Comments on: The missing £1500 million

By: Denis Cooper

Denis Cooper — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:36:37 +0000

Or we could get to the crux of the matter, and work out how we can vote better people into Parliament.

And, with all due respect to JR, that can’t be achieved simply by voting for the Conservative candidate, rather than for the Labour or Liberal Democrat candidates.

Ultimately all the problems can be traced back to the way those three political arties are run, and how they pre-select and then select the official candidates they offer to the electorate.

By: ManicBeancounter

ManicBeancounter — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:57:32 +0000

Figurewizard,
You highlight a change of tactic ever since the European Elections. On the Today programme you had exactly the same tactic from both Ed Balls today and Peter Mandleson yesterday. That is
1) Announce a policy that might be costly, but most of the costs can be delayed until after the election (extra housing), or commitments that will hamper a future government (extra “rights”).
2) Any questions about total spending plans are answered with comments about how concerned the Labour Party are for the people of this country, and then attacking the Tories for threatening cuts.

There are too many in Government who think thank the message is the most important aspect of policy. Faced with a crisis and knowing they cannot win an election, this is all the government have left.

By: Adrian Peirson

Adrian Peirson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:49:43 +0000

We already have a Constitution, Do you seriouslt want to give these Despots a reason to draft a Binding constitution.
we already have a constitution, the reason why we are in this mess is because they have ignored it.

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:37:15 +0000

I have found where the money is coming from! Comrade Johnson (of the Home Office – not Boris) is anticipating that lots of people in Manchester will go rushing down to the local Stasi office to buy a voluntary ID card at 30 Pounds ago!

An easy campaign for the Opposition parties “Save £30 don’t buy an ID card!” or “Save £30 don’t buy an ID card and use less plastic and save the planet!”

Of course Comrade Home Secretary Johnson still thinks ID cards will improve airport security. Just like stopping 200ml tubes of toothpaste getting on Planes does!

By: john miller

john miller — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:00:32 +0000

I’m always amazed how a government can have accouting policies that it makes illegal for commercial companies.

The government accounting for PFI and pensions would not be tolerated under the Companies Acts, or by HMRC rules.

Similarly, a company is unable to withhold its annual accounts merely because the directors or shareholders consider it expedient.

Perhaps ministers could explain why the rules they construct for others are best not followed by their own administration?

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:31:09 +0000

Nick

How long?

Until the last drop of blood escapes.

Then, you cannot get blood out of a stone/corpse.

By: alan jutson

alan jutson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:27:30 +0000

Certainly agree to a degree, but the Tories have not to date run a very successful campaign.
I can only hope that nearer the General Election the message will be more clear, and the arguements more precise.

By: John Wild

John Wild — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:04:31 +0000

Mr Redwood

You have the paitience of a Saint. It’s like pulling teeth talking to these guys!

John Wild

By: Colin D.

Colin D. — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:50:39 +0000

You could be right. Does Darling want to be remembered as the worst ever Chancellor who was party to all the lies being promulgated about the financial state of the country, or does he want to come out and side with the B of E Governor and be remembered as the courageous Chancellor who told us ‘as it was’ and would not be silenced?
If Darling is a man of courage and integrity then he needs to speak out, sooner rather than later.

By: not an economist

not an economist — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:43:03 +0000

For 12 years now we have had a Labour Govt mocking the Tories whenever they say they can make cuts in Govt spending thru efficiencies rather than reducing levels of service.

Now, all of a sudden, Labour is at it, proclaiming increases in spending on high profile areas that will be funded by supposed savings elsewhere but absent any detail.