The spinning compass

N. Simon

There's no way the government can pull single people on a low income out of poverty. They want to make up the 10p basic rate in tax credits, which singles aren't eligible for.

Then there's the increased cost of food, housing, fuel bills, etc. Yes, the elderly get a good percentage of their winter fuel paid for, but the disabled only get £10 for winter fuel, and need to either keep warm, or eat. They can't do both.

Nu Labour have set this country back 100 years, and the gap between rich and poor have widened to such a great extent that whatever way you look, you can't see any way out for those in dire poverty.

And this government have had the nerve to say we're better off today than in 1997! The extortionate cost of living today is proof enough that the majority are far worse off today than ever before.

N. Simon

There's no way the government can pull single people on a low income out of poverty. They want to make up the 10p basic rate in tax credits, which singles aren't eligible for.

Then there's the increased cost of food, housing, fuel bills, etc. Yes, the elderly get a good percentage of their winter fuel paid for, but the disabled only get £10 for winter fuel, and need to either keep warm, or eat. They can't do both.

Nu Labour have set this country back 100 years, and the gap between rich and poor have widened to such a great extent that whatever way you look, you can't see any way out for those in dire poverty.

And this government have had the nerve to say we're better off today than in 1997! The extortionate cost of living today is proof enough that the majority are far worse off today than ever before.

Tom

Brown and the Labour Party want to turn the poor into a client group dependent on tax credits, which few of us know how to claim.

Lee Jakeman

It's only a question of time before the UK breaks up into four independent countries. It will happen, because most people want it to happen - for different reasons. What we are witnessing right now is the disintegration of the British Union. And Blair and Brown are the ones primarily responsible for it. The English poor have been betrayed by Labour. They've seen their communities wrecked, their jobs taken by immigrants, their intelligence insulted by political correctness. English nationalism is brewing and is about to explode. Watch out.

M Clyde

I predicted 10 years ago that he would lose New Labour the next election if he ever became Prime Minister. All he has ever done is snipe at the heels of a competant leader. He should go now. I feel sorry for Alastair Darling though who genuinely opposes these changes.

Geoff Miller

How can doubling the 10p tax band, snatching billions from peoples pension funds (public servants excepted!), increasing fuel prices (over 70% is tax), increasing food prices, increasing interest rates etc etc be "helping the poor".

He is making us poor!

His tax grabs from low and middle income people and refusal to tax rich foreigners together with massive increases in the public sector wage and pensions bill, MP's having the best pensions of course, just goes to show what a mess he has made whilst Labour has been in power.

All Labour adminstrations end in chaos - why should this be any different?

roger Davies

The only way to help the poor is to stop taxing them.

Eddie

The late J.Stalin could have learnt a thing or two about control.

TDK

Can I suggest you give the words "spinning" "moral" and "compass" a twelve month sabbatical.

I speak as someone who often (eg. not MMR) agrees with you.

It is despicable that we tax the poor, pass that money through several layers of bureaucrats and then give it back, rather than raise the tax threshold.

peter watkins

There is something spooky about the concerted and co ordinated attempts by the right to smear Brown at every turn.

Simple politics aside, I wonder what the right has to fear most about this man that they take every opportunity to dirty his name?

BWilliamson

Peter Watkins talks of sniping as if it only came from the right. He should try reading the Guardian Comment is Free page. Even the left are abandoning this excuse for a PM in droves.

Ann

Perhaps, Peter, it's the trivial fact that his personal defects are hugely damaging to this country and that he is by some margin the worst PM we've had in 70 years?