Fraser Nelson reviews the week in politics
A few months ago, a Cabinet member was telling me how the G20 would be the ideal springboard for an election: Obama in London, an opinion poll bounce, then an early (or, more accurately, an on-time) election. It has not quite worked out this way: there is no poll bump. The notional uplift from the G20 has been countered by the ongoing scandal of MPs’ expenses, which is an ugly dramatisation of a government squandering money in times of hardship. The public mood is turning against the high-spending solutions which Mr Brown finds so politically irresistible.
These are perilous times. The Prime Minister’s accumulated losses may yet send Britain into the embrace of the IMF. To hear Lord Mandelson saying there should be no ‘stigma’ in taking a begging bowl to the fund is to know how delicately balanced the public finances truly are. Gamble after gamble has failed — yet even now, there is no reason to believe that Mr Brown has done his worst.
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john miller
April 8th, 2009 3:11pm Report this commentOf course the government is deeply concerned about deflation. That's why it increased what we pay for politicians food in the House and why MPs got a 2.3% pay rise. When the price of goods plummets they'll need all the help they can get. Oh, wait, have I got that wrong?
Nobody can seriously believe that the UK can fund its budget deficits. Bond buyers who didn't take up all of the latest issue realise that Brownie is trying to inflict hyper inflation on the UK. Its the only way we can manage the interest on the debt, never mind the debt itself.
Brownies major problem is that he doesn't have enough time to stoke up inflation, so perhaps this reinforces my belief.
Brownie retires over Christmas 2009 because he has gone blind and the Tories have to be satisfied with a hung Parliament or a small majority.
Hyper inflation throughout their first term proves they are incapable of managing the economy, Labour force a vote of confidence and get back into power after only four years out of the frame.
Sorry to spoil Easter, Dave.
James
April 8th, 2009 5:05pm Report this commentIt is terrible that even with so little time left of his tenure, Brown will likely still wreak so much more havoc.
I am infuriated by the mainstream media's refusal to give more room to the idea that some of these banks should have gone to the wall. In America, many people knew this was necessary and although they were ignored, they have been proved right.
The absence of this debate means people do not realise enough just how much money was was on propping up these dreadful banks. For capitalism to work, losers and spivs must pay the price.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/5120618/Give-taxpayers-a-break-from-the-cuckoo-banks.html
M Rees
April 8th, 2009 8:09pm Report this commentSpin about the Home Secretary's expenses is one thing, blatant lies about the parlous state of the nations's finance is bordering on the wicked. Brown is playing games, swapping the country's future for the sake of continued power. And yet there are still thinking Labour supporters that will not speak out. Put politics aside and think of poor old Britain. Brown has sown a whirlwind and we shall all reap the bitter harvest
Cuse
April 9th, 2009 1:07pm Report this commentYeah, thanks Fraser. Coulson's got you in election mode now hasn't he?
I thought this article was a review of "the week in politics". Silly me! Because it read like "why the Labour party is really beastly".
Grow up Fraser.
TrevorsDen
April 9th, 2009 3:44pm Report this comment"his almost eerie ability to sit through a doom-laden briefing without flinching" -- this just shows up darlings lack of imagination. It shows his blissful ignorance.
But why should he flinch? He is not the real chancellor - it could be many people or a combination of all of them, Brown Balls Mandelson ... but it is not Darling. Why should he not just carry on taking his salary and expenses and say stuff to the rest of us
Browns G20 announcement is meaningless - he could have invented any figure; nothing will have any meaningful effect on the public.
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