Comments
In praise of Margaret Beckett and Malcolm Tucker
2010-06-07 12:28:46
Been running around all over the place, not seen the papers, nor heard the news, so unable to offfer much by way of comment on the Cameron cuts/pain strategy. Just remember one thing, however, about compassionate Conservatism, which is what he tried to emphasise in his campaign ... the important word in that is Conservatism. The compassion gets laid aside quite quickly once power is won. Read the history books.
And just be aware that 'things are worse than we expected' (the deficit figures are not btw) is one of the oldest and least convincing tricks in the book. More anon.
Despite my last encounter with Andrew Marr getting a bit tense, I enjoyed Start the Week, and in particular meeting Burnley-born playwright Joy Wilkinson, who has written a short play based on Margaret Beckett's bid to be Labour leader back in 1994, which is running as part of the Tricycle Theatre programme on women, power and politics.
We ended up, on and off air, discussing whether what Joy sees as Margaret's 'being somewhat written out of the script' has anything to do with the fact that she is a woman. I'm not so sure.
Both Joy and Thea Sharrock, there to talk about the Terence Rattigan play she is directing at the National Theatre, felt that it seemed harder for women to get noticed in politics for their politics, and Joy pointed out that sometimes she got the sense that the men in my diaries behaved as often men perceive women to behave - histrionically (my word not hers).
As anyone who knows me is aware, I am a huge fan of Margaret Beckett'. I did not vote for her, either as leader or deputy, but I always admired her as a team player and someone who whilst not naturally New Labour always understood its importance and - as Joy captures in her play - TB's broader appeal.
The other main character in the play is Clare Short and it is likewise no secret that I was never a fan of Clare's. Indeed, as I record in the uncut version of the diaries, I was pleased when I heard Margaret had appointed Clare as her campaign manager because, as a TB supporter, I felt it would narrow her breadth and appeal within the party.
I feel that Clare is someone who in a sense reached a higher level in politics than her talents merited, whereas Margaret did achieve the heights she earned, whilst accepting that her lack of interest in personal profile for its own sake may, in the modern media age, have been a contributing factor in Joy's argument that MB does not get the recognition she ought to.
But don't forget that she was Leader of the Party between John Smith and TB, and occupied a large number of ministerial positions under TB and GB, including Foreign Secretary.
I was also chuffed to learn that Joy had used details for her play (with which Margaret did not co-operate btw) which she had found in my diaries, including one observation I never tired of making, namely Margaret's habit of keeping a bundle of pens and pencils wrapped in a rubber band.
So it's nice to see the diaries contributing to art and culture as well as politics. On which point, congratulations to the Thick of It team for their three Baftas. Given the whole Armando Ianucci spin thing started with his spoof Alastair Campbell column, which then morphed into Malcolm Tucker, I think it would not be unreasonable for them to give me a share of the takings, which I could pass on to the (cash-strapped) Labour Party.
I hope meanwhile they are now working on a coalition equivalent. There's comedy in there aplenty if you look beneath the honeymood period headlines.
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Why Tories and media cannot stomach GCSE success storyPublish date: 2009-08-27 16:03:34
Exposing the absurdity of Chris GraylingPublish date: 2009-08-26 13:20:19
Joy and beauty and a night of magicPublish date: 2009-08-20 10:55:11
Twitter NHS backlash good for ObamaPublish date: 2009-08-14 15:44:49
A lifetime's ambition fulfilledPublish date: 2009-08-08 16:59:02
Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
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
Richard Burnell
2010-06-08 11:13:29"....including one observation I never tired of making, namely Margaret's habit of keeping a bundle of pens and pencils wrapped in a rubber band."
A new insight into your depth of political analysis, Al. I am sure TB relied on your analsis when she was appointed as Foreign Secretary. God help us.
Graham
2010-06-07 23:51:38I'm also looking forward to a coalition based Thick of It, although Malcolm Tucker can only be put to bed as a character when his muse becomes politically irrelevant. Given the brouhaha over Question Time it doesn't look like its going to be any time soon does it Mr Campbell?
Anna
2010-06-07 22:36:41I wish I could remember where I saw, recently, figures from an authoritative source saying that the deficit was actually many millions of pounds less than expected: still serious, but not at all as bad as Cameron now states. Also, I saw Digby Jones of the CBI on TV a few days ago giving a very upbeat comment on manufacturing. Jaguar in particular, has had a very profitable quarter and is ready to recruit new staff.
A small bit of spin to note: we've all seen Mr Cameron walking to work, and heard his instructions that ministers are to walk whenever possible instead of using government cars. Fine - but, as Sarah Vine, journalist wife of Michael Gove points out in today's Times, the Red Boxes are always ferried in a locked car even if a minister walks. So it's the old gimmick we had last time with Cameron bicycling to work - with the official car in tow.
penfrocharlie
2010-06-07 22:03:39Rob
Having read your naive response to an earlier comment I would seriously suggest that you are the last person who should be calling anyone else an idiot.
If you really think that attempts to reduce a £700 billion plus defecit are purely ideological(note the correct spelling!)then you must,politically,be living on the planet Zog. I assume that any cuts that a Labour administration would have made would,in your eyes,have been for purely economic reasons?
Let's face it,Rob,not even AC on top form would dream of attempting to defend your views.
Steve Brundish
2010-06-07 20:12:11I remember not too long ago when the media would complain about spin and attack everything the Labour leadership said. But now with the new politics the government can run the most basic spin campaign and its lapped up by the media. For instance
Cameron states the debt is worse than we thought (even though the staistics qouted were pubilshed by Alistiar Darling months ago) and no questions are asked.
Cameron states the cuts are going to be really heavy (then when the cuts are announced they are not as deep as reported) no questions asked.
Clegg attacks Labour during the expenses scandal yet when Laws resigns in similar circumstances it is portrayed as an honoured stand for gay rights. This again happily accepted by the BBC and Sky. No questions asked.
This pro coalition bias in the media is in danger of effecting the nations ability to objectively discuss the forth coming cuts and the political landscape that will follow including welfare provision, global warming and aid to Africa. The broadcast media needs to allow Labour to put the opposition case fairly or risk a decade of monetarist economic policy and mass privatization of public services with no real discussion of the possible alternatives.
Graham Jones
2010-06-07 19:33:00Labour need to go on the attack, before the country are brainwashed by this nonsense about cuts. They should be all over the media on something like this.
And what of the Lib-dem's? Why has Vince Cable suddenly lost the power of his voice? They were supposed to be opposed to the tory cuts. They will never be taken seriously again.if they don't stop this happening. They're becoming like their bedfellows; compulsive liars.
Brian Tomkinson
2010-06-07 18:32:18Unlike many millions, you won't be having any financial worries as a result of 13 years of wilful financial irresponsibility by your Labour pals!
Howard Knight
2010-06-07 17:53:52JWorthington
Note yr interest in UK intervention in the Balkans. Worth remembering that, if the assertion that UK intervention in Iraq was illegal, then so was the intervention to prevent genoicide in Bosnia and Kosova.... and the intervention to halt civil war in Sierra Leone.
As for football loyalty, it is worth noting that SWFC did the double over Burnley in the yr they were promoted to the Premier League and did the double over Blackpool this season, before their promotion! I shall remain loyal to SWFC as we plan to tour most of the south coast - from Brighton to Plymouth - in our latest adventures.
Krystyna
2010-06-07 16:53:02Could not agree more on Clare Short, even if she did win my admiration in the eighties for her fight against the terrible page three. More recently I have found her to care mostly for her own self-importance; truly a person who is happiest in opposition and found purpose in opposing the Labour government, instead of doing what was right. What went so wrong with you, Clare?
I did look up her attendance in parliament and it got progressively worse and worse during Labour's time in office, until at the end, she barely bothered to turn up at all.
Great for the rest of us who didn't have to put up with her so much, but not so good for her under-represented constituents.
Rob
2010-06-07 16:45:08Charlie, your an idiot but carry on getting your political education from the Daily Mail while the rest of us live in the real world. These cuts are for idealogical reasons not economical, if you think anything else you are a fool, idiot and deserve to loose you job and home, the rest of us don't though.
JWorthington
2010-06-07 14:30:52Having read Blair Years am interested in Alastair's role in Kosovo Crisis. It seems he brought some sense and direction to what was at the time a failing NATO PR campaign. The ISAF's Strategic Communication shortcomings of the current Afghan campaign are well publicised and it would be good to get Alastair's perspctive on this as well as any observations he has regarding whether communication processes and practices used in the political arena might help NATO to get its side of the argument over. Am currently looking at this as part of my thesis at Cambridge. If Alastair gives an answer on this I will promise to buy his new book but I shall not shift my football allegiance from Blackpool to Burnley.
cyberdoyle
2010-06-07 14:23:43can't think why you admire MB, she was the worst thing for british farming. Defra is a blot on the landscape. She was totally the wrong person for the job, and she made a right mess of it. Maybe not her fault? But as my gran used to say 'she has a tongue in her head' so she should have said it was beyond her capabilities. We are still paying the price for her input into agriculture. I haven't seen the play but it could be a funny one to beat even the Thick of IT.
kathy
2010-06-07 14:20:09Come off it Alistair, the cuts were always going to be hard no matter who was in power. Ask Alistair Darling! As for Margaret Becket I'm afraid she will always be remembered for the haughty way she tried to justify MPs expenses and being slaughtered by the audience on Question Time. Hope she pays for her own pot plants now! Clare Short let herself down by not resigning immediately over the Iraq War, but I still think she will still be remembered as a politician who stood by her principles more than any other. Like Diane Abbott, she was not everyone's cup of tea but definitely not a yes man (sorry Harriet, Yes Woman). People respect that.
olli issakainen
2010-06-07 14:06:32No more Mr Nice Guy from David Cameron. He has delegated that role to Mr Clegg and his "caring, progressive cuts".
It is nice to see that not all of us are cynics these days. 70% of people in Britain believe that cuts can be made without affecting frontline services. I wish them well!
Before I continue, please remember that David Cameron is a man who opposed the fiscal stimulus which saved British economy and jobs. He is a man who said that nationalisation of the Northern Rock would be a "disaster".
And now he has the nerve to blame Labour for the global economic crisis which started because the Fed kept the interest rates too low!
Had David Cameron been in charge during the recession, Britain would back to the Stone Ages by now.
But I am glad that someone (DC) has finally started to tell the truth. Cuts will affect "our whole way of life". But in the spirit of the age of austerity, Mr Cameron is still being economical with the truth.
Because of climate change, the only long-term alternative is a society without growth. It is time for someone to say this aloud. GDP per person must come down.
There is a movement called degrowth. It is based on environmentalist and consumerist ideas. It aims at downscaling of production and consumption. Maximizing happiness and well-being is the goal. It is against productionist capitalism which aims at accumulation of capital and commodities.
Degrowth movement is not the same thing as sustainable development.
It is better to have a deficit than depression. I believe that the economic policy of the Con-Lib government is wrong. Current policy of deficit reduction will result in downward spiral. Britain´s debt to GDP ratio is not a big problem.
Do not believe politicians when they say that there are no alternatives.
Ps. A good show by you again on Start the Week, my favourite radio programme.
Nick
2010-06-07 13:42:52What a refreshing contrast it was to notice our classy new P.M's dignified, understated, and somehow very British reaction to the Cumbrian tragedy last week, in comparison to the hysteria and breast beating we grew so used to at such times from the A.C scripted- Tony Blair.
Yet another example of how things are now getting better in this country.
Charlie
2010-06-07 12:59:59@AC "Read the history books." These would be the same history books which state:
"The Problem with Labour is that sooner or later they run out of other people's money".
Any cuts that the coalition government make will be in order to clear up the mess left by Labour.
Gabrielle Laine-Peters
2010-06-07 12:41:43Enjoyed Start the Week very much today. Good conversation & great banter. Glad that your diaries are providing sound research material for future projects.
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