Comments on: That was a budget – where’s the debate? http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/ Incisive and topical campaigns and commentary on today's issues and tomorrow's problems Thu, 24 May 2012 10:38:06 +0000 hourly 1 By: Stuart Fairney http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8433 Stuart Fairney Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:49:08 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8433 Quite right, for all we flatter ourselves, there would be any number of Stasi recruits from our own ranks. These are small men, petty officials given tiny power and driving it to the max. I imagine the 'citizens-on-patrol' demanding to see my ID card at some point in the future! Indeed, I'll bet somewhere in the bowels of GCHQ at the moment, there is some fifth-rate list of internet complainants come possible agitators. We are probably on it, but then to be suspected of independant thought by this lot is a badge of honour. Quite right, for all we flatter ourselves, there would be any number of Stasi recruits from our own ranks. These are small men, petty officials given tiny power and driving it to the max. I imagine the 'citizens-on-patrol' demanding to see my ID card at some point in the future!

Indeed, I'll bet somewhere in the bowels of GCHQ at the moment, there is some fifth-rate list of internet complainants come possible agitators. We are probably on it, but then to be suspected of independant thought by this lot is a badge of honour.

]]> By: Richard Clarke http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8432 Richard Clarke Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:04:47 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8432 You are right Stuart. What I find depressing though, is if you get a bunch of people together discussing this, how many can't see any problem with pervasive government surveillance, DNA collection and snooping. I don't think there will be any shortage of block captains and reeducation camp guards in New Britain. You are right Stuart. What I find depressing though, is if you get a bunch of people together discussing this, how many can't see any problem with pervasive government surveillance, DNA collection and snooping. I don't think there will be any shortage of block captains and reeducation camp guards in New Britain.

]]> By: jean baker http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8431 jean baker Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:23:25 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8431 StevenL - Brown urged Councils & others to invest taxpayers money in Icelandic Savings Schemes - disastrous. Brown's self serving 'promises' are like pie crusts - made to be broken. StevenL – Brown urged Councils & others to invest taxpayers money in Icelandic Savings Schemes – disastrous. Brown's self serving 'promises' are like pie crusts – made to be broken.

]]> By: jean baker http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8430 jean baker Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:18:29 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8430 Nulabor's abolition of monetary regulation resulted in gross maladministration, corruption of the economy. Historic 'black hole' debts - unaffordable borrowings at taxpayers' expense were obtained for PFI's for profiting closed shop labour unionist benefactors - 'champagne casino capitalism'. Nulabor's abolition of monetary regulation resulted in gross maladministration, corruption of the economy. Historic 'black hole' debts – unaffordable borrowings at taxpayers' expense were obtained for PFI's for profiting closed shop labour unionist benefactors – 'champagne casino capitalism'.

]]> By: Lord Elvis of Paisle http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8429 Lord Elvis of Paisle Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:02:50 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8429 Thanks Jean. Thanks Jean.

]]> By: adam http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8428 adam Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:02:57 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8428 Jean Baker, what does clause four have to do with the credit crunch? Jean Baker,
what does clause four have to do with the credit crunch?

]]> By: mikestallard http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8427 mikestallard Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:42:00 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8427 And, on a brighter note...... Now that there is all this anger and, yes, economic disaster looming too, isn't it a rather good time to rethink the following: 1. Our position within the EU (see above!) 2. An overall, say 18%, income tax for everyone - and nothing else! 3. Unloading a lot of stuff which the government oughtn't to be doing: the lottery, sports, culture, secondary schooling, hospitals, transport, banking....... 4. Making sure the lights do not go out. 5. Cherishing the armed services, especially when they get hurt. Isn't this just the time to get our brave and hard working little country moving again? We have a noble history: we brought civilization to the whole world! And, on a brighter note……
Now that there is all this anger and, yes, economic disaster looming too, isn't it a rather good time to rethink the following:
1. Our position within the EU (see above!)
2. An overall, say 18%, income tax for everyone – and nothing else!
3. Unloading a lot of stuff which the government oughtn't to be doing: the lottery, sports, culture, secondary schooling, hospitals, transport, banking…….
4. Making sure the lights do not go out.
5. Cherishing the armed services, especially when they get hurt.
Isn't this just the time to get our brave and hard working little country moving again? We have a noble history: we brought civilization to the whole world!

]]> By: jean baker http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8426 jean baker Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:22:04 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8426 I disagree ... Nulabor's contempt for the principles of democracy and longstanding parliamentary procedures is 'self serving'. The acceptability (or otherwise) of EU policies is based on 'self interest'. The European Council's condemnation of the corruptable voting system was ignored. I disagree … Nulabor's contempt for the principles of democracy and longstanding parliamentary procedures is 'self serving'. The acceptability (or otherwise) of EU policies is based on 'self interest'. The European Council's condemnation of the corruptable voting system was ignored.

]]> By: Mike Kingscott http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8424 Mike Kingscott Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:41:00 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8424 Again, does anyone have a view on whether the "proposed" raises in cigarettes, alcohol and fuel can go ahead without further scrutiny? John, please bring some weight to bear on this... Again, does anyone have a view on whether the "proposed" raises in cigarettes, alcohol and fuel can go ahead without further scrutiny? John, please bring some weight to bear on this…

]]> By: Richard Clarke http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2008/11/24/that-was-a-budget-wheres-the-debate/#comment-8423 Richard Clarke Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:36:25 +0000 http://www.johnredwoodsdiary.com/?p=2177#comment-8423 I'm not saying the EU is an excuse for what is happening, I'm saying that the gradual surrender of power - by British MPs - over the past 30 years is the explanation for it. It was MPs, after all, voted to hand over power to Brussels. They can't now complain that the Government treat parliament as an irrelevance! They voted themselves into irrelevance, in exchange for generous pay and perks, on the advice of officials who were mostly thinking of all the career opportunities for themselves and their cronies in Brussels. Consider what would happen if Parliament was to be suspended for a few years for 'refurbishment' and Brown announced that due to the financial crisis the election would be postponed for 'until he is able to stablise the situation', and offered Cameron and Osborne jobs in his 'emergency' cabinet. What is more likely? Riots? Or would people just continue getting on with their lives, and their jobs, going on holiday, getting married, having kids, etc. I'm not saying the EU is an excuse for what is happening, I'm saying that the gradual surrender of power – by British MPs – over the past 30 years is the explanation for it.

It was MPs, after all, voted to hand over power to Brussels.

They can't now complain that the Government treat parliament as an irrelevance!

They voted themselves into irrelevance, in exchange for generous pay and perks, on the advice of officials who were mostly thinking of all the career opportunities for themselves and their cronies in Brussels.

Consider what would happen if Parliament was to be suspended for a few years for 'refurbishment' and Brown announced that due to the financial crisis the election would be postponed for 'until he is able to stablise the situation', and offered Cameron and Osborne jobs in his 'emergency' cabinet.

What is more likely? Riots? Or would people just continue getting on with their lives, and their jobs, going on holiday, getting married, having kids, etc.

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