From Andrew Rawnsley in the Observer:
The cabinet minister leant back into his chair and took a fortifying swig of his drink. Then, in a voice that blended bravado with fatalism, he said: "It's going to be absolutely horrendous. We're doomed to be extremely unpopular. Doooomed."
He was anticipating the public reaction to the ferocity of the spending squeeze that George Osborne will unveil in just five weeks' time. Put aside everything else that has occurred in the life of the coalition to date. None of it amounts to anything more than foreplay compared with the comprehensive spending review, the results of which are scheduled to be announced on 20 October.
Enough said, I think.
And 100% right.
They are doooomed.
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Rawnsley’s recent columns have been somewhat annoying (although his book “The End of the Party” is brilliant) but this is a great article. I particularly like the 4 o’s in “Doooomed”.
There seem only 2 options for the coalition. They can make 25% cuts in services like police and transport and watch as the country seizes up and organised criminal gangs take over all economic activity – so we basically end up as Russia. Or they can re-think.
I’m actually expecting the former, because Osborne in particular is so bone-headed that he won’t listen to reason, even from people like Boris Johnson and IDS.
Richard – I think you said “stockpile tinned food” in 2008. That’s even better advice now, I fear.