tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post7545281449129986615..comments2024-03-04T17:54:32.559+00:00Comments on Iain Dale's Diary: Why Mandelson's Repositioning Won't WorkIain Dalehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03270146219458384372noreply@blogger.comBlogger58125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-56241678894129418602009-09-15T20:29:25.915+01:002009-09-15T20:29:25.915+01:00@ Chris Paul
"It was raging greed on Tory li...@ Chris Paul<br /><br />"It was raging greed on Tory lines inn the USA and here too"<br /><br />WTF does that mean? Do you speak English?<br /><br />WTF <i>is</i> 'raging greed on Tory lines'?<br /><br />Is there some other sort of 'raging greed' on other 'lines', then? <br /><br />Would you, for example, say that 'raging greed' was solely attributable to one political party?<br /><br />Completely loopy.Unsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307116169498533047noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-67945246321110201042009-09-15T10:40:31.645+01:002009-09-15T10:40:31.645+01:00Where were the Tories yesterday? Why was no senio...Where were the Tories yesterday? Why was no senior member made available to rebut Mandelsons's slurs and lies? The barely credible Norman Lamont was on Newsnight and even he, faced with the sitting duck of Frank Dobson, failed to respond. And the interview with an ex-advisor to Hazel Blears on the 10 was a disgrace.<br /><br />Before the 97 election, didn't the Labour Party have a rapid response / rebuttal unit at Millbank designed to counter Tory assertions on tax and spending? Why haven't the Tories got something similar?<br /><br />Unless there's some cunning plan at work here to let Mandelson et al monopolize the airwaves, the Tories need to do better than this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-58405962505609691522009-09-15T07:54:10.639+01:002009-09-15T07:54:10.639+01:00@ Chris Paul
It's simple. Yes people were gr...@ Chris Paul<br /><br />It's simple. Yes people were greedy - individuals who borrowed too much to buy a house or to consume, and banks who lent too much in search of ever increasing profits. But so was the Blair/Brown government: they borrowed and spent in the wrong belief that life could go on for ever.<br /><br />The restructuring that the government needs to do is similar to that which an overstretched individual needs to: cut their spending and, if possible, increase their income. The former is much better longer term than the latter because of the government's unique role in the economy (crowding out) and because of the Laffer effect.<br /><br />The reason why the government should be blamed is because a) we elect leader who, in theory, should be able to avoid the basic mistakes that we as individuals all too often make and b) because they complete failed on the regulatory front: one of their key jobs is to 'take away the punch bowl when the party is getting good' [to misquote Greenspan] - and this they simply didn't do.<br /><br />It wasn't socialism per se: it was simply too much wasteful spending and arguably even a negligence in setting their fiscal policy.Charlesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41503011656867662622009-09-15T01:15:07.572+01:002009-09-15T01:15:07.572+01:00Some of the comments on this blog seem to consider...Some of the comments on this blog seem to consider that the "TUC" and "worthies" like Simpson and Barber, somehow matter.<br />It isn't 1964 you know.<br />Delusional claptrap.Dimotonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-57275845839679100242009-09-15T00:24:03.324+01:002009-09-15T00:24:03.324+01:00For anyone that missed it, here's the highligh...For anyone that missed it, <a href="http://lord-elvis.blogspot.com/2009/09/peter-mandelson-caught-hool-line-and.html" rel="nofollow"><b>here's the highlights</b></a> from the exchange between Mandelson and Nick RobinsonLord Elvis of Paisleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14904878548420345148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-32009250547739669022009-09-14T23:46:12.482+01:002009-09-14T23:46:12.482+01:00What is he repositioning?
His trousers.
I do not ...What is he repositioning?<br />His trousers.<br /><br />I do not understand, this./Bobby,,http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKgFc84lx1Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-79817502195562924362009-09-14T23:23:36.808+01:002009-09-14T23:23:36.808+01:00This country now has a structural deficit £100bn, ...This country now has a structural deficit £100bn, or around 7% of GDP. To tackle it effectively will require a clear vision, a steely determination to turn things around and the leadership ability to carry a significant proportion of the public with them. <br />It will not be tackled by those who created this problem by running large deficit through the boom years. Neither will it be resolved by those who see reality in terms of political point-scoring to influence the next opinion polls.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-25635680251608086942009-09-14T23:13:07.048+01:002009-09-14T23:13:07.048+01:00Brown it seems is going tom use the word 'cuts...Brown it seems is going tom use the word 'cuts' and is also going to use the phrase' front line services first'.<br /><br />Oh good - that means they will be like our Armed Forces - sent into action without the proper backup.<br /><br />Our services under Brown will be an empty shell. I perceive a salami slicing of cuts designed to give a superficial impression of efficiency.<br /><br />What we need is a radical look at what government actually does.<br /><br />And on a day we here that Brown wants to put front line services first we see two Fire Authorities closing stations and scraping appliances.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38234246385465385272009-09-14T22:30:02.358+01:002009-09-14T22:30:02.358+01:00I thought it was brilliant on the Today programme ...I thought it was brilliant on the Today programme where stopped mid-sentence for what seemed ages, though probably only a few seconds, and then came up with some convoluted phrase rather than say the word "cuts".JMBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13862227988978988383noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-5344531698573541742009-09-14T22:25:04.457+01:002009-09-14T22:25:04.457+01:00Iain - given you may have some influence could you...Iain - given you may have some influence could you have a quiet word with Donal about this<br /><br />http://donalblaney.blogspot.com/2009/09/now-play-race-card-serena.htmltory boys never grow uphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11172736984147732661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-20061766454237426612009-09-14T21:46:39.034+01:002009-09-14T21:46:39.034+01:00The big question is still whether Call Me Dave and...The big question is still whether Call Me Dave and the Boy George have what it takes to sort out the morons in the public sector and other unions over wholesale ement and pension cuts. The good thing is that the Tory anti-union legislation is still on the statute books, funny how ZaNuLab never repealed it, so the threat of sequestration of union assets is never far away.Jabba the Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08378736389976858775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-63407158316210264462009-09-14T21:09:27.185+01:002009-09-14T21:09:27.185+01:00Remember, remember the 5th of November Gunpowder (...Remember, remember the 5th of November Gunpowder (Patriotism) and PlotAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-52906482254524417542009-09-14T20:52:48.037+01:002009-09-14T20:52:48.037+01:00Lord Mandelson is a dominant top dog, those of you...Lord Mandelson is a dominant top dog, those of you who have dominant pet dogs have made a rod for you own backs. <br /><br />To me , although Lord Mandelson has a brilliant pedigree, he has shuffled himself into top dog position. <br /><br />His speech was incredible, but badly flawed. <br /><br />He has usurped the Prime Ministers position, of that I am certain. <br /><br />Top dogs can bite back savagely if they are firmly commanded back to heel.<br /><br />Who the hell is the master though? I have no idea, do you Iain?True Bellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16296161522047947133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-84588483685282922172009-09-14T20:01:26.701+01:002009-09-14T20:01:26.701+01:00I would wager that there are a few hundred labour ...I would wager that there are a few hundred labour MPs who wish Mandelson was their leader, not Brown.Floatinvoternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-66006518413675894242009-09-14T19:31:49.948+01:002009-09-14T19:31:49.948+01:00Labour and Wise Spending.
and he managed to sa...Labour and Wise Spending. <br /><br />and he managed to say this without laughing?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-39833059681137204262009-09-14T19:20:59.265+01:002009-09-14T19:20:59.265+01:00Another day another change of direction from the g...Another day another change of direction from the good ship Nu-Labour.<br /><br />This schizophrenic government and their reviews, it would appear the directionless beast is now holding a review to look again at the scope of the Vetting and Barring scheme to make sure the ''right balance'' has been struck on how many people are covered.<br /><br />God help us if this lot were let lose in the Guinness Brewery to hold a drinks party for the Labour faithful >one man and his whippet< they would fuck it up.<br /><br />I love the Queen and Royal family, but even I am getting rather pissed off they have abandoned us to this Scottish vindictive gay cabal.The Purplelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824474829595685623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-62069034630837495922009-09-14T19:09:10.479+01:002009-09-14T19:09:10.479+01:00mandy needs barber and the unions to fund labour a...mandy needs barber and the unions to fund labour after the wip out next year.<br /><br />if mandy comes with union cash he will be leader.<br /><br />who else apart from some cranky writers and businessmen who were bullied at school are going to fund labour in the wilderness for 30 years?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-58725984586528238052009-09-14T18:05:21.314+01:002009-09-14T18:05:21.314+01:00I heard Lord Putrid's interview this morning a...I heard Lord Putrid's interview this morning as well. I was so mesmerised listening to him desperately AVOIDING saying the word 'cuts' that the rest of his speech just came out as blah, blah, blah.<br /><br />I honestly can't remember what else he had to say. I rather suspect I'm not alone in that respect, either. Sometimes, the convoluted language used to avoid clarity simply nullifies the whole script.<br /><br />What I DO remember quite clearly is Nick Robinson clarifying all the occasions when Brown did parrot 'Tory Cuts v Labour Investment.'<br /><br />The slimy Lord didn't do too well did he.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-38645020064076792472009-09-14T17:38:23.681+01:002009-09-14T17:38:23.681+01:00Obama, Sarkozy , Merkel, Brown...skilled practione...Obama, Sarkozy , Merkel, Brown...skilled practioners of the noble art of Keynesian macro-economic management. Not ideology driven but history driven. It worked then - and it is working now. It created defecits then - and it creates them now. The storm was weathered then - and its being weathered now. Printing money isn't always wrong - it wasn't then and it isn't now.Paddy Briggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17847108655078927970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-41181559362883442882009-09-14T17:38:11.013+01:002009-09-14T17:38:11.013+01:00It was raging greed on Tory lines inn the USA and ...It was raging greed on Tory lines inn the USA and here too that got us into the mess, not social democracy and certainly not socialism. Discuss.Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-26231506708974554092009-09-14T17:36:15.666+01:002009-09-14T17:36:15.666+01:00Oh FFS Iain. You shouldn't do economics. Or rh...Oh FFS Iain. You shouldn't do economics. Or rhetoric. False dichotomies and nitwittery everywhere here.<br /><br />1. There is a capital budget and a revenue budget in all public functions. It is the latter that is in most need of protection in terms of maintaining jobs and services in these sectors. <br /><br />2. The (ancient, though some Tories think they invented it) motif is "fix the roof while the sun is shining" is it not? Lots of roofs have been fixed - hospitals, schools and so on - more could be done of course but there is some choice in the timing. And waiting for more sunny days wouldn't be complete idiocy or as much of a brake on recovery as swingeing cuts in public sector jobs.<br /><br />3. Currently there is a significant fall in the effective tax take and effective overall rate going on. Less in work, less bonuses, less sales tax, less duties etc.<br /><br />4. Mandy is warning against second dip IFF Tories are allowed to cut too much or reschedule too much or try to cut taxes too much. He is making the case for continued spending, within reason. But also I'd say for some rescheduling of discretionary capital projects.<br /><br />5. There is no contradiction to speak of if you read and listen carefully and with good faith. Though that's hard of course, for some more than others.Chris Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15679067503215414300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-55471424076852485812009-09-14T17:24:29.180+01:002009-09-14T17:24:29.180+01:00"Well, which is it?"
Doesn't matter..."Well, which is it?"<br /><br />Doesn't matter Iain. There will never again be a Labour government. The working class has, effectively, seen them as the scumbag parasites they have proved themselves to be.<br /><br />(nu)Labour goes for ever at the next election. Then it's time for the rest of the liblabcons.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-48102072777863551372009-09-14T15:50:54.383+01:002009-09-14T15:50:54.383+01:00WHO VOTED FOR THIS BASTARD?WHO VOTED FOR THIS BASTARD?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05276027354212864133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-39546615538813210922009-09-14T15:49:00.269+01:002009-09-14T15:49:00.269+01:00Meaningless garbage from Mandelson.
It only prove...Meaningless garbage from Mandelson.<br /><br />It only proves that Labour will not act responsibly until forced to by the markets and the IMF. <br />The only thing keeping our debtors from the door at the moment is their thought that the Tories are going to win the election<br /><br />Jon Harvey - of course there is no difference - economic reality is economic reality. But labour are trying to pretend there will be no cuts. And its Labour who got us in this mess. thats two big differences.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6214838.post-49632768699284513132009-09-14T15:44:37.494+01:002009-09-14T15:44:37.494+01:00I wish we were back in the times of the Roman Empi...I wish we were back in the times of the Roman Empire when you could drag the treacherous, lying bastards around the streets trailing from the back of a horse. We need a General Pinochet who will purge this country of the socialists and crypto-communists. Then we can go after the muslims. And once completed, we can try to resume our upward trajectory towards civilisation.john in cheshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00179825507377423624noreply@blogger.com