Are people seeing through Darling's new clothes?
Peter Hoskin 10:53am
The biggest worry surrounding Darling's 10p tax con is that people will fall for it; that it will be the vote-winner Brown so clearly wants it to be. There were immediate signs yesterday that this might be the case. I highlighted a Political Betting graph which showed that - in the betting markets, at least - Labour's hopes of winning in Crewe and Nantwich had been boosted by Darling's move. However (and thanks to CoffeeHouser 'Ian C' for pointing this out), a new graph over at Political Betting reveals that the markets have settled right back to where they were before Darling's statement. The con-trick may not have worked, after all.
I think Mike Smithson's exactly right - the major reason for this is how the statement's been reported in the media. Most outlets have revealed if for what it is - a cynical, vote-grabbing ploy. And Darling's been on the end of kickings from Snow and Paxman. It's yet another indication of how unpopular the Brown government currently is, when only the Mirror is prepared to come out completely in support of a tax cutting measure.
P.S. Head over to Centre Right for another broadside against Darling's statement. According to Andrew Haldenby, of the think-tank Reform, it's going to impede social mobility.
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Comments
Faceless Bureaucrat
May 14th, 2008 11:24amInterestingly, Darling even got a rough ride on the Today programme this morning (almost unheard of for a Labour Minister). As you say Peter, another indication of how unpopular the Brown government has become.
Jonny Mac
May 14th, 2008 12:11pmYes, FB, but pity the interview wasn't by Humphreys. Darling kept saying that the "tax cut" was within his "fiscal rules". I didn't hear him challenged - I didn't hear the whole thing, so I might be wrong - on what precisely those rules are, who set them, are they of any utility, etc.
Robert Williams
May 14th, 2008 12:51pmThe 1m people who have not been fully compensateed for Brown's tax grab (i.e. income under about £13000)will include many of the retired women age 60-64 (who had previously been identified as a priority for recompense). These women will note their continued loss & they are a grouping who will vote.
Ray Griffin
May 14th, 2008 2:08pmSo more borrowing to 'fund' a tax cut(?) and coming a week before a by-election (or should that be buy election)? Someone please put this government out of our misery!