I hope the British public get an answer. Because these are highly consequential decisions about the future shape of the state. £28 billion is £4 billion more than the annual Home Office budget.
Voters believe four of the Government’s five key pledges are more likely to happen under Labour than the Conservatives. Meanwhile, 2019 Tory voters prioritise spending on public services over tax cuts,
The Deputy PM says the economy is growing, debt will fall and the number of small boats has been cut by a third.
The OBR predicts that our total debt pile will more than triple to 310 per cent of GDP by 2070. As staggering a figure as that is, it will never be a priority for politicians interested in buying their re-election on the backs of future generations.
Monday’s speech and today’s announcement show them choosing their ground for the next election. And since Hunt may find no money for further tax cuts next spring, the option of a May general election is opening up.
In the absence of a convincing change narrative, the Prime Minister fell back yesterday on trying to frighten voters with a Labour government.
The demographic tide can’t be turned back, but its advance can be slowed – by the self-reinforcing triangle of stronger families, better schools, good jobs, and the stronger society that these help to build.
Maybe the future isn’t Leavers v Remainers, or even Conservative v Labour. Perhaps its truth v post-truth – Rowling v Dorries. I’m with Rowling. You?
It really should not need pointing out but it is less than a year ago that the UK became an international laughing stock when we pursued a policy of unfunded tax cuts and spooked the markets.
Even with growth, shrinking state spending as a share of GDP will require serious reforms and cuts to government programmes.
The Northern Ireland Secretary also warns about putting up the National Debt “which our children will then have to pay off.”
Treating our debt like that incurred during the Second World War is impossible without growth rates comparable to those of the post-war decades.
Wrong-headed Treasury thinking will leave people paying unnecessarily high as the cost-of-living crisis strikes.
A remarkable amount has been achieved. Often against the odds and in the face of adversity. And certainly in circumstances far less benign than those faced by New Labour.