Osborne's inoculation strategy has worked
James Forsyth 11:24pm
Several of tomorrow’s newspapers lead on the IFS’ conclusion that those on the lowest income will suffer most from the cuts. This charge is problematic for the conclusion but far less problematic than it would have been if we hadn’t spent so much of the last few weeks discussing George Osborne’s decision to remove child benefit from families with a higher rate taxpayer in them. That change, however unpopular it may have been with normally Tory voters, inoculated the coalition against the charge that it was trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor.
Osborne’s preparation of the ground has not, though, stopped the Lib Dems slipping down to 10 percent in the polls. If the Lib Dems do drop into single figures for a prolonged period of time, then Nick Clegg’s job is going to become even more difficult.
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Alex Gallagher
October 21st, 2010 11:44pm Report this comment"..far less problematic than it would have been if we hadnāt spent so much of the last few weeks discussing George Osborneās decision to remove child benefit from families with a higher rate taxpayer in them"
That's what you think...and hope...
tb
October 22nd, 2010 8:01am Report this commentMost people realise that if you're a net taker from the pot any changes made to the system will effect you more than a net contributor.
Joseph
October 22nd, 2010 8:06am Report this commentThe public have noticed a very political CSR. They have seen an noted a grab on child benefits for political reasons not because it's away of really tackling the deficit. I think there will be far more long-term damage to this governments reputation than you think
MrSpiggot
October 22nd, 2010 8:15am Report this commentI think the Coalition has done well frankly given the level of intense opposition to economic sanity from the BBC.
Obviously the BBC, the Union Barons, and their political wing led by little snot nosed Milly will now be focused upon trying to break the nerve of Lib Dem MPs.
If they hold their nerve through a very difficult 2011, especially the May elections, the Coalition just might make it through to 2015.
Don
October 22nd, 2010 9:00am Report this comment"..SHIPYARD workers at Rosyth are preparing for strike action, just three days after the Strategic Defence Review spared them from the axe.
It is anticipated a walk-out will take place at the Fife yard next week, with a full strike to follow in a row over pay.
Workers agreed to remain silent about the planned action until after Tuesday's defence spending announcement.."
http://news.scotsman.com/news/Spending-review-Rosyth-workers-to.6593714.jp
No further comment required about the stupidity of some unions and their members.
Chris lancashire
October 22nd, 2010 9:27am Report this commentAs the Times asks today, "Define fairness". Most of the "squeezed middle" feel they've been hit and, apart from the idiots on mumsnet, have stoically got on with things.
It would also be great if Labourites could find another adjective to replace devastating.
I note that many call this CSR deeply political, well the response to it certainly is.
R2-D2
October 22nd, 2010 10:28am Report this commentChris lancashire: The mums on Mumsnet are not idiots. Whether the cuts are regressive or progressive is a matter of definition, but it is entirely clear from the IFS analysis that in all income deciles families are being hit much harder than other groups. Just out of curiosity, how big is the cut that you are so stoically getting on with?
toni
October 22nd, 2010 11:01am Report this comment'Define fairness'? Thought the country already had, and the settled conclusion reached is that the coalition is unfair, as demonstrated by the huge uproar over child benefit and now the damning IFS report.
Today, in an attempt to move on and smother the growing unease, the Dr. Kelly papers are released. Must be a good day……
Tories = ideological unfair spinners. Looks like Coulson is desperately attempting to justify his pay.
Cynical? Moi? As if….
Chris lancashire
October 22nd, 2010 12:03pm Report this commentR2-D2 - mums on £45k+ household income complaining about child benefit are idiots. Since you ask about myself, several £000s worse off due to the change in taxation on dividends - not complaining - we're all in this together.
Chris lancashire
October 22nd, 2010 12:07pm Report this commenttoni - not cynical just plain wrong. The country has decided it needs to sort out Labour's mess - it was called an election. So far, pretty good from the coalition. The IFS wasn't "damning" - it certainly disagreed with Osborne but not markedly. Try forming a sentence using "devastating" - most Labourites are pretty good at it.
toni
October 22nd, 2010 1:32pm Report this comment’ The country has decided it needs to sort out Labour's mess - it was called an election’.
@Cl. A world wide financial melt down, and a truly catastrophic event I think you meant to have said, and a Labour Govt. that did it’s best to protect business and us personally from the worst effects of it by bailing out the banks.
As for the election, I'd suggest that the result indicated a lack of trust and confidence in the Tories, hardly their finest hour.
Dimoto
October 22nd, 2010 2:57pm Report this commentMost of the population have got over the CSR and are already on the next page.
It wasn't as bad as most feared, and people can now make decisions with more certainty.
Of course, there will continue to be muffled screams from the benefit army.
The clap-trap from the Labour lobby on here kind of proves the point.
The Brits actually quite enjoy being asked to brace up, to solve a common problem.
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