Monthly Archives: October 2011

  We are told that the government has brought the debate on the EU referendum forward to today so the Foreign Secretary can join  the debate. The debate will be led by Mr David Nuttall, the mover of the motion.             Some have suggested the government switched the date because they want to stop the lobby [...]

             There was some good news in the September figures for public spending and borrowing. So far this financial year spending is only up 3%, a bit below the forecast. Meanwhile tax revenues are up 5%, usefully ahead of costs, even though they are down on forecast.  Between April and September this year the [...]

             Mr Barroso made clear in his recent speech in Brussels to the European Parliament that the EU needs more integration. To him  the answer to every tension and problem is more EU central power.             The Commission plans a “single coherent framework for the better economic governance based on the community method. …The proposal [...]

               I am all in favour of saving energy, of promoting fuel efficiency, saving the greenfields and the  best heritage of England. Much of the green agenda is popular. Many are happy to recyle, to insulate, to buy more fuel efficient vehicles when money permits. No-one wants to see the Green Belt concreted over or [...]

  Many Conservative MPs want a new relationship with the EU. They fought the last General Election saying they wanted powers back. They value a relationship based on trade and co-operation, but think the EU regulates, taxes and interferes too much. They were pleased that the Coalition Agreement, despite Lib Dem enthusiasm for the EU, [...]

             The Bank of England and some commentators seem to think the higher rate of inflation we now have was a necessary side effect of action to boost the growth rate. They do not apologise for almost two years of inflation above the   2%  target, or for the very high level of 5.2%/5.6%  (CPI/RPI)  it [...]