The Prime Minister's remarks about Pakistan's association with terrorism say a great deal about him.
David Cameron's trip to India was supposed to promote better links between the two countries, but has instead caused a diplomatic spat with her Muslim neighbours.
Mr Cameron's defence that he is someone who is a straight-talker is simply lame and pathetic. He may have only been Prime Minister for a few weeks but he has been in the political spotlight for several years now as Conservative leader and should have sharper diplomatic skills.
Such provocative use of language illustrates that Cameron lacks the maturity that being in Government requires, never mind to maintain harmonious relations with other countries.
David Cameron is typical of many of his fellow MPs in the Conservative party. One could be forgiven for thinking that he actually believes that, having come from a very privileged background, it is his birthright to be Prime Minister, despite any furious protestations from him to the contrary.
But having led his party back to Government after 13 years in the wilderness of Opposition, it is shocking to see that, once in power, how gaffe-prone Cameron really is.
Thursday 29 July 2010
Monday 26 July 2010
Poll Confirms Disquiet Amongst Lib Dem Grassroots Over Coalition
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/8854870.stm
The latest opinion polls confirms what many have been saying since the formation of the Coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats - that many supporters would not have backed the party if they had known they would have joined forces with the Tories in the event of a Hung Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats have always been more closely aligned with Labour so this is not surprising.
It is all very well for former leader Lord Ashdown to say that the Coalition is not a bad thing. He is not going to be affected by all the cuts in public services that will hit millions of ordinary people on modest incomes.
This survey will definitely not be the last to produce these findings.
The latest opinion polls confirms what many have been saying since the formation of the Coalition between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats - that many supporters would not have backed the party if they had known they would have joined forces with the Tories in the event of a Hung Parliament.
The Liberal Democrats have always been more closely aligned with Labour so this is not surprising.
It is all very well for former leader Lord Ashdown to say that the Coalition is not a bad thing. He is not going to be affected by all the cuts in public services that will hit millions of ordinary people on modest incomes.
This survey will definitely not be the last to produce these findings.
Sunday 25 July 2010
Police Set To Lose Impartiality Under New Coalition Plans
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10757014
A radical shake-up of the police is to be announced this week by the Home Secretary, Theresa May.
One of the proposals is to abolish the current system of independent Police Authorities and instead have elections at local level for police and crime commissioners, the first of which will be held in May 2012. The commissioners would have the power to set budgets and hire and fire Chief Constables.
However, the new plans have already provoked opposition from the Police authorities who would be scrapped under the new system.
Police Authorities have always been independent of any political influence. There is no doubt that having locally-elected officials will mean that the police will lose any impartiality that they now have.
Decisions about policing will no longer be based on what is right for an individual community. Instead, choices will now be politically-motivated.
This cannot be right.
A radical shake-up of the police is to be announced this week by the Home Secretary, Theresa May.
One of the proposals is to abolish the current system of independent Police Authorities and instead have elections at local level for police and crime commissioners, the first of which will be held in May 2012. The commissioners would have the power to set budgets and hire and fire Chief Constables.
However, the new plans have already provoked opposition from the Police authorities who would be scrapped under the new system.
Police Authorities have always been independent of any political influence. There is no doubt that having locally-elected officials will mean that the police will lose any impartiality that they now have.
Decisions about policing will no longer be based on what is right for an individual community. Instead, choices will now be politically-motivated.
This cannot be right.
Saturday 24 July 2010
David Davis' 'Brokeback Coalition' Jibe Reveals What Some MPs Really Think Of The New Government
http://www.talktalk.co.uk/news/pa/uknews/2010/07/24/tory-overheard-mocking-coalition.html?page=1
One could possibly argue that David Davis' comments may the result of sour grapes.
After all, he blew his chances of being given a cabinet post in Government when he said the owners of a bed and breakfast were right to ban gay couples if they wished; thus totally flying in the face of the Conservative Party's new, tolerant image.
Nevertheless, his derogatory remarks calling the agreement between Cameron and Clegg's parties the 'Brokeback' Coalition, however unguarded are hugely significant. They clearly reveal huge disquiet amongst Lib Dem and Conservative MPs about whether the two parties are really working well together and the direction in which the new Government is taking this country.
How many more MPs will now speak out?
One could possibly argue that David Davis' comments may the result of sour grapes.
After all, he blew his chances of being given a cabinet post in Government when he said the owners of a bed and breakfast were right to ban gay couples if they wished; thus totally flying in the face of the Conservative Party's new, tolerant image.
Nevertheless, his derogatory remarks calling the agreement between Cameron and Clegg's parties the 'Brokeback' Coalition, however unguarded are hugely significant. They clearly reveal huge disquiet amongst Lib Dem and Conservative MPs about whether the two parties are really working well together and the direction in which the new Government is taking this country.
How many more MPs will now speak out?
Thursday 22 July 2010
Labour Should Propose Credible Alternative To Cameron's Big Society
http://labourlist.org/ben-fox-big-society-economy?utm_source=taomail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2856+Communication,+Thu+22nd+Jul+2010&tmtid=33171-2856-6-1-1297
So David Cameron has relaunched his Big Society idea that appeared to flounder during the election campaign.
It will now be up to individuals to come together to run local services rather than Local Authorities or the State.
In my mind, it is simply a rehash of policies that were carried out during the Thatcher era of the 1980s - designed to undermine local government and de-centralise services. It didn't work then and it won't work now.
Whilst Labour have been very vocal in their opposition to Cameron's proposals, they need to be more proactive in coming up with alternatives to the Big Society.
So David Cameron has relaunched his Big Society idea that appeared to flounder during the election campaign.
It will now be up to individuals to come together to run local services rather than Local Authorities or the State.
In my mind, it is simply a rehash of policies that were carried out during the Thatcher era of the 1980s - designed to undermine local government and de-centralise services. It didn't work then and it won't work now.
Whilst Labour have been very vocal in their opposition to Cameron's proposals, they need to be more proactive in coming up with alternatives to the Big Society.
Wednesday 21 July 2010
Clegg's PMQs Debut Sets Him On Possible Collision Course With Tories
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10715629
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jul/21/nick-clegg-illegal-iraq-war-gaffe
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's comments in the House of Commons that he believed the 2003 invasion of Iraq to be illegal is no real surprise.
What is controversial, however, is that he chose to make these remarks whilst standing in for David Cameron during Prime Minister's Questions.
It does not say much for the unity of the Coalition. The Guardian has branded the Government as being in 'confusion' following Mr Clegg's admission.
Given that the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats were on opposing sides when it came to voting on whether the UK should invade Iraq and with the Chilcott Enquiry into the war still in progress and yet to report its findings, the inevitable question has to be asked.
Will the coalition run into trouble over Iraq? With the Liberal Democrats so opposed to the war, can Nick Clegg really hope to carry his party in a Coalition with the Conservatives right up until 2015?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jul/21/nick-clegg-illegal-iraq-war-gaffe
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's comments in the House of Commons that he believed the 2003 invasion of Iraq to be illegal is no real surprise.
What is controversial, however, is that he chose to make these remarks whilst standing in for David Cameron during Prime Minister's Questions.
It does not say much for the unity of the Coalition. The Guardian has branded the Government as being in 'confusion' following Mr Clegg's admission.
Given that the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats were on opposing sides when it came to voting on whether the UK should invade Iraq and with the Chilcott Enquiry into the war still in progress and yet to report its findings, the inevitable question has to be asked.
Will the coalition run into trouble over Iraq? With the Liberal Democrats so opposed to the war, can Nick Clegg really hope to carry his party in a Coalition with the Conservatives right up until 2015?
Tuesday 20 July 2010
Ed Miliband Now More Favoured Leadership Candidate After Strong Hustings Performance
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/may/23/ed-miliband-labour-leader-kinnock
I went to last Friday's Labour leadership hustings meeting with my mind more or less made up about who would get my vote as first preference in the forthcoming ballot.
I was not expecting to come away having altered my views on any of the candidates, having already decided, like many people, to go with David Miliband as my first choice.
However, it was his brother Ed, who was the most fluent of all the five running for the job. I was especially impressed with his closing remarks and the way he delivered them. I really felt he connected with the audience in a way that the others, including his more experienced older brother, failed to do.
In fact, I found the former foreign secretary's oratory disappointing on this occasion. I have seen him perform much better at previous meetings.
Former Labour leader, Lord Kinnock, now one of the Party's elder statesmen, said shortly after the general election that Ed Miliband has the combination of qualities required to lead Labour back to power.
I believe Kinnock is right. Not only does Ed Miliband put Labour's case across exceptionally well; he is warm, affable and engaging.
It is entirely possible, that even if his brother gets the most first preference votes, Ed will win enough second and third preferences to snatch the leadership at the last minute.
Ed Miliband has the making of a great Prime Minister and will be my first choice as the next leader of the Labour Party.
I went to last Friday's Labour leadership hustings meeting with my mind more or less made up about who would get my vote as first preference in the forthcoming ballot.
I was not expecting to come away having altered my views on any of the candidates, having already decided, like many people, to go with David Miliband as my first choice.
However, it was his brother Ed, who was the most fluent of all the five running for the job. I was especially impressed with his closing remarks and the way he delivered them. I really felt he connected with the audience in a way that the others, including his more experienced older brother, failed to do.
In fact, I found the former foreign secretary's oratory disappointing on this occasion. I have seen him perform much better at previous meetings.
Former Labour leader, Lord Kinnock, now one of the Party's elder statesmen, said shortly after the general election that Ed Miliband has the combination of qualities required to lead Labour back to power.
I believe Kinnock is right. Not only does Ed Miliband put Labour's case across exceptionally well; he is warm, affable and engaging.
It is entirely possible, that even if his brother gets the most first preference votes, Ed will win enough second and third preferences to snatch the leadership at the last minute.
Ed Miliband has the making of a great Prime Minister and will be my first choice as the next leader of the Labour Party.
Thursday 15 July 2010
Was PM Too Quick To Brand Raoul Moat A Callous Murderer?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-10636086
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10641225
Like the law-abiding majority of people in this country, I was horrified and upset at the brutal shooting of three innocent people by Raoul Moat.
The fact that the days he spent on the run and evading capture ended with him killing himself, will be of no comfort to his three victims and their loved ones. Raoul Moat will never face justice in court.
I also cannot condone the messages of support that Moat has received on Facebook from people who did not know him in an attempt to propel him to some kind of hero-statuts.
David Cameron used PMQs to roundly condemn the pages on Facebook that have been set up in Moat's memory.
However is the Prime Minister really right to label Raoul Moat a 'callous murderer?'
A picture is emerging of a man with very serious mental health problems and paranoid tendancies who may not have received the attention from social services that he required. Indeed Raoul Moat himself repeatedly acknowledged that his difficulties.
And yet as his brother Angus has suggested, the appropriate help was not forthcoming and had Moat had the right support and the symptoms of his mental instability been spotted sooner, the tragic events that unfolded might been avoided.
Since Moat was already known to social services, clearly not enough attention was paid to his mental health needs. This is a very serious failing on the part of all authorities concerned.
Mr Cameron's comments are certainly not helpful. Such flippant remarks might send the right political signals to the Tory grass-roots.
However they do very little to address the very serious social and political issues that this very sad case raises.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-10641225
Like the law-abiding majority of people in this country, I was horrified and upset at the brutal shooting of three innocent people by Raoul Moat.
The fact that the days he spent on the run and evading capture ended with him killing himself, will be of no comfort to his three victims and their loved ones. Raoul Moat will never face justice in court.
I also cannot condone the messages of support that Moat has received on Facebook from people who did not know him in an attempt to propel him to some kind of hero-statuts.
David Cameron used PMQs to roundly condemn the pages on Facebook that have been set up in Moat's memory.
However is the Prime Minister really right to label Raoul Moat a 'callous murderer?'
A picture is emerging of a man with very serious mental health problems and paranoid tendancies who may not have received the attention from social services that he required. Indeed Raoul Moat himself repeatedly acknowledged that his difficulties.
And yet as his brother Angus has suggested, the appropriate help was not forthcoming and had Moat had the right support and the symptoms of his mental instability been spotted sooner, the tragic events that unfolded might been avoided.
Since Moat was already known to social services, clearly not enough attention was paid to his mental health needs. This is a very serious failing on the part of all authorities concerned.
Mr Cameron's comments are certainly not helpful. Such flippant remarks might send the right political signals to the Tory grass-roots.
However they do very little to address the very serious social and political issues that this very sad case raises.
Mandelson Memoirs Reveal Clashes With Blair Over Iraq
The latest excerpts of Peter Mandelson's book, published today, show how uncertain he was about Tony Blair and George Bush's decision to invade Iraq.
He raised many concerns with the then-Prime Minister, especially in relation to rebuilding Iraq after the invasion. This caused much friction between the two men; actually leading to Blair accusing Mandelson of being influenced too much by anti-war MP George Galloway.
What Blair himself may say in his forthcoming book about this, as well other aspects of his policy towards Iraq, will be very interesting indeed.
He raised many concerns with the then-Prime Minister, especially in relation to rebuilding Iraq after the invasion. This caused much friction between the two men; actually leading to Blair accusing Mandelson of being influenced too much by anti-war MP George Galloway.
What Blair himself may say in his forthcoming book about this, as well other aspects of his policy towards Iraq, will be very interesting indeed.
Tuesday 13 July 2010
Balls Could Be Main Beneficiary Of Second Preference Votes
http://www.labourlist.org/the-diamond-candidate-has-emerged-jim-knight
Whilst I still believe that David Miliband is the candidate most likely to emerge victorious at the forthcoming election for the next Labour Party leader, we must not, as I've said before, dismiss the chances of Ed Balls.
Labour MP and former minister Jim Knight puts the case for Mr Balls very eloquently here.
The second-preference votes of the Electoral College will be absolutely crucial.
Whilst I still believe that David Miliband is the candidate most likely to emerge victorious at the forthcoming election for the next Labour Party leader, we must not, as I've said before, dismiss the chances of Ed Balls.
Labour MP and former minister Jim Knight puts the case for Mr Balls very eloquently here.
The second-preference votes of the Electoral College will be absolutely crucial.
Fallout From Mandelson's Memoirs Underlines Urgency For Labour To Present New Image
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10608577.stm
http://www.labourlist.org/time-for-a-memoir-moratorium-ben-fox
The public spat amongst former Labour cabinet ministers that resulted from the publication of Lord Mandelson's memoirs has prompted some to suggest that there should be a mandatory moratorium period during which former members of the government do not publicly criticise their colleagues in office.
Certainly, I would agree that with Labour having left government only very recently, they need to focus on the vital business of choosing a leader to take us through the 4-5 years of this parliament and not dwell on the fact that many of the Cabinet predicted that Gordon Brown would to lead Labour to defeat.
It is extremely damaging to have the political memoirs of the ex-Prime Minister and former First Secretary serialised in the newspapers right at the same time that their Party is electing a new leader.
Once again, this plays into the hands of the media and the press, who are more interested in highlighting differences between personalities who potentially may be governing us in a few years time, rather than discussing the bread-and-butter issues that really matter to the electorate.
Labour needs time to re-group and redefine itself so that it can be a credible force to defeat the Tories at the next election.
http://www.labourlist.org/time-for-a-memoir-moratorium-ben-fox
The public spat amongst former Labour cabinet ministers that resulted from the publication of Lord Mandelson's memoirs has prompted some to suggest that there should be a mandatory moratorium period during which former members of the government do not publicly criticise their colleagues in office.
Certainly, I would agree that with Labour having left government only very recently, they need to focus on the vital business of choosing a leader to take us through the 4-5 years of this parliament and not dwell on the fact that many of the Cabinet predicted that Gordon Brown would to lead Labour to defeat.
It is extremely damaging to have the political memoirs of the ex-Prime Minister and former First Secretary serialised in the newspapers right at the same time that their Party is electing a new leader.
Once again, this plays into the hands of the media and the press, who are more interested in highlighting differences between personalities who potentially may be governing us in a few years time, rather than discussing the bread-and-butter issues that really matter to the electorate.
Labour needs time to re-group and redefine itself so that it can be a credible force to defeat the Tories at the next election.
Monday 12 July 2010
The NHS Isn't Broke, So Why Fix It?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/10557996.stm
Today, the new Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley spelt out the new Coalition's plans for the NHS.
Key amongst these are allowing GPs to determine the best treatment for a patient and eventually scrapping Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities.
However, GPs are not managers; not all of them will want the extra administrative responsibilities that will come with these changes.
By the end of the recent Labour government, nobody had to wait more than 18 weeks to see a consultant, or more than two weeks for a consultation with a cancer specialist.
At a stroke, the Coalition has abolished these measures. Measures that were making our NHS better than it had ever been.
Now, without these guarantees and with no mention in the statement today of who exactly GPs will be accountable to if things go wrong, patient care is bound to suffer.
Are we now being transported back to the bad old-days of patients lying for hours on trolleys in A&E? Or patients having to wait months in pain for operations not considered to be urgent?
GPs will be allowed to buy services from private companies whose main concern will be profit rather than the well-being of the patient.
It is a return to the Thatcherite policies of the 1980s which caused untold misery to those unable to afford private healthcare.
The electorate will not welcome these changes and they will only serve to make the coalition more unpopular than it is now.
The NHS isn't broke, so let's not fix it.
Today, the new Health Secretary, Andrew Lansley spelt out the new Coalition's plans for the NHS.
Key amongst these are allowing GPs to determine the best treatment for a patient and eventually scrapping Primary Care Trusts and Strategic Health Authorities.
However, GPs are not managers; not all of them will want the extra administrative responsibilities that will come with these changes.
By the end of the recent Labour government, nobody had to wait more than 18 weeks to see a consultant, or more than two weeks for a consultation with a cancer specialist.
At a stroke, the Coalition has abolished these measures. Measures that were making our NHS better than it had ever been.
Now, without these guarantees and with no mention in the statement today of who exactly GPs will be accountable to if things go wrong, patient care is bound to suffer.
Are we now being transported back to the bad old-days of patients lying for hours on trolleys in A&E? Or patients having to wait months in pain for operations not considered to be urgent?
GPs will be allowed to buy services from private companies whose main concern will be profit rather than the well-being of the patient.
It is a return to the Thatcherite policies of the 1980s which caused untold misery to those unable to afford private healthcare.
The electorate will not welcome these changes and they will only serve to make the coalition more unpopular than it is now.
The NHS isn't broke, so let's not fix it.
Mandelson Memoirs Provoke Strong Reaction Amongst Labour Hierarchy.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/also_in_the_news/8806560.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10590932.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10590932.stm
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/07/12/john-prescott-calls-for-end-to-labour-feuds-115875-22406852/
The publication of Peter Mandelson's memoirs was always going to be controversial; given the many years he and Gordon Brown were at loggerheads before he was brought back into government as Business Secretary.
Charlie Whelan, Brown's close aide immediately attacked Lord Mandelson on the publication of the book.
It follows David Miliband's criticism of Mr Brown at the weekend. The former Foreign Secretary, who refused to contest Mr Brown's succession to the Premiership in 2007 and remained publicly loyal to the latter during his time in 10 Downing Street, has now rounded on the former PM, by saying that whilst he supported Brown in all the things he pledged to do on succeeding Tony Blair, these promises were not kept.
All this has led to leading figures in the party to plead for unity. Leadership contender Andy Burnham made an impassioned plea to the party to move on from the factionalism of the Blair-Brown era. And Former Deputy PM Lord Prescott moved quickly to do the same
With the Coalition now likely to be very unpopular, following the cancellation of the BSF programme and all the spending cuts that have been confirmed, Labour absolutely must not turn in on itself.
Those of us who remember the disunity of the Party and the dark days of Opposition in the 1980s will not want to return there.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10590932.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10590932.stm
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/07/12/john-prescott-calls-for-end-to-labour-feuds-115875-22406852/
The publication of Peter Mandelson's memoirs was always going to be controversial; given the many years he and Gordon Brown were at loggerheads before he was brought back into government as Business Secretary.
Charlie Whelan, Brown's close aide immediately attacked Lord Mandelson on the publication of the book.
It follows David Miliband's criticism of Mr Brown at the weekend. The former Foreign Secretary, who refused to contest Mr Brown's succession to the Premiership in 2007 and remained publicly loyal to the latter during his time in 10 Downing Street, has now rounded on the former PM, by saying that whilst he supported Brown in all the things he pledged to do on succeeding Tony Blair, these promises were not kept.
All this has led to leading figures in the party to plead for unity. Leadership contender Andy Burnham made an impassioned plea to the party to move on from the factionalism of the Blair-Brown era. And Former Deputy PM Lord Prescott moved quickly to do the same
With the Coalition now likely to be very unpopular, following the cancellation of the BSF programme and all the spending cuts that have been confirmed, Labour absolutely must not turn in on itself.
Those of us who remember the disunity of the Party and the dark days of Opposition in the 1980s will not want to return there.
Friday 9 July 2010
Labour Accuses Coalition Of Putting Ideology Before The Economy As Osborne Consults Public Sector Workers On Cuts
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10567295.stm
The Chancellor's move to meet with public sector workers and consult with them on where best to make public spending cuts - has provoked a furious response from the Unions, with both Unite and the GMB accusing George Osborne of asking millions of workers to suggest how they should be sacked.
Likewise, Labour maintain that the Coalition's huge cuts in spending are borne out of an ideological belief in the need to reduce the size of the state rather than sound economics.
And there is no doubt in my mind that asking readers of the Tory-supporting Sun newspaper to give their ideas on where cuts should be made will further legitimise the dead end to which this fledgling Coalition is leading this country.
The only question that still needs answering is how quickly we will go back in to recession.
The Chancellor's move to meet with public sector workers and consult with them on where best to make public spending cuts - has provoked a furious response from the Unions, with both Unite and the GMB accusing George Osborne of asking millions of workers to suggest how they should be sacked.
Likewise, Labour maintain that the Coalition's huge cuts in spending are borne out of an ideological belief in the need to reduce the size of the state rather than sound economics.
And there is no doubt in my mind that asking readers of the Tory-supporting Sun newspaper to give their ideas on where cuts should be made will further legitimise the dead end to which this fledgling Coalition is leading this country.
The only question that still needs answering is how quickly we will go back in to recession.
Wednesday 7 July 2010
Sir Alan Budd Quits OBR
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/10518961.stm
The head of the new Office of Budget Responsibility, Sir Alan Budd, has quit after three months.
The OBR is the new government department set up by the Chancellor to oversee cuts in spending.
Even though Sir Alan was only due to stay in post for a few weeks, his departure is bound to raise a few eyebrows.
The question needs to be asked if those advising the Coalition are really happy with the vast cuts in spending that have already been announced by the Treasury and whether they support them being implemented so quickly.
The head of the new Office of Budget Responsibility, Sir Alan Budd, has quit after three months.
The OBR is the new government department set up by the Chancellor to oversee cuts in spending.
Even though Sir Alan was only due to stay in post for a few weeks, his departure is bound to raise a few eyebrows.
The question needs to be asked if those advising the Coalition are really happy with the vast cuts in spending that have already been announced by the Treasury and whether they support them being implemented so quickly.
Monday 5 July 2010
Labour's School Building Programme Scrapped As Coalition Continues To Wield The Axe
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/10514113.stm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jul/05/school-building-programme-budget-cuts?CMP=AFC
The Conservative-led Coalition sent the UK right back to the 1980's today, with Education Secretary Michael Gove's announcement to the House of Commons that they were scrapping Labour's schools' building programme.
We will now no doubt see a return to the Thatcher era of schools with leaking roofs and overcrowded classrooms.
It is a disgraceful step by a Coalition that built their election campaign around the need to build a better future
for our country.
By cancelling such an important scheme, both the Conservatives and their Lib Dem puppets are showing that they clearly do not care about the future generation.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/jul/05/school-building-programme-budget-cuts?CMP=AFC
The Conservative-led Coalition sent the UK right back to the 1980's today, with Education Secretary Michael Gove's announcement to the House of Commons that they were scrapping Labour's schools' building programme.
We will now no doubt see a return to the Thatcher era of schools with leaking roofs and overcrowded classrooms.
It is a disgraceful step by a Coalition that built their election campaign around the need to build a better future
for our country.
By cancelling such an important scheme, both the Conservatives and their Lib Dem puppets are showing that they clearly do not care about the future generation.
Sunday 4 July 2010
Are We Really In For 40% Spending Cuts From Government Departments?
This is the latest story in the media.
Given the horrific extent of the spending cuts already announced by the Coalition, I would like to believe Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, when he says such deep reductions in spending are not likely to happen.
I hope he is right. The economy would not be able to function with such cuts to the public sector.
The worst-case scenario of a double-dip recession would definitely become a reality; a situation from which it would take this country years to recover.
Given the horrific extent of the spending cuts already announced by the Coalition, I would like to believe Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, when he says such deep reductions in spending are not likely to happen.
I hope he is right. The economy would not be able to function with such cuts to the public sector.
The worst-case scenario of a double-dip recession would definitely become a reality; a situation from which it would take this country years to recover.
Saturday 3 July 2010
Coalition In A Mess Over Electoral Reform Vote
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10483841.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10489088.stm
The key issue of electoral reform will definitely be the making or breaking of this Coalition.
What the result of the referendum - due to be held next May - will mean for the durability of this Government must, surely, be a complete unknown.
A referendum on AV, the Alternative Vote electoral system, was central to the Liberal Democrats agreeing to be part of a Government with David Cameron and the Conservatives.
However, with so many Conservative backbenchers traditionally vehemently opposed to any kind of proportional voting system, and with Mr Cameron prepared to vote against a change to the current first-past-the-post system, the survival of the Coalition, which was at best, wobbly from the start anyway, looks to be on even more shaky ground now.
With both partners in the Coalition so far apart on this issue, it is impossible to see how it can possibly survive.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/politics/10489088.stm
The key issue of electoral reform will definitely be the making or breaking of this Coalition.
What the result of the referendum - due to be held next May - will mean for the durability of this Government must, surely, be a complete unknown.
A referendum on AV, the Alternative Vote electoral system, was central to the Liberal Democrats agreeing to be part of a Government with David Cameron and the Conservatives.
However, with so many Conservative backbenchers traditionally vehemently opposed to any kind of proportional voting system, and with Mr Cameron prepared to vote against a change to the current first-past-the-post system, the survival of the Coalition, which was at best, wobbly from the start anyway, looks to be on even more shaky ground now.
With both partners in the Coalition so far apart on this issue, it is impossible to see how it can possibly survive.
Thursday 1 July 2010
Cameron's Jobs Prediction At PMQs May Come Back To Haunt Him
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2010/jun/30/jobless-figures-guardian-treasury?CMP=AFCYAH
David Cameron's prediction that employment will rise during every year of this parliment is a bold one.
Given the public spending cuts that have already been announced by the coalition and the billions of pounds that will be taken out of the economy in the austerity measures to come, how the PM can suggest that employment will actually grow is unbelievable. A stable economy relies on both the public and private sectors functioning well, not just the private sector.
There are bound to be many more angry exchanges in Parliament over unemployment in the months to come.
David Cameron's prediction that employment will rise during every year of this parliment is a bold one.
Given the public spending cuts that have already been announced by the coalition and the billions of pounds that will be taken out of the economy in the austerity measures to come, how the PM can suggest that employment will actually grow is unbelievable. A stable economy relies on both the public and private sectors functioning well, not just the private sector.
There are bound to be many more angry exchanges in Parliament over unemployment in the months to come.
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