Osborne makes silent waves

by Will Stobart

Quietly quiety, Osborne has started to change. His contribution to the economy debate on the Queen’s speech was measured and thoughtful, not at all like the brashness we’re used to so far. The media haven’t picked it up, but perhaps they will with time.

Might this translate into a transformation of his public image? I certainly hope so. If he continues to follow this more statesmanlike role, it is likely that he will be able to convert his considerable political and intellectual acumen into a better standing in his position.

The video for this can be found here (starts around 2:00:00)

You gotta love the BBC

by Will Stobart

Even if it’s just for this awesome Christmas Musical on Gordon.

Hat tip: Daily Referendum

Greater Manchester says ‘NO’!

By Will Palmer

I was pleased to see that the citizen’s of Greater Manchester were not fooled by the ridiculous congestion charging plans. As I have pointed out before and reiterated in Student Direct the plans were completely flawed and would have jeopardised Manchester’s future.

How people like this can say this was a vote against progress I don’t know. Flat taxes are regressive taxes by definition.

Speaking out!

By Rob Manning

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘democracy’? What does this word mean to you? What values do you believe should be upheld in a ‘democratic’ society? I’ll tell you what I think. Freedom of expression, governmental accountability and vocal representation; three of the most important values that any free State should seek to uphold. So why is it that these values continued to be undermined and swept aside by one of the most crucial officers of our great constitution? I speak of course of our so called ‘Honourable’ Speaker of the House of Commons Mr Michael Martin MP.

The Speaker of the Commons is, perhaps, one of the most important offices in the system. The person who fills said office is expected to fulfil a gargantuan amount of responsibilities including keeping order in the House, validating certain types of Bills, chairing the Commons Committee, protecting MPs and upholding democracy. Historical incumbents of the post have proven that these duties can be exercised beautifully, even under the most strenuous of circumstances. Sir Thomas More (patron Saint of Lawyers, Statesmen and Politicians; and also, for good reason, my Confirmation Saint) was the first Speaker to encourage free speech and free debate in the House. Good chap. Why then is it that when opposition MPs attempt to follow this remarkable precedent, and use this sacred right, they can no longer do so without risk? Damian Green’s MP arrest this week has demonstrated that Martin has utterly failed to carry out his duty to Parliament and to democracy. Her Majesty’s speech and the State opening of Parliament (a 50/50 split between New Labour rubbish and theft off good Tory ideas though it may be) re-enacted the great moment in 1642 when the Commons slammed the door shut on the faces of the King’s soldiers, and the Speaker of the day made it quite clear to the King’s captain that he had “niether eyes to see nor tongue to speak”. That parlicular Speaker didn’t seem to have a problem in fulfilling his duty to protect the representatives of the people, why can’t ours do the same now? Surely it’s not too much to demand a simple little thing like a warrant? Martin clearly had no tongue of his own on that particular day. It’s no good trying to weasel your way out of it Michael, try and manoeuvre the blame over to the Sergeant At Arms all you like, you’re the chap with a safe seat for life and you’re the chap enjoying the single most handsomely salaried seat in the House. Stand up and accept fully that you messed up and messed up big time. As Labour’s Bob Marshall-Andrews MP put it, Martin has demonstrated a “deplorable breach of his duties”. I go further. I say that Martin has demonstrated that he is unfit for purpose. It is a sad, sad day when the Speaker of the Commons Chamber is unable to protect the very democracy that he was elected to serve.

What do I think of when I think of democracy? In the light of recent events, I dont think about it at all; I long for it.

Why Labour still doesn’t understand the economy

By Will Stobart

One of the things which continues to astonish both myself and other Conservatives I speak to is the view held among the British public that the government is doing a good job on the economy. I was telephone canvassing last night, and got into a conversation with a Labour supporter who told me that Gordon Brown had started to do well once the economic crisis started. Well, where do you start on that?

The wrong way to approach this is to criticise Labour spending. We’ve all seen and heard the Labour party criticise both Conservatives and Lib Dems for “wanting to cut public spending in the downturn”. So no, let’s not attack the spending directly; that plays directly into their hands. Instead we have to engage the way in which the masses of cash the government spends is used. I’ll give you a passage from the Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report. See if you can find what’s wrong with it.

“Since 1997, we have doubled the NHS budget, cutting hospital waiting lists. (see below) Spending on education is 60 per cent higher, improving schools and exam results. Transport spending is up by 70 per cent, with over 130 major road schemes, and record numbers now travelling by rail.

Total Government spending on much-needed investment and public services has increased from £322 billion 10 years ago to £584 billion last year. Through the current spending review, we will continue to support and improve key public services, to meet the ambition of the people of this country. The challenge is to continue to deliver these improved services while ensuring that we continue to get value for money.”

Have you found it yet? Yes, exactly, there’s almost no mention of any of the things that our money has bought. The government’s line is how they “increase investment”, but shouldn’t we be focusing on the outcomes instead? And note first of all, that the only outcome the Chancellor mentioned there (improving hospital waiting times) has been debunked as utter rubbish. However apart from that, not many results. Inputs are mentioned, but outputs are not. Coincidence or strategy?

Strategy of course. The reason why the government does not mention the outcomes is because the spending that Labour has put in place has not been used in the right way. Qangos, civil servants, reviews and bureaucracy has eaten it all up, while efficiency has fallen and a smaller proportion of the money has reached the frontline services.

Labour don’t realise that people want results. They think that if they spend enough all will come right. Because we’ve been in a boom nobody has noticed they’re so rubbish. Now they’re going to have to face up to their record. Record lows in house building, a real threat of blackouts in the coming years due to complacency in dealing with the future energy supply, productivity falls in the NHS and key services. I could go on. Labour governments have always left the country in a mess, but this one threatens to do more damage than any that have come before. Let’s hope we can get that election soon.