It's April Fool's day, but the only fools are in the government, who think that the people of this country can be taken for a ride. As the Mirror put it:
There is a cost of living crisis because of the economic exploitation of the shortages created by Covid, Brexit and war. And the government is compounding it.
The above front page does not even mention the increase in interest rates.
As I have explained, the government could have taken action to prevent many of the cost increases people are suffering and will suffer as this year goes on. Poverty could have been prevented. But they have chosen to make it worse, not better.
It staggers me that anyone could be in, let alone vote for, a government that chooses to impose hunger on people. But that is what this one is doing. And there are people in this country cheering them on.
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Those who voted for this lot in have been had.
They voted for the lies of BREXIT first and foremost and some of the outright lies told about Labour and its leader.
The problem is, who likes to look silly and and proven wrong? Who likes to look as though they’ve been had?
No one really.
Denial is not just a problem in the Tory party.
It’s now rooted in large sections of our society.
Let’s not also underestimate the phenomenon of shame – one’s inability to to keep up and pay one’s way in a rich country. In an affluent society, people like to keep up appearances, put on a brave face and convince themselves that they are coping.
And fear too – I bet many of those Tory voters stay loyal because they think that they will not be next. When in fact they are.
From a Scottish perspective would it be reasonable would it be reasonable to describe the huge increase in energy prices and the inflation that it is driving as the union dividend?
No
As you pointed out the other day, there is still around 35% support for the Tories in opinion polls, Labour on around 38% as an average. What does this tell us about both parties? Given all the brown stuff that has hit and about to hit the fan, you would expect the opposition to be sitting pretty on 45-50%, but not Labour. There is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Labour to offer something that is radically different, but they are still too timid and fear being labelled tax and spend. The Tories will always play the fear card of where the money is coming from to pay for things, when Labour should simply reply from the same place that you always get money from.
Here’s a five point plan for Labour or the LibDems I really don’t care which, can adopt to put a clear different future on offer.
1) The Green New Deal. Covers so many things, but the Tory sticking plaster green options won’t do as the energy crisis and reliance on Tinpot Putin and other energy markets show.
2) A new deal for the NHS. The Tories have run it into the ground and a waiting list of six million is a scandal. Apparently the electorate like the NHS so do they want it saved? Don’t vote Tory if you do.
3) A new relationship with the EU. Start with rejoining the single market. I honestly don’t care about the sovereignty myth and again Putin’s madness shows that we ought to be sticking close to our friends in Europe, not pi–ing them off at every opportunity.
4) Communal or not for profit ownership of gas, electricity and water supply. If you want to call it nationalisation so be it, but basic needs like this should be removed from the profit motive driven sector.
5) A new deal for housing. It is clear that we have an affordable housing crisis. The Tories will never do anything about this. Never have, never will, in part because the home owner vote is the core of their support and rising house prices is something that Tories love and why it is not included in any inflation index because it is seen as an “asset”. Average asking price for a house in the UK is now at £350,000, despite Brexit, Covid and Putin’s war. Madness. I’m intrigued by the Singapore model here. 79% of housing is public housing to rent and yet they are are about as free market a country as you can find. I assume they don’t rely on housing wealth to feel rich like we do, they actually produce things. If Singapore can do it there should be no excuse why we can’t. I don’t expect 79%, but a public sector or communal low rent option is needed. It will never happen with a Tory Government.
I suppose I can dream.
Over to you Mr Starmer.
Thank you