As feared and forecast here UK growth in the latest figures has slowed again, as has growth in most parts of the world.
I have been recommending for sometime that we need both a monetary and a fiscal stimulus. Monetary change awaits a new Governor of the Bank of England, which in turn awaits a government with a majority. Fiscal change also is waiting on such a government. The outgoing minority Conservative government did not think it could get the tax cuts through the Commons that the economy now needs to give it a boost and was apparently unable to agree with officials about a suitable new Governor.
The hung Parliament that did so much to create uncertainty and delay over Brexit did other damage as well. It diverted attention from big matters like the need for an economic boost, and made officials minded to avoid changes on the grounds that there was no Parliamentary majority for anything worth doing.
The new government formed by a change of PM has clearly signalled they recognise the need for a budget which boosts incomes, activity and public services. We need it as soon as possible. It is a fundamental reason why we need a government with a majority on December 13th so we can get on with the changes we need. The USA has recently seen a $150bn injection by the Central Bank into markets to give things a boost even though the USA is growing much faster than the EU or UK. The ECB is administering a Euro 20 bn a month stimulus. The UK does not need more Quantitative easing but it could do with facilities for banks prepared to lend against good projects and to consumers to buy homes and cars. Consumers could do with a post Christmas present of keeping more of their earnings to spend on their priorities.
December 11, 2019
Good morning.
What tax cuts ?
You had a majority government in 2015 then blew it on a unnecessary GE. You then had a working majority working government with the DUP. How did it come to pass that the government lost its working majority with them ?
How can we get any meaningful tax cuts, especially to VAT, when we will not be able to because of the terrible WA (Deal) the Conservative Party have negotiated ?
We are stuck with EU regulatory alignment, even after transition, which will inhibit any measure we may take to boost our economy. This covers all areas of industry, finance etc. How can we make ourselves competitive through better regulation of our own internal market when, all the EU has to do is create some law and stifle any initiative ?
We are Leaving (BINO) with one hand tied behind our backs, hobbled and virtually silenced on the world stage. That is not the independence I voted for or was led to believe.
A Tory majority will deliver little and bind us, lock-step, to the EU. No thanks !!!
December 11, 2019
Oh what now ???
December 11, 2019
good luck with PM Jezza then as you seem to see that as the better option
December 13, 2019
Ahem ! I was never fooled by the black propaganda unlike some. đ
December 11, 2019
You want a majority so you can push through the dreadful WA. Then have multiple extensions whilst you surrender everything else to Brussels.
December 11, 2019
That is silly language, Ian, but of course they do.
The prospect of the UK leaving the European Union is not only seriously damaging to confidence here, but also very unhelpful across the Continent generally, and so the globe.
The arsonists seem to be complaining rather too much about the smoke if you ask me.
December 11, 2019
And you think a Corbyn-led Government will not damage confidence both here and globally Martin?
It’s no longer about Brexit! The real choice is simply between a Johnson or a Corbyn government.
Johnson might be very far from ideal but I have no doubt which is the lesser of the two evils. Anyone who thinks they will be better off under Corbyn & McDonald are simply deluding themselves…
Remainers need to think very carefully about where their own best interests lie – because everyone will end up worse off with these Marxists running our economy – whether we are in or out of Europe.
December 11, 2019
But didn’t your side yell that leaving the European Union was “not about money”?
Maybe what kind of country we have isn’t either, even if your unproven claim were true.
December 11, 2019
Leaving the EU is not about the money as far as I’m concerned Martin.
But you used the word “confidence” – confidence in what?
I have no absoutely no confidence that Mr Corbyn & Co are capable of running this country – other than into the ground of course. You have expended a lot of effort tlling us what an economic distaster leaving the EU would be – especially a “No Deal” Brexit.
However, I am certain that there is no form of Brexit that would be worse than a Corbyn Government. I can only pray that we don’t find out if I’m right.
December 11, 2019
so goodbye democracy. Forget what the GE was called for- it is now the cheeky chappie vs the crochety old stalinist.
Like in the USSR of old – forget the outcome of the 5 year plan – – you must get out in the snow to vote for your candidate – by the way – the only one!
December 11, 2019
I hope not, but you might well be right. Why do we have the four surrender act traitors still being allowed to stand as âConservativesâ?
December 11, 2019
Four? Ten.
Give me Ann Widdecombe as a choice any day of the week and twice on Sunday to any current Tory candidate.
December 11, 2019
Only four are actually standing I think.
December 12, 2019
I think because they redeemed themselves and earned forgiveness by voting with the Government latterly. The others were beyond redemption and are standing down or standing as “independents” and being puffed by John Major.
December 11, 2019
Just heard Laura Pidcock (Shadow Secretary of State for Employment Rights + Politics at Manchester Poly/Metropolitan University) saying she can “end in work poverty at the stoke of a pen”. I assume this would be by pushing up and minimum wage by law and making it illegal for them to work. Thus they would no longer be in “in work poverty” but out of work.
Then the dope goes on about about the child patient lying on the coats at hospital! She blames it on “privatisation” – it was an NHS hospital dear, one run and organised by the dire NHS! An NHS that will get even worse once Labour destroy the economy in the Venezuela manner will not take them long.
December 11, 2019
You’ve hit the nail on the head……they only had one job, to leave
December 11, 2019
Ian Wragg- exactly, we do not want a Quisling Tory majority, so the only alternative is vote Labour, and I would sooner thrust my hand into a nest of vipers than vote Corbyn. Lesser of two evils.
December 11, 2019
That’s the hard choice Tim – and I’m afraid everyone should be fearful of Corbyn & McDonald in charge of our economy…
December 11, 2019
The dreadful WA – as you call it – is Brexit. You voted for it in 2016, even if you did not realise it at the time, and you have all been told that you are not allowed to change your mind. Enjoy it.
December 11, 2019
Andy, You have no evidence for your repeated assertion that the WA is Brexit. None. Look at Articles 4, 87, 89 and 127 to see how wrong you are.
December 11, 2019
On the ballot paper it said leave the EU. This deal does that. Sure it is naff deal – but we told you it would be and we were right. You have to like it. Itâs all youâre getting.
December 12, 2019
Andy, It changes the treaty (from the TEA and TFEU, to the WA) but the EU remains in control of the UK just as much as currently. Sigh . . . .
December 11, 2019
It is, by legal definition.
December 12, 2019
Martin, Legally the EU remains in control of the UK as much after the WA treaty as before.
December 11, 2019
Ian Wragg, That is my fear too. The Tory party has form on this, as the last 4 years (47 years?) has demonstrated.
So here’s my local dilemma: vote for a Tory candidate who I know is only a lukewarm leaver, but may win; or vote UKIP/Brexit who are real leavers, but probably won’t win?
How many times do I have to be told by the Tory party that “this” (2019, 2017, 2015) election is essential for Leave, but then get cheated out of Leave, for me to say enough? The Tory party has done it again by claiming that the Boris WA is Leave. They know, and I know, that is a lie. The earliest we could actually Leave is 31 Dec 2020 under current Tory plans.
So when will the Tory party stop lying to me?
December 11, 2019
Why the doubts – vote what you feel is right. It seems to me you want to vote Brexit or UKIP of course. Hundreds of thousands will vote Libnodemocrats yet they know they have no chance of winning.
December 11, 2019
Same dilemma for my son in Birmingham Northfield- predominantly labour held but 66% leave. he has the choice of conservatives or Brexit party, we have suggested Brexit party as they won Three of the seven MEP seats! If Nigel wins some seats he can hold the government to account! This is far from over if conservatives win.
December 11, 2019
The general drift of nearly all comments here is cynicism, disillusionment, mistrust, pessimism…. and at the very least a sense of betrayal in the air.
What a way to go into a GE, voting for the least bad, rather than with a sunny optimism and faith in the party of one’s choice.
December 11, 2019
All comments. Except mine !!!
December 11, 2019
Nor me. I will never vote for Tory traitors who deliberately defied the will of the people.
December 11, 2019
L.Jones…..agreed. But at a GE – sunny optimism – – never in all my life have I felt that. My ‘kids’ all felt that voting for Blair – seduced by the ‘it can only get better’ – was sunny optimism. I warned them it wouldn’t be – and it wasn’t. A lot of years have passed and they all now want Brexit, and probably have been voting Conservative last few GEs. Older and wiser, you see. Painful lessons to be learnt.
December 11, 2019
The government (of whatever colour) will do whatever the EU tells them to do. If Boris intends us to leave the EU, then why is he forcing his WA2 upon us? Why not just Leave without signing up to EU demands and control that could well ruin our country? We’ve never had a logical explanation why we need to sign up to this.
December 11, 2019
Boris has had his hands tied from day 1 thanks to a certain Mrs May and a “Remainder” Parliament. Give Boris a good majority and see if he can get a WA that benefits the UK or even a WTO exit as that will be an option, but only if he gets a good majority
December 11, 2019
Boris didn’t even try to get a clean Brexit, even though lots of possibilities were explored by others. Boris just folded, as he will continue to do. He has reinstated Brexit blockers to do the very same thing all over again. It will give Boris the excuse he needs that he ‘has too much opposition’ to deliver a proper Brexit, and the only thing he can get through is Brino, which will be worse than Remain.
Nobody would be more pleased than myself if I am wrong.
December 11, 2019
If the Tories had shown some moral fibre instead of trying to weasel out of their pledge to implement the decision of the voters, they wouldn’t now be having a fit of the vapours over the prospect of a Corbyn govt.
December 11, 2019
Shirley, Exactly.
December 11, 2019
Good luck tomorrow JR, hope you win your seat against the double crossing turn coat traitor Lee.
December 11, 2019
agreed – it won’t be us lighting fireworks, nor firing champagne corks – but a silent gleeful smirk, and hopefully a video of the Returning Officer announcing a decent majority once again.
December 11, 2019
Indeed. Perhaps they like the idea of not being ultimately accountable for their actions; just blame it on the EU.
There is no logical explanation; only lies ,deceit and ultimately treason. I don’t necessarily blame Sir John but he is one of a very few in Parliament showing common sense.
December 11, 2019
My instinct says you are right. It all hangs on tomorrows result and the resolve of Boris and his new government. Getting the EU off our backs is key because at present they dictate so much. WA2 is not the answer, so I watch with interest.
An incoming government with a majority is not shackled by the behaviour and policies of any previous government. Will the new Conservative government be free from the infection of remain , or will they be the turd polishers of old. On that question hangs the future of GB Ltd and the Conservative party.
9
December 11, 2019
Sir John,
Why should consumers be concerned about the above when all they have to do is vote for the Corbyn/McDonnell axis and receive all that free stuff?
Reply Because that would end in economic disaster as it always does and we would all be worse off.
December 11, 2019
RAF, If “consumers” believe Corbyn/McDonnell they deserve everything they get. But we don’t.
December 11, 2019
The problem is the degree of voter spite: people who saw their livlihoods destroyed by the EU or are facing that if Brexit does not happen, are more than prepared to vote for Corbyn if it means returning the favour to the large businesses and special interests that blocked Brexit.
December 11, 2019
I reckon house prices will crash 20% in the spring if Corbyn gets in and they will fall by 35% over the next few years.
Anybody else care to differ?
December 11, 2019
Very few transactions will happen so there really won’t be a market.
December 11, 2019
Government will bolster the market with various taxpayer funded initiatives.
Got to protect the bank’s balance sheets haven’t we.
December 11, 2019
But you claim that high house prices are caused almost entirely by immigration, and that Labour are the party of immigration.
However, your claim above means that you now reject one or both of those.
If only one, which is it?
December 11, 2019
It’s not rocket science. If immigration increases demand and despite all the promises, nothing is done to increase supply, then QED prices go up.
That’s about as far as I got with economics. After that theory exceeded reality.
December 11, 2019
Oh. Why did home prices fall sharply between 2008-2011, while population was nevertheless steadily growing, then?
Read the post to which I reply, eh?
December 12, 2019
We were recovering from socialism at the time.
December 12, 2019
Martin, It’s supply and demand. It’s not that difficult to understand even for a Remain. The demand abated 2008-2011 because some people made other arrangements due to the economic crash.
December 11, 2019
You think Corbyn appropriating property to give to immigrants will be positive for prices?
December 11, 2019
I am astonished by your moderation.
December 11, 2019
Corbyn won’t get in, and if there is a hung parliament, any coalition with the labour party will fall apart.
December 11, 2019
Javelin- totally agree house prices will crash, but not if the swamp remains full of boris and corbyn. If we stop benefits immigration then house prices wil go to a Normal level.
December 11, 2019
A fairly good chance of that. Plus who would want to rent anything out knowing they may never get it back and that Corbyn government will fix rents at below market rents – thus stealing of the Landlords – so there would be a lot coming onto the market.
But then with their open door immigration policy the population and demand will go up! Though most of them will probably not have any money or jobs or decent health care or decent educations! Unless they work for the state or state sector unions. And then only until Corbyn runs out of money say mid 2020.
December 11, 2019
Javelin,
It is true that house prices remain distorted by monetary policy and national imbalance. I don’t think the needed corrections could come by luck, though a Corbyn level stimulus might indeed necessitate an increase in interest rates.
December 11, 2019
Javelin, Corbyn won’t get in. But a Lab/SNP/LD coalition is perfectly possible, and I think the most likely (50%?). If there is a coalition one price that Sturgeon and Swinson would extract is the removal of Corbyn and McDonnell.
Then we’ll get:
– the revoking of Art50
– “independence” (ie dependence on the EU) for Scotland
– Trident scrapped
– loss of Falklands
– loss of Gibraltar
– NI to Eire
– loss of UN seat to the EU
– continued erosion of our democracy by the EU
– continued erosion of liberties by the EU
– continued increase in corruption due to the EU
– the Euro (EMU)
– recession
– etc.
All because Tory Remain MPs would not implement Leave.
December 11, 2019
Who cares if house prices fall?
My personal IHT liability will fall and my kids may have a chance to buy their own property somewhere with the M25.
December 11, 2019
Better would be house prices remain the same for 5 to 10 years. IHT wiped out under ÂŁ1m, Stamp duty starts at 500k, Personal allowances raised every year by ÂŁ1,000, BBC tv closed down, licence dropped to ÂŁ20 for radio, Road tax dropped for cars, fuel duty raised per litre to cover say 80% of lost revenue. And finally to pay for all that – cancel HS2 and Foreign Aid. Vote for me…..
December 11, 2019
Right now it looks like Boris is slipping under a barrage of dirty tricks and set ups with the help of the Remain media and he needs an injection of votes from Leavers. Refusing to pull hopeless Tory candidates from Labour strongholds, where the Brexit Party is available for Labour leavers, could lose the election for the Leave vote. But then, perhaps this would be preferable for the majority of Tory remainer MPs.
December 11, 2019
Since only 37% of the electorate voted Leave, it would be entirely reasonable for them to “lose” this election, whatever you mean by that.
Polls suggest about a 54% to 46% split between Remain and Leave parties, but FPTP means that Parliament will not reflect that.
December 11, 2019
Martin, The actual result was 37.44% Leave and only 34.71% Remain. Whichever way you twist it, Leave won. What’s more important Leave won according to the rules laid down by Parliament.
A general election cannot tell us anything with precision about a single issue. Only a single issue binary referendum can do that. So the only way to see if the Leave vs Remain divide is different to the 2016 result is to re-run exactly the same question.
It is not up to you to change the rules after the result. However important and deserving you think you are.
December 11, 2019
You are addressing a completely different point from my post, and one that I did not raise, as ever.
December 11, 2019
Martin, No, I am addressing your claims which you say are based on some polls, but actually mostly on your guesswork. Your Leave figure was inaccurate; your insinuation about the Leave win was false; and your assumptions about who (Leaves or Remains) vote for which parties in a general election have no foundation.
December 12, 2019
No, read my first post again.
All I am saying is that there would be nothing unjust about a Parliament with a Remain complexion, if the polls as to support for the various parties were to be accurate.
December 11, 2019
. . . it looks like Boris is slipping . . . he needs an injection of votes from Leavers.
Yes, it does look like, but I doubt it. đ
Never believe the polls or what you are led to believe. Because you never know, they might just be playing you ? đ
December 11, 2019
Stred
I tend to agree with you, many staunch Leave Labour Voters will not Vote Conservative at any cost, but they would have voted for Farage.
Like you I think Boris has made a big error in not letting the Brexit Party have a free run at the very safe Labour seats where the Conservative have absolutely no chance of success.
In the meantime here in Wokingham we are now on 16 separate Libdem leaflets posted through our door by the postman.
Two of them coming from out of area Past Conservative Mp’s who have defected to the LibDems in the form of Sarah Wollaston and Sam Gyimah.
Can only wish you all the best JR, I hope you succeed in spite of the huge LibDem financial effort to gain this seat.
December 11, 2019
Final LibDem Leaflet No 17 delivered this evening with Ken Clarke and Michael Heseltine endorsing him as worthy of the Wokingham seat.
How low can the remainder Conservatives get.
As said before John, hope you win, you have two votes here.
December 11, 2019
Oh my word how disgusting are they – that is shocking! No respect for democracy whatsoever and no shame! I hope Soubry, Grieve et al get their comeuppance tomorrow!!
December 11, 2019
Stred,
I agree with parts of this.
I am voting for TBP in my Labour held constituency. I am not happy with the WA, but my main reason is the Conservative’s total commitment to first pass the post. As Sir John notes hung parliaments are problematic within the UK’s current system. A more proportional and unicameral electoral system (e.g. as New Zealand) would better reflect the population, allow MPs to be less pointlessly combative and allow other policies to surface. TBP remains the grown-up vote for those who have the option. It is about more than Brexit, 5 years of old school is too much of a delay for a country needing to modernise.
December 11, 2019
Err….there was a majority Tory government. It most certainly did not “stimulate” the economy; in fact it felt the need to raise taxes and suppress the economy, even after Osborne went.
I have no reason to believe a Johnson government will be other than Blue Labour. At least Labour actually has a Socialist as leader; when will the Conservative party actually get a Conservative as leader?
December 11, 2019
Perhaps Boris can be turned into a real Conservative? We have had dire pro EU socialists PMs in charge for very many years with the disasters of Major, Blair, Brown, Cameron and Theresa May and their dire tax to death and endless waste Chancellors. Even Mrs Thatcher made huge and entirely predictable errors. John (ERM) Major being the largest of them. Still not even an apology from the dire man for all the massive destruction this mad letâs try to join the EURO policy caused.
December 11, 2019
With Major, Cameron and worse of all Appeaser May setting such appalling, pro EU, high tax, big government, climate alarmism, red tape spewing, anti-democratic lunacies perhaps Boris and the party will finally recognise reality.
The people want policies that actually work – small government, a sound economy, less government waste, low taxes, cheap energy, cutting red tape, freedom and choice and a return to UK democracy. These for sure would work, as they always do.
December 11, 2019
As with all budgets there will be those who it works for and those who have to pay the price.When I was doing my Masters at University, business management tutors always stressed ethics as an all encompassing aspect of money dealings . Competition in theory was seen as clean and healthy as long as it was bettering the service and improving self performance. I agree with this , however , in business how many have actually studied ethics as a serious discipline ? Everyone thinks they understand what is right and what is wrong , but individual perceptions may not benefit either society or business. It is not a science that can be taught and theories reeled off at the push of a button .It is a thoughtful , respectful , analytical discipline which looks at groups and individuals in relative position to the pot of money available. Making more money available as in QE doesn’t take away the original dilemma.
December 11, 2019
Jonathan Ashworth is absolutely right that Corbyn would be – is – a threat to national security. Hopefully he is also right that there would be some mechanism to protect the Country by excluding Corbyn were he to become prime minister, though I canât see what that might be.
But the questions is, given this is the case, and given also the hugely damaging Marxist economic policies, why are mr Ashworth and other Labour âmoderatesâ campaigning to make Corbyn PM and McDonnell chancellor of the exchequer?
December 11, 2019
To stay around so they have a chance of replacing him with someone more like Blair or David Miliband when he finally goes or is pushed out.
December 11, 2019
We’ve had Labour Leaders as PM’s before who had strong Marxist leanings. I am not buying the rubbish that is being put in front of me. If Labour do win, I expect JC to be removed and replaced with, Keir Starmer.
December 11, 2019
You may or may not be right about Corbyn being replaced immediately, but if Corbyn is PM he will be moderated – by his own party, by the civil service and of course by the EU.
Fear of ‘Marxism’, or sonething approaching it, is simply not a legitimate rationale for voting Tory. By all means vote Tory if that best serves your own narrow, personal interest, but don’t then pretend it’s out of some higher principle.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think this election makes any difference to Brexit. Brexit is over, it ain’t happening, at least not in this generation, regardless of who wins.
December 11, 2019
Richard1
Power? Influence? Money? Control? Party before country? Self promotion? Self aggrandisement? Greasy palms?
December 11, 2019
Oooh ! Now you talking politics đ
December 11, 2019
Final word here is that your party has been appalling in government these past 10 years.
From Cameron scuttling away having powered himself with our tax money to remain in the EU, imposing higher taxes than Labour, pushing NEST and high student loan charges to the disastrous negotiator and leader that was T May.
Sadly the alternatives are worse, which is why with heavy heart we vote Conservative again.
We need a Faragist party desperately to set the country back on the road to success, and to hold your feet to the fire.
December 11, 2019
Only three percent of the electorate agree with you according to the polls.
How come your faction are so over-represented on comment threads?
Have you literally nothing else to do with your time?
Or are you from outside the UK?
December 11, 2019
Martin, You do your case no good by pretending you know something you don’t. The polls may indicate that the Brexit party only has 3% support, but that is not the same (necessarily) as the percentage of the electorate who agree with Sir Joe. So your conclusions are fallacious. As is every statement by a Remain that I’ve seen.
So how come your faction are so over-represented on comment threads?
Have you literally nothing else to do with your time?
Or are you from outside the UK?
Are you really “Andy”?
December 11, 2019
Soap seems perfectly resolute in his claim to me, as do the disproportionate number of posts across the web backing Farage’s plaything.
Could that be anything to do with its having inherited the BNP’s significant IT facility and fixated volunteers via ukip?
December 11, 2019
Marty…… Andy has it right (sometimes) – a lot of us are ‘waiting for Godot’. You may need to google that, I realise you probably have limited knowledge and experience.
December 11, 2019
Indeed the alternatives are very much worse. Let us hope Boris wins a majority and moves towards the far more to the sensible Farage line of a rapid clean leave, far, far less government, far lower simpler taxes, large deregulation, bonfires of red tape, easy hire and fire, cheap reliable energy, pro business, can do visions and gets the bloated incompetent government out of the way as far as is possible.
Freedom and choice as to how people spend their own money is what is needed. The complete opposite of all the Corbyn/Mc Donnall/SNP magic money tree lunacy.
December 11, 2019
Entirely agree with you!
December 11, 2019
As the émigré Russian radical nationalist,Eduard Limonov, wrote 10+ years ago:
“There’s no longer any left or right.There’s the system and the enemies of the system.”
Don’t look for the Tories to be the enemy of the system(regardless of what they say) but unless you demolish the system you will only get more of the same.
December 11, 2019
Agreed, with the qualification that demolishing the system will give rise to leftist and rightist views of what to replace it with.
December 11, 2019
Farage is a busted flush. I cannot see how he can come back from completely undermining his political party’s electoral prospects AND aligning himself so clearly with the Tories.
Also, there is no evidence to suggest he has a coherent objective beyond Brexit. Tinkering with electoral and constitutional reform doesn’t even scratch the surface. It is impossible to conclude that he is anything other than a disaffected Tory in his politics when he boasts of the Tory’s nicking his best policies and putting them in their manifesto. A little bit of traditional Tory thinking might be necessary, but is nowhere near sufficient.
December 11, 2019
He has just registered the Reform Party. Is that evidence enough ?
He made a mistake with regards a pact with the Tory party but we do not know if pressure from disaffected Tories within was applied. Evidence suggests that it might have been.
December 11, 2019
As I said elsewhere, I have sympathy for Farage. But the moment you feel sorry for a political leader, they no longer have the authority to lead. If he couldn’t withstand the kind of pressure you refer to and ended up making such an obviously foolish and disastrous mistake, he doesn’t have what is required to defeat an admittedly formidable foe.
As for reform, he supports proportional representation, a voting system that creates as many problems as it solves, at best. Getting rid of the Lords (or at least those appointed, cronies) is obviously necessary. Is an elected chamber going to address structural problems with our democracy? Ask the Americans.
The kind of change required does not constitute reform. What is needed is radical change. Nigel Farage is many things, some good, some bad. One thing he isn’t is a radical.
December 11, 2019
It’s the principles he stands for, not he himself. The only one who speaks straight from the book of common sense in what is otherwise a schoolroom full of male juveniles and a fishwife.
December 11, 2019
Farage is a character. There can be other farages. In our history and in those of other nations, someone eerily pops up in the right circumstances from seemingly nowhere. I am not he, I hasten to add.
If the British people don’t vote as they should to wipe out the Labour Party and the rest then I selfishly think it serves them right. Young people and peoples must be taught a lesson if they make error. Corbyn is such an error, such a teacher without doubt. The University of Life continues to be a cliche rather than part of a political manifesto featuring notes on higher education and a to-do list.
December 11, 2019
This has been a hugely uninspiring campaign by all parties, denigrating the opposition while trying to buy off the electorate with money we don’t have or will be taking from earners via PAYE serfdom or under threat of imprisonment.
Where was the case for small government? Why is the answer to all problems more government money? If you provide a service free at the point of delivery of course it will be oversubscribed.
I wanted to see some radical ideas from the party that wanted my vote not more of the same but with increased expense.
If it wasn’t for leaving the EU there would be little between the parties and I would happily spoil my paper. As it is the Conservative’s poor settlement will get my vote until next time.
December 11, 2019
A monetary and fiscal stimulus is hugely needed, this combined with a bonfire of red tape and a move to cheap reliable render not green crap.
Indeed bank lending has been heavily restricted with regulations, red tape and capital slotting rules, restrictions on lending to people with more than 4 properties and other damaging nonsense. One secured property loan (borrowing only about 30% loan to value) that I have is coming up to renewal was at 1% over base and they do not want to renew it even at 5% over base. They say the new rules mean they would mean they have to charge 10% to make a profit. How can this be when they pay less than 0.5% on (unsecured) bank deposits?
The new single tier overdraft rates at absurdly high lending rates nearly 80% at Lloyds and 40% announced for HSBC are totally absurd when I first took out the facility they charged base plus 2.5% and paid about base on deposits. Now I have to large overdraft facilities they I cannot use due to the absurd rates. Why on earth should low risk borrowers pay the same as the very worst ones. Yet this is it seem driven by the regulators. In a further absurdity it seem these banks are only going to these rip of rates in the UK!
December 11, 2019
Imagine you are addressing Green Party voters, and you ask them to tolerate increased carbon emissions for the sake of a much-needed economic boost. Would they be persuadable? Would the Conservatives try to persuade them of such a need? Now substitute “the Withdrawal Agreement” for “increased carbon emissions” and perhaps you will understand the depth of feeling involved here. This is the “present” we want from the Conservatives – respect for our vote at home and for our country on the international stage.
December 11, 2019
Why buy a new car when you might soon be banned from using it in certain cities or roads? Why buy an electric car when even the cheapest new ones cost circa ÂŁ25,000 – even with the tax bribes. This when the realistic range might only be about 1o0 miles, they take hours to recharge and are largely inferior to your old car (or a second hand petrol car that can be bought for less than ÂŁ1000)? Also when their batteries only last a short while and are rather expensive to replace too. Or when you have no where to park and charge it?
December 11, 2019
Would you buy a petrol car with a petrol tank of only two gallons capacity, a range of say just 100 miles and that can only be refilled at one litre per hour – so taking say 10 hours to fill? Would you buy it for ÂŁ25,000? And with fuel tank (battery) that devalues at about ÂŁ2,000 PA and last only say 5 years?
So why buy an electric car? Usually they are rather small cars too – which are also far more dangerous than big ones in crashes for the occupants.
December 12, 2019
Or at least why buy one yet? Wait until the technology is better and is competitive.
December 11, 2019
Cut foreign aid to a small fraction, continue disaster help.
Abandon HS2, clarify design and work on the northern part.
Reduce immigration to ‘essential workers’.
Financially encourage UK food production where replacing imported.
Develop basic training, not degrees for nursing grade UK citizens.
Replace H of L with small group of people to validate Bills.
Delay ‘green’ targets by 5 years.
December 11, 2019
“…Reduce immigration to âessential workersâ.”
Make their essentialness an inappropriate word in our economy’s build.
December 11, 2019
My decision has just been made, after today’s final call email from my local Conservative candidate. It states that we have to pass Johnson’s deal as fast as possible as it ‘protects trade’ and stating we need to ‘end Brexit uncertainty’. As he is a Remainer with business interests in Europe, this tells me everything about Johnson’s deal I need to know.
I am sorry, Mr Redwood, but this election your party will not have my vote. If I can find another party to vote for outside Remain Alliance, I will be actively voting against it.
December 11, 2019
Quite.
December 11, 2019
The liklihood of getting the right budget from the current crop of politicians is so vanishingly small as to require the Hubble Space Telescope to see it. You previously said that Boris’s agreement was not a good one and now we are suddenly to believe it is wonderful. What we have been led to is a situation where the agreement the esablishment wanted is being touted as a real Brexit. For the mass of gullible fools that know nothing of economics or history maybe it is. For anyone that knows that it binds us to the EU for a dozen years or more including it’s liabilities it is just one more sellout.
December 11, 2019
JR, the chances of another Conservative government suddenly abandoning the neo-liberal austerity paradigm are very small. To achieve your admirable aims, you need to go off balance sheet. Similar to the “Funding for Lending” scam. New Zeeland has come up with an even better neo-liberal off balance sheet scam. https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/102808/crown-company-borrows-money-infrastructure-crown-entity-rate-537-sake-keeping-debt?fbclid=IwAR02mMTKO_ONM8SKjnZPQOfODQPLs-Jxo396ubAoiFey_mtdTjhNTFs8rCI
December 11, 2019
Our host constantly puts forward excellent ideas to help the economy but there is never any evidence that the Government listens
Tomorrow, with great reluctance I will be voting Conservative. Not positively but because I intensely dislike the LibDem alternative.
Get Brexit done? Not with the W/A. Democracy in the UK is at an all time low and will never change unless there is pressure from outside the establishment parties . They like the status quo.
December 11, 2019
I absolutely will NOT be voting Conservative. Three and a half years on, Brexit not delivered. A withdrawal agreenent that ties us to the ECJ and commits us to paying Danegeld. I judge by actions not words and the Conservatives are NOT committed to Brexit
Reply Anything other than a Conservative government will bury Brexit
December 11, 2019
one things for certain – if the Conservatives don’t get a majority you can forget Brexit. make your mind up.
December 11, 2019
Reply to reply: JR, please read Torquil Dick-Erikson’s article on the Conservative Woman site. You are right that “anything other than a Conservative government will bury Brexit” but the Conservatives have all but buried Brexit already by opening the door to the EU making us their vassal state. The Boris WA is simply not safe.
December 11, 2019
Johnson’s servitude plan is not Brexit. Why do repeat it JR? His vassalage is worse than remaining!
Why has he not made an agreement with the Brexit party in Labour heartlands? That would mean Brexit. Tory Party above country that is why. So stop repeating to enable the betrayal of your party to the nation once more.
December 11, 2019
Yup the economy needs a pick me up . Of course the best way to cure a hangover is not to get drunk in the first place
December 11, 2019
or get revenge on those who spiked your drink ?
December 11, 2019
The truth of the matter is that Boris and the Conservatives do not deserve a victory in the election. Boris is trying to dupe people that his WA/PD is Brexit when it is not, and he is forcing it on us by 1) holding up the spectre of Corbyn and 2) doing all he can to destroy the only Party and Leader that was always committed to delivering true Brexit.
That tells you all you need to know about the calibre of Boris Johnson. He is not getting my vote.
December 11, 2019
I’m afraid it has been another feeble lacklustre campaign. Sticking to yet another slogan that the H of C might throw out as being almost the same as the one chucked 3 times already. No direct challenges to pathetic giveaway Labour tactics – not even the Transferable tax allowances for married couples and civil partners being stopped – it will cost low incomes ÂŁ200 – so much for looking after the ‘poor’. If it wasn’t for needing to support Sir John, I would not vote in Wokingham – terrible other candidates.
December 11, 2019
I believe the fiscal channel to be far more important and responsive when it comes to boosting the economy.
To monetary policy, I don’t think that economies are now so elastic with respect to tiny interest rate changes and that tinkering with quarters of a percent adjustments only seems to unsettle markets.
I even think that leaving rates anchored for long spells actually boosts investor certainty, while any effect on exchange rates appears subordinated to trade wars anyway.
What we have seen is that the ECB’s asset purchase campaign to lift the economy in Europe has been less than impressive, in contrast to apparently successful, more fiscally oriented policy in the United States for example.
Should Mr Johnson emerge victorious on Friday morning with a majority, I would like to see him push through fiscal measures (as promised), which he should more more able to do in such a scenario.
December 11, 2019
Off topic, there is an interesting article by Torquil Dick-Erikson here:
https://www.brugesgroup.com/blog/how-to-preserve-british-sovereignty-during-the-transition-period
“How to Preserve British Sovereignty During the Transition Period?”
December 11, 2019
Nothing matters more than independence. Because every other policy depends on independence.
December 11, 2019
I cannot see how moving from being a highly influential member – one of the Big Three – in the European Union, to servitude and thraldom to the US can be described as “independence”.
December 11, 2019
Martin, Even if the UK joined the USA as the “51st” state we would be less in “servitude and thraldom” than we are to the EU now. We have not managed to “influence” the EU from becoming a state – an empire – in the 47 years of our being in thrall to the EU. What makes you think we’ll get any more “influence” from now on? And why is “influence” better than independence anyway?
December 11, 2019
The advantage of alliance with the USA as opposed to the EU is that the government of the USA even to a Remainer, is that its governments and emphases change election by election. The EU ploughs on as if there are no changes outside its borders with ever expansion and, baits the Russian bear like a teenager sizing up to a rival who he thinks spits better than he does.
December 11, 2019
Hardly. That’s NATO. It was François Hollande and Mrs. Merkel who persuaded Putin to take more measured steps re Ukraine, wasn’t it?
December 12, 2019
Correct .NATO comes first,EU membership follows.
December 11, 2019
No Martin, we would not expect you to see how, and it would be a waste of time explaining it to you.
And actually, we’re not one of the big EU three. Your beloved Tony Blair saw to that. Which is partly why the majority voted leave.
December 11, 2019
“Highly influential”. You must be joking.
December 11, 2019
Correct !
December 11, 2019
NickC
So very correct. If your elected representative does not have the power to scrutinize your laws and regulation. If they cannot amend them, if they cannot repeal them, you are not in a Democracy, you are not independent – Not Free.
So the contradiction, why would someone vote to ensure their vote going forward will have no meaning?
December 11, 2019
Although “The USA has recently seen a $150bn injection by the Central Bank…” that of course was not Q.E. apparently, rather provision of liquidity, mysteriously suddenly required by market participants and otherwise unobtainable. All is well though!
December 11, 2019
Sir John
Very true and basically correct, but:
recognise the need for a budget which boosts incomes, activity and public services. We need it as soon as possible.
It would help very much if the waste was addressed especially within the energy sector.
Since 2010 ÂŁ600m has been paid out by taxpayers for the over generation of power from wind turbines in Scotland alone. Over ÂŁ65m per year. Not mega money but would go a long way to helping to provide more nurses, police officers or military personnel or equipment. When are these totally unsustainable payments going to be ended?
December 11, 2019
Spend, spend, spend is not a sane policy.
Even if one accepts Keynesian logic that the economy needs a monetary boost, it doesn’t have to be wittered away on beer vouchers, county line drugs, and overseas holidays.
If the Government must spend more let’s see it spent on either real needs such as frontline NHS resources and social housing, or in investments which will yield a significant positive return.
Though personally I am not at all convinced that the Government is better at spending the people’s money than the people are themselves. Yes there is some legerdemain that creates cash to spend by the Government now with eventual repayment by taxpayers in the future. But identical manoeuvres can create cash for individuals and businesses to spend now with eventual repayment by the Government in the future when there is a return on their wonderful public sector investments.
December 11, 2019
Gotta keep those plates spinning đ
December 11, 2019
If the polls are correct it would appear than Boris has repeated the fiasco of Mrs May in 2017. His margin has fallen to a critical level. Why did he not provide the other Leavers, the BP free reign in those Tory no-win areas in the Northern Constituencies instead of attacking them? What did he have to lose? It seems as though he would rather accept a LibDem or Labour MP up there rather than a member of the Brexit Party. If Boris fails, it will be entirely his own fault for being so pig-headed and very supercilious.
December 11, 2019
The Tories would sooner a Labour / Marxist government than a single BXP MP that would be able to hold them to account.
The Tories fear the BXP. Establishing a stronghold the BXP could emerge as a true small ‘c’ conservative / right wing party. Pro-industry and SME’s and a strong emphasis on traditional values and governance.
December 11, 2019
Mark B
“The Tories fear the BXP”
God knows why. Farage’s party is finished…..Mr Farage himself saw to that just like he did with UKIP. The man is good at stirring things up, but always runs from a fight. I’d never vote for him.
“Establishing a stronghold the BXP could emerge as a true small âcâ conservative / right wing party.”
More likely the right wing emergence will come from history repeating itself. Possibly made more likely by a hung parliament or Corbyn government facilitated by the SNP.
Consequently I have made my decision to vote conservative, just throw some egg on SNP and Lib dumb faces.
However Boris needs to understand that if we give him a majority we will hold him to account on every promise. One strike and he’s out.
I further expect the BBC licence fee to be abolished, there to be no French fishing vessels in British waters, and every EU law that was enshrined into ours by traitor May to be abolished. I also expect defence capitulations with the EU to be ripped up.
If Boris does not deliver, I shall personally make sure he receives white feather.
December 11, 2019
I honestly don’t know what the best outcome for this country is following on from tomorrow. But if the Tories get a majority, then, at least in theory, they will be fully accountable for the inevitable disaster to come, and so, in theory, should, at the very least, be out of power for a generation. Ideally, they will implode, and the vacuum they leave behind will be filled by a political party worth a spit. But this is surely wishful thinking.
Regarding Farage, I make you right. He had the chance and he blew it, in the process denying millions of voters a voice at this election, and muffling the voice of millions more.
December 11, 2019
Possibly wanted a hung parliament?
Let the chaos continue.
Anything but Corbyn is what we are supposed to say….like we were meant to believe the intent to get Brexit done….but PARLIAMENT stopped them!!
December 11, 2019
Agreed, Bill M.
December 11, 2019
RE the 40 new hospitals blunder , the fact checking blunder, the 40000 new nurses blunder – how come Boris and his advisors never thought there would be any blow back on these claims?
Doesn’t that indicate that they are all extremely stupid? If they can make these thoughtless claims what damage can they do they UK if in power?
By the way the French Millau bridge which was entirely new in its design and construction
and must have been very expensive cost ÂŁ275m apparently. How come HS2 will be ÂŁ80bn going on > ÂŁ100bn?
December 11, 2019
As I’ve said before if HS2 is to be built then it should be done by the Chinese.
December 11, 2019
I argue that all these government projects are a nice way of subsidising corporate cronies without breaking EU State competition rules.
December 11, 2019
Dennis, That’s what puzzles me too. It applies to all the legacy parties – any attempt at lying or fiddling will be found out now on the internet. So why do they still do it?
December 11, 2019
NickC. It must be a case of their still living in the past. When Politicos were more trustworthy and the general public believed them at the time.
Today it is a different matter. We can all remember what the Political leaders told us on Referendum night that whatever we decided it would be honoured. They even repeated the same in their 2017 Party manifestos and again by agreeing to the Withdrawal Act of 2018. We can all remember what happened next and we will not forget all of the betrayals.
Their disgraceful, anti-patriotic actions have relegated the position of Politicians from the trustworthy to the plain liar status. Unbelievably not too many of them realise this. Such is their arrogance and good reason for the people of this country to expect sweeping changes to the political status quo, for it is way past its sell-by date.
December 11, 2019
I wonder what will happen next if the result is identical to the present hung Parliament once the MPs get their 4 year promise of employment and they start voting as they wish irrespective.
No wonder you wish 20,000 extra policemen and are arming them !
“We are doing it for the people!”
Well yes, MPs are people.
December 11, 2019
Me
“Well yes, MPs are people.”
Not entirely. Some are clearly mindless automatons.
December 14, 2019
About 70 of them stopped working just the other day. Battery failure?
December 11, 2019
I would vote Brexit Party if there was a candidate standing in Wokingham.
I am now torn between spoiling my paper or voting to keep the execrable Phillip Lee OUT.
John, why have you pledged to support the dreadful Boris WA?? That is not in UK interests.
Why does Boris keep saying he will get Brexit done when his WA and PD clearly will not get it done.
Let’s hope a handful of Brexit MPs hols the balance of power so that Boris has to negotiate with Farage. Then we might LEAVE as we should.
Reply I have not made any pledges other than the views clearly set out on this site, most recently on second reading of the WA Bill. It is quite simple – if you want Brexit I am your only candidate in Wokingham that will help bring it about.
December 11, 2019
Observation: A vote for Lee is a solid vote for Corbyn and Labour. Lee cannot do anything in Parliament as his party would never get a majority. Get paid for nothing in other words – would he even turn up!
The main observation is that to get voted in, in Bracknell he promised the electorate we would ‘leave the EU deal or no deal’, then reneged. There is a word for ‘that’ – other than breaking his contract with those that employed him. It was his lack of integrity that saw Bracknell reject him. Is that really the sort of person that should be in Parliament?
December 11, 2019
Reply to reply
So are you saying that you would vote against Boris’ WA?
Just asking.
December 11, 2019
With the LibDem/Labour socialist parties available as non-options there is only the Conservative Party left to vote for. As a former Conservative member my preferred option is now the Brexit Party, but living in a conservative constituency, I do not now have that option.
Listening to Boris talking to Julia Hartley Brewer, I was not inspired at all. Notwithstanding his way of sounding unsure of his facts, Boris still seems to be peddling Leftie nonsense. Anything truly conservative always comes with an âifâ or âmightâ… And why have the Conservatives not really talked up the benefits of being an independent country? It makes me suspicious of their motives…and why do we need a punitive and dead period of time described as a transition period?
And why are the conservatives still promoting this zero CO2 nonsense? Itâs not practical and i am one of those who is reading about the side affects of those questioning or disproving global warming – being sacked or refused entry to speak. If that doesnât sniff of global warming being a scam and woe betide anyone who disagrees…
Despite all the experts and academics who say we must vote for the Conservative Party and the WA, i still do not trust Boris to get us a clean break Brexit, but a tangled mess of being partially attached, and as we know the spiders web of the EU is made of steel.
December 11, 2019
Sharon, Yes, you’ve highlighted the problems with the Tory party positions.
December 12, 2019
Indeed but Boris has to chase floating voters in marginal seats to win the election. Once elected with a majority perhaps he will become a real Conservative and deliver a real Brexit we shall see. Not that we have had anything other than Libdems leading the party since Thatcher was ousted. Even Thatcher was rather a Libdem in many ways.
Clearly Boris is about 10,000 times better than Corbyn but is far from perfect. He has done very well to lift the party from May’s 5th place and 9% of the vote!
December 11, 2019
I see we have another new tax/fee and major inconvenience to millions of business the ICO fee to be paid by many companies (even if they one just one property). We will have to go back to storing all data just on paper to avoid it!
Needless to say “members of the House of Lords, elected representatives and prospective representatives have made themselves exempt.
They complain of productivity problems but the government is actually the main cause of poor productivity!
December 11, 2019
What Iâd like to know is how the BBC et al can justify the frankly anti Boris/Tory rhetoric.
How dare they try to subvert the election?
Is this what the Tories want?
And if not will they EVER wake up??
WHY are we in this appalling situation???
December 11, 2019
Everhopeful
“How dare they [BBC] try to subvert the election?”
Shocking isn’t it.
And to think they spend vast amounts of their time and our money in attempting to kid us all that Russia interferes with elections.
The BBC are left wing hypocrites, they have no credibility whatsoever. If anything is to be fettled after this election, I hope it’s the BBC.
“WHY are we in this appalling situation???”
In a nutshell, Tony Blair. Virtually everything that’s wrong with this country is because of what he did to it.
A corrupted civil service, traitors running Parliament, phoney courts, infiltrated state broadcaster, education contaminated with political correctness, peers not born as peers i.e Tony’s mates, minorities dictating to the majority.
Research anything that is rotten about our laws and society…..nine times out of ten you’ll find Blair’s (finger prints ed) on it.
He’s your culprit.
December 12, 2019
Indeed the BBC like the Labour and the Libdims are wrong on everything, all are lefty art graduates with a belief in magic money trees, the anti-democratic EU, insuferable political correctness, climate alarmism, expensive renewables and ever bigger government. The exact opposite of what the country needs.
December 11, 2019
“a new Governor of the Bank of England” should not be another foreigner who has no dog in the fight. We need a suitable native Brit / taxpayer dedicated to the needs of our country and that alone.
December 11, 2019
Our host would make a great Governor. Come on Sir John, throw your hat in.
December 12, 2019
Indeed, JR would make a better job of it just doing for a couple of hours a week. It is a working compass that is lacking there.
Also the next one should not be a pusher or a believer in the climate alarmist anti-scientific insanity and con trick.
December 11, 2019
JR…the VERY BEST for tomorrow.
I shall be praying for all those who will hopefully deliver us from the commie threat.
I can scarcely believe we are where we are.
Is it all a joke or an illusion?
December 11, 2019
“was apparently unable to agree with officials about a suitable new Governor.”
Unfortunately, we’re not electing the civil service. The same obstructive remainer officials will still be there on Friday, stubborn, unsackable, secretive, and unaccountable.
December 11, 2019
Sir JR
Mr. Barnier has just announced that a trade agreement with the Eu will not be ready till 2021, that does put a bit of a hole in the government/s argument of leaving the EU at the end of 2020?
Reply Who is Mr Barnier to know that?
December 11, 2019
The answer is to slip a sentence at the end of the WA that its terms expire end 202o if an FTA not agreed.
December 11, 2019
It took seven years to agree – a more limited arrangement than the UK requires – between Canada and the European Union.
You are still dreaming.
Wake up.
December 11, 2019
Marty – – that was because one of the tiny areas in Belgium refused to agree, even though the others did, and the other EU countries did. Shows you the craziness of the EU.
December 12, 2019
Meanwhile the WTO cannot resolve disputes because one of its hundreds of members won’t agree to appoint new judges.
Shows you the craziness of the WTO.
December 12, 2019
Nations can still carry on trading and sort disputes out between themselves.
International trade just carries on.
December 11, 2019
John, since it takes two to make a deal, I’d say that there is no better authority in the world than M. Barnier himself to state earliest possible dates for completion.
December 11, 2019
It isn’t a case of which economy is growing fastest desirable that it is that here in the UK we pep things up a bit. To me it is more important to create the right tax regime that encourages investment from overseas, and nurtures anyone within the UK who wishes to create a business. Banks should be forced to play their part controlled within the bank by people who understand business not bean counters. For too long banks have been playing a numbers game. Take money and pay nothing, lend money at usuary rates. To date they have played a useless role in the commercial life of the UK.
Should Boris win, I expect some radical inspiring direction from him that is followed through. That’s after a clean break has been engineered from the EU. The encumbrances of WA2 would totally stiffle any real progress. Recognise it for the man trap it is.
December 11, 2019
John – I look forward to seeing you returned to Westminster once again.
Good luck!
December 11, 2019
It all boils down to a simple choice in those 300+ Constituencies, where, magnanimously and against his own Party’s wishes, Nigel Farage stood down his candidates in favour of the incumbent Tory MPs. In these, as a “Leaver”, you either vote ‘Conservative’ or you abstain from voting.
It has been a serious error of judgement on the part of Mr Johnson not to reciprocate the gesture in those constituencies where his Party had no credible chance of winning, even though the constituents had voted to leave the EU. This has exposed the arrogance still prevalent in CCHQ.
On Friday morning we shall know just how bad his decision was but I fear this really is another episode of the twilight zone. With Boris in the lead role, originally played by Theresa May.
Perhaps Michael Gove was correct in 2016 in his opinion of Boris not being of leadership material. Friday will tell us what the electorate think.
December 11, 2019
If growth is only down to more immigration then I don’t want it, thank you.
December 12, 2019
Indeed especially if it depresses GDP per cap, block the roads, put pressure on the NHS, schools, police, social services, housing …………. as it will unless there are strict quality controls.
December 11, 2019
EU Michael Barnier is saying tonight that an FTA within 12mths is impossibleâŠ..so why are we giving them ÂŁ39bn and signing the WA and PD ?
Yet another extension on the horizon
December 11, 2019
No, what the British people really need is a government composed of principled politicians (as opposed to career politicians whose only concern is power, prestige and personal enrichment) that stop capitulating and grovelling to the progressive left and embark on a project with one fundamental aim, the dismantling of Labour’s political state, everything that it infects and everything they’ve conspired to conceal from the public eye
Start with the destruction of Labour’s propaganda platform, the BBC
Fingers crossed for a Tory-BP coalition and if failing that a Tory majority with an ERG-BP understanding to hold PM Johnson’s feet to the fire
Good luck Mr Redwood
December 11, 2019
I wish you well tomorrow, Sir John. However, I feel that the current Conservative Party led by Boris is not worthy of you. You could do far better than align with their very dubious “Conservatism” and, most importantly their betrayal of Brexit.
December 11, 2019
good luck for tomorrow John.
December 11, 2019
All the problems you’re talking about come from the Tories’ twin policies of austerity and Brexit – your only policies in fact. As for tax cuts, the plans are as vague as ever. The tax burden has risen considerably over the last 40 years – 27 of them presided over by Tory governments. In reality, you’re not the tax-cutting party but the talking about cutting tax party.
December 12, 2019
As you say:- âIn reality, youâre not the tax-cutting party but the talking about cutting tax party.â This while actually putting them up (to the highest level for 40+ years) and doing so in sneaky, back door, idiotic & complicated ways (which is even more damaging in itself). Plus huge increases in government borrowings too.
They have to cut out all the endless waste in government but no one has the guts to do so. So much fat to be cut. Endless pointless activity, inefficient activity and pointless duplication and every much actively damaging activity is being funded. The bonkers renewable subsidies for example.
December 12, 2019
I see that Jonathan Bartley has a rather big dog. Nothing carbon neutral about keeping a dog especially a large one, is it also a vegetarian I wonder. Rather like having another human to feed in C02 terms. Though they do heat you home a bit I suppose!
Not of course that C02 plant food is actually a problem it is greening the planet very nicely indeed and increasing crop yields and biodiversity too. As Pier Corbyn would sensibly agree. It is fairly clearly that climate sensitivity to atmospheric CO2 has been hugely exaggerated by the alarmists, the BBC and the St Greta of Thunberg types. Tell this deluded or silly actor and alarmist dope to go and study some real science.
This is why the deluded alarmists dopes are getting so desperate in Madrid. The measurement say they are wrong. As Dick Feynman puts it:-
It doesn’t make any difference how beautiful your guess is, it doesn’t matter how smart you are who made the guess, or what his name is⊠If it disagrees with experiment, it’s wrong. That’s all there is to it.â