certainly wouldn't be so ungentlemanly as to say "told you so", but others might not have my scruplesTOPPING said:As PM with a Cons majority I am not 100% sure it's not blancmange (he is saved, for me, by his eu ref activity).
0 -
Always something to cheer us up
Gordon Brown to make 'major intervention' in EU referendum in bid to stop Brexit - https://t.co/Wv1frIhMR2 https://t.co/tthygHPsASMarkHopkins said:DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
So what you are saying is that Gordon Brown really screwed the country.0 -
Curiously, the Lib Dems on the whole gave more consistent support than the awkward squad so the Coalition with a much larger majority was able to provide more stable government than the Tories are managing on their own.TOPPING said:
Good post: nous sommes @AlanbrookeDavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
We wondered if Coalition Cam was being held back by the LibDems and hence was unable to show himself a Tory red in tooth and claw: was it an iron or blancmange fist inside the velvet glove? As PM with a Cons majority I am not 100% sure it's not blancmange (he is saved, for me, by his eu ref activity).
And now with GO: one administration spent making u-turns at the slightest whiff of controversy may be regarded as misfortune, to spend two administrations doing the same thing looks like carelessness.
Small majority government is difficult. I remember Callaghan's government surviving from day to day and it was chaotic. A united Tory party could get on with things but they are not united and only partly because of Europe although that is the major factor.0 -
My horses for the day , hopefully better day than yesterday.
1:30 Zubayr
2:10 Blue Hell
2:50 Barters Hill
3:30 Don Cossack
4:10 Paint the Clouds
4:50 Qualando
5:30 Rock the World
I will start with Patent on Zubayr , Blue Hell and Don Cossack.0 -
Tampon Tax: A simple measure that should have been a tick-box change for the UK Chancellor...
... requires the agreement of the whole EU (which we only got given the current referendum).
How does this possibly make the EU look good?
0 -
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.0 -
It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.0
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Oh yes. Big time.MarkHopkins said:DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
So what you are saying is that Gordon Brown really screwed the country.0 -
Noone should believe the actual polling figures, the only thing to note is the direction of travel. Ever since the pollsters screwed up at GE 2015 multiple fixes have been taking place and no one knows if those fixes are the right ones.0
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There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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Just like JC - getting others to do your dirty work for you, eh?Indigo said:
So it's fair to say that if they EU promises disintegrate at the first test (wrecked by EU Parliament, shredded by the ECJ, or just turn out not to be quite a legally binding as we were led to believe) you are not going to be a happy bunny ? I certainly wouldn't be so ungentlemanly as to say "told you so", but others might not have my scruplesTOPPING said:As PM with a Cons majority I am not 100% sure it's not blancmange (he is saved, for me, by his eu ref activity).
0 -
That's it then. Remain are doomed!Plato_Says said:Always something to cheer us up
Gordon Brown to make 'major intervention' in EU referendum in bid to stop Brexit - https://t.co/Wv1frIhMR2 https://t.co/tthygHPsASMarkHopkins said:DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
So what you are saying is that Gordon Brown really screwed the country.
0 -
It probably won't even require a set-piece repudiation of the 'deal' by the EU. The EU will simply table a series of centralising proposals on various areas which the deal doesn't explicitly cover or using the massive get out clauses which are already in the said 'deal'.
So after a year or two it will become clear to those who are looking that nothing has really changed and the whole 'deal' was just window dressing.
But I doubt there will be any dramatic bust up - not least because the government here will connive at avoiding one and claim whatever further centralising measures are proposed are either minor, not covered by the 'deal' or 'in Britain's interest'.
Note in this regard the opt back into justice and home affairs measures...0 -
It is not good politics but it is good government. We need more of the latter.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.0 -
I think it's the voters who believe in the magic money tree.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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No I think that's right. If 28 countries do a deal and it is codified into EU directives, and then it is struck down by either the EU parliament or the ECJ, then I would not be a happy bunny.Indigo said:
So it's fair to say that if they EU promises disintegrate at the first test (wrecked by EU Parliament, shredded by the ECJ, or just turn out not to be quite a legally binding as we were led to believe) you are not going to be a happy bunny ? I certainly wouldn't be so ungentlemanly as to say "told you so", but others might not have my scruplesTOPPING said:As PM with a Cons majority I am not 100% sure it's not blancmange (he is saved, for me, by his eu ref activity).
But then again, aside from the obvious why would they do that, they haven't as yet done it. I might need your shoulder and ridicule when it happens but as yet it is mere speculation.
FWIW I think it was just Gove being a cheeky monkey to suggest it, knowing that it was hugely unlikely but to plant the seed nevertheless, but all's fair in love and war...0 -
That Osborne claimed it as a victory last night made me LOL
It's such a piffling concession.MarkHopkins said:
Tampon Tax: A simple measure that should have been a tick-box change for the UK Chancellor...
... requires the agreement of the whole EU (which we only got given the current referendum).
How does this possibly make the EU look good?0 -
PreciselyInnocent_Abroad said:
I think it's the voters who believe in the magic money tree.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
0 -
Good morning, everyone.
F1: will check how P1 and P2 went. Unlikely to offer a qualifying tip (the odds when I lasted checked were tight) but perhaps something will jump out.
Miss Plato, indeed. Zip colours and gimp suits spring to mind.0 -
I will once again ask, not with much hope of getting an answer: what proportion of the electorate creates wealth? I suspect it's tiny - maybe even less than 1%. It's a suspicion and not a belief because my belief is that economists haven't got a clue.DavidL said:
It is not good politics but it is good government. We need more of the latter.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.
0 -
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
0 -
I know it's a somewhat old fashioned concept and certainly novel in the modern political world but I think it's "good government" to keep your word especially to those most at risk in our society.DavidL said:
It is not good politics but it is good government. We need more of the latter.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.0 -
The uprating of the 40p threshold is very long overdue.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.
I agree that on corporation tax and top rate capital gains tax cuts Osborne just looks like he's pleasing his donors.0 -
Yes I agree. They blamed Cam for not getting an overall majority and blamed him a second time for not enacting legislation (whether he wanted to or not is a separate issue) which was impossible without an overall majority.DavidL said:
Curiously, the Lib Dems on the whole gave more consistent support than the awkward squad so the Coalition with a much larger majority was able to provide more stable government than the Tories are managing on their own.TOPPING said:
Good post: nous sommes @AlanbrookeDavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expen getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
We wondered if Coalition Cam was being held back by the LibDems and hence was unable to show himself a Tory red in tooth and claw: was it an iron or blancmange fist inside the velvet glove? As PM with a Cons majority I am not 100% sure it's not blancmange (he is saved, for me, by his eu ref activity).
And now with GO: one administration spent making u-turns at the slightest whiff of controversy may be regarded as misfortune, to spend two administrations doing the same thing looks like carelessness.
Small majority government is difficult. I remember Callaghan's government surviving from day to day and it was chaotic. A united Tory party could get on with things but they are not united and only partly because of Europe although that is the major factor.
I remember the description solipsistic idiots being typed by me several times over the past five years describing some Cons backbenchers.0 -
Well the the ECJ is the big risk, it can't act until someone complains, and someone can't complain until the law is enacted. If the referendum is Remain and the deal survives more or less intact in the EU Parliament (although key members have already said it is too generous and they plan to tone it down further) then a challenge to migrants benefits will definitely go to the ECJ with a reasonable chance of success.TOPPING said:
No I think that's right. If 28 countries do a deal and it is codified into EU directives, and then it is struck down by either the EU parliament or the ECJ, then I would not be a happy bunny.Indigo said:
So it's fair to say that if they EU promises disintegrate at the first test (wrecked by EU Parliament, shredded by the ECJ, or just turn out not to be quite a legally binding as we were led to believe) you are not going to be a happy bunny ? I certainly wouldn't be so ungentlemanly as to say "told you so", but others might not have my scruplesTOPPING said:As PM with a Cons majority I am not 100% sure it's not blancmange (he is saved, for me, by his eu ref activity).
But then again, aside from the obvious why would they do that, they haven't as yet done it. I might need your shoulder and ridicule when it happens but as yet it is mere speculation.
FWIW I think it was just Gove being a cheeky monkey to suggest it, knowing that it was hugely unlikely but to plant the seed nevertheless, but all's fair in love and war...
For me the interesting question is what happens if its not wrecked, but just gently chewed, they are unlikely to tear it up and drive us away, but I can see salami tactics gently paring away at our deal in the ECJ so that in five years time we have nothing less, but each change will be small enough that our government isn't going to talk out over it.0 -
I am not sure that I really understand the question. There are a record 33m+ of us in work at the moment. We are the economy and our collective efforts create the money to pay for public services and all the other fripperies that we want (plus the money we are stealing from our children natch).Innocent_Abroad said:
I will once again ask, not with much hope of getting an answer: what proportion of the electorate creates wealth? I suspect it's tiny - maybe even less than 1%. It's a suspicion and not a belief because my belief is that economists haven't got a clue.DavidL said:
It is not good politics but it is good government. We need more of the latter.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.
Clearly there are a tiny handful who are exceptionally creative or driven who create a lot more than the average by building new companies or industries but we all contribute in the public and private sector alike.0 -
I accept the uprating of the 40p threshold for middle earners but I and many other top earners do not require it.Casino_Royale said:
The uprating of the 40p threshold is very long overdue.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.
I agree that on corporation tax and top rate capital gains tax cuts Osborne just looks like he's pleasing his donors.0 -
2020 might not be a nailed on win then for the Tories? What a surprise. Complacency will do for them, and Osborne's continued silly games. He's Brown to the core.
How many points will Project Fear add to the Labour score when Cameron and Co really ramp up the ludicrous horror stories, and the proper fighting starts?0 -
Hear hear.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Oh yes - it's one reason the left right spectrum is mostly nonsense. There's very tentative ideological divisions between the parties, they are not the same in policies, but it is nowhere near as stark a divide in that ideology as tribal supporters pretend. They are not different on any consistent ideological grounds, just tactical grounds dressed up in ideology.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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That's exactly what my rants have been about this morning.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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As a top earner you don't get it Jack. You get no PA at all. Just like me.JackW said:
I accept the uprating of the 40p threshold for middle earners but I and many other top earners do not require it.Casino_Royale said:
The uprating of the 40p threshold is very long overdue.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.
I agree that on corporation tax and top rate capital gains tax cuts Osborne just looks like he's pleasing his donors.0 -
That sort of remark isn't called for, or welcome.RodCrosby said:Jews to boycott Trump
http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/group-rabbis-plan-boycott-trump-speech
Well they can't buy him...0 -
These are the people you're lining up with in the referendum. And it's their complete lack of realism and perspective that I have repeatedly warned about.DavidL said:
That's exactly what my rants have been about this morning.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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Midterm? The GE was less than a year ago.Philip_Thompson said:
Shows how low Labour have fallen that a midterm 1 point lead is considered shocking.SouthamObserver said:It's not looking good for Osborne today, is it? The Tory nightmare now is that Labour comes to its senses and chooses a vaguely credible leader. If they can lead polls with Corbyn in charge, the opportunities should they have a leader who has even a vague hint of credibility are pretty significant. Luckily for the Tories, Labour is very unlikely to understand this - or to care that much.
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Sigh. Now you are just depressing me. I am off to earn some more taxes for George.AlastairMeeks said:
These are the people you're lining up with in the referendum. And it's their complete lack of realism and perspective that I have repeatedly warned about.DavidL said:
That's exactly what my rants have been about this morning.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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Grammar schools are too much of a one-size fits all.Mortimer said:
Agreed.SeanT said:
On this - and not much else - I will defend the govt (and indeed the Labour govt prior, which introduced them). Academies are popular. Councils aren't. This is not a vote-changer.Mortimer said:
Councils are not exactly highly regarded as institutions...Alistair said:I'm surprised the whole, remove all schools from local authory control thing, hasn't had more air time.
One size fits all education has never been overwhelmingly popular either.
The only people on my timeline who are angry at this are old fashioned Northern lefities. The sort who would rail against the Tories for anything.
(Nor is it an election winner, as it is seen as bipartisan, if anything)
Short of reintroducing Grammar schools, Academies are an education policy I can support.
If they lifted the ban on academic selection, then some academies could effectively become grammar-like. I wouldn't be surprised if (let's say if they win in 2020) the Tories do make that change - once academies are bedded down0 -
Bollocks.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
The tax credit cuts was killed in the lords by Labour and Libdem peers. Those speaking against it in the commons were people like Heidi Allen hardly a populist rightwinger.
The Tory right want Osborne to actual cut spending, not this "reducing the level of increase" nonsense we have had over the past 5-6 years. The government should DO LESS, not try and do more on the cheap.0 -
Even people who are wrong about a lot of things can be right about some things. And you just said the other lot believe in the magic money tree, so both sides in the referendum contain large groups who lack realism and perspective on some issues.AlastairMeeks said:
These are the people you're lining up with in the referendum. And it's their complete lack of realism and perspective that I have repeatedly warned about.DavidL said:
That's exactly what my rants have been about this morning.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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Any PBer who seriously thinks the British electorate will put Jezza into Downing Street over any evenly mildly incompetent Conservative is having a brain fart of such epic proportions that it makes the late lamented @Cromwell assertion that Rubio would be the next president appear as a genius moment of political punditry.watford30 said:2020 might not be a nailed on win then for the Tories? What a surprise. Complacency will do for them, and Osborne's continued silly games. He's Brown to the core.
How many points will Project Fear add to the Labour score when Cameron and Co really ramp up the ludicrous horror stories, and the proper fighting starts?0 -
I would like to think so, too - but when you hear people on this site using the phrase what they tend to mean is "people I approve of" so soldiers create wealth but social workers don't and so on and so forth.DavidL said:
I am not sure that I really understand the question. There are a record 33m+ of us in work at the moment. We are the economy and our collective efforts create the money to pay for public services and all the other fripperies that we want (plus the money we are stealing from our children natch).Innocent_Abroad said:
I will once again ask, not with much hope of getting an answer: what proportion of the electorate creates wealth? I suspect it's tiny - maybe even less than 1%. It's a suspicion and not a belief because my belief is that economists haven't got a clue.DavidL said:
It is not good politics but it is good government. We need more of the latter.JackW said:
However the Coalition and now the Con government have endlessly said that the deficit would not be brought down "on the backs of the disabled", repeated last night by Nicky Morgan.DavidL said:
Last Friday this was a done deal deal and now it's up for negotiation. Some might say the Conservative rebels are simply following the agreed path and that it is IDS and co who require more backbone to enforce the governments mantra.
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.
Clearly there are a tiny handful who are exceptionally creative or driven who create a lot more than the average by building new companies or industries but we all contribute in the public and private sector alike.
And the reason we can't educate people to think differently is that we don't know what to put in its place. Because the so-called experts don't know.
Most Tories on this site can't even give a coherent explanation as to why the Labour Party should be legal, beyond "it always has been", which is OK I suppose if you prefer tradition to reason as a basis for public policy.
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Like I said, complacency. And arrogance.JackW said:
Any PBer who seriously thinks the British electorate will put Jezza into Downing Street over any evenly mildly incompetent Conservative is having a brain fart of such epic proportions that it makes the late lamented @Cromwell assertion that Rubio would be the next president appear as a genius moment of political punditry.watford30 said:2020 might not be a nailed on win then for the Tories? What a surprise. Complacency will do for them, and Osborne's continued silly games. He's Brown to the core.
How many points will Project Fear add to the Labour score when Cameron and Co really ramp up the ludicrous horror stories, and the proper fighting starts?0 -
Ask yourself this: if Leave wins, will it be the realists in the ascendant or the infantile fantasists? Which is more likely to produce good governance for the country?kle4 said:
Even people who are wrong about a lot of things can be right about some things. And you just said the other lot believe in the magic money tree, so both sides in the referendum contain large groups who lack realism and perspective on some issues.AlastairMeeks said:
These are the people you're lining up with in the referendum. And it's their complete lack of realism and perspective that I have repeatedly warned about.DavidL said:
That's exactly what my rants have been about this morning.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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Quite.JackW said:
Any PBer who seriously thinks the British electorate will put Jezza into Downing Street over any evenly mildly incompetent Conservative is having a brain fart of such epic proportions that it makes the late lamented @Cromwell assertion that Rubio would be the next president appear as a genius moment of political punditry.watford30 said:2020 might not be a nailed on win then for the Tories? What a surprise. Complacency will do for them, and Osborne's continued silly games. He's Brown to the core.
How many points will Project Fear add to the Labour score when Cameron and Co really ramp up the ludicrous horror stories, and the proper fighting starts?
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Are you trying to turn this largely EU-free Osbrown bashing thread into another Leave-Remain bunfight ?AlastairMeeks said:
Ask yourself this: if Leave wins, will it be the realists in the ascendant or the infantile fantasists? Which is more likely to produce good governance for the country?kle4 said:
Even people who are wrong about a lot of things can be right about some things. And you just said the other lot believe in the magic money tree, so both sides in the referendum contain large groups who lack realism and perspective on some issues.AlastairMeeks said:
These are the people you're lining up with in the referendum. And it's their complete lack of realism and perspective that I have repeatedly warned about.DavidL said:
That's exactly what my rants have been about this morning.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
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http://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2015/10/20-conservatives-revolt-over-tax-credits-five-of-them-are-2015-intake-members.htmlIndigo said:
Bollocks.AlastairMeeks said:
Oh it's the populist right that believe most fervently in the magic money tree. They wouldn't agree to tax credit cuts, they wouldn't agree to pensions tax rises, they're now plotting against the Chancellor about changes to disability benefits. You can argue about each of these but there comes a point where you have to accept that the money needs to come from somewhere. The Conservative right, in its Europhobic mania, is regressing to infantility.Indigo said:
There are some Conservatives that feel Camborne are in the wrong party, they might well think that, I couldn't possibly comment.... but you would struggle to get a cigarette paper between Camborne and Clegg on most policies, apparently now including the EU.AlastairMeeks said:It turns out that Conservatives are just as fervent believers in the magic money tree as Labour supporters - just different branches.
The tax credit cuts was killed in the lords by Labour and Libdem peers. Those speaking against it in the commons were people like Heidi Allen hardly a populist rightwinger.
The Tory right want Osborne to actual cut spending, not this "reducing the level of increase" nonsense we have had over the past 5-6 years. The government should DO LESS, not try and do more on the cheap.
Messrs Davis, Hollobone, Jenkins and Rees-Mogg reporting for duty SIR.0 -
Having a terrible Cheltenham but then I haven't been concentrating.0
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I get many things you don't get ....DavidL said:
As a top earner you don't get it Jack. You get no PA at all. Just like me.JackW said:
I accept the uprating of the 40p threshold for middle earners but I and many other top earners do not require it.Casino_Royale said:
The uprating of the 40p threshold is very long overdue.JackW said:
Either way it wasn't smart politics to cut disabled benefits and provide tax cuts for higher earners n the same breath.DavidL said:So now we are supposedly going to have to restore disability spending which wasn't actually in the budget but which has become cause of the day. I am getting a little tired of Tory backbenchers who say that they want sweeping cuts in public spending and a balanced budget but not that particular cut. First we had the nonsense on in work benefits and now this.
The fact is that the level of expenditure on benefits in this country was and is too high. It distorts public spending away from necessary capital investment into current spending. This in turn undermines our productivity, our long term growth prospects and feeds our balance of payments problems.
The speed with which IDS has been able to bring in Universal Credit has had me tearing my hair out for several years now but the fact is that he was given targets to meet in cutting benefits as part of the deficit reduction strategy. He has chosen some low hanging fruit which includes a lot of people who were getting DLA for reasons that were frequently not particularly obvious. At the same time those with more serious disabilities are already getting more money and support than ever before.
Tory backbenchers really need to grow some backbone. The deficit reduction targets are difficult and are going to get more so. Tories are either committed to reduce the size and cost of the State in the belief that the economy will grow faster and create yet more jobs if we spend more of our own money or they aren't. The WTC fiasco cost the taxayer about £4bn. Now we are talking about another £4bn on disability benefits. The deficit is simply not going to come down, the economy is not going to be rebalanced, capital spending is not going to increase and the trade deficit is not going to fall if we go on like this.
I agree that on corporation tax and top rate capital gains tax cuts Osborne just looks like he's pleasing his donors.
My previous comment was badly worded. In essence I did very well from the budget. The disabled need the held I certainly don't.
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TBF, on the past week's evidence there's a case to be made that Cameron and Osborne can;t handle the powers they have *now* let alone any new onesCasino_Royale said:
"If we were independent, we simply couldn't handle the powers we'd have without the EU; the country would become a basket case on our watch."Sean_F said:I think Project Fear is in danger of trashing the Conservatives' reputation for economic competence.
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