Aspiring to cut spending

Remember when Ken Clarke downgraded the Tory inheritance tax plans from a “commitment” to an “aspiration,” in view of the fiscal disaster they’re set to inherit?  He was, of course, swiftly contradicted by the Tory leadership, which was fearful of being accused of U-turns on some of its most popular policy ideas.  But why bring this up now?  Well, because today “aspiration” has firmly entered the Party Leaders’ Lexicon – it features heavily in Nick Clegg’s interview with the Independent.  Here’s a key passage:

“The circumstances are utterly different from anything in the last 15 years. Our shopping list of commitments will be far, far, far, far, far shorter,” he said. “We will have to ask ourselves some immensely difficult questions about what we as a party can afford. A lot of cherished Lib Dem policies will have to go on the back burner. They will remain our aspirations. They will remain our policies.