http://www.talktalk.co.uk/news/pa/uknews/2010/06/29/cuts-could-mean-1-3m-job-losses.html?lpos=tat-links-1-news_pa&lid=tat-links-1-cuts39couldmean13mjoblosses39
This should not come as a surprise to anyone. The Tories have clearly lied to the British people.
We can look forward to a swift end to any economic recovery.
Tuesday 29 June 2010
Monday 28 June 2010
Jeremy Hunt's Hillsborough Gaffe Beyond Belief
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/10434714.stm
I was absolutely horrified to learn of new Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's comments about Hillsborough today.
He has praised the behaviour of England football supporters at the World Cup, saying that he is thankful that the days of Hillsborough and Heysel were behind us.
Years after it was established that violence played no part in the Hillsborough tragedy, he has reopened many old wounds for the families of the victims and those who survived a living nightmare. Quite rightly, they have been very quick to condemn his thoughtless gaffe.
Yes, Mr Hunt has been very quick to apologise, and Home Secretary Theresa May has reinforced this by acknowledging that the facts of the tragedy were determined a very long time ago.
But this Coalition government has many problems ahead of it. There is no guarantee that it will last a full five-year term.
Given the disquiet on the Liberal Democrat backbenches that is already surfacing in the wake of the Budget, the last thing we need is cabinet ministers shooting their mouths off and making utterly insensitive remarks that are simply not true.
I was absolutely horrified to learn of new Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt's comments about Hillsborough today.
He has praised the behaviour of England football supporters at the World Cup, saying that he is thankful that the days of Hillsborough and Heysel were behind us.
Years after it was established that violence played no part in the Hillsborough tragedy, he has reopened many old wounds for the families of the victims and those who survived a living nightmare. Quite rightly, they have been very quick to condemn his thoughtless gaffe.
Yes, Mr Hunt has been very quick to apologise, and Home Secretary Theresa May has reinforced this by acknowledging that the facts of the tragedy were determined a very long time ago.
But this Coalition government has many problems ahead of it. There is no guarantee that it will last a full five-year term.
Given the disquiet on the Liberal Democrat backbenches that is already surfacing in the wake of the Budget, the last thing we need is cabinet ministers shooting their mouths off and making utterly insensitive remarks that are simply not true.
Sunday 27 June 2010
Balls Attacks IDS On Jobs Policy
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/10426714.stm
Labour Leadership contender Ed Balls has roundly criticised Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith for suggesting that the unemployed should be prepared to move home in order to find work.
On the surface, this idea is not bad in itself. Many people do move to wherever a job takes them. But as Mr Balls says, the coalition has already cut millions of pounds from funding for the jobless. He is absolutely right to accuse the Tories and the Liberal Democrats of taking money away from the poorer regions whose economies need regeneration; a move which will, in turn, only serve to slow the overall economic recovery, if not take Britain back in recession.
By encouraging people to move to more prosperous areas where the jobs are more likely to be, that is exactly what the Conservative-Liberal coalition are doing.
Labour Leadership contender Ed Balls has roundly criticised Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith for suggesting that the unemployed should be prepared to move home in order to find work.
On the surface, this idea is not bad in itself. Many people do move to wherever a job takes them. But as Mr Balls says, the coalition has already cut millions of pounds from funding for the jobless. He is absolutely right to accuse the Tories and the Liberal Democrats of taking money away from the poorer regions whose economies need regeneration; a move which will, in turn, only serve to slow the overall economic recovery, if not take Britain back in recession.
By encouraging people to move to more prosperous areas where the jobs are more likely to be, that is exactly what the Conservative-Liberal coalition are doing.
Friday 25 June 2010
Simon Hughes Warns Of Lib-Dem Opposition To Budget
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10411906.stm
Liberal Democrat Deputy leader Simon Hughes is now a highly influential voice speaking out against last week's Budget.
A statement was issued by the Party in response to Mr Hughes speech in the Commons, denying that the Lib Dems were not in support of the Budget.
But following the comments made by Tim Farron earlier this week, it is possible that mass opposition to the cuts in housing benefit and changes to the way Disability Living Allowance is assessed, amongst other things announced in George Osborne's maiden Budget, will gain momentum amongst dissatisfied Liberal Democrat backbenchers.
It will be interesting to see if any other MPs make similar comments.
Liberal Democrat Deputy leader Simon Hughes is now a highly influential voice speaking out against last week's Budget.
A statement was issued by the Party in response to Mr Hughes speech in the Commons, denying that the Lib Dems were not in support of the Budget.
But following the comments made by Tim Farron earlier this week, it is possible that mass opposition to the cuts in housing benefit and changes to the way Disability Living Allowance is assessed, amongst other things announced in George Osborne's maiden Budget, will gain momentum amongst dissatisfied Liberal Democrat backbenchers.
It will be interesting to see if any other MPs make similar comments.
Wednesday 23 June 2010
Budget Exposes Cracks In In Conservative- Lib Dem Coalition
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10395602.stm
Before yesterday's Budget, it was well-known that many Liberal Democrat MPs were vehemently opposed to Conservative plans to cut public spending in order to bring down the country's massive deficit.
Now MP Tim Farron, who lost out in the recent deputy leadership contest to veteran MP Simon Hughes, has described the coalition as 'a poor fit' and publicly voiced his opposition to the measures outlined by George Osborne.
Mr Farron believes that whilst Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg may get on well personally, on a political level, they couldn't be further apart; with Clegg's instincts being far closer to Labour than the Tories.
Deputy PM Nick Clegg has said all the spending cuts are necessary, despite campaigning to the contrary during the election.
Now that backbenchers are starting to express their opposition, I wonder how long it will be before Mr Clegg is forced to do the same.
I'd say not too long at all.
Before yesterday's Budget, it was well-known that many Liberal Democrat MPs were vehemently opposed to Conservative plans to cut public spending in order to bring down the country's massive deficit.
Now MP Tim Farron, who lost out in the recent deputy leadership contest to veteran MP Simon Hughes, has described the coalition as 'a poor fit' and publicly voiced his opposition to the measures outlined by George Osborne.
Mr Farron believes that whilst Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg may get on well personally, on a political level, they couldn't be further apart; with Clegg's instincts being far closer to Labour than the Tories.
Deputy PM Nick Clegg has said all the spending cuts are necessary, despite campaigning to the contrary during the election.
Now that backbenchers are starting to express their opposition, I wonder how long it will be before Mr Clegg is forced to do the same.
I'd say not too long at all.
Tuesday 22 June 2010
Coalition's First Budget Tough But Hardly Fair
George Osborne gave us what he promised in his first Budget.
Tough measures to bring down the Budget deficit - policies that will hit the poorest in Britain and can hardly, therefore, be described as fair.
In particular, the plans to cap Housing Benefit will affect many very profoundly and so will the decision to make claimants of Disability Living Allowance undergo a medical assessment from 2013.
Surely the government could have found other ways of dealing with the deficit? What about increasing taxes on alcohol and tobacco? That would have raised millions.
Instead the Conservatives and their Liberal Democrat poodles chose to penalise those least able to cope financially.
Millions of voters who were promised by David Cameron during the election that the Tories will always look after the most vulnerable in our society have been well and truly duped.
Coalition Partners Set To Break Pre-Election Promises In Emergency Budget
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10362367.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10371590.stm
Today, the Chancellor, George Osborne, will unveil what is likely to be the toughest Budget in many years.
And in doing so, both Osborne's Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats look set to break crucial pre-election pledges.
David Cameron told the nation during the election campaign that the Conservatives had no plans to raise VAT.
The Liberal Democrat rank and file, meanwhile, from the leadership to the grassroots, campaigned vigorously against any proposed public spending cuts by the Conservatives.
Whatever measures are spelt out today, there is likely to be considerable disquiet on the backbenches of both coalition partners. Liberal Democrat MP, Bob Russell, has already said that he will vote against any tough measures in the Budget. I am quite sure others will follow.
I am certain that several Conservative backbenchers will be very unhappy if Mr Osborne announces a significant rise in VAT. They will find it very hard to justify such steps to their constituents.
And, as if it needs to be said again, this clip really underlines just how hypocritical the Liberal Democrats are.
http://www.labourlist.org/what-clegg-said-before-the-election-on-spending-cuts
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10371590.stm
Today, the Chancellor, George Osborne, will unveil what is likely to be the toughest Budget in many years.
And in doing so, both Osborne's Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats look set to break crucial pre-election pledges.
David Cameron told the nation during the election campaign that the Conservatives had no plans to raise VAT.
The Liberal Democrat rank and file, meanwhile, from the leadership to the grassroots, campaigned vigorously against any proposed public spending cuts by the Conservatives.
Whatever measures are spelt out today, there is likely to be considerable disquiet on the backbenches of both coalition partners. Liberal Democrat MP, Bob Russell, has already said that he will vote against any tough measures in the Budget. I am quite sure others will follow.
I am certain that several Conservative backbenchers will be very unhappy if Mr Osborne announces a significant rise in VAT. They will find it very hard to justify such steps to their constituents.
And, as if it needs to be said again, this clip really underlines just how hypocritical the Liberal Democrats are.
http://www.labourlist.org/what-clegg-said-before-the-election-on-spending-cuts
Monday 21 June 2010
Grim Milestone Reached As UK Troop Death Toll In Afghanistan Now Stands At 300
The number of British troops killed in Afghanistan has now reached 300.
Given the huge increase in British military fatalities over the last year, this news was sadly inevitable.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has said that UK forces will leave Afghanistan as soon as the country is able to govern itself without outside support.
But with the current political situation showing now signs of improvement, it is difficult to see the withdrawal of any forces, British or otherwise, happening any time soon.
Are we looking at another Vietnam?
Given the huge increase in British military fatalities over the last year, this news was sadly inevitable.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, has said that UK forces will leave Afghanistan as soon as the country is able to govern itself without outside support.
But with the current political situation showing now signs of improvement, it is difficult to see the withdrawal of any forces, British or otherwise, happening any time soon.
Are we looking at another Vietnam?
Sunday 20 June 2010
Prescott Blasts Former Labour MPs Now Helping Con-Lib Coalition.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10360510.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10360203.stm
I am very dismayed that three Labour MPs - one of whom was a Cabinet minister in the last Government - are now acting as advisers to the new Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition.
Kate Hoey and Frank Field were always right-leaning mavericks, but it is shocking that John Hutton, who actually sat in the Cabinet during the last Labour Government, is now helping the Tory-led Coalition.
I can only agree wholeheartedly with the comments made by the former Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott who, quite rightly, has branded Mr Hutton a 'collaborator'.
The Labour Party does not need any of their MPs supporting a Coalition Government that is poised, in next week's Budget, to make the most savage cuts to public spending in a generation.
A chilling agenda, which will no doubt be carried on with the Autumn Spending Round and right through the lifetime of this Parliament.
As Labour face their biggest battle in years, opposing the draconian economic measures about to unleashed on the British people, dissent from their own ranks is the last thing they need.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10360203.stm
I am very dismayed that three Labour MPs - one of whom was a Cabinet minister in the last Government - are now acting as advisers to the new Conservative - Liberal Democrat Coalition.
Kate Hoey and Frank Field were always right-leaning mavericks, but it is shocking that John Hutton, who actually sat in the Cabinet during the last Labour Government, is now helping the Tory-led Coalition.
I can only agree wholeheartedly with the comments made by the former Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott who, quite rightly, has branded Mr Hutton a 'collaborator'.
The Labour Party does not need any of their MPs supporting a Coalition Government that is poised, in next week's Budget, to make the most savage cuts to public spending in a generation.
A chilling agenda, which will no doubt be carried on with the Autumn Spending Round and right through the lifetime of this Parliament.
As Labour face their biggest battle in years, opposing the draconian economic measures about to unleashed on the British people, dissent from their own ranks is the last thing they need.
Saturday 19 June 2010
Coalition Honeymoon Will End With The Budget
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10356401.stm
David Cameron has said next week's budget 'will be when the rubber really hits the road'.
All eyes will be on the Chancellor, George Osborne, next Tuesday when he delivers the first Budget of the new coalition.
I fear for all those working in the public sector and on benefits who are going to be hardest hit by the huge cuts in public spending that will no doubt be announced.
I also believe the PM and Chancellor will ignore the latest warnings from the Adam Smith Institute not to raise Capital Gains Tax, which will cost the Government over £2bn in lost revenues, have a devasting effect on small businesses trying to recover from the recession and could in the longer term, slow the economy down even further.
Labour leadership contender Ed Miliband is right when he says that the Coalition could be in trouble if many Liberal Democrat backbenchers voice serious opposition to any draconian measures contained in the Budget.
David Cameron has said next week's budget 'will be when the rubber really hits the road'.
All eyes will be on the Chancellor, George Osborne, next Tuesday when he delivers the first Budget of the new coalition.
I fear for all those working in the public sector and on benefits who are going to be hardest hit by the huge cuts in public spending that will no doubt be announced.
I also believe the PM and Chancellor will ignore the latest warnings from the Adam Smith Institute not to raise Capital Gains Tax, which will cost the Government over £2bn in lost revenues, have a devasting effect on small businesses trying to recover from the recession and could in the longer term, slow the economy down even further.
Labour leadership contender Ed Miliband is right when he says that the Coalition could be in trouble if many Liberal Democrat backbenchers voice serious opposition to any draconian measures contained in the Budget.
Thursday 17 June 2010
Odds Shorten On Balls Becoming Next Labour Leader
http://labourlist.org/latest-betting-odds-for-leadership-ladbrokes?utm_source=taomail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2821+Communication,+Thu+17th+Jun+2010&tmtid=31633-2821-6-1-1297
Ed Balls' chances of becoming the next Labour leader have improved following his strong performance in the Hustings hosted by Newsnight.
Labrokes have now shortened the odds on him winning the contest.
Whilst David Miliband looks to be the most likely successor to Gordon Brown, I have been impressed with what Mr Balls has had to say during this campaign.
In my view, as I've said before, it is only Balls' very strong connection with Brown that could work against him.
Ed Balls' chances of becoming the next Labour leader have improved following his strong performance in the Hustings hosted by Newsnight.
Labrokes have now shortened the odds on him winning the contest.
Whilst David Miliband looks to be the most likely successor to Gordon Brown, I have been impressed with what Mr Balls has had to say during this campaign.
In my view, as I've said before, it is only Balls' very strong connection with Brown that could work against him.
Tuesday 15 June 2010
House Of Commons United As PM Apologises Over Bloody Sunday
The House of Commons were united on all sides this afternoon following the publication of the official report into Bloody Sunday.
The release of the Saville Report, the culmination of a 12-year enquiry into the events of 30 January 1972, in which 14 unarmed people died, completely cleared all the protesters of any blame; something their families had long campaigned for.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, told MPs that he was 'deeply sorry' for what had happened that day and Harriet Harman, Labour's acting leader echoed these sentiments.
Today's proceedings mean that one of the most shameful chapters in the history of Northern Ireland can now finally be closed.
The release of the Saville Report, the culmination of a 12-year enquiry into the events of 30 January 1972, in which 14 unarmed people died, completely cleared all the protesters of any blame; something their families had long campaigned for.
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, told MPs that he was 'deeply sorry' for what had happened that day and Harriet Harman, Labour's acting leader echoed these sentiments.
Today's proceedings mean that one of the most shameful chapters in the history of Northern Ireland can now finally be closed.
Monday 14 June 2010
With Budget Deficit Lower Than Expected, Are Huge Cuts In Public Spending Really Needed?
Previous forecasts for economic growth over the next few years have been revised down, according to the new Office For Budget Responsibility.
Whichever view one takes of the course of economic recovery in the UK, the Treasury will have to find £70bn to plug the huge hole that has been left by the current deficit.
However, the predicted economic growth is still expected to be above long-term average and slightly more than City experts had suggested.
Not only that, the overall deficit, it is now believed, will be actually smaller than originally feared over the next few years, contrary to the dire predictions hammered home by the new Coalition government, as they loudly proclaim the need for huge cuts in public spending to bring the deficit down.
The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stood up today and insisted that immediate and deep reductions in spending were vital this year to save the UK economy.
But are such draconian measures really needed right now, if at all?
The Chancellor, George Osborne, will no doubt argue, that the structural deficit - the deficit not related to growth - is worse than predicted. However, this is only by 0.3%; hardly much - and amounts to only about £3bn of GDP.
And more significantly, since Labour's last Budget in March, the public purse has actually turned out to be £8bn healthier.
The TUC's General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said today that with the overall deficit being less than expected, the cuts in spending proposed by the Coalition were not necessary and risked taking Britain back into recession.
In my view the government is grossly exaggerating poor state of the economic climate they have inherited to score political points and will ultimately make an already-precarious situation even worse than it is now.
Whichever view one takes of the course of economic recovery in the UK, the Treasury will have to find £70bn to plug the huge hole that has been left by the current deficit.
However, the predicted economic growth is still expected to be above long-term average and slightly more than City experts had suggested.
Not only that, the overall deficit, it is now believed, will be actually smaller than originally feared over the next few years, contrary to the dire predictions hammered home by the new Coalition government, as they loudly proclaim the need for huge cuts in public spending to bring the deficit down.
The Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg stood up today and insisted that immediate and deep reductions in spending were vital this year to save the UK economy.
But are such draconian measures really needed right now, if at all?
The Chancellor, George Osborne, will no doubt argue, that the structural deficit - the deficit not related to growth - is worse than predicted. However, this is only by 0.3%; hardly much - and amounts to only about £3bn of GDP.
And more significantly, since Labour's last Budget in March, the public purse has actually turned out to be £8bn healthier.
The TUC's General Secretary, Brendan Barber, said today that with the overall deficit being less than expected, the cuts in spending proposed by the Coalition were not necessary and risked taking Britain back into recession.
In my view the government is grossly exaggerating poor state of the economic climate they have inherited to score political points and will ultimately make an already-precarious situation even worse than it is now.
Sunday 13 June 2010
Harman Wrong On Women-Only Quotas In Shadow Cabinet
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10303473.stm
Whilst I am all in favour of more women entering politics and reaching the top of government, I have to disagree with Harriet Harman that it is necessary for half the shadow cabinet seats to be filled by women.
From where I'm standing, I don't believe it is at all difficult now for a woman to climb the ladder in the Labour Party. The recent government can boast a large number of women in very senior Cabinet positions; Jacqui Smith, Margaret Beckett, Valerie Amos, Patricia Scotland, Tessa Jowell amongst many others, not to mention Harriet Harman herself.
Even in the Conservative Party, attitudes have moved on enormously in the last fifty years, since the days when Margaret Thatcher found it so difficult just to be selected as a parliamentary candidate. There were many women in the shadow Cabinets over the last 13 years, with Theresa May now our current Home Secretary.
Politicians should be allowed to progress on merit. Let's leave it at that.
Whilst I am all in favour of more women entering politics and reaching the top of government, I have to disagree with Harriet Harman that it is necessary for half the shadow cabinet seats to be filled by women.
From where I'm standing, I don't believe it is at all difficult now for a woman to climb the ladder in the Labour Party. The recent government can boast a large number of women in very senior Cabinet positions; Jacqui Smith, Margaret Beckett, Valerie Amos, Patricia Scotland, Tessa Jowell amongst many others, not to mention Harriet Harman herself.
Even in the Conservative Party, attitudes have moved on enormously in the last fifty years, since the days when Margaret Thatcher found it so difficult just to be selected as a parliamentary candidate. There were many women in the shadow Cabinets over the last 13 years, with Theresa May now our current Home Secretary.
Politicians should be allowed to progress on merit. Let's leave it at that.
Friday 11 June 2010
David Miliband Shows Why He Is Frontrunner To Be Next Labour Leader
http://labourlist.org/david-miliband-party-reform-labour-movement
David Miliband has given an excellent summary of the reasons why he should win the Labour leadership in September.
I wonder, though, why he has not come out in favour of abolishing tuition fees, like the other candidates have.
David Miliband has given an excellent summary of the reasons why he should win the Labour leadership in September.
I wonder, though, why he has not come out in favour of abolishing tuition fees, like the other candidates have.
Thursday 10 June 2010
Labour Leadership Result Will Depend On Second Preference Votes
As I said in my previous post, it is too early to say whether Diane Abbott's late entry into the Labour Leadership contest will have a significant effect on the eventual outcome.
Whilst I was impressed with Ed Miliband's performance in yesterday's hustings, no one particular candidate stands out yet in any way that will ignite the Party.
My feeling is that the result will be decided on the basis of who Party members choose as their second preference candidate. Although David Miliband as started out as the favourite to succeed Gordon Brown, if the others pick up enough second preference votes, then the result of this election may surprise us all.
Whilst I was impressed with Ed Miliband's performance in yesterday's hustings, no one particular candidate stands out yet in any way that will ignite the Party.
My feeling is that the result will be decided on the basis of who Party members choose as their second preference candidate. Although David Miliband as started out as the favourite to succeed Gordon Brown, if the others pick up enough second preference votes, then the result of this election may surprise us all.
Wednesday 9 June 2010
Diane Abbott Late Entrant Into The Labour Leadership Race
So Diane Abbott is now in the running for the leadership of the Labour Party.
Entering the race right at the last minute, with the endorsement of fellow-candidate David Miliband, I wonder what impact her presence will have.
Clearly the aim of Ms Abbott was to produce a more balanced field of runners for Labour Leader, with the two Miliband brothers, Ed Balls and Andy Burnham, who has also entered the contest, all white former cabinet ministers and party strategists from Oxbridge.
It remains to be seen how many votes Ms Abbott, a veteran left-winger and MP since 1987, takes from the other candidates.
I hope David Miliband does not regret his decision to back her.
Entering the race right at the last minute, with the endorsement of fellow-candidate David Miliband, I wonder what impact her presence will have.
Clearly the aim of Ms Abbott was to produce a more balanced field of runners for Labour Leader, with the two Miliband brothers, Ed Balls and Andy Burnham, who has also entered the contest, all white former cabinet ministers and party strategists from Oxbridge.
It remains to be seen how many votes Ms Abbott, a veteran left-winger and MP since 1987, takes from the other candidates.
I hope David Miliband does not regret his decision to back her.
Tuesday 8 June 2010
Coalition Will 'Consult' Public On Cuts
David Cameron's message to the British people was both sombre and predictable.
The state of the economy is 'worse than first thought' when the Coalition took office and Labour's gross overspending has left our finances in an utter 'mess'.
From the start, the Conservatives have said their priority, if they won the election, would be to reduce the huge budget deficit. It is a job that has to be done, and done quickly.
The Prime Minster has promised to consult the electorate on where cuts should occur.
The new coalition have already announced over £6bn worth of cuts to various ministries and will announce more specific measures in the forthcoming budget.
If ministers are so keen to consult the public, why haven't they been consulted up to now?
It will be very interesting to see just how much 'consultation' with the public will actually take place.
The state of the economy is 'worse than first thought' when the Coalition took office and Labour's gross overspending has left our finances in an utter 'mess'.
From the start, the Conservatives have said their priority, if they won the election, would be to reduce the huge budget deficit. It is a job that has to be done, and done quickly.
The Prime Minster has promised to consult the electorate on where cuts should occur.
The new coalition have already announced over £6bn worth of cuts to various ministries and will announce more specific measures in the forthcoming budget.
If ministers are so keen to consult the public, why haven't they been consulted up to now?
It will be very interesting to see just how much 'consultation' with the public will actually take place.
Sunday 6 June 2010
Miliband Accuses Coalition Partners Of Broken Promises And Hypocrisy
The Prime Minister David Cameron has warned of the pain to come when further cuts in spending are announced in the forthcoming emergency Budget.
The frontrunner for the Labour Party leadership, David Miliband, has been very swift to condemn both Mr Cameron and Deputy PM Nick Clegg for misleading the British people during the election campaign.
The Conservatives had said right up to the election that the focus on any spending cuts would be on reducing government waste. And yet they have announced the axing of the Future Jobs Fund, set up by Labour to guarantee jobs or training for 18-24 year-olds.
Mr Cameron has repeatedly claimed he cares about the future of our country.
However, by cutting a scheme which will help the next generation of school and university leavers to get work, that will mean that thousands of young people will be unemployed.
And as for Mr Clegg and his party, the former foreign secretary is right to speak of their total hypocrisy.
It was Clegg himself who shouted the loudest during the election campaign; highlighting the dangers of any Conservative cuts in public spending should they win power.
Now he and his party are implementing these cuts themselves.
What a difference being in power makes.
The frontrunner for the Labour Party leadership, David Miliband, has been very swift to condemn both Mr Cameron and Deputy PM Nick Clegg for misleading the British people during the election campaign.
The Conservatives had said right up to the election that the focus on any spending cuts would be on reducing government waste. And yet they have announced the axing of the Future Jobs Fund, set up by Labour to guarantee jobs or training for 18-24 year-olds.
Mr Cameron has repeatedly claimed he cares about the future of our country.
However, by cutting a scheme which will help the next generation of school and university leavers to get work, that will mean that thousands of young people will be unemployed.
And as for Mr Clegg and his party, the former foreign secretary is right to speak of their total hypocrisy.
It was Clegg himself who shouted the loudest during the election campaign; highlighting the dangers of any Conservative cuts in public spending should they win power.
Now he and his party are implementing these cuts themselves.
What a difference being in power makes.
Thursday 3 June 2010
Mandelson's Brilliant Assessment Of The Direction In Which Labour Must Now Travel
http://www.labourlist.org/mandelson-peter-new-labour-life-heart-dead-goes-on?utm_source=taomail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2807+Communication,+Thu+3rd+Jun+2010&tmtid=31121-2807-6-1-1297
I am in total agreement with Peter Mandelson here.
Whilst Lord Mandelson now believes that Labour can no longer market itself as 'New' by the next generation of Party leaders, the concept 'New Labour' that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown adopted to bring the Party back to government after 18 years of Opposition still is of value today.
He sums up perfectly the direction in which the Party should continue despite now being back on the Opposition benches. The former Business Secretary talks of New Labour not being 'a marketing tool that enabled us simply to win elections'.
But what I like most about his comments is his view that New Labour...'is about ...not being a party of class or sectional interest, but being a broad-based party of conscience and reform....Open not tribal'
Of course the candidates for the Leadership are right to want to reconnect with all sections of the Party and ensure that Labour wins back those disillusioned working-class voters who abandoned them in May's election.
But it is only as a broad church, representing all sections of the British electorate, that Labour has any hope of regaining power.
That is how Labour won in 1997.
And it is how they will win again.
I am in total agreement with Peter Mandelson here.
Whilst Lord Mandelson now believes that Labour can no longer market itself as 'New' by the next generation of Party leaders, the concept 'New Labour' that Tony Blair and Gordon Brown adopted to bring the Party back to government after 18 years of Opposition still is of value today.
He sums up perfectly the direction in which the Party should continue despite now being back on the Opposition benches. The former Business Secretary talks of New Labour not being 'a marketing tool that enabled us simply to win elections'.
But what I like most about his comments is his view that New Labour...'is about ...not being a party of class or sectional interest, but being a broad-based party of conscience and reform....Open not tribal'
Of course the candidates for the Leadership are right to want to reconnect with all sections of the Party and ensure that Labour wins back those disillusioned working-class voters who abandoned them in May's election.
But it is only as a broad church, representing all sections of the British electorate, that Labour has any hope of regaining power.
That is how Labour won in 1997.
And it is how they will win again.
Cameron Responds To Calls For Tighter Gun-Control Legislation
In the wake of the appalling events in Cumbria and the mass killing of twelve people by Derrick Bird, there have been the inevitable calls from anti-gun campaigners for more stringent gun-control legislation.
The UK already has some of the toughest anti-firearm legislation in the world. The laws on hand-guns were tightened even further following the Dunblane Massacre in 1996.
For once, however, I actually found myself in agreement with David Cameron.
The Prime Minister told a news conference: 'You can't legislate to stop a switch flicking in someone's head and this sort of action taking place'.
And the consensus amongst the psychology experts asked to comment on the killings in Cumbria seems to be just that: it is impossible to predict exactly whether, when or where someone will snap in the way that clearly, Mr Bird appears to have done.
Most licensed gun-owners behave responsibly with their weapons, and all have to go through the most vigorous checks to assess their suitability for possessing a gun.
Any change to the law on firearm-use or ownership is certainly a long way off.
The UK already has some of the toughest anti-firearm legislation in the world. The laws on hand-guns were tightened even further following the Dunblane Massacre in 1996.
For once, however, I actually found myself in agreement with David Cameron.
The Prime Minister told a news conference: 'You can't legislate to stop a switch flicking in someone's head and this sort of action taking place'.
And the consensus amongst the psychology experts asked to comment on the killings in Cumbria seems to be just that: it is impossible to predict exactly whether, when or where someone will snap in the way that clearly, Mr Bird appears to have done.
Most licensed gun-owners behave responsibly with their weapons, and all have to go through the most vigorous checks to assess their suitability for possessing a gun.
Any change to the law on firearm-use or ownership is certainly a long way off.
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Labour Leadership Hopefuls Set Out Their Stalls
All six candidates for the leadership of the Labour party have written in the Guardian today.
A common theme amongst them seems to be the necessity of the new leader to ensure the Party reconnects with those core voters that deserted them at last month's election.
It is still a open question as to which of the candidates will be the most capable of doing that.
http://www.labourlist.org/comment-is-free-hustings-how-do-they-match-up?utm_source=taomail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2805+Communication,+Tue+1st+Jun+2010&tmtid=31028-2805-6-1-1297
A common theme amongst them seems to be the necessity of the new leader to ensure the Party reconnects with those core voters that deserted them at last month's election.
It is still a open question as to which of the candidates will be the most capable of doing that.
http://www.labourlist.org/comment-is-free-hustings-how-do-they-match-up?utm_source=taomail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2805+Communication,+Tue+1st+Jun+2010&tmtid=31028-2805-6-1-1297
US Deficit Woes Put UK In The Shade
I was shocked to discover that the budget deficit currently being dealt with in the United States stands at 13 trillion dollars.
The UK's total is £156 billion. Piffling in total.
I therefore find it a bit too much to bear when I hear the new coalition repeatedly reminding the British people of the terrible economic mess they inherited from the Labour government.
The UK's total is £156 billion. Piffling in total.
I therefore find it a bit too much to bear when I hear the new coalition repeatedly reminding the British people of the terrible economic mess they inherited from the Labour government.
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