On 13/05/10 08:57, The Natural Philosopher wrote:
But I believe we have the best chance with what we now have. I don't
rate the LibDems much, but they carry 23% of the vote, and that gives
the whole shebang more perceived legitimacy, and may in effect allow
them to be MORE drastic than the Tories alone would ever have dared.
It's one thing to come up with measures and have a bloc that commands
more votes than you, shout you down: But to have two parties agreeing
that its the only way, with a minority whingeing from across the
benches, is a lot easier to deal with.
I believe this is why Cameron and the boys made such an insanely
generous offer to get the coalition. They truly believe its necessary,
and that if they couldn't entirely convince the electorate, they could
at least convince the LibDems.
I agree. This carries teh notion that unpleasant policies (unthinkable
even) will have a broader political concensus in the eyes of the public.
Lets have a look at the "working manifesto" if you can call it that,
from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8677088.stm
THE ECONOMY
===========
snipped expected oridinary stuff
* Measures to promote financial stability and support business growth
Bit meaningless without details
* Next year's 1% National Insurance tax rise to be partly scrapped
* Substantial rise in income tax allowances for lowest paid from April 2011
Presumably with a higher tax rate at the top ends? Otherwise this is a
voter-happy measure that adding more debt...
* New ministerial committee to look at "structural" banking reform
Something's needed - wonder what they have in mind?
* New tax on financial transactions, clampdown on "unacceptable" bonuses
That is different. SWMBO wonders if it will afect her company, which is
an internet payment service provider, or whether it is aimed at the high
end like investment banking?
snip
EDUCATION
* Investment to reduce class sizes for children from poorer backgrounds
Spending money?
* New independent schools in state sector - "free schools" - to be set up
Maintained grammar schools again?
snip
POLITICAL REFORM
* Referendum on the Alternative Vote system for general elections
* Fixed-term Parliaments - next election in May 2015
55% of MPs required to bring government down in confidence vote
I agree with those. Note sure AV is the best system, but it seems better
than FPTP and is obviously more palatable to the Tories.
Fixed term in office seems to be a good thing.
* Committee to look at fully
PR-elected House of Lords
"Look at" != "will happen". It seems more democratic, but what will it
achieve? The benefit and at teh same time, the problem with the Lords is
long term office without representation. "Good and wise lords" do not
need to electioneer so spend more time contributing wisdom to the
process. "Bad lords" would serve the interests of the rich and powerful
without regard for the ordinary man. I really cannot see much point in
an elected 2nd house. Why not make the best of the 1st house and scrap
the Lords if they really are perceived to be a problem? Personally I
think the review but limited powers of the Lords is fine as it is.
* Cut in number of MPs and equal size constituencies
Agree.
* Right of the public to "recall" corrupt MPs
Excellent - but how hard will it be for the constituents to recall the
fellow?
* Statutory register for lobbyists
Good.
* Scottish Parliament to get more powers under Calman proposals
* Referendum of devolution of further powers to Welsh assembly
* Review of Scottish MPs voting on England-only legislation
Agree, as long as the 3rd point is there.
* Ban on "non-doms" sitting in Parliament
* Reform of political donations and party funding
Good.
snip
FOREIGN POLICY/EUROPE
snip
* No further powers ceded to EU without referendum
About time!
* UK not to join euro in lifetime of Parliament
No one in their right mind would join the Euro right now.
* Work to limit application of EU Working Time Directive in UK
Typical tory. This is one of the few good things to come from the EU IMO.
HEALTH
* NHS spending to rise in real terms every year of the Parliament
Hmm, more spending. Good, but where's the money coming from?
CIVIL LIBERTIES
* Great Repeal Bill including abolition of ID cards
Excellent. How far will it go though?
* Safeguards for use of personal details on the DNA database
Vague.
PENSIONS AND WELFARE
snip expected stuff
* Benefits to be conditional on willingness to work
Has been since I worked in the JobCentre in 1991. They have always been
able to stop benefits of people "not available" to work. Dole queue is
still full of scroungers though.
IMMIGRATION
* Cap on immigration from outside the European Union
Why not just go for a points system like everyone else?
ENVIRONMENT
* Aviation passenger duty replaced by plane tax
Interesting.
* No new runways at Heathrow, Gatwick or Stansted
They're going somewhere else presumably?
* New nuclear power plants (Lib Dems able to abstain on issue)
Hallelujah... Seem to have reached a reasonable gentlemen's agreement
with the Libs who would rather gut themselves than touch anything
nuclear. If this is the spirit of the coalition it might just work. Now
all they need is a time machine so they can start work in 1990.
* Creation of a green investment bank.
* High-speed rail network to be built
And yet they've appointed a potential "slasher" and non train
enthusiast as transport secretary?
* No new coal-fired power stations without carbon capture and storage
OK.
* Increased target for share of energy from renewable sources
As long as it takes the wider view and isn't a few windmills to appease
the tree shaggers.
FAMILIES
* Tax break for married couples and civil partners (Lib Dems able to
abstain)
Seems fairer.
--
Tim Watts
Hung parliament? Rather have a hanged parliament.