In Place of Cuts
Tuesday, November 24th, 2009Today sees the publication of one of the most important pieces of work by the centre left over recent years.
In Place of Cuts: Tax reform to build a fairer society was produced by George Irvin, Dave Byrne, Richard Murphy, Howard Reed and Sally Ruane and should mark an important milestone in the re-focussing of Labour’s [...]
Cutting The Deficit is Only Half the Story
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009There’s no doubt that morale in the Labour Party is low and clearly it seems to me, is lower the closer you get to Westminster.
A few weeks ago I was at a small seminar in a Westminster Department. Civil Servants were excited; we were to have a pep talk from a Minister. The Minister duly [...]
A New Vocabulary/Language I
Friday, April 24th, 2009I spent part of yesterday with a bunch of London economists (yes I know — it’s probably not good for my health).
It was an interesting discussion. All were left.Labour supporting economists and all pretty much agreed that the economy (and us) were screwed. Non believed in the Darling’s growth targets but even worse they thought [...]
The Most Critical Budget for Any Labour Chancellor
Monday, April 20th, 2009The Sunday Broadsheets were all agreed yesterday, that Wednesday’s budget is probably the most difficult to be faced by any Labour Chancellor.
I wish Alistair Darling well. As the Observer put it yesterday, is there anyone who would wish to be Darling at the moment?
The interesting thing for me will be to see how Darling deals [...]
Nuclear: The Business Case?
Friday, April 17th, 2009This week’s announcement of the potential sites for new nuclear reactors drew remarkably little comment from mainstream politicians (although Nick Clegg was talking in 2008 about a nuclear-free future for Britain). This shows much about the new consensus that is shared amongst many politicians. Nuclear energy, though, still has many drawbacks and the problems that [...]
Reflecting on Summits
Thursday, April 9th, 2009It is always difficult to comment on momentous political events as they happen. I’ve learnt not to do it. But periods of reflection can be a good thing.
What I found most fascinating about the London Summit was the way in which the UK — politicians and press — treated the French and the Germans. Those [...]
The Campaign for Real Keynesism
Friday, March 20th, 2009As unemployment soars the government must surely take the opportunity offered by the forthcoming budget to dish up some old fashioned Keynesian investment. While we probably had no chance in bailing out the banks this investment will not provide the benefits that Keynes had in mind.
Postcard from the Depression
Thursday, February 12th, 2009At long last senior figures in government and the Bank of England are beginning to acknowledge just how bad this recession, or depression, really is.
Looking from the Heart of England — where we can all too easily remember the ravages of the ’80s — things look decidedly glum.
There are still opportunities for Labour though as [...]
Where This Recession Will Hit
Thursday, November 27th, 2008This recession is not really that different from the ones that have come before. Those who will suffer most will e those that are always at the sharp end, the low skilled and those on low incomes. The government’s reflationary package is not yet enough. What new opportunities might their be for our Cinderella communities>
Yes, but …..
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008Brown and Darling have skilfully played their way around the current difficulties. But questions do remain about our medium and long term goals
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