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Post by Sheik Djibouti on Aug 19, 2010 15:23:27 GMT
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Post by Lone Gunman on Aug 19, 2010 15:44:36 GMT
Doubt it, like cameron he seems just a mouthpiece for some backroom tory policy 'think' tank |
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Post by Yellow River on Aug 20, 2010 5:44:07 GMT
Interesting but difficult times ahead I think.
We've had a lot of talk so far from Cameron & Osborne about cuts but no actual action yet.
Have they got the balls for it or will they start back pedalling at the first signs of media pressure & protest - eg proposed cuts in school milk for infants.
The proposed public sector cuts and spending review this autumn will be key, add to that inflation, wage freezes, VAT rise, increase in unemployment, cut in benefits.
Civil unrest by next summer?
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Post by Ricky Otto on Aug 20, 2010 8:17:14 GMT
Thats a completely incomparable situation though. They were living a lie. Something we were sleep walking towards under Labours "spend what you dont have" decade. |
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Post by Sheik Djibouti on Aug 20, 2010 9:41:26 GMT
Thats a completely incomparable situation though. They were living a lie. Something we were sleep walking towards under Labours "spend what you dont have" decade. The proposed tax rises are real, the proposed cuts and resultant loss of funding, benefits and jobs are also very real. At a time when the economy needs nurturing back to health, why embark on a programme of cuts which are likely to stunt, not enhance economic growth? This is a philosophy, not a necessity. |
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Post by yelloexile on Aug 20, 2010 10:00:15 GMT
Trouble is that if you do nothing billions are lost in servicing the national debt - money that could have been better spent elsewhere.
I don't envy the decision makers - damned if they do and damned if they don't.
Just a shame that billions were wasted by Darling on that pointless and pathetic VAT cut, as well as the temporary change in Stamp Duty, which didn't do a thing to help first time buyers - reducing something like Employers NI might have been slightly more constructive.
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Post by Ricky Otto on Aug 20, 2010 10:54:27 GMT
Thats a completely incomparable situation though. They were living a lie. Something we were sleep walking towards under Labours "spend what you dont have" decade. The proposed tax rises are real, the proposed cuts and resultant loss of funding, benefits and jobs are also very real. At a time when the economy needs nurturing back to health, why embark on a programme of cuts which are likely to stunt, not enhance economic growth? This is a philosophy, not a necessity. You're right. Our children should be picking up the results of our wrecklessness. Given Labour inflated national debt during a global boom I think we know where to look. |
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Post by Sheik Djibouti on Aug 20, 2010 12:36:54 GMT
The proposed tax rises are real, the proposed cuts and resultant loss of funding, benefits and jobs are also very real. At a time when the economy needs nurturing back to health, why embark on a programme of cuts which are likely to stunt, not enhance economic growth? This is a philosophy, not a necessity. You're right. Our children should be picking up the results of our wrecklessness. I don't think even Labour were saying this! Given Labour inflated national debt during a global boom I think we know where to look. That's not what I'm saying is it? (in fact not even Labour were saying no cuts at all). What I am saying is the LEVEL of cuts being proposed by the govt. could well harm the very thing they are so keen to encourage. A whilst we're on the subject: Our current Budget Deficit stands at £178 billion We (and yes it is our money)have bailed out/propped up the banks to the tune of £889 billion pounds £400 billion in asset purchases and lending £200 billion in cash bailouts £289 billion in nationalising banks (including £56bill to Lloyds, HBOS & RBS, £48 billion to Northern Rock & Bradford & Bingley) Seeing as just about all of these that received our money are now back to the good old days of obscene profits and bonuses, perhaps they'd like to spend a small amount of our money wiping out the budget deficit for us each year - seeing as we've been so good to them. You're right, I think we know where to look. |
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Post by Ricky Otto on Aug 20, 2010 13:07:09 GMT
The Germans have been far more prudent in the Golden Years and as such their economy is now much better prepared for the lean times.
Brown was happy to take plaudits as there was an obsession with being a popular government not a good government. We're in a mess. Yes the banks are very much to blame and unfortunately the global response has been far too short termist anger, with not enough long term clamping down on them. As such we'll probably hit the same issue in another 12 years.
Point is labour inferred cuts but didn't say where and certainly didn't seem inetnt on genuinely tackling the deficit. I'd rather we got rid of that now than spent years paying back billions in interest which could go on hospitals. It's simply not an option to delay hard cuts as you're simply delaying a much bigger problem.
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Post by Lone Gunman on Aug 20, 2010 16:01:52 GMT
Ah but the germans economy is much better suited to this kind of financial climate. With a weak currency everyone wants to buy the finished goods of their export economy.
Its not so much to do with prudence as it is to do with what type of economy the german one is. If Britain actually manufactured anything any more we'd likely be in a better position.
The german bubble will burst of course when the Euro picks up everything suddenly isn't so cheap.
Banks still have a lot to answer for, and though they are easy whipping boys for media and public anger to centre on, they are not helping matters by continuing where they left off as if nothing had happened with regards to bonuses etc.
Harsh it may sound, but that x-billion that went to pakistan might have been better spent in Britain too.
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