Coming soon: The Purple Book Review

Amazon have finally delivered my copy of  The Purple Book. Over the next few days, I shall read and carefully analysis Labour’s new potential philosophy on the economy, society, social affairs and the political system. The book aims to “end the role of the big state” and, although I remain sceptical, I shall approach this with an open mind – the review (when it is posted) will be non-partisan and truthfully honest.

Well, I best start reading then.

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The vacuous space of Ed Miliband’s speech and the subsequent media silence.

When struggling into work at 5am this morning, to continue the radical life of sleep deprived baker, I usually spend the first few moments listening to the news headlines on the radio. Celebrate gossip and nonsense tend to torment my insomniac soul, but the political stories aim to provide informative facts for potential blog posts, etc.

Well, I had none of that this morning. If you arrived in this country, with no knowledge of current events, you would have no idea Labour are holding an annual conference and Ed Miliband just spoke to the country. Was not mentioned once on BBC Radio One.

In all it’s been a grotesque and mangled dying corpse, with the press occasionally poking it with a stick; many journalists hoped for something proactive. They didn’t get it.

Only reaction was, in fact, reactionary. Ivan Lewis, the soon to be late shadow culture secretary, took 1984 rather too literal and invoked the will to restrict the free press. Unsurprisingly, Ed’s team quickly killed the story. Much to Ivan’s embarrassment, who is currently still defending himself on Twitter. Two hours before the ‘big speech’ the BBC ran the headline “Ban Errant Journalists – Labour”….

And when that moment finally arrived – disaster struck. The mandarins and apparatchiks were denied entry into the People’s Congress due to the unfortunate prospect of ‘ruining Ed’s camera shot’. Marvelous. What a brilliant way to be treated by the party leadership. I’m surprised Labour members didn’t start booing their leader…

…Well, that’s what they did. When Tony Blair, the most successful Labour Prime Minister ever and never lost an election, was mentioned. Confused? The entire press core were and most likely the country, too. And speaking of the country, since when have we been covert socialists? hating bankers equals hating capitalism according to Ed Miliband, who effectively went to the left of Michael Foot.

The People’s Congress rapturously applauded as they waved good bye to the London Mayoral Election, General Election 2015, the centre ground, the British public, planet Earth and sanity. Calling the Left wing ‘new centre-ground’ does not make it the centre ground. Something Labour are about to find out. Tories tried that scenario from 1997 – 2001.

Am I being too cruel? The morning after and no senior coalition figure has felt the need to comment on the speech. With his failure to make the front pages, headlines and even gain positive reviews, the government has nothing to add to the current criticism. Which is the biggest condemnation for Ed Miliband; your rivals think the content was so empty, that none of it required a response.

The speech made one impact, though. The press no longer thinks Ed Miliband is a “socialist”, they honestly think he is a socialist.

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How Dave Prentis appeals to Labour over strike action..

“Our members will never forgive Labour if they let them down on this issue.”

Marvelous. How pleasant of the unions, holding the entire membership of the Labour party hostage.

 

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Reintroducing the 4p basic rate income tax cut pledge

Back in 2008, this was our first major policy under Nick Clegg.

The policy would’ve been financed by £20 billion cut to public spending; this was Nick’s big pitch into Conservative heartland and appealing to Tory voters, who were unsure of Cameron. This pitch was a liberal intention of returning to Gladstonian pledge of low taxes being a key ingredient to any liberal government. A 4p cut of income tax was subsequently replaced (due to the deficit problem) with increasing the basic threshold to £10,000.

But now we are in government, cutting public spending and reforming the tax system; it is time to reconsider this forgotten pledge. After all, we cannot solely pray on Labour voters in 2015 – we will need to flirt with potential disaffected conservatives.

Cutting the basic rate would be an ideal stimulus for the UK economy; much more effective and we will be putting money directly into the pockets of consumers.

Of course, though, it will have to be introduced on a gradual basis. Liberal Democrats are already discussing a £5 billion stimulus to the economy, so why not cut the basic rate by 1p? Britain is heading towards a busy retail period at Christmas and tax cuts will be welcomed by the retail sector. If the Treasury were to increase spending cuts, then the coalition could easily afford to cut the basic rate each year. If not, then the cutting income tax should be included in the next manifesto in 2015.

At the next general election, we cannot go into the campaign on a high tax message – the party will have to offer tax cuts.

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Tories ’52 weeks of weakness by Ed Miliband’ dossier

Full document can be found here

(Source and credit to @RaheemJKassam)

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Clegg to confront the unions

Let me be clear: The values of trade unionism are as relevant as ever. Supporting workers. Fighting for fairness at work. But I don’t think the unions should be able to buy themselves a political party

I thought this was the most remarkable-and revealing-moment of Nick Clegg’s conference speech. The Liberal Democrats seem to have a political urge to be ‘tough’ in the eyes of voters; a willingness to be perceived as a genuine governing party, and not a politically inept collection of nobodies. The unions are set to be that example.

Danny Alexander is the principled chief of reforming the public sector pensions and Vince Cable has warned of potential new unions laws – if strikes threaten the economy. And Clegg is promising to reduce their financial influence in the soon to be announced political parties donation reforms. Liberals are not being coerced by coalition colleagues, but senior figures are actually volunteering to combat the unions.

A bizarre world. It was first thought Tory ministers were desperate to dismantle the unions, but us liberals want to lead the charge. And let us not forget Labour; Ed Miliband is seeking to reduce their influence within his party too. This is the first time, according to my limited knowledge, there has been an anti-union equilibrium between all party leaders.

If my assertions are correct, the Green party is last political party in favour of eliminating Thatchers union laws.

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Understanding the economic news without media spin

‘IMF warns of UK recession’ is the main discussion point for the press today. But the probability-based on a quarter-is less than 20% in the United Kingdom – 17% to be exact. (see the chart to the side)

The IMF were more concerned with a potential lost decade of growth in the United States and Europe’s inability to tackle sovereign debt. Page 19 of the IMF report, states an “increased risk of a new recession from the 3d Q of 2011 for the US, to a lesser extent for France and UK” and page 6 concludes Britain was either above or in line with growth, between July 2010 – July 2011.

As for public sector borrowing; let us read the actual document:

“The central government net cash requirement for August is increased by £5.1 billion due to the redemption of an index linked gilt while last August an extra £3.1 billion cash was received from the Bank Payroll Tax. These factors should be considered when making comparisons between 2010/11 and 2011/12.“

And, when reviewing central government receipts, we are currently better than last year. Increasing tax receipts is not a sign of an impending recession. Granted, the medicine is not working fast enough – but its working. These borrowing figures are not precise (yet); a revision is likely and the ONS have a habit of underestimating borrowing figures, too.

Hopefully, journalists will read the documents-in detail-before printing ridiculous and fearful headlines. I’m looking directly at you, Daily Mail.

 

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Illiberal moment: road blocks to reform

You would honestly believe we hated being in government.  The first conference, after the formation of the coalition, we were gleefully praising the Conservatives for giving us this opportunity. Liberal Democrats even dared to describe Cameron as “liberal” and an inspiration for liberalism in the United Kingdom. Now, ministers are falling over each other to insult and ridicule coalition partners.

What the hell happened to collective responsibility within the Cabinet?

There is a dangerous scenario developing; we are desperately trying to fight the 2015 general election now. Sarah Teather, for example, managed to discuss-at great lengths-education reforms – without mentioning academies. Liberal Democrat Lords would rather continue the status quo of the NHS, limit welfare reform (which is currently unsustainable) and our party President advocates leaving the coalition early. Yet, one year ago, we bravely stood firm over tuition fees and were not afraid to defend government policy.

Now we aim to water down every reform possible, due to poll rating obsessions. What ever happened to governing in the national interest? The Liberal Democrats are becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy and legitimatising our critics by resorting to a timid approach to government, at the first sign of trouble. That does not bode well for a party, which holds aspirations to govern outside a coalition. Simplistic solutions imply a desire to remain as an opposition party, unwilling to govern or mature. The new ‘soaking the rich’ strategy is a prime example. Liberals should be embracing anyone working hard and expanding their wealth; not demonising it. Gladstone would most certainly opposed any liberal signaling a high tax message.

And that is the major problem here: we are opposing genuine liberal policy. NHS reform and expansions of academies are products of liberalism, not conservatism. Creating a low tax economy is vital to any liberal fiscal strategy, yet it is now ‘morally repugnant’ to even consider it – even if evidence contradicts it. How many marginals could we possibly lose to the Tories in the south now?

Things have changed, this is a governing party now. We’re not in Kansas any more, and we better start acting like it.

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Total Politics Blog awards 2011 – we made the Top 50

I have awoken, to discover, Too Liberal has made the Top 50 Lib Dems blogs on the Total Politics Blog awards 2011. I am deeply honoured, especially since I never actively campaigned for my inclusion.

This means quite a lot to me; I’m glad people enjoy reading my thoughts and opinions, I hope to continue to please the readers. Thank you to all those who have voted for me.

Entering at No.33 is not bad, was rather surprised to see myself within the top 50. But, again, thank you.

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Cameron’s ‘victory parade’ in Tripoli

Today, along with the French President, Cameron made a “surprise” visit to Tripoli and was greeted in Cesar-esque triumph.  The scenes were rather remarkable, with doctors and nurses cheering as he walked through a hospital – instead of treating seriously injured patients. A truly astonishing scene.

Leadership approval ratings (of the Prime Minister) are already quite steady around the high 30s, low 40s and I anticipate another ‘Libya bounce’ for Cameron.

With the economy in a gloomy patch, it is vital for Prime Ministers and Presidents to present a strong image aboard. A successful foreign policy bodes well for future elections and in the current domestic climate; very difficult to criticise a Prime Minister, who just won a war.

Dare I draw a comparison to Thatcher and the Falklands War? Recall this photo op, which transformed the premiership of the Iron Lady:

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