Comments on: Talk of a 2009 General Election gathers pace, but the risks are plain to see for both sides http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/ Daily views on British politics and the Conservative Party from a centre-right thinker who writes letters on his blog to politicians, journalists and many others. Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:10:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Andrew Allison http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4554 Andrew Allison Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:20:14 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4554 Trying to predict the economic and political future is extremely difficult. Therefore it is unwise to rule out an election next year and it is unwise to predict an election for next year. Anything can and probably will happen.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4554','Andrew Allison'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4554','Andrew Allison','Trying to predict the economic and political future is extremely difficult. Therefore it is unwise to rule out an election next year and it is unwise to predict an election for next year. Anything can and probably will happen.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Trying to predict the economic and political future is extremely difficult. Therefore it is unwise to rule out an election next year and it is unwise to predict an election for next year. Anything can and probably will happen.
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]]> By: Shaun Pilkington http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4553 Shaun Pilkington Wed, 19 Nov 2008 17:11:34 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4553 Yes. We want actual, feasible, solutions to the current problems and not something that sounds nice and ticks ideological buttons but may not work. Keynseianism didn't get us out of the Great Depression - WW2 did. It didn't work in the 60s or 70s. Will it work now? Maybe but the evidence isn't good. Equally retreading narrow 'Thatcherite' (Freedmanite) mantras about deregulation, low taxes and small statism won't necessarily provide the solutions either (which is a shame as it ticks my boxed!). The best we can hope for is that we get leaders interested in finding the RIGHT answer and not just the answer that gets their ideological souls fluttering... Labour's looking happy because they are executing great swathes of the 1983 manifesto, nationalising Banks and private debt, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats stand around cheering them on. Council house building is now back on the agenda along with other great statist infrastructure projects... and we all know how the 70s worked out, right?<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4553','Shaun Pilkington'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4553','Shaun Pilkington','Yes. We want actual, feasible, solutions to the current problems and not something that sounds nice and ticks ideological buttons but may not work. Keynseianism didn\'t get us out of the Great Depression - WW2 did. It didn\'t work in the 60s or 70s. Will it work now? Maybe but the evidence isn\'t good. Equally retreading narrow \'Thatcherite\' (Freedmanite) mantras about deregulation, low taxes and small statism won\'t necessarily provide the solutions either (which is a shame as it ticks my boxed!). The best we can hope for is that we get leaders interested in finding the RIGHT answer and not just the answer that gets their ideological souls fluttering... \r\n\r\nLabour\'s looking happy because they are executing great swathes of the 1983 manifesto, nationalising Banks and private debt, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats stand around cheering them on. Council house building is now back on the agenda along with other great statist infrastructure projects... and we all know how the 70s worked out, right?'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Yes. We want actual, feasible, solutions to the current problems and not something that sounds nice and ticks ideological buttons but may not work. Keynseianism didn’t get us out of the Great Depression – WW2 did. It didn’t work in the 60s or 70s. Will it work now? Maybe but the evidence isn’t good. Equally retreading narrow ‘Thatcherite’ (Freedmanite) mantras about deregulation, low taxes and small statism won’t necessarily provide the solutions either (which is a shame as it ticks my boxed!). The best we can hope for is that we get leaders interested in finding the RIGHT answer and not just the answer that gets their ideological souls fluttering…

Labour’s looking happy because they are executing great swathes of the 1983 manifesto, nationalising Banks and private debt, while the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats stand around cheering them on. Council house building is now back on the agenda along with other great statist infrastructure projects… and we all know how the 70s worked out, right?

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]]> By: LFAT http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4552 LFAT Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:48:24 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4552 The Conservatives should absolutely give a toss what the other parties are saying. Sticking to conservative principles is exactly the right thing to do at all times, but it is essential that the Conservatives do not panic the voters or put forward schemes that hark back 20 years instead of dealing with the (very unique) current economic crisis.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4552','LFAT'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4552','LFAT','The Conservatives should absolutely give a toss what the other parties are saying. Sticking to conservative principles is exactly the right thing to do at all times, but it is essential that the Conservatives do not panic the voters or put forward schemes that hark back 20 years instead of dealing with the (very unique) current economic crisis.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> The Conservatives should absolutely give a toss what the other parties are saying. Sticking to conservative principles is exactly the right thing to do at all times, but it is essential that the Conservatives do not panic the voters or put forward schemes that hark back 20 years instead of dealing with the (very unique) current economic crisis.
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]]> By: jameshigham http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4550 jameshigham Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:36:40 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4550 The Conservatives need to sit down now, get in a good leader then write the policies from the bottom up, using previous Conservative lines from Thatcher onwards as a reference point. They should not give a toss about what the other parties are saying. then they should argue those policies hard and stick with them.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4550','jameshigham'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4550','jameshigham','The Conservatives need to sit down now, get in a good leader then write the policies from the bottom up, using previous Conservative lines from Thatcher onwards as a reference point. They should not give a toss about what the other parties are saying. then they should argue those policies hard and stick with them.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> The Conservatives need to sit down now, get in a good leader then write the policies from the bottom up, using previous Conservative lines from Thatcher onwards as a reference point. They should not give a toss about what the other parties are saying. then they should argue those policies hard and stick with them.
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]]> By: LFAT http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4549 LFAT Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:04:32 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4549 I've already heard that the legislative programme is being cleared for spring next year, suggesting that there might well be a gap opening up in Labour's schedule around that time....<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4549','LFAT'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4549','LFAT','I\'ve already heard that the legislative programme is being cleared for spring next year, suggesting that there might well be a gap opening up in Labour\'s schedule around that time....'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> I’ve already heard that the legislative programme is being cleared for spring next year, suggesting that there might well be a gap opening up in Labour’s schedule around that time….
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]]> By: Bill Quango MP http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4547 Bill Quango MP Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:55:51 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4547 Having previously posted on the likelihood of a spring election,we pretty much came down on It Won't Happen. However if Brown gets some courage it probably really is his best opportunity. Unemployment will climb massively next year. I expect the mar/apr numbers to be the worst of the year. A huge increase in % terms giving plenty of ammo to DC. I still think that Gordon will plot and plan for a spring election,with the utmost secrecy, and it may well be worth the Tories having a really good spy network reporting on Labour preparations for a spring election. Plenty of PMQ's on "how's the preparations going today will the pm confirm that mar 9th is the day etc.." Gives the Bottler tag new life if he doesn't call it and puts pressure on him to give details if he does. It will probably hinge on a Baby P type event at the end of the day.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4547','Bill Quango MP'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4547','Bill Quango MP','Having previously posted on the likelihood of a spring election,we pretty much came down on It Won\'t Happen.\r\nHowever if Brown gets some courage it probably really is his best opportunity.\r\nUnemployment will climb massively next year. I expect the mar\/apr numbers to be the worst of the year. A huge increase in % terms giving plenty of ammo to DC.\r\nI still think that Gordon will plot and plan for a spring election,with the utmost secrecy, and it may well be worth the Tories having a really good spy network reporting on Labour preparations for a spring election. Plenty of PMQ\'s on \"how\'s the preparations going today will the pm confirm that mar 9th is the day etc..\"\r\nGives the Bottler tag new life if he doesn\'t call it and puts pressure on him to give details if he does.\r\n\r\nIt will probably hinge on a Baby P type event at the end of the day.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> Having previously posted on the likelihood of a spring election,we pretty much came down on It Won’t Happen.
However if Brown gets some courage it probably really is his best opportunity.
Unemployment will climb massively next year. I expect the mar/apr numbers to be the worst of the year. A huge increase in % terms giving plenty of ammo to DC.
I still think that Gordon will plot and plan for a spring election,with the utmost secrecy, and it may well be worth the Tories having a really good spy network reporting on Labour preparations for a spring election. Plenty of PMQ’s on “how’s the preparations going today will the pm confirm that mar 9th is the day etc..”
Gives the Bottler tag new life if he doesn’t call it and puts pressure on him to give details if he does.

It will probably hinge on a Baby P type event at the end of the day.

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]]> By: Sharpe's Opinion | Whatever the Outcome, We Should Have an Election http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4546 Sharpe's Opinion | Whatever the Outcome, We Should Have an Election Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:47:57 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4546 [...] From A Tory has been considering the positives and pitfalls of an early election this [...]<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4546','Sharpe\'s Opinion | Whatever the Outcome, We Should Have an Election'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4546','Sharpe\'s Opinion | Whatever the Outcome, We Should Have an Election','[...] From A Tory has been considering the positives and pitfalls of an early election this [...]'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> [...] From A Tory has been considering the positives and pitfalls of an early election this [...]
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]]> By: LFAT http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4544 LFAT Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:28:45 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4544 I think so too. For too long, the Conservatives have not played to their strengths and demonstrated their social and fiscal responsibility. Now is the time to change that, as the public must really believe that the Conservatives are the best party to lead this country if we are to win an election. With the economic outlook being so uncertain, brave and bold policies are needed from Cameron and it looks like we might finally be heading in that direction.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4544','LFAT'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4544','LFAT','I think so too. For too long, the Conservatives have not played to their strengths and demonstrated their social and fiscal responsibility. Now is the time to change that, as the public must really believe that the Conservatives are the best party to lead this country if we are to win an election. \r\n\r\nWith the economic outlook being so uncertain, brave and bold policies are needed from Cameron and it looks like we might finally be heading in that direction.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> I think so too. For too long, the Conservatives have not played to their strengths and demonstrated their social and fiscal responsibility. Now is the time to change that, as the public must really believe that the Conservatives are the best party to lead this country if we are to win an election.

With the economic outlook being so uncertain, brave and bold policies are needed from Cameron and it looks like we might finally be heading in that direction.

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]]> By: Curly http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4543 Curly Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:18:29 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4543 The time is fast approaching to <a href="http://curly15.wordpress.com/2008/11/19/end-spend-spend-spend/" rel="nofollow">polarise politics</a> and offer the public real change.<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4543','Curly'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4543','Curly','The time is fast approaching to <a href=\"http:\/\/curly15.wordpress.com\/2008\/11\/19\/end-spend-spend-spend\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">polarise politics<\/a> and offer the public real change.'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> The time is fast approaching to polarise politics and offer the public real change.
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]]> By: Shaun Pilkington http://www.lettersfromatory.com/2008/11/19/talk-of-a-2009-general-election-gathers-pace-but-the-risks-are-plain-to-see-for-both-sides/#comment-4542 Shaun Pilkington Wed, 19 Nov 2008 09:47:30 +0000 http://www.lettersfromatory.com/?p=1476#comment-4542 In the Crash Gordon Saviour of The Universe narrative, its Dave the Merciless. How else could you describe someone who callously won't increase public sector spending quite as quickly as our brave hero? Is it not merciless to eschew tax cuts just because you'll have to massively increase taxes later to pay for the horrible debt you just incurred? Heartless!<div class="comment-remix-meta"><a href="#" class="replyto" onclick="replyto('4542','Shaun Pilkington'); return false;">Reply to this comment</a> - <a href="#" class="quote" onclick="quote('4542','Shaun Pilkington','In the Crash Gordon Saviour of The Universe narrative, its Dave the Merciless. How else could you describe someone who callously won\'t increase public sector spending quite as quickly as our brave hero? Is it not merciless to eschew tax cuts just because you\'ll have to massively increase taxes later to pay for the horrible debt you just incurred? Heartless!'); return false;">Quote this comment</a></div> In the Crash Gordon Saviour of The Universe narrative, its Dave the Merciless. How else could you describe someone who callously won’t increase public sector spending quite as quickly as our brave hero? Is it not merciless to eschew tax cuts just because you’ll have to massively increase taxes later to pay for the horrible debt you just incurred? Heartless!
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