Two sorts of cuts

This is the graphic to my News of the World column, representing the choice at the next election: two sorts of cuts. If Gordon Brown were smart, he would argue that his cuts would be better-aimed and more compassionate. Instead, he chooses to lie, saying – as he did in PMQs – that the choice is “between a Government who are prepared to invest in the future and a Conservative Party that will cut.” No one, in any media outlet save for the Mirror (in which he has placed an article today), accepts this demonstrably false proposition. The deceit is rejected today by Martin Ivens in the Sunday Times, John Rentoul in the Sindy, Rees-Mogg in the Mail on Sunday – everyone knows that whoever wins, there will be cuts. So this leaves Cameron the opportunity to say he would cut better.

The next few weeks are crucial to the Tory leader.