Comments
Pressure needs to be kept on Tories over NICs
2010-04-09 13:15:17
One of my rules of political communications is that just as the politicians are getting tired of saying something, and the media are getting bored of hearing them say it, is the point at which you have to keep going with an argument.
That is where we are right now in relation to National Insurance Contributions and the Tories' claims to be able to fund tax cuts, deficit reduction and the protection of frontline public services by finding billions of pounds worth of largely unidentified waste.
I'm not quite sure why the charge is being made that they are back of envelope calculations. I think they were made on the front of an envelope, where most of the space was already taken up by stamps and an address, so they just had a tiny space left on which to squiggle a few words and letters like IT. Poor old IT. Always copping it and yet where would we be without it? And all these back offices they keep going on about. They can't all be bad. I've been in a few front offices in my time in need of a bit of a clearout.
The Labour pressure on this is beginning to tell. David Cameron is continuing to duck difficult questions and also starting to give slightly different answers to George Osborne. Sir Peter Gershon, one of the waste gurus Cameron keeps quoting, as though somehow saying a name again and again will substitute an explanation, has risen to the challenge to start explaining, and created more unanswered questions, not least about jobs. The markets have started to worry that the Tories have dropped any seriousness of intention on the deficit, in favour of tax cuts, and and all the while George Osborne keeps his heads down as DC tries to smile and charm his way through the minefield they have laid for themselves.
So though I can see and hear the media getting very bored with this one, the argument has some way to go before it is fully unravelled. Yes, that's the word I think.
** I see one or two of you were a bit alarmed to find I had counted the number of shots of BBC political editor Nick Robinson in his package on Nick Clegg last night, on which I tweeted after the 10 o'clock news. Fifteen! I can assure you I don't make a habit of counting cutaways to Robinson, but someone texted me after the 6 o'clock news to say he thought it might be a record. So I counted. (I didn't count the bits where only his hand was in shot.)
It does seem however, with every election, the focus on the reporters at the expense of the politicians appears to grow.
*** Buy The Blair Years online and raise cash for Labour http://www.alastaircampbell.org/bookshop.php.
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Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Robert Jackson
2010-04-10 00:01:53If I may go a little off topic, it seems David Cameron has finally put a value on marriage:
£3 a week.
Two very nice cups of coffee at my local Hudson and Mortimers sandwich shop.
Cheers!
Djunfitforwork
2010-04-09 21:11:36It's unraveling for an increasingly Nasty Tory Party. Tough on jobs -tougher on public services -BRUTAL on those who lose their jobs -esp through illness.
Charlie Reynolds
2010-04-09 18:42:28Oooops - you've really bodged this one Ali.
The Tories will stop a Labour incomes tax rise on the middle class (earning 20-50k) by cutting waste this year as identified by the government's own waste guru. Why are Labour happy to raise tax and scared to cut waste?
Any party which wins the election will need to cut spending. This will lead to job losses. There appears to be only one party capable of doing what all 3 say is necessary.
Just imagine if Gordon and Labour had showed a little restraint in public spending over the last 13 years (maybe not raise it by quite so much each year - one percent a year?) and then the country would not have a huge debt and deficit now.
Brown's debt and he hasn't got the balls to deal with it. He is without a doubt the worst prime minister and chancellor in history.
John Malcolm
2010-04-09 16:40:12We are being threatened by another climate change "Cameron Dioxide" with its dark clouds of old conservatism looming over our country like the Thatcher years with gaps allowing the sun to shine only on the rich and wealthy. Labour have to win this General Election for as well as being a party member I fear that a Tory win would cause more people to vote SNP in the Scottish Elections and leave us Salmond @ Co (who sound like they all spent years as comittee members in workmens clubs before adopting politics) to take Scotland back to Kilts Bagpipes Haggis and Isolation.
Patrick James
2010-04-09 16:11:39I heard David Cameron being interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme this morning and the pursuit of this NIC issue was effective.
I also think the Lib Dems "20.5%" VAT bombshell is also having an impact.
The simple message is: what the Conservatives promise to giveth, they must also taketh away.
S Chapman
2010-04-09 15:54:18Alastair - I follow UK markets and am unaware of what you are going on about when you say the mkts are worried??
Gilts and the FTSE are unchanged and sterling has rallied vs the euro and dollar??
At least get the facts correct...here are a couple;
Nat Debt doubled,sterling down 30%,1 trillion spent on the recovery thats only just moving ,debt-to-gdp a stagegring 12.8% and of course Burnley are going down
Robert Jackson
2010-04-09 15:20:49I think it right for Andrew Adonis to encourage LD voters to support their Labour parliamentary candidate tactically even though they might continue to view themselves as Liberal Democrats.
Although swamped by the general election, there is an important set of local government elections going on at the same time. Particularly in London and the major cities and towns.
It is perfectly rational for LD voters to split their votes. Electing their preferred LD councillors AND electing a Labour MP, not a Tory.
A Tory government will utterly emasculate local government - they have done it before and will do so again. And that would hit LD councils very badly indeed.
Graham Jones
2010-04-09 15:00:22The truth about NI cuts was completely unravelled last night on Newsnight, when they inadvertantly booked James Caan, as opposition to Liam Byrne.
I'm sure Paxman was the most surprised, when James Caan agreed with the government on NI.
The first part of the programme, therefore, unintentionally dismantled Tory economic policy.
Caan said that any business, would atill hire new employers, as the NI rises wouldn't hinder it.
Alistair Darling has proven to be right, yet again, while Paxman's ears will be roasting, from his dressing down at CCHQ.
Chris lancashire
2010-04-09 14:57:09Who do you trust to deal with the defecit? The Chancellor and the PM who ran a £40bn structural defecit during the good times and only last month stopped talking about "Tory Cuts versus Labour Investment"? Or the party that handed this clown the best economic situation ever seen by an incoming government.
Credibility? Brown/Darling's track record destroys their credibility.
Alex
2010-04-09 14:28:33Just saw George and Alasdair on BBC news. George peevish and defensive, Alasdair all sweet reason and logic.
Alasdair "why is Dave changing his story to "efficincies cannot close all of the gap""
George's justification: "If that's the case how come all these businessmen don't like tax rises..." ....... weak.
Mark Wright
2010-04-09 13:54:30When questioned by Andrew Neil on today's 'Daily Politics' Theresa May could/would not rule out that the Tory 'efficiency savings' would result in job losses. GB/Mandy/Darling should push on that for all it's worth.
But hey, I'm sure Dave's business chums aren't too concerned. A few less people in employment would mean fewer NI contributions on behalf of their former employers. Much better for those that lose their jobs to be on benefit and let the government pick up the bill eh?
Re: Nick Robinson. I expect the man to have his own chat show by the end of the campaign.
alex
2010-04-09 13:52:29"The markets have started to worry that the Tories have dropped any seriousness of intention on the deficit...."
And your evidence for this is what exactly? But then, evidence (the obtaining of and giving of) was never really your strong point was it.....all form over substance with a drop of deception to boot.
Keep going though AC - your involvement, and the likes of Mandleson's, will assist GB greatly in his forthcoming defeat. Its a credibility issue you see.
Alex (former labour voter, for my sins).
Cuse
2010-04-09 13:36:33Alastair - what is it you keep saying about Dave 'n' Gideon?
Tactics not strategy.
The NICs debacle (for the Tories) is that in a nutshell. They've blown it and they know it. Their immature desire to control the newscycle with wheezes dreamt up in Gideon's little head has exposed their fundamental lack of clarity. What scares me though - which no-one has yet commented on - is who's running Tory economics policy and Tory campaigning? Yup - Gideon.
Gideon Osborne is not only the weak link - he's the area Labour should be naming, attacking + exposing as a man not fit to run a jumble sale, never mind an economy.
Nick
2010-04-09 13:29:23What is apparent, and is even admitted by some of the more balanced and fair minded left wing commentators [sans Campbell] is that the Conservatives have "won" the campaign so far.
Tony Blair would have described it as a catastrophic strategic mistake for Labour to be seen publicly in dispute with major buisness leaders. A quick glance at Peter Mandelson's body language suggests he agrees.
It is a bad sign for Labour that only a week into a four week campaign, one of their senior Cabinet ministers has had to resort to a public appeal to Lib Dems today. Perhaps their private polling is telling them something about their likely result under Brown on May 6th...
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