Cuts Cuts Cuts and more cuts
30-06-09
Why is Ed Balls being increasingly wheeled out instead of Alistair Darling to talk up the economy and how well placed Labour are to mend it? First Balls is on the Andrew Marr show whinging on about the wonders of Gordon and Alistair and now on the Today programme (here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8125000/8125872.stm).
Who does Balls think he is kidding. His ambition (self confessed) to become Chancellor or even PM might be an indication that he would be Gordon’s preferred succesor. If that were to happen, that would seriously cause me to think of leaving the country! Of course he and the cabinet continue to rely on this argument of Labour investment -v-Conservative cuts which is fast becoming as boring as the ‘we are the government that takes action -v-the Conservative do nothing’ mantra. Ah well, simple minded people, or is it we cannot think of anything better to say.
Now the latest economic indicator reported in the Telegraph:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/recession/5695352/UK-economy-shrinks-most-since-1958.html
illustrate what a mess we are in. The only people who seem to be sticking their head in the sand are Gordon and Ed. The rest of the world recognise that the UK economy is up shit creek without a paddle.
Wilt’s mate (yes he has a few, still) is a local Tory councillor and he is quite clear that there are cuts being made and social care is not immune. And those cuts will continue long into the future to stop the ever growing public expenditure currentl at 50% of GDP. Yes, 50% – you heard me right the first time! That cannot be sustainable and of course Vince Cable on the Andrew Marr show again sets out the realities of future cuts in public expenditure.
And where exactly will social care funding stand whilst budgets are slashed? Not too well I say as Balls is too busy arguing ‘problem, what problem’ rather than putting his efforts into promoting the social care needs alongside other competition for an ever decreasing pot of money. Balls is not in my list of admired political figures at the best of times and I am certain he has never had his eye on the ball (sorry!) and gives the impression that his current position is simply an irritating stepping stone to higher office.
Keep an eye on your local council news to see how the cuts are going to impact – its a better indicator of the real world than anything you may hear from the Prime Minister or his allies.
I suppose if Balls did replace Alistair Darling or the Prime Mentalist (as Guido referes to him) it would mean that social care might benefit by a more focused minister – every cloud has a silver lining!
Wilt (will never get a gong at this rate!)