http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-12577154
The UK's GDP figures for the final quarter of 2010 which showed the economy shrank by 0.5% during that period, have been revised down even further to 0.6%.
Of course this is a very small change, but it still shows that, far from the economy being 'pulled back from the brink' as the Prime Minister and Chancellor have insisted, the UK's finances are still on very shaky ground.
And it adds support to the argument that massive cuts in public spending and at the speed the Coalition have proposed, could damage the economy even further and make a double-dip recession more likely.
The argument that cuts are necessary because as the Chief Secretary to the Treasury put it, Labour 'maxed out the nation's credit card' are wearing increasingly thin in the eyes of the public.
Watching this week's Question Time, the Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan, was met with loud boos from the audience when she once again trotted out this same line that has been used by the Coalition again and again from the moment they took office last May.
The public are beginning to think the government is sounding like a broken record.
Friday, 25 February 2011
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Who's Right On AV? Cameron And Clegg Set Out Their Stalls
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12498624
The issue of electoral reform and more, specifically, the impending referendum on replacing our current voting system with the Alternative Vote, has thrown up a whole host of dilemas for the Coalition.
It was an issue that was key to the Liberal Democrats agreeing to share power with the Conservatives.
But it is no secret that most Tories absolutely hate the idea. The current First Past the Post system has, in the main ensured strong majority government for many years, with very few exceptions in modern times.
And we must not forget is that what Liberal Democrats really want is full Proportional Representation. AV offers voters the chance to rank candidates for MPs in each constituency in order of preference until one gets 50% of the vote. It is a preferential system and not a proportional one; therefore it could be argued, it is a compromise solution that neither side really want.
AV eliminates the scenario of having an MP elected to the House of Commons on as little as 25% of support from the constituents, which its supporters say can only be a good thing.
But there is always the chance that smaller, more extremist parties could end up holding the balance of power, or perhaps one or two independent MPs, as is now the case in Australia.
The ridiculous spectacle of the Prime Minister, David Cameron campaigning against a 'No' vote in May's referendum, with his deputy, Nick Clegg, spelling out the merits of changing our system to AV, really highlights the compromises both sides have had to make in order to ensure the stable government of the country.
Is it really a good thing for partners in government to have to agree to differ on such important issues just so that they can remain in power?
It remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister is right to insist that the result of the referendum will not be a 'coalition breaker'.
The issue of electoral reform and more, specifically, the impending referendum on replacing our current voting system with the Alternative Vote, has thrown up a whole host of dilemas for the Coalition.
It was an issue that was key to the Liberal Democrats agreeing to share power with the Conservatives.
But it is no secret that most Tories absolutely hate the idea. The current First Past the Post system has, in the main ensured strong majority government for many years, with very few exceptions in modern times.
And we must not forget is that what Liberal Democrats really want is full Proportional Representation. AV offers voters the chance to rank candidates for MPs in each constituency in order of preference until one gets 50% of the vote. It is a preferential system and not a proportional one; therefore it could be argued, it is a compromise solution that neither side really want.
AV eliminates the scenario of having an MP elected to the House of Commons on as little as 25% of support from the constituents, which its supporters say can only be a good thing.
But there is always the chance that smaller, more extremist parties could end up holding the balance of power, or perhaps one or two independent MPs, as is now the case in Australia.
The ridiculous spectacle of the Prime Minister, David Cameron campaigning against a 'No' vote in May's referendum, with his deputy, Nick Clegg, spelling out the merits of changing our system to AV, really highlights the compromises both sides have had to make in order to ensure the stable government of the country.
Is it really a good thing for partners in government to have to agree to differ on such important issues just so that they can remain in power?
It remains to be seen whether the Prime Minister is right to insist that the result of the referendum will not be a 'coalition breaker'.
Monday, 31 January 2011
New Coalition NHS Reforms Could See Many NHS Hospitals Close
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12321166
The Tory-led Coalition's controversial plans for the NHS were unveiled in the House of Commons today.
The proposals mean that GPs will take over control of most of the NHS budget, supposedly allowing more decisions to be made at local level rather than from Whitehall.
A good idea on the surface, perhaps.
However, this is a clear example of how the Conservatives' obsession with the market is going to be put into practice in the implementation of Government policy.
Private companies will be allowed to compete with NHS hospitals in the provision of services. So obviously any GP being offered a lower price by a non-NHS source will be very tempted to take them on.
This will unundoubtedly lead to patient care becoming secondary to cost and one can only envisage a two-tier NHS emerging as a result.
More worrying is that many NHS hospitals could now go to the wall as a direct consequence of the new reforms. Under the proposed system, where people follow the market, the fear is that those hospitals that do not attract enough patients will be forced to close their doors.
The whole foundation on which these changes are based is that they will increase in choice of care available to patients. But if hospitals do not treat enough people, they will not survive, with their subsequence closure leading inevitably to patient choice being diminished.
The NHS will never be perfect, but the Coalition have engaged in change for change's sake and patients will suffer as a consequence.
The Tory-led Coalition's controversial plans for the NHS were unveiled in the House of Commons today.
The proposals mean that GPs will take over control of most of the NHS budget, supposedly allowing more decisions to be made at local level rather than from Whitehall.
A good idea on the surface, perhaps.
However, this is a clear example of how the Conservatives' obsession with the market is going to be put into practice in the implementation of Government policy.
Private companies will be allowed to compete with NHS hospitals in the provision of services. So obviously any GP being offered a lower price by a non-NHS source will be very tempted to take them on.
This will unundoubtedly lead to patient care becoming secondary to cost and one can only envisage a two-tier NHS emerging as a result.
More worrying is that many NHS hospitals could now go to the wall as a direct consequence of the new reforms. Under the proposed system, where people follow the market, the fear is that those hospitals that do not attract enough patients will be forced to close their doors.
The whole foundation on which these changes are based is that they will increase in choice of care available to patients. But if hospitals do not treat enough people, they will not survive, with their subsequence closure leading inevitably to patient choice being diminished.
The NHS will never be perfect, but the Coalition have engaged in change for change's sake and patients will suffer as a consequence.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
Labour Leader Maintains Tough Stance Against Unions Over Royal Wedding Strike Threat
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12201252
Despite continual sniping from the Conservatives that he was elected mainly due the support of the Trades Unions, Ed Miliband, from day one of his leadership, has maintained a firm, uncompromising stance over the issue of industrial action.
In his first speech as Party leader last September, he stated that he had 'no truck' with the bosses of the major unions wanting to call their members out on strike at the drop of a hat. This was a clear warning to figures like RMT leader Bob Crowe, known for his hardline, militant attitude towards Tube management.
And today, Mr Miliband, has spoken out, quite rightly, against there being any kind of strike action on April 29, the day Prince William marries Kate Middleton.
There had been talk of members of the train drivers' union, ASLEF, walking out that day, but union bosses have now said that is unlikely.
Even so, just the threat of strike action disrupting the day's celebrations will have certainly alienated many people and had it gone ahead, would have no doubt made most of the public very unsympathetic to the unions' cause.
I hope Ed Miliband continues to speak out against any proposed or actual industrial action in this way.
He is doing extremely well in keeping Labour on the centre-ground of British politics, where it belongs.
Despite continual sniping from the Conservatives that he was elected mainly due the support of the Trades Unions, Ed Miliband, from day one of his leadership, has maintained a firm, uncompromising stance over the issue of industrial action.
In his first speech as Party leader last September, he stated that he had 'no truck' with the bosses of the major unions wanting to call their members out on strike at the drop of a hat. This was a clear warning to figures like RMT leader Bob Crowe, known for his hardline, militant attitude towards Tube management.
And today, Mr Miliband, has spoken out, quite rightly, against there being any kind of strike action on April 29, the day Prince William marries Kate Middleton.
There had been talk of members of the train drivers' union, ASLEF, walking out that day, but union bosses have now said that is unlikely.
Even so, just the threat of strike action disrupting the day's celebrations will have certainly alienated many people and had it gone ahead, would have no doubt made most of the public very unsympathetic to the unions' cause.
I hope Ed Miliband continues to speak out against any proposed or actual industrial action in this way.
He is doing extremely well in keeping Labour on the centre-ground of British politics, where it belongs.
SDP Founder Lord Owen Could Rejoin Labour Under Ed Miliband
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12201106
I read with interest today that Lord Owen - one of the four MPs who left Labour in 1981 to form the SDP - is considering rejoining the Labour Party.
Lord Owen, who was Foreign Secretary under Jim Callaghan, has now said that he is very impressed with Ed Miliband's leadership so far and believes he has reclaimed some of the ground lost by Labour when Tony Blair was at the helm.
Now, he is considering voting for the Party again, if not rejoining them.
I find this all quite amazing, since David Owen, as he then was, along with Shirley Williams, Bill Rodgers and Roy Jenkins all left the Labour Party claiming it had gone too far to the left under Michael Foot's leadership.
Now the Labour peer is claiming that he is ready to rejoin a Party that is being led by a man thought to be more on the left than many other Cabinet ministers in the last government and considered to have won the leadership mainly due the support of the trades unions.
Given how far onto the centre-ground Tony Blair took Labour, I am very surprised indeed that Lord Owen did not publicly state his support for them whilst they in power.
This will certainly raise a few eyebrows.
I would be very interested to know what has been the nature of the conversations so far between Mr Miliband and Lord Owen.
I also think that, with so many Liberal Democrat supporters unhappy with Nick Clegg's propping up of the Tories right now, having such a prominent figure like David Owen back in the Labour fold could strengthen them as an opposition and encourage many Lib Dems to come over to Labour.
This could possibly increase the likelihood of the Party gaining enough support amongst the electorate for them to return to power very quickly at the next general election.
I read with interest today that Lord Owen - one of the four MPs who left Labour in 1981 to form the SDP - is considering rejoining the Labour Party.
Lord Owen, who was Foreign Secretary under Jim Callaghan, has now said that he is very impressed with Ed Miliband's leadership so far and believes he has reclaimed some of the ground lost by Labour when Tony Blair was at the helm.
Now, he is considering voting for the Party again, if not rejoining them.
I find this all quite amazing, since David Owen, as he then was, along with Shirley Williams, Bill Rodgers and Roy Jenkins all left the Labour Party claiming it had gone too far to the left under Michael Foot's leadership.
Now the Labour peer is claiming that he is ready to rejoin a Party that is being led by a man thought to be more on the left than many other Cabinet ministers in the last government and considered to have won the leadership mainly due the support of the trades unions.
Given how far onto the centre-ground Tony Blair took Labour, I am very surprised indeed that Lord Owen did not publicly state his support for them whilst they in power.
This will certainly raise a few eyebrows.
I would be very interested to know what has been the nature of the conversations so far between Mr Miliband and Lord Owen.
I also think that, with so many Liberal Democrat supporters unhappy with Nick Clegg's propping up of the Tories right now, having such a prominent figure like David Owen back in the Labour fold could strengthen them as an opposition and encourage many Lib Dems to come over to Labour.
This could possibly increase the likelihood of the Party gaining enough support amongst the electorate for them to return to power very quickly at the next general election.
Friday, 14 January 2011
By-Election Boost For Miliband As Tories Are Criticised For Lacklustre Campaign
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12191431
Ed Miliband's leadership has been given a boost after Labour safely held the seat of Oldham East and Saddleworth in Thursday's by-election.
Although the Liberal Democrats did increase their share of the vote on last May's General Election result, Labour's Debbie Abrahams romped home with a confortable majority with the Tories a distant third.
There is no doubt that this will be seen as an endorsement of the new Labour leader, who has received a lambasting in the mainly Tory-backed press for his performance so far, with them still refusing to see Mr Miliband as anything other than the man put at the helm by the unions.
This is, as the Labour leader said after the result, the first step on Labour's path back to power, but nobody is under any illusion that there is an extremely tough road ahead for the party.
Although the Tories were never going to come near to winning this seat, they should certainly be worried about their share of the vote and the Party's co-chair Baroness Warsi has been forced to deny that they deliberately fought a lacklustre campaign to help the Liberal Democrats.
With there being considerable anger amongst voters about the rise in student tuition fees and the huge hike in VAT, amongst other things, this result has to be seen as the first of many damning verdicts on the Coalition's performance.
Ed Miliband's leadership has been given a boost after Labour safely held the seat of Oldham East and Saddleworth in Thursday's by-election.
Although the Liberal Democrats did increase their share of the vote on last May's General Election result, Labour's Debbie Abrahams romped home with a confortable majority with the Tories a distant third.
There is no doubt that this will be seen as an endorsement of the new Labour leader, who has received a lambasting in the mainly Tory-backed press for his performance so far, with them still refusing to see Mr Miliband as anything other than the man put at the helm by the unions.
This is, as the Labour leader said after the result, the first step on Labour's path back to power, but nobody is under any illusion that there is an extremely tough road ahead for the party.
Although the Tories were never going to come near to winning this seat, they should certainly be worried about their share of the vote and the Party's co-chair Baroness Warsi has been forced to deny that they deliberately fought a lacklustre campaign to help the Liberal Democrats.
With there being considerable anger amongst voters about the rise in student tuition fees and the huge hike in VAT, amongst other things, this result has to be seen as the first of many damning verdicts on the Coalition's performance.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Illsley's Position Now Untenable
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12157768
Labour MP Eric Illsley has pleaded guilty in court today to charges of false accounting over claims of a second home.
Yet he has not resigned as an MP.
Yes it's true that he can still retain his seat in Parliament if he now receives a custodial sentence of less than a year. But given the fact that he has been found guilty of misusing tax-payers' money and can now be said to have betrayed the trust of his own constituents, there is no way, in my opinion that he can remain an MP.
Labour leader Ed Miliband and Prime Minister David Cameron have, quite rightly, called for him to resign gracefully.
Following the conviction and jailing last week of fellow Labour MP David Chaytor over the expenses scandal, this is another black day for the reputation of Parliament.
Mr Illsley's reputation, like Mr Chaytor's, is now in ruins. And there are further trials of other MPs to come.
Nobody found guilty of such serious offences can expect to remain in public office.
Labour MP Eric Illsley has pleaded guilty in court today to charges of false accounting over claims of a second home.
Yet he has not resigned as an MP.
Yes it's true that he can still retain his seat in Parliament if he now receives a custodial sentence of less than a year. But given the fact that he has been found guilty of misusing tax-payers' money and can now be said to have betrayed the trust of his own constituents, there is no way, in my opinion that he can remain an MP.
Labour leader Ed Miliband and Prime Minister David Cameron have, quite rightly, called for him to resign gracefully.
Following the conviction and jailing last week of fellow Labour MP David Chaytor over the expenses scandal, this is another black day for the reputation of Parliament.
Mr Illsley's reputation, like Mr Chaytor's, is now in ruins. And there are further trials of other MPs to come.
Nobody found guilty of such serious offences can expect to remain in public office.
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