Browns policies.

[Purple Dalek]

Does any of this stuff actually have any impact on the great unwashed? They continue to not work, they continue to get the same amount of benefits - how is this going to change their voting habits, if they even bother?

Well, it'll mean they really really can't afford those Adidas trainers and latest Wii game for little scrote because the pound is so tulip.

[the_duderama]

Perhaps he is trying to stimulate the economy so we can then pay back the debt?

It's all well and good saying "we shouldn't have so much debt", but the fact is we do, and unless the ecomnomy picks up then how do you suggest we pay it off?

[_V_]

Does any of this stuff actually have any impact on the great unwashed? They continue to not work, they continue to get the same amount of benefits - how is this going to change their voting habits, if they even bother?

A lot of people here are fairly big earners, middle class and yet still are very left wing.

You'd be surprised how many people you might think as Tory voters are true Labour supporters. They just need to feel their house is going up again and they can borrow and spend and Gordon's vote is secured.

A mini boom (short lived) will win the vote.

[NetwkSupport]

Does any of this stuff actually have any impact on the great unwashed? They continue to not work, they continue to get the same amount of benefits - how is this going to change their voting habits, if they even bother?

Dont get me started on the "skills shortage" !!!

We should re-educate these people into a job not give them handouts forever. my mrs was on JSA for a few weeks while looking for a new job (why not we've paid thousands in taxes over the years).

I was astounded, its hard to get if you are a worker (cant get it if you leave your job voluntarily). But for the layabouts.... getting benefits is like a permie job interview once your in the system they make it so easy for you its hard to leave (if you have no ambition).

[NetwkSupport]

Alistair Darling was interviewed on R4 this morning. According to him, New Labour have reduced the debt burden since they took office in 1997. John Humphries did say that was an out and out lie but Captain Darling said it was true.

So it must be...

massaging the figures..

[_V_]

There are almost 3,000,000 people on Incapacity Benefit (long term sick).

We have 5,000,000 unemployed already. Just the figures are deceptive.

[Doggy Styles]

Why then is the government not encouraging people to be more responsible, save money, avoid taking on credit, ....

They never have, right from the start in 1997 when one of the Chancellor's first acts was to hit private pension funds for 5 billion a year.

Brown's approach is: Borrowing + spending = growth

There is obviously no room for saving in that model.

Brown ignored: Borrowing + spending = debt

That is unbelievable but true. His stewardship of the economy has been appalling. He doesn't balance the books. Imagine running a business or a household like that.

Oh dear, that turned into a bit of a rant, didn't it.

[Doggy Styles]

Alistair Darling was interviewed on R4 this morning. According to him, New Labour have reduced the debt burden since they took office in 1997. John Humphries did say that was an out and out lie but Captain Darling said it was true.

So it must be...

Did Darling really say that? What are the numbers?

[Mich the Tester]

Brown ignored: Borrowing + spending = debt

That is unbelievable but true. His stewardship of the economy has been appalling. He doesn't balance the books. Imagine running a business or a household like that.

I can think of plenty of businesses where this particular skill would have got you on the Board of Directors;

Enron
WorldCom
Parmalat
RBS
Lehman Brothers
Northern Rock
Fortis
Bear Sterns
HBOS
Bradford & Bingley

[ratewhore]

Did Darling really say that? What are the numbers?

Well, he never mentioned the numbers. I also liked the part of the interview where he talked about people reining in their spending when things are tight and then continued to talk about HMG spending their way out of the recession.

But it's ok, because, comparatively, we are in a much stronger position than many other nations.

He said that as well...