This video is a little unusual. It is a recording of what I said on the Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 yesterday.
We've knocked out the musical interruptions, of course.
We have not knocked out Mark Littlewood, formerly of the Institute of Economic Affairs, and now one of Liz Truss's best mates. He is my regular sparring partner for these gigs.
Constructive criticism would be welcome.
There is no transcript: this is too long for that.
My Alternative Budget is available as a free download here.
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I was unable to listen yesterday and it was very useful to be able to listen to the programme in full without the musical interludes. You come across as very relaxed and confident and took every opportunity presented to get your message over. All good as far as I’m concerned.
Thanks
I’ll be candid: I did not think it my best.
That Mark Littlewood comes across as being rather classical liberal. You can imagine him in the 1840s arguing for the repeal of the Corn Laws, the Navigation Acts, and solid powers to the local authorities, or Corporations, as they were known at the time.
I can’t get the link to your alternative budget to work.
Any suggestions?
Reds,
CH
https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/downloads/
When I click on the link to your alternative budget I goes to page asking for my email address and a password. There is also a large white W on a blue background.
I tried to download it from your downloads tab, but your offer of a free download appears to require payment.
Regards,
CH
You are asked for your email, I agree. You are also asked if you would like to donate. But you are given the option of not doing so. Most people don’t, and that’s fine. It really is free to anyone who wants it. Many hundreds have been downloaded now.
I eventually managed to download the pdf from the downloads tab.
My apologies for being a half-wit.
Rgds,
CH
I tried again after your comment and found it easy to do. But I did make sure.
I listened to the programme and enjoyed the back and forth, it was fun. That said i read your blog relatively often and have an idea as to how you think. What i would probably add is although i enjoy the confrontational style it will come across to some as “class warfare”, those with wealth and those without. However, those most affected by the budget will be working families who are trying to save for the future, particularly those in the SE with a family and heavy mortgage etc. They probably don’t feel “wealthy” in terms of disposable income and the budget will hit those hard. They probably see them themselves as miles away from real wealth. They are just aspirational and trying hard to move forward. It was always going to be these families taking the financial hit not the true wealthy under this Government. I think i’m saying it’s too much of a crude generalisation to have the wealth v non wealth distinction as the cornerstone as wealth is such a broad term. I think you when you brought to the discussion trying to change the whole economic infrastructure (Govts don’t borrow/ household analogy etc) at the backend of a budget show will confuse the hell out of many especially when it’s heated and everyone is talking over each other. Anyway just my thoughts.
Noted
So, what would you have done, given I was up against soemone saying we don’t need to pay benefits?
Richard, in such a dynamic situation you came over clear and punched thru some points made by Mark.
Particularly striking was your badinage after the teacher had spoken.
What did strike me was that Mark does not believe how fiat sovereign currency works. Really??? Why not? Did he too do PPE at Oxford then drop the E at the end of the second yr?
Btw, an aside: I note that Mel Stride did PPE at Oxford; I wonder if he followed the pattern of some former Chancellors?
PPE, Balliol.
Its not for me to give advice but i would say have a think about the wealth definition and the way it comes across as binary, you either are wealthy or you are not. You know better than anyone its really not like that.
Actually, it is pretty binary. And I see that all around me.