It’s been depressing to watch the Tory press over the weekend.
You’d think Labour had elected Lenin, such has been their reaction.
And I sat next to an idiot at Heathrow this morning stating very loudly that Ed Miliband was 14 and was elected without a plan.
Well, I agree, it’s odd to have all major party leaders somewhat younger than me now — but I think he ha a plan, and can improve it (as is quietly being said — and will be loudly once Alistair Darling is consigned to history).
The plan should be to say that cuts are not needed in the UK. But growth is. And that the combination of attacking the tax gap, raising £20 billion in the first instance, and ensuring £20 billion of new investment in the UK economy by Making Pensions Work, fills the gap Baroness Warsi says he had to fill.
Job done.
Now let’s go for sustainable regeneration of the ULK economy.
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I don’t think it’s just the Tory press. They had a feature on Radio 4 yesterday when (befoe the result was announced) they asked people at the Labour party conference who they wanted to win. When people said “Ed Miliband”, the journo asked “Can you tell us one interesting fact about Ed Miliband?”. And tellingly, none of them could.
The problem for Labour now is that it has a leader who is the child of 2 prominent left wing thinkers, who grew up among leading left wing MPs and who has relied on those contacts for every job he ever had. It is the very definition of nepotism, of getting where you are on the basis of who you know, rather than your abilities.
I also think having the husband and wife combo of Balls and Cooper is rather offputting to many.
In any event, Labour’s policiesare largely irrelevant: the result of the next election will be determined entirely by the success or failure of the coalition’s economic policies. If they work by 2015 then the Tories will get in, otherwise it’s an open goal for Labour.
Personally, I thought Andy Burnham was the most interesting candidate.
Gift to the Tories – a Labour leader elected by the unions.
Dear Richard,
I find myself agreeing with nearly everything you say in your blogs. Are you sure about the need for growth? You often make common cause with Caroline Lucas but on this issue it seems that you differ.
Received wisdom in the Green Party (of which I am a member) is that
a) growth isn’t making developed societies happier; and
b) demand for growth is screwing the planet.
We accept the desirability of growth in developing countries.
Don’t you think we in the rich world need to find social and cultural ways of having a fulfilled and happy life that is not based on a collective addiction. Like other addictions this one can never be satisfied.
Keep up the good work.
Chris Foren
This is odd – you say he has a plane and then go on to say what the plan should be.
So does he have a plan? In which case your proposed plan is rendered nugatory.
Yes I agree it’s crazy. Although Ed must have known that there was a media onslaught coming. The BBC’s coverage, sadly, has been largely moronic – Nick Robinson pontificating about dodgy trade unionists and the like.
Good old Alistair Darling – stubborn neoliberal to the last. You had your chance mate and you blew it, so give the next generation a go, why don’t you?
David Miliband OTOH gave what was in the circumstances a very positive and generous speech – no self-pity, just a rousing call to get behind the new leader.
Sir,
But growth is
Shouldn’t we all be welcoming the slowing and reversal of the “growth is good” casino capitalism mindset? With our collective finite resources being used up quicker, shouldn’t we be rejoicing at slower growth?
@JayPee
The right to lobby is part of democracy
@Kenneth
I have to admit I use the term growth knowing the issues you highlight as it is a metaphor to me for economic activity
I usually say it is sustainable
And I do not believe useful growth is aimed at increased material consumption but at improving people’s achievement of their potential – something much broader
Whilst I agree with much of you say Richard you are in danger of
proposing Green = Red i.e. Sustainable development is only achieved by Socialism. If so, I reckon you will lose 3/4 of your support
@Stephen Griffiths
Complete nonsense
I am a passionate supporter of the private sector
But it misprices the environment
And the state ha to compensate for that
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