Would Labour destabilise Britain’s fragile economic recovery? The Tories are keen to convince the nation that Labour would, ahead of Miliband’s expected offensive on the state of the economy and the cost of living. Positive growth forecasts, increasing construction and export figures all add to the perception that the economy is on the up; but, as I discussed earlier this week, the mood in the country is still cautious and many people are struggling to make ends meet.
Treasury minister Sajid Javid tackles this problem in the Telegraph today. He contextualises his party’s optimism for the recovery with reference to his own background, and explains why the hardships will be worth it in the long run:
‘And while there is still a long way to go, the plan is working. The economy has moved out of intensive care and into recovery…yes, growth was slower than expected over the last two years, but the eurozone was in a mess and our economy was hit by a temporary oil price spike.
‘Since those problems have abated – and subsequent monetary support by the Bank of England and the European Central Bank has taken effect – momentum has returned to our economy.’
Javid also presents Conservative HQ’s latest attack on Labour’s borrowing plans. Labour has yet to lay down a clear and consistent plan on public spending, so the Conservatives have produced their own figure of how much Labour would have cost the country this year — £50 billion, or £3,000 for every taxpayer. The number is cobbled together from the Alternative Queen’s Speech and Labour’s reaction to the Finance, Banking and Jobs bills, and other announcements.
A recent poll for The Sun found that 34 per cent still blame the last Labour government for the present government’s spending cuts — as opposed to 24 per cent for the coalition — the bill ‘sent to every taxpayer’ (pictured above) is an effective way to remind the country that this government is trying to fix Labour’s mess.
Unfortunately for Ed Miliband, the Tories are not the only ones attacking him for the lack of a clear message. As David reports, Andy Burnham has used an interview in today’s Guardian to urge the Labour leadership to be bolder and clearer. Red-on-red fire and targeted missiles from the Tories are ensuring that Miliband’s summer of discontent rolls on. Miliband is about to enter a key party conference season — the second last before the general election — while his party is on an uncertain footing and falling back in the polls. Not exactly the rousing vote of confidence many in Labour are hoping for.
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