Monday, January 25, 2010

Osborne on overiding objectives...

How to stop Britain going bust again [Link]...maybe that should read "Stop Labour doing the same thing for a forth time", meaning not win four consecutive elections but take the UK to the brink of bankrupcy, again.

After last weeks backing of Obama's bank plan Osborne has again hit the ground running despite continued snipping from both within and without Conservative ranks. "The end of the recession removes the last excuse Gordon Brown has for sticking with next year’s reckless spending plans. The only reason now why the difficult decisions are being delayed until 2011 is that there is a general election in 2010."

Britain’s new economic model must be built on saving and private sector investment, not the unsustainable public spending and consumer debt of the past ten years.

"...built on saving and private sector investment, not the unsustainable public spending and consumer debt of the past ten years..." ...He goes on to say that the UK must become competitive again. Nothing new there; luckily, the stampede of companies set to leave the UK hasn't yet built up steam and I guess the only reason is that those companies, despite having plans to go are hanging on hoping to see Brown's brownstuff stripped away by the next administration...and stripped away it must be.

"Simpler taxes with lower tax rates, removing employment taxes on new businesses employing new staff, stopping the remorseless rise of red tape on small businesses."

The gist of the whole article is Osborne saying that to secure the UK's future growth what is needed is a complete change and a new government that understands what needs changing; clearly Brown doesn't but the jury is still out on whether GO himself does!

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5 comments:

Paddy Paws said...

Hola. Osborne has grown in confidence and sounds sure-footed when interviewed. He did particularly well on the Today programme a few days ago.

Paul said...

"stopping the remorseless rise of red tape on small businesses."

You mean removing all those tiresome workers rights George, opting out of the social charter for example! Yes, let's do away with all employment legislation that will cut out some red tape. Removing minimum wage legislation and cutting family tax credits that will save money and red tape as well.

Let's do away with fire regs, trade union recognition, paid leave for family/domestic problems, parental leave, disability legislation, that pesky Data Protection Act. Let's go back to the workhouse whilst we're at it.

What planet do these people live on?

Span Ows said...

Thanks Paddy (lovely cat!) I heard several comments on Osborne's interview and how he was backed up despite Naughtie trying to torpedo him (no surprise there!)

Paul...another nerve hit, that's two in a week ;-)

To be honest I think they'll have a hell of a job doing what you say (snipping away most of the hyperbole!) as to be able to "repatriate social and employment powers to a national level" would mean - as you say - restoring the UK's opt out from the social chapter and I don't think that's likely, unless DC decides on a drastic measure (in/out referendum and/or the EU decides we can go our own way neither of which seems likely (least of all because of the agreement of all 27 EU members being needed etc)

Paul said...

If the Conservatives promised a proper reform of the benefits system in this country I would honestly vote for them (no fingers crossed this time). What was meant to be a safety net is now a lifestyle choice for a lot of people regardless of the economic climate whilst others don't know what benefits they are entitled to.

The whole apprenticeship, training regime needs a really top to bottom review. The problem is that everything is done on a political short term gain basis rather than a long term plan.

Span Ows said...

"What was meant to be a safety net is now a lifestyle choice for a lot of people regardless of the economic climate whilst others don't know what benefits they are entitled to."

"The problem is that everything is done on a political short term gain basis rather than a long term plan."

I think these phrases would ring a bell (not Pavlovian) with the whole electorate (no specific party) The only reason the CP aren't 25% or more ahead in the polls is that so many see it as just more of the same.