Politics

De Rigueur

Good time for the opposition to call a no confidence motion, eh?

As possibly the only honest Labour MP, which way would you vote Frank?

Very good piece, even so.

Gary, HK

Impressive piece of writing. It takes a Labour MP to write down what the Tories really need to be doing. People will understand, I am sure.

Good article; thanks for penning it.

Chris lancashire

Brilliant piece from a very sound MP. Hopefully it will add to the debate of how and what we cut and replace pathetic namecalling from the Govt. about "Tory Cuts".

John Corfield

A superb article Mr Field but what irks me is why you the most respected MP in the House by the public not the goons in Westminster is still a member of probably the worst Government in living memory even surpassing John Majors shambles of an administration, its beyond me.

Trevor

Frank,

Come one, hop over to the Lib Dems or Tories and use this brilliant text as you go. Given the lasting damage that this government is causing, it's the least you can do.

Please, this is getting serious.

Chris

Thank you for writing the only believable, sensible and honest article I have read from a Labour MP in months. I hope you find greater recognition within your party and with it a louder voice.

Dee

It's not just the Government that needs the money, it's the fixed rate mortgage industry that need to replace the existing source of funds. Why should the Far East economies support a country that clearly intends to inflate itself out of its self inflicted trouble.

Just wish there were more people like Frank Field in Parliament.

Neil Craig

Impressive article.

"No government, however intent on making the pips of the rich squeak, has been able to raise in taxation more than 37 per cent of our gross domestic product. It is as though one of Adam Smith’s invisible hands has constructed a lead ceiling over the amount of income governments can lift off us taxpayers."

I'm sure Mr Field thinks this is indeed a practical ceiling - that above that level it is so much worth working in the black economy, or in Switzerland, or in taking up even the most expensive tax fiddles or just putting one's feet up that this is indeed a ceiling. In which case he is right that government spending simply cannot permanently be above that.

Chas

This article could easily have been written by John Redwood, except that it is written in a clearer style. Why o why is Frank Field not a member of the Conservative party?

Nick

Excellent piece - although I think the cost of Trident is £15-£20 BILLION, not million.

Nick Leaton

SO, since the overspend this year is 175 billion (25% of government spending) just what are you going to cut Frank?

Susan Hill

The one good man, in every sense, in this government. Long may he continue to speak the truth without fear or favour. This is probably the best article I have read on our economic situation and future -crystal clear, balanced and measured. And truthful, as you would expect. Frank Field, I salute you.

Rufus

The article is analytical and gives food for thought. The author mentions "that available cash", "the world’s money lenders", "competition for funds"

Who are these money lenders and where did they get the funds from?

Mark Solomon

Frank, how long are you going to take being ignored and spurned by your party - which must be so far removed from the party you joined as to be unrecognisable - before you finally do the decent thing and defect? They are going to take as much notice of you on this issue as they did over your attempted restructuring of welfare a decade ago, when the rug was pulled from under you....

If there is any sunlight in the cloud of doom approaching, it is the hope that the urgency imposed by this crisis will make someone decide to take a chainsaw to the welfare budget and bring some common sense to what is by far the largest source of expenditure. People who have never worked, never paid in, should not be able to get any money at all in benefits. Those that have paid in should only be able to claim for a limited time dependant on their contribution history. Leaving school, not working and then getting a pension at the end of it should no longer be a career option. Non-EU immigrants should not qualify for any assistance until they have paid in for a number of years. And the obscenity of setting up single parent households and then 'loaning' them money to buy washing-machines repayable out of their 'earnings' (benefits) must be ended forthwith.

If the UK's welfare system resembled the majority of the rest of Europe's then there might not even be any need for tax increases! And you know that is true...

Ian C

You speak and write as no other Labour MP, which of itself should tell you something Frank.

You also spell out clearly how difficult cutting public spending will be and how little the effect will be of cutting some of the more unpopular choices e.g.health will be.

What you do not give, like all politicians, is what the solution is. We all know that we need growth and to get growth quickly we need a rapid unlocking of entrepreneurialism.

The reason politicians won't say it is because it’s Thatcher/Reaganite and that has allowed to bee dishonestly tarred as the source of the current crisis.

Until respected politicians, such as you, start telling it how it really is the country will continue in its prolonged and devastating descent. Wake up properly Frank (and the Tories), stop pretending. Nice Op-Ed pieces in the Spectator may be good for you but all you have done is confirm to the world that even the best of politicians are wringing their hands in craven forelock tugging to an already deceived electorate.

Ray

Sorry Frank no disrepect but you persona is ...well not good, and you can defect if you want,not stand at the next election whatever and nobody is going to take any notice and Gordo knows it

peter reddington

Us tax payers Frank, what's with the "us", don't tell me you're one, and here's me thinking all labour MPs were the same. Why don't you cross over to the lib dems Frank, I don't think anyone would blame you, it's not a labour party anymore, it's a kennel, and the people know it.