Clown's adminstration tottering - election soon?

StevieJ

Generali wrote: »

People certainly said the same thing about Labour after 1983.

I don't think that the Tories last time managed to balls everything up quite as monumentally as Labour have done this and last time.

Ok, there was the Poll Tax but it was reversed quickly - it's remembered still but doesn't really come up in the same way as the Winter of Discontent did even in the 1990s.

The early 80s recession is what the previous Tory administration is reviled for but that is only really in Northern and Celtic mining and industrial areas - hardly constituencies likely to vote Tory anyway.

It's starting to look like this Labour administration could carry the can for the whole credit crunch/banking thing. If they do then this could destroy them as the opposition party - if the Lib Dems come second at the next election it'll be mighty tough for Labour to return.

I think the ERM debacle did for the Tories, when it was quickly realised that the failure of Tory policy had actually improved the economy :rotfl:

Generali

StevieJ wrote: »

I think the ERM debacle did for the Tories, when it was quickly realised that the failure of Tory policy had actually improved the economy :rotfl:

It's crazy really. Lawson's shadowing of the DEM caused the inflation that led to the recession of the early 90s. The ending of actual membership of the ERM led the way out.

The party of free markets was booted out for following interventionist policies in effect!

agent_orange_2

mewbie wrote: »

Brown is not going to call an early election. He bottled his chance and must be kicking himself now. It looks like he will be a one term, unelected PM. Whatever one thinks about Tony Blair, he certainly was right about Brown.

I would guess the Tories were equally pleased he didn't call an election. Had the Tories won, does anyone seriously think the Tories would have saved the day.

ad9898_3

agent_orange wrote: »

I would guess the Tories were equally pleased he didn't call an election. Had the Tories won, does anyone seriously think the Tories would have saved the day.

Not sure if they would, but what we have to consider is how much of what Brown is doing now, is for the country, and how much he is doing to try and save his own skin and any hint of legacy from his 10 years of 'prudence' as chancellor. No matter what happens now, he is at fault for the position the country is in. He can't take credit in the good times, then blame the rest of the world in the bad times.

It was fairly common knowledge that a significant amount of mortgage fraud was being perpetrated as far back as 2003, hell the BBC even commissioned a program on it. Unfortunately he dismissed it, letting the ponzi scheme run it's course with the devastating results we see before us.

dylansmum

Labour were finished eons ago. All that is left is New Labour. Good old Alice Mahon for having the guts to speak out.

StevieJ

Generali wrote: »

It's crazy really. Lawson's shadowing of the DEM caused the inflation that led to the recession of the early 90s. The ending of actual membership of the ERM led the way out.

The party of free markets was booted out for following interventionist policies in effect!

The ending of actual membership of the ERM led the way out.

Maybe history repeats itself with todays weak pound

Generali

StevieJ wrote: »

The ending of actual membership of the ERM led the way out.

Maybe history repeats itself with todays weak pound

Possibly. There are obvious differences, the main one being that - real interest rates have been very low in the UK recently whereas they were extremely high when the pound dropped out of the ERM.

The pound falling in value will terms of trade for the UK. That should mean rising prices of goods that are imported for the most part (food, clothing, furniture) increased exports for items that are exported (high tech engineering, design/advertising, music, whisky, (and cars?????)).

The thing that bothers me is who's going to take on the exported items? And how are Ukians going to pay for the more expensive imports?

mardatha

I wish more people had the guts to speak put against what's going on. Very typical that it should be left to one older lady ! Much braver and more honourable than the army of younger hangers-ons !

Rochdale_Pioneers

Mixed feelings about today's polls. Neither are by regular pollsters, but appear to be clear enough as to where people are going.

However, look 12 months down the line, with the economy in recovery, with a clear choice between Labour and the Tories on economic direction (public spending vs cuts essentially), it could still be interesting. Ultimately what we're hearing now in the press is mood music - faced with a choice of vote on smear stories half remembered or vote with what will benefit you and this stuff fades into the background IF the Tories are still ill-defined with policy or look like a risk.

Or, Labour continue to self destruct over a long period and no policy issue can save them. Either way, have your popcorn ready - it'll be fun!

amcluesent

>with a clear choice between Labour and the Tories on economic direction (public spending vs cuts essentially)<

Not 'essentially'. I prefer to say a choice of unsustainable public borrowing, the dole as career choice and crushing taxation vs. an efficient public sector and allowing me to spend more of my income on my family.